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N EWSLETTER ROCKY MOUNTAIN FABRICARE ASSOCIATION SERVING THE DRYCLEANERS OF COLORADO, UTAH, AND WYOMING In this issue This spring the RMFA was involved in four successful offerings to our industry. The first was co-sponsored by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and RMFA. The “EPA Comes Clean” (our suggestion) or “Confused About the New Dry Cleaning Rules” (NESHAP, their suggestion) was offered once in Colorado Springs on April 19th and then presented again in Highlands Ranch on April 26, both sessions were well attended and very informative. Our thanks to the SBAP (Joni Canterbury) and GAP (Kathryn Stewart) staff who developed and presented the program. Thanks also to the folks at Aspen Waste Services and Disposal for contributing spill kits as door prizes and Katzson Brothers for the high fashion chemical resistant gloves as prizes for the quiz show format winners. The second set of programs was offered by the RMFA and presented and developed by our good and loyal friend Roland Dobbins (The Las Vegas Spot and Wash Magician - this title, a creation of the RMFA education committee, but offered to Roland to use at his pleasure). The first on May 17 was a wetcleaning seminar that featured an in depth demonstration of techniques for all levels of expertise and equipment options. The feedback from attendees was very positive also the bounty of free merchandise provided by Jeff Allen of Seitz was much appreciated. RMFA EDUCATION COMMITTEE By: Joe Blaha Katzson Brothers 3 Technical Bulletin 4 Utah Update 4 Show Your Pride in Your Association 6 Legislative & Regulatory Issues 8 Rising set to retire from IFI’s Education Dept. 8 RMFA Allied Trades 9 Celebrate Earth Day Every Day 10 $3,115 - It’s Official Volume 22, No. 3 May/June 2007 Impressive Turnouts for Spring Programs ( Just the way we like it ) continued on page 2...

SERVING THE DRYCLEANERS OF COLORADO, … · The final offering was a General Stain Removal Training Class on May 19. This was an all day spotting class beginning with fibers, fabrics,

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N E W S L E T T E RROCKY MOUNTAIN FABRICARE ASSOCIATION

SERVING THE DRYCLEANERS OF COLORADO, UTAH, AND WYOMING

In this issue

This spring the RMFA was involved in four successful offerings to our industry. The first was co-sponsored by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and RMFA. The “EPA Comes Clean” (our suggestion) or “Confused About the New Dry Cleaning Rules” (NESHAP, their suggestion) was offered once in Colorado Springs on April 19th and then presented again in Highlands Ranch on April 26, both sessions were well attended and very informative. Our thanks to the SBAP (Joni Canterbury) and GAP (Kathryn Stewart) staff who developed and presented the program. Thanks also to the folks at Aspen Waste Services and Disposal for contributing spill kits as door prizes and Katzson Brothers for the high fashion chemical resistant gloves as prizes for the quiz show format winners.

The second set of programs was offered by the RMFA and presented and developed by our good and loyal friend Roland Dobbins (The Las Vegas Spot and Wash Magician - this title, a creation of the RMFA education committee, but offered to Roland to use at his pleasure). The first on May 17 was a wetcleaning seminar that featured an in depth demonstration of techniques for all levels of expertise and equipment options. The feedback from attendees was very positive also the bounty of free merchandise provided by Jeff Allen of Seitz was much appreciated.

R M F A E D U C A T I O N C O M M I T T E E By: Joe Blaha Katzson Brothers

3 Technical Bulletin4 Utah Update4 Show Your Pride in Your Association6 Legislative & Regulatory Issues8 Rising set to retire from IFI’s Education Dept.8 RMFA Allied Trades9 Celebrate Earth Day Every Day10 $3,115 - It’s Official

Volume 22, No. 3 May/June 2007

Impressive Turnouts for Spring Programs ( Just the way we like it )

continued on page 2...

2

Board of DirectorsThe final offering was a General Stain Removal Training Class on May 19. This was an all day spotting class beginning with fibers, fabrics, dyes and finishes continuing with the use of the spotting board and the tools of the trade. An overview of stains and their removal and the use of color safe bleaches was incorporated into the presentation. An ample amount of time was spent with hands on work at the spotting board for the attendees. A great experience for those attending and we will certainly arrange for further classes with Roland in the future.

