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APRIL 2024 NEWS

Cleaner’s Supply issues both Industry and Consumer pulse reports

Two reports by Cleaner’s Supply — both the result of surveys of hundreds of operators and consumers — are the buzz of the industry right now. Both reports are packed with interesting and provocative information, presented in an easy-to-understand format using charts, graphics and large print. You won’t fall asleep reading these, and you just might find ways to improve your business by taking them to heart.

The State of the Dry Cleaning Industry report was drawn from 924 respondents’ surveys. It includes:

  • How’s business?
  • Garment prices and trends
  • Garment prices by region and location
  • Store operations and challenges
  • Who is the typical dry cleaner owner?
  • Grow, grow, grow your business
  • Dry cleaners with profits up
  • Future of dry cleaning

You can read the report on their website here, or you can download your own copy to print out and study (in PDF format).

The Dry Cleaning Consumer Pulse Report was drawn from the results of 1000 consumers responding to the survey. It includes:

  • How satisfied are customers with their dry cleaner?
  • Delivery vs. in-store
  • Types of dry cleaning the consumers use
  • The value they place on quality
  • Speed of service
  • How they want to be notified by their cleaner

You can read the report on their website here, or you can download your own copy to print out and study (in PDF format).

Alberta Conference 2024 Report

The Alberta Textile Care Association held it’s annual conference over the weekend of April 13, 2024 in Calgary, AB. People attended from Edmonton, Calgary and many places in Alberta and Saskatchewan. They networked, shared information, and listened to interesting speakers on a variety of topics.

  • Kermit Engh (Methods for Management) spoke on drivers of value, preparing for an exit from your business, and open book management.
  • Tok Bakinson (local CPA) spoke on how to prepare for growth in your company, where to find growth, and make sure you have the cash to meet the challenges of growth.
  • Neil Gerritson (local business broker) spoke about the process of selling a business, and how the industry can attract strong valuations.
  • Mike Tungesvick (Sankosha) spoke on how to use top of the line equipment to bring effiency and increase profitability.
  • Chris Tebbs gave an industry update and spoke on care labeling.

The association is grateful to longtime vendor supporters Integrity Mechanical and Elevation Supplies.

CLATA holds Annual General Meeting

The Cleaners and Launderers Allied Trades Association held it’s Annual General Meeting on April 4 in Montreal, QC. Various items were discussed, including:

2024-25 Officers

  • Ashlynn McConvey (Dalex Canada Inc.), President
  • Earl Eichen (Lavanett Equipment), Past President
  • Steve Freeman, Secretary
  • Trevor Holmes (Seitz Inc.), Treasurer

2024-25 Board of Directors

  • Malcolm Caldwell (Harco Co. Ltd.)
  • Patrick Robertson (Tingue Canada)
  • Denis Lamarre (Lavanett Equipment)
  • Marc-Antoine Gelac (Kannegeisser Canada)
  • Nicolas Legault (Gurtler Chemicals)
  • William Kahan (Unipress Corp.)
  • Artur Keyes (Extox Industries)

The annual golf tournament will be held on Thursday September 12th at the Bay of Quinte Golf Club. Trevor Holmes will share further details at a later date. [They will be posted on our Events Page as soon as we have them.]

Planning is also under way for the always-well-attended CLATA reception at the next US Clean Show in August 2025 in Orlando.

The next AGM is tentatively scheduled for April 3, 2025 in Toronto.

HLAC RECEIVES AHE SEAL

HLAC’s dedication to excellence in Healthcare Laundry Accreditation has brought it the prestigious AHE (Association for the Health Care Environment) Seal of Review and Recognition. “This honor is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing top-tier quality and safety in all facets of laundry operations” HLAC said.

The AHE Seal of Review and Recognition Program is designed to be a comprehensive review and formalized recognition process aimed at assisting professionals in selecting training and in-service programs for the health care environment.

For providers of health care training and in-service programs, the AHE Seal of Review and Recognition is a respected symbol, providing acknowledgment that a training or education program is a recognized resource for environmental services and multi-disciplinary professionals.

The AHE Seal of Review and Recognition is a trademark of AHE, all rights reserved.

Reminder to Canadian users of tetrachloroethylene (PERC or PCE)

Every dry-cleaning facility that uses tetrachloroethylene (PERC or PCE) is subject to the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations? As a PERC user under the Regulations, you are responsible for: 1) Proper handling, recovery and disposal of PERC, 2) Preventing spills, and 3) Reporting and keeping your records.
 
