As a textile care business, there are ways to generate new revenue that don't necessarily mean reinventing the wheel or investing in a bunch of new equipment. One of the best ways to expand is by getting more money out of your existing customers. In many cases, your competition is spending more to steal your customers away than you are trying to keep them. Growth doesn't have to be new growth - it's much easier to grow with what you already have. In this column, I'll highlight some markets primed for growth that complement dry cleaning and offer some tips on serving those markets through smart use of equipment and labor. The good news is that when new equipment is justified to ramp up production, the return on investment (ROI) is typically less than two years. Many dry cleaners already run a routes for residential/ business dry cleaning and pressing. Why not pick up and process the rest of your customers' stuff as well, including bed linens, comforters, jeans, t-shirts and socks? You likely already have the employees and equipment needed to process the extra work in the plant. Don't forget area rugs and window treatments. Even if you have to wholesale out, you want your customer to think of only you when they have a textile that needs to be cleaned.
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