A special thank you to Summit Cleaners in Colorado Springs and the Dry Cleaning Station in Highlands Ranch for allowing us the use of their facilities for these events.

We’ll keep you posted on upcoming events - enjoy those summer activities - thank you for supporting the RMFA.

RMFA MISSION STATEMENT:The purpose of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN FABRICARE ASSOCIATION is to

enhance the image and viability of the fabricare industry through education, and development of the skills, talents and professionalism of its membership

RMFA PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES:To promote, develop and protect the interests of the garment and textile maintenance industry. To improve the quality of services rendered by the industry by providing an opportunity for the exchange of experiences, ideas and opinions through meetings, discussion and educational programs. The primary goals of the RMFA are to develop and encourage the practice of high standards, professional conduct, safety, and environmental excellence within the workplace among members of the dry cleaning industry.

PRESIDENTBrad Ewing, CEDNu-Way Cleaners

VICE-PRESIDENTCarl SalustriLaundro-Tech

SECRETARY/TREASURERBrian HansenArt Cleaners

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTRichard Reese, CED, CPDYour Valet Cleaners

ADMINISTRATORNicole Plese

AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVESJim Nixon - Greeley, COPaul Kaneko - Salt Lake City, UTTom Rowland - Silverthorne, CO

ALLIED TRADES REPRESENTATIVESJeff Allen - Littleton, COJoe Blaha - Denver, COJim Orlin - Denver, CORichard Right - Denver, COBob Stine - Highlands Ranch, CO

Rocky Mountain Fabricare Association:11166 Huron Street, Suite 27

Denver, CO 80234-3339(303) 433-4446 Phone

(303) 458-0002 FaxEmail: [email protected]

Visit our Website:www.rmfa.org

Rocky Mountain Fabricate Association is an affiliate of the

International Fabricate Institute.

3

BulletinBulletinTechnicalTechnical

Preventative maintenance is an area that constantly receives a lot of lip service, but for some reason, the message seems to get lost in our day to day routines. Preventative maintenance on the drycleaning machine is essential in order to achieve quality and trouble free operation, not to mention effective drycleaning. If button traps and pump strainers are not cleaned on regular intervals, there are problems with solvent flow, draining, and extracting. This places a lot of undo stress on the pump, drive motor, and belts, causing premature wear. The same goes for air line oilers that are not properly maintained, which in turn causes the pneumatic valves to stick, and not operate properly which in turn causes all kind of operational problems. Water separators that look like a high school biology project gone bad are the most prevalent cause of odor in a drycleaning system. In addition, improperly maintained stills will not only cause odor problems, but can be a huge waste of steam pressure, and perc consumption. These are only a few of the problems I seem to encounter on a daily basis, all of which could be avoided with a little regular and preventative maintenance. In a time when everyone is looking for ways to save on their energy consumption, it only makes sense that we keep our equipment in top working order. Below I will give a rough outline of items that need to be maintained and a time frame for each. It should be noted that these are merely suggestions and that operators should consult their manufacturers equipment manuals for items specific to their particular equipment.Every load Check and remove any debris in the wheel before processing the next load.Every 2 to 3 loads Clean lint from the lint filter in the drying chamber. Remove debris from the button trap.Daily Check filter pressures and bleed air from the housing if necessary. Check refrigeration sight glass for bubbles. Clean pump strainer and pre-lint filter if so equipped. Check appearance of perc/solvent and water levels in water separator. Drain still – predicated on volume and use. Drain water from airline separator.

Desorb/regenerate carbon absorber (if needed).Weekly Check oil level in airline oiler, refill if less than ¼ full. Check for perc/solvent leaks – refer to your detection and inspection forms. Drain and scrape the still – more often based on volume and use. Drain and replace water in the water separator. Thoroughly clean lint filters.Monthly Check refrigeration coils for potential lint build up. Check condenser coils. Grease bearings and motors according to manufacturers recommendations. Thoroughly clean water separator, and inspect for clogs. Check belt tension – adjust if necessary.Annually Clean heating and cooling coil fins. Clean condenser coils. Check all coils for leaks.

