October’s theme, Beyond the Machines, gives us the opportunity to examine all the other things that would cripple your company if they suddenly weren’t there. Let’s look at the people side, the supply chain, the essential list of contacts you need in a pinch, and much more. Join us, and feel free to chime in with comments or shoot us an email if there’s a topic you want covered.
Better Training Without a Bigger Budget
By Linley McConnell
Training always seems to fall to the bottom of the list when you’re running a busy cleaning operation. Linley offers practical ways to build employee skills, use technology, learn from other operators and prepare your team before the next rush.
Miele Professional, Kreussler and Veit Launch WetCleaning Training Center
Miele Professional, in partnership with Kreussler and Veit, is launching the Miele Professional WetCleaning Training Center in Princeton, NJ, creating a dedicated environment where textile-care professionals can experience professional wet cleaning firsthand.
The Training Center will officially open in November 2026 with its inaugural WetCare Workshop, bringing together textile-care professionals, industry partners and associations to explore the complete wet cleaning process.
West Michigan Shared Hospital Laundry Makes Major Equipment Replacement
Lavatec announced it has entered into a new equipment agreement with West Michigan Shared Hospital Laundry (WMSHL) in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The member-owned, non-profit cooperative has purchased enough equipment to completely refit its wash and soiled rooms in one massive project.
ABC Accelerator Challenged Affiliates to Rethink Brand Perception for Next Generation
America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) brought its affiliate community together September 16–18 in Sacramento, California, for its Fall 2026 Accelerator Live, hosted by Rytina Fine Cleaners and centered on the theme “Perception.” The three-day program challenged leading garment care businesses to examine how their brands are perceived today—and, more importantly, how they must evolve to connect with the next generation of luxury consumers and employees.
DLI Partners with Mineral to Provide HR Support and Compliance Resources
New member benefit offers expert HR guidance, employee training, and tools to simplify workforce management.
The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) recently partnered with Mineral, a leading provider of human resources and compliance solutions, to give members access to professional HR guidance, employee training, and workforce management resources at minimal or no cost.
Through the partnership, DLI members can access Mineral’s online HR platform and consult with certified HR professionals for assistance with employee relations, workplace policies, employment regulations, and other personnel challenges.
Over the Counter Is Now Available in French
The CSR training book Over the Counter, written by industry icon Marcia Todd (and updated by Becca Anderson and Jan Barlow) is now available in French.
The book includes 25 short chapters on various aspects of CSR training (greeting customers, remembering names, handling clothes, grooming, dealing with phones/texts/emails, etc.). Each chapter ends with discussion questions that can be reviewed with a supervisor, and a comprehensive quiz at the end of the book to test comprehension. A Certificate of Achievement reinforces completing the training.
The book is available now in English, French and Spanish on Amazon as a paperback or an ebook. Visit the website for links to each version of the book. The cost is $10 for paperback and $4 for ebook.
Over the Counter est maintenant disponible en français
Le manuel de formation pour le personnel du service à la clientèle Over the Counter, rédigé par Marcia Todd, figure emblématique de l’industrie, et mis à jour par Becca Anderson et Jan Barlow, est maintenant disponible en français.
Le livre comprend 25 courts chapitres portant sur différents aspects de la formation du personnel du service à la clientèle : accueillir les clients, se souvenir de leur nom, manipuler les vêtements, soigner sa présentation, gérer les appels téléphoniques, les textos et les courriels, et bien plus encore. Chaque chapitre se termine par des questions de discussion qui peuvent être examinées avec un superviseur. Un questionnaire complet à la fin du livre permet de vérifier la compréhension du contenu. Un certificat de réussite souligne l’achèvement de la formation.
Le livre est maintenant offert en anglais, en français et en espagnol sur Amazon, en version papier ou numérique. Visitez le site Web de Fabricare Canada pour accéder aux liens vers chaque version du livre. Le prix est de 10 $ pour la version papier et de 4 $ pour la version numérique.
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OCTOBER ARTICLES: BEYOND THE MACHINES
Do You Know What You’re Doing?
Training doesn’t have to mean sending employees away for weeks at a time. From hands-on classes and certifications to webinars, podcasts, supplier instruction and peer groups, today’s fabricare industry offers more ways to learn than ever before.
SEPTEMBER ARTICLES: WHY?
WHY Do You Have to Separate Solvent and Water?
What happens after solvent and water leave the still, and why getting them apart isn’t as simple as it sounds.
By Bruce Grossman
Bruce Grossman, Chief of R & D, EZ Timers Manufacturing breaks down the science and mechanics behind solvent/water separation, explaining why gravity, temperature, turbulence, separator design, and precise valve sequencing all matter. From PERC to lighter-than-water solvents, Bruce takes a closer look at what’s happening inside the machine and, more importantly, why it matters to the dry cleaner.
WHY Are Clothes Made This Way?
Taking the mystery out of clothing design
By Becca Anderson
Ever wonder why women’s buttons are on the left, why jeans have that tiny pocket, or why some shirt buttonholes run sideways? The details we take for granted often have surprisingly practical, or sometimes quirky, origins. In our latest feature, we track down the reasons behind some of the peculiar details of modern clothing. Turns out, many of them go back a long way.
Why Efficiency Might Actually Be Slowing You Down
When making one department faster makes the whole plant less efficient
By Tara Clark
Consultant and Partnerships Director at GreenEarth Cleaning
Efficiency can slow you down.
Sounds paradoxical, doesn’t it?
In commercial laundry and dry cleaning, efficiency is usually regarded as unquestionably good. Faster machines, higher production rates and fewer minutes/kilogram all look like signs of a well-oiled operation. But there is a danger in optimizing individual departments without considering the operation as a whole.
WHY Are Your Customers Leaving Without Saying Goodbye?
The silent reasons good customers disappear, and what you can do about them
By Linley McConnell
I want to dig into a silent problem in our industry: why customers quietly disappear without a complaint, a review, or a word of feedback. According to Forbes, 91-96% of customers who are unhappy with a brand will leave without complaining. That stat should change how we think about “no news is good news.” Here’s where your business may be missing the mark.
A Million WHYs
The questions operators ask—and the answers that can save trouble
By Kevin Marois
We get asked lots of questions every week. That’s great. We love answering questions because it means people are thinking. Plus, they are probably trying to take care of their equipment. Kevin answers some of the questions they hear all the time.
Why Do Your Best Employees Do Things Differently?
Consistency starts with defining what “good” looks like.
By Francis Flair
Have you ever watched two good employees handle the same customer in completely different ways? One moves quickly because they believe speed matters most. Another spends more time talking with the customer because they believe being friendly matters most. A third checks every detail because they believe getting everything exactly right matters most. All three care and are trying to do a good job. So why are they doing things so differently? Maybe the problem isn’t your people. Maybe no one has clearly defined what great service looks like in your business.
WHY? Right Back At You!
This time, Kevin has a few questions for the operators.
By Kevin Marois
Last week I answered 11 questions you ask me all the time. Now it’s my turn. Here are six questions I want you to think about and answer for me.
Why Are Your Best Customers Still Shopping Around?
Satisfaction may bring customers back. Loyalty gives them a reason not to leave.
By Francis Flair
A customer comes in regularly. Their clothes are ready on time, and the quality is good. They smile when they see you without ever complaining. Sounds like a loyal customer, right? Maybe. There is a big difference between a satisfied customer and a loyal customer.
