National Clothesline

A series of tours of area drycleaning plants sponsored by the MidAtlantic Association of Cleaners kicked off in April with MAC members and guests visiting the new Bergmann’s plant in Sterling, VA, and the flagship plant of Puritan Cleaners in Richmond, VA.

First up was a tour of Bergmann’s state-of-the-art facility in Sterling, VA, on April 12. the plant features a Lavatech seven-stage tunnel washer where a computerized conveyor moves washed laundry into three 220-lb dryers.

Drycleaning is handled in three 90-lb. Multi-Jet hydrocarbon cleaning machines that use Tonsil filtration. Drycleaned pants are finished on several tensioning toppers and a Sankosha double legger, then orders are assembled with two Metalprogetti automated systems.

The plant’s boiler room has two 125 HP Fulton gas-fired boilers.

After the morning tour, the group relocated to the nearby Comfort Suites where a quick lunch was followed by programs on business insurance, customer service, perc compliance issues, and alternative solvents.

More than 50 attendees participated in the Saturday program.

The next day MAC offered a similar program at Puritan Cleaners in Richmond. Here the 30 attendees toured the flagship plant of the chain that has 13 retail locations and eight home delivery routes. In all, Puritan has four plants that process garments for retail and home delivery and a fifth plant that provides restoration services.

Area allied trades firms pitched in to support the program, including midday meals and educational programs which were sponsored by Rick Levine of D & R Equipment of Washington, D.C, on Saturday and Richclean of Richmond, VA, on Sunday.

Other allied trades firms assisting included Cleaners Supply, District Cleaners Equipment, Joseph Krow, Klinger & Associates and representatives from Virginia Dry Cleaning Equipment, R.R. Street & Co., Inc, Adco, Inc., Phenix Supply Co., Norford, LLC, Natlust, Dry Cleaner Computer Systems, and Haywood and Associates.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute helped with the educational programs.

Richard Ehrenreich MAC’s executive director, said he was pleased with the turnout and the positive reception of the program. He said plans are in the works to have similar programs featuring other area plants, including Parkway Cleaners in Chevy Chase, MD, Prestige the Exceptional Cleaner in Silver Spring, MD, Glyndon-Lord Baltimore in Glyndon, MD, Albano Cleaners in Norfolk, VA, and Staunton Steam Laundry in Staunton, VA.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will be hosting a pair of workshops this June designed to help business owners reduce soaring energy costs.

Fortunately, it won’t cost a dime to attend, either.

The free programs are designed to help employers of all sizes improve energy conservation and efficiency practices and help their companies improve their bottom line.

However, the program will largely focus on helping companies with fewer than 100 employees since such businesses typically lack the resources to employ or retain their own energy management expert.

Those who attend will receive information on energy-supply options in order to be able to identify energy-savings opportunities and, subsequently, develop an energy action plan.

The DEP will also hand out information on financial and technical resources that are available to businesses considering implementing energy-efficient upgrades, many of which are easy and cost-effective.

The first program will be held on Tuesday, June 3 at the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center located at 432 Old Market St. in Mount Joy.

The second will be hosted at the SMC Business Councils’ George Westinghouse Science & Technology Center at 1382 Beulah Rd. in Pittsburgh on Thursday, June 12.

Both seminars are open to the public and will take place from 8 a.m. until noon.

The workshops are sponsored by DEP’s Office of the Small Business Ombudsman in partnership with business and economic development groups, local government organizations, and institutions of higher education.

DEP’s Offices of the Small Business Ombudsman provides assistance to small businesses needing help with environmental issues and helps owners realize the potential cost savings of pollution-prevention and energy-conservation strategies.

For more information or to request a registration form, contact DEP at (717) 783-8411, or register on line.

Though its 2008 Expo event is still several months away, the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association has already recorded reservations for over 160 booths.

The event, which will be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center from Oct. 24 to 26, will boast a wide variety of equipment, supplies and services for the drycleaning industry.

During the weekend, PDCA plans to offer several seminar programs designed to help attendees find ways to increase their business and profits in challenging times. Guest speakers will be revealed in the near future.

The headquarters hotel for the event will be the Atlantic City Sheraton. Currently, the hotel is accepting room reservations at a rate of $161 per night for convention guests.

Call the hotel at (609) 344-3535 and mention PDCA’s Expo 2008 to receive the reduced rate.

PDCA plans to host two receptions at the Sheraton, including a Friday night welcome for guests. They will also host a traditional reception on Saturday night, as well.

For more information, visit www.pdclean.org.








