Feature Article Archives
Drycleaners News is putting some of our best feature articles online as a resource to the community. Click on an article description to view the article. Many of these articles are in pdf format which require Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.0 or higher. Please click here to download your free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader's latest version.
Environmental
- The First Lady Of Wetcleaning - Ann Hargrove is quick to admit it. When she first heard about wetcleaning, she thought the idea was “all wet.”
- Solvent Sweepstakes? You Pick a Winner - Is it time for a change? Or, do you stand by an old reliable? That's the question many drycleaners will be asking in the coming months as they greet the arrival of new clothes cleaning technologies.
- KCANJ Strongly Opposes Latest Rooney Bill - The Korean Cleaners Association of New Jersey rallied to express opposition to the latest attempt at passing the Rooney Bill in the New Jersey State legislature.
- N.Y. Extends Aid Program For Drycleaners - New York state extended its plan to help drycleaners with the costs of upgrading or replacing perc equipment to Dec. 31 and the NCA advised cleaners outside New York City to take advantage.
Government Regulation
- Tax Credit Excludes PERC, Petroleum - Yes, it’s back. Legislation that would give drycleaners tax credits for the use of environmentally-friendly solvents has been reintroduced in the 107th Congress.
- New Ergonomics Rule KO'D in Congress - Drycleaners, and small business owners in general, are breathing easier following the United States Senate and House of Representatives decision to overturn the Occupational Safety and Health Association's (OSHA) new ergonomics standard.
- FTC Rules On Care Labels - The drycleaning industry was breathing a little easier after the Federal Trade Commission decision not to impose mandatory home washing instructions on care labels.
Consumer Trends
- It’s His Or Hers At The Same Price - It’s an issue that has plagued the drycleaning industry for years. And, it’s about to get back into primetime.
- Is Home Drycleaning A Wake Up Call? - Home drycleaning products continued to hit the market and the drycleaning industry associations began a public relations campaign to assure customers they were not a substitute for professional cleaners.
- Fashion Turns Up Heat On Dressing Down - The fashion industry took a more formal tack to its fall line of clothing, but there remained questions about whether the fashions would stem the tide of casual dress.
NCA
- NCA Honored For ‘Coats For Kids’ Work - It was a shining moment for the Neighborhood Cleaners Association and its members who participated in the “Coats for Kids” program.
- NCA Honoree Seitz Not Retiring Type - A rejuvenated Bill Seitz basked in the glow of 130 or so admirers gathered at the Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., on the last day of March to give thanks for his half-century of leadership at the helm of the Neighborhood Cleaners Association.
- NCA's Albany Day Pays A Quick Dividend - The weather outside was frightful, but the results were delightful for the approximately 100 drycleaning advocates who turned out for the Neighborhood Cleaners Association's Albany Day Feb. 6.
- Message To Albany: 'We Need Some Help' - New York state drycleaners lobbyied with state legislators in Albany in an effort to have some of the state's tough environmental laws eased.
- New Executive Director at NCA-I - Bill Seitz resigns after more than 50 years at the Neighborhood Cleaners Association and is replaced by Nora Neilis.
IFI
- Fisher Finds Tour of Japan Impressive - International Fabricare Institute CEO Bill Fisher came back from a tour of Japan where he was impressed with the way some Japanese drycleaners conducted their business.
- IFI Wants Tax Credit to Cover Wider Base - Bill Fisher goes before Congress and asks that bill permitting tax credits for new solvents be expanded to include all cleaners who strictly follow health and safety guidelines.
- Cleanup Programs Discussed At Meeting - The International Fabricare Institute hosted a meeting of conerned parties as the debate over how best to conduct and fund site remediation continued.
Business Advice
- What’s A Cleaner To Do? Try Leasing - Like many drycleaners, you need an equipment upgrade. You hear a lot about new technology, but you’re not sure which way to turn. And, frankly, you don’t have a lot of cash on hand.
- Bring The Lease Up To Your Standards - Many landlords have a lease form they call their "standard" lease. Sounds impressive - almost like it's carved in stone. But don't be intimidated. In reality, many clauses in that standard lease are open to negotiation.
In Next Month's DCN
