American Coin-Op - January 2012

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I N S I D E : J A N U AI N R YS I D2 0E :1 2J U L Y 2 0 0 5 HOW BEING PROACTIVE CAN BENEFIT YOUR TAX PREPARATION

MORE COLORS, TEXTURES FOR LAUNDRY FURNISHINGS

PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRYERS

W W W . A M E R I C A N C O I N O P. C O M

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CONTENTS JANUARY 2012 VOLUME 53 ISSUE 1 STORE CREATION: BUILD NEW VS. REHAB? You’ve come to a point where you’re considering opening a new coin laundry. But should you build it from the ground up, or should you look at rehabilitating an existing store? What are the pros and cons of each?

COVER STORY

8 FEATURES 18 9 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

ABOUT BUSINESS CREDIT Recent developments in our troubled economy have served to dramatize how credit can be a valuable friend or a dreadful foe. Used sensibly, credit can be a powerful asset in your business life. Use it carelessly and it can become your worst.

COLUMNS 14 MAKE THIS TAX SEASON WORK FOR YOUR BENEFIT Tax time is here again. You know the drill. You gather up all your paperwork, ledgers, computer reports, and the like, and drop them off at your accountant. How about trying a different approach this year? Become proactive about your taxes, suggests Howard Scott.

Try to learn from the process. In fact, suggest possible deductions.

DEPARTMENTS 20 TRENDS IN LAUNDRY FURNISHINGS The general structure of chairs and tables typically found in coin laundries today really haven’t changed much in recent years, but the palette of colors and textures that are available has become quite expansive.

22 PRODUCT SHOWCASE: DRYERS Cover Image: © iStockphoto/John Cowie

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AMERICAN COIN-OP JANUARY 2012

4 VIEWPOINT 6 INDUSTRY SURVEY

28 NEWSMAKERS 29 AD INDEX

20 A CLOSER LOOK Any time spent discussing accents, balance, or motif will be a waste of time if the furniture doesn’t stand up to the rigors of laundry life.

www.americancoinop.com

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VIEWPOINT

EDITORIAL Charles Thompson, Publisher E-mail: cthompson@ americantrademagazines.com Phone: 312-361-1680 Bruce Beggs, Editorial Director E-mail: bbeggs@ americantrademagazines.com Phone: 312-361-1683

BUILDING INTEREST

Roger Napiwocki, Production Manager Jean Teller, Contributing Editor Nathan Frerichs, Digital Media Director E-mail: nfrerichs@ americantrademagazines.com Phone: 312-361-1681

ADVERTISING NEW OR REHAB? When you’re in the position to open a coin laundry, should you build a new store or rehab an existing property? The distributors I quizzed say that both options have pluses and minuses. You can work from a “blank canvas” when you build a new store, but choosing to rehab presents an opportunity to revitalize a laundry that already has a customer base. Our story starts on Page 8.

Bruce Beggs

TO YOUR CREDIT Given the state of the U.S. economy today, it’s never been more important to maintain a good credit score for your business. Bill Lynott says credit can be a powerful asset, or it can become your worst enemy if used carelessly. There are nine things you need to know about maintaining good credit. Check out Lynott’s list beginning on Page 18.

TRENDS IN FURNISHINGS Little has changed in the structure of chairs and tables typically found in today’s coin laundries, but what has changed is the colors and textures in which they can be created. Manufacturers of coin laundry furniture now offer a broad palette of shades, as well as textures such as granite and stone. And what’s the downside of buying residential-grade furniture for a busy laundry? Pull up a chair on Page 20.

TAX TIME Tax time is here again, so it’s time to gather up your financial records. Pay your fair share, advises small-business consultant Howard Scott, but be sure you take advantage of the deductions due you. For example, a home office could be worth $2,000 to $3,000. Read his other tax tips on Page 14.

BUYER’S GUIDE COMING IN MARCH American Coin-Op will be publishing its annual Buyer’s Guide issue in March.

Manufacturers, if you were listed in last year’s Guide (and, by extension, on our website), be watching for our e-mail invitation with instructions for updating your listing online by an early February deadline so that we can publish the most current information. Contact Nathan Frerichs, digital media director, nfrerichs@american trademagazines.com, if you have any questions or need assistance.

Bruce Beggs Editorial Director

4

AMERICAN COIN-OP JANUARY 2012

Donald Feinstein, Natl. Sales Director E-mail: dfeinstein@ americantrademagazines.com Phone: 312-361-1682

OFFICE INFORMATION Main: 312-361-1700 Fax: 312-361-1685

SUBSCRIPTIONS 630-739-0600 www.AmericanCoinOp.com

American Coin-Op (ISSN 0092-2811) is published monthly. Subscription prices, payment in advance: U.S. and Possessions, 1 year $39.00; 2 years $73.00. Foreign, 1 year $89.00; 2 years $166.00. Single copies $7.00 for U.S. and Possessions, $14.00 for all other countries. Published by American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake Street, Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER, Send changes of address and form 3579 to American Coin-Op, Subscription Dept., 440 Quadrangle Drive, Suite E, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Volume 53, number 1. Editorial, executive and advertising offices are at 566 West Lake Street, Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661. Charles Thompson, President and Publisher.

American Coin-Op is distributed selectively to owners, operators and managers of chain and individually owned coin-operated laundry establishments in the United States. No material appearing in American Coin-Op may be reprinted without written permission. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising for any reason. © Copyright AMERICAN TRADE MAGAZINES LLC, 2012. Printed in U.S.A.

www.americancoinop.com

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INDUSTRY SURVEY

58% OF LAUNDRY OWNERS SAY BUSINESS BETTER IN 2011 THAN 2010 Chief factors: Installing new equipment, larger customer base, raising prices CHICAGO — Nearly 58% of self-service laundry owners and operators polled in the last American Coin-Op Wire survey of 2011 said their business was better (“much better,” 20%; “somewhat better,” 37.8%) than it was in 2010.

Taking the economy into consideration, 29.5% said their business was better than they had expected, while another 47.7% said it was about what they expected. Roughly 21% said their business was worse than expected, and the remaining 2.3% said they didn’t know.

