F r o m t h e D e p e n D a b i l i t y P e o P l e commercial

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Volume 51 • Number 3

award-winning philadelphia Maytag-equipped laundry serves diverse neighborhoods. Store Owner Tommy Chan

with Equipment Marketers’Bruce Rainey.

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tommy Chan comes from a long line of extended family members who over the years have owned several maytag-equipped laundries in the Philadelphia area.

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Tommy Chan’s newest Maytag-equipped self-service laundry is located

in Northeast Philadelphia, across from the city’s largest and most historic public school, Northeast High School. The student population totals nearly 4,000. The school was founded in 1892.

“While most of these high school students don’t use our services themselves, a lot of their families do,” said Chan. “It’s really quite a sight to see this neighborhood fill with energy and life when the bell rings signaling the end of the school day.”

Chan comes from a long and

distinguished line of Chinese-heritage self-serve store owners in the Greater Philadelphia area. “Counting my very active mother, cousins, aunts and uncles, our family operates several laundromats currently and nearly all of them are equipped with Maytag washers and dryers.” The stores operate independently but Chan says different family owners sometimes work together to purchase supplies in bulk.

“We’re big fans of Maytag and Equipment Marketers, the Maytag Commercial Laundry Distributor serving the area,” he added. “The relationship was established back in

the 1970s when my parents opened their first self-serve laundry.”

He teamed with Equipment Marketers’ Bruce Rainey to design and equip his newest store. “I count Bruce as a personal friend and he and I spent a lot of time driving the streets and looking for a prospective location for a laundromat,” Chan said. “I can’t say enough good things about how Bruce and the Equipment Marketers’ team have helped me and the family over the years. They know every aspect of the business.”

Chan finally settled on a location across from the high school after studying traffic patterns and

3M a y t a G C o m m e r C I A l m e r C h A N D I S e r

tommy’s laundromat opened at the

peak of the “Great recession” that

pushed unemployment rates to near

record levels. But the owner is seeing

signs of revitalization and remains

positive for the long-term success of

his newest and largest store.

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4 M a y t a G C o m m e r C I A l m e r C h A N D I S e r

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calculating the number of potential customers in the immediate area.

He acquired a free-standing former convenience store property and immediately began an extensive renovation of the 3,500-sq.-ft. building in 2009, which included raising the building’s then-existing low roof. The result is a modern, first-rate building, one the entire neighborhood takes pride in, said Chan. It is highly energy efficient, including extensive use of LED lighting, and is surrounded by an off-street private parking area that is easily accessible by customers. Chan says many customers simply walk to the store from nearby

residences and apartment buildings.“This neighborhood consists of

middle-class families, a melting-pot of ethnic backgrounds,” he noted.

Apartments, condos and multi-family housing units dominate the area. Many of the residents have been hard-hit by the financial crisis but Chan is seeing signs of improvement. Many of the nearby apartment buildings offer laundry rooms but most are equipped with out-of-date, worn out washers and dryers that are often not working or have performance issues.

“We see a great opportunity to entice these people into using our new store,” he said. “It’ll take time

but I’m confident this store will be highly successful in the years to come.”

There are two competing self-serve laundries within a mile of Tommy’s Laundromat. Both offer free drying but Chan has opted not to match this. “These stores are older and primarily offer smaller, top-load machines,” he said. “With our new efficient multi-load Maytag washers and dryers and amenities such as free wireless Internet, snack and soft-drink vending machines, flat screen TV monitors,

drop-off laundry service, easy in-and-out access, knowledgeable attendants, competitive pricing and much more, we can compete with anyone.”

Fully attended, the store had its official opening in September of 2010. Chan offered free detergent to all customers for the first three months. In addition he promoted the opening with advertising and the distribution of flyers door-to-door throughout the area with the offer of free detergent. Store hours currently are 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

“We’re absolutely dedicated to keeping this store spotlessly clean and in peak operating condition.”

— tommy Chan

Tommy’s Laundromat features a long list of amenities, including drop-off laundry service offered at 75 cents a pound. The store is fully attended.

5M a y t a G C o m m e r C I A l m e r C h A N D I S e r

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Maytag multi-load washers in 18-, 30-, 50- and 80-lb. capacities dominate the equipment mix. The efficient store layout provides customers with plenty of space to load and unload the washers, even during peak times.

6 M a y t a G C o m m e r C I A l m e r C h A N D I S e r

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daily. Saturdays and Sundays are generally the laundry’s busiest days. Drop-off laundry service is available at 75 cents a pound, a business segment showing good growth. The attendants handle the wash/dry/fold service and all tracking and billing is handled professionally with a computerized system.

