Wisconsin cleaners earn their stars
Several Wisconsin Fabricare Institute member drycleaners were recognized for their work towards professional and
environmentally friendly drycleaning in Wisconsin’s Five Star Recognition Program during the association’s annual convention and table-top exhibit February 20-22.
Five cleaners were re-certified in one of three of WFI’s professional programs — the Certified Professional Drycleaner (CPD), the Certified Environmental
Drycleaner (CED), and the Certified Professional Wetcleaners (CPW) programs — and two cleaners renewed a particular level of the Five Star Environmental
Recognition Program.
Individuals and companies recognized included: Sue Doolin of Packard Way
Cleaners, LTD, CPW re-certification; Dennis Schmitt of Lindeman’s Cleaning, Inc., CPD re-certification; Karen Swink, Lindeman’s Cleaning, Inc., CPD re-certification; Tom Swink, Lindeman’s Cleaning, Inc., CPD re-certification; Ed Tutkowski, National One Hour
Cleaners, CPD re-certification; National One Hour Cleaners, Oak Creek,
Four-Star Cleaner; and Imogene’s Cleaning Center, Two-Star Cleaner.
The CPD, CED and CPW programs are courses developed by the University of
Wisconsin-Extension, Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center (SHWEC) through
WFI. The intent of the courses is to test the cleaner on the advanced
fundamentals a professional drycleaner or wetcleaner should know and practice.
The goal of the CED is to provide and test drycleaners on the most common
environmental safety and health issues related to operating a drycleaning
business in Wisconsin. Individuals working as drycleaners earn certification by
passing a closed-book written examination.
CPD, CED and CPW status are maintained through re-certification every three
years.
WFI’s CPD, CED and CPW certification programs are a part of the association’s broader Five Star Environmental Recognition Program which is sponsored by WFI
in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the
Wisconsin Department of Commerce and the University of Wisconsin-Extension
Service.
Each level of the Five Star Environmental Recognition Program entails additional
requirements and levels of compliance to obtain.
Mark McDermid, director of the Cooperative Environmental Assistance Bureau of
the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, presented the cleaners with
their certificates.
WFI requires its members to adhere to a code of ethics, which promotes a high
degree of professionalism, integrity and service to its customers, employees
and society, as well as a commitment to the enhancement of the environment.
Serious seminars follow fun and games
While education was the main focus at the WFI State Convention, the Casino Night
that opened the event on Friday evening gave members an opportunity to ease
their way into convention mode. The big winner at the “casino” was David Cass, with Steve Klinke breaking the second-place tie with Tim
Jolliffe by drawing cards from the deck.
After the fun and frivolity, members got down to business by attending
presentations Saturday morning given by Steve Henshaw, president and CEO of
EnviroForensics, and Francis Xavier from Franklin Energy.
Henshaw reminded the drycleaners that pollution control insurance hasn’t been available since 1986, but that insurance policies prior to that may
provide some compensation for the outlay of funds by drycleaning companies
doing remedial work to remove contaminants from their properties. Even though
Wisconsin’s Drycleaning Environmental Response Fund (DERF) program is now closed, Henshaw’s company and others like it provide services to help track down old insurance
policies that help pay for the removal of environmentally harmful chemicals
discharged from drycleaning plants.
Franklin Energy’s Xavier offered tips for reducing energy costs. His suggestions for saving
money ranged from simple things like energy-efficient lighting to mid-level
steps like adding steam traps to the more comprehensive step of hiring a
company like Franklin Energy to conduct an energy audit.
He discussed the Focus on Energy program available to Wisconsin businesses that
helps them “install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy products,” according to the program’s web site.
The program is managed by a cooperative effort among the Public Service
Commission, the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation, the Energy Center of
Wisconsin and other groups of interested parties.
Xavier encouraged members to visit www.focusonenergy.com where an eligibility
tool helps determine if a business qualifies for the program.
In the afternoon, allied trades companies exhibited their wares and services at
the table top trade show while the drycleaners enjoyed a dessert reception
sponsored by the allied trades.
