National Clothesline

America’s Best Cleaners completed a bicoastal workshop series for advanced spotting and restoration as part of its educational program for certified affiliates that updates and trains technicians in advanced cleaning and restoration techniques and prepares them for upcoming fashion trends.

Affiliate technicians and owners from the East Coast were welcomed by ABC-certified affiliate French Cleaners in Hartford CT, on April 26 and 27 while affiliate Rytina Cleaners hosted the West Coast workshop in Sacramento, CA, on May 3 and 4.

“Our mission has always been to provide our affiliate’s technicians with the latest tools and techniques, as well as a first look at unique design challenges they may face in the coming seasons,” said ABC Technical Director Chris White. “ABC is constantly engaged with the fashion elite and is given access to garments before they hit the boutiques in order to properly ensure that couture cleaners are aware and prepared to face the most demanding of garments.”

The advancement of industry skill level is a collaborative effort, receiving support from various allied trades firms. Companies like Kreussler Chemical, Cleaners Supply, Aristocraft Supply, and Workroom Supply have supported this endeavor.

Gary Maloney from NuYale Cleaners summed up the experience: “This is the type of training that helps us raise our quality standards to truly uphold the standards set to be one of America’s Best Cleaners.”

America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) is an independent accreditation organization that locates and recognizes top drycleaning establishments in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States. Selection is contingent upon adherence to strict criteria. The certification is valid for one year; cleaners are re-tested annually for compliance. Selection is 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.

Anyone interested in seeking certification can visit the ABC website at www.americasbestcleaners.com or contact Barbara Shapiro Owens, director of client relations, (415) 721-2290.

Fulton Boiler Works in Pulaski, NY, was the setting for filming the manufacturing process of the vertical steam boiler by the Discovery Channel’s for its “How It’s Made” series.

“How It’s Made” chronicles the fabrication of various industrial, commercial and household products, featuring a narration of the process from conception to shipment.

Fulton’s episode features the manufacturing of steam boilers, detailing the construction as it begins with a series of heavy walled large diameter schedule 80 flue pipes that are welded to the top and bottom heads of the boiler pressure vessel.

The flue pipes are then surrounded by a water-backed design that speeds up boiler start up time and creates overall even heating throughout the unit. This, along with many other design features of Fulton’s vertical steam boiler, result in fuel to steam efficiencies of up to 85 percent. The production process concludes with the painting, labeling, stamping and certification of the boiler prior to shipment.

Additional filming took place at a concrete production plant, where Fulton steam boilers are used during the cold months to heat the water used to mix concrete.

Fulton steam boilers are used in a variety of industries and for numerous applications including drycleaning, large-scale laundries, hospital sterilization, food processing and any manufacturing environment that requires steam.

“How It’s Made” airs Fridays at 9 p.m. EST. The episode featuring Fulton is scheduled for broadcast on the Discovery Channel and Science Channel in the spring of 2009.

The Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network (CRDN) has honored two key people at Mt. Hood Cleaners in Sandy, OR, for their accomplishments with the network.

Brad Paluck, president of Mt. Hood Cleaners, won CRDN’s 2007 Shining Star award, the highest award given to franchise members, which recognizes the owner or manager who personifies the spirit of CRDN, provides guidance and support to other members of the network and excels at implementing the CRDN system.

“Unlike the rest of our awards, which are based on numerical results, the Shining Star is determined by a vote of the Home Office team, after a thorough debate and nomination process,” said Wayne Wudyka, CRDN’s founder and CEO.

“Brad Paluck is what I would call an ‘early believer’,” Wudyka added. “I knew he was special the first time I met him. Brad is always looking to improve at many levels — personally, in business and with his family. He is truly one of the most ambitious, steady, friendly gentlemen you could ever meet.”

“This award is really a reflection of the company and our staff, who help me give back to the CRDN,” said Paluck. “We’ve had an awesome last six months, with monthly sales figures that have tied or exceeded all past sales records and several awards coming from our community, the Network and other sources.”

Chad McCabe, a CRDN sales representative for Mt. Hood Cleaners, won the CRDN 2007 Marketing Representative of the Year award. A CRDN sales representative for Mt. Hood Cleaners since 2002, McCabe’s territory is Oregon and Southwest Washington.

McCabe was selected for the 2007 award primarily because he had the highest sales figures for CRDN restoration services in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. In addition, he made a high number of sales calls, sales visits and sales presentations, and made use of the CRDN support system, which includes the network’s customer database and its online discussion board where members share insights, leads and other information.

