American Drycleaner - April 2021

© Copyright 2021 American Trade Magazines All rights reserved.

APRIL 2021

®

RAMPING UP:

Retool for Recovery

■ ADDRESSING CUSTOMER CLAIMS ■ PRODUCT SHOWCASE: POINT OF SALE SYSTEMS

powered by

TM

BUSINESS SYSTEMS

SPOT’s industry-best engineers and designers have conducted user studies, testing concepts, and creating numerous prototypes, to bring you the most state-of-the-art, world-class software platform. Why that matters to you…

Save Time with Improved Interface A re-imagined user interface utilizing an intuitive step-by-step wizard process.

Improve Your Customer Relationship Interact with your customer where it is convenient: their car, office, or front door.

Reduce Risk with Photos and Disclaimers Capture photos of conditions, items, and collect electronic disclaimers.

Imagine the Possibilities

It starts with Poseidon With a Poseidon wet cleaning system in place at your facility, you’re set to explore new market and money-making opportunities beyond traditional dry cleaning. Grow the utilization of Poseidon equipment and increase revenue streams.

• replace solvents and increase your percentage of wet cleaning • expand wash capacity • grow wash/dry/fold for casual wear • offer commercial laundry services • embrace textile restoration service • valet laundry & work wear

poseidonwetcleaning.com (800) 256-1073 Secure your place in the future. Learn more at poseidonwetcleaning.com.

ImaginePossibilities-ADC.02-21.indd 1

2/9/21 10:08 AM

drycleaner drycleaner A M E R I C A N

®

April 2021

Vol. 88, No. 1

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

Pre-Inspection Inching Closer

4

Talk of the Trade Your Views Survey: Reputation, Customer Satisfaction and Your Business

6

Product Showcase Point of Sale Systems

18

Classified Ads / Ad Index (Photo: © mihalec/Depositphotos)

8

Wrinkle in Time Loans or Not, Veterans Were Preparing to Clean

22-23 24

Ramping Up: Retool for Recovery

With the end of the pandemic in sight, is it time for dry cleaners to start updating and expanding their plants to take advantage of increasing customer demand? Industry experts and financial professionals offer their thoughts on outfitting or retrofitting drycleaning plants today.

12

Addressing Customer Claims

No dry cleaner wants to deal with disappointed customers when something goes wrong at the plant. However, having plans in place for this inevitable conversation can take some of the pressure off of your counterstaff and make the experience, ultimately, a positive one for everyone involved.

2

American Drycleaner, April 2021

NEED HELP FINDING THE HIDDEN HANGER? Scan this QR Code for help in finding the hidden hanger on this month’s cover.

Good luck!

www.americandrycleaner.com

We Speak Cleaner “Since 2009 CBS has given me consistent updates and easy to understand tech support”

Solutions • Suite of Features - Our feature-rich software will help you run all aspects of your business more efficiently and effectively.

• Industry Solutions - Our Solutions are used across the dry cleaning industry including full price, route services, prepay and more.

Support • US based support with trained live agents • Independently owned and operated for over 20 years.

Contact Us for a FREE DEMO! Workstations

Microsoft Surface POS

Visit our website: www.cleanerbusiness.com Cleaner Business Systems • 414 Gateway Boulevard Burnsville, MN 55337

800.406.9649

www.cleanerbusiness.com • sales@cleanerbusiness.com

0320adc_Cleaner Business_Full Page.indd 1

2/10/20 4:08 PM

PRE-INSPECTION

Inching Closer With the increasing availability of vaccines — the “big shot” we’ve all been waiting for — the recovery of our economy and our society feels like it is progressing, slowly but surely, from “someday” to “soon.”

For many dry cleaners holding onto hope, there’s a feeling that the future they’ve been waiting for is about to arrive. Have you made plans to meet the demands of returning customers?

The first feature of this issue, “Ramping Up: Retooling for Recovery,” takes a look at the realities — and opportunities — in front of dry cleaners looking to modernize their facilities.

While outfitting or retrofitting their existing plants might not be at the top of the “to-do” list, many dry cleaners will be looking Dave Davis at this topic as society returns to something approaching normal.

We’ve asked industry experts about the questions dry cleaners should ask when replacing machines or adding more equipment to meet future demand.

In our second feature, “Addressing Customer Claims,” we’ve focused on what it takes to keep your current customers happy when something goes sideways in the cleaning process. No one likes to pay out for a damaged garment or other piece that didn’t do well in the plant — especially if they are fairly confident it wasn’t their fault. Sometimes, however, it’s more important to lose a battle so you can win your customer’s loyalty.

In that same vein, for our “Talk of the Trade” section, we’ve surveyed our audience to measure the importance of their online reputation and what they’re willing to do to protect it and make sure the reviews customers are leaving are happy ones.

Also in this issue is the next installment of our Showcase series, this month focusing on Point of Sale Systems. Modern systems go far beyond their original purpose of tallying up the total as customers pick up their items; current POS systems can help with marketing, route and delivery services, customer communication, risk management and so much more. If you haven’t re-examined your existing system for a while, it might be time for an upgrade!

ADC American Drycleaner (ISSN 0002-8258) is published monthly except Nov/Dec combined.

Subscription prices, payment in advance: U.S., 1 year $46.00; 2 years $92.00. Foreign, 1 year $109.00; 2 years $218.00. Single copies $9.00 for U.S., $18.00 for all other countries. Published by American Trade Magazines LLC, 650 West Lake Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60661. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER, Send changes of address and form 3579 to American Drycleaner, Subscription Dept., 440 Quadrangle Drive, Suite E, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Volume 88, number 1. Editorial, executive and advertising offices are at 650 West Lake Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60661. Charles Thompson, President and Publisher. American Drycleaner is distributed selectively to: qualified dry cleaning plants and distributors in the United States. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising for any reason. © Copyright AMERICAN TRADE MAGAZINES LLC, 2021. Printed in U.S.A. No part of this publication may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher or his representative. American Drycleaner does not endorse, recommend or guarantee any article, product, service or information found within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of American Drycleaner or its staff. While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the magazine’s contents at time of publication, neither the editors, publishers nor its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom.

