American Coin-Op - April 2013

A S? IS RO AT E H OC . 23 W ET ee pg E S CH

STATE 2012-2013

of the

INDUSTRY

I N S I D E : J UI LN YS I 2D 0E 0: 5A P R I L 2 0 1 3 COIN-OP 101: CAPITALIZING ON CHANCES TO UPSELL

STORE TRAFFIC: FINDING A BETTER BALANCE

NORTH DAKOTA FRACKING BOOM: GOLD RUSH OF OPPORTUNITIES

WWW.AMERICANCOINOP.COM

0413aco_p0C1.FINAL.indd 1

3/22/13 4:08 PM

StandardPage

10/5/11

3:25 PM

Page 1

R

R

The “NO HEADACHE” Laundry Cart R

R

100T

2 1/4 Bushel

100D

2 1/2 Bushel

Clean W ted n e

ystem el S he

100E

R&B’s Pa t

2 Bushel

All Carts Feature R&B’s Patented ‘Thread-Guard’ Caster Design Keeps Wheels Clean!

200S 3 3/4 Bushel

AVAILABLE ON ALL MODELS Handle Double OR Single Pole Racks

200F 4 1/2 Bushel

200H “BIG DOG”

scan with your

6 Bushel

mobile device

sales@RBWire.com StandardPage.indd 1

www.RBWire.com

(800) 634-0555 3/5/13 3:45 PM

CONTENTS APRIL 2013 VOLUME 54 ISSUE 4

STATE 2012-2013

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

of the

INDUSTRY

INSIDE 18 MULTIHOUSING UPDATE 22 PRODUCT SHOWCASE:

TOP LOADERS

24 COIN-OP 101: TAKING ADVANTAGE

OF CHANCES TO UPSELL

Dion Marcionetti highlights opportunities to upsell without putting pressure on your customers

COVER STORY

How do you think your self-service laundry business compared to others last year? How does your current pricing stack up? These and many other questions can be answered from the results of our annual State of the Industry survey.

10

COLUMNS 30 STORE TRAFFIC: FINDING A BETTER BALANCE You don’t want your customers to walk in, see how busy your store is, and walk out. Operators should try to better align customer use, a practice that columnist Howard Scott calls balancing traffic. He suggests managing your store’s traffic with inducements and persuasion.

DEPARTMENTS 4 VIEWPOINT 6 INDUSTRY SURVEY 13 CALENDAR

37 AD INDEX 40 NEWSMAKERS

26 CALVARY LAUNDROMAT: ATTENDANTS

AND ATMOSPHERE ENERGIZE CUSTOMERS

David Makepeace creates inviting store built on friendly staff, sophisticated equipment, colorful décor

34 NORTH DAKOTA FRACKING PRODUCES

GOLD RUSH OF COIN-OP OPPORTUNITIES

New necessity emerges from booming business: “greaser” laundry facilities for oil field workers

26 A CLOSER LOOK The yellows, blues, greens and shades of red are decoratordesigned to create an inviting atmosphere.

Cover Image: © iStockphoto/ Tom Nance

2

AMERICAN COIN-OP APRIL 2013

0413aco_p02.FINAL.indd 2

www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 4:12 PM

StandardPage.indd 1

3/24/13 11:52 AM

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

behold Benchmarks

Bruce Beggs

state of the industry To benchmark your business against industry standards and your competitors, you need accurate, timely information. American Coin-Op’s annual State of the Industry survey is a time-tested tool to use for that purpose. What percentage of store owners saw their total coin business increase last year? What are the most popular washer and dryer prices being charged? How many operators have purchased, or are planning to purchase, new equipment this year?

Our analysis begins on page 10.

The no-pressure Upsell Distributor Dion Marcionetti says the ability to offer an extra wash or rinse for a small upcharge means that operators can upsell without applying pressure on customers. How would you like to increase revenue without giving the appearance of increasing pricing? Read this month’s Coin-Op 101 column. at calvary Don’t expect to see depressing beige or white walls if you visit the Calvary Laundromat in Raleigh, N.C. Owner David Makepeace has decorator-designed his 3,000-square-foot laundry to create a vibrant, inviting atmosphere. Turn to page 26 to take a look at what he’s done, with a great deal of help.

Greaser laundries boom The success of using hydraulic fracturing—fracking—in mining for natural gas in North Dakota has brought with a necessity: laundry facilities to serve the influx of oil field workers and their families. Editorial assistant Carlo Calma spoke to a distributor and two new store owners about the opportunities in the region and the demands of running a “greaser” laundry.

There is still more in this springtime issue, so I won’t keep you any longer. Dig in!

Bruce Beggs Editorial Director

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

Advertising 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 54, number 4. 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, 2013. Printed in U.S.A.

4

American Coin-Op APRIL 2013

0413aco_p04.FINAL.indd 4

www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 4:49 PM

Our line of Brand Name Our line of Brand Name products WILL make you products WILL make you more money...

Guaranteed! more money... Guaranteed!

Vend-RiteCo. Co. Inc. Inc. Vend-Rite 6029W. W.31st 31stStreet Street 6029 Cicero,IL. IL.60804 60804 Cicero, StandardPage.indd 1

SUN SUN Laundry LaundryProducts, Products, OxiClean, more...

OxiClean,Laundry LaundryBags Bagsand and more... info@vendrite.com info@vendrite.com •• 1-800-777-1802 1-800-777-1802• •www.vendrite.com www.vendrite.com 12/18/12 10:54 AM

INDUSTRY SURVEY

LAUNDRY OWNERS WEIGH BEST AND WORST ABOUT THEIR STORES CHICAGO — They say you have to take the bad with the good. And so it is that American Coin-Op asked readers to list the best and the worst things about their store in March’s Wire survey.

POPULAR WASHERS Thirty-three percent of respondents say a 40- to 50-pound front loader is their store’s most popular washer, followed by a 27- to 35-pound front loader (30%) and an 18- to 25-pound front loader (23.3%). Equal shares (6.7%) chose a 55- to 60-pound front loader and a 70-pound-plus front loader as most popular. No one who took the unscientific survey said a top loader was their store’s most popular washer.

SLOWEST DAY, BEST SEASON Wednesday is the slowest business day (38.7%), edging out Tuesday (29%) and Thursday (25.8%). Summer is the best revenue-generating season (35.5%), followed by winter (32.3%), spring (22.6%), and fall (9.7%).

QUENCH THAT THIRST Soft drinks, by far, are the best-selling food/drink item at laundries. Roughly 52% of respondents say soft drinks are the No. 1 seller, followed by snack chips (19.4%) and water (6.5%). Approximately 13% of respondents say they don’t offer vended items in their laundry.

BUT IT’S GOTTA BE DONE Doing repair/maintenance work (32.3%) is the least favorite task for owners, followed by “solving customer problems” (25.8%), collecting (12.9%) and cleaning (12.9%). Only 9.7% selected “supervising employees” as being least favorite.

A CUSTOMER DID WHAT? Respondents were asked to name the worst thing a customer had done to or at their laundry. Answers were varied, and some were downright disturbing. Incidents of theft (money, a toilet seat) and vandalism (poured beverages on floor, ripped off washer door) were most common. Following are some examples of the rest: • Customer brought in laundry containing dozens of roaches.

• “One blew ours up a few years before we bought it. He was washing greasers (oil field clothes) and he poured some gasoline into the washer with the clothes.”

• “Had a bowel movement in the middle of the store because the restroom was busy.”

While the Wire survey presents a snapshot of readers’ viewpoints at a particular moment, it should not be considered scientific. Subscribers to Wire e-mails are invited to take the industry survey anonymously online each month.

■

6

AMERICAN COIN-OP APRIL 2013

0413aco_p06.FINAL.indd 6

www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 4:13 PM

Every little hinge, hose and housing is engineered with long-lasting energy savings in mind.

Financing as low as 0%† **

†Limited time offer. Low fixed financing rates.

Terms to 96 months. Subject to credit approval and individual’s credit worthiness. Contact your distributor for details.

The closer you look at Maytag® equipment, the more resourceful thinking you’ll see. Take the innovative TurboWash™ System, for instance, which allows our MFR30 washer to deliver impressive cleaning power—along with the potential to cut your water use by over 60%.* Add to that extra-large capacity that helps you turn more profits per load, plus our 5-year warranty** on every single part. Visit mclaundry.com for digital brochures, or for more information, visit our website at maytagcommerciallaundry.com or call 800-662-3587. *Average savings by using super cycle, compared to previous Maytag MFR washers; actual savings varies by model. **Visit maytagcommerciallaundry.com for warranty details. ®

/ ™ ©2013 Maytag. All rights reserved.

StandardPage.indd 1

2/6/13 2:28 PM

“

StandardSpread.indd 1 3849_1_SQ_jonhorn amcoinop distrib_v5fnl.indd 2-3

After Jon Horn decided to reequip his eight laundromats with

new,

the benefits of owning the most profitable machines on the

mark

42 percent and electrical energy by up to 33 percent. Cu ing-edge

Quan

profitability. Plus, in-house, industry-leading financing made

purch

newly increased cash flow. Learn more about Jon’s success

story

american coin op

3/11/13 5:15 PM

4c full bleed spread ad - per request as 2 full pg ads

live 15.

LEARN FROM A LAUNDRY EXPERT AT A DISTRIBUTOR OPEN HOUSE.

“ I’VE SEEN A 20% INCREASE IN BUSINESS SINCE UPGRADING TO SPEED QUEEN EQUIPMENT.” ®

APR 16

Minnesota Chemical Co. N57 W13636 Carmen Avenue, Unit 4 Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

APR 18

Coin-O-Matic of IL 3900 W. 127th St. Alsip, IL 60803

APR 23

Minnesota Chemical Co. Kelly Inn Best Western, 161 St. Anthony St. Paul, MN 55103

MAY 7

Star Distributing Company, Inc. 729 Charlo e Ave. Nashville, TN 37209

MAY 9

Hermes Equipment 205 S. Lee St. Bloomington, IL 61701

Learn from a laundry expert about how Speed Queen can help you grow your profitability. distributors.speedqueen.com • 800.590.8872

– JON HORN OWNER, CONSOLIDATED COIN LAUNDRIES, INC. ALLENTOWN, PA

s with

new, state-of-the-art Speed Queen® equipment, it didn’t take long for him to notice

on the

market. His new equipment is remarkably efficient, reducing water usage by up to

-edge

Quantum™ controls give him the ability to easily adjust vend prices for maximized

made

purchasing his new equipment easy and affordable, allowing Jon to maintain his

ccess

story and our special 5.99% finance rate at SpeedQueen.com/JonHorn.

pg ads

StandardSpread.indd 2

live 15.75 x 10.375

trim 16.25 x 10.875

bleed 16.5 x 11.125

.25" gu er total (.1875" total is too small)

3/11/13 5:15 PM 3/11/13 2:47 PM

2012-2013 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY SURVEY:

Latest Numbers Reflect

Continued Year-to-Year Improvement

By Bruce Beggs, Editorial Director

54% REPORT BUSINESS INCREASED IN 2012

H

ow do you think your self-service laundry business compared to others in the industry last year? Did you have a good year or a bad year in 2012? How does your pricing compare to others?

