Getting the most and the best
f you are wise enough to be an IFI member, you
can learn exactly what it costs to produce a garment, —
that is a consistent, high quality garment!
Fortunately, our national organization
can give you a detailed list, all tied into your present price
structure. Isn’t time you knew for sure? While
you’re at it, check your R.O.I. (Return on
Investment). Do you truly know?
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It wouldn't take your accountant too long
to know just what the increases in fuel, utilities, packaging,
solvent, rent, insurance etc., have been and how they affect
your bottom line. You will soon discover that labor —
that is, finishing cost — is taking the biggest bite
of your payroll expenses, which, depending on what part of the
country you’re in, may now exceed 30 percent!.
If we investigate further, we find that
pants, slacks, jeans, etc., and their production comprise over
50 percent of your volume. All natural fibers, such as 100
percent linen, cotton and wool have all but disappeared, and we
now have an unusual strong combinations of polyester and dacron
that make man-made fibers virtually indestructible. These all
gave rise to permanent press and wash and wear and have
advanced the practice of wetcleaning. I doubt that casual dress
would have ever advanced without these combinations of fabrics.
There is one saving grace that is making
it all possible — the introduction and continued
use of what is known as “tensioning finishing.”
The investment in this equipment is not
only becoming profitable but also necessary. Whereby a skilled
operator formerly produced 10 or more garments an hour now a
totally unskilled worker with no training can easily produce
double and triple that number. How?
By working in tandem — one operator
with two pieces of equipment — he or she dresses one pair
of pants on a tensioning form, hits the timer, and transfers
the trousers to on an adjoining legger press. When that piece
is completed, the presser simply hangs it up and rotates the
next finished piece from the tensioning press back to the
legger press. This is "motion study" in action
No more ceiling gazing or waiting and
cheating on the proper vacuuming time, for while one piece is
going through its cycle, the first piece is being hung or
dressed and completed.
This procedure applies to pants or any
jacket, coat or dress, in some cases with no touch-up or crease
added if required.
The biggest thief of good quality is
manually cheating on completion of vacuuming time. Fortunately,
timers should be in use, which will control the quality and
production.
Improper drying is easily detected by
inspecting wrinkled pocket flaps or lapels on garments that
have been packaged before being fully dried and exacerbated by
a sealed plastic bag.
With tandem pressing we get a chance to
put into practice the means of elimination of unnecessary steps
and to offer the advantage of having the work near at hand at
the work station.
What pleases me the most is that this is
all accomplished with little skill and personnel training and
gives results that offer highest production with the lowest
cost.
It also offers something that I have
personally advocated for more years than I care to remember:
“Your quality is only as good as your final
inspection!” Do you have a permanent trained final
inspector? (Write for my revised guide, “Pressed
for Perfection,” featuring the important final
inspection.)
Of course the ultimate inspector is the
customer, and unfortunately there are some customers who simply
do not like to complain! They just change cleaners, and go
elsewhere. Competitors’ advertisements become more
meaningful when your work goes out unchecked.
No plant can afford this luxury, this
chance to fail to do your best. It is an open invitation for
your customers to switch and try elsewhere. With this advanced
and economical production method, all plants can afford a
permanent means of insuring quality and be able to truthfully
know that your standard of excellence is consistent.
It is quality that keeps your business
steady and always consistent.
Ray Colucci, a consultant to the fabric
care industry, has updated his three guides for key areas of
the drycleaning business. “Up Front” on how to
secure an image and build on customer loyalty; “Pressed
for Perfection” on how quality and production can be
achieved; and “Route to Success,” for continued
profit growth and growing volume. The pamphlets are $25 each or
all three for $70. Postage is included in the price and
immediate delivery is available. Send requests and payment to
Ray Colucci, 410 Warren Ave., Mamaroneck, NY 10543.
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