PlanetLaundry Podcast
America’s #1 Resource for Vended Laundry News & Info
PlanetLaundry is the official publication of CLA and is trusted by thousands of laundry professionals to deliver the latest news and industry-specific topics.
An Active ‘Retirement’
Michigan Store Owner Thrives During ‘Second Act’ Laundromat Career Jim Legato has never been one to let grass grow under his feet. Following a 30-year career with the Michigan Bell telephone company, Legato’s initial entrance into the laundromat industry might appear...
Laundromats 2024: Opportunities, Challenges… and Industry Evolution
Business Leaders Take a Close Look at Key Factors Shaping the Vended Laundry Market in the Coming Year The laundromat industry is currently navigating a complex landscape shaped by economic challenges, technological advancements, and shifting consumer preferences....
The Many Faces of Modern Laundromats
Today’s Technology is Paving the Way for a Variety of Laundry Business Models In an industry as established as ours, it’s tempting to think there’s a sole blueprint for success. Yet, as we delve deeper, we discover a vibrant patchwork of innovation and individuality....
Headlines
An Active ‘Retirement’
Michigan Store Owner Thrives During ‘Second Act’ Laundromat Career Jim Legato has never been one to let grass grow under his feet. Following a 30-year career with the Michigan Bell telephone company, Legato’s initial entrance into the laundromat industry might appear...
Laundromats 2024: Opportunities, Challenges… and Industry Evolution
Business Leaders Take a Close Look at Key Factors Shaping the Vended Laundry Market in the Coming Year The laundromat industry is currently navigating a complex landscape shaped by economic challenges, technological advancements, and shifting consumer preferences....
The Many Faces of Modern Laundromats
Today’s Technology is Paving the Way for a Variety of Laundry Business Models In an industry as established as ours, it’s tempting to think there’s a sole blueprint for success. Yet, as we delve deeper, we discover a vibrant patchwork of innovation and individuality....
‘The Taj Mahal of Laundromats’
Venerable Drycleaning Business Evolves with the Launch of Modern, State-of-the-Art Laundromats Jeff Engle likes to use analogies. And the general manager for Sheldon Cleaners in Grand Rapids, Mich., has a great one for the two vended laundry operations his company...
EVI Reports Record First Quarter Results
EVI Industries Inc. recently announced its results for the first quarter of its fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, including record revenue and gross profit. Since 2016, EVI has completed 25 acquisitions, expanded into new geographies, retained and invested in...
PayRange Adds PayPal, Venmo to Digital Funding Options
Mobile payment provider PayRange Inc. has announced the integration of PayPal and Venmo (United States only) as funding sources within the PayRange wallet. PayRange’s growing user base of more than 7 million can now use these popular digital funding sources for...
4Ward Energy Solutions Announces Financial Commitment to LaundryCares
4Ward Energy Solutions – which teams with the Coin Laundry Association on the trade group’s energy management program – recently announced a long-term financial commitment to the LaundryCares Foundation. 4Ward Energy will donate $1 per laundromat location...
CLA, Industry Leaders Meet with California Lawmaker on Microfiber Issue
Representatives from the Coin Laundry Association and its lobbyists, as well as local southern California laundromat owners, held a one-on-one meeting with California Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, the sponsor of CA AB 1628, a bill that would require every washer sold...
Going Full Tilt
Tips for Maxing Out Full-Service Laundry Work and Boosting Revenue If your laundromat does a good job of processing drop-off laundry, perhaps it’s time to expand your reach and go after anything full-service. By this, I mean pursuing both area residents and commercial...
Cooking Up Success with Your Laundry Promotions
Creating Irresistible Promotional Programs for Your Business I love cooking. But, to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of following recipes to the T. I prefer to keep it simple and to add my own twist with different ingredients – a dash of this, a sprinkle of that… and...
Alliance Distribution Acquires Statewide Machinery
Alliance Laundry Systems has acquired the distribution assets of Statewide Machinery Inc., based in Batavia, N.Y. “As a family-owned company, Statewide Machinery has built a reputation for providing customers with value that extends well beyond the premier equipment...
