"May I take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all customers, friends and contacts for their support over the years, who have provided a welcome, a cup of tea and the odd million pound contract to supply equipment.
"My activity within the industry was encapsulated in the range of companies, from Brown &Green, (twin rapid presses and ASM industrial drycleaning machine) to Neil & Spencer (unit shop drycleaning machines and high speed washer-extractors) and onwards to Broadbent Laundry Systems (continuous batch washing equipment and microprocessor control of everything).
"During this time the industry has seen a number of changes.
- Laundries have reduced in number from 2,500 to 250 nominal units
- Solvents have changed from white spirit to green spirit
- Chemicals have changed from soap, soda and buckets to sophisticated built products, automatically dispensed
- Materials have changed from cotton to unlimited blends with man-made fibre
- Garments have developed from overalls to coveralls for all manner of workwear applications.
"Such are the elements of my experience. It did eventually come out in the wash.
"I thank you all for the necessary 'mechanical action' with not too many damage claims."
Kindest regards
John V Furlong
