The
Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) is an
international trade association representing manufacturers
and distributors of drycleaning and laundry equipment
and supplies. It is the only trade association dedicated
exclusively to the interests of the allied trades.
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Updated
May 7, 2008
TCATA
Co-Sponsors Conference for Distribution Professionals
In
its continuing effort to offer quality education to members,
TCATA is pleased to inform you about a unique opportunity. The
Association is co-sponsoring the "Young
Distribution Professionals Conference," a three day meeting from August 3-6 near Chicago
that will cover a variety of important distribution issues designed
for marketing, sales and operations personnel. While the program
has been tailored to those with less than ten years experience
in distribution, all are welcome to attend. Last year's Conference
sold out quickly, so don't delay in registering.
TCATA
& Coalition Partners Fight New Jersey Perc Phase-out
UPDATE:
Three bills have been introduced in the New Jersey legislature
in response to the Department of
Environmental
Protection’s proposal to ban perc drycleaning by 2021. Most
recently, Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney and Senator John
Adler introduced legislation in mid-March that would prohibit the
DEP from imposing additional controls on the states’ cleaners
until 2012 and would require the DEP to conduct further study on
alternative solvents.
TCATA
CEO David Cotter was one of many concerned allied trades and
drycleaner representatives who testified on January 18 in Trenton,
New Jersey against the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection’s (NJDEP) proposed new rules governing perchlorethylene.
The NJDEP proposes to completely ban the use of perc by 2021,
requires new equipment upgrades by 2010, and forbids perc machines
from being used in co-residential locations as of July 2009.
Speaking before
a packed room of about 120 people – mostly
cleaners – Mr. Cotter testified that the NJDEP rules are
simply not justified. “If the logic and reasoning used to
support the NJDEP plan were applied equally to other products,
then it would also be necessary to phase out the use of diesel
fuel, gasoline, and natural gas, all of which are important products
whose manufacture, transportation and use contribute far more risk
to public health, safety and the environment than does perc. Further,
based on the relative magnitude of the risks, phase out plans for
those products would be of much higher priority. Singling out a
product such as perchlorethylene, which presents far less risk,
yet is of similar importance to those whose livelihoods depend
on its continued use, is simply capricious and unfair,” Mr.
Cotter stated.
Mr. Cotter
also pointed out – as did several others who
gave testimony – that the NJDEP has ignored much of the data
that the industry has presented to them, particularly the comprehensive,
peer-reviewed 2006 Nordic study, which shows no increased risk
of cancer among drycleaning workers. “The data and assumptions
that the NJDEP is using grossly overstate the risks and therefore
also overstate the benefits to be achieved from this proposal,” he
noted.
Many cleaners
testified about the severe economic hardship that the NJDEP rules
would cause them. Virtually all
of TCATA’s
partners in this coalition testified on various aspects of the
rules: Nora Nealis of the National Cleaners Association noted that
many cleaners work safely with perc every day and would not work
with a chemical that would harm themselves or their employees.
Bill Fisher of the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute outlined
how the drycleaning industry has been – more than practically
any other industry – at the forefront of regulating itself.
Peter Blake of the North East Fabricare Association spoke about
the unintended consequences of the proposed rules, particularly
as they would push cleaners to alternative solvents not fully tested.
Steve Risotto of the Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance pointed
out some of the specific areas in which the NJDEP data is outdated
or simply incorrect. All who testified urged the NJDEP to withdraw
this proposal and to work with stakeholders to draft a rule that
makes sense for all concerned. Industry representatives will continue
to work with the NJDEP to draft a different proposal that reflects
sound science and takes into account the economic impact of the
new regulation.
The NJDEP is accepting written comments on the proposed rules
until February 15.
Three
Members Celebrate 25 Years of Membership
In
2008, three TCATA members celebrate their 25th anniversary of
membership in the Association:
Chicago
Dryer Company in Chicago, Illinois has been in business
since 1886. The company designs and manufactures flatwork finishing
equipment such as spreader/feeders, ironers of all sizes and sheet,
table linen and towel folders. The company's concentration on this
line of products only is one of the reasons for its place as a
major leader in this sector of the market. Chicago Dryer has also
been a leader in product innovation and support and service.
Ideal
Products LLC has been in business in the town of Beacon
Falls, Connecticut since 1950. The company began with the manufacturing
of safety pins and today remains one of the two North American
companies manufacturing a full range of pins. Ideal's 60 employees
proudly manufacture the majority of pins in America under the original
quality trade names. In recent years, Ideal has expanded its capabilities,
through acquisition, to include the manufacture of screws, rivets,
fasteners and other items.
Des-L
Industries of Irvington, New Jersey has been serving the
drycleaning industry since 1960 with innovative packing products.
Those items include collar supports, shoulder guards, skirt clips,
storage boxes, twist ties and many other items.
We thank these three members for their years of support, and wish
them much continued success.