Chan is a big supporter of the neighborhoods in which he operates, believing that his business will prosper if neighbors have good feelings toward him and the employees. “We’re absolutely dedicated to keeping our stores

spotlessly clean and the equipment in peak operating condition. We go out of our way to make certain new customers understand how to operate the Maytag washers and

dryers and to recognize the cost benefits of using the large-capacity, energy-efficient machines.”

The attendants are specially trained to demonstrate to customers how to get the most for time and dollars using the card payment system instead of coins. The system consists of individual card readers installed on each machine and two Value Transfer Machines (VTMs) located near the front of the store. The VTMs feature 15-inch color touch-screen monitors with tri-lingual voice and screen instructions. The VTMs allow customers to either purchase

equipment marketers, the maytag Distributor serving the area, has worked with Chan family members since the 1970s. “We’re very proud of this long-term relationship.”

— Bruce rainey

No need for quarters at Tommy’s Laundromat. All of the Maytag washers and dryers are activated using a smart card system, allowing for easier operation and greater customer convenience.

7M a y t a G C o m m e r C I A l m e r C h A N D I S e r

The Maytag Mixmaytag® 18-lb. Washers:$2.45 a load ($2.75 Super Cycle)

maytag® 30-lb. Washers:$3.85 a load ($4.25 Super Cycle)

maytag® 50-lb. Washers:$5.85 a load ($6.25 Super Cycle)

maytag® 80-lb. Washers: $8.85 a load ($9.25 Super Cycle)

maytag® 30-lb. Stack Dryers35¢ for 10 minutes of dry time

maytag® 45-lb. Stack Dryers80¢ for 10 minutes of dry time

2117105

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Cover Story

US Capital Corporation provided equipment financing assistance for this project.

or add value to their cards using cash or credit/debit cards.“The card system saves customers the hassle of having

to put so many quarters in the machines and it helps us move to a more advanced and computerized way of bookkeeping,” Chan explained.

The store features five Maytag 80-lb. washers priced at $8.85 ($9.25 Super Cycle); ten Maytag 50-lb. washers at $5.85 ($6.25 Super Cycle); seventeen Maytag 30-lb. washers at $3.85 ($4.25 Super Cycle); twenty-one Maytag 18-lb. washers at $2.45 ($2.75 Super Cycle); five Maytag 45-lb. stack dryers at $0.80 for 10 minutes of dry time; and twenty-three Maytag 30-lb. stack dryers at $0.35 for 10 minutes of dry time.

Tommy’s Laundromat has been honored by Equipment Marketers in its annual “Most Beautiful Maytag Coin Laundry” contest for its customers. Chan was recognized with an engraved plaque and a laundry cart filled with name-brand merchandise, including a Maytag clock, rugs and neon signs. Congratulations!

new Maytag® MHN30 Washer

8 M a y t a G C o m m e r C I A l m e r C h A N D I S e r

MODEL MHN30 KEy FEaturES:•Saveupto60%yearlyonwater,energyandsewer

costs compared to conventional top-load washers.*

•High-speedextractioncutsdryingtime(ashighas1,000 rPms).

•180°dooropeningforeasierloadingandunloading.

•QuickCyclereducestotalwashtime.

•TurboWash™ System delivers better cleaning with less average water use per cycle.

•Frontcontrolpanelwith22°angleforeasyviewing.

•DesignmeetsADAaccessibilityguidelineswithoptional pedestal.

•ENERGYSTAR® qualified and Cee tier III rated.

•Availableincoinandcardreaderoptions.

* maytag® Commercial front-load washer compared to commercial top-load washer. Individual savings may vary.

ENErGy Star® Qualifiedmaytag®ENERGYADVANTAGE™ high-efficiency front-load washers cansaveyouupto60%yearlyonwater, energy and sewer costs.*

2011 CEE tier III ratedmaytag®MHN30washersare2011Cee tier III rated, the highest level of energy and water efficiency, according to the nonprofit Consortium for energy Efficiency(CEE).

5-year parts Warrantymaytag’s exclusive extra-protection 5-year limited warranty** on all parts is the best in the business — and it provides added peace of mind for your equipment investment.**See warranty for complete details.

Consortiumfor Energy Efficiency

MODEL MHN30PD MODEL MHN30PR

Cut utILIty COStS aND MaxIMIzE prOFItS With the neW MaytaG®

ENErGy aDVaNtaGE™ HIGH-EFFICIENCy

FrONt-LOaD waSHEr.