Please refer to the following factsheets and video for an overview of your obligations under the Regulations:

If you are subject to the Regulations, to avoid common errors when completing the reporting forms, please remember to include the:

  1. reporting year, complete address (postal code and province included) and contact information.
  2. date(s) and quantity(ies), in kilograms, of each PERC purchase made.
  3. date(s) and quantity(ies), in kilograms or litres, of waste water and residue (including any filters), which must be transported at least once every 12 months regardless of volume.
  4. the name and contact information of your waste transporter and waste management facility.

The Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations also have requirements that apply to sellers of PERC to owners or operators of dry-cleaning machines, to importers of PERC for any purpose, and to recyclers of PERC. For more information on how these Regulations apply to you or to find copies and examples of reporting forms, please visit: www.canada.ca/perc-dry-cleaning.
Persons subject to the Regulations are required to report to Environment and Climate Change Canada by April 30, 2024, to produits-products@ec.gc.ca or to:

Tetrachloroethylene Regulations Coordinator
Chemical Production and Products Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada 
351 Boulevard Saint‐Joseph, 9th floor
Gatineau, QC  K1A 0H3

Failure to comply with the Regulations is an offence under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and is punishable under the Act.
If you have further questions, you may contact your regional compliance promotion officer: Regional contacts: Tetrachloroethylene (PERC) Regulations.

Avis à l’intention des nettoyeurs à sec qui utilisent du tétrachloroéthylène (PERC ou PCE)

Saviez-vous que toutes les installations de nettoyage à sec qui utilisent du PERC sont assujetties au Règlement sur le tétrachloroéthylène (utilisation dans le nettoyage à sec et rapports)? En tant qu’utilisateur de PERC en vertu de ce règlement, vous êtes responsable 1) de la manipulation, de la récupération et de l’élimination appropriées du PERC, 2) de la prévention des déversements et 3) de la production de rapports et de la tenue des registres.
Reportez-vous aux fiches d’information et vidéo suivantes pour un aperçu de vos obligations en vertu du Règlement :

 Si le règlement s’applique à vous, évitez les erreurs communes suivantes lorsque vous remplissez votre rapport annuel en incluant ce qui suit :

  1. l’année du rapport, votre adresse complète (avec code postal et province) et vos coordonnées;
  2. la quantité, en kilogrammes, des achats de PERC, et date à laquelle les achats ont été effectués;
  3. la quantité, en kilogrammes ou litres, des eaux usées et des résidus (y compris tous les filtres) qui doivent être transportés au moins une fois tous les 12 mois, quel que soit le volume, et la date à laquelle les transports ont été effectués;
  4. le nom et coordonnées de votre transporteur de déchets et de votre installation de gestion des déchets.

Le Règlement comporte également des exigences qui s’appliquent aux entités qui vendent du PERC aux propriétaires ou aux exploitants d’appareils de nettoyage à sec, aux importateurs de PERC à toutes fins et aux recycleurs de PERC. Pour de plus amples renseignements sur le Règlement ou pour trouver des copies et des exemples de formulaires de rapport, veuillez consulter le site : www.canada.ca/PERC-nettoyage-sec.   
Quiconque est assujetti au Règlement doit soumettre son rapport à Environnement et Changement climatique Canada d’ici le 30 avril 2024 à produits-products@ec.gc.ca ou à :

Coordinateur du Règlement sur le tétrachloroéthylène
Division des produits et de la production chimique
Environnement et Changement climatique Canada 
351, boulevard Saint-Joseph, 9e étage
Gatineau (Québec)  K1A 0H3

Le non-respect de ce règlement constitue une infraction à la Loi canadienne sur la protection de l’environnement (1999) et est punissable en vertu de cette loi.
Si vous avez d’autres questions, vous pouvez communiquer avec votre agent régional chargé de la promotion de la conformité à l’adresse suivante : Contacts régionaux : Règlement sur le tétrachloroéthylène (PERC)

MARCH 2024 NEWS

CFA Partners with Allied Trades for Clean Canada EXPO 2024

The Canadian Fabricare Association is partnering with the Allied Trades to put on Clean Canada Expo 2024. The event will take place at the Delta Toronto Airport Hotel in Toronto, Canada on Saturday, November 23rd, and Sunday November 24th, 2024.

