picking stocks. If the media is talking a great deal about a par- ticular stock, it’s time to look elsewhere. He said investors should look for stocks that are trading at a minimum 30% below market value.
NEW BENEFIT PLANS Jason Wiesner of Wiesner Insur- ance presented the results of a survey sent out to the OFA membership regarding a Group Insurance Plan for members, and presented a new program for banking, which would reduce the financial cost of doing business. More details on this new program wi l l be announced in the coming months as new benefit pro- grams are put in place for the membership of OFA. Wiesner introduced John
Hayes of Terra Cotta Wealth Management, whom he has partnered with in providing these new benefit programs. Hayes talked about risk man- agement, the importance of partnership agreements, defer- ring and minimizing taxes, decreasing fees, and improving quality of life.
CUSTOMER RELATIONS Lorraine Muir, of Drycleaning & Laundry Institute International (DLI), discussed customer rela- tions and presented a series of slides of problem garments, describing what went wrong with them and providing ideas on how to communicate the problems to customers. Her recommendations when dealing with a complaint are to acknowl- edge the problem, clarify it, and explain how you will solve the situation. Muir went into detail about
the prime issues with black and white garments, typically made of polyester and spandex, and not colourfast. She recommend- ed customers be advised ahead of time of potential problems, and in some cases only spot- clean these garments. The cur- rent price for analysis in the DLI lab is US$36. When sending garments to DLI, Muir reminded everyone to list the parcel as having zero commercial value and as damaged goods, in order to avoid costly customs fees. Even so, the garment is still insurable. Muir referred every- one to DLI’s Encyclopedia of
Drycleaning and encouraged everyone to use the reference tool.
WET CLEANING Clark McDaniel led a panel dis- cussion about Fabricare Clean- ing Center’s experience transi- tioning to wet cleaning and its own personal success. The panel included three other members of his team, including general manager Shirley Tim- pano. Along with the opera- tions of their plant, the panel discussed thei r market ing strategies, including their satis- faction guarantee to customers, and bonus programs for indi- viduals and teams within the organization. The panel took numerous questions from the audience. McDaniel said that al though the wet cleaning machines are typically smaller than dry cleaning machines, they operate in half the time. Also, their amount of rewash has been reduced by 50% com- pared to cleaning with perc.
ENVIRONMENT CANADA Michael Schendelheim (Ontario regional contact for Environ- ment Canada) and Dan Holmes (inspector for Environment Canada) presented an overview of current and future regula- tions for the dry cleaning indus- try in Canada with respect to the use of perc. They discussed the responsibilities of reporting, including enforcement policies and the financial penalties for failing to comply. Schendelheim explained the importance of having perc-resistant drain plugs or mats readily available, reminding everyone that sec- ondary spill containers must be 110% of the machine volume capacity, and all containers must remain closed. In 2015, Environment Canada will be inspect ing al l dry cleaning plants in Canada that use perc. Prior to inspection, dry cleaners will be contacted by the min- istry to verify their information and notify them of the upcom- ing inspection.
RISK AND LIABILITY Jacquelyn Stevens (of Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers) discussed risk and civil liabilities for dry cleaners and how to minimize risk. She reminded everyone how a discharge or
26 FABRICARE CANADA July/August 2014
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leak of solvent can lead to a lawsuit, and the importance of putting in place an environ- mental management system and waste management plan. Stevens also talked about the legal requirements in reporting and operating a perc plant. She recommends dry cleaners adopt an environmentally responsible plan for their operation that employees can use even when the owners are not present.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP On occasion, the OFA Board of Directors elects an individual to the position of Life Member- ship. The Life Membership recipient must have a minimum of 20 years of active experience in the dry cleaning or laundry indust ry and/or have con- tributed in an outstanding and notable manner to attaining the aims, objectives and purposes of OFA. This year the Board of Directors unanimously voted the award to Richard Rivard, formerly of Blondie Cleaners in Windsor. Brian Chelsky present- ed Richard with a plaque recog- nizing his life membership.
1. John Hayes of Terra Cotta Wealth Management. 2. Jordan Gould of Richter Partners. 3. Fabricare Cleaning Center’s panel discussion on wet cleaning. 4. Brenda and Sidney Chelsky.
VENDORS FEATURED There were several tabletop dis- plays featuring various goods and service vendors that partici- pants could visit during the breaks. Vendors present includ- ed: Miele, Harco, Wiesner Insurance, Terra Cotta Wealth Management, TD Merchant Services, Dalex Canada, Green- Earth, Graham Edwards Sales, Ontario Laundry Systems, and Seneca College. Despite nationwide declining
participation in Associations, the combination of OFA/ECLDA produced a conference full of valuable information and ener- gy to move forward with plans for the future.
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