National Clothesline

Martinizing Dry Cleaning is increasing its more than 529-store global presence with the recent acquisition of Minneapolis-based Dry Cleaning Station.

Jerry Laesser, Martinizing’s vice president of marketing and franchise development, said he anticipates that a combination of ten Dry Cleaning Station full-service plants will initially convert to the Martinizing brand in four markets including Denver, Southern California, Tulsa and Minneapolis and that other markets may follow.

The impact of the acquisition is twofold, Laesser said: First, Martinizing will expand its presence into markets untapped by the brand and rebrand existing Dry Cleaning Station locations as Martinizing centers; stores in markets with existing Martinizing locations will retain the Dry Cleaning Station name. Second, the company is experiencing growth when many of its competitors are either curbing development or shuttering altogether.

“We’ve seen so many strong brands like Zoots, Capitol Cleaners and Tuchman Cleaners go under, not because they were lacking innovation and leadership but because they didn’t have plans in place for continued expansion in different economic conditions,” said Laesser. “People may be cutting back on luxuries but they will never give up their drycleaning. By joining forces with Dry Cleaning Station, Martinizing is giving its customers the confidence that they will receive the best service possible at all times.”

Since the acquisition officially took place on June 30, all Dry Cleaning Station locations have undergone stringent reviews to determine if the operations meet Martinizing’s quality standards. All Dry Cleaning Station stores were invited, not forced, to rebrand as Martinizing locations, a move that Laesser says is already building a stronger franchise system.

James Peuster announced at his annual RPI Meeting in Kansas City, MO, the addition of Randy Mearkle from Cincinnati bringing his total staff members to four.

Mearkle, 48, brings over 30 years of route development experience to The Route Pro, Inc.

“I have known Randy for many years and welcome his experience and knowledge of operational and marketing techniques that worked for him through the years,” Peuster said. “He adds so much value to our organization and our group.”

The Route Pro, Inc. also announced the start of management groups under the name 21st Century Drycleaners. Peuster’s target date is January 2010; most of his members will be involved.

“I have been pressured for a few years now to get this going. I wanted to do something different,” he commented. “I like the term-profit group.”

One thing that Peuster strives for is forward-thinking operators, no matter what size they are.

“I feel that many operators who have one store deserve the same level of coaching and support as those with many stores. The industry and its owners need to get back to be running like a business with marketing strategies and management development,” Peuster said. “We know that routes are the best way to grow your business and make it profitable, but efficiency in your operations and through your staff are just as important as well as 21st century thinking in branding your business.”

The website for the group will be www.21dc.biz; he hopes to have it ready by November 15.

“Speaking at NEFA this October made me realize more than ever that those who are willing to learn, willing to grow and love their industry need forward thinking direction that is geared towards the 21st century consumer,” Peuster said. “Environmental issues, productions tips, people development, marketing advice, efficiency strategies and of course, route development will all be part of the process.”

Peuster noted that The Route Pro, Inc will be a critical central part of the 21st century drycleaners group, but he also said he will work with and involve other consultants in order to complete the process. From environmental issues to simple counter training, 21st Century Drycleaners look to assist members to not only survive the next few years, but to strive as well.

“Sure it sounds like a big task, but our industry has many uncontrollable issues that are throwing darts at us. It is time to take back control and hit the future head on,” he said.

Eight of the 30 operators have expanded or are planning to expand their territories and facilities by opening new FRSTeam locations devoted to fabric and fire restoration.

The expansions by the independent operators of FRSTeam franchises began with FRSTeam by Hilkers Cleaners in Raleigh, NC, which added a FRSTeam location in Charlotte in the fall of 2007.

FRSTeam by Rogers Garment Restoration in St. Petersburg, FL, added an Orlando location later in the year, and FRSTeam by Love Cleaners in Bayshore, NY, expanded in 2008 by opening a facility in Camden, NJ, and acquiring the FRSTeam license for markets across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Expansions continued this year with the opening of the FRSTeam location serving Little Rock, AR, by Memphis-based FRSTeam by Crescent Restoration. Also earlier this year, FRSTeam by Recovery Cleaners in Madison Heights, MI, acquired the rights to the north Florida market and opened a location in Jacksonville, while FRSTeam by West Covina Cleaners in California opened a facility in Ventura.

More recently, FRSTeam by Royal Fine Cleaners in Tuscaloosa, AL, opened a FRSTeam location in Pearl, MS, to service the central region of the state. FRSTeam by King Fine Cleaners in Foley, AL, is acquiring the rights to the New Orleans market and will open a new facility there soon.

Also, FRSTeam by Love Cleaners continued expanding its operations by acquiring the rights for Connecticut and opening a facility in North Haven.

In addition to the expansion of current franchise location operators, FRSTeam has also grown by adding five new independent licensees during the last year, and now offers fabric and fire restoration services in 39 states from 41 locations across the continental United States.

“It is very exciting to see that eight of our current 30 independent licensees, or more than 25 percent, have chosen to invest further in growing the restoration side of their drycleaning businesses under FRSTeam during the last two years,” said Jim Nicholas, president of FRSTeam. “In this down economy, it is very fulfilling to provide an opportunity to our independently licensed franchise operators to diversify and grow their businesses with our proven fabric restoration services and business practices catering to insurers and loss mitigation contractors.”

In addition to operators in the United States, FRSTeam maintains an operator in Ontario, Canada, and an affiliate relationship with Johnsons Fabric Restoration Services, the largest restoration cleaner in the United Kingdom.

Information about FRSTeam is available by calling (510) 723-1008 or visiting the web site www.FRSTeam.com.

Chad Dare is the new manager of the Midatlantic region for Pariser Industries.

Based in Elizabethtown, PA, his duties will include driving business growth and administration of sales and operations in southern New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, northern Virginia, and eastern Pennsylvania.

In addition to his experience in the healthcare/hospitality laundry environment, he is proficient in the areas of wetcleaning, drycleaning and fire restoration.

“Chad's commitment to his customers makes him an invaluable asset to our management team,” said Art Fatica, director of marketing and product manager of Pariser Industries.

PlanetLaundry.com, the newest web site from the Coin Laundry Association, hosts everything from classified ads and news articles to a suppliers guide and blogs.

Formerly part of CLA’s main web site, CoinLaundry.org the new site is sectioned into six areas of laundry management with something for every stage of laundry ownership. Potential investors can access “Laundry 101” while the more seasoned owners can review articles, blogs and bulletin board posts in the five most commonly searched subsections: equipment, utilities, store operations, sales and marketing, and business management.

“It was time to take the laundry industry to the next level in terms of content and the delivery of information,” said Brian Wallace, CLA’s president and CEO. “PlanetLaundry.com offers daily, refreshed information with multimedia that includes videos, podcasts and gas price updates.”

To learn more about PlanetLaundry.com, visit the site or call (800) 570-5629.

Adam Stratton has joined Hamilton Engineering as West Coast regional sales manager where he will be the primary contact for Hamilton’s West Coast distributors.

He brings more than 15 years of experience designing and building automotive paint finishing facilities, including HVAC and boiler room systems, industrial ovens, and part washers and has experience in all aspects of project management from project concept to proposals, engineering, equipment specification, procurement, construction, and commissioning.

Stratton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in thermal systems design from Lawrence Technological University. He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Michigan.

He can be reached by phone through Hamilton Engineering, (800) 968.5530 or by e-mail at sales@hamiltonengineering.com.