4

American Drycleaner, April 2021

Publisher Charles Thompson 312-361-1680

cthompson@ATMags.com

Associate Publisher/ National Sales Director Donald Feinstein 312-361-1682

dfeinstein@ATMags.com

Editorial Director Bruce Beggs 312-361-1683

bbeggs@ATMags.com

Editor Dave Davis

312-361-1685 ddavis@ATMags.com

Digital Media Director Nathan Frerichs 312-361-1681

nfrerichs@ATMags.com

Production Manager Mathew Pawlak Advisory Board Jan Barlow Mike Bleier John-Claude Hallak Wesley Nelson Kyle Nesbit Mike Nesbit Fred Schwarzmann Beth Shader Vic Williams Contributing Editors Dan Miller Diana Vollmer Martin Young Office Information Main: 312-361-1700

Subscriptions 847-504-8175

ADC@Omeda.com

www.american drycleaner.com www.americandrycleaner.com

AmDryCleaner3minAd_7.875x10.5.indd 1 ADC_R_Full Page.indd 1

9/8/14 4:53 10/15/14 9:48 PM AM

TA L K OF T HE T RA D E

Reputation, Customer Satisfaction and Your Business W

ord-of-mouth is a potent form of advertising. Great experiences make people want to share the story with friends and family — but so do awful experiences.

Social media and review sites have magnified this publicity to the point where a bad review can directly impact future business. For this Your Views survey, owners and operators of drycleaning businesses were asked about their views on maintaining their reputation — both online and at their front counter.

Most respondents believe that online customer reviews are important to their operation’s continuing success, with 37.5% responding that such reviews “are our lifeblood for attracting new customers,” and 34.4% saying “they’re good for attracting younger customers.” Others have mixed opinions — 15.6% believe “they don’t have much of an impact,” 9.4% say “it’s a waste of time and energy to chase them — just do the work,” and 3.1% believe “online sites are ‘pay for play,’” which they refuse to support.

The survey asked, “What steps do you regularly take to bolster your online reputation?” The answers included: • “We ask for reviews, particularly for high-profit items like wedding gowns.”

• “Do good work, keep promises and don’t try to do difficult garments in a rush.”

• “Train CSRs to ask customers for reviews. Monitor online forums and reach out to any customer who posts a less-than-stellar review.”

• “A third party manages all my reviews and updates me daily. I respond to negative issues personally.”

When describing how they guard their online reputation, most replied that they take an active role, with 25% saying they protect it “like a junkyard dog — nothing gets past me,” and 62.5% stating they “keep tabs on it and work to keep it positive.” Of the remaining respondents, 3.1% reported they “check it when I remember it,” and 9.4% said they don’t keep track of it.

When there is a problem, customer satisfaction often hinges on how the cleaner’s counter staff deals with the situation. The survey revealed that 37.5% of its respondents fully empower their employees to make a problem right, “whatever it takes,” and 43.8% say that their 6

American Drycleaner, April 2021

What importance do you put on online customer reviews?

WhatWhat importance dodo you customer reviews? importance youput puton on online online customer reviews?

They are our lifeblood for attracting customers.

They are new our lifeblood for attracting newfor customers.

They’re good attracting

They’reyounger good forcustomers. attracting younger They don’t have customers. much of an

on my business.

Theyimpact don’t have much of an impact on and my business.

It’s a waste of time energy to

chase themof— justand do energy the work.

It’s a waste time to chase them — just work.

I believe online sitesdoarethe“pay for

which I refuse to support.

Iplay,” believe online sites are “pay for play,” which I refuse to support.

37.5% 37.5% 34.4% 34.4% 15.6% 15.6% 9.4%

9.4% 3.1%

3.1%

Describe how youguard guardyour your online Describe how you onlinereputation: reputation: Describe how you guard your online reputation:

Like a junkyard dog, nothing gets pastdog, me.

Like a junkyard nothing I keep gets tabs past on it me. and

work to keep positive.

I keep tabsiton it and work to keep it positive.

I check it when I remember it.

I check it when I remember it.

I don’t keep track of it.

I don’t keep track of it.

25.0% 25.0% 62.5% 62.5% 3.1% 3.1% 9.4%

9.4%

employees are their front line, but they know they can come to the owner if necessary. Only 3.1% of owners report that they alone take care of all customer complaints, with 15.6% saying such situations are handled on a caseby-case basis. “Consistency in our brand promise is one of the most important assets of the company,” one respondent says. “Everyone’s job is to protect that asset in all that they do.”

“It’s very important to protect your online reputation,” says another. “Most, if not all, new customers check that before they trust their garment to any cleaner. There is a reason why a customer is looking for a new cleaner!”

The Your Views survey offers a current snapshot of the trade audience’s views. The publication invites qualified subscribers to American Drycleaner emails to participate anonymously in the unscientific poll each quarter.

ADC www.americandrycleaner.com

Treating every customer like family!

HP800 Models *space saving *25 to 60 pounds *uni-jet spray wash

HL800 Models *solvent heating *self cleaning separator *multisolvent

No Solvent Models *steam cleaning *dazzling results *no bolt down

Tandem Models *high production *utility saving *less floor space

HXL8000-C Models *cartridge only *no water *economic

Nova Models *steam optional *powder optional *no water

1-800-433-9401 www.uniondc.com America’s Best Selling Brand of Dry Cleaning Machines

RAMPING UP:

Retool for Recovery Those who prepare for the future will be best equipped to win it

(Ph

oto

:©

tuj

a6

6/

De

po

sit

ph

oto

s)

By Dave Davis, Editor

L

ike almost every small to mid-size business, most dry cleaners have found themselves in survival mode for the past 12 months. The near-instant drop in business due to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown exposed underlying weaknesses in many companies, dooming some and leaving others reeling.

Now that vaccinations are allowing society to at least see the beginning of the end of the crisis, the logical question many business owners are asking themselves is, “What now?” With advances and innovations in cleaning technology, coupled with environmental concerns over aging machines and perchloroethylene (perc), many owners are finding themselves tempted to update their plant. If they do, they could be better positioned to take the market share of drycleaning

8

American Drycleaner, April 2021

customers looking for new cleaners after theirs have retired or gone out of business. But how can a cleaner balance the risk of spending hard-earned money with the potential profit of an as-yet unclear future?

PREPARING FOR WHAT’S TO COME

“Our membership across the country has told us that, in addition to the financial challenges of this past year, one of the biggest challenges has been the inability to plan for the future,” says Sarah Crozier, communication director of Main Street Alliance, a small-business advocacy organization. “‘Uncertainty’ is the word that comes up over and over again. From a business perspective, uncertainty is a very difficult concept to deal with. So, wherever you can, make investments and plans, with

www.americandrycleaner.com

flexibility and risk assessment factored in. It helps to deal with some of the uncertain times that we’re living in.”