Operators whose business rose in 2011 attributed it primarily to installing new equipment (46.2%), a larger customer base (42.3%) and/or raising prices (30.8%). Better marketing efforts (26.9%), decreasing competition (19.2%), offering new extra services (15.4%) and lowering expenses (7.7%) were other important factors. Some 23% pointed to “other” reasons, and most of their comments dealt with keeping stores clean and equipment in operation. (Respondents could choose any or all among several suggested factors or offer their own.)

Among respondents who said their business dropped in 2011, two-thirds (66.7%) blamed the decline on customers cutting down on the number of visits. Other significant causes were a decreasing customer base (61.9%) and rising expenses (52.4%).

Also cited were “other” (19%), lower extra-service income (14.3%), and competitors cutting into their business (9.5%).

Two out of five operators said they raised washer and/or dryer prices in 2011.

Finally, respondents were asked how they would grade their 2011 management performance. Sixty percent gave themselves a B, and another 24.4% gave themselves an A. Roughly 11% said they only deserved a C, while 4.4% gave themselves a D. The Wire survey presents a snapshot of readers’ viewpoints at a particular moment, but it should not be considered scientific.

Subscribers to Wire e-mails—distributed twice weekly—are invited to take a brief industry survey anonymously online each month. All self-service laundry owners and operators are encouraged to participate, as a greater number of responses will help to better define operator opinions and industry trends.

To sign up for the Wire, click the “Subscriptions” button at the top right-hand corner of the AmericanCoinOp.com home page and follow the instructions.

■ 6

AMERICAN COIN-OP JANUARY 2012

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STORE CREATION:

Build New DISTRIBUTORS WEIGH PROS AND CONS OF OPTIONS

By Bruce Beggs, Editorial Director

Y

ou’ve come to a point where you’re considering opening a new coin laundry. But should you build it from the ground up, or should you look at rehabilitating an existing store? What are the pros and cons of each?

“There are great arguments for both sides, but there are some catches that you

Photo: © iStockphoto/Oxford 8

AMERICAN COIN-OP JANUARY 2012

or Rehab?

want to look at, whether you’re buying a new store or retooling a store,” says J.D. Dixon, owner and president of National Laundry Equipment, a Huebsch distributor based in Nashville, Tenn. “Both can be great investments.”

Robert Renteria, president of Midwest Laundries, Chicago, and a regular contrib-

utor to AmericanCoinOp.com, says he’s seen more “born-again” laundries than ever before in the past year. “The key now is to find laundry locations that are in operating condition but in need of a facelift, or that are closed but have an upside when the competition and demographics are taken into account.”

Setting the laundry apart from its competition has to be at the heart of the decisionmaking process, advises Carl Graham, vice president of coin sales for Scott Equipment, a Dexter distributor based in Houston, Texas. “Unless you build a bigger, better burger, they’re not going to come.”

INFRASTRUCTURE When building new, you can start from the ground up to create a clean, modern infrastructure so it can handle the laundry equipment you plan to install, Dixon says.

“A lot of times, the problem we run into with retools is the owner wants to put in a whole new bunch of equipment and you walk in and find out, ‘Wow, we’ve got some serious infrastructure issues.’”

You may discover that the electric, water or gas service is insufficient for your project’s needs, or may even be substandard because “unlicensed electricians and gas people” have done the work in the past.

“You find wires and lines and plumbing going in all different directions,” Dixon says. “You wonder why the equipment acts like it has a ghost in it, and it’s really not the equipment. It’s really your infrastructure.

You’re bleeding amps, or something weird is happening. www.americancoinop.com

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a project could turn “That happens more often Choosing to rehab a store out to be more than not in a retool. It’s pretmeans you’re locked into expensive than buyty amazing when you walk into these places and you see that location, while building ing new if extensive work is necessary. how things have been set up. new gives the prospective “You’re limited And it seems like the older owner the flexibility to on your space and the laundry, the worse it is.” your setup,” Dixon But that isn’t always the select the best site for says. “A lot of times, case, according to Graham. his/her business needs. when you’re retool“Rehabbing has its definite advantages, because you — J.D. Dixon ing a store, it’s going have most of your infraNational Laundry Equipment to be hard to change the ergonomics. Unstructure in place. You just less you want to get have to modify stuff.” into tearing up the You can eliminate any floor and re-running concerns about infrastrucdrain lines, things ture issues with new conlike that, you’re basically going to put struction, according to Dixon.

“You don’t have any of those problems equipment where equipment already with a new store,” he says. “You get to put stood.”

“You might have to gut the whole place it in the way it’s supposed to be, and you know that you’re not going to have any out and sometimes it costs more to rehab a place than to build new,” Graham says. odd issues with your equipment.”

Advances in laundry equipment, particularly a shift from top loaders to front loadLOCATION Choosing to rehab a store means you’re ers, can enable a new owner to fit more locked into that location, Dixon says, while capacity into the same space, Graham says.

“I’ve got two 7,000-square-foot stores building new gives the prospective owner the flexibility to select the best site for that I’m revamping right now,” he says.

“We’re reducing the (size of the) stores by a his/her business needs.

Whether new or rehab, Graham asks his third but we’re increasing the volume of clients if they’re comfortable with the loca- capacity they can have and reducing their tion. “You’re the one who has to go there electrical and water usage.”

Building new means a much more extenall the time, so it needs to be in an area you sive project than a rehab. “There’s going to don’t mind going to.” be a whole lot of construction on this that you’re hoping to miss on the retool,” Dixon DESIGN From the outset, building a new store says. provides the owner with what amounts to a blank canvas. There will be some con- RISK AND REGULATION Building a new store means taking on straints based on the space available, but the opportunity exists to design a store that more financial risk than you would if is highly efficient and thus equipped to get rehabbing, plus it’s generally more expencustomers in and out in the shortest time sive, Dixon says. “Like starting any new business, you have more pre-revenue time. possible.

“You can tailor the space exactly to the You have a lot more time before you bring demographics of your area,” Dixon says. in dollar one.”