The event will feature products, services, and operational equipment from over 35 manufacturers and distributors and will also include several business sessions simultaneously during the event.  Attendees will have their choice of which sessions they want to attend and participate in one-on-one discussions with the presenters.  This format will guarantee attendees the opportunity to learn about new ideas and technology to help them grow their business.   The list of speakers and their topics will be announced shortly.

Registration for the show is FREE.  For those who are interested in continuing to network and enjoy the events, there will be a cocktail party and dinner when the show closes on Saturday.  Lunch on Saturday and food and drink during the event are available, thanks to the sponsors.

Rooms at the hotel are available at a reduced rate of Can $199.00 plus tax.  There is a limited block of rooms available, so book yours as soon as possible. Last year the group ran out of its allotment, and many were disappointed.  The hotel is located just minutes from the airport, and the hotel provides free shuttle services.

For information see the website: www.fabricare.org or contact Sid Chelsky, the Executive Director, at canadianfabricare@fabricare.org or 416-573-1929.

ARTA Announces New Board President

The American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) announced Jerry Martin, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Prudential Overall Supply has been appointed as the new ARTA President of the Board of Directors.

Jerry Martin

With over 30 years of wide-ranging sales, marketing, public relations and management experience at Prudential Overall Supply, Jerry Martin uses his extensive knowledge of the company and the industry to lead Prudential’s sales and marketing efforts. He is committed to building and enhancing the company’s customer-focused, growth-oriented sales culture as demonstrated by being recognized on Selling Power’s “50 Best Companies to Sell For” list for the fifth consecutive year.

Jerry participates in related green industry efforts through his involvement in the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA). In addition to the presidency, he also chairs the cleanroom committee and is a member of the marketing and education conference committees. He is the past co-chairman of the association’s Marketing & PR committee.

Through his work at TRSA, Jerry helped establish the organization’s international standard for the Clean Green certification program. He currently serves on TRSA’s Clean Green advisory committee to help maintain the integrity of the certification program, along with growing the program’s marketplace brand.

Jerry earned his M.B.A. and B.A. degrees from San Diego State University. He has been married to his wife Nicole for the past 30 years and they have two daughters (23 and 20) who all reside in the San Diego, CA area.

Onward and Upward for Jensen

In 2023, the Jensen-Group achieved an unprecedented revenue milestone of 400.1 MEUR [million Euros] [US$437.6 million], compared to 341.6 MEUR in 2022, representing exponential growth of 17.1%. This increase was attributed to an exceptionally high order backlog at the end of 2022, a strong order intake in the first semester, and a notable rebound of orders received in the second semester of 2023. The notable increase in operating profit, standing now at 40.7 MEUR, is a direct result of the growth.

Recognition from laundries around the world

Healthcare, hospitality and also industrial laundry services in all countries that Jensen serves have seen a strong rebound, matching the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. The company says this renewed growth is prompting laundry facilities to explore innovative solutions that improve hygiene standards and enhance operational efficiency and align with their sustainability goals.

The Jensen-Group recognized a rising demand for automated solutions employing robotics and AI. Throughout its fifth year of collaboration with Inwatec Aps, numerous new laundries were established across all continents, where robotics were integrated alongside tunnel washers and finishing lines.

Recognition from the financial markets

Receiving BEL Small Company of the Year 2023 Award at Euronext event.

On January 15, 2024, the Jensen-Group was honored with the BEL Small Company of the Year 2023 Award at the Euronext & GUBERNA New Year 2024 Event in Brussels. The award recognized the company’s share performance compared to peers, reflecting how the market evaluates the performance of a publicly traded company and the trust analysts and investors place in it. This achievement is particularly noteworthy, as an industrial company surpassing consumer or other brands is very unusual.

Investments for a successful future

To prepare for the next phase of growth, the Group executed several key investments in 2023. This included acquiring 49% of the shares of Inax Corporation, a leading Japanese manufacturer and distributor of commercial laundry equipment. Additionally, the Group acquired Ole Almeborg, a manufacturing facility on the island of Bornholm intended to supplement production space. Alongside this acquisition, the Group committed to additional capital expenditures of €6 million [US$6.52 million] for 2024. Investments were also made in larger production premises for Inwatec, the Group’s AI and robotics subsidiary in Denmark.

The new Executive Management Team of the Jensen-Group. (Standing) Fabian Lutz/CDO, Jesper Munch Jensen/CEO, Mads Andresen/CIO; (Seated) Markus Schalch/CFO, Martin Rauch/COO.