After the reception, the Annual Auction showed the generosity of both buyers and
donors. The Auction and Casino Night chip sales raised $19,596 for WFI. The
money is used to fund educational programs, bring in speakers for events and
provide programs and services for members.
On Sunday, Ken Cass, senior loss control representative at Integrity Insurance,
spoke on workers’ compensation issues.
“Workers compensation laws hold that employers should assume costs of
occupational injuries regardless of employer or employee fault,” he said. “Workers compensation relieves employers of liability from lawsuits involving
negligence.”
Cass added that the state, not the insurance company, determines the rates
employers pay for the coverage and that the claims history of the employer, or
experience rating, helps the state set premium rates. This encourages employers
to implement safety programs for employees to reduce workplace and claims
filed.
“Take the time to train your employees like they were your son or daughter or
other loved one,” Cass said. “Don’t just explain how to do the job but explain the hazards associated with the
tasks they perform and how to perform them in the safest possible manner.”
He also offered tips to help manage medical costs and recognize potentially
fraudulent claims. He urged employers to develop return-to-work programs to
reduce the time an injured or sick employee is away from the jobs.
In the roundtable discussions that followed, Rich Klinke of Klinke Cleaners
covered DERF issues, Jeff Fitzgerald of the Herb Fitzgerald Company imparted
some of his knowledge on equipment maintenance to an attentive group and Tom
Swink shared some tips and answered questions about spotting.
Zengeler helps Cinderellas find ball gowns
In the real world, many people feel a strong need to cling to the power of
myths, such as a popular one about an unhappy girl who is able to rise out of
poverty and hardship and be the belle of the ball for a magical night.
These days, people can relate to the struggle of Cinderella, so it’s uplifting to know that many young girls can find a way to enjoy a fanciful
fairy tale experience.
In Chicago, the Glass Slipper Project has helped over 17,000 high school
students attend prom night since 1999.
Chipping in to offer assistance to the program once again was Zengeler Cleaners,
a business now in its fifth generation since the Zengeler family started it in
1857. The company has worked with The Glass Slipper Project since 2003. In
addition to collecting the gowns, Zengeler also makes any necessary
inspections, repairs and cleanings for the fancy dresses for free.
This year, the cleaning company more than doubled its collection of last year by
bringing in 3,650 prom dresses valued at approximately $1.5 million — all given to high school students who normally could not afford the high costs
of high fashion.
The Zengeler team delivered the dresses to the Glass Slipper Project (GSP) on
April 3. Volunteers organized the dresses into “shopping boutiques” designed to help students select the perfect dress for prom night. Volunteer personal shoppers helped students select of the right dress and
accessories for an unforgettable evening.
“Zengeler Cleaners extends special thanks and appreciation to everyone who helped
make this year’s collection effort our very best ever,” said Tom Zengeler, the company’s president.
That included Zengeler’s staff as well as the hundred of customers who brought in dresses.
“Our team worked tirelessly the last two weeks of the collection drive just to
keep up,” Zengeler said. “They were as excited about this year’s success as we were.
“Students at Deerfield High School, Libertyville High School, Lake Forest High
School, Adlai E. Stevenson High School and Carmel Catholic High School were
terrific,” he added.
To learn more about the Glass Slipper Project, visit the organization’s web site at www.glassslipperproject.org.
For information about Zengeler Cleaners, visit www.zengelercleaners.com.
Zengeler Cleaners has stores in Deerfield, Hubbard Woods, Northfield, Winnetka,
two locations in Libertyville, and the company’s headquarters store in Northbrook.
NCA plans CSR seminar in Lansing this May
The National Cleaners Association will head to Michigan for an upcoming one-day
seminar on customer service techniques.
The eight-hour program, called “Technical Training at the Counter for Customer Service Representatives,” will be held on Sunday, May 31 in Lansing, MI. The program will begin at 8:30
a.m. and end at approximately 5 p.m. The cost for the seminar is $250 for
association members, and $275 for non-members.
For more information, contact NCA, (212) 967-3002 or visit the association’s web site located online at www.nca-i.com.
