American Coin-Op - November 2012

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The Year in Review: We recap of some of 2012’s most informative stories

I N S I D EI :N SN IODVE E: MJ BU EL RY / 2D 0E 0C 5E M B E R 2 0 1 2 MOTHER-SON TEAM ARE BACK TO SUDS YOUR DUDS

MONEY-HANDLING EQUIPMENT PRODUCT SHOWCASE

SAFE & SECURE: PERSONAL SAFETY FACTORS HEAVILY IN STORE CHOICE

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 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 VOLUME 53 ISSUE 11

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

COVER STORY

Just in case you might have missed a story or two, we review some of the past year’s most informative articles from the pages of American Coin-Op.

10 FEATURES 14 INDUSTRY VETS BACK AGAIN

TO SUDS YOUR DUDS

Having operated a successful chain of Laundromats until 2000, the mother-son team of Rosemary and Sean O’Byrne is back with a new store that’s taking advantage of new-equipment advances.

22 SAFE & SECURE Personal safety is one of the primary reasons that the average customer chooses a Laundromat, so it’s vital that you make your store’s safety and security a priority each and every day.

COLUMNS 34 CREATE KID-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT AND KEEP EVERYONE HAPPY You must do something to make your laundry childfriendly, urges Howard Scott. Children can’t sit still for two hours. If you do nothing, they might create such a commotion that they annoy other customers. Or they might “decorate” a machine front. Or worse.

DEPARTMENTS 4 VIEWPOINT 6 INDUSTRY SURVEY 18 CALENDAR

37 AD INDEX 40 NEWSMAKERS

26 PRODUCT SHOWCASE:

MONEY-HANDLING EQUIPMENT

32 COIN-OP 101: REINVESTING

IN YOUR BUSINESS

Distributor Matt Miller discusses why 2013 is the year to invest in equipment upgrades, increase vend prices, and market your business.

22 A CLOSER LOOK Nearly 78% of respondents to a recent survey say their laundry utilizes a surveillance system.

Cover Image: © iStockphoto/malerapaso

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

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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

THAT’S A WRAP, FOLKS

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

ADVERTISING

Bruce Beggs

THE YEAR IN REVIEW You’re a busy self-service laundry operator with a lot to do to keep your business running smoothly. I expect that you read American Coin-Op as your schedule permits and that you might miss a story here or there. With that in mind, I reviewed the stories we presented this year and recapped what I think were some of the most informative, beginning on page 10. You can dig out your back issues to get the full stories, or you can visit AmericanCoinOp.com anytime to read (or re-read) them in their entirety.

FEELING SECURE It may be old hat to you, but your ability to keep your patrons—and yourself— safe and your laundry secure factors heavily into a customer’s store-selection process. Review the security basics beginning on page 22 before reviewing your store’s safeguards.

THE VETS ARE BACK Rosemary and Sean O’Byrne know a thing or two about running a coin laundry, having operated a successful chain for some 15 years before leaving the industry in 2000. The mother-son team is back in the Milwaukee market with a new store and a new appreciation for the latest equipment advances. Take a look at their new operation beginning on page 14.

2013 IS THE YEAR TO...

Distributor Matt Miller believes 2013 is the year to consider three important areas of your operation: equipment, pricing and marketing. Review his reasoning starting on page 32.

SEE YOU AGAIN IN ’13 Although this isn’t the end of the calendar year, the November/December issue is our final print edition for 2012. We return in January with the first of 12 monthly issues! Until then, you can always find us online at AmericanCoinOp.com. See you soon.

Bruce Beggs Editorial Director

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 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 except Nov/Dec combined. 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 11. 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

71% OF COIN LAUNDRY OWNERS FAVOR ROMNEY OVER OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT Roughly 71% of coin laundry owners polled in the anonymous, unscientific AmericanCoinOp.com Wire survey in October said they were supporting the Republican ticket of Mitt Romney and running mate Paul Ryan.

Approximately 21% were supporting Democratic incumbents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and the remaining 7.2% were not sure at the time. No one who took the survey said they would not be voting for president, or that they were supporting a thirdparty or write-in candidate.

Not surprisingly, according to 42.9% of respondents, the state of the economy would be most influential in helping them decide how to cast their vote. (Respondents were asked to pick one issue from a list of 19, including “other.”) Next, in a tie for second at 17.9% each, were debt management and “other.” (Among respondents who picked “other,” most said more than one issue would influence their choice.) Equal shares of 7.1% saw Social Security/Medicare or taxes as the key issue, while equal shares of 3.6% would be most influenced by homeland security or by a candidate’s experience.

Regardless of who’s elected, what is the one issue that you think the administration must address immediately? Among respondents, their answers most often related to the economy, government spending and job creation. Some examples: • “People do not need our service when they do not have to go to work every day.”

• “Just like in business, you must have throughput to survive.

Our government is killing—through taxes, regulations and simple lack of accountability—the production in our country.”

• “Our recent trend toward big...big...bigger government and the control the federal government wields in our personal and business lives.”

• “Until every average (not Mitt’s average) American has a job and has money to spend, the economy will not pick up. Why haven’t we had a WPA type of program where the government pays to rebuild our infrastructure and creates jobs, instead of giving the money to the banks who will not lend?”

While the Wire survey presents a snapshot of readers’ viewpoints, it should not be considered scientific. Subscribers to Wire e-mails are invited to take the 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.

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

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The Year in Looking back at some of 2012's best and brightest ideas from the pages of American Coin-Op

By Bruce Beggs, Editorial Director

A

merican Coin-Op covered a variety of topics this year. If you happened to miss a story along the way, then you might appreciate a brief recap. Here’s a quick look at some of the more informative articles presented this year.

BUILD NEW OR REHAB? When considering opening a new coin laundry, do you build from the ground up or look at rehabilitating an existing store? Setting your laundry apart from the competition has to be at the heart of the decision-making process, says Scott Equipment’s Carl Graham.

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, says National Laundry Equipment’s J.D. Dixon.

And you can eliminate any concerns about infrastructure issues with new construction. Choosing to rehab a store means you’re locked into that location, while building new gives the prospective owner the flexibility to select the best site for his/her business needs.

New construction provides the opportunity to design a store that is highly efficient and thus equipped to get customers in and out in the shortest time possible.

But what works in one store may not work in another. For example, you might choose a color scheme for a Miami store that you 10

AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

wouldn’t pick for a store in Lexington, Ky. Building new also means a much more extensive project than a rehab, taking on greater financial risk, plus it’s generally more expensive.

When choosing to rehab, consultant Robert Renteria favors repairing any machines that still have useful life, then looking to buy rebuilt or refurbished machines.

Buying and rehabbing an existing laundry can save the new owner some expenses, and may allow them to avoid bureaucracy such as impact fees and code restrictions. Another benefit for choosing to rehab an existing laundry is that it already has a customer base. With a new store, you must build that customer base from zero.