9M a y t a G C o m m e r C I A l m e r C h A N D I S e r

new Maytag® Stack Washer/Dryer

STAC

K W

ASHE

R/DR

YERI N t r o D u C I N G t h e

uLtIMatElAuNDRYpAiRtiGht on SpaCe? Go vertical! the all-new

maytag® stack washer/dryer delivers the same

energy efficiency and capacity as our side-by-side

units. the sleek, compact design takes up half the

floor space as a conventional washer and dryer pair

so you can double your profit potential. Available in

microprocessor coin-drop and card reader-ready

payment systems, the maytag® stack washer/dryer

is certain to change the way you look at laundry.

ENErGy Star® qualified and Cee tier iii rated. Saves up to 60%*

on energy costs.

ultra-convenient supply dispenser automatically addsdetergent, bleach and softener.

easy-to-use Computer trac® controls provide unsurpassed pricing flexibility.

•Time-savingQuickCycle.

•180ºdooropeningforeasierloading and unloading.

•Heavy-dutydoorhinge.

•Singlepaymentsystem;available in coin-drop or card reader-ready.

•Convenient,frontserviceable design.

•Factory-installedpedestal.

* maytag® Commercial front-load washer compared to commercial top-load washer. Individual savings may vary.

MODEL MLG20PD

NeeD SIGNS?

Maytag® H.E. Front-Load use wall Sign – 24" x 36"CmlP155A - english

additional signs and decals availableContact your maytag® Commercial laundry Distributor for more information and pricing.

10 M a y t a G C o m m e r C I A l m e r C h A N D I S e r

Maytag® Commercial laundry Signs & Decals

Maytag® Front-Load H.E. Detergent usage Instruction Sign – 24" x 24"CmlP083 - englishCMlp086-Spanish

Maytag® MHN30 Front-Load washer top of Machine Instruction Decal – 21" x 6"Ml110025-English/SpanishMl110032-English/French

Maytag® H.E. Front-Load washer Instruction Sign – 23" x 23"Ml100128A-Englishml100140A - Spanish

Maytag® Front-Load washer Instruction Sign – 23" x 23"ml100089A - englishml100117A - Spanish

Maytag® top-load Washer Instruction Sign – 23" x 23"ml100154A - englishml100195A - Spanish

Maytag® Multi-load Dryer Instruction Sign – 23" x 23"ml110013A - englishml110014A - Spanish

Single-Face Flush wall Mount or Double-Face pole Mount Exterior Signs

prevent over-Sudsing DecalCMlp061A-English/Spanish

Channel letters interior illuminated Window Display Signs

interior Wall Signs and Machine Decals

exterior Signs, Channel letters and Window Display Signs

11M a y t a G C o m m e r C I A l m e r C h A N D I S e r

Maytag® Multi-Load Factory rebates

load up on savings with rebates up to

$600.00on maytag® multi-loadequipment.

enjoy superior efficiency and profitability. With our multi-load washers and dryers, you can get up to $600.00 back.

rebates vary by product model type. See your distributor for details. Hurry, offer ends soon!

Now is a great time to upgrade to new Maytag® Commercial washers and dryers. Act now for low fixed rate financing, the best warranty in the business and significant utility savings that can put more money in your pocket month after month.

*RatesareeffectivethroughJune2011.3.99%Fixedfor12-monthterm.24-,36-,48-,60-,72-,84-and96-monthtermsavailable.Offersubjecttochangewithoutnotice.Subjecttocreditapproval.Ratesmay vary depending upon individual credit profile. Additional restrictions may apply.

Published by Maytag for owners of Maytag® Commercial Laundry equipment in the United States, Canada and foreign countries. For further information or address changes, write Froehlich Communications, Inc., 309 Court Avenue, Suite 234, Des Moines, IA 50309. ® Registered Trademark/ ™ Trademark of Maytag Corporation or its related companies. Copyright © 2011. All rights reserved.

to find the independent maytag® Commercial laundry Distributor serving your area, visit MaytagCommerciallaundry.com and click the “Distributor locator” link.

FINANCING AS loW AS 3.99% FixED* ONMAYTAG®COMMERCiAllAuNDRYEQuipMENT

Contact your local Maytag® Commercial Laundry Distributor

or call u.S. Capital Corporation at 1-866-374-0722 for complete details.

liMiteD tiMe

See Maytag® Commercial laundry at the Clean Show booth #2721 in las Vegas June 6-9, 2011!