Expansion of the Executive Management Team

As of January 1, 2024, Mads Andresen will become a member of Jensen’s Executive Management Team in his new role as Chief Innovation Officer. He will enhance the framework for innovative advancements in all the company’s technologies and play a crucial role in further defining the integration strategy for robotics, AI, and machine learning within the Jensen-Group’s operations.

Outlook

The Group’s aim for 2024 is to “maintain momentum and solidify its market position and profitability level by relentlessly focusing on commercial excellence and manufacturing productivity.” The Group will continue to drive customer-centricity and sustainable innovation through the development of new products and services and by means of its participating interest in Inwatec ApS, while further enhancing the optimization and digitalization of business processes and applications.

The company’s CEO, Jesper Munch Jensen is delighted with the results: “Over the past few years, we have become the number one market leader in heavy-duty laundry equipment, surpassing our competitors in innovation leadership and revenue.”

AWGS Conference Report

Members of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists (AWGS) met recently in Dublin, Ohio. In addition to the traditional tour of a member’s plant, Dublin Cleaners, owned and managed by Brian Butler as well as Greg and Margaret Butler, guest speakers included digital marketing strategist Kristina Stubblefirld, who is also an expert in AI, and Emily Rochotte, a social media manager whose specialty is TikTok content.

Kermit Engh presents Nadine Rana with the Jack Barth Award.

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the thirteenth annual Jack Barth Memorial Award of Excellence. Initiated by Linda Stokes-Barth in remembrance of her late husband and his achievements in the dry cleaning industry, the award recognizes an AWGS for advancement, promotion, and development of industry standards for wedding gown care and for outstanding contributions and service to the Association and its members.

This year’s honoree, Nadine Rana of Style & Grace Cleaners in Toronto, Ontario, is a highly-regarded choice. Rana’s parents, Neville and Grace Mungal, joined the Association in 1991, and Rana and her brother Don Mungal (of Drape Master) are currently second-generation owners. Rana has presided over rebranding her company from multiple names to the new designation Style & Grace Cleaners. As she notes, “Our goal at Style & Grace is to take the term ‘Take you to the cleaners’ and turn it on its head, leaving you with a positive experience, polished product, and convenient service. Our expert dry or wet cleaning, garment finishing and convenient repairs and alterations will make sure you maintain your style, with Grace.”

At the meeting of the Association last year in Napa, California, Rana co-chaired a team who managed the group’s self-directed SWOT analysis and has continued to direct the team’s follow-up activities including Zoom calls devoted developing a process for obtaining reviews and partnering with bridal boutiques. In previous years she has presented on topics such as “Training and Recruiting a Reliable Team.” She was also an important component in the creation of the Association’s all-new websites www.weddinggownspecialists.com and www.weddinggownspecialists.net which include a special digital resource section accessible to Association members only..

Other speakers at the event included Jim Gilligan of Snedicor’s in Howell, Michigan, on the topic of transitioning to a delivery-only model of garment care as well as Gary Fine of Parkers Custom Clothing Care in Toronto, Ontario, and Mickey Goldberg of One Local on generating reviews at the counter.

In addition to speakers, there were a series of round-table conversations offering everyone in the group the chance to discuss topics ranging from the best techniques for marketing with AI to appealing to brides on TikTok. Table hosts were Clare Bobbitt of Oceanside Cleaners in Jacksonville, FL on creating a positive work culture, Brian Butler on training with video, and Dave Matthews, National Training Director on managing tough cleaning challenges.

Kermit Engh

Retiring president Kermit Engh of Fashion Cleaners and Omaha Lace in Omaha, Nebraska as well as of Methods for Management presided over the installation of officers: incoming president Kyle Matthews of Janet Davis Cleaners in Berkeley, Michigan, vice president Gary Fine of Parkers Custom Clothing Care in Toronto, Ontario, and secretary-treasurer Rhonda Wernick of Oakwood the Greener Cleaners in Nashville, Tennessee. Engh takes the place of immediate past president Malcolm MacGregor of Brown’s Cleaners in Ottawa, Ontario, who remains in place as chair of the Budget and Finance Committee.

Incoming members of the Board are Bobbitt and Kurt Lucero of The Cleanery in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Retiring members of the Board are Brandon Maloney of Nu-Yale Cleaners in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky, and Tom Ustanik of Lansing Cleaners in Lansing, Illinois.