When considering a capital investment in a company, the return on investment is crucial. If there’s no ROI, then the equipment was not a good addition.

“Quality machines reduce your utilities and your labor costs, which are most of your variable costs,” says Matt A. Lipman, sales representative for equipment manufacturer Union Drycleaning Products. “That’s where the new cleaning machines come into play because they can make you faster and more efficient. Also, if you’re doing your cleaning at optimum levels, then you can look for additional pieces to clean.”

One of the most important factors of ROI, Lipman believes, is the one element no one can buy — time: “With cleaners working fewer hours and trying to minimize hours of production to save on labor and utilities, they really need to look at time. New equipment can allow you to do a better job more quickly, but so often people never look at their time when they’re looking at ROI.” In addition to time, there are other advantages in updating or replacing aging equipment.

“You can have better solvent recovery for lower operating costs,” Lipman says. “There are also innovations like solvent heating and other advancements. You also have a lot more options for solvent. There are new solvents that do a better job cleaning, and, again, it saves time, so there’s a return on that.”

The ability of a new piece of equipment to pull its weight is a major factor that goes into loan qualification.

“We look to see the ROI as a key to profitability as well as sustaining the business,” says George Bednar, director of sales for NewLane Finance Co. “Speaking as a lender, we often look to see whether the new purchase will be a labor-saving or income-producing investment.

What does it mean to go from a single-buck to a doublebuck shirt press, or to add additional presses? What does that mean in terms of other aspects of the business? Will it be cutting labor costs? Will it increase piecework?

Will chemical prices drop? The questions we try to understand are how this will benefit the business.”

FUNDING THE FUTURE

Investing in new equipment as the nation emerges from lockdown isn’t for the faint of heart. Lipman believes that anxiety over the unknown is a significant factor in many dry cleaners’ decisions to hold off on updating equipment.

Even though long-term interest rates are at an all-time low, there’s a reluctance to borrow money.

“The biggest thing I hear is the fear of taking on new debt,” he says. “That’s why people look for grants or save up money, because they’d rather pay in cash than have a 10

American Drycleaner, April 2021

liability hanging over their heads. I kind of find this counterproductive, because when your business is fluctuating, it seems like the time when you’d want to hold onto cash.”

Securing financing in this economic environment can, of course, be challenging. Sometimes, dry cleaners have to search beyond the obvious.

“Go and see if you have a community development financial institution, or (if it applies) a minority development institution, in your area,” Crozier says. “Those are more community-oriented financial and lending institutions that can work with you not only on the loan, but also potentially on technical assistance and training.”

Finding a financial professional with whom you can discuss the matter may help secure funding, rather than ones who simply rely on an impersonal credit score.

“As you’re starting out, or you’re looking to expand, particularly because of the pandemic of this past year, you’re going to see a lot of hits to entrepreneurial credit,” Crozier says. “If your credit score is the only thing that approves you one way or the other, sometimes having an ‘entrepreneur’s’ credit score can be a detriment. So, look at those types of alternative financial institutions, as well as community banks and public banks, if your state has one.

That’s one way to get the support and resources that you need, if a typical bank won’t look at your application.”

When planning on a retrofit or an expansion, however, don’t jump at just any offer. Mistakes made at this point can haunt a business for years — or end it entirely.

“Not all finance companies and finance documents are equal,” says Brad Karpinecz, commercial equipment finance specialist for NewLane, “so ask questions. And if somebody is not really willing to slow down and answer those questions, stop and think, ‘Why?’ Because 99.9% of the lenders in the industry are reputable and upstanding, and they’re going to be very transparent.”

More to the point, if the lending agreement isn’t straightforward and, ultimately, simple to grasp, that could be a problem down the road.

“If you don’t feel that way about your borrowing solution — that it’s a very simple program, it’s very transparent, and you understand it — then you should probably look at a different supplier for that financing,” Karpinecz says.

“No matter what loan product you’re looking at, you want to make sure that it’s not a predatory product,” Crozier says. “Something that a lot of people don’t understand is there are consumer protections for personal loans, but those consumer protections do not cover small business.

There are predatory loan products out there with high interest rates and high fees that could get you into a debt cycle you don’t want to be in.”

(Continued on page 16)

www.americandrycleaner.com

Sankosha_ADC_April 21 v8:Layout 1 2/19/21 11:32 AM Page 1

Better times are coming...

Cheers to

Spring

Sankosha USA Inc.

1901 Landmeier Rd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 TOLL FREE: (888) 427-9120 • TEL: (847) 427-9120

http://www.sankosha-inc.com

Addressing Customer Claims

Making things right to build loyalty and customer satisfaction (Photo: iStock.com/JackF)

By Dave Davis, Editor

D

ry cleaners who have been in business for any measurable length of time know that it’s not a matter of if mistakes happen but a question of when. Broken buttons, faded dyes, rips, unremoved stains … the list goes on. Sometimes the error occurs at the plant, and sometimes before the garment ever reaches the cleaner (“No, I didn’t already try to get that stain out” is a customer comment often heard over the front counter).

So, knowing that it’s only a matter of time before a cleaner’s staff will have to give a customer some bad news, having a plan in place for such occasions can spell the difference between an argument (or worse) and a surprisingly positive encounter.

12

American Drycleaner, April 2021

THE EXPECTATION GAP

The best way to deal with claims, of course, is to avoid the mistake in the first place.

“The minute a customer walks in the door with their armful of clothes, the counter staff should ask if there’s anything that needs special attention,” says Trudy Adams, principal of Blue Egg Consulting. This can start a conversation that can yield valuable information about spots or other issues that might have been missed.

Brian Butler, president of Columbus, Ohio-based Dublin Cleaners, says that the more valuable an item is, the more critical it is to set expectations.

“Someone might come in with a $900 bedspread www.americandrycleaner.com

with some unknown stains that have been there for a long time,” he says. “We’re not so much worried about whether we can get those spots off; we’re more worried about how long they’ve been sitting on that fabric and affecting that dye. When we do flush those out, will there be some discoloration?

“We’ve got to talk about it up front, and we need the customer to be comfortable with it ahead of time. But, when we’re dealing with Brooks Brothers shirts that come in hundreds of times a day, there just isn’t time to have those conversations. So, you play the numbers that not too many people are going to be too upset about it, and, if one does, what do we do to make it right?”

While setting rules and expectations is a good starting point, trying to get too “legalistic” can quickly backfire when it comes to maintaining a customer relationship.