TCATA
Hosts Webinar On Employee Retention
As
part of its continuing series, TCATA is pleased to cosponsor
another webinar on “How to Find and Keep the Right Employees…Without
Stealing from the Competition.” While many companies often
spend as much as half their gross margin dollars on employee
wages and benefits, they rarely invest much time and energy in
selecting and retaining good employees. This seminar will include
a practical examination of both the practices that may be working
against your organization and the tools you need to hire and
develop a good staff.
Edro
Celebrates 50th Membership Anniversary In TCATA
The
Edro Corporation of East Berlin, Connecticut celebrates its 50th
year of consecutive membership in TCATA in 2008 – a hearty
congratulations to Edro on the occasion of this important anniversary.
The
Edro Corporation opened its doors in 1946 as a small specialty
tool and die shop to serve
the local manufacturing market. The
company was noted for its high quality craftsmanship and ability
to manufacture custom machined parts. The company is now led by
both a second and third generation of family ownership – Ed
Kirejczyk, Jr., Ed Kirejczyk III, Scott Kirejczyk and Caroline
Wojcicki – from
its founder and original president, Roman Galinski, and is a leading
producer of laundry equipment.
In
the 1950’s, Roman Galinski invented a unique design for
washer-extractors – a triangular-designed three pocket wash
basket that he named “Dyna Wash.” This design eliminated
the time-consuming step of transferring water-laden laundry from
a washer to a separate extractor and, for the first time, allowed
large volumes to be processed in a combination washer-extractor.
In the 1970’s, Dyna Wash was introduced to the U.S. Navy
and commercial shipboard markets and has since become the brand
of choice for marine and cruise ship vessels.
Over
the last decade, Edro has enjoyed success in its core business
while constantly looking
to the future for new products and services.
The company’s new washing technology – Dyna Wash Ozone
System – is changing the way laundry is processed, further
improving efficiency.
We wish Edro all the best, and want to thank them for 50 years
of support of TCATA!
President
Signs Economic Stimulus Package
President
Bush signed the economic stimulus package into law on February
13. In addition to sending checks to millions of Americans, the
bill contains some tax incentives for small business. Click
here for a brief review of these incentives.
Adco
Purchases Laidlaw's Chemical Division
Adco
Cleaning Products of Sedalia, Missouri, a leading manufacturer
and distributor of chemicals for the drycleaning industry and
Mentor Partners of Boston, Massachusetts are pleased to announce
the purchase of Laidlaw’s Chemical Products Division. Laidlaw’s
sales team will continue servicing their accounts who will receive
Laidlaw products through their normal distribution channels.
Brent
McWilliams, formerly Vice President of Laidlaw, will be joining
Adco as Vice President of Sales. Charles Van Dyne, Adco’s
CEO, says that Laidlaw products will be manufactured in Adco’s
facilities and will continue to be sold and shipped through existing
distributors. Laidlaw is one of the nation’s largest suppliers
of wire hangers and related products, and will concentrate on
its import business.
Adco
was founded 100 years ago in Sedalia, Missouri by John and Vivia
Van Dyne. It remained family owned and operated until it was
sold to Mentor Partners in April of 2006.
Adco
Celebrates 100 Years in Business
Adco
Cleaning Products of Sedalia, Missouri, a
long time TCATA member, celebrates its 100th year of operation
in 2008 – congratulations to them!
Established
in 1908 as American Disinfecting Company in Sedalia, Adco has
established itself as a leader in research and development, manufacturing
and distribution for drycleaning and laundry products. Over the
years, Adco has produced many products that are considered classics,
and it continues to research new products to serve the industry.
It manufactures and tests each product in its own manufacturing
facility.
Three
generations of the Van Dyne family have provided the company
with the same leadership and vision that established Adco 100
years ago. Charles Van Dyne currently serves as CEO.
Last
year, Adco sold its business to Mentor Partners of Boston, Massachusetts.
In January 2008, it announced the purchase of the chemical products
division of Laidlaw.
We
wish Adco all the best for their next 100 years!
Welcome
New Members
TCATA
is pleased to welcome the following companies as members of the
Association:
Colmac
Industries in Colville, Washington manufactures a complete
line of tunnel finishers, pressing equipment, automated hangering
systems and soil sorting and counting systems.
Paratherm
Corporation in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania manufactures
heat transfer fluid products that improve the efficiency of thermal
processing applications.
Banner
Machinery in Benson, North Carolina manufactures and distributes
the Cindy Lou Sleeve Finisher and Banner Spray Tank, and is a full
line distributor representing many major manufacturers.
TCATA
Opposes Expansion of ADA
TCATA
has joined with many other associations and organizations - including
the National Association of Manufacturers - in opposing legislation
that would substantially expand the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against
qualified individuals in hiring, compensation, advancement, etc.