						MAC kicks off plant tour series


	JUNE 2008 This Issue Back Issues Classified Ads Dateline Resources Allied Trades Associations Instruction ABOUT US Home


						A series of tours of area drycleaning plants sponsored by the MidAtlantic Association of Cleaners kicked off in April with MAC members and guests visiting the new Bergmann’s plant in Sterling, VA, and the flagship plant of Puritan Cleaners in Richmond, VA. First up was a tour of Bergmann’s state-of-the-art facility in Sterling, VA, on April 12. the plant features a Lavatech seven-stage tunnel washer where a computerized conveyor moves washed laundry into three 220-lb dryers. Drycleaning is handled in three 90-lb. Multi-Jet hydrocarbon cleaning machines that use Tonsil filtration. Drycleaned pants are finished on several tensioning toppers and a Sankosha double legger, then orders are assembled with two Metalprogetti automated systems. The plant’s boiler room has two 125 HP Fulton gas-fired boilers. After the morning tour, the group relocated to the nearby Comfort Suites where a quick lunch was followed by programs on business insurance, customer service, perc compliance issues, and alternative solvents. More than 50 attendees participated in the Saturday program. The next day MAC offered a similar program at Puritan Cleaners in Richmond. Here the 30 attendees toured the flagship plant of the chain that has 13 retail locations and eight home delivery routes. In all, Puritan has four plants that process garments for retail and home delivery and a fifth plant that provides restoration services. Area allied trades firms pitched in to support the program, including midday meals and educational programs which were sponsored by Rick Levine of D & R Equipment of Washington, D.C, on Saturday and Richclean of Richmond, VA, on Sunday. Other allied trades firms assisting included Cleaners Supply, District Cleaners Equipment, Joseph Krow, Klinger & Associates and representatives from Virginia Dry Cleaning Equipment, R.R. Street & Co., Inc, Adco, Inc., Phenix Supply Co., Norford, LLC, Natlust, Dry Cleaner Computer Systems, and Haywood and Associates. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute helped with the educational programs. Richard Ehrenreich MAC’s executive director, said he was pleased with the turnout and the positive reception of the program. He said plans are in the works to have similar programs featuring other area plants, including Parkway Cleaners in Chevy Chase, MD, Prestige the Exceptional Cleaner in Silver Spring, MD, Glyndon-Lord Baltimore in Glyndon, MD, Albano Cleaners in Norfolk, VA, and Staunton Steam Laundry in Staunton, VA. PA DEP offers free workshops on energy management The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will be hosting a pair of workshops this June designed to help business owners reduce soaring energy costs. Fortunately, it won’t cost a dime to attend, either. The free programs are designed to help employers of all sizes improve energy conservation and efficiency practices and help their companies improve their bottom line. However, the program will largely focus on helping companies with fewer than 100 employees since such businesses typically lack the resources to employ or retain their own energy management expert. Those who attend will receive information on energy-supply options in order to be able to identify energy-savings opportunities and, subsequently, develop an energy action plan. The DEP will also hand out information on financial and technical resources that are available to businesses considering implementing energy-efficient upgrades, many of which are easy and cost-effective. The first program will be held on Tuesday, June 3 at the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center located at 432 Old Market St. in Mount Joy. The second will be hosted at the SMC Business Councils’ George Westinghouse Science & Technology Center at 1382 Beulah Rd. in Pittsburgh on Thursday, June 12. Both seminars are open to the public and will take place from 8 a.m. until noon. The workshops are sponsored by DEP’s Office of the Small Business Ombudsman in partnership with business and economic development groups, local government organizations, and institutions of higher education. DEP’s Offices of the Small Business Ombudsman provides assistance to small businesses needing help with environmental issues and helps owners realize the potential cost savings of pollution-prevention and energy-conservation strategies. For more information or to request a registration form, contact DEP at (717) 783-8411, or register on line. PDCA Expo 2008 booth sales continue Though its 2008 Expo event is still several months away, the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association has already recorded reservations for over 160 booths. The event, which will be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center from Oct. 24 to 26, will boast a wide variety of equipment, supplies and services for the drycleaning industry. During the weekend, PDCA plans to offer several seminar programs designed to help attendees find ways to increase their business and profits in challenging times. Guest speakers will be revealed in the near future. The headquarters hotel for the event will be the Atlantic City Sheraton. Currently, the hotel is accepting room reservations at a rate of $161 per night for convention guests. Call the hotel at (609) 344-3535 and mention PDCA’s Expo 2008 to receive the reduced rate. PDCA plans to host two receptions at the Sheraton, including a Friday night welcome for guests. They will also host a traditional reception on Saturday night, as well. For more information, visit www.pdclean.org.