Home
Share |

Content about Person Location

April 3, 2013
Fending Off Hack Attacks (Conclusion)

CHICAGO — Banks commonly refuse to indemnify companies for funds stolen from commercial accounts

CHICAGO — Quick. Easy. Efficient. Who doesn’t love online banking? Be aware, though, of the danger: Hackers can access your account, drain your funds and threaten the survival of your business.

The risk is growing. Cyber attacks increased some 24% in the first half of 2012 over the same period the previous year, according to a new report from security firm Symantec. Reason? “Any time the economy goes down, white collar crime goes up,” says Bill McDermott, CEO of Atlanta-based McDermott Financial Solutions. “We’re seeing an increase in corporate account takeovers. It’s a huge problem.”

Banks commonly refuse to indemnify companies for funds stolen from commercial accounts. “A lot of people have the misunderstanding that banks offer to business accounts the protection offered to consumers,” says McDermott. “In fact, banks will not hold business account holders harmless for losses from cyber-fraud.”

April 2, 2013
Fending Off Hack Attacks (Part 1)

CHICAGO — Banks commonly refuse to indemnify companies for funds stolen from commercial accounts

CHICAGO — Quick. Easy. Efficient. Who doesn’t love online banking? Be aware, though, of the danger: Hackers can access your account, drain your funds and threaten the survival of your business.

The risk is growing. Cyber attacks increased some 24% in the first half of 2012 over the same period the previous year, according to a new report from security firm Symantec. Reason? “Any time the economy goes down, white collar crime goes up,” says Bill McDermott, CEO of Atlanta-based McDermott Financial Solutions. “We’re seeing an increase in corporate account takeovers. It’s a huge problem.”

Banks commonly refuse to indemnify companies for funds stolen from commercial accounts. “A lot of people have the misunderstanding that banks offer to business accounts the protection offered to consumers,” says McDermott. “In fact, banks will not hold business account holders harmless for losses from cyber-fraud.”

April 1, 2013
Dry Cleaning Pros Exchange Best Practices During Conference

CANCUN, Mexico — DLI, NCA members share ideas, soak up sun

CANCUN, Mexico — When was the last time you shared ideas with industry peers on how to make your dry cleaning business more efficient, expand your customer base, or boost your bottom line?

More than 100 dry cleaning professionals traveled to a Cancun resort in January to exchange best practices during a joint conference sponsored by the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) and the National Cleaners Association (NCA).

Brian Johnson, DLI’s director of education and analysis, called Secrets The Vine resort a “fantastic venue.” Attendees learned each other’s business secrets at daily, three-hour seminars. For example, motivational speaker and author Jack Mitchell discussed his “Hug Your Customers” philosophy that helps his business operating men’s and women’s specialty stores to thrive.

“His methods were fascinating,” says Johnson, explaining that “hugs” are unexpected gestures like placing a birthday card in a customer’s suit pocket.

March 11, 2013
SCCA Meeting Examines Ways to Improve Customer Experience, Bottom Line

COMMERCE, Calif. — Meeting features Christopher White, executive director of America’s Best Cleaners

COMMERCE, Calif. — The SoCal Cleaners Association (SCCA) will host Improving Your Customers’ Experience and Your Bottom Line, a presentation by Christopher White, executive director of America’s Best Cleaners, during the association’s upcoming March 20 meeting.

White has more than 25 years of experience working in the dry cleaning industry and has risen “to the very highest level in the profession,” SCCA says. He has extensive knowledge of textile cleaning and finishing techniques and is recognized as an industry leader in operational systems, database management, staff development and team building.

He will discuss developing an exceptional client experience by catering to specific needs of clients through individual services provided by the front-end team, and how to develop these needs into specific “nudges” that increase the client’s overall experience while also increasing the bottom line.

SCCA says takeaways will include:

February 25, 2013
In Memoriam: William W. ‘Bill’ Haiges, Haiges Machinery

BROWNSBURG, Ind. — He oversaw the commercial laundry and dry cleaning equipment distributor’s Indiana division

BROWNSBURG, Ind. — William W. “Bill” Haiges, the co-owner and operator of commercial laundry and dry cleaning equipment distributor Haiges Machinery Inc., died Feb. 17 at the age of 66. Haiges oversaw the Indiana division of the company, which is headquartered in Huntley, Ill.

He was a 1964 graduate of Dundee (Ill.) Community High School and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Surviving him are his wife, Victoria; four children, Kimberly Haiges-Navarro, Darrin Haiges, Brian Haiges and Timothy Haiges; four stepchildren; and nine grandchildren. Other survivors include his former wife and the mother of his children, Diane Haiges; and two brothers, Robert Haiges and Lee Haiges.

Funeral services were held Saturday in West Dundee, Ill., followed by burial with military honors in East Dundee.

Memorials may be made to The Animal House Shelter, 13005 Ernesti Rd., Huntley, IL 60142.

To leave an online condolence, visit the Miller Funeral Home’s website.

October 15, 2012
In Memoriam: John H. 'Jack' Ruen Jr., Cleaners Hanger Co.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — Third-generation owner/operator retired as CEO in 1990

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — John H. “Jack” Ruen Jr., former owner and operator of the Cleaners Hanger Co., died July 14 at his home at the age of 74.

Ruen was born March 10, 1938, in Detroit to John “Hank” and Marion Martin Ruen. He graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School in 1956.

He was a third-generation owner and operator of Cleaners Hanger Co. in Detroit, and was active in the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA), where he served on the Board of Directors. Ruen retired from Cleaners Hanger as CEO in 1990 after a lifelong career in the family business.

Surviving Ruen are five children, 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of the donor's choice.

August 27, 2012
65 Years of Dedicated Service

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Accountant Leland Bierbaum has known only one employer: Dison Cleaners

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Rochester is probably best known for being the home of the world famous Mayo Clinic, founded in 1889. It is Rochester’s economic center, employing some 30,000 people in the city of roughly 108,000.

But for the staffers of Dison (pronounced dee-son) Cleaners, former and present, Rochester is home to another longtime community fixture that holds a much more special place in their hearts. His name is Leland.

Earlier this year—on June 2, to be precise—Leland Bierbaum, 86, marked 65 years of service as the company’s bookkeeper. That’s right—65 years.It is his first and only job.

It was the summer of 1947 when Harold “Hap” Dison Sr., grandfather of current owners Mark and Greg Dison, hired Bierbaum. He started out making $35 a week and worked every day but Sundays.

August 23, 2012
In Memoriam: Steven Katz, ThermoSteam Systems, and Gene Blumenthal, Metro-Chem

CHICAGO — Industry mourns passings of vendor leaders

CHICAGO — The laundry and dry cleaning industry lost two vendor leaders recently with the passings of Steven Katz, CEO of ThermoSteam Industries, and Gene Blumenthal, founder and president of Metro-Chem Inc.

Steven Mark Katz, 1948-2012

Katz, 63, South Bend, Ind., died Monday. He was born and raised in South Bend. He attended Indiana University, where he graduated with a history degree in 1970. He pursued a career in laundry and dry cleaning, and eventually became the CEO of two companies: ThermoSteam Systems, manufacturer of packaged steam boilers, and Kay Industries, producer of phase converters.

steven katz

Katz was active in the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA), having served on its board of directors for four years and as treasurer for two.

He was also active in his local community and his congregation, Sinai Synagogue. He was known as an extraordinary orator and was called upon to emcee various events in the South Bend area over the years.