ONE LITTLE IDEA AT A TIME Little changes over time can make a difference for your business, advises columnist Howard Scott. Here are a number of little ideas he’s seen implemented in different Laundromats, or been told about, or that just popped into his head: • Hang a purple neon sign in your window • Put a sandwich board sign on your front sidewalk • Announce that you offer high-quality equipment • Place a wooden bench out front • Sell three sizes of laundry bags • Offer a deal for wash-dry-fold service • Hang a large clock in your store • Give machines names, not numbers • Sell a value card • Paint a mural on your exterior side wall • Set up a glass display of your merchandise for sale LAUNDRY FURNISHING OPTIONS EXPAND The 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.

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and folding tables for coin laundries since 1960. CEO Randall Chaffee says his company can now create granitetype finishes commonly seen on countertops.

High Mark Mfg.’s high-pressure laminate furniture is available in more than 500 different colors, says President Peter Valconesi, whose company produces fiberglass and laminate furniture, both standard and custom in design.

RJ Papalini is celebrating its 50th year of manufacturing furniture for the industry. The customer is accustomed to seeing coin-ops utilize bright color schemes to attract customers, but President/CEO Richard Pennington says he’s seen that trend change in places “that are not quite as economically challenged.” Operators there are looking for softer colors, browns and earth tones.

Any time spent discussing coin laundry décor will be wasted if the furniture selected doesn’t stand up to the rigors of laundry life. Resist the temptation to purchase residential-grade chairs or tables from a retailer or home improvement store, because that’s just 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.

BECOMING A MULTI-STORE OWNER When you’re thinking about opening another store, it’s important to go back to the basics and look at everything from location to equipment and store naming, advises Pittsburgh Laundry Systems’ Sonny Rogalla.

Carve out an area of no more than an eight-mile radius from your original store and use that as your market.

Having your stores in close proximity— no more than 45 minutes from each other—allows you to easily move between stores.

Make sure to continue cultivating your relationship with the distributor that assisted you in building your original store. Distributors typically have information on existing Laundromats coming up for sale and will approach you to judge your interest. And the distributor can easily identify whether a laundry is a potential good investment.

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Whether rehabbing a store or building one from the ground up, rely on what you’ve learned from your first store. You already know what works—now it’s time to make it even better. Look at the machines your distributor offers; there are probably new advances since you last purchased equipment. It may also be time to look at investing in advanced controls if your previous store doesn’t have them; these controls can be a great resource for multi-store owners.

Financing through a laundry manufacturer is better than using a bank, Rogalla believes, because manufacturers understand the industry better and can tailor a financial solution to meet an owner’s needs.

CRITERIA FOR SETTING PRICE Upon what criteria should a laundry owner base his or her wash and dry vend prices?

“It really comes down to two issues,” says Kevin Hietpas, vice president of sales and marketing for Dexter. “No. 1 is what’s happening to his costs. How have costs impacted the viability and profitability of his business? Owners should have a good sense of where their business is tracking from a performance standpoint. No. 2 is where is he competitively.”

A store owner needs to be aware of and factor in the competition’s prices when determining his or her own pricing, says Kent Walters, national sales manager for Maytag/Whirlpool Commercial Laundry.

“The owner’s goal should be to produce the best experience for the customers, from ambiance to equipment to services—and the costs associated with washing and drying play a large part in this equation,” he says.

While customers may not react warmly to a price change, they will understand if you explain the reason behind the change, such as higher utility rates. Hietpas believes that customers are more sensitive to how long it takes and how much it costs to dry than to small changes in wash prices.

Vending technology has enabled owners to change prices on equipment easily—during slow hours or days, for example—but avoid changing prices too often, as the practice can turn off customers.

TRACKING ENERGY EFFICIENCY The specter of ever-rising utility costs should be enough to spur the average laundry owner to track this expense and explore ways to minimize it. Owners looking to determine their store’s level of energy efficiency need to compare the cost of utilities vs. revenue, says Maytag’s Walters.

If the store’s utilities cost is above the industry average of 20-25% of total revenue, the owner should look for ways to decrease this cost, starting with equipment. Look in the washer-extractor control software, Huebsch’s Gary Dixon advises. Are the water levels set 12

AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

where you wanted them? Is the water temperature different than where it was? Is the software notifying you of potential leaks?

Walters says the first place a store owner should investigate is the dryers. “Specifically, an owner needs to ensure all ventilation is free of lint, which can cut down on the amount of air getting to the dryer, as well as make-up air.”

Store owners who want to maximize equipment performance must regularly perform proactive and preventive maintenance tasks. “By following a recommended maintenance schedule, the laundry owner is ensuring that their equipment is operating at optimum efficiency,” Dixon says. “This translates to lower utility costs and keeps downtime to a minimum. The result is happier customers and more profit.”

EXTRA CREATIVITY, EXTRA PROFIT Extra profit centers provide a variety of additional revenue opportunities, and some require little extra work from you and your employees, says Todd Santoro of CleanWash Laundry Systems. Try partnering with a local dry cleaner. Establish a program where customers can drop off at your location for both services; work with the cleaner to determine the timeline and revenue split.

Pick-up service is another way to adapt wash-dry-fold to suit your business. Set a delivery radius around your store, up to 20 miles, and charge per pound to accommodate the increased costs.

Pick-up is particularly important for growing your commercial laundry revenue to include clients such as spas, catering companies and salons.

Ancillary profit centers allow Laundromat owners to be creative with their offerings. An example is offering U-Haul trucks for rent. Store owners receive commission from the rentals, and attendants also set up reservations for other locations, which also nets owners a percentage of the rental.

There are many other services that a laundry can offer, but remember, consider your target demographic. Services that are quick and helpful will best serve them and you.

■ For more laundry improvement ideas, or to read the complete stories that were summarized in this article, visit AmericanCoinOp.com. www.americancoinop.com

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Industry Vets Back Again to SUDS Your DUDS

Photos: Alliance Laundry Systems

Mother-son team relies on experience, new-equipment advances to open coin laundry on former car-wash property

F

rom the mid-’80s until 2000, Sean laundry business,” O’Byrne says. “We when deciding what to do with inactive carO’Byrne’s family operated a successful came to an agreement, which allowed all of wash property that Rosemary’s late father had owned, that the mother-son team took chain of Laundromats. For nearly 10 us to pursue our own goals.”

He went on to establish two successful another look at the laundry business. of those years, he helped manage the Relying on their industry experience and business, repairing machines and running executive search firms while Rosemary spent a lot of time with her grandchildren taking advantage of advancements in day-to-day operations.