Members new to the Association are Randy and Ramona Jaeger of Canyon Cleaners in Rifle, Colorado, Art Buckland of Nor’East Cleaners in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Will Drook of Fox Cleaners and Armstrong Cleaners in Dayton, Ohio, Maggie Fox of Fox Cleaners in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Greg Gunderson of Gunderson Cleaners in Appleton, Wisconsin, Marcus Walker of Upton Cleaners in Southport, Queensland, Australia, Brittany Chamberland of ARC Sewing Services in St. Paul, Alberta, Canada, and Dominador Asis III of Absolute Laundry and Drycleaners in Antipolo City, The Philippines.

Sponsors of the event were Kreussler, Inc., Foster-Stephens, Inc., Sankosha-USA, Inc, Select Risk Insurance, and Kleerwite Chemicals.

AWGS is a not-for-profit trade association with members in eight countries. Members are certified to ensure that wedding gowns and heirloom textiles of all kinds are cleaned according to established museum standards and preserved in archival-quality materials. Wedding couples benefit from the personal, interactive service offered by wedding gown specialists in local communities, but the guarantee is truly an international warranty because each member honors the guarantee of every other member no matter where in the world they may be.

For more information about training and membership, call the Association office
at 800-501-5005 or go to www.WeddingGownSpecialists.com or www.WeddingGownSpecialists.net.au.

Alberta Textile Care Association Convention coming in April

The ATCA convention, themed “Opportunities for the Future”, will be held Saturday, April 13, at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino, Calgary, AB.

In announcing the event, the convention committee said, “Get ready to join the coolest crowd in town — industry leaders, inspiring speakers, and awesome business owners just like you! We’re coming together to geek out on the latest trends and juicy opportunities to help you skyrocket your business to success. Don’t miss out on this epic event — let’s learn, network, and have a blast together!”

Speakers will be announced soon. Topics will include:

  • Grow & Expand — Financial literacy as a superpower
  • Innovative equipment to boost profits
  • Marketing — digital and traditional techniques
  • Regulation changes affecting our industry
  • More…

The convention will also include supplier trade show tables, lunch, and an open forum, plus networking opportunities. Registrations before March 12 are entered into an Early Bird Drawing for a free night at Deerfoot Inn & Casino.

Registration and tickets are available at ABTCA.eventbrite.ca.

TCATA 2024 Annual Management and Educational Conference

The Textile Care Allied Trades Association will hold its 2024 Management and Educational Conference April 28 – May 1 at the Barton Creek Omni Resort in Austin, TX.

The conference will include two keynote speakers. Pamela Barnum, The Trust Agent, will discuss intentional communication through verbal and non-verbal cues to help you build trust, and influence and negotiate in your business. Tom Edwards, Futurist, will speak on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can streamline tasks for businesses of any size. He will also give an interactive workshop on AI during the Executive Idea Exchange at the conference.

First-time attendees, and those who have not attended in at least 5 years, receive a special registration rate of $625. The conference rate for additional attendees from the same company has been dropped to $595.

For more information, visit the TCATA conference page on the website.

DLI Announces Hall of Fame

Nominations open April 1 for the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute’s (DLI) all-new Hall of Fame Award, the Institute’s highest honor. All industry professionals are invited to nominate a candidate for the award. Membership in DLI or any other organization is not required to nominate a candidate or receive an award. DLI’s Board of Directors established the Hall of Fame Award to recognize and acknowledge individuals who have contributed to the betterment of the drycleaning and laundry industry.

“Pioneers, heroes, innovators – the Hall of Fame forever memorializes those who shaped our industry’s past and ignites its future,” said Jeff Schwegmann II, DLI’s current Chairman of the Board and Owner of Sunshine Cleaners in Cold Spring, Kentucky, and U.S. Leather Cleaning.

Nominations for DLI’s Hall of Fame Award are open April 1 – May 15 and will be accepted from and for any industry participant, regardless of organizational membership, through a form available at DLIonline.org/HoF. DLI’s Board of Directors will review applications and recipients will be announced to the industry by mid-September.

Candidates for the award include industry pioneers, exceptional business leaders, and community advocates. DLI intends to shine a spotlight on individuals who have made a lasting positive impact on the industry.

Mary Scalco, DLI’s CEO, said, “Professional drycleaning and laundry operators from all over the world contribute to the betterment of our industry every day. Our goal with the Hall of Fame is to recognize contributions made by any professional in our industry who has made a positive impact and honor them as examples for other members of the industry. All cleaning professionals, regardless of membership, are welcome to nominate industry professionals they see as inspirational for this award.”

