Speedy's Joins Fabric Restoration Franchise
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Friday, January 08, 2010-Speedy’s Cleaners of Rochester, New York, announces it is joining national fabric restoration franchise, FRSTeam. Between the two of them, it could be said that, owners, James Deaton and Neil Hellman have over 50 years experience in the dry cleaning industry.
James Deaton grew up in the cleaning business, working over the years as a plant manager and in 1968 became a plant owner. He eventually became Western Division Manager for R.R. Street & Co., Inc., in Chicago. While working for Street’s, he added an additional 20 years of experience, giving him insight into some of the most advanced cleaning agents and processes available to the industry. Hellman bought product from Deaton, connecting the two of them to a, then, unforeseen future together as partners in the restoration dry cleaning business. “James was a resource, instrumental in getting me to where I am,” says Hellman. “We got along from the start; I couldn’t have been here without him.” Rounding out a background that makes him an ideal candidate for entering the fabric restoration business, Deaton also was a member of Disaster Kleenup International for a number of years.
Active in the electrical industry before moving into dry cleaning, Neil Hellman loved to clean, liked machinery and, because he knew how to run a business from prior experience, when an opportunity to buy the largest cleaners in Rochester became available, he entered the industry. Hellman purchased Speedy’s Cleaners, a business that has been in operation since 1924. In the last 11 years he has purchased three of his competitors.
With a staff of 50 and a 12,000 sq. ft. facility with 11 drop stores, Speedy’s Cleaners has built its reputation as a quality and environmentally-friendly drycleaner. At this stage, already having built valuable relationships with equipment manufacturers, Deaton and Hellman feel it’s an opportune time to grow to the next level by adding the fabric restoration aspect, offering standard textile cleaning, hand cleaning, and specialty cleaning of shoes, belts, purses, stuffed animals, and other household items.
For Deaton and Hellman, restoration is diversification. “We are already established on the retail side; expanding into the fabric restoration market allows us to use our existing equipment and personnel more completely,” reasons Deaton. And FRSTeam President, Jim Nicholas, agrees, “James and Neil bring a wealth of industry experience. Speedy’s Cleaners has been a name associated with quality and service in Rochester for over 85 years and we are very pleased to now have them represent FRSTeam in the Western New York marketplace.”
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