Networking for more Professionalization and Specialization

Thursday April 28^th: The Sneak Preview Reception, the evening before the two days show, delivered a promising start. Excellent networking by associations, retail textile service companies, experts and suppliers from within and beyond the South West part of the USA. After Corona it was seen as a good opportunity for personal contacts and exchanging the ideas and practical solutions for issues everybody in the industry is facing. The Program of this two days event included a series of networking events, practical presentations on a wide variety of business topics and advanced demonstrations of suppliers.

Some 75 suppliers and 750 visitors travelled to Dallas for lots of information and to exchange ideas for taking home and implement in their own companies. Compliments to the organizer the SDA to set up a fantastic event and leading the way forward. SDA President Mr. Kyle E. Nesbit had every reason for being proud on this well prepared and organized event and congratulated SDA Cleaners Showcase Chairman Amin Bata and the Showcase Committee with this great achievement.

Changing Consumer Behavior

As Mr. Andrew Gibson of the Tide Franchise Company (P&G) stated in his talk, the first applause is for those present. The industry has had tough times and those present managed to deal with Covid and all (market) challenges thereafter. They persisted and demonstrated a determination to make it work and get the job done. Also in these difficult period they successfully adapted their business and uplevelled their performance to deal with this challenging market demands. Luckily the perspective is becoming better so Mr. Gibson pointed out. The trend for people to Return To Office (RTO) for Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, is helping market demand. This effects dressing habits, hence the turnover of textile cleaners. Moreover consumers are demanding a higher service level with the best Quality and are paying for it, as a recent study indicated. Additionally hotel occupancy rates are increasing again and in general also market demand is increasing. So, overall a promising development.
At the same time he addressed cybersecurity as an important issue. “This is often neglected, but hackers are getting better and operate much more professional these days than some years ago. This has tremendous effects. Over 60% of the companies hacked in the USA are bankrupt within one year,” as Gibson stated.

Cleaner Marketing

Also in the USA most drycleaners are not spending enough time and effort to set up professional marketing. Implementation of professional Information Technology (IT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), is a must to set up modern efficient personal textile services. During several inspiring networking sessions amongst others Maverick Marketing focused on the why, the how and the way to do this professionally. Via an interesting Marketing Session, Mr. Dave Coyle covered a variety of techniques and options how to come to results. Specialization, extra services at customer homes, routes stead extra intake points, et cetera, were only some of a variety of options addressed. Key-Message: “Textile Cleaners need to make a choice what options to specialize and grow could fit in their operation. Textile Cleaners need to grow to get a more profitable business”, Mr. Coyle explained.

Winning the Talent War

The availability of labor is still a big issue in the USA. In most sectors labor is scare and that is for the professional textile care sector unfortunately no exception. However, the perceived values of the textile service industry are improving and more recognized in the society. That is a good starting point according to Key-note speaker Mr. Jeff Butler. During his almost two hours interactive speech, he presented a clear message how to acquire new staff, how to keep your staff and getting them to true ambassadors of the company. After good wages, especially company culture, career options and bringing value to societies were marked as important aspects to acquire and keep staff in your company.

Partnerships with suppliers

In the USA many organizations have adopted membership tools to support textile service companies to innovate, improve and focus on measures for a more profitable businesses. Suppliers of machinery, equipment, consultants and trade associations, all were present. The intense dialog and networking resulted in satisfied visitors. The Textile Care Industry needs more professionalization and specialization. Working closely together in the Supply Chain, as well as amongst colleagues in (member)groups seem an excellent tool in speeding up this process. In the USA, but certainly also in the rest of the world.

Safechem / Sensene, Sophie Demicoli and Inake Barrenechea