American Coin-Op’s annual State of the Industry survey offers you the opportunity to compare your operation to others in the industry.

It focuses on 2012/2013 business conditions, pricing, equipment, common problems, turns per day, and utilities cost.

In instances where respondents were asked about 2012 business results, they were given the opportunity to state whether their results were up, down or unchanged. This is a departure from surveys compiled in 2011 and earlier, when they were asked only if their business results were up or down. Keep this in mind as you are making comparisons to previous years’ polls.

The survey is an unscientific electronic poll of American Coin-Op readers who operate stores. Some percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding.

2012 TOTAL BUSINESS VS. 2011 TOTAL BUSINESS In 2012, 54% of respondents saw their overall coin laundry business increase compared to 2011.

More specifically, these operators reported an increase in business (gross dollar volume) in 2012 compared to 2011. In last year’s survey, 45% reported an increase in business, and two years ago, 42% reported a bump.

The average 2012 business increase was 11.7%, up only slightly from 11.5% in 2011. Other past average business increases were 10.8% (2010), 7.9% (2009), 14% (2008) and 12.2% (2007).

Here’s a closer look at the 2012 business increases (the figures relate to those reporting increases, not all respondents): • Operators with a business increase of less than 10%: 41.0% • Operators with a business increase of 10-14%: 27.9% • Operators with a business increase of 15% or more: 31.1% The largest single increase in 2012 was reported to be 50%.

Approximately 30% of respondents saw their business

 Survey Says...

■ Average business increase in 2012 was

11.7%

10

AMERICAN COIN-OP APRIL 2013

0413aco_p10-16.BB.indd 10

www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 12:11 PM

$1,000,000,000

That’s a giant number. Speed Queen Financial Services has funded over $1 billion to vended laundry investors, more than anyone else in the world. We’re freeing up cash flow for current and new laundry investors with big savings on all-new Speed Queen ® equipment. Current laundromat owners can take advantage of interest-only payments and rates as low as 5.99%. Current owners can also receive thousands in fast cash rebates when upgrading to new equipment. New investors and store developers can cash in with interest-only payments and rates as low as 6.99%. To learn more about these limited-time savings, visit SpeedQueen.com/5.99.

StandardPage.indd 1 3919 spring promo_amercoinop v7.indd 1 american coin op - 3/2013 full pg 4/c

live 7.625x10.375

trim 8.125x10.875

bleed 8.375x11.125

2/8/13 3:03 PM 2/8/13 2:41 PM

 Survey Says...

■ Drop-off service, most popular price, 2012 is $1 per pound

decrease (in gross dollar volume) last year.

In our survey of 2011 business, roughly 35% saw a drop in business. The percentage was 58% in 2010 and 59.8% in 2009.

The average 2012 business decrease was 9.5%, down a bit from last year’s figure (10.2%). Previous averages were 11.2% in 2010, 13.7% in 2009, 14.3% in 2008 and 13.2% in 2007.

Were the losses consistent last year or did they vary? Here’s a closer look at the 2012 business decreases: • Operators with a business reduction of less than 10%: 50% • Operators with a business reduction of 10-14%: 32.4% • Operators with a business reduction of 15% or more: 17.6% The largest single decrease in 2012 was reported to be 40%.

Approximately 16% of operators reported their 2012 business was unchanged compared to their 2011 results.

Overall, these results continue to reflect year-to-year improvement, on average. The number of operators reporting an increase in business was up slightly from last year, as was the average business increase.

The average business decrease (9.5%) was nearly a percentage point lower than the prior year. Additionally, the number of operators suffering a large business deduction (15% or more) shrank from 26.8% in 2011 to 17.6% in 2012.

DROP-OFF-SERVICE BUSINESS Drop-off service has become a popular choice for self-service laundry operators looking for ways to help their customers 12

AMERICAN COIN-OP APRIL 2013

0413aco_p10-16.BB.indd 12

free up time for other pursuits, and the numbers continue to bear that out.

Approximately 42% of respondents reported that drop-off-service business (gross dollar volume) increased in 2012.

For 2011, approximately 32% reported business increases in that category.

The average drop-off-service business increase last year was 16.2%, falling below 2011’s average increase of 17.3%, but it’s worth noting that 77% of respondents whose drop-off service improved in 2012 reported double-digit gains.

Twenty-six percent saw a decrease in drop-off-service business. The average decrease in 2012 was 18.1%, which matched the average from the prior year.

Previous averages were 18.8% in 2010 and 24.2% in 2009.

Approximately 32% of respondents said their 2012 drop-off-service business was unchanged from 2011.

About three out of five respondents offer some type of dry cleaning service, and 19.4% reported business increases in 2012.

The average business increase was 27.6%, and the average decrease was 33.7%.

VENDING RESULTS Roughly 44.6% of the respondents had an increase in vending sales business in 2012, exceeding the previous year’s reported 35%. Approximately 22% saw their vending sales business decline in 2012, and 33.7% saw vending sales remain unchanged.

The average vending gain was 11.3%, up slightly from last year’s figure (11.2%).

The average decrease in vending business was 9.1%, compared to 11% in 2011.

WASHER PRICES American Coin-Op asked respondents about their current washer prices, and if they increased prices this year or planned on doing so by the end of the year.

More than 85% of respondents offer top loaders. The price range for a top-load wash is $1 to $4. The most expensive top-load wash was 50 cents more that last year’s top price.

Here are the most popular top-load prices, followed by the percentage of respondents using them: 1. $2 (30.9%) 2. $1.75 (16.5%)

3. $2.25 and $2.50 (14.4% - tie) There really isn’t much change in toploader prices from a year ago. The $2 price remains the most popular, followed by $1.75. The only difference reported in this equipment type is in third place, where $1.50 and $2.25 were tied in last year’s survey.

An extremely small share of operators continue to charge $3 or more for a topload wash. This is the third straight year that there have been multiple prices topping $3 reported in the survey.

The most popular prices for some of the small front loaders are: • 18 pounds: $2 • 20 pounds: $2.50 • 25 pounds: $3 The lowest price reported in the above grouping is $1.25 (18-pound washer) and the highest is $6 (25-pound washer).

Overall, the most popular small-front-loader prices reported in this year’s survey are comparable to last year’s.

The price range for a 30-pound wash is $2 to $6.50. Here are the most popular 30-pound prices, along with the percentages

 Survey Says...

■ Operator outlook: 2013

46.2%

expect business to increase in 2013

37.6%

expect business to be about the same as 2012

16.2%

expect business to decrease in 2013

www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 12:11 PM

Calendar

upcoming events april 9

16

16

17

www.americancoinop.com

0413aco_p13.FINAL.indd 13

Danbury, Ct. Info: 800-229-4572

Continental Girbau West Service School Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

Info: 866-950-2449

18

Century Laundry Dist.

Service Seminar - All Brands Des Moines, Iowa Info: 800-791-9321

23

Minnesota Chemical Co. Huebsch/Speed Queen Coin Seminar and Service School Menomonee Falls, Wis. Info: 651-646-7521

23

HK Laundry Annual Sales Extravaganza

Coin-O-Matic of IL Open House Alsip, Ill. Info: 708-371-9595 Great Lakes Laundry Wascomat/Electrolux Earth Day Product Expo Lisle, Ill. Info: 800-236-5599 Minnesota Chemical Co. Huebsch/Speed Queen Coin Seminar and Service School St. Paul, Minn.

Info: 651-646-7521

23

Northeast Laundry Equip.

Dexter Service Seminar Dover, N.H. Info: 800-222-3472

25

Southeastern Laundry Equip.

Dexter Service Seminar Marietta, Ga. Info: 800-522-9274

27

Loomis Bros. Equip. Co. Open House Overland Park, Kan. Info: 800-783-7094

30

D&M Equipment Dexter Service Seminar Wauwatosa, Wis. Info: 800-451-2676

APRIL 2013

American Coin-Op 13

3/22/13 11:22 AM

of respondents using them: 1. $3.50 (25%) 2. $3 (19.1%) 3. $3.75 (11.8%) There was a tie between $3.50 and $3.75 for the most popular price for a 35-pound wash. Next in order are $4.50 and $3. The price range for a 35-pound wash is $2 to $5.50.

The most popular price for a 40-pound wash is $4, but $4.50 and $4.25 aren’t far behind. The most popular 50-pound wash price is $5, followed by $5.50 and $6. There was a three-way tie for the most popular price for a 55-pound wash: $5, $5.50 and $7.

The most popular price for a 60-pound wash is $6, unchanged from last year’s survey. The price range for an 80-pound wash is $5.75 to $13.50, with $8 and $8.25 tying as the most popular price.

Other prices reported were $9.75 and $15.25 for a 90-pound washer, $9.50 for 100 pounds, and $14.99 for 125 pounds.

The operators responding to our survey vary year to year, so prices tend to vary.

But the survey consistently has shown that operators offer a wide variety of front loaders (prices for 15 different capacities were logged this year) with a broad price range.

Roughly 44% of respondents have raised or plan to raise washer prices this year, and 26.9% are undecided. The remaining

 Survey Says...

■ 48.3% purchased at least one piece of equipment (washer, dryer, water heater, vender or changer) in 2012

29.4% have not raised prices nor intend to do so.

DRYER PRICES Raising dryer prices is something that operators have tended to shy away from, choosing instead to focus on washer price hikes. But it’s worth noting that some operators indicated that they have shortened cycle times in the past year. While customers in those stores aren’t paying a higher price, they are getting less drying per cycle.