When choosing to rehab, Renteria favors “You can tailor the ergonomics of the space. You can tailor even the way the fixing any machines that still have useful building is lit and colored, location, paint- life, then looking to buy rebuilt or refured, and floored, everything, based on the bished machines. “This will cut your expenditures about 50% and make for a folks that are living around there.”

What works in one store may not work much better ROI at the end of the year.”

Buying and rehabbing an existing launin another. For example, you might choose a color scheme for a Miami store that you dry often means the new owner can avoid some expenses ... and some bureaucracy. wouldn’t for a store in Lexington, Ky. “A lot of times, you can avoid impact Rehabbing an existing store presents limitations, Dixon says, and Graham adds that fees and code restrictions, which are huge,” 10

AMERICAN COIN-OP JANUARY 2012

Dixon says.

For example, Davidson County, Tenn., where Nashville is located, charges an impact fee of approximately $3,000 per washer, Dixon says. The impact fee charged in Houston is $1,500 to $1,700 per washer, Graham adds.

“If you buy existing, you’re grandfathered, so those fees are paid,” Graham says. “That’s a pro for refurbishing an existing store. And you don’t have to go through as much red tape either, unless you do a complete rehab of a place.”

“If you buy [an existing store], someone has already gone through that process,” Dixon says. “You still have to pull permits, but it’s a whole lot easier to pull a permit to put in new equipment or upgrade electrical or do something like that than to build a new store.”

BUILDING CUSTOMER BASE One benefit for choosing to rehab an existing laundry is that it already has a customer base. You have the opportunity to speak to the store’s customers and get ideas for how you can develop the business and attract more people.

With a new store, you must build that customer base from zero, Dixon says.

“You’ve got to be thinking about how to get your message to the people in your area,” he says. “You want to think very hard about within a 1-2 mile area, but you also want to think about miles three to five away from your store. How do I reach the people one to two miles from me in an urban setting? In a rural setting, it could be 15 miles.”

IS ONE EASIER THAN THE OTHER? “It depends on what part of rehab you have to do,” Graham says. “I prefer (building) new, because you go by all the new codes. And you can build it the way you want to built it, the most efficient way.”

“It’s a case by case basis,” Dixon says.

“A lot of times, in a retool situation, you get into working with the current business owner and negotiating and all that rigamarole that you have to go through to actually buy the business in the first place. Once you own the business, the retool would be easier, because there are (fewer) levers to pull, (fewer) variables to think about.

“But there are things about building a business that are easier as well, because you can build from that blank canvas.”

■ www.americancoinop.com

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AN OUTSIDER’S VIEW

MAKE THIS TAX SEASON WORK FOR YOUR BENEFIT Pay taxes in timely fashion but not before taking advantage of deductions you are due

Howard Scott

14

Tax time is here again. You know the drill. You gather up all your paperwork, ledgers, computer reports, and the like, and drop them off at your accountant. A few weeks later, he calls, telling you to make checks out for so much in federal taxes and so much in state taxes. You’re finished for another year.

How about trying a different approach this year?

Become proactive about your taxes; don’t just let the accountant do them. Try to learn from the process. In fact, suggest possible deductions. Your accountant might be a longtime family friend who has stuck by you through thick and thin, but no one cares as much as you do.

Here are a few suggestions for tax time: • File your taxes in a timely fashion Be honest and above board. Call all inflow revenue and all expenses outflows. To do this accurately means keeping up with paperwork and maintaining the company books in a systematic fashion.

Get the payroll taxes filed, keep up with quarterlies, and turn in your personal tax return by April 15.

• Pay estimates in a timely fashion Estimates are due on April 15, June 15, Sept. 15 and Jan. 15. Estimate your annual tax liability, and pay estimates in four equal sums, both federal and state. If you don’t pay estimates on time to cover your annual profits, you will be assessed a penalty.

But the penalty is only the beginning of your problems.

With this tendency to be late, you’ll probably struggle to comply with your obligation. For instance, the end of the year is coming, and you’re in a tough cash-flow squeeze, so you don’t put in the last estimates. This begins a vicious cycle of always trying to catch up. Don’t fall into that bottomless hole.

• Include all mileage driven in connection with work.

That includes visits to other Laundromats, trips to vendors, explorations of other markets, and even rental car costs in distant places if it is used to parse the Laundromat situation there.

• Volunteer miles driven become business miles For instance, say you conduct a free cleaning for a charity drive. All related activities are fully deductible.

Pickups and drop-offs count as business miles instead of volunteer miles, because the activity helps your

AMERICAN COIN-OP JANUARY 2012

company’s image.

• Professional subscriptions and association dues are legitimate deductions For example, if you take several fellow association members out to dinner and you discuss your companies, you could take that expense. If you host an association party, all related costs are deductible.

• Expense books purchased that help with work For example, if you buy business or psychology books to understand employees, these are legit expenses.

• Count the cost of any experiment to improve or try new processes This might include cost of chemicals and equipment for testing out new cleaning agents.

• Deduct total expenses of conventions and workshops All charges related to your attendance at an event— flight, hotel, car rental, meals—are included. If your spouse attends, his/her individual expenses cannot be included. But the charges common to both of you, such as lodging, can be.

• If you use the Internet for research, take a portion of the monthly fee • The costs of all education programs and workshops are real expenses • Any payment made to your young children for working in your laundry is a deduction Now you can employ your young children and expense their incomes. While it’s a deduction for you, they will probably not pay any taxes because their incomes fall under $3,700, the individual exemption amount.

• The cost of gifts given to individuals who helped you with your business is a marketing expense For instance, if someone gave you a lead, and it results in a new client, any giving to that individual is a valid deduction.

• If you buy art and rotate it periodically in the laundry, you are entitled to expense the purchase • If you have a space where you do administrative work regularly and exclusively at home, you can take a home office deduction You can deduct a portion of your mortgage interest, property taxes, house insurance, maintenance, repairs, www.americancoinop.com

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and depreciation. The portion is that square foot percentage that you use for the office plus any space you store material versus the total square footage of your home.

