In one fell swoop, Sir Galloway Cleaners has simultaneously made its dry cleaning service faster, more efficient and less environmentally impactful by outfitting its central plant with a $250,000 automated system.
That means no more missing garments, partial deliveries or improperly washed or folded items of clothing previously caused by human error. While customer service is still managed by a highly trained staff, tracking now is automated, faster and 100 percent accurate. The automation also reduces waste.
More efficient routes and deliveries decrease carbon emissions and because the polybags used to wrap the garments are cut to fit instead of one size fits all, approximately 30 percent less plastic material is used.
Designed by Italian automation manufacturer Metalprogetti, the system’s installation, training, software, communications and specialty hangar and polybag manufacturing was overseen by a 15-member team while transforming the business.
The new system relies on a minuscule barcode heat sealed onto each garment in an inconspicuous place that when scanned brings up every bit of information about the garment — who it belongs to, how to wash it, how many garments are also in the order and more. This precise, easy-to-understand code is used to track garments as they make their way around the central plant, which is still operated by employees, many of whom have been with the company for more than a decade.
“Next to our loyal customers, our greatest assets are our Sir Galloway family members,” said Eliana Lezcano, director of human resources.
“The more we use technology, the more productive we are as a team. Less time is spent looking through hundreds of invoices. Everything is tracked by way of heat-sealed labels and bar code invoices.”
In fact, despite this significant overhaul, the workforce at Sir Galloway Cleaners was reduced by only three people.
A family-owned and operated business, Sir Galloway Cleaners was founded in 1984 at its flagship location and central plant near The Falls. Over the years the business grew gradually, opening a new store every three years and developing free pickup and delivery routes throughout Miami while expanding its services to cover almost any type of garment cleaning imaginable.
Sir Galloway Cleaners is involved actively in numerous local charities and outreach programs including Camillus House, for whom they founded a continuous clothing drive, and The Woody Foundation, a nonprofit organization named for James “Woody” Beckham, which raises recovery funds for people suffering from spinal cord injuries. The company also donates regularly to silent auctions for charity and welcomes opportunities to give back to the community in any way that it can.
“We believe in making an investment in our customers, how we do business and the community in which we operate and are a part of,” he said. “That’s what Sir Galloway is all about.”
For more information, call 305-252-2000 or visit www.SirGalloway.com.
