Accolades for Zengeler on 150th
Zengeler Cleaners of Northbrook, IL, one of the few family-owned companies in the U.S. that has
lasted through 150 years and five generations, has received recognition
national, state and local leaders.
Congressman Mark Steven Kirk (R-IL) rose before the United States House of
Representatives on May 2, 2007, to commend the Zengeler family for successfully
passing down their family
’s proud work ethic and commitment to quality for 150 years and through five
generations.
Congressman Kirk’s comments are now part of the Congressional Record of the 110th Congress.
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich issued a proclamation in honor of the Zengeler’s milestone that acknowledges many specific examples of the Zengeler family’s support for local and charitable organizations.
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Patrick Quinn sent Tom Zengeler, president of
Zengeler Cleaners, his personal congratulations in a recent letter.
The family-owned cleaner was also recognized by the Illinois General Assembly. Representative Kathy Ryg offered House Resolution No. 213 in honor of the 150th
anniversary. Her resolution acknowledges several of the benchmark milestones
achieved during that time.
State Senator Terry Link offered a State of Illinois Senate Recognition of the
95th General Assembly to commemorate the historic achievement.
At the local level, Zengeler Cleaners received a Recognition of Outstanding
Service award from the Volunteer Center of New Trier Township. Zengeler
Cleaners is a longtime supporter of the volunteer center.
“Zengeler Cleaners appreciates the acknowledgements we have received from our
local, state and national leaders,
” said Tom Zengeler. “Our family and the entire Zengeler staff is proud to have reached our 150th
anniversary. The kindness of Congressman Kirk, Governor Blagojevich, Lieutenant
Governor Quinn, Senator Link and Representative Ryg, as well as the many
volunteers of New Trier Township, has had a very positive impact on our family
and employees.
”
For more about Zengeler Cleaners’ 150th anniversary celebration, visit Zengeler’s web site at www.zengelercleaners.com. The company was profiled in the August
issue of
National Clothesline.
Zengeler Cleaners has stores in Deerfield, Hubbard Woods, Northbrook,
Northfield, Winnetka and two stores in Libertyville. An eighth store will open
this fall in Lake Bluff.
Zellers leads seminars at Notre Dame
The Indiana Drycleaning and Laundry Association and Kay Equipment will cosponsor a seminar with Jane Zellers on Drycleaning Finishing at Notre Dame University on September 19.
Drycleaning will be covered from noon to 3 p.m. and finishing from 3 to 6 p.m.
The course will include finishing and pressing techniques for drycleaned
garments, methods of production, standards and how to achieve them, and how to
recognize a problem garment before it becomes one.
Both classroom discussion and hands-on experience will be offered.
For more information, call IDLA (800) 401-0703.
WFI sets lineup for fall convention
The Wisconsin Fabricare Institute will drop anchor at the Blue Harbor Resort and
Conference Center in Sheboygan, WI, where the association will host its annual
convention and golf outing from Sept. 14-16.
Things will get rolling on Friday when WFI holds its board of directors meeting.
Later that night, there will be a buffet dinner with a nautical theme.
The educational sessions will kick off on Saturday morning. Highlighting the
programs is one by SECURA Claims Supervisor Jennifer Fisher at 9 a.m.
She has earned the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) and
Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) designations and holds a bachelor
’s degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Her seminar will focus on the reasons why SECURA is the number one insurer of
cleaners in Wisconsin.
Afterward, speakers Colonel Mark C. Lee, a former NASA astronaut, and Jim
Testwuide, chairman of the NASA Committee, will present
“Spaceport Sheboygan” from 10 to 11 a.m.
Lee has a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the U.S. Air
Force Academy and a Master
’s in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He is a veteran of four space flights. He traveled over 13 million miles, going
around the world 517 times and spending 33 days in orbit before he eventually
retired from NASA and the Air Force in 2001.
Testwuide graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. In 1984, he joined the H.C. Denison Co. as an investment
representative. In 1996, he was promoted to president of the firm, and seven
years later, was named president and chief executive officer.