The O’Byrnes’ first store opened in 1984 and became a full-time resident of Florida. machine and control technology, the pair after a distributor suggested the family turn It wasn’t until more than a decade later, opened SUDS Your DUDS Coin Laundry on Sherman Boulevard in their out-of-business gas stanorth Milwaukee. tion into a Laundromat. That store was so successful that THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT MIX the family opened six more The former car wash propstores across Milwaukee, a erty was already equipped for city of roughly 600,000 peothe water and drainage ple known for its brewing demands of a Laundromat, and manufacturing. and the rehab took just three In 2000, O’Byrne and his months to complete. mother, Rosemary, sold their Today, the 2,400-squareshares of the company to a foot store features 54 stainless relative and left the laundry steel Speed Queen machines, business. including washer-extractors “At that time, I was interranging in capacities from 20 ested in pursuing other career to 60 pounds, and a mix of opportunities, and my uncle 30-pound and 45-pound was able to give his growing Sean O’Byrne has re-entered the laundry business with his mother, Rosemary, after more than stack tumble dryers. family a larger piece of the a decade away.

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SERVING THE COMMUNITY The O’Byrnes’ distribuThe neighborhood tor sales representative, has responded positively Dan Baker, vice president to SUDS Your DUDS. of sales for Minnesota The store is the one of a Chemical Co., says the few Laundromats availmix of larger equipment able to residents within will help the store genera two-mile radius. ate a greater profit while “The demographics making efficient use of in the area are definitely utilities. in Sean and Rosemary’s “Customers want largfavor,” Baker says. er machines so they can “There are lots of get more loads done at renters, and the homeone time,” Baker says. owners will use the big “Newer machines are also machines to wash larger more efficient, especially items like comforters front loaders, because and curtains.” they use less water, elecPrior to the store tricity and (natural) gas something broke,” she says. “Today, we opening, Allen took public transportation than top-load machines.”

Customer Shakenn Allen was able to just pull out the iPads and check our soft- more than six miles to the nearest wash three weeks’ worth of clothing for her ware. With me living part-time in Florida Laundromat. “This is a much better locafamily within two hours at the O’Byrnes’ and Sean working full-time at his company, tion for me and is way more convenient.” there is no other way we would be able to store.

“These machines are bigger than the have this business if it weren’t for the WHAT’S NEXT With the store’s ongoing success, O’Byrne ones at the Laundromat I used to go to,” improvements in technology.”

One afternoon, while Sean was watching says he and his mother plan to open more Allen says. “That store only had machines like the ones we would use at home, and it a golf tournament, he received a call from a locations in the Milwaukee area.

“We want to open at least three to four took a lot longer to get my laundry done. customer who was having problems operThis store is nice because I can get in and ating a machine after she paid to use it. stores total,” he says. “We’re already seeing From his couch, O’Byrne opened his lap- high return on investment — these stores out quickly.”

The O’Byrnes chose to purchase Speed top, logged onto the Quantum program pay for themselves and are so profitable.”

Many investors like the O’Byrnes aren’t Queen equipment because they had used it and was able to start a new machine for her aware of how lucrative the laundry busiin their former Laundromats. “We know to use within five minutes.

“The customer was amazed that not only ness can be, says Dan Bowe, North Speed Queen is reliable because some of the machines we bought 30 years ago are still could I start a new machine for her, but she American sales manager of Speed Queen’s operating in our former Laundromats,” also didn’t have to wait for a refund,” he commercial division.

He and the Speed Queen team have been says. “The control system is phenomenal.

Sean O’Byrne says.

Each machine in SUDS Your DUDS is That day, I’m positive, I got a customer for actively recruiting investors to the industry; Bowe is on target to open 100 new Speed equipped with Speed Queen’s advanced life.”

Queen-equipped Laundromats Quantum™ Gold control syswithin the year. tem. It features revolutionary “Laundromats offer a high technology that unites equipreturn on investment with little ment control, programming to no employee overhead, makand store management. The ing it an excellent business full-feature control gives the investment for any entrepreO’Byrnes total command over neur,” he says. “Today’s their store by seamlessly inteLaundromats are bright and grating store operation data, inviting, state-of-the-art and equipment monitoring and family-friendly—making the performance with the option to business a destination within network the store for remote any area or shopping center.” access using a computer with “This is a great business Internet access. that my family knows and It’s easier to operate a respects,” O’Byrne says. “We’re Laundromat this time around, committed and have full confisays Rosemary. dence that we’ll be even more “We used to have to be in Sean O’Byrne checks on the status of SUDS Your DUDS’ washers and dryers using Speed successful this time around.” ■ our stores all day long in case Queen’s Quantum™ Gold control system.

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

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Worldwide Laundry Laundry Show & Expo Miami, Fla. Info: 305-418-4030 Mac-Gray/Dexter Investor Seminar/ Service School Albany, N.Y. Info: 888-622-4729 Mac-Gray/Dexter Investor Seminar/

8

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Mac-Gray/Dexter Investor Seminar/ Service School Warwick, R.I. Info: 888-622-4729 Minnesota Chemical Co. Open House Menomonee Falls, Wis. Info: 262-781-8630

9

Equipment Marketers/ Maytag Fall Service Seminar Cherry Hill, N.J. Info: 800-223-1376

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Mac-Gray/Dexter Investor Seminar/ Service School Dedham, Mass.

Info: 888-622-4729

Visit AmericanCoinOp.com for complete calendar listings!

Wells Fargo Insurance Services

Why do you think we have thousands of coin laundries insured?

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Image

Coin Laundry Insurance Program Jodie Millino ~ ' '!( "" ~ 4gc !

Ext. 8132 Steve Brodie ~ ' '!( "" ~ 4gc ! ( Ext. 8053

© 2011 Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA, Inc. All rights reserved.

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

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PENNSYLVANIA 1201A Brighton Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15233 412-697-9201 Local 8 877-404-7278 Toll Free 412-697-9206 Fax

NEW YORK 2 234 Crossways Park Dr. Woodbury, NY 11797 516-678-4404 Local 8 888-678-9274 Toll Free 516-764-5325 Fax

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NEW JERSEY 1500 W. Blancke St. Linden, NJ 07036 908-862-2200 Local 8 800-992-7269 Toll Free 908-862-0591 Fax

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Saving money and energy has never looked so good! Come check out the new Speed Queen washer extractors. It is impossible to find better selection, better service, or better savings!

Great financing available for replacement equipment! Ask about our 7.99 Fixed Interest Rate Program, with 90 days deferred payments!

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INDIANA 2 2450 N. Shadeland Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46219 317-783-6175 Local 8 800-622-4480 Toll Free

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Owner Deechen Horton knows that the versatility of the ESD payment system has attracted many new customers into her laundry. The ESD reports that track the card and coin income from each individual machine give her exactly the information she needs, and the reliability of the ESD LaundryLink® software is exceptional.

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GET CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE Boost your revenue by accepting credit cards Laundry customers who use credit cards upgrade to larger washers and dryers, use more machines, and spend more money. Credit card acceptance can boost revenues up to 30%. Learn how you can accept credit and debit cards on any or all of your equipment.

Call (508) 837-6514 or visit newenglandcoinlaundry.com

22 AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

Personal safety one of primary reasons

P

ersonal safety is one of the primary reasons that the average customer chooses a Laundromat. “Safety and security are paramount,” says Karl Hinrichs, HK Laundry Equipment, in his YouTube video titled Characteristics of Successful Laundromats. “If people don’t feel really comfortable coming to a Laundromat, they’re going to go elsewhere.”

