National Clothesline

America’s Best Cleaners held a “green” symposium titled “Luxury Industry’s Sustainable Future” at its quarterly meeting in New York City, bringing together leaders of the ecology movement, the fashion industry, and the garment care industry.

“We assembled this particular group to really elevate the level of discourse, and to lead the conversation we’re all having on going ‘green’ — what that really means, and what that portends for drycleaners,” said Christopher White, ABC’s director of business development. “As leaders of the drycleaning industry, it’s important that our affiliates get the best information possible on this rapidly changing and crucial issue.”

The panel, moderated by Rob Lederer of Management Resources, a group of entrepreneurs and business coaches, discussed issues varying from energy costs and conservation to green cleaning and California legal issues, while maintaining focus on the viability of the luxury service industry during erratic and uncertain times.

Representing the garment industry were Doug Shriver, senior fabric specialist for Brooks Brothers, and Nick Regine, applications manager for Swarovski Crystals.

The environmental contingent was represented by Leslie Hoffman, president and executive director of Earth Pledge, an organization that partners with businesses, communities and government to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices, and Martha Shaw, founder of Earth Advertising, a creative team specializing in branding whose clients are primarily products and services that yield environmental, social and health benefits.

Speaking for the drycleaning industry were David Kistner, founder and president of Green Apple Cleaners, a CO2 cleaner and one of ABC’s Certified Couture Care Specialists, and Dr. Manfred Seiter of Kreussler Chemicals, a developer of wetcleaning.

Themes that emerged from the discussion were staying ahead of the curve, optimizing operations, controlling potential liabilities, marketing, opportunities, and public image.

The motives of the panelists were as varied as their fields of expertise. Whereas Shaw stressed the moral and ethical implications of environmental responsibility, others on the panel had more practical concerns.

Said Dr. Seiter: “In Germany, we are not going green so much for personal reasons, but because we are making efficient business decisions.”

Laws concerning solvents were discussed, particularly the stringent laws of California, which could be replicated nationwide.

“We’re not looking at fads,” added Ed D’Elicio, founder and executive director of ABC, “We’re looking at trends. And across industries, the environmental and conservation movements are here to stay. We at ABC want to educate our affiliates in how best to stay at the cutting edge of the industry, just as we do in every other aspect of high-end garment care.”

“I was extremely impressed with the quality of speakers and of discourse,” said Andrew Rivkin, owner of Embassy Cleaners, certified affiliate of Westchester County, New York, “but this was really timely for us. We’ve already implemented an energy efficiency program — everything from our drivers to our plant energy usage. The thought leadership displayed here gave us great ideas for our own program, and other avenues to explore in becoming a better community member.”

ABC’s director of client relations, Barbara Shapiro-Owens, believes that these kinds of conversations are going to lead the discussion for the future of the industry.

“We’re looking to drive the industry dialogue, not react to it. And thanks to our phenomenal network of innovators in the business world — from the fashion industry to the environmental industry to creative entrepreneurs — we can foster that type of elevated dialogue. We see ourselves as a strong segment of the luxury service industry, which can harness network effects and collective intelligence to get better the more people interact with us. It’s why we see ourselves as a network of excellence.”

Cleaner’s Capital was formed in September to provide financing exclusively for the fabric care industry. Chris Santy, managing director of Patriot Capital Corp., which offers financing for the retail gasoline, car wash, and convenience store markets, formed Cleaner’s Capital along with Bennett C. Upston, former owner and founder of Annie’s Cleaners, a chain of cleaners that has served the Washington, DC, metro area since 1965. Upston serves as regional manager.

Cleaner’s Capital has joined the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute and its affiliates, the Mid-Atlantic Association of Cleaners, the North East Fabricare Association, the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association and the South Eastern Fabricare Association.

“We understand that the associations are the key to having good operators in our industry and we are happy to support their efforts,” said Upston.

Cleaner’s Capital will be available for educational seminars and financing options to associations, distributors and cleaners upon request.

For information, call (877) 256-7227 or (301) 602-9076. Upston’s e-mail address is bupston@cleanerscapitalcorp.com and the company’s web site is www.cleanerscapitalcorp.com.

A-1 Products, Inc., of Birmingham, AL, has acquired Morris & Eckels of Atlanta, GA. A-1 Products, Inc., will be the new name for the Atlanta location giving them a strong presence in the Georgia market. A-1 also serves, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and the panhandle of Florida.

Started in 1961 by Charles and Lillian Atwater, Sr., A-1 is in its third generation with Alex Atwater as its president. Charles and Sandra Atwater, Jr., remain active in the company. Marc Joos is the general manager in the Atlanta office.