Current Situation of the Dry Cleaning Industry in the United States
Release Time:
2010-02-04 16:35
Source:
Author: Carol Memberg (USA)
Carol Memberg is the president of BPS Communications, which publishes the leading trade newspaper in the U.S. dry cleaning industry, National Clothesline.
She also serves as the executive director of the Pennsylvania-Delaware Cleaners Association (PDCA). Carol was president of the IDC (International Drycleaning Conference) in 2007.
The economic recession has undoubtedly impacted the U.S. dry cleaning industry. In recent years, customers have reduced their purchases of garments requiring dry cleaning, while buying more casual wear. However, they now have professional cleaning of higher-end clothing less frequently than before. Additionally, there are still many dry cleaners in the U.S. Although the industry's business volume is declining, the number of new stores is still increasing, partly because dealers heavily promote new laundries. Many dealers are more interested in transferring and selling stores rather than finding ways to operate them well. They convince people that dry cleaning is an industry that requires no professional knowledge or experience and can yield high profits with just capital investment. Many dry cleaners fail and close, but some owners persist. They provide employment for themselves, work long hours daily with their families, but earn low incomes. They attract business from other industries.
How to cope with declining business volume and low profits is a major issue in the dry cleaning industry. Worse still, dry cleaners face serious problems because their equipment and solvents need to be updated.
People are striving to find ways to increase profits. High-quality service is the cornerstone of success both in prosperous and recessionary times. Therefore, the best cleaners are also the best businesspeople, often coming up with ways to delight their customers. They redecorate their stores to raise the grade. They offer coffee to customers in the morning, popcorn or other sweets in the afternoon. They sponsor children's sports teams, participate in community activities, and join various networking groups to better connect with potential customers.
As people work to improve their capabilities to attract more customers, pick-up and delivery services have become a focus. People often discuss issues such as the best way to determine routes, how to explain their advantages to potential customers, how to compensate drivers who are also salespeople, and so on. On the other hand, many dry cleaners must understand the benefits that services requiring upfront investment in time, vehicles, and capital can bring. Undoubtedly, dry cleaners who choose to start or expand route services achieve greater success than those who do not.
Environmental issues are among the biggest challenges facing U.S. dry cleaners.
The use of perchloroethylene has become increasingly regulated, and many are choosing to replace this preferred solvent. Some have already switched solvents because local governments require it. Others believe they will eventually face the same restrictions, even if they trust that their solvent use is absolutely safe.
Factors to consider when changing solvents include flash point, carcinogenicity, toxicity, and ozone depletion potential. The most discussed alternatives are hydrocarbons, GreenEarth, and bromopropane. Each of these solvents has advantages and disadvantages, and dry cleaners must carefully weigh these when making major decisions.
The most commonly used alternative is hydrocarbons. Modern formulations of this solvent and equipment designed specifically for it have lowered the flash point to a safer level and reduced the risk of explosion. However, the International Fire Code, which is widely adopted worldwide including in the U.S., does not recognize these changes, so sprinkler systems are still required. This greatly increases the cost of new equipment. Moreover, in some areas, old water pipes cannot withstand the pressure of sprinkler systems, so permit applications are denied.
Another option is GreenEarth, a silicone-based product. With the correct detergents and technical care, good cleaning results can be achieved. However, this product raises reproductive health concerns. California, the state with the strictest environmental regulations in the U.S., recently declared these allegations unfounded. Nevertheless, GreenEarth has not yet been fully approved as a dry cleaning solvent alternative.
Bromopropane is marketed in the U.S. under the name "Dry Solv." It was initially introduced because it could be dripped into fully cleaned existing dry cleaning machines. However, practice has shown this is not feasible because the solvent rapidly corrodes aluminum parts it contacts. Manufacturers now recommend users replace all metal parts with stainless steel or purchase new machines specifically designed for this solvent. Although research on this solvent is not complete, health concerns have also been raised.
Wet cleaning has become a standard additional service for a good dry cleaning store compared to dry cleaning. However, it is widely agreed that wet cleaning cannot replace all dry cleaning. Many garments cannot be wet cleaned at all and usually require long times for ironing and surface treatment, making the process economically unfeasible.
Recent equipment developments combine two technologies, but both have their own issues. Ethylene glycol ether is a proven solvent with good cleaning effects but cannot be used to dry garments without damaging them. Liquid carbon dioxide has poor cleaning performance even with various additives but can quickly and safely dry garments. The U.S. company R.R. Street designed a dry cleaning machine called Solvair that uses both products and addresses these challenges. It cleans garments with ethylene glycol ether and injects carbon dioxide to dry them. Clothes treated by this machine are clean, fresh, and undamaged. However, this machine comes in only one size, which is a drawback for cleaners with large volumes. Also, as the manufacturer is a newly established company with certain limitations, the machine's price is high, about twice that of equipment of the same size.
Another new machine is the Ipura from Columbia-Ilsa. This device cleans by spraying hydrocarbons without immersion. This cleaning process may seem unusual, but users find the cleaning effect very good and are very fond of it.
There is also an interesting technology still under development: a granular polymer added to the washing machine with a small amount of water. During cleaning, these granules adsorb dirt. This method greatly reduces the water needed for washing. However, it remains to be verified whether this method truly works as promised.
Efficiency has always been the most valued characteristic in the U.S. dry cleaning industry. Stretching equipment that can improve production efficiency and quality while reducing labor costs has become standard for finishing equipment. Shirt washers that are fast, easy to use, and achieve good results have been continuously improved and upgraded.
Computers used for labeling, pricing, and tracking customers' clothes have also been continuously improved, making them easier to operate and more user-friendly.
The automated method of scanning and marking with barcodes can record how many times a piece of clothing has been cleaned, and even who cleaned it. It can also track customer preferences, such as the desired level of starching. There are also some automated bagging machines, which are costly, but for large-scale laundries, the labor cost savings can offset this high expense.
What do all these advanced technologies really mean for the future of American dry cleaners? The International Cleaning Expo held in New Orleans in July may provide some answers. Few cleaners attended the expo, but equipment sales were very substantial. The cleaners who attended were those who have won in competition, hoping to continue their success by adopting the latest ideas and tools to develop their business and achieve success.
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