As I stated before, this is only a suggested list of maintenance items, you should consult your machine manufacturers manual for specific preventative/regular maintenance items. Most of us would not even consider not maintaining our automobiles, so it only makes sense to maintain one of the most important pieces of equipment in the plant, not to mention the unnecessary headaches you will avoid. You will also be one

step closer to providing quality cleaning for your customers.

If I can be of assistance with your quality improvement initiatives or any other concerns you may have with your drycleaning system, feel free to contact me at (303) 679-0387.

Bob StineR.R. Street & Co. Inc.

By: Bob Stine R.R. Street & Company

Preventative Maintenance – A Necessity to Achieve Quality Drycleaning

UpdateUpdateUtahUtahBy: Richard Reese Your Valet

Thank You Sharon!Sharon Dutcher of Faye’s Laundry and Drycleaning has decided to resign as an RMFA board

member. Sharon has served on the board for over ten years, most recently as the secretary/treasurer. Sharon said she would miss all of the people but felt it was time for her to move on. We will miss her as well! When asked about her time on the RMFA board Sharon said, “I feel like I have benefited both personally and professionally.”

Many thanks to Sharon for her years of dedicated service and hard work. You will be missed.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

VeriFone XL300 Terminal VeriFone Omni 3200 VeriFone 900 PrinterVeriFone Credit Card Readers - $100 up

VeriFone Credit Card Reader/Printers - $150 upVeriFone Credit Card Receipt Printers - $100 up

For More Information and Equipment, go to:www.thecleaners.net/equipment.htm

Jim NixonNu-Way Cleaners

2501 7th AveGreeley, CO 80631

[email protected]

ShOw YOUR PRIDE IN YOUR ASSOCIATION...

Show your pride in your association by purchasing an item. All profits go to supporting the website and other RMFA educational tools. Just visit the RMFA website at www.rmfa.org and click on this image to preview all the items that are available.

RMFA offers items such as apparel, baby apparel, housewares, hats, bags, stickers, buttons, magnets, posters, prints and more!

5

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2007:

June 11-14, 2007Clean Show ‘07

Las Vegas Convention CenterLas Vegas, Nevada

August 1-4, 2007TCATA Annual Management & Education Conference

Silverado ResortNapa, California

October 18-21, 2007IDC Convention

Hilton International HotelSan Francisco, Califonia

EQUIPMENT FOR SALEAmerican Pneumatic Heat seal

machines$900 up

Bishop-Freeman Shirt folding table$1,100

Cissell Pant Topper$500

Cissell Puff Irons$125 up

Cissell Pre-Spot Tank$150

Chandler Button Sewing Machine$1200

Chansew Electric Button Sewing Machine$1,100

Cool Air Evaporative Cooler$500

ElectrOzone Generator$150

Exxis Lap Time Surveillance System$995.00

Forenta Heated Collar Cone$175

Forenta Bantam 3 pc. Shirt Unit$4,700

Febon Pillow Cleaning Machine$1,100

Juki Electric Button Sewing Machine

$1600Permac 35# Perc DC Machine

Make OfferPfaff Commercial Sewing machine

$150Pillow-Vac Pillow Cleaning machine

$1,100Puritan Vanguard 1� Filter

$600Shirt Cone

$225Singer Patch Machine

$500Singer Industrial Sewing Machine

$375VeriFone Credit Card Reader

$100 upVeriFone Credit Card Receipt

Printer$100 up

THIS EQUIPMENT IS LOCATED IN COLORADO AND IOWACall for more information - (970) 353-7873

Jim Nixon, Nu-Way Cleaners2501 7th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631

[email protected]/equipment.htm

Regulatory IssuesRegulatory IssuesLegislative &Legislative &

Association health Plan Legislation May Prove to be Viable Solution for

Small BusinessesMany small businesses, including many IFI members, do not offer their employees health benefits because the plans are too expensive. Association Health Plan (AHP) legislation would provide small businesses the opportunity to band together through their association to provide affordable health benefits. AHP gives small businesses the same advantage that large companies enjoy:

• Greater bargaining power • Economics of sale • Administrative efficiencies

According to an annual survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Education Trust, health care costs are continuing to increase. The cost for job-based health coverage averages $3,000 for a single employee and $8,000 for a family. Because of these exorbitant costs, only 61% of small businesses offer health coverage benefits to their employees.