“There are CRDN members in all of the largest markets in the country — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami,” said Paluck, “so for us to have the salesman of the year speaks volumes about Chad’s ability to penetrate the smaller market in which we operate. Working with a man with such integrity and inner fortitude is a privilege.”

McCabe, who also won the award in 2004 and was among the top 10 salespeople in 2006, said the 2007 award is special. “Winning the award is quite an honor, especially this year because the competition was much tougher than in 2004. Then, our company had a head start on developing our sales program because we were one of the first cleaners to join the network. Now there are a lot more franchises in the network, and they are more established, more mature, which means they are better competitors.”

McCabe explained how he does it: “I listen a lot to current customers to learn who’s new in the market, who had a fire recently, et cetera. I keep up to date with the professional associations so I know who works where and what’s going on. I also use the Yellow Pages to find restoration contractors. They are often a good referral source for us.”

McCabe credits his success to the whole Mt. Hood Cleaners team. “I see this as a group award rather than just my award,” he said. “I could not have won it without the team at Mt. Hood Cleaners — the people picking up the jobs, the people washing the clothes, and the administrative staff. Also, Brad is a great leader. I benefit from him a lot. If not for his vision, I’m not sure we would have won this award.”

Mt. Hood also announced that Sommer Senn has been promoted to vice president of sales for the CRDN. Senn’s territory covers all of Oregon, Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and Western Montana. She was formerly a sales representative for Mt. Hood’s CRDN division.

Senn, who was raised in Sandy and known to members of the local community as Sommer Schneider until last July when she married and changed her name, has been working for Mt. Hood Cleaners for two years.

Before coming to work for Mt. Hood Cleaners, Senn earned a master’s degree in education and taught for one year at Sandy High School. Her teaching background comes into play in her new profession when she teaches continuing education courses in textile restoration, mold remediation and ethics to insurance agents and adjustors. Senn teaches these courses six to eight times a year, said Paluck.

“Sommer’s intensity, competitiveness, organizational skills and people skills are the right combination to make her the perfect person for this job,” said Paluck.

Senn is a member of the Insurance Women of Portland.

Mt. Hood Cleaners is a family-owned business that has been a part of the community since 1943. Mt. Hood provides quality and service for cleaning and restoration of virtually any item through its connection with the CRDN and several subsidiaries: Mt. Hood Cleaners and Fabric Restoration, Mt. Hood Commercial Window Coverings, Mt. Hood Custom Drapes, Mt. Hood Counter and Wholesale, Mt. Hood Linens and Mt. Hood Door-to-Door Cleaning.

The company was featured on “Extreme Makeover Home Edition, the television show, in October 2007, handling all of the cleaning for the Byer family of Corvallis, who were chosen by ABC TV program to receive a new home.

CRDN is an international organization of textile restoration specialists serving the insurance industry, contents-cleaning companies and property owners. Mt. Hood Cleaners was the 13th franchise to join the network. Today there are more than 150 franchises in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Paluck serves on a CRDN advisory committee and mentors new franchise owners.

Wascomat dealers will be holding warehouse open house sales and seminars and “re-tooling events” during the month of July.

Advanced Laundry Systems in Colorado and Ft. Wayne Laundry Solutions Indiana will present marketing seminars that include grand prize drawings for a brand new Wascomat Compass Control washer while Golden State Laundry Systems in California will have a warehouse sale and service school.

The events feature training and demonstrations by factory personnel, low rate financing, incredible sale prices and rebates, and great food and prizes. Here’s the information on upcoming shows:

Advanced Laundry Systems re-tooling and investment seminar will be July 17 beginning at 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Central, Denver, CO. Those planning to attend should call (303) 432-2504 in advance to register.

Golden State Laundry Systems will have a warehouse sales and service school covering wetcleaning and coin laundry equipment in Rancho Dominguez, CA, on July 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (800) 465-8300 to register.

Fort Wayne Laundry Solutions will have a re-tool and re-energize event on July 29 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Marriott Indianapolis East. in Indianapolis, IN. Call (260) 615-5922 to register.

Dealers will be giving hands-on demonstrations of Wascomat’s Compass Control, showing how washers can be customized for greater flexibility, higher efficiency and lower operating costs. Attendees will be able to try out the equipment, learn how to improve their business, and question factory personnel. Show-day only prices and financing will make for attractive buying opportunities.