Here are the most popular dryer prices, followed by the percentage of respondents using them: 1. 25 cents/5 minutes (19.1%) 2. 25 cents/7 minutes (18.3%) 3. 25 cents/6 minutes (13.9%) 4. 25 cents/8 minutes, 25 cents/10 minutes (10.4% - tie) The No. 3 price from last year’s survey has jumped to No. 1 in this year’s. Seven minutes of drying time returned to the No. 2 slot after being bumped to No. 4 last year, while eight minutes of drying time fell from No. 2 last year to No. 4 this year, where it shared the spot with 10 minutes of drying time.

The 25-for-10 price, which was once an industry staple, picked up a couple of percentage points on last year’s result but still remains well down the list.

Once again, there was a wide variety of dryer prices reported. The most expensive (and longest) cycle was $1.75 for 35 minutes.

Roughly 18% of respondents have raised or plan to raise dryer prices this year, and 20.2% are undecided. The remaining 62.2% have not raised prices nor intend to do so.

PAYMENT TECHNOLOGY More than 83% of respondents operate coin-only stores, 7.6% operate card-only stores, and 9.2% have operations that offer both payment types.

ATTENDED OR UNATTENDED? Nearly 48% of respondents say their stores are fully attended. Roughly 29% say their stores are partially attended, and the remaining 23.1% say their stores are unattended.

DROP-OFF SERVICE PRICING Drop-off-service pricing ranges from 70 cents to $3 per pound. Here are the most popular drop-off-service prices (per 14

AMERICAN COIN-OP APRIL 2013

0413aco_p10-16.FINAL.indd 14

 Survey Says...

■ Average turns per day: Top loaders: 3.1 Front loaders: 4.0

pound), followed by the percentage of respondents using them: 1. $1 (36%) 2. $1.25 (16%) 3. $1.10 (9.3%) The drop-off-service prices remain similar to 2012 prices, and there is a wide variety of prices charged for the service. There were 20 different prices charged per pound in the responses to our survey.

Two-thirds of the respondents offer drop-off service, which is identical to last year’s survey.

PRICE HIKES? We asked operators if they have already raised washer and/or dryer prices in 2013, or if they intend to do so before year’s end.

Approximately 44% say they have raised washer prices this year or intend to raise prices by the end of the year. Roughly 29% of respondents say they are not planning to raise prices this year, and 27% are undecided if they are going to hike prices in 2013.

Regarding dryer prices, 17.6% have raised prices this year or intend to do so later in the year. Roughly 62% don’t plan to hike prices this year, and 20.2% are undecided about raising their prices.

In last year’s survey, 50% said they raised washer prices or intended to do so by the end of 2012, and 17.8% said they raised dryer prices or intended to do so before that year’s end.

ADDING EQUIPMENT IN 2012 Approximately 48% of respondents purchased at least one piece of equipment www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 4:59 PM

How Many Coin Laundries Has Your Insurance Agent Handled?

One or Two? Three?

I’ve personally handled insurance for hundreds of coin laundries! I’ve already dealt with most any issue your business is likely to face. If you have any questions about insuring coin laundries, I can and will give you a prompt, clear answer.

Skeptical? Call me with a question and find out for yourself.

Anne Cobb

Fabricare Insurance Specialist

There’s more: I’m just one member of a team of experts. NIE has been insuring fabricare business since 1915!

Cobb@nie.biz

.............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Quote Request ................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Coin Laundry Dryclean Plant Dryclean Drop Store

Coin Laundry Dryclean Plant Dryclean Drop Store

Coin Laundry Dryclean Plant Dryclean Drop Store

Gross Sales Hours of Operation Attended?

NIE Insurance • 6030 Bancroft Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109 • 1-800-325-9522 • fax (314) 832-6775 • www.nie.biz

0113aco_NIE.indd 1

2/7/13 12:30 PM

 Survey Says...

■ Most popular 30-pound front loader prices, current 1. $3.50 2. $3 3. $3.75

(washer, dryer, water heater, vender or changer) in 2012. In 2011, that figure was approximately 45%.

Here’s a breakdown of 2012 purchases: • 12.7% of respondents purchased at least one top loader. The average purchase was 5.4 machines. In last year’s survey, when a single operator’s reported purchase of 97 machines was excluded from the calculations, the average purchase was 9.1 machines.

• 26.3% of respondents purchased at least one front loader (a breakdown by capacity follows below).

• 16.9% of respondents purchased at least one dryer (regular or stacked).

The average purchase was 7.4 machines. In last year’s survey, when a single operator’s reported purchase of 97 machines was excluded from the calculations, the average purchase was 5.1 machines.

And we break it down further by frontload wash capacity: • 16.1% of buyers purchased at least one machine with a capacity up to 25 pounds. The average purchase was 6.0 machines.

• 29% of buyers purchased at least one machine with a capacity of 25 to 50 pounds. The average purchase was 4.8 machines.

• 35.5% of buyers purchased at least one machine with a capacity of more than 50 pounds. The average purchase was 2.6 machines.

(Editor’s note: Some respondents didn’t 16

AMERICAN COIN-OP APRIL 2013

0413aco_p10-16.BB.indd 16

identify machine sizes, so the front-loader breakdown doesn’t include their purchases.

Also, the percentages do not total 100% because some buyers purchased equipment in multiple equipment categories.)

SHOPPING IN 2013 Respondents were asked if they have bought, or are planning to buy, any new machinery this year. Approximately 36%—the same percentage from last year’s survey—intend to add something (washer, dryer, water heater, vender or changer) to their mix, or have already done so.

• 8.5% of respondents have purchased, or plan to purchase, a new top loader this year. The average purchase is (or will be) 8.8 machines.

• 22.9% of respondents have purchased, or plan to purchase, a new front loader this year. (A breakdown by capacity follows below.)

• 12.7% of respondents have purchased, or plan to purchase, a new dryer this year.

And we break things down further by front-load wash capacity: • 29.6% purchased, or plan to purchase, at least one machine with a capacity up to 25 pounds. The average purchase is 10.8 machines.

• 29.6% purchased, or plan to purchase, at least one machine with a capacity of 25 to 50 pounds. The average purchase is 4.9 machines.

• 25.9% purchased, or plan to purchase, at least one machine with a capacity of more than 50 pounds. The average purchase is 2.0 machines.

(Editor’s note: Some respondents didn’t identify machine sizes, so the front-loader breakdown doesn’t include their purchases.

Also, the percentages do not total 100% because some buyers purchased equipment in multiple equipment categories.)

PROBLEM AREAS What problems cause you the most grief?

Here, according to this year’s State of the Industry survey, are the top-five industry problems: 1. High cost of utilities 2. Dealing with employees 3. Equipment maintenance/repair issues 4. Competition 5. Customer base/lack of customers Gone from the top five is the economy, although it was mentioned on a number of surveys.

 Survey Says...

■ Average utilities cost (% of gross), 2012 24.1%

TURNS PER DAY Turns per day refers to the number of cycles (turns) that each of a store’s machines experiences each day. You can calculate that figure using total top-loader cycles for a one-week period divided by the total number of top loaders, then dividing that number by seven.

According to this year’s survey, the average number of turns per day for top loaders is 3.1, up slightly from last year (3.0). The average number of turns per day for a front loader is 4.0, also up from last year (3.8).

UTILITIES COST We asked operators about their utilities cost (as a percentage of gross). The responses ranged from 6% to 75%(!). The most common response was 25% or 30% (tie). At the time of our survey in February, operators were paying an average of 24.1% for utilities (as a percentage of gross). That number is identical to last year’s poll.

Nearly half of respondents (47%) say utilities is the largest of their store’s expenses.

The smallest of their expenses, according to 56.9%, is insurance.

2013 BUSINESS FORECAST Slightly more than 46% of respondents expect their 2013 business to be better than it was in 2012. Approximately 38% expect business to be about the same this year, and 16.2% expect their business to not perform as well this year as it did in 2012.

Want to track the coin laundry business month to month? Check out our StatShot reports, available exclusively on American CoinOp.com!

■ www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 12:11 PM

StandardPage.indd 1

3/6/13 10:29 AM

multihousing update newsmakers

MLA Preps for annual spring educational conference The Multi-housing Laundry Association (MLA) is preparing for its annual Spring Educational Conference, scheduled for April 21-23 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Fla. The event will feature a variety of educational sessions, route operator roundtable discussions, board and committee meetings, and more. To learn more about the conference, or to register, visit mla-online.com. wash laundry acquires coinamatic canada WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems, which provides laundry facilities management services, has acquired Coinamatic Canada, that country’s largest provider of multifamily laundry services.

The transaction makes WASH the second largest route laundry company and the only multinational laundry company in North America, it reports.

Coinamatic becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of WASH Laundry but maintain its brand name in the Canadian market.

With Coinamatic’s approximately 100,000 installed washers 0512aco_Wells Fargo 7/17/12 4:00 PM Page 1 and dryers throughout Canada, WASH’s installed base climbs to

more than 400,000 machines with an estimated combined revenue of $425 million. Coinamatic Canada also runs a commercial laundry division and a division that manages parking facilities.

Mac-gray delivers increased profitability despite flat revenue Mac-Gray Corp. recently announced its financial results for the quarter and year ended Dec. 31, reporting greater profitability despite flat total revenue.

For the 12 months ended Dec. 31, the company reported net revenue of $322.1 million, compared to $322.0 million for 2011.

Net income for 2012 increased to $4.3 million compared to $3.2 million in 2011.

“Mac-Gray concluded 2012 with a solid fourth-quarter performance,” says CEO Stewart G. MacDonald. “We improved our operating margins, achieved a higher level of adjusted EDITBA, and more than doubled our adjusted earnings.”

While the effect of Hurricane Sandy on Mac-Gray’s revenue was less than originally feared, MacDonald says, it cost the company more than $600,000 to replace damaged or destroyed equipment in the Northeast. n

Wells Fargo Insurance Services

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

Could it be that we are simply the best?

It’s easy to find out.

Image

Coin Laundry Insurance Program Jodie Millino ~ 1-916-589-8132 ' '!( "" ~ 4gc !

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

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

18 American Coin-Op 1 APRIL 2013 aco_Wells Fargo4.indd

0413aco_p18.FINAL.indd 18

www.americancoinop.com 2/14/13 12:29 PM

3/22/13 4:15 PM

by

Change the Face of your Space Every business owner knows how important it is to keep your store looking fresh and inviting.

Even more crucial: increasing the value.

With Face Changer by Laundry Parts Market, you can upgrade the appearance of reliable equipment to last you another 10 or 15 years. It’s the perfect opportunity to have your equipment looking brand new for a fraction of the price.

With the Face Changer

by Laundry Parts Market, your small investment today is guaranteed to show you growing profit tomorrow.