IFI will continue to follow this issue and continue to push for its enactment but we are in the very early stages.

Social Security Mismatch: what to do when the IRS Comes Knocking

What should you do if you are one of the 750,000 business owners who has received a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stating that one or more of your employees’ Social Security numbers does not match the one the agency has on file?

This year, nearly one in eight businesses in the United States was mailed such a “No Match” letter. So what should you do? Fire the employee? Demand to see the employee’s Social Security card? Do nothing? In fact, doing any of the above under certain circumstances can expose a business to unwanted liability. If you receive a letter about mismatched numbers, remember these pointers when responding to the notice:

Review your existing payroll records to see if a clerical error was made.

If the SSA or IRS notifies you of discrepancies, have the employee resubmit a W-4 form and, if necessary, file a corrected W-2 form.

Check any revised information with the employee’s original I-9 form to make sure changes are not warranted. You do not need to

ask the employee for new documents unless he or she originally presented the Social Security card for the I-9 form.

Do not destroy any original records but note new information and sign and date it. Make sure your policy is consistent for all employees. You cannot treat employees differently due to birthplace, ancestry, culture, or other factors.

Have an attorney review your procedures. Many of the discrepancies occur for legitimate reasons, such as an employee’s name change due to marriage or divorce or payroll administrative errors.

(Reprint by permission, uschamber.com, October 2002. Copyright © 2002, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.)

7

8

Rising set to retire from IFI’s Education DepartmentAfter teaching countless courses for the International Fabricare Institute’s Education Department, Jane Rising has hung up her teaching cap on the spotting board for good. Rising, IFI’s education manager, retired on June 1. She has spent over 21 1/2 years

altogether with IFI. Though her job includes many in-house duties such as planning the schedule for IFI’s classes, writing bulletins and preparing other educational materials, she also spent a lot of time on the road for the association’s outreach seminars and in-plant training. Rising graduated from Radford High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, while her father was stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center. With an avid interest in textiles, she went on to attend at the University of Hawaii where she earned a degree in home economics. “At the time I was at the school they did not have a track for fashion design, so there

were ten of us and they literally created a track for us,” she said. Rising has taught a lot of different fashion courses over the years as she and her husband have moved more than their fair share - everywhere from San Antonio to Miami, where she was an instructor for textiles and flat pattern drafting courses. Then, over two decades ago, she and her husband relocated fairly close to IFI’s headquarters. “When we moved here. I was looking for something that would fit into my background,” she said. She found what she was looking for, and a whole lot more. “It’s been really a lot of fun and I’ve met some wonderful people over the years who I’ve stayed in touch with,” she said. After her final day with IFI, Rising will be heading out west to Estes Park, Colorado. “We own a home there that we bought about seven years ago,” she said. “My husband and I have talked for some time about moving ourselves out there and enjoying the Rocky Mountains. I want to go while I’m still young and can go play.”

RMFA Allied TradesA.L. Wilson Chemical Company

Fred Schwarzmann, Jr.Kearny, New Jersey

[email protected]

Cleaner’s SupplyChris Gorski

Conklin, New York607-775-7905

Dry Cleaning Computer SystemsNorristown, Pennsylvania

800-451-8431

EnviroForensicsStephen Henshaw

Indianapolis, Indiana317-972-7870

[email protected]

Fabritec InternationalJeff Lenz

Cold Spring, Kentucky859-781-8200

[email protected]

Front Range LeatherJim Orlin

Denver, Colorado303-839-5099

[email protected]

Fulton Boiler WorksFred Riano

Pulaski, New York315-298-5121

[email protected]

Katzson Brothers, Inc.Richard Right

Denver, [email protected]

Kreussler, Inc.Kenneth HolderTampa, Florida813-884-1499

[email protected]

