The Round Table of Launderers and Dry Cleaners recently met for their 77th annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. The “Round Table” is made up of 16 members who gather once each year to exchange ideas, addressing mutual concerns and discuss industry trends. This unique organization encourages collaboration over completion, and includes top executives from laundry, linen, industrial and dry cleaners whose companies have developed the best practices in the industry.
Each session during the 5-day conference is led by a different company, an approach that further promotes the concept of learning from each other. Every day offers a different topic, resulting in a comprehensive lineup of cutting-edge ideas on topics ranging from strategic vision and future strategies, new technology, new store design, remodeling existing facilities and marketing, just to name a few.
One session many look forward to is the “Member’s Update.” This unique session provides a forum where the industry leaders go beyond what they’ve achieved within their organizations. Rather, in this “non-sales” session, each executive is also asked to share what’s new in both their personal and family life, as well.
During this session, the 16 leaders share their successes with balancing the demands of running a business while maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family. The Member’s Update provides each of us with great perspective on these important life skills. This year, the partners of Classic Cleaners were proud to share with their peers how they accomplished moving the entire plant and corporate location just in time for the holiday season. It was an honor to participate in this valuable discussion at this year’s meeting.
Zengeler Cleaners, founded in 1985, is the largest family-owned and operated cleaner in the Indianapolis area.
The Round Table was founded in 1940 by Herb Koch, Lee Workman and Barrett Finn, industry leaders of that era, who called for a “Sales Managers Pow-Wow” held in Allentown, PA. The meeting moved to NYC for the next 5 years, and became known as the Laundry Management Group. In 1950, the name was officially changed to the Round Table Conference and has remained that way ever since. Today, many 2nd generation members are part of the group. The Round Table never pays a facilitator; rather, that responsibility is passed from member to member. Their 78th Annual Meeting will convene in Aruba in March of 2017, with Gary Glover of Puritan Cleaners chairing the meeting.
For more information about the Round Table, please contact Steve Arnold, Managing Partner of Classic Cleaners, at 317-845-0361. Classic Cleaners’ has eighteen (18) retail locations, with stores in Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Geist, Broad Ripple, and Downtown Indianapolis. The company headquarters are located in the Castleton area at 8071 Knue Road.