In April, American Coin-Op surveyed audience members about the safety of their store’s neighborhood and if they think their customers or employees feel safe in their store while doing laundry or working there.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents to the unscientific survey described their neighborhood as “somewhat safe.” Roughly 19% said their neighborhood is “neither safe nor unsafe,” and the remaining 7.4% described theirs as “extremely safe.” No one who took the survey described their neighborhood as “somewhat unsafe” or “not safe at all.”

Yet, more than 40% of operators said they, an employee or a customer have been a victim of crime at their laundry. Most of these incidents involved burglaries or robberies. An employee was threatened with a knife in one case, while an attendant was pushed to the ground in another.

SAFETY BY DESIGN Coin laundry safety starts with your store’s design. You can deter criminal activity by keeping your business well-lit at all times.

If cost is a concern, look for opportunities to upgrade lighting that may be tied to energy-saving incentives. For example, Colonial Laundromats, a chain of laundries in Central New York, enlisted SmartWatt Energy to upgrade its indoor fluorescent lighting at 23 of its facilities and outdoor LED pole lighting at 17 facilities.

Colonial is looking at an average payback of 22 months after receiving a rebate totaling more than $104,000 and interest-free www.americancoinop.com

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LESS IS MORE Introducing the large capacity, low impact EcoWash.

that customers choose your laundry

Return some green to the planet – and your wallet – with the 60-lb capacity EcoWash coin washer from New England Coin Laundry. Its powerful 200 G-Force motor uses less energy, extracts more water, and adds more to your bottom line.

Photo courtesy U S Capital Corp.

financing for two years.

Large windows will make it easy for your customers—or the police—to see inside; take care not to block the view when posting signs. Equipment and furnishings should be positioned so there are clear sight lines from the front of the store to the back, and so that they do not create “hiding places.” Equip exterior doors with buzzers to signal when someone has entered the laundry.

Having an attended store can also be a deterrent to criminal activity. “Security is a concern for all stores,” says J.D. Johnson, president of equipment distributor LaundryRx. “Of course, it’s more of a concern for the unattended owner.”

And don’t forget about your own safety, particularly when handling money. If your laundry has an office space, don’t allow customers inside, and keep it locked when you’re away. Be aware of your surroundings when making collections and when transporting money to/from your vehicle. Vary collection times so the average observer can’t anticipate when you’ll be doing this activity.

Never share information about store security, the amount of money your store makes, who has keys, who is responsible for opening or closing the store, etc., with anyone.

SECURITY MEASURES Consider physical equipment (especially for older, unattended stores) such as high-security locks, bars, solid steel doors, and antistringing validators for the changers. Check out the latest burglar alarms and surveillance cameras.

Before installing security equipment, don’t forget about signage.

Make it clear to anyone who enters your store that it is protected by electronic security. It’s a warning to thieves, and it provides a comfort level for your customers.

Also from our survey earlier this year, a surveillance system is the most popular safety-related feature or practice utilized by responwww.americancoinop.com

“My customers love it, so I love it” – Fred Ives, Massachusetts

Call (508) 837-6514 or visit newenglandcoinlaundry.com to see our new Build Your Own EcoWash feature, and learn how shorter wash times and reduced water and energy use can build your business.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

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[Make it clear to all who enter that you’re looking out for them.]

dents (77.8%). Other popular choices are employees/owner watch store (48.1%), alarm system (44.4%), signage (33.3%) and some type of weapon (29.6%).

Thirty-seven percent of operators who responded to the survey have brought a firearm to their laundry. Among those who haven’t, 35.3% said they would consider carrying a firearm while there.

Keep in mind that it’s possible to tamper with or destroy security cameras or devices. It’s common for burglar alarms to be tied to a central station by telephone lines, but a burglar may cut the line.

It’s good to have a backup method.

The same concerns can be true of cameras. Burglars may sneak underneath the camera and point it at another part of the store. But with updated technology, a camera can “memorize” a store scene, such as a changer, and if that scene is changed because a burglar moves a camera or covers it, the owner is signaled that there is a problem. Check with your security company for the latest technological updates.

Alarm systems have the capabilities of detecting unauthorized opening of doors, the breaking of windows, and movement through interior areas when the business is closed.

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

INSURANCE BENEFIT Not only is increased security a plus in attracting and retaining customers, it can also improve your bottom line by lowering insurance costs a bit. “(Having a) surveillance/security system would lower the costs of most property coverage as this is a definite deterrent to theft, vandalism and similar situations causing a claim,” says Adam Weber, president of Irving Weber Associates. “Surveillance systems can also assist in determining if there was an actual fault on the business owner’s part in a liability claim, such as to whether a water spill caused a slip-and-fall.”

But be certain that your security system is in good working order at all times.

“Security systems are great, but in many cases someone forgets to turn them on, they aren’t working for some reason, or they are working but the burglar is able to get in and out before the police arrive,” says Anne Hawkins, senior underwriter for NIE. Your customers rely on you to provide them with a safe environment to clean their clothes, so make it a priority each and every day.

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9576-203-002 9576-203-002 Stack StackDryer DryerHi-Limit Hi-LimitThermostat Thermostat $17.50 $17.90 each

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We are one of the Largest Dexter Parts Distributors in the Country with the lowest prices on Dexter parts in the USA 9244-082-001 9244-082-001 Dryer Dryer Door Door Handle Handle HDFK $10.79 each

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*Free shipping on sale parts featured in this ad (excluding trunnions, motors and all oversized packaging), on orders exceeding $300.00. Prices subject to change based on supply. All orders will be shipped via UPS Ground within the Continental U.S. Any variant shipping charges will be customer’s responsibility. Sale ends December 31,2012.

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

MONEY-HANDLING EQUIPMENT KLOPP INTERNATIONAL

LOCK AMERICA INTERNATIONAL alifornia-based Lock America develops and manufactures locks and security hardware for a number of industries, including commercial laundries.

The Pay Station Security System is a new currencyhandling product with a threestep security system that secures the locking points of pay stations. The system consists of a flanged hardened steel housing, a Lock America or other compatible high-security plug lock, and a modified version of Lock America’s Millennium “hockey puck” style lock. Secured with the company’s pick- and drill-resistant keyway, each three-part system is installed in pairs to secure the front panel of pay stations and change machines.

The keyway features Lock America’s pick- and drill-resistant rotating detainer disk system with 20 million usable key combinations and a unique key code registered to each customer with master key option. laigroup.com 800-422-2866

C

LOPP International now offers the SeeTech iSniper, an advanced, single-pocket currency discriminator that scans each bill, recognizes the value and quantity, and provides a grand total and itemized count of the mixed money.

The sorting mode allows a commercial laundry owner to count a specific denomination and have the machine stop when any other denominations are identified.

The clam shell front cover allows for easy access to sensors and rollers for cleaning and removal of notes, if necessary. The machine includes three counterfeit-detection modes: ultra-violet (UV), magnetic (MG) and infrared (IR). A small, portable footprint makes the machine easy to use on-site.

