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SEPTEMBER 2024 NEWS

ProtoTitan Acquires Leonard Automatics

ProtoTitan, a North Carolina-based provider of engineering and manufacturing solutions, has recently announced its acquisition of Leonard Automatics, a global leader in textile finishing equipment. With this strategic move, ProtoTitan aims to further enhance its position as a trusted partner for businesses seeking advanced manufacturing solutions to optimize their operations.

The acquisition brings together two major industry players with complementary strengths and expertise. By merging ProtoTitan’s cutting-edge engineering and manufacturing solutions with Leonard Automatics’ in-house metal fabrication and electrical engineering capabilities, ProtoTitan is creating a formidable synergy that will enhance operations and deliver unparalleled benefits to both companies and their customers. This strategic move not only amplifies ProtoTitan’s collective capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative, high-quality solutions that meet and exceed market demands.

As part of the acquisition, Jeff Frushtick will be stepping down from his role as Leonard Automatics CEO and refocusing on sales and customer support. ProtoTitan brings a wealth of operations management and strategy as co-founders Chris Clark and Dave Rochau will be taking over daily operations of Leonard Automatics and its subsidiaries Leonard Fabrication & Design, LFD Off Road and LFD Gates.

“It is time to turn the helm over to the next generation, with more understanding of the technology that can carry us forward,” commented Leonard Automatics CEO, Jeff Frushtick. “ProtoTitan brings a variety of skill sets and markets that complement and expand the opportunities for Leonard manufacturing. I am excited to be part of the continuing evolution of Leonard Automatics.”

“Leonard Automatics is a true innovator and has been instrumental in the textile and laundry industry’s progress over the past several decades,” said Chris Clark, Co-Founder and CEO of ProtoTitan. “Jeff’s decades of experience in this world are an invaluable asset, and we’re very excited to give him the space to revitalize this market.”

This landmark partnership underscores ProtoTitan’s unwavering commitment to innovation and growth, heralding a new era of operational excellence for the company. By welcoming Leonard Automatics into the ProtoTitan family—which already boasts industry leaders such as Armageddon Turbo, Sawicki Speed, KB Titan Racing, and Veer Performance—ProtoTitan has significantly elevated its engineering and manufacturing prowess. This strategic alliance not only enhances our capabilities but also solidifies our position at the forefront of industry advancements, ensuring we continue to deliver unparalleled value and cutting-edge solutions to its clients.

AUGUST 2024 NEWS

CINET Growth Hacker Award 2024 will net winner €20,000

The CINET Growth Hacker Award 2024 is your chance to lead the change in transforming the Professional Textile Care (PTC) industry. This prestigious award, which includes a €20,000 prize, will be presented at the Texcare Show in Frankfurt on November 8-9, 2024. The DEADLINE for submissions is SEPTEMBER 10.

Goal: New Business & industry growth
The central theme of this award is ‘new business‘. The goal of the award is to stimulate PTC companies to service customer groups which weren’t serviced before, resulting in industry growth. A good example is the development of ‘wash & fold laundry services’, where consumers and commercial clients start outsourcing laundry that was previously done in a domestic washer at home. The CINET Growth Hacker Award is intended for promising startups, as well as innovative existing PTC companies worldwide. 

Criteria 
The award will be judged based on qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data is derived from filling out the business model canvas. This is a simple frame used to visually explain a business case. The quantitative data is based on sales/revenue, #orders, #customers, retention rates, CAC (cost per acquired customer), ATV (average transaction value), CLV (customer lifetime value) and customer satisfaction scores such as Google ratings.

Program milestones 
The program is designed for exchanging information, know-how and practical experiences between the participants and recognised experts. This will include a wide variety of topics. Participation involves joining 3 – 4 sessions online. There will also be one or two personal encounters organized in Sweden and the UK in the months before Texcare in Frankfurt. These will be hosted by international esteemed brands in the industry. Participants are invited to discuss their ideas on new business in professional textile care and present their Business Case for an independent International Jury of experts, presided by Mr. Geert Boettger of EXPO + Consulting. The CINET Growth Hacker Award will be chaired by Mr. Leon Wennekes of TextileCare Research. 

How to participate 
Cost for participation is Euro 150,- (excl. VAT), including all materials, drinks and catering (excluding flights and hotel).

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit the CINET website on this program.

CINET members can have 1 person participate free of charge. This initiative is supported by Electrolux Professional. 