By regular and exclusive, you don’t have to do the work there all the time, but when you do the activity, you do it there, and you don’t do anything else there. In other words, that space is set aside for you to work at home. You might have an office in your store, but that doesn’t negate the possibility of taking a home office expense.

Many “Laundromateurs” stay clear of home offices. They don’t like the sound of the phrase, perhaps harking back to the days when a home office would send up a red flag. But those days are long gone. With more and more people working from home, the practice has become an accepted part of the business landscape. Additionally, a home office is often a significant expense, particularly if the business owner has a sizeable house and a large mortgage. A home office could easily become a $2,000 or $3,000 deduction.

• Use the time with your accountant to learn something Examine your tax return and come back with questions before filing. Some changes might benefit you.

Why do we have so much depreciation?

What do the figures represent?

What is special depreciation?

Why did my cost of utilities go from 23% to 26%?

Is my wash, dry and fold business profitable?

Am I paying out too much to settle customer complaints?

Which machines need replacing?

Were my marketing efforts effective?

If I made X profits, where is it?

How could I make more money next year?

Make your accountant a business partner. After all, he or she is involved in many ventures as an accountant, and might be an investor or business owner. He or she could give you good advice, much like a consultant can.

Make the next tax season really count for you.

■ Howard Scott is a long-time business writer and small-business consultant. He has published four books. If you have any questions about this column, contact Editorial Director Bruce Beggs at bbeggs@americantrademagazines.com.

To read more Howard Scott columns, visit AmericanCoinOp.com

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By Bill Lynott Photo: © iStockphoto/Tom Mc Nemar

R

ecent developments in our troubled economy have served to dramatize how credit can be a valuable friend or a dreadful foe. Used sensibly, credit can be a powerful asset in your business life.

Use it carelessly and it can become your worst enemy.

Here are nine ways to put credit to work for you and your laundry:

Be Aware of Your Credit Report If your credit score is “good,” it will be easy for you to get credit when you need it.

If your score is “bad,” you may find it impossible to get credit from anyone.

If you are operating your store as a sole proprietor or partnership, it isn’t possible to separate your personal credit from your business credit; your score for both will be the same. To learn more about how your credit score is calculated, visit ftc.gov.

The three credit reporting agencies (CRAs), Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, are legally required to provide you with a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months at your request. You can order your report online at annualcredit report.com, or by calling 877-322-8228.

If your business is incorporated, you may want to register with Dun & Bradstreet using your legal business name.

Registration will provide you with a DUNS number, a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as a universal standard for identi18

AMERICAN COIN-OP JANUARY 2012

fying and keeping track of the more than 120 million businesses in the D&B database. There is a fee for this service, but a DUNS number will help to establish your credibility with suppliers and vendors.

Improve Your Credit Score You can improve your score by: • Paying your bills on time. This is the smart way to handle credit. Late or missed payments are a sure way to lower your score and incur hefty late fees and finance charges.

• Avoid large balances. Outstanding balances larger than about 25% of your credit limit are a red flag to financial institutions.

• Avoid closing out an account and transferring the balance to another credit card.

This can hurt more than it can help. Each time you close an account, you lower your overall credit limit. Thus, your existing debt becomes a larger percentage of your limit.

trap,” it can be difficult if not impossible to dig your way out.

Don’t Cancel Unused Cards All at Once If you have a number of credit card accounts but use only a few of them, it’s best to close out the unused ones. However, be sure to keep the cards that you’ve had the longest and cancel the newest cards.

The CRAs like to see a long record of prompt payments. Too many new cards will tend to lower your credit score.

If you have more than one or two unused cards, spread out the cancellations over a period of several months.

Think Twice Before Opening New Accounts If you and your laundry don’t already have a long and favorable credit history, opening a new credit line will tend to lower your score. New accounts lower the average age of your accounts. That, in turn, affects your credit score.

Avoid the Minimum-Payment Trap Whenever possible, don’t charge more than you can pay off in full when your monthly credit card bills arrive. When you pay the full balance each month, you’re taking advantage of an interest-free loan from the card issuer.

If you make only minimum payments on a significant balance, it can take years, and sometimes decades, to pay off the full debt.

Once you fall into the “minimum-payment

Consolidating Card Balances Not a Cure Once you allow yourself to get into unmanageable debt, there’s no easy way out. Debt consolidation may sound like an easy cure, but many professionals and business owners have discovered that so-called debt consolidation led them down the road to an even more burdensome debt load.

“Consolidating debts may be only digging yourself into a deeper hole,” says financial www.americancoinop.com

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planner Brent A. Neisner. “Before you take that step, you should ask yourself how you got into debt trouble. Overspending almost always involves emotional and psychological issues that aren’t going to go away by treating the symptoms.”

Eliminate Receipt of Pre-approved Offers Those pre-approved credit offers that find their way into your mailbox represent a temptation for identity thieves who might try to open new credit accounts in your name or the name of your business.

You can opt-out by visiting the official Credit Reporting Industry website (https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t) or by calling 888-567-8688.

Be Aware of Debit and Credit Differences While there are many similarities between debit and credit cards, the differences can significantly affect your cash flow.

It’s easier to qualify for a debit card than a credit card. When you use a debit card, you must already have the money in your business account at the bank. Your purchase is debited to your account electronically as soon as you make your purchase.

Page 19

Unlike writing a check, using a debit card saves you from having to show identification when you conduct a transaction. Having a debit card not only frees you from carrying cash, it will be more readily accepted than checks where you aren’t known.

However, debit cards carry their own set of disadvantages. Unlike credit cards, debit cards give you no grace period for paying your bill. The money is deducted from your account immediately each time you use it.

Keeping your account in balance can be a problem. It’s easy to misplace a receipt and forget to notate the transaction in your check register. That can result in overdrawn accounts and financial penalties.

While you get protection from liability due to fraud on both credit card and debit card purchases, debit cards do not offer the same protection as credit cards in the case of defective or unsatisfactory merchandise.

With credit cards, you may dispute errors or unauthorized charges and withhold payment until the matter is resolved.

If you pay off your credit card balances in full each month, the last thing you need is a debit card. You’re now enjoying up to 30 days of free use of someone else’s money.