More sessions will resume on Sunday, beginning with one by WFI Executive
Director Brian Swingle. He will provide an update on the status of the state
’s Drycleaners’ Environmental Response Fund.
The second session of the day will focus on “Using the Ultimate Competitive Advantage — Your Customers.” Carolyn B. Nankervis, president of MarketWise Consulting Group, Inc. of
Appleton, WI, will headline.
She will discuss building customer loyalty through great customer service.
As a former director of marketing, sports writer, radio announcer and television
producer, Nankervis is a frequent speaker on customer service and marketing
issues.
In addition to the educational programming, WFI has allotted time for relaxation
and social networking.
The association’s golf outing will be on Saturday afternoon at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms — a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course.
Later in the evening, golf prizes will be awarded at the evening’s buffet dinner.
Those not interested in golf may want to take advantage of some of the fun
offerings at Blue Harbor Resort, the city of Sheboygan and the surrounding
region.
There is a 40,000-sq.-ft. indoor water park called Breaker Bay at the resort.
Other options include: playing at the Northern Lights Arcade Video Game Center,
chartering a fishing trip at the marina, or hiking the Kohler-Andrae State
Park.
Full registration packages for the conference are $145 per person, which
includes access to all events except golf.
The cost for that is $115, which includes 18 holes, cart and lunch.
The cost for full registration packages for spouses is $120.
There are also individual registration packages available.
The prices are as follows: $35 for the Friday evening buffet and hospitality;
$35 for the Saturday breakfast, breaks and business sessions; $45 for the
Saturday evening buffet and hospitality; and $35 for the Sunday breakfast,
breaks, business sessions and lunch. All prices are early bird discounts and
therefore only good until Sept. 6.
Accommodations are available at the host hotel, the Blue Harbor Resort, by
calling (866) 701-2583.
For more information, contact the WFI office, (414) 529-4707 or visit the
association web site,
www.wiscleaners.com
Schmitt, Swink to lead ‘Spot Right’ sessions in Michigan
When it comes to drycleaning, if you can’t spot something right, it might be better not to spot at all.
On Friday and Saturday, Sept. 21 and 22, the Michigan Institute of Laundering
and Drycleaning will host two days of its
“Spot Right” seminar series which will help cleaners do it right the first time.
The event will be held at Wesch Cleaners, located at 33633 Woodward Ave. in
Birmingham, MI.
The workshop will provide hands-on training for those who want to learn the
basics of the spotting process. It will be headed by Dennis Schmitt and Tom
Swink who have more than 47 years of combined experience in the industry. The
popular pair have been conducting the
“Spot Right” seminars since 1992.
They will breakdown their program into three informative sessions that last
about four hours each.
Level One will provide an overview of spotting board techniques with an emphasis
on fabrics, buttons, garment construction and limits.
Attendees will be able to identify stains and learn about spot removal using dry
side chemicals.
The session will run from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday evening.
On Saturday morning, from 8 a.m. until noon, Schmitt and Swink will present
Level Two, which offers a review of stains and chemicals, as well as a
demonstration of burn testing and spotting with wet side chemicals.
Also during the second session, cleaners will learn about acid-alkalis and PH
testing.
Finally, the duo will present the third and final session from 1 to 5 p.m. on
the same day.
Attendees will review chemicals and fabrics, and learn how to spot with bleaches
on an assortment of materials. Those who attend are encouraged to bring in
their own problem garments to work on.
The cost for each individual session is $90 for MILD members and $125 for
non-members. Box lunches will be provided for all students of Saturday
’s sessions.
Those who sign up for all three levels concurrently can take advantage of a
discounted registration cost of $260 for members and $350 for non-members.
Participants will receive a packet for each level containing notes and an
assortment of fabric swatches with stains that are directly related to that
level
’s teachings.
Upon successfully finishing each level, cleaners will earn a certificate of
completion signed by the instructors.
There is limited seating availability, so signing up early is recommended.
For more information, contact the association at (517) 327-9207.
