The opportunity to network with dry cleaners in your area can help you find fresh solution to old problems and gain further insight for running a successful business.

MIDWEST DRYCLEANING & LAUNDRY INSTITUTE

Welcome to the newly formed Midwest Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (MWDLI). Formally known as the Midwest Drycleaners and Launders Association (MWDLA), MWDLI has been established to help increase the profitability of your dry cleaning business with research, education, advocacy and support from industry experts focused strictly on you. The MWDLI Strategic Planning Council will help DLI steer, direct and promote member activities. MWDLI’s primary objective will be to focus on Education and Training in your area to help members keep abreast of the latest industry information from stain removal to regulatory issues to everything else in between.

WORKING HARD FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS!

Networking

Network with pears to find fresh solutions to old problems and gain further insight for running a successful cleaner.

Educational Opportunities

We believe that excellence comes from relentless improvement. We evaluate each part of our curriculum every time it is taught.

Local Advocacy

MWDLI together with the Advisory counsel will be working hard to provide you the most current and up to date information.

Advisory Counsel

John Mertes
Ziker Cleaners

1240 South Syrkit St

Mishawaka, IN 46544

574-287-2887

jmertes@zikercleaners.com

Perry T. Carrico

Rainbow Cleaners

504 South 4th Street

Danville, KY 40422
859-236-4274
pale01@gmail.com

Jeff Schwegmann

Sunshine Cleaners

4854 Mary Ingles Highway

Silver Grove, KY 40176

800-232-0792

jeff@sunshinecleaners.com

Ray Kroner
Kroner Dry Cleaners
3820 N Bend Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45211
513-661-1400
info@kronerdrycleaners.com

Robin Kramer

Notre Dame

100 St Michael's Laundry

Notre Dame, IN 46556
574-631-7802
rkramer@nd.edu

Tim Day

Classic Cleaners

8071 Knue Road

Indianapolis, IN 46250

317-845-0361

timd@classiccleaners.net

Mike Fothergill

Holiday Cleaners

3301 Barbour Lane

Louisville, KY 40241

502-425-6183

mikefothergill8@aol.com

Jim Gault

Gaults Plaza Cleaners &
Laundromat

855 Coshocton Ave Ste 19

Mt. Vernon, OH 43050

740-393-2831

gaultcleaners@gmail.com

Rick Armstrong

3609 Waterford St

Richmond, IN 43734

765-977-3228

rwagolfer@gmail.com

James Belt

Fabric Care Center

5760 W Morris Street

Indianapolis, IN 46241

317-224-3212

james@fabriccarecenter.com

Dru Shields

EnviroForensics

825 N Capital Ave

Indianapolis, IN 46204

888-866-7911

dshields@enviroforensics.com

Jeff Dunn

Machinex

7654 Production Drive

Cincinnati, OH 45237

513-771-4020

jeff.dunn@machinexonline.com

Jeff Jordan

Fabritec International

8145 Holton Drive Ste 110

Florence, KY 41042

800-543-0460

jeffjordan@fabritec.com

Scott Nelson
Wilcox Environmental
Engineering Inc
1552 Main Street Ste 100
Speedway, IN 46224
317-472-0999
snelson@wilcoxenv.com

The Association Built To Help Dry Cleaners Connect

Belonging to a trade or professional organization like Midwest Drycleaning & Laundry Institute is as important to a business as developing services for its customers. Whether you're trying to decide on getting into the dry cleaning business or you're already an owner, we are here to be your guide.

JOIN NOW

Executive Director Report
By: Jon Meijer

Moving Forward

I have spent nearly 40 years working on behalf of members as part of the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) as well as the last few years for the Midwest Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (MWDLI). In all of those years and being part of the changes the drycleaning industry has experienced, nothing has ever changed the industry as fast as Covid-19. The industry is changing at warp speed. Many of our business models from just a year ago have gone out the window. DLI and MWDLI have also had to change to respond to member needs during the pandemic.

No, life will never be the same, but we are seeing signs of improvement. The country is starting to open up and hopefully we will have a vaccine so we can really move forward. With that said, what will the drycleaning industry look like in one year, two years? Will it be back to normal? The answer is no, at least not the way you might think. There will be changes in the type of clothing we clean, the delivery of our services, and the responsibility to our customers that they feel safe as they visit your store. The pandemic may be gone, but it will never really go away.

Moving forward, there will be far fewer drycleaners in the U.S. A 20-30% drop of U.S. cleaners or more is a real possibility. While it’s horrible that many of us will lose our competitor and many times, friendly competitors, the reality is that there are more drycleaners than there are clothes to clean. The bottom line is that business’s always benefit from the loss of their competitor/s. Drycleanable clothing has been dropping for many years and is not likely to increase any time soon. The time is now to rebrand ourselves. Drycleaners are in the business of cleaning anything the customer’s wears, but do your customers know this? Have you told them? There will be plenty of opportunity going forward.

DLI and MWDLI have the resources to help you navigate some of the unpredictability’s. If you haven’t utilize our services or participated in a Zoom meeting, you are missing out. Helpful information is available and we want our members to utilize all of the information and resources. In the meantime, stay safe and if we can be of any help to you, please do not hesitate to call!