Install your new Face Changer Kit easily or contact FaceChanger@ LaundryPartsMarket.com for more information.

Wholesale discounting is available.

StandardPage.indd 1

3/7/13 12:23 PM

Do you have a SmartCa Upgrade to SmartL

Today’s busy consumer wants Conven Kit easily converts any coin or card sy and Debit cards, in addition to your

• Easy Instal • Kits for ALL Custom Rep • Smartphone

Cloud Base • Reporting

• Mobile Frien • Text and Em

Personalized and Custom Cards Available INSERT CARD THIS WAY

Personalized SmartLink Cards 270 Commerce Drive Fort Washington PA 19034 215

628-0860

d SmartLink Laundry Car

Contact your local ESD distributor or ESD sales representative for more information.

Sm

ESD 270 Commerce Drive, Fort Washington, PA 19034 Phone: 215-628-0860 • Fax: 215-643-4623

w w w .e s d c a r d .c o m StandardSpread.indd 1

3/24/13 11:09 AM

tCard System by ESD? artLink... It’s Easy!

Convenience. ESD’s SmartLink Reader card system to accept ALL Major Credit to your own custom ESD MoneyCard!

sy Installation – No Hard Wiring!

ts for ALL Makes and Models

stom Reporting Direct to your artphone

oud Based Internet porting

bile Friendly

xt and Email Alerts

SmartLink

TM

Wireless Credit / Debit / SmartCard Reader

Your Link to Success

Look for us at Clean ’13, Booth 2821

StandardSpread.indd 2

3/24/13 11:09 AM

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

TOP LOADERS

Whirlpool

T

he Whirlpool® Commercial Laundry top-load washer models are easy to use and deliver exceptional and dependable cleaning performance, the company says.

The top-load models have a capacity of 3.2 cubic feet, and customers still have the option of a small-load setting, helping minimize water usage to 23.22 gallons per cycle.

The washers feature a thermistor on the water valves to regulate water temperature, and washer spin time has been increased to allow more water to be removed from loads. The machines also feature a beltless Direct-Drive System. whirlpoolcommerciallaundry.com 800-662-3587

GE Appliances

G

E Appliances offers topload washers for the commercial laundry industry.

Both the WMCD2050JWC and WCCD2050JWC are coinoperated models that feature a 3.3-cubic-foot capacity.

GE’s commercial coin-operated washers feature an LED readout that provides accurate wash times from fill to finish; five wash cycles; three wash and rinse temperatures to help provide better washing results, maintaining longer fabric life; two wash/spin speed combinations to match wash action to fabric type for better cleaning and clothes care; and a dual-action agitator that moves clothes gently through the water to help reduce wear and tear, the company says. ge.com/appliances 502-452-7184

Continental Girbau

C

ontinental Girbau’s Econ-O-Wash washers are engineered to help vended laundries cut utility usage on smaller loads, the company says. Unlike most homestyle top-load washers, which typically use around 40 gallons of water per load, the Econ-O-Wash features a 3.26-cubic-foot tub and uses an average of 27.3 gallons of water per load, according to Continental.

The Econ-O-Wash washer not only generates a 710-rpm spin speed to remove more water from every load, it draws fewer amps at start-up to help conserve electricity. The machine boasts a modified energy factor (MEF) of 1.65, which meets the latest U.S. Department of Energy standards requiring an MEF of at least 1.26.

The MEF is the official energy-efficiency metric used to compare relative efficiencies of different washers, Continental says, and a washer’s efficiency increases as the MEF rises.

22

American Coin-Op APRIL 2013

0413aco_p22-23.FINAL.indd 22

Econ-O-Wash commercial washers make it easy for customers to select from several wash cycles. The user simply chooses a cycle—normal, permanent press, delicate, or one of three unique energy-saving cycles—and presses “Start.” The washer offers three water temperature options for the wash cycle—hot, warm and cold—and automatically uses coldwater rinses on the factory setting. The user-friendly control makes it easy for customers to locate cycle selections, cycle status and wash temperature, the company says.

Econ-O-Wash top loaders feature a curved, four-vane polypropylene agitator with a 210-degree wash stroke. Designed to automatically adjust out-of-balance loads, its liquid-filled balance ring at the top of the tub and the washer’s advanced suspension design combine to eliminate interrupted wash cycles, according to Continental. continentalgirbau.com 800-256-1073

3967_C

www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 11:24 AM

Maytag Commercial Laundry

M

aytag® Commercial Laundry’s Energy Advantage™ high-efficiency, top-load washers are equipped with microprocessor Computer Trac® controls to allow the flexibility to set vend prices by day, time or specific wash cycles.

Operators have the option to program the equipment with a PDA and download the machine data for review off premises. An additional Super Cycle option is available, the company says.

Additional features include a direct-drive transmission, front access for easier selfservice, and a self-diagnostic feature. The high-security vault is compatible with card readers and dual coin drops.

The Energy Advantage™ top-load washer reduces water usage by 25% compared to Maytag commercial top-load washers manufactured before 2005, the company says. maytagcommerciallaundry.com 800-662-3587

Cheetah Fast Cunning sleek agile

american coin op / april 2013

live 7.625x2.5

trim 8.125x2.5

bleed 8.375x2.5

3967_Cheetosorus amcoin op strip_v3.indd 1

3/8/13 4:22 PM

Speed Queen

S

peed Queen recently introduced a topload washing machine with watersaving features for vended laundry.

The new washer incorporates operational and functional modifications to help reduce water usage and improve the modified energy factor (MEF). The top-loader will help reduce water consumption by up to seven gallons per load, Speed Queen says. A new mixing valve helps to regulate water flow, providing an optimal rinse pattern across a wide range of inlet pressures; optimizing the rinse cycle allows Laundromat owners to reduce utility costs, according to the company.

Other features include a curved, four-vane agitator to deliver a 210-degree stroke; a stain-

www.americancoinop.com

0413aco_p22-23.FINAL.indd 23

(1 of 3)

less steel washtub that won’t corrode, chip, crack or pit in normal use; a six “V” mounted suspension for better handling of unbalanced loads to help reduce wear and tear; and a commercial-grade porcelain enamel top and lid for optimum durability.

Quantum™ Gold controls also are available on the 2013 top-load washer. They allow customers to customize 31 cycle options. The controls offer a digital display for vend price and cycle-time countdown, plus three watertemperature selections (hot, warm or cold), three fabric selections (normal, permanent press or delicate), as well as solid modifier levels. speedqueen.com 800-590-8872

April 2013

American Coin-Op 23

3/22/13 11:24 AM

coin-op 101

Taking Advantage of chances to Upsell

Dion Marcionetti

Super-size it. Would you like peppers? Would you like to add cheese?

This is a common concept adopted by restaurants nationwide. Although the phrasing may differ, “upselling” is a familiar concept to American consumers. Most restaurants offer a good product without the extras, but eateries and other businesses have found that consumers like being given the option to make their own choices about the type of product or service they want. This in no way means the original product or service is inadequate without the add-ons.

What does this mean for our industry? Let’s take a look.

Although there have been many Laundromat innovations in recent years, the two most valuable, in my opinion, are: 1. The ability to offer additional service options on vended washers and dryers.

2. The ability to offer an alternative payment method such as card systems, and its effect on the industry.

I would like to focus on these and explain how they tie together.

Upselling in the Laundromat Several years ago, washer manufacturers introduced the ability to offer additional services to customers for additional vend price. Long before that, they offered the ability to sell hot and cold washes for a different cost. Competitors that did not have these sophisticated machines kept their prices low, ultimately reversing customers’ perceptions of the new pricing structure.

Today, we have the ability to offer a quality wash, and customers who feel they will benefit from an extra wash or extra rinse will pay more for what they perceive is a superior wash result. This is upselling with no pressure on the customer to pay more money unless he or she chooses to add services.

This is a powerful tool to increase volume. For many years, we in the industry have been trying to figure out how to increase our revenue by giving customers choices they want, which increases revenue without the perception of increased pricing. I will show what this means in dollars and cents when we talk about the card systems.

Most manufacturers have an ability to offer these options, but each does it in a slightly different way.

24

American Coin-Op APRIL 2013

0413aco_p24-25.FINAL.indd 24

Additional service options have to be made easy to understand and easy to use, but this doesn’t mean you provide less service and make it up in add-ons. We have to learn from industries that are successful in marketing upselling options. We need to offer good results at a fair price, plus the ability to let our customers decide if they want to spend more. It’s their choice.

Equipment Type

Selected Option

Count

Percentage

80-Pound Washer Total Starts

Normal – Hot Water Normal – Warm Water

Normal – Cold Water Perm Press – Warm Water Delicate – Cold Water Rugs, Blankets – Cold

Extra Wash

Extra Rinse

4,112 2,037 1,188 500 211 43 133 895 603

100% 49.54% 28.89% 12.16% 5.13% 1.05% 3.23% 21.77% 14.66%

10,999 5,469 3,351 1,385 508 130 156 1,602 1,252

100% 49.72% 30.47% 12.59% 4.62% 1.18% 1.42% 14.56% 11.38%

13,180 6,852 3,726 1,745 499 239 119 1,529 1,379

100% 51.99% 28.27% 13.24% 3.79% 1.81% 0.90% 11.60% 10.46%

11,877 7,197 2,802 1,004 321 464 89 1,500 1,162

100% 60.60% 23.59% 8.45% 2.70% 3.91% 0.75% 12.63% 9.78%

80 POUND

WASHER

40

40-Pound Washer Total Starts

Normal – Hot Water Normal – Warm Water

Normal – Cold Water Perm Press – Warm Water Delicate – Cold Water Rugs, Blankets – Cold

Extra Wash

Extra Rinse

POUND

WASHER

30

30-Pound Washer Total Starts

Normal – Hot Water Normal – Warm Water

Normal – Cold Water Perm Press – Warm Water Delicate – Cold Water Rugs, Blankets – Cold

Extra Wash

Extra Rinse

POUND

WASHER

20

20-Pound Washer Total Starts

Normal – Hot Water Normal – Warm Water

Normal – Cold Water Perm Press – Warm Water Delicate – Cold Water Rugs, Blankets – Cold

Extra Wash

Extra Rinse

POUND

WASHER

www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 11:28 AM

3967_C

Cycle Options + Card Systems = More Revenue Another way to add choices in the Laundromat is by utilizing a card system. These systems, which began as an alternative to accepting coins, have been available for many years. They have come a long way. Card systems are used today by owners who want to operate their businesses with all the advantages that most retail businesses offer. I’m going to touch on a few of these advantages, but this is really just a small representation of the benefits of managing a card-operated laundry.

