The past helps to build the present

The December issue sees the 125th anniversary of the first publication of the journal that was to become Laundry and Cleaning News.

So there’s a nostalgic theme to this anniversary issue but although we’re looking back, I do not believe this should be regarded as sentimental.

As editor, I’ve been talking to some well known industry figures and asking them about highlights in their career, the events and people that have inspired them and on a broader theme contributed to the progress of the industry.

These news pages also contain reminiscences, sent in response to my invitation to readers to look back. It’s nice to note the praise for the efficiency of the west country laundry service during the war in Dr Sydney Smith’s history of the Musgrave Military Hospital.

This month, Ian Harris and Richard Neale take a step away from their usual columns to take a look at how technology in the laundry and drycleaning industries has developed.

Both What Went Wrong and Material Solutions will be back in their usual form in the New Year but I hope readers find these looks at the past interesting.

I especially liked the drawings of the early laundry equipment, reproduced here from the 1900 catalogue of Isaac Braithwaite and my thanks to Isaac Braithwaite Installations for allowing this. Such early attempts at automation may look quaint compared to the high tech, microprocessor-controlled, stainless-steel machinery of today but they have helped the laundry evolution along its way, even when not entirely successful. They too were the result of engineers trying to improve on what had gone before and, then as now, developments were driven by the need for laundries to increase productivity and reduce costs.

While a look at the past is called for on this occasion, the journal still remembers the importance of current concerns. Drycleaning still continues to suffer image problems and poor consumer perceptions. Stain removal is one of the skills by which customers measure the quality of a drycleaning business and a poor result often brings complaints.

Roger Cawood has acquired considerable knowledge and expertise in this area and his guide on the subject provides a starting point for industry newcomers and those who want to improve results in this area. He tells me that he thoroughly enjoyed writing the article and readers should find it both interesting and practical.

The lead news story this month is also linked to current, and indeed future, industry concerns, specifically to the need for water saving equipment. The Xeros system claims to be virtually waterless. Although it is still in development, its introduction in commercial form is getting nearer and the success in obtaining further funding will help the company to keep on track to the projected machine launch date of end of 2011.

I’ve enjoyed planning this anniversary issue and feel it ends the year on a positive theme. Seasons greetings.