TCATA and many other business organizations have co-signed a
letter to several Senators and Congressmen urging them to oppose
the proposed legislation (H.R. 3195 and S1881 – the “ADA
Restoration Act”) because it would drastically expand the
ADA to cover individuals with minor impairments rather than serious
disabilities. The misnamed “ADA Restoration Act” would
also exclude consideration of mitigating measures taken by the
employer to accommodate a disabled person, contradicting legal
precedents. Essentially, this legislation would establish that
anything less than a perfect bill of health would qualify an
employee under the ADA.
RV
Davies Ceases Operations, Merges Sales Staff with Minda Supply
R.V.
Davies, a distribution company and long-time TCATA member based
in New Jersey, has announced that it has closed its doors and
merged its sales force with Minda Supply, a major distributor
in the Northeast. The ownership of R.V. Davies determined that,
like other companies in the drycleaning industry, consolidation
was the only viable way to survive in a vastly changed industry.
Seth Haubenstock will assume the position of director of sales
at Minda; Marty Haubenstock will head up export sales; Howard
Schweibel will be the director of operations.
Dr.
Revenue Offers Marketing Ideas For 2008
Those
TCATA members who attended the 2007 Annual Conference in Napa
Valley heard a presentation from marketing guru John Haskell,
aka Dr. Revenue, who delineated ways that companies can increase
their marketing efforts on their own. We often hear many good
ideas from the speakers at these conferences, but often get so
busy when we return to our office that we forget to actually
use them. This
follow-up article from Dr. Revenue, which can be accessed by
all members, may help motivate you to start 2008 off on the right
marketing foot.
EPA
Announces Shift in Chemical Assessment
In
August, President Bush met with the Prime Minister of Canada
and the President of Mexico to discuss the Security and Prosperity
Partnership of North America. As a result of this meeting, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a trilateral
agreement (the Montebello Agreement) that will be a significant
shift in how chemicals will be managed in the U.S. The goal of
this agreement is to enhance trade among the three countries
while protecting human health. Click
here for a brief summary.
Companies
Announce New Appointments
Howard
Herman has been promoted to president of
Wascomat Laundry Equipment of Inwood, New York. Herman has been
with the company for 36 years, having served most recently as vice
president of sales and marketing.
The
Tingue Brown Co. of Saddle Brook, New Jersey has announced the
appointment of David Tingue as President and
CEO. A fourth-generation executive, David replaces his father
William, who will retire
to the post of non-executive chairman. David has led the Tingue,
Brown Division since 2000. He joined the company in 1992 after
working in the banking business. David currently serves on
TCATA’s
ACME Committee, where he advises the Board of Directions on
Clean Show matters.
Mark
O’Bryan has been named President and CEO of CTS Packaging in Covington,
Kentucky. He has been with
the company for 16 years
as a sales representative, sales manager, and Vice President.
Jesper
Jensen, CEO of the Jensen Group, has announced some changes in
the operation of Jensen USA. Effective January 1, 2008, Jens
Voldbaek will assume a new role as director of the Jensen Group’s
sales activity in the Americas. Mr. Voldbaek previously served
as president of Jensen USA. Mr. Simon Nield, who was the managing
director of Jensen UK, will become president of Jensen USA.
IN
MEMORIAM
It
is with sadness that TCATA reports on the passing of three individuals
who worked for allied trades
companies in
our industry. TCATA member David Costabile, Vice President of Marketing
for PAC Industries of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was an accomplished
athlete in high school and college and an avid golfer. He is survived
by his parents, several brothers and sisters and his son David.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis,
Tennessee 38105. To send condolences, visit hetrickfuneralhome.com.
TCATA member Gordon
Kratz, founder of Tri-Supply in Loves Park,
Illinois. Mr. Kratz founded the distribution company in 1958. An
avid golfer, he also ushered Sunday morning at his church an was
a past member of the Shriners Club. He is survived by his wife
Bernice, three children and several grandchildren. In lieu of flowers,
memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Rockford or
Shepherd of the Glades.
John
Corwin of PROS in Blaine, Minnesota. In his 13 years at PROS,
Mr. Corwin worked his way to sales manager. Memorial contributions
can be made to the ALS Association.
TCATA
Acknowledges Contributors to Scholarship Fund
TCATA
extends its thanks and appreciation to the following members
who recently made contributions to the Association’s
scholarship funds: Alex Atwater of A-1 Products, Jim and
Shelly Hericks of FabriClean Supply, Milton Magnus of M & B
Hangers, Joel Goldman of United Wire Hanger Corp., all of
whom made their contribution in memory of Steve Allen. Jack
Reiff, J. Reiff Consulting, Inc. in memory of Lawrence and
Edith Reiff. David Dawson of RR Street in memory of Gordon
Kratz. Dale Loomis of Loomis Bros. Equipment and Paul Zackin
of Drycleaners News Corp.
made contributions to the
general fund.

TCATA's
mission is to increase professionalism through business operations
and sales improvement education, provide forums where business
challenges are discussed and solved, generate and apply business
intelligence, and create a favorable business climate
by seeking fair regulation and legislation.
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