Winning Stain Removal Seminar

The May stain removal seminar in Cranberry was a huge success. Jane Zellers of JCZ Training and Consulting, and Bob Edwards, along with Chris Patten, both from A.L. Wilson, showed the attendees how to recognize stains, followed by basic proper procedures. They learned advanced techniques and how to use bleaches.
“Very instructive for both the beginner and the veteran, interesting and interactive” commented one attendee.
Look for the next Stain Removal Clinic in eastern Pennsylvania in the fall.

 

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Scholarships Available

There are several scholarships available to owners and employees PDCA member plants. Our Lucky Amatore Memorial Scholarship pays $1000 toward the tuition of any DLI School of Technology program. The applicant must have worked at the member cleaning plant for at least six months. To apply, contact PDCA.
There are nine scholarships available each year from R.R. Street Co. The awarding of the scholarships is solely at the discretion of DLI's Directors, and applicants should submit a written explanation of the reason for the request to our district director, Martin Young.
For details on the scholarships, call the PDCA office.

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PA Compliance Calendars Available

Dyrcleaners who use perc should now have their Pennsylvania Dry Cleaner Compliance Calendars for 2017. Cleaners will need one for each perc machine they operate. PDCA has extra calendars available. If you need more, contact the office and we will send you what you need.

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EPA Moves to Ban Tricloroethylene as the First Major Regulatory Action Under Chemical Reform Law

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to ban certain uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) due to health risks when used as a degreaser and a spot removal agent in dry cleaning
Most manufacturers no longer use TCE in their stain removers. To see if you have products containing it, check the material safety data sheet.
Specifically, EPA is proposing to prohibit manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution in commerce of TCE for use in aerosol degreasing and for use in spot cleaning in dry cleaning facilities.  EPA is also proposing to require manufacturers, processors, and distributors to notify retailers and others in their supply chains of the prohibitions.
EPA’s assessment also found risks associated with TCE use in vapor degreasing. The agency is developing a separate proposed regulatory action to address those risks. Recently, EPA announced the inclusion of TCE on the list of the first ten chemicals to be evaluated for risk under TSCA. That action will allow EPA will evaluate the other remaining uses of the chemical. The current action only proposes to ban certain uses of the chemical.

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PDCA Wetcleaning Seminar

How do cleaners handle wetcleaning? What are the differences that cleaners need to learn?

These and other questions were answered at the PDCA wetcleaning seminar at Quality Cleaners in Lemoyne. Tom McAllister of Kruessler demonstrated the proper sorting and timing for good results. Attendees were able to see the process from start through completion, and handle the newly cleaned garments.

 

 

He also explained the importance of the chemistry involved as well as the finishing process.

 

 

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2017 Programs and Seminars

This year will bring outstanding programs to PDCA members across our area. The programs are designed to help our members upgrade their businesses, improve their profits, and learn from experts and from each other.

• On May 20, Jane Zellers and Bob Edwards will lead a class on Basic and Advanced Stain Removal, from the counter to the spotting board, in Pittsburgh.
• In September, there will be a Meet and Greet networking event at a popular location in Pittsburgh, with food and beverages. Financing will again be the seminar topic.
The Basic and Advanced Stain Removal seminar with Jane Zellers and Bob Edwards will be repeated in eastern Pennsylvania in October.

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PDCA Wins Sales Tax Expansion Battle

After vigorous opposition and a coordinated effort, PDCA was successful in removing the sales tax on drycleaning from the proposed PA budget. Governor Wolf has declined to sign or veto the last version sent to him, so it is now in effect. There is no sales tax expansion in it.

A new budget will be proposed in a few months, and PDCA will continue to protect members by keeping up to date with what is happening and maintaining our position with legislators.

PDCA vice president Dale Kaplan recently hosted a group of legislators in his drycleaning plant to voice opposition to any increase in taxes that would affect small businesses.

The meeting was reported on March 3 on Harrisburg TV station ABC27.

We received regular briefings letting us know any activities concerning the status of the sales tax, so that we could respond immediately.

There is strength in numbers, and we will provide you with sample letters and talking points, if needed.

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Balfurd Dry Cleaners Featured in Fabricare Magazine

Congratulations to our member plant, Balfurd Dry Cleaners, which won the 2016 Best in Customer Service award from Market-Wise Consultants. In DLI’s Fabricare Magazine, Balfurd was recognized for they way it uses the DLI Mystery Shopper program to improve service and grow the company.

Monika Mater, vice president of retail operations, said that she wants CSRs who create customers that come back. The program helped her to develop a manual for new hires to teach them what to do at the counter.

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Meet the PDCA Officers

Meet the officers that have been elected to head PDCA in 2017. Mark Pollock of Signature Cleaners in Doylestown assumes the office of president. Years of experience and training have made him a specialist in stain removal and wedding gown cleaning and preservation. He previously served as treasurer of the association and has chaired our Expo trade show for many conventions. To read his first President’s Column for PDCA, go HERE.

 

 

George “Steve” Stevenson of Stevenson’s Cleaners in Altoona, is the new treasurer and president-elect, which means he’ll be assuming the presidential duties for the association during the 2018-19 term.

 

 

Taking over as secretary is Barry Gordon of Quality Cleaners in Lemoyne. The company is now in its third generation of ownership after having been originally incorporated in 1958.

 

 

Dale Kaplan will remain in the position of vice president for government activities. He is the owner of Kaplan’s Careful Cleaners located on Market St. in Camp Hill, PA. He originated the idea behind the grant program and coordinated our sales tax opposition.

 

 

Finally, outgoing president Bill Nicolais becomes Immediate Past President after serving as president for the past two years. Nicolais is the owner of Spotless Cleaners located in Dunmore, PA.