Miss a story in this month’s or last month’s Series?
They’re still available at the bottom of this page.
In our ongoing salute to the valuable service you receive from your Allied Trades team, check out the profiles of two companies that work hard every day to meet your needs.
Allied Trades Profile: Pellerin-Milnor
Brock Pellerin talks about some recent successful projects, and how to make the most of your Pellerin-Milnor team.
Allied Trades Profile: GreenEarth
Angela Harris describes the GreenEarth difference, and highlights the marketing advantages of putting GreenEarth services to work.
The Home Team
It used to be that Mom would do the pressing and Pop would do the cleaning and deliveries. Maybe there would be a counter person on the weekends. In the evenings, Pop would fix the machines and Mom would do some sewing. Between the two of them, they could handle everything. Not any more.
Saluting Tech Support
An interview with Cris Ellis of SMRT Systems
As we focus this month on Allied Trades Support Teams, I had the opportunity to sit down with Cris Ellis, Technical Support Manager at SMRT. Cris and I had the pleasure of meeting IRL (in real life) in Toronto, where he and his colleagues supported our SMRT conversion.
Don’t Let “Policy” Push Customers Away
How to Handle Mistakes Without Losing Customers
As a business owner, you want your team to care about customer service. You want them to be friendly, helpful, and quick to fix problems. What matters is what you do after the mistake. That’s what your customers will remember. Here’s the question: Is your team ready to fix it in a way that keeps the customer coming back?
Extox Openhouse a “Smashing Success”!
Artur Keyes-Kryaskowski and his team put together an Open House, held April 5-6, that was well-attended and a “smashing success” according to Artur.
Read about it and see photos of what a well-planned event looks like.
UNX-Christeyns Transitions to Christeyns
Embracing Growth and Global Identity
UNX-Christeyns, the trusted name in commercial cleaning solutions, is excited to announce an evolution in its brand identity. Beginning in late April 2025, the company will transition its brand identity from UNX-Christeyns to Christeyns, reinforcing its place as part of the global Christeyns family of companies while continuing to operate as an independent entity (Christeyns North America), dedicated to superior service and industry leadership within the North American markets.
Kristi Sanders appointed to VP role at ABS Laundry Business Solutions USA
In this pivotal role, Kristi will be responsible for driving customer satisfaction, retention, and growth through the leadership of ABS’s customer-focused teams.
TCATA Conference coming up April 27-30
Get details and links in CONFERENCES & EVENTS…
Check out the Jobs Page
If you’re looking for employment in Ontario in Parts Desk, Service Technician, or Commercial and Industrial Sales positions, check out our page and dust off that resume. This could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for!
Keeping it Local
For Canadian companies desiring to shop in-country, use our new list to find the goods and services you need. The list is broken into categories, with entries in alphabetical order.
These listings are provided free of charge to companies the fit the criteria, and as a service to Canadian companies that are looking for other Canadian companies.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
APRIL SERIES — Your Allied Trades Team
Throughout April we’ll be saluting the unsung heroes of our industry — the men and women of the Allied Trades who get you the equipment and supplies you need in order to serve your customers and be successful as a business owner.
This is your chance to call out those who have done an outstanding job making you… outstanding!
Have a story? Send it to becca@fabricarecanada.com.
A Personal Salute to Suppliers
Sid Chelsky, best know for being the Executive Director of the Canadian Fabricare Association, grew into that position by first being a hands-on dry cleaner for many years, and then a consultant to the industry. He didn’t get there alone. In this installment, he names names and calls out the best of the best who helped him succeed.
The Fixer
SERIES: Your Allied Trades Team
If you have laundry or dry cleaning equipment, you are going to have mechanical issues. Period.
While that can seem daunting, if you have a good allied trades person backing you up, it’s more of an annoyance than a crisis. When it comes to LaundryLux equipment (ElectroLux Professional, Wascomat, and Encore Pro brands) one of the go-to people is Ernesto Rodriguez, also known as The Fixer.
Allied Trades Profile: Pellerin-Milnor
Brock Pellerin talks about some recent successful projects, and how to make the most of your Pellerin-Milnor team.
Allied Trades Profile: GreenEarth
Angela Harris describes the GreenEarth difference, and highlights the marketing advantages of putting GreenEarth services to work.
MARCH SERIES — When Trouble Comes
Throughout the month of March we will be featuring articles to get you thinking about all the ways your business can go sideways in a heartbeat.
- Natural disaster (fire, flood, storm damage)
- Equipment breakdown that stops production
- Violence in the workplace
- Cyber intrusion
- Customer injury or employee accident
- Theft or vandalism
- Environmental spill or discovery
- Route driver accident
- Business interruption
There’s a lot to think about to be sure you can sleep at night. We’ll address it from several different angles.
Environmental Disaster Strikes — Now What?
Environmental attorney Jacquelyn Stevens walks you through the steps and considerations involved when an environmental incident occurs. What do you have to do now to be ready? What do you need to do after the fact? If you don’t have the answers on the tip of your tongue, READ IT HERE.
Peace of Mind for Sale
It’s the thing in your business that you pay for but hope you will never use: Insurance.
This article gives great detail about insurance coverage a business owner in our industry should have. You might want to get out your policy and compare it. If you take time to get the right insurance in the first place, you’ll know it’s solid before you have to stand on it. How sure are you about yours?
We spoke to Bruce Boivin of Desjardins Insurance about what insurance a typical dry cleaner or laundry needs to be sure they are both covered and secure.
Before Disaster Strikes
Kevin Marois has seen and cleaned up more than his share of disasters in his decades in the industry. And yes, he’s got the gruesome photos to prove it. This month, he shares the lessons he’s learned, to save you having to learn them through your own disaster.
When Trouble Comes: Crisis Planning for Your Business
Unfortunately, trouble can show up when you least expect it. A break-in, an employee accident, a data breach or (heaven forbid) a fire can bring your business to a screeching halt. But here’s the good news: with a solid crisis plan, you or your team won’t be scrambling in the heat of the moment. Instead, you’ll have a clear roadmap for how to handle the unexpected. Linley tells you how to get there.
The Hospitality Economy
Why Dry Cleaners & Laundromats Must Go Beyond Service
Francis Flair says, “We have moved from a manufacturing economy to a service economy – and now, we’re on the verge of something bigger: a hospitality economy. And here’s the reality: every business is in the hospitality business now. If you own a dry cleaning shop or laundromat, you’re no longer just providing a service. You’re providing an experience – customers will spend their money where they feel most appreciated.” How do you do that?