“You might have on the back of your receipt that you’re liable for only 10 times the cleaning charge,” Butler says. “If you charge $3.50 for a shirt, you’re only going to pay out $35. But, if a customer has a Tom James shirt, that $35 is going to be a slap in the face. If he spends $50 a week in your store, it’s best to not flip that receipt over and say, ‘That’s how it’s going to go.’”

POWER TO THE STAFF

Problems are going to crop up from time to time.

Knowing this, Adams believes there’s no reason for a counterperson to be unprepared.

“Management needs to sit down together and write out how they would like their staff to respond,” she says, “so collectively, as a whole company, everybody should know what they should say for common complaints. It could be a broken button, for instance, or a lost or damaged item — any of the most common things. Often, the staff is just not trained as to how to respond, and they’re not confident. I’m not saying they have to say the script verbatim; I’m saying to just have them understand what it is that they’re supposed to say.”

“You’ve got to give quite a wide latitude to the counterpeople,” says Peter Blake, executive director of the North East Fabricare Association (NEFA), the South Eastern Fabricare Association (SEFA) and the Mid-Atlantic Association of Cleaners (MAC). “When people are upset, and if there’s something the counterpeople can do right there by taking action, they need to know they can do that.”

Even if your customer service representative (CSR) makes too big of a concession, Blake says, let them know you have their back.

“If they make a promise, you can educate them afterward, but back them up now,” he says. “I would rather have a counterperson make a mistake by taking action than make a mistake by inaction.” www.americandrycleaner.com

“We’ve told our customer service staff that we don’t want someone walking out of the store upset in a way that could lead to a bad review and relationship if it’s $100 or less,” Butler says. “I remind our customer service staff that, if they try too hard to defend us, they’ll end up hurting us. With the $100 limit, there’s no way that’s going to hurt the company, but if they don’t offer it to the customer, that might irreparably damage our business.”

Butler also points out that his CSRs are told to use common sense when it comes to their discretion: “If the customer says it should be $103, don’t say that’s out of your reach. It’s an area. Don’t say ‘yes’ to $400, but don’t say ‘no’ to $112 if everything else meets the criteria. When it comes to claims, I’ve told them, if it’s a ‘maybe,’ then it’s a ‘yes.’”

But just because they are empowered doesn’t mean that dry cleaners should allow their staff to be abused.

“If you’ve got someone yelling in your shop, being completely unreasonable,” Blake says, “the counter staff should always feel completely comfortable saying, ‘I understand your disappointment and your anger. Let me have somebody call you back right away, who can handle the situation better than I can.’ And then, give the customer a time frame where they’ll receive that call. It’s a win-win situation for everyone because now the right person will be dealing with the issue, and it’ll be in a much quieter setting.”

This approach also helps soothe the situation because the customer’s problem might not be with the dry cleaner at all.

“You’ve got to understand that your customers — all of us — are dealing with a lot,” Blake says. “Everyone’s got their own story to tell. The customer might be in an atrocious mood, and they may be venting at you. You might be the one taking the brunt of it. It’s not your fault. It’s not the cleaner’s fault. The minute you get angry, the situation escalates.”

KEEPING THE LINES OPEN

Butler says that the key to handling customer claims and defusing potential arguments is calm, clear, quick communication. Also, having detailed information can be helpful. Years ago, Dublin Cleaners installed a barcode system that keeps detailed records of the items coming in and out of the store. “That gives us a great position of objectivity,” he says.

When a longtime customer made a claim about a shirt, for instance, Butler was prepared to make it right but did a little research to determine the replacement price.

“We looked it up and told him that we had cleaned that shirt 67 times over the years,” he says. “When we asked him what he thought it was worth, he told us that, if he had it in our store once a month for six years, he had gotten full use out of it, and it was probably fully depreciated.”

American Drycleaner, April 2021

13

Having a liberal claims policy doesn’t mean that a dry “Give them your contact information so you can talk cleaner shouldn’t track its restitution history. Butler’s about the situation,” he says. “At the end, if you succompany has the ability in the point-of-sale system to flag cessfully made that person happy, ask them to take the review down. Most of the time, they’ll actually change it customers who might be taking advantage of the system. to a positive review.” Even if the reviewer doesn’t reach “I can only think of a couple of times where I’ve said, out, those reading the reviews will see that the cleaner ‘Enough is enough,’” Butler says. “We had one guy come took action and tried to make it right. “The worst thing in and make six claims in two years.” While none of the you can do is just let it sit there and let it fester,” he says. previous claims were large, the sixth was for a sport coat Blake also believes in responding to good reviews: the customer claimed was worth $900.

“Say, ‘Thank you. We appreciate the opportunity to take “I called him and said, ‘If you really believed we had care of you.’ If you see a three- or four-star review, you caused all six of these problems, you would have quit can also ask how you can improve their us long ago because you would have experience. It shows you’re always deemed us completely incompetent, trying and striving for perfection.” the same as the rest of the market bePaying attention to your online repucause you would have to assume your tation can also head off potential abuse. experience wasn’t unique.’ Five times “We had a grad student at Ohio already, we’ve fallen on our sword to State University leave 330 1-star rekeep this relationship alive, but we’re at views across all our platforms within the point where it’s not worth keeping it a week,” Butler says. “We looked into alive.” Butler told the customer that, no the situation, and he had made a $325 matter what the situation, he would not claim. I called him and asked him what be writing him any more checks. he was after, because those reviews This “line-in-the-sand” stance weren’t true and they were hurting our worked: “He’s still a customer today business. I also told him that this was and has not asked for anything else,” the one opportunity he had to work it Butler says. “You want to treat fair but out with me, because things were gobe treated fairly.” ing to get litigious very quickly. When “You know, 99% of the people he said he wanted the $325, I asked aren’t trying to get one over on you,” Brian Butler, president of the Columbus, Blake says, “and the ones who are, it’s Ohio-based Dublin Cleaners, believes in giv- him where he was and that I would ing his counterpeople the latitude to work bring it to him, but not until every last OK. It’s not a life-or-death situation. with customers and make claims right when- one of those reviews was taken down.”

Giving somebody free cleaning is not ever possible. “When it comes to claims, I’ve The student did remove the reviews, the end of the world.” told them, if it’s a ‘maybe,’ then it’s a ‘yes,’” and the issue was resolved.

