10/24/2007
|
|
|
Left to right: Ray Zammit, owner of Custom Laundering Service; Kristy Ruiz, operations manager; and Eileen Ellis, office manager |
Ray Zammit and his company, Complete Laundering Services, are located in Oregon, Ohio, close to Toledo. The original owner founded the business in 1994 and moved to its 15,000 square-foot location in 1998. In 2004, Zammit purchased the business, and he and his team helped Complete Laundering Services take off with a combination of hard work, new equipment and process upgrades. Zammit also made the important decision to become an NFIB member in 2005.
Complete Laundering Services specializes in dry-cleaning and water-washing industrial gloves, personal protective garments and shop towels. Since Zammit's purchase of the business, sales have more than doubled. In 2006 CLS processed over two million pounds of laundry, totaling 15 million pieces while expanding their service area to include a tri-state region of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.
Zammit appreciates "NFIB's proactive public-policy work" for small business. "We find the political updates helpful in facilitating our involvement with our state and local legislators," said Zammit. On the flip side, he values the benefits that NFIB offers that benefit his bottom line, such as the workers' compensation premium discounts.
The challenges facing this Northern Ohio company range from onerous waste-water regulations to Ohio's smothering death tax. Zammit has responded by making the effort to contact legislators any time there are laws being considered that would affect his business. He also supports those legislators who are working for a better business climate in Ohio.
Zammit loves being a business owner. "We love the day-to-day challenges to meet our customers' needs. As the business has grown, we have had to find new ways to maintain the quality and service levels our customers have grown to expect. Our greatest resource has been our employees! We try to include them in all our process and service upgrades," said Zammit. "We have to admit, they have come up with the majority of the solutions that make the operation run as smooth as it does. It is very rewarding to see it all come together and watch everyone's reactions."