First, card systems build loyalty. Once a customer uses a card and leaves a balance on it, they will more often than not come back to your Laundromat. The ability to accept credit cards and to use penny incremental pricing helps keep your vend prices in line with your utility costs. There are a variety of marketing pro-

• The 30-pound washers processed 13,180 loads, of which 2,908—or about 22% of the total number of loads—used an “extra” button. At a 35-cent upcharge per load, an additional $1,017 was collected from the 16 washers.

• The 40-pound washers processed 10,999 loads, of which 2,859—or about 25% of the total number of loads—used an “extra” button. At a 40-cent upcharge per load, an additional $1,143 was collected from the 14 machines.

• The 20-pound washers processed 11,877 loads, of which 2,662—or about 22% of the total number of loads—used an “extra” button. At a 30-cent upcharge per load, an additional $798 was collected from the 12 washers.

That adds up to $3,707 in additional revenue for this store in five months. Extrapolate that to a year and the added revenue

rhinoCeros tOugH pOwerFul tenaCiOus resilient

grams amcoin available to help increase 3967_Cheetosorus op strip_v3.indd 2

american coin op / april 2013

your volume. Coupon programs give laundry owners the ability to offer rewards directly to the customer without an attendant and without fear of coupon fraud.

Card systems can also provide the ability to account for revenue and employee hours. Reports are available that reflect business revenue totals, individual usage, customer information, income by the hour, equipment usage, and average money spent per visit.

This is just a small sample of the information that is available.

I have been able to gather reporting to solidify the value of the extra-wash and extra-rinse options. My family owns and operates three laundries with equipment that has these add-ons available.

The stores are located in different geographic areas and have differing ethnic demographics. My report, illustrated in detail by the chart at left, is from one of our stores. It shows equipment usage over a five-month period.

The numbers will focus on extra-wash/extra-rinse usage and what it means in terms of additional revenue.

• The 80-pound washers processed 4,112 loads, of which 1,498—or about 36% of the total number of loads—used an “extra” button. At a 50-cent upcharge per load, an additional $749 was collected from the six machines.

www.americancoinop.com

0413aco_p24-25.FINAL.indd 25

live 7.625x2.5

trim 8.125x2.5

bleed 8.375x2.5

(2 of 3)

comes to $8,899. The numbers speak for themselves, and that’s 3/8/13 on top of the normal vend prices!

Keep in mind that these were customer choices; they made them of their own free will. That’s upselling.

In my experience, that kind of additional revenue (80%) goes to the bottom line. Without a card system, our stores would not have the tools to properly evaluate those numbers and help make any future equipment purchases.

Talk to your distributor about the options that are available.

Evaluate this information to see if these innovations will work within your store’s budget.

In today’s business climate, any advantage that will help a business grow must be seriously considered.

I have heard many excuses for not moving forward with new innovations. The list would be so long, it would take another article to cover them all. The reality is, without these advantages, your business may struggle. It’s your choice. n

4:22 PM

Dion Marcionetti is president of Laundry Concepts, a Huebsch distributor in the Chicagoland area. He can be reached at dion@ laundryconcepts.com or 630-628-4500, extension 110.

APRIL 2013

American Coin-Op 25

3/22/13 11:28 AM

Calvary Laundromat:

Attendants and Atmosphere

Energize Customers

3967_C

By Hannah Miller

T

he yellows, blues, greens and shades of red at Calvary Laundromat in Raleigh, N.C., are decoratordesigned to create an inviting atmosphere, says owner David Makepeace.

“It’s very vibrant,” says Makepeace, and makes customers feel more energetic. “It’s not depressing beige or white walls.”

But the intangible atmosphere, the one that customers find welcoming, is created by his staff, he says. Or, as one teen folding clothes with her mother put it recently, her family comes because “We know people here.”

“The people here” are full-time atten26

AMERICAN COIN-OP APRIL 2013

0413aco_p26-28.FINAL.indd 26

Calvary Laundromat is next door to a Hispanic market, and customers often start their wash and then do their grocery shopping. (Photos: Hannah Miller) dant Lizeth Brito and three members of a family that share work hours: mother Valentina Hernandez and daughters Oneyda Blanchard and Mirian Martinez.

All are bilingual and can converse with Hispanic customers who make up a large part of Calvary’s customer base.

“Valentina and I have worked together forever,” says Makepeace, 47. They are both veterans of the large, multisite Medlin-Davis Cleaners operation in Raleigh, and he turned to her when he started Calvary four years ago.

He recalls asking if she knew of anyone who could help him. “She said, ‘Yes, me.’”

Makepeace says he’s “extremely” happy with sales at the 3,000-square-foot laundry, located in a small shopping center in the midst of large apartment complexes.

“The success of it depends on the people you hire,” he says. “I have wonderful attendants.”

He names several other contributing factors, including the technological sophistication of its 30 front loaders and 28 dryers. (They include one 80-pound washer, charging $7.75; three 60-pound, $6; six 40-pound, $4; five 30-pound, $3.75, and 15 20-pound, $2.50. Every dryer—two 75-pound models, 24 45-pound, and two www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 11:30 AM

35-pound—runs six minutes for 25 cents.)

They all accept Presidential dollar coins, which Makepeace says are so popular among customers as a novelty that they keep them instead of using them. “I have to replace them all the time.”

The advantage of dollar coins, he says, is the flexibility they provide customers using the coin changer. Without it, anybody putting a large bill in the changer “would have to use two hands” to hold the resulting quarters, he says. “It’s much more manageable.”

Charlotte’s T & L Equipment Sales, which supplied the equipment, programmed all the washers so that the seventh wash is free. That’s been a big hit and a factor in keeping customers coming back, Makepeace says. “The first thing they do is go look at all the machines and see if any of them are free.”

Attendant Oneyda Blanchard (left) and Calvary Laundromat owner David Makepeace confer beneath a piece of art that picks up the colors of the multi-hued laundry.

walls for children in a jewelry store and thought it was a clever idea.

“Parents are focused on sorting the clothes and getting them in the washers.

If we can distract the kids for at least 15 minutes, the parents will appreciate that,” he thought.

For the adults, there are two large-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Believing firmly that hands-on ownership makes for success, he visits the store three times a week, as well as other times when he’s called upon to repair equipment.

When he and his wife were planning the store, he personally canvassed the apartment communities near the site, which is on a connector road between two major traffic arteries. He discovered that most residents are Hispanic families.

He returned to personally put flyers for the new laundry under car windshields

tHe CHeetOCerOs OF launDrY. the speed of a cheetah. the strength of a rhino. revolutionary galaxy Controls and eBoost technology. powerful 200 g-Force extraction and innovative water guardian leak detection. these features combine to deliver the most efficient machines on the market, making Huebsch a whole new breed of laundry equipment. tM

tM

Learn more about huebsch and special finance opportunities at huebsch.com/Cheetoceros.

Another plus is the 3967_Cheetosorus amcoin op strip_v3.indd 3

bright color scheme, he says. A decorator friend of Lee Makepeace, David’s wife and business partner, chose the overall design.

“We started with the floor (multi-colored tile) and worked our way up the (yellow) walls,” David Makepeace says.

Lee and her dad, Riley Pleasant of Raleigh, painted squares within squares in contrasting colors to break up the long expanse. Even a neighbor contributed to the décor, bringing forth a large piece of art. Purchased at a yard sale for $15, it echoes the colors in the laundry and hangs above the entrance desk.

In the front of the store, a kids’ corner offers lots of windows, a wall-mounted TV showing cartoons, and walls that, for a few feet up, are actually blackboards. Children are encouraged to dig into a bucket of chalk and draw on them.

www.americancoinop.com

0413aco_p26-28.FINAL.indd 27

american coin op / april 2013

live 7.625x2.5

trim 8.125x2.5

bleed 8.375x2.5

(3 of 3)

at the apartments. He also mailed 1,500.

3/8/13

4:22 PM

STARTING ON GOOD FOOTING

Makepeace noticed similar blackboard

An eye-catching design of brightly colored floor tiles seems to lead directly to 9-year-old Lameir Stevenson, taking a break from helping his older brother do laundry.

Makepeace is a former commercial banker in Charlotte and Raleigh who decided 13 years ago that “I wanted to go out on my own, to find a business and learn it and eventually buy it.” He was drawn to a cleaner/laundry because “It’s not going to go out of fashion like the buggy whip.

Everybody’s going to need to get their clothes cleaned.”

He approached the then-owner of Medlin-Davis Cleaners and proposed, “You train me, and I’ll buy it from you.” Over the years, he rose to president, supervising three cleaning plants, three pickup and delivery routes and nine stores in Raleigh and neighboring towns, plus one small coin-op in the long-established Cameron Village shopping center in Raleigh.

APRIL 2013

AMERICAN COIN-OP 27

3/22/13 11:30 AM

Four years ago, unsure about the owner’s intentions of selling, he determined to start his own laundry while continuing to supervise Medlin-Davis. His wife gave him her full support.

It was at the beginning of the recession, but some businesses, including laundries, do well in that environment, he believes.

To financially strapped customers who need to clean their clothes, “This is a very affordable way to do that, rather than going to Lowe’s or Home Depot to purchase a washer and dryer.”

He’d worked with Medlin-Davis’ 1,500-square-foot laundry so he “had a general feel of how they operate.” Plus, T&L gave him the specific knowledge he needed.

Makepeace discovered the Coin Laundry Association and joined immediately. “They had an absolute wealth of information they could give me.”

Co-owner Lee worked as full-time attendant the first six months, and David gives her credit for starting the laundry off on a good footing. “She did a wonderful job of establishing relationships.”

In 2010, he bought the part of Medlin-Davis that operated in Raleigh and the nearby town of Wake Forest: two cleaning plants, four dry cleaning stores, three pickup and delivery routes for cleaning and wash/dry/fold, and the Cameron Village coin-op.

His wife became head of accounting and administration, while he functions as head of operations. They have 60 employees.

Wash/dry/fold work for the routes is done at one of the cleaning plants. Wash/dry/fold work for the Cameron Village coin-op, which is unattended, is processed at Calvary along with its work.

Makepeace is a firm believer in keeping up not only equipment but appearances.

Four-year-old Calvary has already been repainted once, and the checkerboard of floor tiles there is stripped and waxed every quarter, Makepeace says. Recently, some floor tiles were replaced, and a chair rail was added. “It’s very important that we keep up with wear and tear,” he says.

