A Fruitful Fellowship Revisited
By Kelly Smith, IDC Fellow

I am very honored to stand before you today as this year's recipient of the IDC Fellowship Program.

Fellowship, as we know it, is about friendship and sharing ideas. On my trip through the Eastern United States, I experienced both. I have met some wonderful people in our industry, and they have made me feel welcome. I have established new friendships and have learned many new ideas on how to better my business.

I am currently managing a chain of 7 dry cleaning outlets with 1 central plant, located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is a well-established company built on four generations of family values. My wife and I represent the 4th generation.

As a new person to the industry, I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel through the United States ad see some of the leaders in dry cleaning and laundry.

September 11, 2001

During my visit on that faithful day, September 11, 2001, our discussions and meetings were, of course, overshadowed by one of history's worst attacks. Like everyone in the United States, and around the world, what we saw and what happened to all those innocent people horrified us.

My next stop was scheduled to be with John and Joe Hallak of Hallak Cleaners in New York City. Not knowing what to expect, I ventured down to the city to make contact and to see their store and main plant. I wasn't able to meet with Joe until the following day, so I made my way into Manhattan to see first-hand what had happened.

Hopping on the subway and walking as far south as 14th Street, I made my way down. Manhattan was deserted, and not as I remembered it to be. What is usually a sea of people and taxicabs was nothing more than a depressed city that had lost more in one day than all of us will in a lifetime.

As I looked on, all I could see was dust and despair. I joined New Yorkers as they cheered the rescue workers coming in and out of Ground Zero. It was a very moving experience to see the disaster first-hand, and to see police and fire fighters weeping as they made their way out. People had lined the streets with their flags and their message of hope -- some cheering, some crying. It was the most powerful thing to witness a nation banded together as they mourned such a devastating loss. Although I fly a Canadian flag, I felt a deep sorrow and a certain connection with the people of New York City and all Americans.

Hallak Cleaners, New York City, NY

My visit with Hallak's moved forward as planned and I thank the Hallaks for taking time to host e during such a tough time. It was their last father, Joseph, who understood how important quality was from the very beginning when he founded Hallak Cleaners. As New York's finest cleaner, Joe Hallak Senior had a solid reputation in the community. People knew of him and the great work he did. From what I gathered, he was a very spirited man.

Currently, John (the eldest son) runs the business and administration, and his brother, Joe Jr., takes care of production. In fact, it seems to be a good working relationship, feeding off each other's strengths. With a brotherly dynamic, both voices are heard and both respect the other's ideas. They have established a real balance in their relationship and turned it into a successful partnership.

Today, Hallak Cleaners is considered a real leader in our industry that has taken quality to the next level. With hand-finished shirts for $9.50 each and wedding gowns that start at $400, Hallak's takes pride in their work and the customers love it.

Some may say it's their market that allows them to charge these prices, but what I saw was customers prepared to pay for quality workmanship, regardless of price. It was shocking at first to see one of many standard tickets that read $150, but as I explored his facility and saw first-hand the quality they produce, it was no surprise.

Never would you see an order go out with a broken button or improperly pressed. They have multiple levels of inspection that a committed team of pressers that ensure that nothing gets missed. In fact, they have person who is employed full time to check every order that goes out to ensure it is accurate, properly cleaned, pressed and packaged. Although this may seem to be labour-intensive for some, the Hallaks assured me that attention to detail pays off. Customers have nothing to complain about and claims are virtually nonexistent. With high fashion New York garments on the line, who could afford to make mistakes?

Hallak Cleaners has also found success in fire restoration and wedding gown preservation. These two areas of their business seem to be growing steadily. John has established Hallak's as the Wedding Gown Specialists, working with a variety of dressmakers who recommend only Hallak's for cleaning and preservation. In fact, they have designed a care label that is sewn into the gowns giving customers specific instructions to call Hallak's.

Their attention to details and heir commitment to quality has made them a destination cleaner. It is not uncommon for Hallak's receive gowns from all over the county via FedEx. It's their reputation as the best that draws the people. "If you build it, they will come."

Their production floor that Joe manages is very clean and a well-run operation. Joe runs a no-nonsense plant with his expectations clearly outlined to all staff. They made not bones about it, they want to be the best and stay there. They have taken every step within production to ensure they exceed their customer's expectations. Otherwise, they might be gone in a New York minute.

They systems that are in place allow they staff to move effectively and efficiently within their work station. With a full-automated conveyor system, each production staff had all the tools at their disposal. With air conditioning directed to each station, they have created a comfortable environment. This air system was installed as significant expense. However, the end result is happy staff and low turn-over.

Recently, John has installed hand-held bar code readers in three different areas within his plant. One is installed at the check-in department; the others are in the packaging department and the check-out department. This allows them to monitor and track the progress of each order.

They have also purchased a hydrocarbon machine to keep up with the Green Clean movement and plan to use the machine form some of the more delicate wedding gowns.

The Hallak brothers run a fantastic operation, ad have achieved a smooth work flow. They have taken what their father created and made it into one of New York's finest cleaners and wedding gown specialists. I am sure Joe Senior would be proud of their success.

My trip through the Eastern US has given me a real inspiration for success. I now have something I can strive for. I have taken away many good ideas and I have learned a great deal about this industry from people who have remained positive and objective in their very fluctuating world.

Thank you, again, to the IDC and my sponsors who made this lifetime experience possible. And to the people of New York City and all Americans, God bless.

To learn more about the IDC, visit their website here.