This is “using the float,” the period between the purchase date and when the money is actually withdrawn from your account.

Never Co-mingle Business, Personal Funds Not only is mixing your business and personal finances an open invitation to problems with the Internal Revenue Service, it complicates your recordkeeping and cash flow management. You should maintain separate business bank accounts and make all of your business credit purchases on a separate business credit card.

Some experts compare unwise use of credit to use of drugs: It can offer shortterm pleasure in exchange for long-term pain.

However, credit in itself is not harmful.

Used skillfully, it can be a profitable tool for managing your business affairs. Use these tips to help make credit one of your business assets, not one of your liabilities. ■ Bill Lynott is a regular contributor to American Drycleaner, a sister American Trade Magazines publication. You can reach him at lynott@verizon.net.

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www.americancoinop.com

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Trends in

LAUNDRY FURNISHINGS BROAD PALETTE OF COLORS, TEXTURES EXPANDS DECORATING OPTIONS

By Bruce Beggs, Editorial Director

T

he general structure of chairs and tables typically found in coin laundries today really hasn’t changed much in recent years, but the palette of colors and textures that are available has become quite expansive, according to some manufacturers of such furnishings.

CACO Mfg. Corp. has been making Sol-O-Matic© fiberglass seating and folding tables for coin laundries since 1960.

“We’re still using the same molds that we have for 50 years,” says CEO Randall Chaffee. “It holds up, a good design. But the colors and the textures have certainly changed.”

Chaffee says his company can now create granite-type finishes commonly seen on countertops. “It used to be just solid color gel coat. Anymore, I’d say 70-80% of our business is the granites.”

If someone is looking at the high-pressure laminate furniture made by High Mark Mfg. for their store, they’d better be prepared to spend some time studying color samples. The company has more than 500 different colors from which to choose.

“Laminates have come such a long way, we’ve got laminates that look like granite, stone, stressed,” says High Mark Mfg. President Peter Valconesi, whose company produces fiberglass and laminate furniture, both standard and custom in design. “You can get anything you want in a laminate these days.”

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AMERICAN COIN-OP JANUARY 2012

Beyond standard-size tables and benches, High Mark makes custom furniture ranging from folding tables to wrap-around bulkheads. It will soon begin distributing stainless steel folding tables in response to market demand.

“They’re trying to match the equipment with the tables by going stainless and stainless, or they’re going to our laminate,” Valconesi says of his laundry customers.

“We provide a lot of other products for the stores, such as bulkheads, countertops and shelving units, then they’ll match the tables to that stuff.”

RJ Papalini is celebrating its 50th year of manufacturing furniture for dry cleaners, coin laundries, gas stations and mini-marts.

Its product offerings include tables, chairs and benches, both standard and custom in design.

The company is accustomed to seeing coin-ops utilize bright color schemes to attract customers, but President/CEO Richard Pennington says he is seeing slight changes in that trend.

“Depending on which geographical area you’re talking about, the owners still want to have bright colors and really stand out,” he says. “In places that are not quite as economically challenged, they’re looking at softer colors, browns and earth tones.”

Where once they may have slapped a coat of white paint on the walls and been done, some laundry owners are going to great lengths to create a comfortable environment.

Photo: Courtesy CACO Mfg. Corp.

“A lot of these new Laundromats, they’re even at the point where they’re hiring decorators to come in and help them choose their colors and choose the space,” Chaffee says.

But any time spent discussing accents, balance, or motif will be a waste of time if the furniture doesn’t stand up to the rigors of laundry life.

“It’s function first,” Chaffee says. “They have to have tables there for their patrons to fold clothes on. They have to have an easy and durable break area for them to sit down.

“It has to be tough,” he continues.

“Laundromat customers are tough customers, especially in unattended stores.

There’s very little that will hold up as well as fiberglass.”

A coin laundry owner may be tempted to purchase residential-grade chairs or tables from a retailer or home improvement store, but it’s really only a short-term solution.

“We see it all the time, but two or three years later, they come back to us because that stuff just doesn’t hold up,” Chaffee says, adding that you have to “put the right kind of furniture in there or it disintegrates.”

“If you buy that stuff and put it in your Laundromat, it’s not designed for a Laundromat,” Valconesi says. “It’s gonna last you six months, then you’re going to buy it again.”

“The old adage is ‘You get what you pay for,’ and spending a few extra dollars now is going to definitely pay off in the long run,” says Pennington.

■ www.americancoinop.com

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

DRYERS DEXTER LAUNDRY

D

exter Laundry offers a range of dryers featuring a combination of drying speed and energy efficiency. By balancing heat input, tumble speed, air recirculation and airflow through fully perforated, large-diameter cylinders, Dexter dryers delivers performance that keeps utility bills low and customers coming back, the company says.

Dexter dryers feature a fully welded solid steel cabinet struc-

ture, heavy-duty bearing housings, oversized bearings, and hardened steel trunion-shaft assemblies. Each cabinet assembly receives a six-stage pre-treat process and is painted inside and out. The dryers feature extra-large loading doors, solidstate microprocessor controls, and electronic spark ignition.

Express Stack Dryers are offered in 30-pound and 50pound capacities. The 50-pound model also features larger loading doors that are available on 55-pound and 80-pound single-pocket dryers.

Easy to install, all Dexter dryers require only single gas, electrical and exhaust connections, the company says. dexterlaundry.com 800-524-2954

HUEBSCH

H

uebsch’s TwinStar45 stack tumbler with 90 pounds of total capacity is designed to provide increased drying capacity in a small footprint, the company says.

With a 50%-higher-rated capacity and a 40% larger door opening than the company’s 30-pound stack, Huebsch’s TwinStar is perfect for drying large loads and oversized items, the company says.

The TwinStar also has all the features of the company’s 30-pound model while taking up just 24% more floor space.

The stack dryer uses just about the same amount of energy as a traditional 30-pound stack and is even more efficient in drying oversized loads,

according to the company.

These features allow operators to command a higher vend price per minute of operation compared to 30-pound models, while using almost the same amount of gas.

Huebsch utilizes an axial-airflow design, which speeds drying time while reducing overall energy consumption, the company says.

