MAC continues plant tours, survival seminars
The MidAtlantic Association of Cleaners’ continuing series of plant tours gives cleaners a chance to see inside some of
the top facilities within the region.
The series 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. In July, Presto Valet in Alexandria, VA, was host for a tour
and seminar. Most recently, the road show visited the Baltimore area in late
September for a look at Glyndon-Lord Baltimore Cleaners in Glyndon, MD.
MAC Director Mike Garman and his brother, former MAC director John Garman,
welcomed attendees to their 10,000-sq.-ft. plant from which they serve 4,000
route and retail clientele through route operations, the plant store and a
nearby pickup store.
A 2005 merger officially brought together the two family firms, both well-known
Baltimore cleaners since the 1920s. They have been selected to be a member of
the Leading Cleaners International, were the preferred drycleaner for Miss USA
2005 and 2006 pageants and have been voted Baltimore Magazine’s “Best of Baltimore Dry Cleaner.”
Future Best of MAC tours will visit Staunton Steam Laundry in Staunton, VA;
Albano Cleaners, Norfolk, VA; Parkway Cleaners in Chevy Chase, MD; and Prestige…Exceptional Fabricare in Silver Spring, MD.
In addition to the tour, MAC presented a two-hour seminar on “How to Survive and Prosper in This Economy.” Almost 20 years ago when the national economy was experiencing similar
conditions, the association sponsored a seminar entitled, “100 Ways to Prosper in Today’s Economy,” which was created and presented by two CPAs, Barry Schimel and Jay Abrahams.
The content of that presentation has been updated, expanded and adapted by
MidAtlantic Executive Director Richard Ehrenreich who has added another 60
items and diversification ideas he has developed, resulting in 200 concepts
that can help save money and increase income.
Sixty of those ideas were reviewed and discussed during the Sept. 27
presentation.
“How to Survive and Prosper” will be presented three times this month: Nov. 14 in Harrisonburg, VA; Nov. 15
in Roanoke, VA; and Nov. 15 in Charleston, WV, during the West Virginia/MAC
annual meeting.
MAC would like to offer more educational and social meetings throughout the
Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and District of Columbia region to provide
members information on environmental and regulatory issues, innovative
production techniques, customer service training, as well as to build
camaraderie amongst friendly competitors in all of the drycleaning markets
served by this association. Interested allied trades vendors and cleaners asked
to share their ideas for expanding and developing this program.
MAC is also seeking industry members to help the association by participating as
officers, directors and committee members. Association leaders generally gather
on a Friday evening at a centrally located hotel to socialize and have dinner.
Committee meetings begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a board meeting
with a mid-day adjournment.
MAC is currently seeking directors and committee members for 2009 year; anyone
who is a MAC member in good standing is eligible. Contact Richard Ehrenreich,
MAC’s executive director, at (800) 235-8360 or by e-mail at midatlanticassociation@comcast.net.