DLI Announces 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) announced the induction of three outstanding industry professionals into its Hall of Fame. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the dry cleaning and laundry industry.

Jim Douglas

Jim Douglas, representing GreenEarth Cleaning, played a pivotal role in advancing environmentally-friendly cleaning technologies. As a co-founder of Prestige Cleaners in Sacramento, CA, and GreenEarth Cleaning, Douglas developed and promotes safe, sustainable cleaning methods. His leadership roles, including serving as President of the California Cleaners Association and other industry groups, reflect his commitment to the industry.

Mike Nesbit

Mike Nesbit, of Texas-based Edit TX, LLC., one of the largest dry cleaning businesses in the U.S., has made substantial contributions through his leadership and innovation. As a Past President of DLI and a key figure in the establishment of the Texas Dry Cleaner Remediation Program, Nesbit is a strong advocate for environmental responsibility. His innovative spirit is also evident in his role as a pioneer of offsite locker pickup and delivery systems, which have since become standard in the industry.

Dixie Stoddard

Joseph William “Dixie” Stoddard, Past President of DLI and inventor of Stoddard Solvent, revolutionized the dry cleaning industry in the 1920s with the development of the less-flammable Stoddard Solvent, significantly enhancing safety standards throughout the industry. Stoddard’s dedication to improving industry practices and promoting education continues to influence DLI’s priorities and modern dry cleaning practices.

Honoring Excellence

These inductees exemplify the highest standards of leadership, integrity, and dedication to the industry. The DLI Hall of Fame Award recognizes industry professionals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence. This year’s group of inductees join the following professionals in receiving this award: Barney Deden, Stan Golomb, Chris Edwards, Jeffrey Miller, Sid Tuchman, Donald Fawcett, Walter “Buster” Bell, and Milton Chortkoff.

“We are grateful to everyone who nominated an industry legend for this award, be they members of DLI or otherwise,” Mary Scalco, DLI’s CEO said. “We know excellence on this level can be found in all corners of our industry. Our goals is to spotlight those professionals whose contributions stand to inspire others and help make our industry stronger.”

DLI’s Board of Directors will present the awards to this year’s group of Hall of Fame inductees at events of their choosing. Details for the 2025 Hall of Fame nomination period will be released early next year.

For more information on DLI’s Hall of Fame, please visit DLIonline.org/HoF.

HLS Celebrates 50 Years, CEO Award

HLS’s Ottawa plant, with most of the staff pictured (photos just aren’t wide enough to encompass them all.)

HLS Linen Services (HLS) is celebrating 50 years of excellence in 2024. Established in 1974, the company provides a centralized, cost-effective linen service for its many customers, including acute care hospitals, long term care facilities, hotels, hospitality providers, rehabilitation centres and mental health facilities. The staff and management are internationally recognized as leaders in North America for quality finishing and cost-effective processing.

HLS Linen Services is an Ontario-based company with two locations in Ottawa and Woodbridge, and services many regions of Ontario and Western Quebec.

The company has two locations which are state-of-the-art. Both location plants represent a combined total of 250,000 square feet, processing approximately 70 million pounds of linen per year with the capacity to process up to 120 million pounds of linen yearly.

Leading by Example

Rocco Romeo receiving 2024 Don Pedder Lifetime Achievement Award from IAHTM.

Rocco Romeo, CEO of HLS, was honoured with the prestigious 2024 Don Pedder Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association for Healthcare Textile Management (IAHTM). This accolade stands as a testament to Rocco’s unwavering commitment, his unparalleled leadership, and his remarkable contributions to the industry.

In the heartfelt words of Matthew Victor, during his award speech: “If there’s one value I hold dear, it’s the enduring importance of integrity. They say, ‘Success will come and go, but integrity is forever.'” These words encapsulate the essence of Rocco’s character—the embodiment of integrity, the steadfast dedication to doing what’s right, even when no one is watching.

Rocco’s career trajectory, marked by over 75 million pounds in annual shipments across our two plants, and his vast operational reach across Ontario and Western Quebec, has been built on a foundation of honesty, integrity, and forward-thinking leadership. His remarkable contributions extend beyond his role as CEO of HLS Linen Services, encompassing a lifelong commitment to advancing the industry. This recognition is truly deserved, and the entire HLS team takes pride in it!

A note from Rocco, “I am truly honoured and grateful. There is no greater honour in one’s career than to be recognized by your peers in an industry I have been proud to be part of. Thank you to everyone who has been with me on the journey.”