Norman Way of Puritan Cleaners in Richmond, Virginia and District 2 Director on DLI Board, said, “At a recent DLI Board meeting, we all thought of people in our industry who helped us grow personally and professionally and how we might honor them. We know others feel the same and the DLI Hall of Fame Award seems like the perfect way to commend and recognize these impactful leaders who left a lasting effect on us all.”

“The introduction of DLI’s Hall of Fame award is just one of many aspects that makes our industry great,” said Mark Albrecht of The Route Pros in Woodbury, New Jersey. “We all have so many true mentors and drycleaning superheroes. This award will ensure that those peoples’ legacies are at the forefront of so many of our minds as we move into the future.”

Online Nominations Due May 15

To be eligible for nomination, candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of experience working in the drycleaning and laundry industry. The selection process will involve a two-stage voting process by DLI’s Hall of Fame committee, and the awardees will be publicly announced and celebrated.

Inaugural Inductees

DLI’s inaugural group of Hall of Fame inductees includes previous recipients of DLI’s Diamond Achievement Meritorious Service Award. DLI recognized eight industry legends with its Diamond Achievement Award over a 25-year period. Their names are etched in bronze on a plaque that hangs at DLI’s offices by the entrance to DLI’s School of Drycleaning Technology in Laurel, Maryland. Industry professionals who received DLI’s highest honor are:

  • Barney Deden, retired drycleaner in Omaha, Nebraska (1999)
    “For his deep commitment and untiring efforts on legislative efforts for the industry”
  • Stan Golomb, Founder of The Golomb Group, Chicago, Illinois (2001)
    “For helping generations of drycleaning & laundry professionals achieve success”
  • Chris Edwards, A Cleaner World, High Point, North Carolina (2005)
    “For his work to enhance the industry’s image through tireless charitable and environmental community service”
  • Jeff Miller, Miller’s Fine Drycleaning, Hendersonville, North Carolina (2007)
    “For helping hundreds of WWII Veterans visit their memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.”
  • Sid Tuchman, Tuchman Training Systems, San Francisco, California (2011)
    “For his unwavering dedication to helping hundreds of drycleaning & laundry professionals achieve success”
  • Don Fawcett, Dependable Cleaners, Quincy, Massachusetts (2015)
    “For his unwavering commitment to excellence and lifetime of selfless service to the industry”
  • Milt Chortkoff, Milt & Edie’s Drycleaning & Tailoring Center, Burbank, California (2018)
    “For a lifetime of demonstrating excellence in customer service and charitable service”
  • Walter “Buster “Bell, Bell Laundry and Cleaners, Spartanburg, South Carolina (2018)
    “For his deep commitment and lifelong dedication to helping people succeed in the drycleaning business”

These individuals consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and achievement in their respective fields. DLI’s Hall of Fame was created to honor outstanding industry individuals and businesses. The new Hall of Fame award succeeds the institute’s highest honor, celebrating excellence in leadership, business operations, community involvement, environmental stewardship, and a deep-seated passion for the industry.

All 2024 recipients of the Hall of Fame Award will be recognized at state or national events, further highlighting their significant contributions to the drycleaning and laundry industry.

For more information about the DLI Hall of Fame Award and to make a nomination, please visit DLI’s official Hall of Fame page at DLIonline.org/HoF

Cintas acquires SITEX

(As reported by Business Newswire)

Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) has acquired SITEX, a Kentucky-based, family-owned supplier of uniform and facility service programs.

SITEX was founded by the Sights family in Henderson, Kentucky in 1961. Currently, Wes Sights serves as CEO of SITEX, which has five different locations servicing customers in a four-state region, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

“The Sights family has grown SITEX into a strong regional provider of quality apparel and facility service solutions to their customers in the central Midwest,” said Scott Garula, President and COO of Cintas’ Rental Division. “They’ve built a successful company with a well-earned reputation for delivering outstanding customer and employee experiences. We look forward to welcoming SITEX’s customers and employees to Cintas in the coming months.”

“Our customers and employees have always been and remain our primary focus for any decision we make,” said Wes Sights, CEO of SITEX. “The opportunity for SITEX to become part of the industry-leading Cintas team allows us to offer more services and products for our customers and capitalize on Cintas’ supply chain support while still delivering the highest level of service.”

About Cintas Corporation

Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, towels, restroom supplies, workplace water services, first aid and safety products, eye-wash stations, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.

For more information: Michelle Goret, Cintas Vice President of Corporate Affairs | goretm@cintas.com, 513-972-4155