LaundryCares Teams with Supermatt for Free Laundry and Literacy Day in Florida
The LaundryCares Foundation has announced a collaborative initiative with the Supermatt Laundry location in Kissimmee, Fla., to bring free laundry services to the neighborhood, as well as to help bridge the literacy gap within the community. On November 8, Supermatt...
SPONSORED CONTENT
This Month's Issue
- Tech on the Rise: How Operators Are Using Innovation to Run Smarter, Faster Laundromats: From AI phone systems to real-time data tracking, operators and suppliers share how technology is reshaping the modern laundry business and what’s coming next.
- Business Profile: Delivering a Superior
Laundry Experience - Member Spotlight: Rick Rome –
Innovating Laundry, One Customer at a Time - Guest Column: How AI Changed Google Reviews (What Laundromat Owners Need to Know)
- And More…
THE LATEST ON LAUNDROMATS
Industry News
Coin Laundry Association Embraces Industry Changes with New Name and Branding
The largest trade organization dedicated to the vended laundry industry has announced an update to its branding, including its name. The Coin Laundry Association will now be known as simply “CLA,” with each of the three letters signifying an action that the...
Girbau Names New President
Commercial laundry equipment manufacturer Girbau – headquartered in Vic, Spain – has appointed Diego Hervás as its new president. “Girbau is an extraordinary project and a company whose values I share,” Hervás said. “I see great potential for contributing to growth...
Standard Change-Makers Appoints New Sales Team Members
Standard Change-Makers recently announced new additions to the company’s sales team. Robert Lessard has been named the company’s new sales representative for Canada. He takes over for Paul Thompson, who retired after 28 years with Standard. Lessard brings extensive...
Setomatic-SpyderWash Names Regional Sales Manager
Setomatic Systems-SpyderWash has appointed Sam Husain its new regional sales manager for the Southeast and Midwest markets. Husain, who is based in Dallas, entered the commercial laundry industry in 2018 as a sales representative for Commercial Equipment Company. From...
EVI Industries to Acquire Laundry Pro of Florida
EVI Industries Inc. recently announced that it has executed a definitive agreement to acquire Laundry Pro of Florida Inc., a laundry distributorship headquartered in Lakeland, Fla. The addition of Laundry Pro increases EVI’s market share in the state of Florida and...
FROM YOUR FAVORITE INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Columns
The Laundry Doctor
Changing the Game
Today’s Technology Can Reach Out to Potential Wash-Dry-Fold Customers Even Before They Realize They Have a Need for Your Laundry Services Last month, I used this space to discuss digital marketing and the need to develop an online presence in order to grow a...
The Business Mind
Entrepreneurship is Risky Business
Here’s a Look at What Makes Certain People Willing to Take the Plunge into a Life of Business Ownership Starting or buying a company is not for the faint of heart. The statistics tell us that roughly one-third of all small businesses fail within the first two years....
Wash With Wally
Wash with Wally: Sign of the Times
My business partner and I are building a 4,500-square-foot laundromat in Arizona. We are just about finished, and one of the last tasks we’re left with is deciding what to do about the outdoor sign on the corner of the lot. We are considering a standard, double-faced...
Viewpoint
You’ve Never Been More Essential
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” – Frederick Douglass You’ve likely had a few pressing issues on your mind these last several months. Namely, the health and well-being of your family, employees and customers – not to mention, quite possibly, that of...
Digital Marketing
Building Your Laundry’s Website: A New Perspective
Make Your Site Relevant to Everyone Involved – Employees and Customers Alike People create nearly 252,000 new websites every single day, and the internet is exploding with new content every minute. Although this may be exciting for consumers, it poses a unique...
Strategic Corporate Allies Program
Our Strategic Corporate Allies support CLA’s mission through advocacy, education, and innovation to strengthen the industry, advance our members’ businesses, and prepare the next generation of laundry professionals for the future.
Interested in becoming a Strategic Corporate Ally of CLA? Contact President & CEO, Brian Wallace via email at [email protected] or call (630) 491-0499.