KLOPP machines are made of cast aluminum and hardened steel in the United States. The company’s line of coin-handling equipment includes coin counters, coin sorters, coin scales, currency counters and coin wrapper crimpers. kloppcoin.com 800-356-9080

K

CUMMINS ALLISON he Money Machine self-service coin counter by Cummins Allison is designed to provide a commercial laundry a high return on its investment.

With what the company calls the industry’s only automated payout system, customers cash in coins at the machine without the need for customer service.

The Money Machine self-service coin counter allows the business to adjust customer service fees to improve the bottom line, or to change fees to be competitive in the local market.

Money Machine can be used to recycle coins

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

and eliminate carrier and bank fees.

Backed by local, factory-trained service technicians, the Money Machine has a 98% uptime and 99.995% accuracy—the highest run-time ratings in the industry, according to the company.

The machine can process up to 4,100 coins per minute, and its intuitive design sorts out debris and non-coin items with few stops or jams, providing hassle-free coin management. cumminsallison.com 847-299-9550

www.americancoinop.com

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10,000 Square Feet of Inventory In Stock!!

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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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3900 W 127th St. Alsip, IL 60803

Phone: 708•371•9595 Fax: 708•371•8777 www.millerlaundry.com

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

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

ESD he ESD V-14 Coinslide offers easy-to-change, flexible quarter-increment pricing from 25 cents to $3.50. Security features include an anti-pry handle design (optional handle latch to prevent “slamming” for free vends), magnet to prevent slugs, stainless steel second gate, and an anti-string device to retain coins.

ESD also offers a line of secure moneyboxes, locks and shafts to protect a laundry’s investment. ESD’s High Security Moneyboxes are available with optional additional protection with case-hardened steel faces to deter drilling and prying. Multiple faces and lock styles are also available. esdcoin.com 215-628-0860

T

AMERICAN CHANGER CORP. merican ChangerCorp., a developer and manufacturer of bill changers, celebrates its 25th year in January.

The company’s AC2225 Bill Changer accepts $1 to $20 bills and dispenses quarters from two hoppers. In addition, the machine can be upgraded with an MEI recycler to dispense $5 bills from the bill acceptor when a high-value bill is inserted. Considered to be a mini bill breaker, this option allows customers to receive bills with just enough coins returned to help prevent unused coins from leaving the business. The AC2225 rear-load change machine can be ordered with two optional MEI bill recyclers.

The model features dual redundancy and includes two MEI recyclers; two boards; two power supplies; two hoppers with 11,200-coin capacity; and custom payout decals.

The machine measures 19 inches wide, 29 inches high and 14 inches deep. americanchanger.com 800-741-9840

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

PYRAMID TECHNOLOGIES he Apex 7000 offers a high degree of functionality, according to the company. Standard features include dip-switch configuration; lighted arrows on the bezel and bill entry area; high security against fraudulent bills; pushbutton LED onboard diagnostics; and dualstage optical anti-stringing.

The Apex 7000 offers a wide range of interface options and the ability to customize the validator to fit the specific needs of a commercial laundry. Foreign-note acceptance also is available with the Apex 7000, as it can accept any currency up to 72 millimeters wide.

Arizona-based Pyramid Technologies manufactures banknote acceptors and a thermal printer used by the vending, amusement and gaming industries. In addition to the Apex series, Pyramid offers the Trilogy (accepts bills up to 85 millimeters wide), the Curve (has additional “stackerless” bill-path security), and the Phoenix (a thermal printer). pyramidacceptors.com 480-507-0088

T

SETOMATIC SYSTEMS etomatic Systems provides drop coin meters for many makes and models of vending machines. It suggests replacing older turn-knob meters with an up-to-date drop coin machine with a digital display and time countdown. The machines are adjustable in 15-second increments and are easy to install, Setomatic says. A durable, all-metal drop coin model could replace a plastic unit.

Setomatic also makes drop coin meters to replace the coin slides on most machines.

Multi-push insertions on Wascomat washers can be eliminated with a drop coin meter with digital display. The company also offers aftermarket drop coin meters to replace factory-installed units on many front-load washers. setomaticsystems.com 516-752-8008

S

www.americancoinop.com

SERVING THE LAUNDRY INDUSTRY SINCE 1997.

5000 LONG BEACH RD ISLAND PARK, NY 11558

516-432-3834 REBUILT MACHINES

PARTS

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.

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

$3,500 $2,700 $2,400 $1,850 $ 975 $1,200 $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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STANDARD CHANGE-MAKERS tandard Change-Makers has discontinued its System 600 series. The company now offers the MC600RLDA series, which includes three rearload models, and the MC800-DA series with three front-load models featuring two-, three- and four-coin hopper configurations.

The 800-DA series also offers higher coin capacities, from 12,800 quarters to 20,800 quarters. The two new series are available

S

with dual bill acceptors such as Coinco, Mars, CashCode or Pyramid.

The discontinued line affects all models with the prefix “SC.” A conversion kit for the older-model SC series machines allows for the installation of other brand bill acceptors, and it will work on any SC model with the System 500, 500-E, 600FST or 600-EF bill acceptors. standardchange.com 800-968-6955

SEAGA MANUFACTURING

MONARCH COIN AND SECURITY onarch Coin and Security supplies vertical eight- and 15-coin slides that can be set up to accept either U.S. or foreign coins, and they can be calibrated for any denomination.

Token-operated 444 slides also are available. The company offers bill changer machines that supply the customer with either coins or tokens.

Monarch also supplies coin boxes to fit any commercial laundry machine.

These can be equipped with any of five different lock styles: Ace, Nova, Trigard, Duo or Medeco. Fronts are available in chrome, black or blue.

The company also has available coin box guards and full body armor that will enclose the entire meter case with 1/8-inch steel. monarchcoin.com 800-462-9460

M

eaga offers economy-sized changers with models CM1050 and CM1250.

Model CM1050 is a tube-style changer holding $150 in quarters, dimes and nickels.

Holding $250 in quarters, the CM1250 accepts $1 and $5 bills and also can be programmed to accept $10 and $20 bills.

Hopper-style loading, LCD display, dual locking system and a coin cup are all features of the CM1250, which is easy to mount to a vending machine or wall, the company says.

Celebrating its 25th year in business, Seaga offers a variety of vending equipment, accessories and espresso machines. seagamfg.com 815-297-9500

S

MEI GROUP EI® Cashflow® AE2400 models now include an enhanced background debug system (EBDS) interface option. The interface enables the use of a USB serial adapter cable within the AE Series portfolio, the AE2400. This added feature allows an original equipment manufacturer a greater flexibility for development without the added cost of the AE2600 and AE2800 models.

The EBDS interface comes standard on all new 2400EX models. Other features of the AE24000EX include the acceptance of $1 and $5

M

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

bills in both up-and-down stacker configurations, and a selection of bezels and cash boxes to round out the operator options for customizing the AE machine. The AE2400 also comes in a 12-volt battery option, although this option is not yet compatible with the new EBDS interface.