At the 1,500-square-foot Cameron Village coin-op, Makepeace renovated everything: floor, walls, ceiling. He replaced all the machines with new ones after he found, “Stuff was always breaking down. I was losing business.”

Once again, he turned to his wife’s decorator friend for a color scheme. This one is more subdued—lots of pale blues and browns—in keeping with the supposed preferences of the retirees and the North Carolina State University students who are its customers.

He added a large-screen TV, Wi-Fi, and new furniture.

He’s now enlisted the help of a marketing firm in designing not only a marketing plan but a logo, revamped storefronts for the cleaners, and even “the lettering on our vans.” And he says he wouldn’t mind having another coin-op.

After a 10-year apprenticeship and now four years of ownership, Makepeace believes he knows “what it takes to be successful.” n Hannah Miller is a freelance writer who resides in Charlotte, N.C. 28

American Coin-Op APRIL 2013

0413aco_p26-28.FINAL.indd 28

Doing the wash is a family affair at Calvary Laundromat, where Maria De Jesus (right) gets a helping hand from daughter Arizbet.

Brothers Lameir Stevenson (left) and Malik Bland fold bed linen.

Two children watch cartoons in the kids’ corner, surrounded by blackboard-covered walls that they can draw on. www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 11:30 AM

You bought your Dexter equipment to last long and run hard, and we want to help you keep your washers and dryers in top condition. To help you get the most out of your investment, we are offering special service seminars to teach laundry owners and managers how to keep their Dexter’s running no matter how many loads you process.

Below are a few of our upcoming service events for Dexter equipment. Contact your local Dexter Authorized Distributor today for more details or for events in your area.

BORN TO RUN.

WE’LL TEACH YOU HOW TO KEEP UP. Midwest Dexter Service Schools Schedule of Activities

Upcoming Events Tuesday, April 16th, 2013 Des Moines, IA Ramada Tropics Resort Merle Hay Road

by Century Laundry Distributing To Register Call: 1-800-791-9321

9:00 am Registration for Service School and Coffee & Donuts 10:00 am Service school 12:00 p.m. Buffet Lunch 1:00 pm Service School

Made in the U.S.A. Since 1894

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 Milwaukee, WI Radisson Milwaukee West 2303 N Mayfair Rd Wauwatosa, WI 53226 Tel: (414) 257-3400 Special Hotel Room rate: $ 109.00

by D&M Laundry Equipment To Register Call 1-800-451-2676

Special Happenings • • • • •

Special Pricing Vendor Discounts Factory Reps Available Raffle Prizes Financing Available

Made in the U.S.A. Since 1894

Hosted By:

10 Year Warranty • Lifetime Technical Support Wednesday, May 1, 2013 Neenah, WI Bridgewood Resort Hotel & Conference Center 1000 Cameron Way, Neenah, WI 54956 - (920) 720-8000 Special Hotel Room rate $ 92.00

by D&M Laundry Equipment Phone: 800.451.2676 Phone: 800.791.9321 To Register Call 1-800-451-2676 www.dandmequipment.com www.centurylaundry.com Serving IL, Northern IN

& Eastern, WI Thursday, May 2nd 2013 Madison, WI Radisson Hotel 517 Grand Canyon Drive Madison, WI 53719 Tel: (608) 833-1135

by Century Laundry Distributing To Register Call: 1-800-791-9321

Minneapolis Event Coming Soon!

www.dexterlaundry.com

Serving all or part of IA, ND, SD,

IL, MO,Warranty MN & Western WI 10NE,Year • Lifetime Technical Suppo

Phone: 800.451.2676 www.dandmequipment.com Serving IL, Northern IN & Eastern, WI

Phone: 800.791.9321 www.centurylaundry.com Serving all or part of IA, ND, SD, NE, IL, MO, MN & Western WI

• 1-800-524-2954

Made in the USA | Lifetime Technical Support | 10 Year Warranty | Since 1894

StandardPage.indd 1

3/6/13 9:41 AM

an outsider’s view

Store Traffic: Finding a Better Balance

Howard Scott

Sometimes, your store is overly busy. Other times, it is underutilized. You don’t want your customers to walk in, see your facility is extremely busy and turn around to leave. You also don’t want customers coming in at odd hours and being so freaked out by the empty facility that they dare not enter your premises.

The perfect balance is to have eight customers in your store during every hour of operation each week.

Of course, no one achieves this perfection. But one should try to better align customer use, which I call balancing traffic.

But your customers want to do their laundry at their own convenience. That’s why self-service laundries are open, on average, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Let’s say that Saturday is a madhouse in your store. The suppertime hours are almost completely dead.

Weekday mornings are steady, but afternoons crawl along with almost no one in the store. For some reason, Monday and Wednesday nights are quiet. How do you correct this imbalance?

Manage your store’s traffic with inducements and persuasion.

are no longer receiving the $1 inducement. Or perhaps 80% of the changeovers will stay; they will have gotten used to their new hours. Of course, this coupon redemption requires an attendant on duty. If you don’t use an attendant, arrange for someone to be there at designated coupon times.

How much would this effort cost? Suppose you had 30 customers coming in on week one and now have 100 customers coming in on week 10. Splitting the difference, the average customer base is roughly 70 per week.

That’s $70 “paid out” each Sunday multiplied by 10 Sundays for a total cost of $700. Is the traffic-aligning worth the cost? You probably will have won 40 to 50 more Sunday-after-1 regular customers. This frees up a busier time slot, plus you’ve earned some customer goodwill. They appreciate the dollar. You have better balanced your customer traffic. Yes, it is worth the cost.

You can use this sort of tactic with any time period.

Hang a sign in your store that reads, “Earn $1 if you clean your clothes after 1 p.m. on Sundays.” Use all of your marketing efforts to promote the offer. If a custom-

You don’t want your customers to walk in, see your facility is extremely busy and turn around to leave.

PROMOTIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS First, act only if you think there is a problem. Say your Saturday volume is so busy that customers trip over themselves. Children can’t play because every toy is in use and all the spaces are taken. Heavy use causes too many of your machines to break down. Customers walk around, their faces tense with aggravation. This is the perfect scenario to call for balancing traffic.

You would like to convert a number of customers to come in Sundays after 1 p.m. But how do you get these individuals to change their habits? Hand out a $1 coupon to every Sunday-afternoon customer. Do that for 10 weeks, and you’ll have more business in that time slot.

The good thing is that you don’t have to do this permanently. Ten weeks will be enough time to create a larger base of customers who will stay even when they

To read more Howard Scott columns, visit AmericanCoinOp.com 30

American Coin-Op APRIL 2013

0413aco_p30-32.FINAL.indd 30

er asks how long the dollar inducement will be in effect, be frank. Tell them you want to even out business, so the promotion will be in effect a minimum of six weeks but could continue for as long as a year. In fact, you are going to end the inducements after 10 weeks.

Another tactic is to have a musician come in and play/ sing on a slow night. For instance, the musician plays from 7 to 9 on Wednesday night. You might pay him or her a token amount, and customers could be encouraged to tip the performer. This opportunity might be the inducement for a talented young man or woman to come in and reach a new audience. Of course, you www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 11:33 AM

StandardPage.indd 1

2/15/13 3:36 PM

an outsider’s view

or a staffer will have to be there to manage the traffic flow, keep out undesirables, and keep the music to an acceptable decibel level. In a short amount of time, Wednesday nights at your store could become the neighborhood event, a can’t-miss for the locals.

Business will thrive.

Still another approach is to schedule a weekly drawing on a slow business day. The rule is that a customer must wash his/her clothes on that designated day to be eligible to win. Offering an attractive prize—free dinner for two, or a gift certificate to a local store—might shift traffic.

POWER OF PERSUASION This approach simply asks customers to switch their washing day. This must be done by a knowledgeable person (you?), and it involves greeting customers and quietly talking to them. It could be accomplished simply by pointing out that the facility opens at 7 a.m. and one could get their clothes cleaned in only an hour at that time because most of the machines are available. Everybody wants to save time and avoid hassle. That information might just get them to try the early slot.

Or, you might be more aggressive. Say you have an overly busy Monday night. You might casually go up to several customers and speak to them. “You know, it is awfully busy around here Monday nights. Tuesday or Wednesday evenings are much less hectic, and customers can get any machine they want. They get in and out much quicker.” Everyone wants to save time. That might just plant the seed. Next week, you might see one or more of your Monday regulars on Wednesday night.

Another thing you might pitch during these conversations is the wash/dry/fold service you offer (if you do). It doesn’t hurt for you to sidle up to a customer and say, “Did you ever think about using our wash/dry/fold service? You’d bring clothes in the morning and pick them up that same night. You might spend $5 more a week, but, heck, your time is worth more than that.” Anybody you convince to use the wash/dry/fold service helps to balance store traffic.

Balancing traffic is another way to make your operation more efficient. Don’t ignore this tool. n Howard Scott is a long-time business writer and small-business consultant. He has published four books.

LOW COST MANUFACTURING CO.

• Coin-Op Distributors • Route Operators • OPL Distributors

Wholesale Prices On All Parts! - Limited to purchases of 6 or more per item.

COME VISIT US AT THE CLEAN SHOW BOOTH 2563 WE ARE THE BEST SOURCE FOR WASHER AND DRYER PARTS 318 Westbury Avenue • Carle Place, NY 11514 • Visit us on the web at www.lowcostmfg.com

Call Us Toll Free: 800.761.8230 0413aco_Low Cost.indd 32 American Coin-Op 1APRIL 2013

0413aco_p30-32.FINAL.indd 32

516.997.9866 3/18/13 2:25 PM www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 11:33 AM

™

StandardPage.indd 1

11/16/12 9:33 AM

GOLD Rush North Dakota Fracking Produces

of Coin-Op Opportunities

By Carlo Calma, Editorial Assistant

A

four-hour drive northwest from Bismarck, N.D., will lead drivers to the city of Williston, where a modern-day gold rush has incited oil miners to flock to the area to mine for natural gas trapped beneath the state’s water table in the Williston Basin.

Oil is mined through a process known as hydraulic fracturing—or fracking—which involves drilling a mixture of water, sand and additives into a reservoir, ultimately creating a passageway for miners to procure the previously trapped natural gas, says energy services company Halliburton.

Oil production and takeaway capacity in the Williston area has steadily increased over the years, with the U.S. Energy Information Administration reporting last April that 600,000 barrels of crude oil were being produced per day.