NIE InsuranceAnn Hawkins

St. Louis, Missouri800-325-9522

[email protected]

Seitz, Inc.Jeff Allen

Littleton, Colorado303-905-9326

[email protected]

Sundance Environmental ConsultantsMr. Robin M. Fryberger

Parker, Colorado303-699-7870

[email protected]

Westgate Software, Inc.Mark JonesDraper, Utah

[email protected]

If you would like more information on becoming a

RMFA Allied Trades member, please contact the RMFA office

at 303-433-4446 or send an email to [email protected]

9

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day with Environmental ActionSmall changes in everyday activities can pay big dividends

People who care about a cleaner, healthier environment have been celebrating Earth Day for more than 35 years. Tom Rowland, owner of Colorado Mountain Cleaners, is asking people to think bigger than a one-day observance.

“Earth Day should be a reminder to us all to be good stewards of the environment every day,” Rowland said. Rowland and his partner founded Colorado Mountain Cleaners in 2004. He uses the environmentally friendly GreenEarth Cleaning process that avoids the air-polluting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) used by most other drycleaners. The GreenEarth Cleaning process uses silicone-based cleaning solution that is safe and non-polluting, and has won numerous national, state, and local awards for environmental business practices.

“There are a lot of simple, east steps and changes people can make that will make a real difference for our environment,” Rowland said. “Most people know about recycling and carpooling, but there are lots of other things people can do every day, not just one day a year.”

In cooperation with Kansas City-based GreenEarth Cleaning, Colorado Mountain Cleaners provided this list of suggestions for people who want to make positive everyday changes to benefit the environment.

• No paper, no plastic: Buy and use canvas or net tote bags to carry groceries and other purchases.

• Let the sun shine on: Put up a clothesline and dry clothes in the open air when possible to reduce the use of the automatic dryer.

• Toss properly: Batteries, electronic equipment, paints and household chemicals such as cleaners and pesticides are among the items that should not be put out with the regular trash for landfill disposal. Contact your city or county government or a local environmental organization for information on how to dispose of these materials properly.

• Support your local farmer: When you patronize your local farmer’s market, you build support for local agriculture, which means less food has to be shipped long distances.

• Get Insulated: Reduce energy usage by adding insulation to your home. Wrap your hot water heater and pipes with insulation to save even more energy.

• Both sides now: Cut paper use in half by setting all the printers and copiers you use, at home and at work, to print on both sides of the paper.

• Flow lightly: Install plumbing fixtures such as toilets, showerheads and taps that reduce water flow and usage.

• Patronize environmentally friendly businesses: These include garages that help do-it-yourselfers dispose of waste oil properly; retailers who offer a wide selection of recycled, organic and locally produced products; restaurants that wash and reuse plates and glasses instead of disposables; and businesses that use safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals.

“We are proud to be a business that people who care about the environment can patronize with confidence,” Rowland said. “Our use of a cleaning process that is non-polluting but effective is better for our community, our customers, our employees and ourselves. We are proof that it is possible to be both ‘clean’ and ‘green’, because our customers prefer the way their clothes look, feel and smell with the GreenEarth Cleaning process.”

GreenEarth Cleaning was created in 1998 by several drycleaners who were looking for a non-polluting alternative to perchloroethylene or “perc”, which drycleaners have been using since the 1930’s. Drycleaners using the GreenEarth Cleaning process have now earned 12 different environmental awards, including citations from the U.S. EPA and the states of Colorado, Connecticut, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

“We chose GreenEarth because other alternative solvents are hydrocarbon-based, like perc, and are still classified as air-polluting VOCs (volatile organic compounds),” Rowland said. “We wanted to make a full commitment to our customers, employees, and to environmental protection by using the GreenEarth Cleaning process.”

The silicone-based GreenEarth Cleaning solvent is listed as a preferred alternative to ozone-depleting chemicals in the U.S. EPA’s Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP). Because any spill of a GreenEarth Cleaning solvent quickly degrades to sand, water, and carbon dioxide, it is not regulated by hazardous waste laws such as Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).