The 45-pound stack tumbler is easy to install, with single gas, electrical and vent connections.

Huebsch also offers a 30-pound stack and 25-, 30-, 35-, 50-, 55- and 75-pound single-pocket tumblers. huebsch.com 800-553-5120

WASCOMAT

W

22

ascomat commercial dryers, distributed by Laundrylux, are engineered for efficiency, ease of use, and superior drying results, according to the company.

AMERICAN COIN-OP JANUARY 2012

The machines feature an easy-to-operate LCD display, large doors that open nearly 180 degrees, and a self-cleaning lint screen with a large lint compartment on single-pocket dryers.

All control components are within reach without kneeling down, and a reversing drum option helps minimize tangling and wrinkling when processing large sheets and bedding.

Coin- and card-metered dryers are available in 30-by-30 stack and 45-by-45 stack models, as well as the 30- and 60pound capacity models. laundrylux.com 800-645-2204

www.americancoinop.com

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10,000 Square Feet of Inventory In Stock!!

Division of

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PRICES LOW MADE US GROW Call us today 800-837-4466 Tell us what Speed Queen part YOU would like to see on sale.

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Store Hours: M-Th 8am-6pm, Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8am-2pm

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

CONTINENTAL GIRBAU

C

ontinental Girbau’s ExpressDry Drying Tumblers line includes both single-pocket and stacked models in 30- and 45-pound capacities.

The tumblers are designed to maximize productivity with a smaller footprint than competitive models with similar basket capacity, says the company.

The ExpressDry SuperStack90 — with dual 45pound capacity pockets — offers 39% greater drying volume when compared with 30-pound dualpocket units. Additionally, all stack models feature separate coin vaults and microprocessor controls

for each tumbler pocket. The ExpressDry control allows for programmable time, temperature, cooldown, time-of-day pricing specials, customer bonus cycles, and more.

ExpressDry machines are engineered for durability and ease of use. They are available with painted or stainless steel front panels, and each cylinder features a stainless steel back plate and is perforated with oblong holes that prevent items such as drywall screws from catching in the cylinder and damaging the dryer. continentalgirbau.com 800-256-1073

ELECTROLUX

IPSO

E

xcellent efficiency and extra capacity make IPSO’s 45pound stack dryer the perfect unit to help owners get their customers in and out faster for better profitability, the company says.

The IPD stack 45 offers 90 pounds of total rated capacity, and fits through a standard 36-inch door.

Its size also allows stores to double the drying pockets compared to installing single-pocket dryers.

The axial-airflow process helps ensure the maximum amount of warm air enters the cylinder and passes through the load at the optimum point in the tumbling action, the company explains.

A heavy-duty door and hinge, plus electrostatically applied paint on the inside and outside of the cabinet, add durability.

Patented, oblong cylinder perforations enable drywall screws and similarly sized fasteners to pass through harmlessly. ipso.com 800-872-4776

E

lectrolux Professional dryers, distributed

by Laundrylux, are precision engineered and built for durability, according to the company.

The dryers contain standard reversing cylinders and the energy-saving EcoPower feature. They fit through a 36inch door, while featuring an extra-large door that opens nearly 180 degrees. Quiet operation, sturdy drum suspension with double-sealed bearings, and belt drive are standard.

The Electrolux T4420S 45pound stack dryer is available in both coin and card metered models, as are the company’s 30-by-30 stack, 45-by-45 stack, 30- and 60-pound dryers. laundrylux.com 800-381-7222

MAYTAG COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY

M

aytag Commercial Laundry’s Energy Advantage Multi-Load Stack Dryers can save laundry owners nearly 25% in energy and utility costs, the company says, without increasing average dry time.

An axial airflow system, increased insulation, and double paned windows keep heat contained in the basket, drying clothes with a low-Btu output.

The dryers include heavy-duty metal doors with tempered glass windows; heavy-duty door hinges; and

24

AMERICAN COIN-OP JANUARY 2012

a magnetic door latch, providing a sealed drying process. The dryers also come standard with Maytag ComputerTrac microprocessor controls, allowing operators to pre-program temperature and cooldown time to prevent over-drying.

Maytag’s Energy Advantage Multi-Load Stack Dryers are available in stainless steel and white finishes. maytagcommerciallaundry.com 800-662-3587

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

SPEED QUEEN

AMERICAN DRYER CORP. (ADC)

A

DC’s AD-444 and AD-333 combine the company’s stacked dryers, incorporating the AD-330’s axial airflow and the easy-to-access belt drive system of the AD-236. The lint drawers are stainless steel, and the microprocessor features simple controls and an easy-toread LCD display.

Both machines feature a steel door with gasketless glass, and include a quiet beltdrive system. A single exhaust connection on the AD-333 and a double exhaust for the AD-444 (a single 10-inch exhaust is optional), as well as a single coin drop are part of the package. These units will maximize floor space, according to the company, and fit through a standard 36-inch door. amdry.com 508-678-9000

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AMERICAN COIN-OP JANUARY 2012

S

peed Queen’s T45 stack tumbler with 90 pounds of total rated capacity helps maximize efficiency and speed customers through the drying process, the company says.

The stack tumbler also is designed to increase profit per square foot by 44% compared to the 30-pound stack.

Although it has 50% more rated capacity than the 30-pound stack, it takes up just 24% more floor space. It also can cut utility consumption by 40% compared to many older tumblers, the company says.

The T45’s axial airflow helps ensure the maximum amount of warm air passes through clothes, the company says.

Customers can dry loads more quickly, and owners can handle larger volumes during busy times. Owners also can charge a premium vend price for the larger pockets. speedqueen.com 800-345-5649

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PELLERIN MILNOR CORP.

M

ilnor’s coin-operated dryers provide gas-saving, fast-drying units for laundries of any size, the company says. Available in single-pocket or stack models, the dryers work in a small footprint.

Milnor now offers the EcoDry dryer line. These dryers offer efficiency with a sensing system that measures moisture. The microprocessor stops the dryer at desired setpoints, saving time and energy. A dual-paned glass door seals heat inside the dryer — keeping the heat focused on goods.