While the oil business has brought a financial boom to the Williston area, a new necessity has emerged, roused by the influx of workers and their families: “greaser” laundry facilities.

“You have people all over living in man camps [or] living in RV parks that don’t have laundry [facilities],” says Terry 34

American Coin-Op April 2013

0413aco_p34-36.FINAL.indd 34

Photo: ©iStockphoto/ David Jones

Anderson, a coin laundry equipment salesman for The Minnesota Chemical Co., a distributor headquartered in St. Paul, Minn.

In the past year, Anderson has had a hand in answering the Williston area’s laundry needs by designing and building two laundries: one in neighboring Watford City (pop. 1,759) and the other in Tioga (pop. 1,230), each about an hour’s drive from Williston.

CLEAN JEAN’S EXPRESS LAUNDRY Owner Charles Barton consulted with Anderson to build his facility, Clean Jean’s Express Laundry, in Tioga. Barton’s family has been in the area since the late 1930s.

In addition to owning Clean Jean’s, he has also set up an RV park to cater to workers from the oil fields.

“I have 31 spaces since putting that in three years ago,” says Barton, who’s seen about a half-dozen more parks built within a three-mile radius and predicts more are on the way.

Clean Jean’s, which opened in August 2012, is an attended coin laundry located three blocks up Tioga’s Main Street, and

sits at the far end of Barton’s RV park. A portion of the facility, encompassing 1,760 square feet, was originally a Quonset hut built in 1956 for a cement plant. Barton’s family took ownership of the building in 1976, and in the construction process ended up adding another 480 square feet at the front of the facility.

His store offers Speed Queen industrial equipment, including 15 front-load washers with capacities of 20, 30, 40 and 60 pounds, as well as 28 dryers with capacities of 30, 45 and 55 pounds.

Like many coin laundry stores, Barton’s has taken advantage of the added service of wash/dry/fold.

“We started off primarily with self-serve and then there [was] a need for [wash/ dry/fold],” says Barton, who began offering wash/dry/fold service in October. “We started off with 10 customers the first month, and we’re well past 200 customers now.”

But what sets his facility apart from others, he believes, is the fact that he accepts greaser laundry—garments that oil workers wear in the oil fields—which he explains is “just about impossible to get cleaned.” www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 11:35 AM

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

Trupe. “And then we put the same type of signs out on the self-service side for the customers.”

Considering the blend of mud, oil and grease that covers workers’ uniforms and garments, what cleaning procedures are needed? Many of the garments face a variety of washes, Anderson explains, that SUDS LAUNDRY are adjusted at different settings than traRobert Trupe processes similar greaser ditional laundry loads. garments at his store in Watford City.

“What you need to have [is] a pre-wash “You’ll get anything from gloves to and a wash where you can inject detertheir jeans or shirts [or] coveralls,” Trupe gents,” says Anderson. “Normal clothes says. “Other companies that do have unican have a wash-dry-spin in about 24 to forms [will] bring in their uniforms. It’s 30 minutes. These, you might set the water really any of the exterior clothes that these levels a little higher, and then extend that guys are getting muddy.” wash cycle longer.”

Trupe also consulted with Anderson in “The greaser machines are programmed building Suds Laundry, a 3,600-squarefor longer wash cycles [or] additional rinses, foot Laundromat he opened last September so they all have two washes and two rinses,” on Watford City’s Main Street. His store, says Trupe of his store, adding that those which employs six attendants and a fullmachines use 140-degree water. time manager, also offers added services Despite all this, there are times when such as shower stalls, mailboxes and a garments have to be rewashed because of the “Finding the right mix of chemicals condition they are in, he adds. “Once in a while, (is) a little bit of trial and error if you get a really heavy load, some of the oil is until you get all of your machines pretty tough to get out because it’s thoroughly [and] cycles set up.” saturated with this heavy —Robert Trupe, Suds Laundry grease that they use in the oil fields.”

Barton’s employees have had to re-wash garments as well, Wi-Fi lounge area, in addition to wash/ despite the pre-soak and different washes dry/fold. that they use to process garments. “We “We took the approach that we needed do our best to run several types of cycles to be more than a Laundromat,” says through them, depending upon what the Trupe. “We see it as kind of taking the grease is. Sometimes we have to extend the pain away from laundry, because it’s a wash cycle, sometimes we have to soften little more [of a] relaxing atmosphere.” the water. Sometimes we have to use more Like Barton, Trupe invested in Speed soap than what you ordinarily would use, Queen equipment—washer-extractors rangsometimes we use a different mixture than ing in capacity from 20 to 80 pounds, and what we’d ordinarily use.” dryers up to 75 pounds in capacity.

Barton’s chemistry background as a DESIGNATED MACHINES consultant for pharmaceutical companies For greaser laundries, it’s important that comes in handy at times, but he also learns certain machines are designated specificalfrom his employees which combinations ly for greaser use, according to Anderson. of industrial detergents work best. “We’re “You can’t have somebody do their greasrefining the process,” he says. er laundry, and then somebody comes Trupe has also used trial and error in [after them] and puts their white sheets, finding which detergents to use at his store. towels and regular clothes in, because “Finding the right mix of chemicals [is] a greaser laundry machines can never get all little bit of trial and error until you get all of [the grease cleaned].” of your machines [and] cycles set up. It’s At his store, Trupe has designated two taken us a few months to get it down [but] machines for his attendants to process we have help from Minnesota Chemical commercial accounts, and six for selfand some other vendors that were able to service, specifically for greaser laundry. help us get the right mix of chemicals.”

“In the wash/dry/fold area, we just have As a safety precaution, Trupe requires two of them that we put big, yellow labels his employees to wear rubber gloves and marked ‘Greasers’ so the attendants know face shields while handling the strong which machines to use for greasers,” says detergents.

“You can’t just throw it in the washer and go through the same motions that one does for non-greaser clothes,” he says.

Barton’s facility sees mostly uniforms and coveralls that have “heavy oil on them,” he adds.

36

American Coin-Op APRIL 2013

0413aco_p34-36.FINAL.indd 36

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE Equipment in greaser laundries endures a heavy toll, what with the concoction of grease and industrial-strength detergents on top of hot temperature settings and numerous cycles run daily.

“If you don’t clean them, it’s not good on the equipment [and] certainly it won’t last as long,” says Barton. “We take quite a bit of pride in regards to our equipment, so we clean it on a routine basis.”

In addition to wiping and cleaning machines multiple times throughout the day, Barton also practices running a noload cycle to ensure that washers are thoroughly cleaned. “Oftentimes we’ll have to run a special concoction […] through the washers to make sure that they’re all clean.

And we also clean the [dryer] filters on an everyday basis.”

For its part, Minnesota Chemical sends out technicians to service machines on a regular basis, Anderson says. And to ensure that store owners know how to properly take care of their machines, the company hosts educational sessions on maintenance standards.

“We have these service schools [where] we talk about the things [owners] need to do [for] preventative maintenance to make sure [the machines] are cleaned out and make sure everything is working,” says Anderson.

Besides the maintenance requirements, greaser laundries face another challenge: the lingering odor of grease in dryers.

Trupe says that using certain chemicals helps reduce the smell. “There are a couple of different chemicals that we use depending on the application. There are deodorizers, but then there are other chemicals that we can add that [are] additional cleaning agents that have a nicer smell.”

INVESTMENT AND EXPANSION Regardless of the special challenges that their facilities present each day, Trupe and Barton both say it was worth moving into the area.

“We’ve been hearing a lot of good things,” says Barton. “We certainly wouldn’t be at the level that we are in, particularly with our wash-and-fold business, if we didn’t provide high-quality service.”

In addition to growing Clean Jean’s wash/dry/fold service, Barton is in the process of opening an Internet cafe and gourmet coffee shop at the front end of his facility.

Trupe says opening Suds Laundry has “been a good investment.” Though he’s considered looking at neighboring towns for business opportunities, he would first like to establish his Laundromat before pursuing other ventures. n www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 11:35 AM

advertisers’ index Advertiser

Page

Advertiser

Page

AC Power........................................................................ 13

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

American Switch.............................................................. 39

Low Cost Manufacturing ................................................ 32

Clean Show....................................................................... 33

Maytag Commercial Laundry ............................................ 7

D&M Laundry Equipment............................................... 29

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

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

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

FrontecStore.com.............................................................. 38

New York Laundry Equipment........................................ 35

Gold Coin Laundry Equipment ....................................... 17

NIE Insurance.................................................................. 15

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

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

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

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

Huebsch......................................................... FC, 23, 25, 27

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

Irving Weber................................................................... IBC

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

Laundry Concepts ........................................................... 31

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

Laundry Parts Market ..................................................... 19

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

www.americancoinop.com

0413aco_p37.FINAL.indd 37

APRIL 2013

American Coin-Op 37

3/22/13 11:38 AM

classifieds

ELECTRONIC REPAIRS

BEARINGS

Equipment For Sale

DIRECT LAUNDRY SYSTEM Queens NY 718-468-1119 / 917-678-2095

DIRECT LAUNDRY SYSTEM 98-47-212 St, Queens NY 718-468-1119 / 917-678-2095

Commercial & Industrial Bearing Job & Repairs NY NJ CT PA Area.

Laundry Equipment Parts Repairs Bearing Job Over 20 Years’ Experience.

W 184 W 125 W 74 HC 20 HC 30 HC 50

W 185 W 125 W 75 W 184 W 124 W 74 JT0300 JT32DG

$500.00 $375.00 $250.00 $275.00 $325.00 $500.00

No one has done more Bearing Jobs than us, Count on Experience.

Lots of Washers, Dryers, Motors, Baskets, Gas Valve, Computers, Doors, Front & Side Panels etc.

20 Years’ Experience Florida & Georgia area VICTOR @ 321-946-9890

Washers comes with 2 Years Bearing, 1 Year Limited Parts & 90 Days Service in the NYC and Tri-State Area.

COIN-OP FOR SALE

Many Brand Names not listed.

North Alabama 2 Coin Laundries for Sale. Located in beautiful lake Guntersville and Arab. Both stores are well maintained. Call 205-429-4886. More info and pictures at 4sale4trade.com

Computer Boards Sold&Repaired

>>>>>>>

>>>>>>>

(Lowest Prices in the U.S.) Hundreds of Computer Boards for Sale!!!

Dexter, ADC, Speed Queen, IPSO, Wascomat, UniMac, Primus & more Timers and Ignitors Repaired!!!