“There’s an old saying that ‘It may he says. (Photo: Dublin Cleaners) That kind of situation is rare, Butler not be your fault, but it is your probsays, but dry cleaners must pay attenlem,’” Adams says. “How many times tion to their online reputation: “You do what you’ve got have you paid a claim for a lost item and you knew that to do. It all boils down to communication. Don’t try to the customer picked it up, or it’s not in your place? And win every battle; it might cause you to lose the war.” then, maybe a week or two later, the customer calls you or comes in and says, ‘You’re never gonna believe it, but I found those pants in my closet. I’m so sorry.’ It’s THE VALUE OF COMPLAINTS happened to everyone that I’ve ever worked with. It’s While no dry cleaner looks forward to having uncomjust part of the customer experience.” fortable conversations with their clients, the alternative is worse: The customer quietly goes away, leaving no clue MAINTAINING YOUR ONLINE REPUTATION that he or she was unhappy, and never comes back.

A customer’s voice has been amplified by social media “Look at a complaint as a big bouquet of roses,” Adand review sites to the point where dry cleaners cannot ams says. “If a customer keeps telling you, ‘You know, ignore bad word-of-mouth. When researching companies, every single time I come in here, my buttons are broken,’ the vast majority of consumers start their search online, and or this or that, listen to them and start investigating.” bad reviews are a quick way for them to weed out choices.

“Each complaint is an opportunity,” Blake says. “It’s When dry cleaners find a negative review of their an opportunity to forge a better relationship, to further store, action must quickly be taken, Blake says. your reputation, and to make a satisfied customer.” ADC 14

American Drycleaner, April 2021

www.americandrycleaner.com

S

COME BACK STRONGER COME BACK STRONGER 24/7 EXPRESS - KEEPS YOUR STORES OPEN AND PROFITABLE 24/7 EXPRESS - KEEPS YOUR STORES OPEN AND PROFITABLE

247EXPRESS 247EXPRESS

ence

Dry Clean at Your Convenience

and

24/7 Express is a stand-alone drop off and pickClean up station.

Plug it in and run your Dry at Your Convenience store with no overhead.

24/7 Express is a stand-alone drop off and SYSTEM OF ITS TYPE pick up station.MOST PlugAFFORDABLE it in and run your MORE SPACE EFFECIENT THAN LOCKERS store with no overhead.

-

CAN BE INSTALLED IN ONE DAY MOST AFFORDABLE SYSTEM OF ITS TYPE MORE SPACE EFFICIENT THAN LOCKERS

garmentmanagement.com/24-7expres CAN BE INSTALLED IN ONE DAY

ress

501- 420 -1682

Why 24/7 garmentmanagement.com/24-7express Express?

Why GMS? 501- 420 -1682

Garment Management Systems has been helping dry If you are having trouble maintaining profits, 24/7 Express cleaners install affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use can help you gain more revenue without increasing your automa�on solu�ons since 2012. We work very hard opera�ng costs. Customers can drop off or pick up at any for our customers, both in developing excellent Garment Management Systems has been If you are having maintaining profits, 24/7 Express hourtrouble at a secure 24/7 Express kiosk. products and in servicing yourhelping needs dry before, during cleaners install affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use can help you gain more revenue without increasing your and a�er installa�on. automa�on solu�ons since 2012. We work very hard opera�ng costs. Customers can drop off or pick up at any for our customers, both in developing excellent hour at a secure 24/7 Express kiosk. products and in servicing your needs before, during Visit us at garmentmanagement.com/24-7express or call 501-420-1682 and a�er installa�on.

Why 24/7 Express?

Why GMS?

Visit us at garmentmanagement.com/24-7express or call 501-420-1682

ADC_Full Page.indd 1

10/11/20 10:04 AM

going to be empty or even partially empty, to do some environmental investigation.”

Another ally that dry cleaners might not be aware they HELP THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE DRY CLEANER? have is insurance policies of the past.

There are options that cleaners might not be aware of “Historical insurance is an important part of every dry when it comes to financing. In some cases, environmencleaner’s future,” Shields says. “It’s an unfortunate truth tal concerns could actually help a drycleaning business. that drycleaning businesses that have operated at any loca“Many states and municipalities across the country tion for an extended period of time, especially back in the are really looking to move away from perc,” says Dru day of the early-generation machinery, have some underShields, director of accounts at EnviroForensics LLC, lying environmental issue that could pop up for a number “so many of them do see the value in offering either of reasons.” options for grants or even low-interest-rate loans, and The key to cleaning up these environmental problems sometimes a combination of the two, for dry cleaners — and possibly financing newlooking to make the move from er, more earth-friendly equipperc to alternative solvents. ment — could lie in the past.

I’ve even seen some where “Dry cleaners can often use they’ll also reimburse a dry old insurance assets, whether cleaner for a percentage of the it’s their own policies or even cost for professional removal from operators before their of old machinery. So, there are time,” Shields says. “Many those options.”

“I THINK WE’RE GOING times, we think that once a Environmental concerns can policy period is up that the certainly complicate matters, TO SEE A BIGGER policy is no longer of use, but but being proactive can help DEMAND FOR MORE that really isn’t the case. Old alleviate the pain points. insurance policies really can “Obviously, the sooner that CLEANERS AND be worth millions of dollars to they jump on preparations and MORE OPERATORS help shield dry cleaners from get their ducks in a row, the TO UPGRADE THEIR environmental liability. Insurbetter,” Shields says. “There ance archaeology is a method are a number of things that dry EQUIPMENT. I WON’T to help track down those old cleaners should be considering USE THE TERM policies, when a dry cleaner is if they’re looking at updating unable to track down these old or replacing old machinery, ‘BOUNTIFUL,’ BUT WE DO records themselves.” especially old perc machines.

SEE THE TURN COMING.” “If you lease your space, there may be some stipulations MAKING THE — GEORGE BEDNAR, DIRECTOR FINAL DECISION or requirements they would OF SALES FOR NEWLANE need to work out with their There’s a lot of thought that FINANCE CO. landlord. Also, it’s important goes into — or at least should to make sure that the removal go into — making a major purof any machinery be done by chasing decision. Besides the the book. For instance, be sure initial benefits of having new that your waste hauler removes equipment, Lipman believes any perc from the site, or if that there’s another element that there is any residual perc inside dry cleaners shouldn’t ignore. the machine, make sure that “Cleaners should consider that is removed and disposed of properly before the manot just the price of whatever they’re buying, but the supchine itself gets hauled away. port they’ll receive after the sale, and the longevity of the “Lastly, it would be a good time to look at buttoning company,” Lipman says. Not only is having a piece of up any environmental issues. If your location has a hisequipment that is no longer supported a huge headache, tory of perc usage, there could likely be environmental but it can be detrimental to the business’ long-term value. contamination issues that will need to be addressed. So, “The equipment can become worthless and lower the it’s really the perfect time, especially if the space is value of the business,” he says. “When you go to sell the (Continued from page 10)

16

American Drycleaner, April 2021

www.americandrycleaner.com

store, it’s devalued because you can’t buy spare parts for the equipment. When you’re buying equipment, it’s a long-term relationship.”