Increasing regulatory pressure, concern for soil and water contamination, and other business issue have led many in the drycleaning industry to search for an alternative to perc. GreenEarth Cleaning developed its patented, environmentally preferred silicone-based process in response to these industry needs and is now making the process available to drycleaners worldwide. More information is available by visiting the GreenEarth Cleaning website at: http://www.greenearthcleaning.com.

10

$3,115 - It’s OfficialThe numbers are in. It’s official. IFI/RMFA affiliated companies enjoyed another year of greater success with an increase in the hard dollar value of their professional status to a whopping $3,115 during 2006. The new number represents a 63% increase over 2005. There are few things in this world that can earn an impressive return like that!

Determined by a combination of just four of the exclusive opportunities available to every IFI/RMFA affiliated company, the new higher amount doesn’t even touch upon the vast and valuable intangible operation improvements that always result in increased income, profit, prestige and professionalism. In just one recent instance, IFI’s persistence with EPA will lead to an immediate savings for IFI/RMFA affiliated companies of at least $300 to $�00 per year because they will not be required to purchase equipment for measuring PCE vapors in the dry cleaning machine drum; another example of IFI’s vigilance and advocacy in regulatory matters leading towards savings and efficient business operations.

Clearly, professional affiliation with IFI/RMFA is an essential element of continuing success, the loss of which literally can stop business growth in its tracks and skyrocket costs.

Working with affiliated professionals as a partner in their success, every IFI/RMFA affiliated company has immediate and essential availability to - • A partner with a dedicated staff of experts available all the time to help find answers. • A partner that takes the time to investigate and tell you about important legislative, environmental, and regulatory issues. • A partner that constantly works to protect your business interests in the regulatory and legislative matters. • A partner that is honest and straightforward in giving you the scoop on important issues and has carefully developed background resource information to back it up. • A partner that continually suggests business building techniques and ways to increase your income, profit, prestige and professionalism. • The partner that sends you a monthly summary of textile and industry developments and emails immediate, essential updates and garment problem information and warnings. • The partner that attempts to find out why the garment performed or failed to perform as specified. • A partner that continually creates, makes easily available and encourages professional training not available anywhere else. • A partner that finds scholarships for continuing professional training. • A partner that makes available an abundance of accreditations and certifications with the sole aim of demonstrating, marketing your expertise, resulting in greater prestige,

professionalism, and profit to your business. • The partner that designs or instructs you on how to complete necessary training programs and mandated forms. • A partner that shops for the best deals on insurance, energy, collects bad checks and credit/debit payment processing. • The partner that organizes professional growth travel enabling you to get away from it all to renew and refresh yourself. • A partner that assembles very much equipment, supplies, and services in one place so you can look it all over at the same time.

Not too shabby, especially when you consider IFI/RMFA as a partner in your growth and success that does not require a weekly paycheck!

So, tell us, partner, how can we help you right now?

q Solveras Merchant Credit/Debit Card Payment Processing, 1-800-613-0148 FREE no obligation review of your processing costs - typically adding $1,135 to your income.

q Affiliated Power Purchasers International (APPI), 1-800-520-6685 FREE utility audit - typically adding $1,300-$2,700 to your income - Available in areas as permitted by utility regulations.

q IFI/IWA Insurance Program, 1-800-243-1811 FREE No obligation insurance review - typically adding $�80 (and sometimes much, much more!) to your income.

q FREE Check Collection and Recovery, 1-866-638-9979 Just call and sign up - typically recovering and average of $200 per year.

What are you waiting for? Start cashing in. Make the calls.

If you are not a current IFI/RMFA affiliated company, turn to page 11 and fill out the application and mail it in to:

RMFA111�� Huron Street, Suite 27

Denver, CO 8023�-3339

a

a

a

a

11

RMFA

Mail Completed application and payment to:

Rocky Mountain Fabricare Association11166 Huron Street, Suite 27Denver, CO 80234-3339

PRESORTED STANDARDUS POSTAGE

PAIDDENVER, CO

PERMIT NO. 385

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FABRICARE ASSOCIATION11166 Huron Street, Suite 27Denver, CO 80234-3339