New Touch Pads for S/Q Dryers, S.C. Washers, Dexter Stack

Super Computer Boards 14340 Bolsa Chica Road #I, Westminster, CA 92683

(877) 870-5553

• (714) 377-9753

SINGLE-COPY SALES

To order any current or back issue of American Coin-Op by phone, or to subscribe, call our circulation customer service department at:

1-630-739-0600

Florida & Georgia area VICTOR @ 321-946-9890

EQUIPMENT REPAIRS Equipment For Sale

Computer Boards

www.AmericanCoinOp.com

$3000.00 $1700.00 $900.00 $2800.00 $1600.00 $800.00 $1800.00 $1500.00

NEED PARTS? Call US First!

Repair Front Load WASHER Bearings.

Call Tony P. 516-805-4193

SAVE $$$$ Check us out online for Specials

• Maytag • Whirlpool • Wascomat • Hamilton Heaters • American Dryer • Electrolux • Greenwald • Standard • Continental Girbau & MORE

• Bock • R&B Carts • ESD • Vend-Rite • Soap

EQUIPMENT WANTED Buying coin washer/dryer routes in the Southwest region. Call Rod at 800-729-8434 x135 WASCOMAT WASHERS & WASCOMAT DRYERS 704-592-2022.

WILL BUY ANY EQUIPMENT (WASHERS AND DRYERS) ON WEST COAST. 888-205-0884.

PARTS FOR SALE www.facebook.com/ greatlakeslaundry

Brookfield, WI Troy, MI Wyoming, MI Dayton, OH Indianapolis, IN

1-800-236-5599 1-888-492-0181 1-800-821-8846 1-888-877-4382 1-800-577-7103

www.greatlakeslaundry.com 4 Wascomat front load Washer Junior W74’s and 20 W73’s. All are 3 ph and in working order mounted on 4 machine steel 6” high frames. 1 additional new Wascomat 4 machine frame is available. Best offer. Call Bob @ 715-952-8639 or everclean@ charter.net Maytag Neptune coin operated washers and dryers for sale, excellent condition.

Call 347-766-8144

Your Ad Should Be Here

www.AmericanCoinOp.com 38 American Coin-Op APRIL 2013

0413aco_class.FINAL.indd 38

www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 1:58 PM

SERVICES AND SUPPLIES 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.

COMPUTER BOARDS FIXED Repaired & Rebuilt to Manufacture Specs.

Summer Discounts!

Shipped Anywhere.

• American • Dexter • • Easy Card, ESD • • Huebsch • Speed

HHC

Queen •

ELECTRONIC SERVICE

14844 Las Tunas Drive, Hacienda Hts., CA 91745

626-961-8678 • 800-820-9888 E-mail: hhc168@hotmail.com

SERVICES AND SUPPLIES

SERVICES AND SUPPLIES

WASHERS and DRYERS COMPUTER BOARD REPAIR

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

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 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.

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

WASCO GEN 5 DOOR LOCKS & TIMERS REBUILT Door Lock $75 • Gen 5 & 6 Timer $85 Gen 4 Timer $75 • Continental Timer $89 DRYER COMPUTER BOARDS ADC Stack $60 • Single $45 Huebsch SQ Board $45 Huebsch Old Style Board $55 Stack Dexter/Continental $60 Washer Coin Boards $60 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

Dominic’s New TOUCHPADS

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 e-mail us at metrolc@hotmail.com

DRYER COMPUTERS REBUILT Highest quality rebuilding for over 16 years Speed Queen and Huebsch

ONLY $39! (+$9 shipping ea.)

Call for other brands

TM

The Best!

For Huebsch and Speed Queen Dryers Super-TuffTM overlay - $9.95 - $14.95 Dura-FlexTM touchpad - $19.95 QuickFixTM Overlay Repair - $3.95 American Switch 43 Pleasant Ave., Suite 3 Johnson City, NY 13790 607-759-1995 M/C & Visa Accepted www.domstouchpads.com

One-Year Warranty!

Any questions call Ernie at (607) 798-7704 Mastercard and Visa accepted Send your computer to: D&E Dept. 1 1724 Hawleyton Rd. Binghamton, NY 13903 www.dryercomputers.com

Place your ad

ONLINE

www.AmericanCoinOp.com

Contact classified sales to place your ad! • dfeinstein@americantrademagazines.com www.americancoinop.com

0413aco_class.FINAL.indd 39

APRIL 2013 American Coin-Op 39

3/22/13 1:58 PM

newsmakers

Merrill to Lead Vended Laundry Development, Sales for CG West Van Merrill recently joined Continental Girbau West (CG West) as its vice president of vended laundry development and sales, the company reports.

Merrill, who hails from North Tustin, Calif., has 27 years of experience in vended laundry ownership, development, management, marketing and sales, and has particular expertise in lease negotiations, CG West says.

“Van is a talented developer of profitable vended laundries,” says Mike Floyd, presiMerrill dent of Continental Girbau Inc. (of which CG West is a subsidiary). “We’ll look to him to provide expertise, management and guidance. He excels at finding vended laundry locations and developing those laundries to their fullest profit potential.”

Merrill most recently provided consulting services to coin laundry investors. Prior to that, he co-owned Sparklean Laundry Systems, a Continental distributorship, for eight years.

Bruce Rounds (left), Alliance Laundry Systems chief financial officer, and Jay McDonald, vice president of business development, accept the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year award for Market Leadership on behalf of their company.

Alliance Laundry Systems Recognized for Market Leadership Alliance Laundry Systems recently received a special award for “Market Leadership” as part of the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year program recognizing outstanding achievements in manufacturing in 2012.

Alliance was one of eight companies honored out of 58 nominated in the statewide awards program, now in its 25th year.

“Alliance’s story started more than 100 years ago when two Ripon hardware store owners figured out how to mechanize handpowered washing machines,” notes Alliance CEO and President Mike Schoeb. “Now, we are the largest manufacturer of commercial laundry equipment in the world. Our continued success is driven by that same spirit of innovation, the dedication and work ethic we find in the local labor force, our world-class distribution 40

American Coin-Op APRIL 2013

0413aco_p40.FINAL.indd 40

network, and the competitive advantages and positive business climate of Wisconsin.”

In addition to the “Market Leadership” award, the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year program handed out four grand awards to companies categorized by the number of employees – small, medium, large and mega. Alliance, nominated for the first time in 2012, competed in but did not win the Mega category.

Maytag Honors Standout Distributor Performances Maytag® Commercial Laundry recently recognized standout distributor performances at its 55th Annual Meeting in Amelia Island, Fla. The following companies excelled, Maytag says, in the coin laundry, multi-housing and on-premise markets in 2012: • Fred Maytag Award — Receiving the company’s most prestigious award was Intertrade Chile S.A., Santiago, Chile.

The award is presented to the customer that best emulates the founder’s marketing philosophy and supports Maytag® Commercial Laundry brand with professionalism and integrity, Maytag says.

• Shaping the Future Award — Mac-Gray Corp., Waltham, Mass., was recognized for its history of innovation and longtime leadership in the industry.

• Multi-Housing Excellence Award — Coinamatic Canada, Mississauga, Ont., was honored for its outstanding service to the multi-housing market, including colleges and universities, condominiums and apartment buildings.

• Maytag® Red Carpet Service® Excellence Award — BDS Laundry Systems, St. Paul, Minn., was recognized for best exemplifying excellent service and dependability.

• Top Quota Award — Tri-State Technical Services/TLC Equipment Co., Waycross, Ga., was honored for exceeding its annual sales target by the highest percentage this year.

• On-Premises Laundry (OPL) Excellence Award — Pierce Commercial Laundry, Mandeville, La., was recognized for effective and efficient service to OPL market customers.

• Maytag® Marketing Excellence Award — Equipment Marketers, Cherry Hill, N.J., was honored for its development and implementation of marketing and sales programs and overall support of Maytag® Commercial Laundry offerings.

• Outstanding Achievement Award — Richard Jay Laundry Equipment, Adelaide, Australia, was recognized for “unmatched sales performance and use of marketing and social media.”

• Maytag® Energy Advantage™ Excellence Award — Hercules, Hicksville, N.Y., was honored for exceptional promotion and marketing of energy and water efficiency.

“We’re honored to collaborate with quality partners, such as those recognized at our recent annual meeting,” says Bob English, general manager at Maytag® Commercial Laundry. “Our successes are a direct result of the dedication and support exemplified by these outstanding customers. We congratulate and commend them for their superb efforts.” n www.americancoinop.com

3/22/13 11:39 AM

IWA_CoinOp_Ad:Layout 1

11/26/12

11:03 AM

Page 1

at if s how r G it u S you Vis an et Cle o g

#

t the 21 50

h ot Bo

t!

Feeling Pinched by Your Insurance Coverage?

Coin-Op Advantage Gives You the Change you Need ™

When your insurance doesn’ t add up to covering your risks, you’ll want the Coin-Op Insurance Specialists in your pocket.

For over 60 years, Irving Weber Associates has led the way in specialty insurance for the fabricare industry, with coverage enhancements that standard insurance products just can’t match.

Ask your insurance agent to contact IWA or email us at coin-op@iwains.com and start breathing easier with expanded coverage from your business insurance.

The Recognized Leader in Fabricare Insurance

Visit www.iwains.com

Email coin-op@iwains.com or Call 800-243-1811 ext. 8207

StandardPage.indd 0413aco_Irving Weber.indd 1 1

11/27/12 3/14/13 10:09 9:35 AM AM

Secure. Reliable. Affordable.

Chrome Coingard®

Macgard®

Macgard® II

Black Plate

With a history of value, quality, and dependability, ESD has been the leading source of money boxes that the laundry industry has counted on for over 40 years. Offering a wide variety of lengths, heights, colors, and security options, there is a money box to meet every need.

Used with ESD Coinslides, they are the perfect combination for every application.

The V14 Coinslide is available for immediate delivery with all ESD patented security features. Low profile handle, gate & magnet.

Blue Plate

V14

The Vertical 14 can be set from 25¢ to $3.50 and any combination in between.

25¢

50¢

75¢

$1.00 $1.25 $1.50 $1.75

$2.00 $2.25 $2.50 $2.75 $3.00 $3.25 $3.50

ESD Inc.

Phone: 215-628-0860 Fax: 215-643-4623 Contact Your ESD Distributor or visit us at: w w w. e s d c o i n . c o m

Visit us at Clean 2013, Booth 2821

StandardPage.indd 1 V14.indd 1 ESD April 13 AmCnOp

3/13/13 3/11/13 9:36 5:07 AM PM