The dryers are coin or card-reader compatible, and large, reversible doors help with loading and unloading. Service access is made through the front or rear of the units. Front panels are available in white (with a stainless steel option), and all models fit through a standard 36-inch door. milnorcoin.com 504-712-7656

www.americancoinop.com

LG

L

G’s commercial-grade dryer offerings provide owners with versatility, ease of use and high performance, the company says. With a 7.1-cubic-foot capacity made for loads of 22.5 pounds, users can dry more clothes in fewer loads. For smaller loads, LG offers short drying times, at 30 minutes per 13 pounds of laundry.

The gas or electric machines can be either coin- or card-operated and offer features such as AdaptAble Control, which permits a laundry owner to place user controls at either the top or bottom of a unit so that both panels can be at eye level on stacked units. The dryer door is reversible so the machine can be adapted to fit an existing space.

LG’s machines feature SmartDiagnosis, so technicians can troubleshoot mechanical issues over the phone. lgcommerciallaundry.com

JANUARY 2012

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NEWSMAKERS

PWS—THE LAUNDRY COMPANY UNVEILS PARTS/SUPPLIES WEBSITE PWS-The Laundry Company has relaunched its website, pwslaundry.com, enabling owners of laundry equipment to easily search a selection of more 85,000 parts online. Users are able to quickly find a desired part by entering a part number, model number, or part description, the company says.

The site is designed to make the purchase of parts user-friendly, by including thousands of pictures, diagrams and repair manuals.

Complementing the site is a fully staffed call center ready to answer parts-related questions via phone, e-mail or live web chat.

Individuals specifically trained to help customers identify the proper replacement parts across all equipment manufacturers are available.

ALLIANCE LAUNDRY SYSTEMS PROMOTES BITTNER TO CUSTOMER ONE VICE PRESIDENT, APPOINTS BOWE TO LEAD SPEED QUEEN COMMERCIAL SALES Alliance Laundry Systems has promoted William Bittner to vice president of Customer One, the company’s global initiative focused on customer service and satisfaction, and selected Dan Bowe to replace Bittner as national sales manager of Speed Queen’s commercial division.

Bittner has been with the company for more than 13 years, hold-

28

AMERICAN COIN-OP JANUARY 2012

ing various senior positions. He was instrumental in reclaiming Speed Queen’s position as the premium brand in the vended laundry space, Alliance says.

Bowe will oversee regional sales managers, develop policies and procedures, cultivate distributor partnerships, and participate in the development of new Speed Queen products and services. He has been with Alliance since 1996.

LG PROMOTES BRAND TO POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTORS Sharing its vision for growth in the commercial laundry business, LG Electronics USA hosted more than a dozen top distributors at its first Commercial Laundry Conference in November.

Sam Kim, Appliance president, LG Electronics USA, emphasized LG’s commitment to technology and market leadership. Brian Wallace, executive director of the Coin Laundry Association, delivered a “state of the industry” keynote address.

LG invited the “cream of the crop” distributors, says Stefan Meir, U.S. sales director for LG Commercial Laundry. The distributors, which represent different top brands of multi-load washers, will find that LG equipment is a complement to their brands and will help them grow their business significantly, says Meir.

■

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ADVERTISERS’ INDEX Advertiser

Page

Advertiser

Page

AC Power ...................................................................... 26

NATCO............................................................................28

ALJ Electronics................................................................ 30

New York Laundry Equipment ...................................... 32

American Dryer Corp. ...................................................... 3

PWS............................................................................ 12,13

American Switch.............................................................. 30

NIE Insurance .................................................................. 7

Coin-O-Matic.................................................................. 23

R&B Wire Products ........................................................ 1

E.S.D. Inc. .......................................................... 16,17, BC

Scott Equipment ..............................................................25

First Line ........................................................................ 15

Setomatic Systems.......................................................... IFC

Gold Coin ........................................................................ 9

Super Computer Boards .................................................. 30

Gorman Distributors ...................................................... 29

Super Laundry Group .................................................... 11

Great Lakes Commercial Sales ...................................... 30

Vend-Rite .......................................................................... 5

HHC Electronic Service .................................................. 31

Wells Fargo Insurance Services ...................................... 19

Laundry Concepts .......................................................... 21

Western State Design .................................................... IBC

Mountain Electronics ...................................................... 30

Yankee Equipment............................................................27

3PECIALIZING IN COIN LAUNDRY SINCE

We take the time to safeguard all of your shipments. s !LL 503 LABELS ARE TAPED TO PACKAGE TO AVOID GETTING LOST IN TRANSIT s 7E PROPERLY AND SECURELY TAPE PACKAGES TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM 503 S AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT s 7E CAREFULLY TAKE YOUR INFORMATION AND VALIDATE IT OVER THE PHONE TO ENSURE ACCURACY 9OU ALSO GET AN APPROXIMATE DELIVERY DATE SO YOU KNOW WHEN TO EXPECT YOUR PACKAGE S ARRIVAL

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Damian Gorman preparing a package for Hyde Park Laundry.

,ANCASTER 0! s s Shop for all of your laundry equipment and supplies online at www.gormandist.com www.americancoinop.com

JANUARY 2012

AMERICAN COIN-OP 29

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CLASSIFIEDS

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SERVICES AND SUPPLIES

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TIMERS REBUILT — IPSO main & reverse, Milnor, Dexter, Primus, Whirlpool, Speed Queen, Maytag & Continental Girbau, Wascomat Generation 4 and 5.

Call for price sheet.

Reeco Timer Co., 2860 Kirby Circle, N.E., Suite 14, Palm Bay, FL 32905, 888-952-1889.

METRO LAUNDRY TECH CORP. 253 East 204th Street, Bronx, NY 10458 ONE-YEAR WARRANTY ON ALL REPAIRS Please call 718-742-4137 Or 718-733-4313 Or Visit our website at www.metrolc.com email us at metrolc@hotmail.com

WASCO GEN 5 DOOR LOCKS & TIMERS REBUILT Door Lock $68 • Gen 5 & 6 Timer $85 Gen 4 Timer $68 • Continental Timer $85 DRYER COMPUTER BOARDS ADC Stack $60 • Single $45 Huebsch SQ Board $45 Huebsch Old Style Board $55

COMPUTER BOARDS FIXED

Stack Dexter/Continental $60

Repaired & Rebuilt to Manufacture Specs.