One option that dry cleaners had — and will have again once the pandemic fades — are site visits to other plants using the equipment under consideration.

“I think it’s great, because you can visualize a different approach to doing what you’re doing,” Lipman says. “I encourage that, and I offer to take customers to go look at what they’re going to buy in advance.”

Surprisingly, Lipman says, not many cleaners actually take advantage of the option. He estimates that only 1015% make a site visit before buying.

“The percentage of people that do that is small,” he says, noting that, when trade shows demonstrations are figured into the equation, the number goes up to about 25%. “For the ones who do go, it’s a great education, because anything can look good on a piece of paper in a brochure; when you see it in person, you can see the results, and you can talk to the operators.”

Lipman has found that, as machines get more advanced, another obstacle from the past is greatly reduced — the learning curve: “After the first day, the operators are up to speed with the machine. By the next day, they’re excelling. It also helps if they are repeat custom-

ers because every machine we build, builds on to the next machines, so you’re not starting from scratch.”

THE FUTURE IS OUT THERE

Dry cleaners planning to expand or retrofit their plants in this economic climate are, by definition, optimists.

Making plans for a more hopeful future is their way of staking their claim on what’s to come.

That future, Lipman hopes, is coming soon: “My vision is that we’ve lost some storefronts and some older plants. The ones that survive, in the long run, will be more profitable because, hopefully, they are better-run now, and they’ll be able to grow faster. They’re more efficient, and that will allow room for growth.”

Bednar agrees that the end of troubles that started a year ago is in sight.

“My hope is that, around Q3 and Q4 of this year, we’re going to see more of a return to normalcy,” he says, “with the promises that the country will be mostly vaccinated by July. I do think we’re going to start to see the turnaround, as more and more employers get back to work and out of the work-from-home phase. I think we’re going to see a bigger demand for more cleaners and more operators to upgrade their equipment. I won’t use the term ‘bountiful,’ ADC but we do see the turn coming.”

Every FREE episode offers:

• Topics of specific interest to dry cleaners like you • Engaging industry-specific conversation with an expert • Business-building tips you won’t find anywhere else • Convenience of listening anytime, either online or downloading for later • Information and insight to get a leg up on competitors – give us a listen!

NEW! Selling Young Adults

on Dry Cleaning’s Value

Jennifer Marquardt, a partner in Arthur’s Executive Cleaners, shares her experiences of adding young adults to her client base — including what they’re looking for, what they expect and what they might not know a cleaner can do.

Being Charitable: Doing Great Works for the Community

Tom Zengeler, president of Zengeler Cleaners, discusses the value of charity drives — how to start them, how to operate them and what they can mean for both your community and your cleaning business.

Marketing: How to Stand Out In a Crowded Field

Diana Vollmer, managing director and senior consultant for Ascend Consulting Group, joins us to discuss the importance of marketing for dry cleaners in any type of economic condition, what goes into a successful campaign and more.

Listen in at: americandrycleaner.com/podcasts www.americandrycleaner.com

American Drycleaner, April 2021

17

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

POINT OF SALE SYSTEMS

Computer Systems International (CSI) The Cleantie cloud-based POS system, designed by Computer Systems International (CSI), is a suite of solutions that includes Cleantie POS, Cleantie Customer, Cleantie Driver and Cleantie Dispatcher apps. CSI says that the Cleantie POS app works with PC, tablet and smartphone devices, and offers an intuitive design for speed and ease of use. Its Cleantie Customer app, which is free for cleaners to use, allows customers to request on-demand pickups and deliveries.

The Cleantie Dispatcher app is built to give cleaners control over their pickup and delivery process, and provides a communication tool for dispatchers and store managers to view all customer activities and profiles.

The company says that the Cleantie Driver app offers a complete and comprehensive route planning system, with optimization technology designed to allow cleaners to cut down on operating costs, as well as reduce drive time and mileage and improve customer service. www.computersystemsint.com | 888-836-7274

Fabricare Systems The Fabricare Manager POS system by Fabricare Systems offers an intuitive design that offers pricing and cashing functions, as well as drop-off, invoicing, and pickup functions, the company says. Its client-server system authorizes credit cards; compiles inventory, sales, and customer details; and more.

Fabricare says that the new Customer Gateway app, available in both the iOS App Store and the Android Play Store, is skinned with the dry cleaner’s logo and offers customers many options.

These include view order status, “on my way” requests, profile information, and add or change credit card information.

The new Route Dashboard enables dry cleaners to manage their routes, message customers and optimize route delivery based on current or past traffic conditions.

Fabricare Manager can be used in both a self-hosted environment or in the company’s cloud system, Fabricare Systems says, giving dry cleaners the option of maintaining their own data. www.fabricaremanager.com | 770-966-9323 18

American Drycleaner, April 2021

www.americandrycleaner.com

ScanQ In this digital age, customers expect fast, reliable and safe experiences with businesses, and dry cleaners are no exception. This is the philosophy behind the Enlite software suite offered by ScanQ, the company says.

Enlite offers cloud-based, customizable solutions for dry cleaners with one or multiple locations. The company says that business owners can easily operate the software at their store from a PC or tablet, track delivery routes, and serve their customers with the mobile app. Automatic notifications can be sent to customers through the system, as well.

Some of the features offered by Enlite, ScanQ says, include an easy-to-use interface; realtime multi-store tracking; fully customizable settings to match the store’s needs; encrypted payments and invoicing; live tracking of delivery routes and drivers; and targeted discounts for loyal customers. The company also states that detailed documentation of garments is included.

The migration from an existing POS to the Enlite system is easy, ScanQ states, and live phone, email and chat support with ScanQ staff is always available. www.scanq.com | 866-722-6701

SMRT Systems SMRT is a cloud-based unified point-of-sale system that is intuitive, easy to use, and easy to learn, the company says.

