AUGUST 2019
Late News Caldwell & Gregory partners with Equipment Marketers RICHMOND, Va. — Caldwell & Gregory, a provider of valuebased laundry service programs to the college and university market, reports it has partnered with Equipment Marketers, a laundry service provider headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. The company says it will bring Equipment Marketer’s route and distribution divisions under its direction, allowing the owners to retire, adding that the partnership will ensure Equipment Marketers’ clients and employees continue to have an exceptional experience. “When Equipment Marketers’ founders, Dick and Sue LaMaina, approached us about needing a partner that would care for their clients and their team members in the exceptional way they have for over 40 years, I was extremely excited,” says Caldwell & Gregory President and CEO Bob Dinnie. “I have always admired the LaMainas’ commitment to excellence and for building a company of tremendous integrity.” ALN
Clean ’19 marches into the future Messe Frankfurt era of Clean starts with solid contacts made, business done BY MATT POE, EDITOR NEW ORLEANS — The classic spiritual, “When the Saints Go Marching In,” is the unofficial anthem of New Orleans. And the 2019 edition of the Clean Show went marching into the past and the future here June 20-23 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Clean ’19, the 42nd year of the show, marched into the past as the long history of John Riddle and his Atlanta-based company, Riddle & Associates, being the show manager came to a close. Riddle & Associates has managed the show since 1992. John Riddle has been associated with Clean since 1981. “I’m going to miss all of you,” Riddle says. “This show may not have reached the numbers of Las Vegas, but it was up there. The industry did some great business. It was a good last show.” Both attendees and exhibitors agreed
Leaders of the sponsoring associations and Messe Frankfurt cut the ribbon to open Clean 2019. (Photo: Nathan Frerichs)
that business was good in New Orleans. “Traffic in our booth may have been down, but the conversations were more meaningful,” says Steve Kallenbach, CMO, director of market solutions for ADI American Dawn in Los Angeles. “We’re
See CLEAN on Page 6
Laundry/linen services need to analyze branding First impressions count, especially a logo, author says
evant to your universe of potential customers? Is your brand current and relevant? The first step in making improvements to your image is to organize a brand audit. Whether you do this internally or with a third-party consultant, you’ll want to
BY GARY DEAN CHARLOTTE, N.C. — “We help you have a better image” is a line that many textile rental companies tell prospective customers when asked why they should be hired for linen or uniform services. But rarely do we in the industry take a step back to objectively analyze our own brands. We know it’s important, but in the changing routine of day-to-day priorities, it’s apt to fall way down the list. When was the last time you stopped to analyze your logo, tagline, website, social media and marketing materials? Do they offer consistency across all platforms in appearance and message to your prospects and customers? Do they evoke an image that you are proud of, and one that is rel-
INSIDE Clean Roundup Didn’t make it to New Orleans? Check out what some exhibitors highlighted at Clean.
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assemble all the materials that represent your company. This laundry list of items includes, but is not necessarily limited to, your name, See BRANDING on Page 28
(Image licensed by Ingram Publishing)
www.americanlaundrynews.com
Volume 45, Number 8
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walking away with some good agreements.” Russ Arbuckle, president of Wholesale Commercial Laundry Equipment S.E. LLC in Southside, Ala., echoes Kallenbach’s
Panel of Experts In this issue, the experts talk strategies for Clean Show follow up that also works with new contacts.
The Newspaper of Record for Laundry & Linen Management
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Customer Migration Three experts share how to gather information from and then transition new customers.
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