Two more states join ranks
of IFI affiliates
of IFI affiliates
Two more states have joined the joint
affiliate program with the International Fabricare Institute,
bringing to 42 the number of states covered under the program
that provides dual membership for drycleaners in both IFI and
state and regional trade associations.
The Iowa-Nebraska Drycleaners and Laundry
Association affiliation with IFI comes on the heels of similar
action taken last year by the California Cleaners Association.
In all, 18 state and regional trade
associations are now affiliated with IFI. Iowa cleaners had
been affiliated with IFI under the Iowa Fabricare Association
until 1999 when they broke off and formed the combined
Iowa-Nebraska association as an unaffiliated entity.
Rick Kasperbauer, former INDLA president,
and Peter Valessares, IFI director for District 5, worked
together to bring about the re-affiliation during
Kasperbauer’s presidency.
“What really got it going was
serving on IFI’s Board as a District Committee
Member,” Kasperbauer said. “Being that involved
made me realize our state association was really missing out by
not being a joint affiliate state.”
Kasperbauer said he sees the arrangement
as one way IFI is making good on its renewed focus to help
smaller cleaners. “I believe allowing the Iowa-Nebraska
state association to become an affiliate is a huge step towards
that because we are in the Midwest, and a lot of our members
are small plants. What better way to reach small plants in
rural areas?”
The recent re-affiliations leave only the
states of Michigan, North and South Dakota, Montana, Idaho,
Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii without formal ties to IFI.
Kim Wagner, INDLA’s executive
director, said the association hopes “to highlight the
Award of Excellence and the different certifications, as well
as offer more educational opportunities for our members. So we
really see this as a win-win situation for our
members.”
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