Automated messaging and templates are designed to improve a cleaner’s productivity, SMRT says, while its built-in message center and issue tracker improve the customer experience and head off potential problems. The act of inputting customer information has been streamlined, making the process simpler for both customers and counter staff. SMRT also records the activity of employees with each item, order and customer, ensuring full accountability.

Route, delivery and locker functionality are also part of the SMRT system, the company says, as are automatic reminders, change alerts and integrated payments. Customers can also approve release forms and answer questions that might come up during cleaning, and billing can be automated so that cleaners can focus on working with their customers.

SMRT says its team of programmers works continuously to either improve existing features or create new ones. Current areas of research and development include the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. www.smrtsystems.com | 415-612-9885 www.americandrycleaner.com

American Drycleaner, April 2021

19

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Starchup Starchup’s POS platform includes everything a dry cleaner needs to run its counter, production, delivery, and marketing, the company says, with a cloud-based point-of-sale, delivery apps, customer-facing apps, website, and marketing solutions.

Workstations can be installed throughout a cleaner’s stores at plants with no per-terminal fees to penalize his or her optimal workflow. Starchup’s system allows dry cleaners to choose the hardware that works best for their business, it says. Cleaners can securely access their system from anywhere, anytime, on any device to monitor production, receive robust reporting, and check real-time performance dashboards.

Branded web and mobile apps allow dry cleaners to market delivery, rewards and more directly to their customers and new prospects. Email marketing integrations and online review generation enable cleaners to automate their customer outreach to encourage more orders, win back lost customers, and encourage their best customers to review their services online. www.starchup.com | 207-200-6458

SPOT Business Systems The new SPOT workstation/client has been redesigned to factor in the company’s experience in the field and feedback from dry cleaners for a robust and easy-to-use system, the company says. The platform is scaled to work with single stores or large enterprise operations.

The system is designed to enable dry cleaners to connect quickly and directly with customers, with communications always available from one centralized location to enable rapid responses. SPOT says its new risk management technology allows dry cleaners to capture photos of items, conditions and issues that need special instructions. For pieces that require extra attention and care, the system also offers electronic disclaimers for customer agreements.

SPOT says it offers a subscription engine that allows dry cleaners to grow recurring revenue from both new and existing customers. The engine supports weekly, monthly and annual billing cycles with per-item, per-bag or per-pound options, and renewal billing is fully automated. www.spotpos.com | 801-208-2212 20

American Drycleaner, April 2021

www.americandrycleaner.com

Cleaner Business Systems Cleaner Business Systems’ POS is designed to work with any size and type of drycleaning operation. Features include an employee time clock, detailed reporting, a lot-management system, route development, and the ability to integrate with major assembly conveyors.

With its Clean Route Delivery Management App, the company says its POS will allow dry cleaners to operate routes more efficiently. The app provides turn-by-turn directions, customer skip options and more.

The CBS Back Office software allows owners and managers to access the store(s) online from anywhere, as well as track employee activity.

With CBS, email marketing, automatic email notifications, coupon tracking, customer reward programs and text communications are all in one software package. Cleaner Business Systems also offers a full customer support system. Trained, in-house, live agents can help, via phone or online support, with any issues that may arise, the company says. www.cleanerbusiness.com | 800-406-9649

Global Business Systems

iDryclean

From “software only” installation to barcoded scanning networks, for single stores or multi-location companies, the GBS Smart System is designed to meet the needs of any dry cleaner and grow with them. The company says that its expert programmers can also work with individual cleaners to provide customized installations.

The Smart System allows dry cleaners to stay in constant contact with their customers, the company says, sending text messages and emails automatically when their garments are racked. GBS also has a patent-pending camera feature that can be set up for various functions, including tracking damaged garments. In addition to ticketing, tagging, racking, pickup and marketing tools, the Smart System also offers an automated garment-sorting system, delivery mapping and more.

iDryclean POS systems allow the dry cleaner and staff to add new orders at garment drop-off and track pickups, print tags, and assign rack locations, the company says, as well as balance the till and show store status reports and summaries. iDryclean charges no monthly software register usage fee, and those who have invested in computers won’t have to replace their equipment, the company says. It’s software can run on most equipment the dry cleaner already owns. As for hardware, iDryclean offers smart registers, tag printers, bar-code readers and other devices designed to take full advantage of its software.

www.smart4me.com | 800-717-2507

www.idryclean.com | 800-950-6767

www.americandrycleaner.com

American Drycleaner, April 2021

21

2021 RATES: One- to five-time rate: $2.20 per word, boldface $2.30 per word. Minimum charge: $25.00 per ad. Call or write for our three- and 11-time rates. If box number is used,

add cost of 5 words. Display classified rates are available on request. All major credit cards are accepted.

DEADLINE: Ads must be received by the 1st of the preceding month.

For example, for a September ad, the closing date is August 1st.

PAYMENT FOR CLASSIFIED ADS: Must accompany order.

CHEMICALS

GARMENT LABELING

PLANTS FOR SALE

Paying too much for spotters?

Buy 3 Get 1 Free!

Buy online and save.

DryCleanerSoap.com

from EzProducts International Inc.

HEAT SEAL PRESSES

SELL OR BUY DRYCLEANERS. WE HAVE BUYERS!!!

PATRIOT BUSINESS ADVISORS SPECIALIZES IN SELLING DRYCLEANERS IN NJ, PA, DE & MD. CALL LILIANE AT 267-391-7642.

You Deserve the Best!

The Ultimate Heat Seal Machine

COMPUTER SYSTEMS SPECIAL SALE IN DIFFICULT TIME! $1000.00 > > > $750.00/Refurbished, $2000.00 > > > $1450.00/New System Includes Computer, Touch Monitor, Invoice Printer, Cash Drawer. All Name Brands & One Year Warranty! www.westerndccomputer.com 773-878-0150, westernk@msn.com

Proudly made in the U.S.A. Built to OSHA standards

2 YEAR WARRANTY

3 models, 7 different interchangeable lower platens and single or dual heated platens

TO PLACE YOUR AD CONTACT:

For more classifieds, visit: www. AMERICANDRYCLEANER.com

classifieds@ atmags.com Toll Free

877.906.1818

www.ezpi.us

OR CALL DON FEINSTEIN: 312-361-1682

www.

22

American Drycleaner, April 2021

www.americandrycleaner.com

REWEAVING SERVICES WITHOUT-A-TRACE WEAVERS — More than 60 years’ experience. We are the experts in silks, knits, French weaving and piece weaving. Reasonable prices. Send garments for estimate to: 3344 W. Bryn Mawr, Chicago, IL 60659; 800-475-4922; www.withoutatrace.com.

