TCATA honors long-time members
Jim Moran of the Pellerin Milnor Corp. in Kenner, LA, received the Textile Care Allied Trades Association’s J. Morry Friedlander Award, the association’s highest honor, at the TCATA’s annual conference in Austin, TX.
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In presenting the award, incoming TCATA president Rick Kelly, also of the
Pellerin Milnor Corp., highlighted some of Moran’s contributions to the association over the past 30 years. He first served on
the board of directors in 1979 and has served on several committees over the
years, including the nominating, steering, by-laws and executive committees.
After serving as vice president of the Machinery Manufacturers Group, he went on
to become TCATA president from 1984-86. Most recently, Moran led the
association’s multi-year effort to revise the American National Standards Institute’s safety standard for laundry and drycleaning plants.
He currently serves on TCATA’s Government Affairs Committee.
“While there have been many people who have contributed to the Association over
the years, Jim stands out as an exception,” Kelly noted. “He has consistently and tirelessly contributed his time and expertise to help
make TCATA the successful, strong organization that it remains today.”
Moran joined the marketing department of Pellerin Milnor Corp. in 1970 and was
named vice president of marketing eight years later. In that position, he
directed the company’s worldwide marketing efforts.
He currently serves as vice president and general counsel for the company and
remains active in other industry and law associations.
TCATA also honored The Edro Corp. of East Berlin, CT, for 50 years of membership in the association during the
conference.
The Edro Corp. opened its doors in 1946 as a small specialty tool and die shop
to serve the local manufacturing market. The company was noted for its high
quality craftsmanship and ability to manufacture custom machined parts.
In the 1950s, founder and original president, Roman Galinski, invented a
triangular-designed three-pocket wash basket that he named “Dyna Wash,” which eliminated the time-consuming step of transferring water-laden laundry
from a washer to a separate extractor and, for the first time, allowed large
volumes to be processed in a combination washer-extractor.
The company is now led by both second- and third-generation of family ownership:
Ed Kirejczyk, Jr., Ed Kirejczyk III, Scott Kirejczyk and Caroline Wojcicki.
Three TCATA members were honored on the anniversary of their 25th consecutive
year of membership during the conference.
In recognizing these members, outgoing president Alex Atwater noted that “It is an accomplishment for a company to stay in business for 25 years, much
less remain committed to the association that long. For that, we are most
appreciative.”
Chicago Dryer Company in Chicago, IL, has been in business since 1886. The company designs and
manufactures flatwork finishing equipment such as spreader/feeders, ironers of
all sizes and sheet, table linen and towel folders.
Des-L Industries of Irvington, NJ, has been serving the drycleaning industry since 1960 with
innovative packing products. Those items include collar supports, shoulder
guards, skirt clips, storage boxes, twist ties and many other items.
Ideal Products LLC of Beacon Falls, CT, began with the manufacturing of safety pins in 1950 and
today remains one of the two North American companies manufacturing a full
range of pins. Ideal has expanded its capabilities, through acquisition, to
include the manufacture of screws, rivets, fasteners and other items.
Rick Kelly, vice president of marketing and sales administration of Pellerin
Milnor took over the presidency of TCATA during the conference, succeeding Alex
Atwater of A-1 Products, Inc. He will serve a two-year term.
Kelly has been a member of the TCATA board since 2003, has served as vice
president of the Machinery Manufacturers Group and is chairman of the advisory
committee of member exhibitors.
Elected at the conference to one-year terms were three vice presidents: Fred
Schwarzmann of A.L. Wilson Chemical Co. will represent the Supply Manufacturers Group; Bryant Dunivan of Energenics Corp. will represent the Machinery Manufacturers Group; and Lawton Jones of Phenix Supply Co. will represent the Distributors Group.
Dale Loomis of Loomis Bros. Equipment in Fenton, MO, assumed the position of secretary-treasurer, having been elected
to that position last year. His term runs for two years.
TCATA also announced the results of its recent board elections The following
were elected to two-year terms:
Steve Katz, Kay Industries and Matt Kool, Iowa Techniques, to represent the Machinery Manufacturers Group.
Kevin Gavlak, Faultless Laundry Products, Steve Mathews, R. R. Street & Co. Inc., and David Tingue, Tingue, Brown & Co., to represent the Supply Manufacturers Group.
Jason Goldenberg, Cleaners Products Supply, and Lynn MacDonald, Tri-State Supply Co., to represent the Supply Distributors
Group.