The Cashflow AE Series delivers security, performance and reliability, says the company, to the commercial laundry industry and provides a high return on investment. meigroup.com 800-345-8215

www.americancoinop.com

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COIN-OP 101

REINVESTING IN YOUR BUSINESS Why 2013 is the year to invest in equipment upgrades, increase vend prices, and market your business

Matt Miller

As we move into 2013, there are three important areas that store owners should be ready to consider: equipment upgrades, marketing, and vend price increases.

All three are completely controllable and warrant a look in the coming year, especially if owners want to remain profitable. A large issue that’s impacting all three is the cost of water—a significant portion of a Laundromat owner’s monthly expenditure. In 2013, owners can expect water costs to become an even bigger challenge.

Water rates have surged in the past 12 years, according to USA Today’s study of 100 municipalities. The study noted that in more than a quarter of these municipalities, water prices at least doubled, and even tripled in a few. As the cost of water continues to trend upward, working with your distributor to find a solution that helps reduce water usage and keep utility costs as a whole from eating away at store profits will be essential in 2013.

Some owners are still on the fence about replacing their equipment because of current economic conditions.

In many cases, however, monthly water savings can cover the cost for monthly equipment finance payments.

For example, owners who operate a 2,800-square-foot facility and continue to use older equipment risk losing as much as $10,000 a year in profits due to unnecessary water usage.

EFFICIENCY UPGRADES Washers that were replaced a decade ago can be considered inefficient. Manufacturers have invested significant resources into upgrading equipment with advanced technologies that enable store owners to spend less on utilities. With the right machines, owners can reduce water costs by 25-50%.

Controls also play an essential role in utility management. Newer control platforms have the ability to customize water levels, with some providing as many as 30 different options. The flexibility to change water levels allows owners to further decrease their water expenses and continue to provide customers with the best wash performance.

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

If reduced water expenses and revenue enhancers weren’t enough to encourage upgrading of machines, maybe the ability to operate their store from anywhere in the world will excite operators. Advanced controls are networked to a central computer, which means store data can be accessed remotely to monitor store activity and usage as long as the operator has a computer with Internet access.

Controls can be programmed with a single command, rather than going from machine to machine. Consider the management time savings. Manually, it would take hours to program 20 20-pound washers compared to seconds using an online data system. In addition, owners can see up-to-the-minute data on store activity, capture the history of each machine, and view maintenance reports to help decrease machine downtime.

VEND PRICES Once an operator has replaced his or her equipment mix to help manage increasing water costs, he or she needs to consider raising vend prices, which will also contribute to overall profitability and cover the costs associated with monthly business expenses.

Many municipalities continue to raise real estate taxes to help cover the expense of rising deficits. In order to remain successful as a business owner, you need to make necessary adjustments.

Price increases depend upon the market, so there’s no real rule of thumb when deciding how much the cost of services should go up. But with new equipment in place, customers will be willing to pay a little more to use stateof-the-art machines.

Advanced controls also offer revenue enhancers. Some control platforms allow owners to create their own medium- or heavy-soil program, adding wash options like pre-wash, longer agitation time, and additional hot or cold rinses. Owners can in turn increase vend prices based on the cycle modifier selected. The benefit is an additional 10-15% increase in wash revenue. Controls can also offer time-of-day pricing, which allows owners to change vend prices to optimize profit around peak hours.

If you intend to raise prices, the best practice is to www.americancoinop.com

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inform customers before doing so; this gives them time to plan for the increase.

Use a number of communication mediums, including the store website, newsletters and in-store signage. It’s important to provide information on why you’re increasing costs, so customers have a clear understanding that the raise is necessary to continue providing the high-quality services they’ve come to expect. Be sure to reiterate that with the new controls, they will maintain full control over their wash and how much they spend.

SMART MARKETING To attract more business, and further improve profitability, it is critical to market your store. Few store owners are taking full advantage of marketing opportunities, but even on a small budget it can be done effectively.

As 2013 begins, make sure to budget accordingly for marketing programs. As a rule, I recommend 1% of profits be used for internal programs, while 2-3% is used toward external programs such as advertising and social media.

Social media continues to increase in popularity. Opening a Facebook page to promote your store is easy, and best of all, it’s free. Use your Facebook URL (example: facebook.com/yourstore)

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on direct mail pieces, on store signage, or pass out a flyer to customers in the store. Once you’ve captured their attention, you can promote in-store specials on your page.

More than half of the population today obtains its information from the Internet. If you don’t already have a website, get one. You can draw your customers online by including the website address on local advertising pieces and through your social media program.

Likewise, your website can also direct viewers to your Facebook page to view specials.

If you’re willing to spend additional time investigating, you’ll likely uncover several other opportunities to participate in marketing programs on a regional level, such as community newspapers and billboards.

While 2013 will present some challenges, there are many solutions that offer opportunities for profitable outcomes. Contact your distributor and learn how to maximize profitability.

■ Matt Miller is president of Coin-O-Matic Equipment Corp. in Alsip, Ill. He has more than 28 years of experience assisting vended laundry owners in finding solutions to increase profitability and maintain successful operations. He can be reached at 708-3719595 or millerm@millerlaundry.com.

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www.americancoinop.com

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AN OUTSIDER’S VIEW

CREATE KID-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT AND KEEP EVERYONE HAPPY

Howard Scott

Kids come into the Laundromat with their parents.

Often, they must hang around for an hour or two waiting for clothes to be cleaned. The question is, how do you get them to behave? Even better, how do you get them to want to come back, because if they don’t like your establishment, Mom might choose a more kid-friendly spot.

You must do something to make your Laundromat child-friendly. Children can’t sit still for two hours. If you do nothing, they might create such a commotion that they annoy other customers. Or they might “decorate” a machine front using crayons they brought from home. Or they might run around your place, trip on a wire and end up breaking a tooth. Great, now you’re involved in paying for a kid’s medical care. Worse yet, the unthinkable might happen: a child could run across the street and get killed. In that case, you’re involved in a lawsuit that could send you into bankruptcy.

At a minimum, have some children’s toys in a designated area. Plastic trucks, dolls, wooden trains on rails, and maybe a toy stove will do. A log cabin building set will give a youngster a lot of pleasure. A diorama for plastic soldiers will enable kids to conduct make-believe wars. They can play “house” with, you guessed it, the doll house.

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

Offer new toys periodically. You don’t have to buy them at toy stores. Goodwill and other second-hand stores are perfectly good sources. Yard sales are another excellent toy-buying opportunity. Spend $20 every six months, if you something intriguing.

Without a doubt, a table and chairs so that children can color is another excellent offering. Kids love to color.

An oil-based tablecloth is easy to clean. Crayons, markers and coloring books are always available at great prices at office supply back-to-school sales in August. An even better source for drawing paper is print shops, which generally have bins of used paper stock in storage; excess stock is often available for the asking.

On a nearby wall, hang a bulletin board to feature creative efforts, but do not place it within reach of children.