SUEDE & LEATHER SERVICE

SUPPLIES

SUPPLIES

Save 30% on Poly!

Ask About Our 10 roll Special

40” 54” 60” 72”

Poly Bags

LEATHER-RICH INC. • High-quality cleaning, refinishing & repair Leather, Suede and Fur; • Free Inbound Shipping in USA

Auto Bagger

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.leatherrich.com

Metalprogetti

E-mail: leatherrich@att.net Call 800-236-6996 Route Service in Upper Midwest

Poly Made for:

Sankosha Unipress

WE SHIP

FAST 800-568-7768

Reduce Waste - Cut out the Middle Man - Build Profit

CLEANERSUPPLY.COM

American Dry Cleaner.indd 3

8/25/20 1:12 PM

THE

WIRE

The latest news, straight to your inbox, 2X a week

For more classifieds, visit: www. AMERICANDRYCLEANER .com

Cleaner Business Systems . . . . . . . . . .3

Luetzow Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Cleaner’s Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Parker Boiler Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC

EzProducts International . . . . . . . . . .22

Poseidon Textile Care Systems . . . . . .1

Fabricare Systems, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . .9

Sankosha USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Garment Management Systems . . . . .15

SPOT Business Systems . . . . . . . . IFC

GreenEarth Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . BC

Union Drycleaning Products . . . . . . . .7

Iowa Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

www.americandrycleaner.com

2021 RATES: One- to five-time rate: $2.20 per word, boldface $2.30 per word. Minimum charge: $25.00 per ad. Call or write for our three- and 11-time rates. If box number is used, add cost of 5 words. Display classified rates are available on request. All major credit cards are accepted.

DEADLINE: Ads must be received by the 1st of the preceding month.

For example, for a June ad, the closing date is May 1st.

PAYMENT FOR CLASSIFIED ADS: Must accompany order.

www.AmericanDrycleaner.com

American Drycleaner, April 2021

23

WRINKLE IN TIME

Loans or Not, Veterans Were Preparing to Clean 10 YEARS AGO. Off to the Clean Show! — In the “Talk of the Trade” poll conducted for April 2011, more than half — 53.6%, to be exact — of the dry cleaners surveyed said they planned to attend Clean 2011. Another 13.6% said they weren’t sure, and 32.9% had decided not to go. “I wouldn’t miss it,” one cleaner said. “[Clean is] one of the few occasions in North America where you get to compare a wide range of products and equipment, all within easy reach.”

25 YEARS AGO. Where’s the Blame?

— According to the 1996 findings of IFI’s laboratory, 41% of the 25,000 ruined garments and household textiles analyzed in 1995 were judged to be the responsibility of the manufacturer, up 6% from the previous year. In 1995, 22% of problems resulted from solvent-soluble dyes, prints and sizings. Other categories that were significant for manufacturer responsibility included other defects, color loss and leather problems. Garments with shrinkage or distortion problems rose dramatically from the previous year.

50 YEARS AGO. Take Off Your Clothes — A Trenton, N.J., dry cleaner got a lot of notice when they tried a bold, new advertising campaign, described as “sort of ‘withit-a-go-go.’” New Method Cleaners launched a campaign with slogans such as “Take off your clothes. And bring them to us.” and “Drop your drapes.” “Since we started the cam24

paign, more and more people have been taking off their clothes and bringing them in for cleaning at our five stores in and around Trenton,” said Jack Shaw of New Method. The campaign used the theme in newspaper ads, direct mail, bundle inserts, radio spots and billboards.

85 YEARS AGO. Veteran Loans Hard to Acquire — While many veterans were eager to enter the drycleaning field after returning from World War II, loans set aside for their needs were difficult to come by. In April, the Veterans Administration revealed that only 7,434 loans had been made up to March 23, 1946, with only

American Drycleaner, April 2021

$23.5 million being distributed — an average of $3,155 per loan. These figures included all types of business loans. According to American Drycleaner research, many of these vets were still entering the drycleaning field, regardless of their abilities to get veteran loans, as a large percentage had plant experience before the war. “The answer,” American Drycleaner reported, “appears to be that difficulty in getting GI loans isn’t stopping vets from entering the drycleaning field. They either have saved enough money or know where to get it.”

ADC —Compiled by Dave Davis, Editor www.americandrycleaner.com

Vertical Water Wall - Horizontal Drum Water Tube 9.6 to 24 HP Gas Fired - Pressures up to 200 PSI

AS

100 Series SCAQMD Certified to 1146.2

M

E

S or H

Safety is Always a Priority Safety The Parker Boiler tube bundle is extremely flexible and offers a long life with a 25 year warranty against thermal shock.

A Great Design Like No Other Blower Variable speed blower for electrical energy savings.

Package Complete Boiler Each unit is Factory Assembled & Fire Tested.

4 years of Field Testing.

Efficiencies Sealed Combustion Chamber offers efficiencies to 84% with low excess air levels.

Superior Quality & Value Heavy Duty Boiler Tubes Extra heavy boiler tubes 1-5/16” OD. minimum 0.12” (11GA) heavy thickness steel, built for long term service life.

Other Advantages 5:1 Burner Turndown Ratio.

Digital Pressure Control.

Boilers require access on two sides only. Reflex Prismatic Sight Glass. Up to 4” of insulation and 1/2” thick steam drum.

NEVER A COMPROMISE FOR QUALITY OR SAFETY Tel: 323-727-9800 www.parkerboiler.com American Cleaner - 1 7.875x10.5 - Feb Issue.indd 1 ADC_FullDry Page.indd

5930 Bandini Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90040 1/10/2020 11:24:25 AMPM 1/10/20 2:59

Maximized Sustainability.

GreenEarth Cleaning was formed in 1999 to provide our industry with a safe alternative to perc without the use of hydrocarbon, a VOC that is damaging to the ozone layer.

For nine months, the new GreenEarth silicone cleaning process was tested across the U.S. in 25 operating plants. 26,000 test data points were collected to verify the new process would eliminate all future environmental liability before its Founders introduced GreenEarth at the 1999 Clean Show in Orlando.

22 years later, it’s now the largest environmental dry cleaning brand worldwide.

The Beginning

1999

www.greenearthcleaning.com GEC_ADC_2021AD6.indd 1

2/12/21 3:45 PM