Some prices may vary!!!!

Fast Service!

JECON INC.

Shipped Anywhere.

SUITE 272, 11064 QUEENS BLVD.

• American • Dexter • • Easy Card, ESD •

One-Year Warranty on All Parts

• Huebsch • Speed Queen •

Send Core Unit with S&H Fees

Washer Coin Boards $55

FOREST HILLS, NY 11375 FREE RETURN SHIPPING Call Toll Free: 1-888-532-6677

HHC

ELECTRONIC SERVICE

(888-JECON77)

WASHERS and DRYERS COMPUTER BOARD REPAIR ———————————————-————— ADC (137213 / 137234) ---------------- $65.00 ADC Igniters ----------------------------------------- $30.00 — Continental Girbau ---- HS5008 / H5020 Inverter (323071) --------------------------- $175.00 — Dexter Stack Dryer --------------------------- $65.00 Dexter Coin Accumulator ------------ $55.00 — ESD (11-000-021) Card Readers ---- $45.00 — Maytag Computers --------------------- $65.00 Maytag 23004118 ----------------------------- $175.00 Maytag 33001129 ------------------------------ $85.00 Maytag Motor Control ------------------------- $55.00 — Speed Queen Computers ------------- $65.00 SQ Mtr. Cntrl. (687539) ----------------- $85.00 SQ Mtr. Cntrl. (800076) ----------------- $85.00 SQ Mtr. Cntrl. (800925) ----------------- $95.00 Volume Discounts.

One-Year Warranty.

Free Return Shipping.

El -Tech, Inc. 26 West St. Colonia, NJ 07067 For Complete Price List Please Call: 732-381-7620 or 908-510-6520 or visit us at www.eltechlab.com

Local: 718-525-3733 • Fax: 212-656-1913

14844 Las Tunas Drive, Hacienda Hts., CA 91745

Visit: JECONINC.COM

626-961-8678 • 800-820-9888

We Now Accept All Major Credit Cards

E-mail: hhc168@hotmail.com

Place your ad ONLINE

Your Ad Should Be Here

www.americancoinop.com

SERVICES AND SUPPLIES

www.AmericanCoinOp.com

JANUARY 2012

AMERICAN COIN-OP 31

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SERVING THE LAUNDRY INDUSTRY SINCE 1997.

5000 LONG BEACH RD ISLAND PARK, NY 11558

516-432-3834 REBUILT MACHINES NO COMPETITOR GOES TO THE EXTENT WE DO TO REBUILD MACHINES! * THIS IS OUR BUSINESS & OUR POLICY NEVER CHANGES! * WE SELL OUR REBUILT MACHINES AT UNBEATABLE LOW PRICES.

PARTS

EQUIPMENT ORPHANAGE

Our Parts Department has thousands of products on over an acre lot.

If we don’t have what you want, ask us, and we’ll find it for you.

FACILITY DESIGN From initial site inspections and recommendations to equipment purchase and installation, we are here to help with every aspect of your project.

WASCO 185’s 220/1 & 220/3 WASCO 184’s 220/1 & 220/3 WASCO 125’s 220/1 & 220/3 WASCO 124’s 220/1 & 220/3 WASCO 74’s 110 v & 220/3 WASCO 75’s 110 v & 220/3 WASCO 620’s 110V

$3,400 $2,700 $2,100 $1,850 $ 975 $1,100 $1,600

**6 MONTH PARTS WARRANTY** INCLUDES FREE COIN BOX & EPHOTOS OF MACHINE WILL BE SENT PRIOR TO SHIPMENT

We can help you with specifications, dimensions, illustrations of commercial and on-premise laundry equipment.

FINANCING We are able to offer competitive rates and low, affordable monthly payments for financing coin laundry and laundromat facilities.

We have a coin laundry financing solution to meet the needs of new store owners, and veterans alike.

ACRES OF HARD TO FIND USED WASHER & DRYER PARTS WASHER & DRYER FRONT & SIDE PANELS ALL MAKES AND MODELS STARTING @ $50 WASHER DOOR $35 & UP COMPLETE DRYER DOOR $35 & UP COMPLETE ANY WASHER TUB 18#, 35#, 50#, WITH NEW BEARINGS $175 & UP WITH EXCHANGE ALL DRYER BASKETS $75 & UP ESD CARD READERS $150 EA EMERALD SERIES COMPUTER BOARDS $575 EA LET US REFURBISH YOUR PANELS ~ FRESHLY PAINTED PANELS IN EITHER ALMOND OR WHITE ... $70 EA CALL FOR SPECIAL NEEDS

THERE ARE MANY INTERPRETATIONS OF THE WORD REBUILT—BE A SAVVY CONSUMER— TAKE THE TIME TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ www.nylaundry.com VIEW THE ILLUSTRATIONS THAT WILL SHOW YOU THE WAY WE REBUILD MACHINES— THE RIGHT WAY!!

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE MONTHLY SPECIALS

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Laundry Solutions One Customer at a Time!

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Your Leading Source For Mechanical Payment Systems.

ESD manufactures Vertical 4, Vertical 5, Vertical 8, and Vertical 14 coin slides, Token Slides and Slides for the coinage of over 60 foreign countries. All slides are available with high security options including magnets and second gates.

Slide extensions are available for all brands of machines.

ESD offers a full range of Money Boxes, both short (approximately 6”) and long (approximately 8”) lengths and two different heights. Boxes are available with flat face or high security face and four different lock styles. There is an ESD MoneyBox to fit every application.

ESD offers a wide variety of lock styles, tubular locks, XD locks, XE locks and Medeco locks, each offering a different level of security that can provide an acceptable solution for any application.

ESD accessories, cams, shafts, and slide extensions complete the most comprehensive line of mechanical payment products in the industry.

ESD products are available for Immediate Delivery

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