You don’t want to see little ones getting pricked by pushpins. Mothers appreciate seeing their youngsters’ Picasso efforts.

Having handheld electronic equipment isn’t a good idea. Items would most likely disappear or be broken.

One situation you do not want to get into is having to accuse a tot of breaking a toy. Avoid the problem altogether by not having any breakable items. Besides, generally, many children will bring their own things, which they will use to entertain themselves.

On the other hand, many Laundromats have coinoperated video games. They are a popular pastime for slightly older children, especially those in their early teens. It is beyond the scope of this article to suggest what kind of games. You can go too wrong to offer a shoot-’em-up that showcases murder-and-mayhem entertainment. Scout out video arcades in your neighborhood to see the popular offerings before deciding to buy something.

If possible, enclose the kids’ playroom so there is one entrance. An opening rather than a spring gate will prevent accidents. If it is in the middle of the floor, four-post fence will do the trick. If tucked in a corner, only a twosided fence suffices. This separation is worth it. Giving the children their “own” space will keep the toys from being scattered all over. Also, the youngsters will enjoy having their private area. But always make sure to place www.americancoinop.com

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AN OUTSIDER’S VIEW the kids’ space in view of parents. Nothing would be worse than to have a child out of view for 10 minutes before a mother goes over and find him or her crying.

Taping posters or cutouts to the adjacent side wall entertains a child’s curious mind. A map of the United States, a photo of the cosmos, images of favorite heroes—Harry Potter, cartoon characters—will do the trick.

Alongside these entertainments, set up the standard of parental obligation. Post a sign on the wall that reads, “Please Supervise Your Children.” In case something untoward happens, your attendant can always point to the sign and say, “You were supposed to keep your eyes on him.”

Train your attendants in “kid management.” If a child misbehaves, the attendant gets down on her knees and gently says, “We do not do that here.” Additionally, the attendant talks to the parent. Never, ever scold the mother or child, or you will never see this customer again.

On the other side of the behavior spectrum, it would not be a bad idea for the attendant to go inside the kid space every so often, look at the children’s creative work and say, “That’s very good.”

Ditto for complimenting parents, saying, “Your child’s so good.”

Mothers and fathers invariably appreciate compliments.

One Laundromat I know does this. When a kid is playing and

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

behaving himself, the attendant sometimes comes up to the child, asks his first name, and pulls out a large-letter magnetic letter set.

She creates the child’s name on a blank, and affixes it to the washing machine the mother is using. Then, with fanfare, announces that the machine has been named “Eddie” (or whatever the child’s name is) for the day. Done well, this act makes the kid feel cool. Of course, the parents feel great that the kids are so pleased.

Having said how much Laundromat staffers should be kidfriendly, I offer this caveat. Be friendly, welcoming, appreciative, but don’t get involved. That is, don’t allow a gaggle of kids to speak because they will go on and on, and disrupt your work routing.

When one starts, another wants in, and before you know it, 15 minutes will have elapsed. You want to respond to kids, but do not engage them. The skill of “smiling and running” is definitely something to cultivate with staffers.

Make your Laundromat kid-friendly. It is just another service you provide.

■ Howard Scott is a long-time business writer and small-business consultant. He has published four books.

To read more Howard Scott columns, visit AmericanCoinOp.com

www.americancoinop.com

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ADVERTISERS’ INDEX Advertiser

Page

Advertiser

Page

AC Power Co. ................................................................ 36

LG .................................................................................... 3

American Dryer Corp. .................................................... 15

Mountain Electronics ...................................................... 38

American Switch ...................................................... 38, 39

NATCO............................................................................37

Clean Show .................................................................... 31

New England Coin Laundry...................................... 22, 23

Coin-O-Matic.................................................................. 27 D&M Laundry Equipment.............................................. 25 Dexter ............................................................................ 17

New York Laundry Equipment ...................................... 29 NIE Insurance .................................................................. 7 R&B Wire Products ........................................................ 1

ESD Inc. ............................................................ 20, 21, BC

Royal Basket Trucks ........................................................24

First Line Laundry Corp. ................................................ 33

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

Frontec ............................................................................ 38

Speed Queen ............................................................8, 9, 11

Gold Coin Laundry Equipment ...................................... 13

Super Computer Boards .................................................. 38

Great Lakes Commercial Sales ...................................... 38

Super Laundry Group ......................................................19

HHC Electronic Service .................................................. 39

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

Huebsch ..........................................................................FC

Wells Fargo Insurance Services ...................................... 18

Laundry Concepts .......................................................... 35

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

www.americancoinop.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

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38 AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

SERVICES AND SUPPLIES

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SERVICES AND SUPPLIES

CARD READERS FIXED

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SERVICES AND SUPPLIES WASHERS and DRYERS COMPUTER BOARD REPAIR ADC 137213 / 137234 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$65.00 Igniters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .call Dexter VFD Inverter (Delta Motor Control) All Models (9375-xxx-xxx) . . . . . . . . . . . . .call Stack Dryer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$65.00 Coin Accumulator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$55.00

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WASCO GEN 5 DOOR LOCKS & TIMERS REBUILT Door Lock $68 • Gen 5 & 6 Timer $85 Gen 4 Timer $75 • Continental Timer $85 DRYER COMPUTER BOARDS ADC Stack $60 • Single $45 Huebsch SQ Board $45 Huebsch Old Style Board $55 Stack Dexter/Continental $60 Washer Coin Boards $55 Some prices may vary!!!!

JECON INC. SUITE 272, 11064 QUEENS BLVD. FOREST HILLS, NY 11375 One-Year Warranty on All Parts Send Core Unit with S&H Fees Call Toll Free: 1-888-532-6677 (888-JECON77) Local: 718-525-3733 • Fax: 212-656-1913 718-525-2266 Visit: JECONINC.COM We Now Accept All Major Credit Cards

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Maytag Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$65.00 23004118 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .call W10343020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .call 33001129 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$85.00 Motor Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$55.00 Speed Queen / Huebsch Computers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$65.00 Motor Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$95.00 Volume Discounts.

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WASHER AND DRYER COMPUTER BOARDS REBUILT Igniters repaired Washers: $70 - & up Dryers: $40 - & up Igniters: $25 - & up Rebuilt Timers - Wascomat, Huebsch, Speed Queen, IPSO, Laundry Center, Maytag Call for exact price which includes free return shipping 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

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ONLINE www.AmericanCoinOp.com

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation 1. Publication Title: AMERICAN COIN-OP 2. Publication Number: 0092-2811 3. Filing Date:9/24/12.4. Issue Frequency: Monthly 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 11 6. Annual Subscription Price: $39.00.7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake St., Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661-1410 Cook County. Contact Person: Charles Thompson, 312-361-1700.8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake St., Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661-1410 Cook County.9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor.Publisher: Charles Thompson, American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake St., Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661-1410 Cook County.Editor: Bruce Beggs, American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake St., Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661-1410 Cook County.10. Owner: American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake St., Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661-1410 Cook County.

