National Clothesline

Forty drycleaners representing as many metropolitan areas were selected as among America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) for 2008 after passing the ABC certification process.

Kurt and Jodi Lucero of The Cleanery in Albuquerque, NM, hosted the annual awards ceremony for ABC.

Selection is contingent upon adherence to strict criteria. Prospective selections are site-inspected by certified ABC representatives to determine if minimum requirements of cleanliness, machinery equipment, stain removal and finishing quality are met.

The certification is valid for one year. Cleaners are re-tested annually on-site for compliance with ABC standards in addition to monthly quality tests and quarterly mystery shopping reports that examine both customer service and quality.

Three affiliates were additionally recognized as follows:

Best Quality, Robert Smerling of Brentwood Royal Cleaners, Los Angeles, CA.

Best Client Relations, Kermit Engh of Fashion Cleaners in Omaha, NE.

Most Improved, Robin Kraemer of Jones Cleaning Centers in Fresno, CA.

“We are very excited to be chosen as of one of America’s Best Cleaners,” said Engh. “We pride ourselves on delivering only the highest quality, with superior customer service, and we’re glad to be recognized by this top-notch organization.”

Engh’s award for Best Client Relations was based on mystery shopping services provided to America’s Best Cleaners by Service Sleuth, a mystery shopping service.

Criteria for ABC selection are now based on standards determined in conjunction with the Hohenstein Institutes, which has partnerships from Hugo Boss to the Taiwanese Textile Research Institute, and is accredited under ISO 17025.

Prospective selections are site-inspected by certified ABC representatives to determine if minimum requirements of cleanliness, machinery equipment, stain removal and finishing quality are met. Monthly fabric tests are used to evaluate chemical usage.

Ed D’Elicio, founder and executive director of America’s Best Cleaners, commended all the selected drycleaners for their cutting-edge technology and stressed the importance of such attributes in the selection process, a component in sustaining ABC’s relationship with the fashion and garment industry, which has taken notice of the ABC’s ability to act as a liaison between high-end clothiers, cleaners and clients.

“The analogy to the automobile industry is not altogether inappropriate,” said Chris White, ABC’s technical director. “Just as Mercedes recommends that authorized dealerships service their products, the manufacturers of $3,000 suits want to offer their clients the same level of security and convenience when it comes to care and maintenance. Our recognition provides that security, and our international network provides that convenience.”

This year’s ceremony was sponsored by several industry vendors, including Unipress, Solvaire, Hydroproducts, and Metalprogetti, as well as ABC Platinum level sponsors Kreussler USA, Eastern Funding, SPOT Business Systems, Compass/Max and Mainetti Hangers.

For information on ABC, see the organization’s web site, www.americasbestcleaners.com.

Satec USA, LLC, has signed authorized distributors in the Washington, DC, and New York, NY, areas.

Kevin Kim of Alpha Tech Machinery Inc. is the authorized distributor in the Maryland and Virginia region. He brings 11 years of experience to the position which includes sales, service, and installation of all EazyClean and AnyClean models for this region. He also services all other equipment, including presses, boilers, and conveyors.

Chul Min Park of American Machinery is an authorized distributor in the New York area. He brings seven years of experience. He, too, will sell, service, and install EazyClean and AnyClean models for this region and can service other equipment as well.

Satec USA, LLC, manufactures and sells alternative solvent machines. For more information, call Abe Cho at Satec USA, (732) 787-8601.

Varney’s Cleaners of New Hampshire was recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration with its 2008 Jeffrey H. Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year award.

The award recognizes family-owned and operated businesses that have passed from one generation to another. Nominees were evaluated on financial success, increased employment opportunities, potential for long-term growth, and community voluntary efforts.

Jim Varney has owned the business since 1980, the third-generation owner of a business that was established by his grandfather in 1913. The company has grown and increased employment opportunities for family members and others in the community with a commitment to quality, value and service.

“I am delighted and extremely proud to be both nominated and selected for this award,” said Varney. “This is a third-generation family business with 25 employees who have contributed to the success of our business, and I accept this award on behalf of our family and our employees. This is a great honor.”

He was nominated for the award by Warren Daniel, Seacoast Regional Director of the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center. “Varney’s Cleaners exemplifies the family-owned business model and tradition in New Hampshire,” said Daniel. Their potential for growth in the future is strong.

Varney’s recently decided to “go green” by investing in GreenEarth cleaning technology. Within two weeks of installing the first machine, Varney decided to order a second and has now replaced all of his machines with GreenEarth equipment.

Varney’s Cleaners, with locations in Dover and Rochester, is also committed to its local community with annual participation in a “Coats for Kids” program in which local businesses collect gently used coats, hats, mittens, and snowsuits from the public and Varney’s donates its cleaning services. These items are then distributed to families in need through local community groups.

Tom Zengeler, president of Zengeler Cleaners, has been named chairman of the Round Table of Launderers and Dry Cleaners, a national organization that promotes best practices in the industry.

The Round Table is comprised of executives from leading laundry, linen, industrial and drycleaning companies throughout the country, each of whom is committed to improving the industry.

Zengeler Cleaners was first invited to participate in the Round Table as an attendee in 2001, then earned full membership in 2003, when Tom Zengeler led a discussion of “Best Ideas — Sales & Marketing” at the annual conference. His presentation featured a comprehensive plan that included re-branding, the integration of technology as a marketing tool and new customer service initiatives that were the foundation of the company’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2007.

“It is a great honor to chair the Round Table of Launderers and Dry Cleaners,” Zengeler said. “Zengeler Cleaners has a 150-year tradition of providing the highest quality fabric care, and the goals of the Round Table are remarkably similar to our family’s operating philosophy. It is always exciting to exchange ideas with others and Round Table members are the best operators, managers and companies in the cleaning industry.”

Round Table membership is by invitation only. Each member was invited to join because the company demonstrated best practices in the industry. Since an open exchange of ideas is the lifeblood of the group, each participant’s “price of admission” is to play an active part in the presentation of at least one topic at each annual conference.

Round Table members share innovations and programs, including confidential information, to create an atmosphere that stimulates thinking and leads to progressive new ideas. Attendees are encouraged to visit each other’s operations to gain further insight into why the cutting-edge programs they’ve developed are successful.

Zengeler Cleaners has seven locations in the chicago area, including Northfield, Deerfield, Hubbard Woods, Winnetka, two Libertyville stores and its headquarters store in Northbrook, IL. A new store will be opening in Long Grove, IL.