Charles Thompson,American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake St., Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661-1410 Cook County.

Bruce Beggs, American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake St., Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661-1410 Cook County. Donald Feinstein, American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake St., Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661-1410 Cook County. Nathan Frerichs, American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake St., Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661-1410 Cook County. John Suhler, American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake St., Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661-1410 Cook County. 13. Publication Title: AMERICAN COIN-OP 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 2012 15. Extent and Nature of circulation: (average number of copies each issue during proceeding 12 months=”X”) (Number copies of single issue published nearest to filing date = Y”)(a)Total Number of Copies (Net press run): X=17,731,Y=17,733. b. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail).

(1)Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541.(Include direct written request from recipient, telemarketing and Internet request s from recipient, paid subscriptions including nominal rate subscriptions, employer requests, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies.) X= 11,044, Y=11,427.

(2) In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541.(Include direct written request from recipient, telemarketing and Internet requests from recipient, paid subscriptions including nominal rate subscriptions, employer requests, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies.) X=0, Y=0. (3)Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS®: X=0, Y=0.

(4)Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS (e.g. First-Class Mail®): X=0, Y=0. (c) Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)):X=11,044, Y=11,427. (d) Nonrequested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail). (1)Outside County Nonrequested Copies Stated on PS Form 3541 (include Sample copies, Requests Over 3 years old, Requests induced by a Premium, Bulk Sales and Requests including Association Requests, Names obtained from Business Directories, Lists, and other sources): X=6,666, Y=6,282. (2)In-County Nonrequested Copies Stated on PS Form 3541 (include Sample copies, Requests Over 3 years old, Requests induced by a Premium, Bulk Sales and Requests including Association Requests, Names obtained from Business Directories, Lists, and other sources): X=0, Y=0. (3)Nonrequested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail (e.g. First-Class Mail, Nonrequestor Copies mailed in excess of 10% Limit mailed at Standard Mail® or Package Services Rates): X=0, Y=0. (4)Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail (Include Pickup Stands, Trade Shows, Showrooms and Other Sources): X=0, Y=0. (e)Total Nonrequested Distribution (Sum of 15d (1), (2), (3) and (4)): X=6,666, Y=6,282. (f)Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and e): X=17,710, Y=17,709. (g)Copies not Distributed (See Instructions to Publishers #4, (page #3)):X=21, Y=24. (h)Total (Sum of 15f and g): X=17,731, Y=17,733. (i)Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (15c divided by f times 100): X=62.36%, Y=64.53%. 16. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the November/December 2012 issue of this publication. 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner:I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties): Charles Thompson, Date 9/24/2012.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

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NEWSMAKERS

NEW ORLEANS HOUSING OPENS IN ADVANCE OF CLEAN 2013 Persons planning to attend the Clean Show in New Orleans next summer may now make reservations at the 20 discounted hotels offered in the event’s housing package, says show manager Riddle & Associates.

Complimentary shuttle buses to and from the Morial Convention Center will be provided at all association headquarter hotels and within two blocks of all other Clean 2013 official hotels for participants in the June 20-22, 2013, event.

Visit cleanshow.com to view available hotels and make reservations; click on the “Registration & Housing Information” button.

For more information about Clean 2013, visit the show’s website or contact Riddle & Associates, 404-876-1988, info@cleanshow.com.

MAYTAG® COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY RECOGNIZES KARN FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE Maytag® Commercial Laundry says it is proud to recognize National Sales Manager Randy Karn for 30 years of dedicated service.

“After 30 years with Maytag® Commercial Laundry, Randy continues to be a valued member of our team,” says Craig Kirchner, global director. “He plays an integral Randy Karn upon joining the Maytag® role in our company’s continCommercial Laundry team as a service ued growth and success, and he trainer, 1982. is as dependable as the machines he has helped bring to market.”

Karn’s interest in the commercial laundry business grew out of his years as a teenage installation and service technician for an appliance dealer. He joined the Maytag® Commercial Laundry team in 1982 as a service trainer, following his graduation from Iowa State University, and worked his way up the ranks to national sales manager.

“I enjoy the people I meet and work with each day—whether they are colleagues or customers, I’m always learning something new from them,” Karn says. “It amazes me how many people spend their whole careers in the commercial laundry industry and always maintain that passion to be the best they can be every day.

They’ve been a great inspiration to me.”

PREVIEWING THE 2012 ECONOMIC CENSUS This fall, U.S. laundry and dry cleaning businesses will receive 2012 Economic Census forms from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Selected companies received forms in October, but most will get them in December. Deadline for submitting the form is Feb. 12.

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AMERICAN COIN-OP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012

Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke has called this census “indispensable to understanding America’s economy.”

Taken every five years, the Economic Census “assures the accuracy of the statistics we rely on for sound economic policy and for successful business planning,” he says.

To preview the Census forms, visit census.gov/econ/census/ smallbiz/forms_info.html.

COINMACH ACQUIRES SDI LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS Coinmach, a supplier of outsourced laundry services, has acquired SDI Laundry Solutions, a laundry room design and management company. SDI President Ron Garfunkel will remain in his position, as will his leadership team and service personnel, and SDI will continue to operate from its Yonkers, N.Y., headquarters.

Terms of the acquisition were not announced.

“I am excited by this acquisition, as SDI is a highly respected company in our industry, with great leadership, smart technology, and a stellar reputation in the New York metropolitan area,” says Robert M. Doyle, Coinmach’s CEO. “This is especially true in the supportive and affordable housing sectors.”

“This is a great development for SDI and for its valued customers,” Garfunkel says. “Joining Coinmach will enable us to benefit from the resources of a nationwide organization, as we continue to deliver the high-touch personal service SDI is known for.”

Within the New York area, Coinmach brings substantial regional coverage and resources to the relationship. SDI deploys non-coin payment systems, operating an almost purely coinless business in an industry still dominated by coin-fed laundry machines.

BDS LAUNDRY SYSTEMS OPEN HOUSE DRAWS RECORD ATTENDANCE A record 311 people attended BDS Laundry Systems’ ninth annual Open House & Product Show at its St. Paul, Minn., headquarters, the distributor reports.

Dubbed “The Greatest Laundry Show on Earth,” the 2012 exhibition incorporated a circus theme, complete with elephant rides and aerial acrobatic performers. Coin laundry owners from across the upper Midwest enjoyed entertainment, food, educational seminars, special pricing, and networking opportunities.

Brian Wallace, president and CEO of the Coin Laundry Association, presented The 10 Secrets to Promoting Your Laundry seminar, as well as moderated a store owner idea exchange forum featuring a panel of veteran laundry operators.

Representatives from Maytag, Electrolux and Wascomat conducted service school presentations.

“Once again, our two-day event exceeded expectations,” says David DeMarsh, president of BDS Laundry Systems. “This year’s show featured our largest-ever display of equipment and ancillary products, and the entertainment was simply unrivaled, with customers enjoying live elephant rides and professional circus act performances.”

■ www.americancoinop.com

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