Industry News

Updated: May 20, 2021

In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.

Associations 

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

BC Fabricare Association (BCFA) | BCFA is the organization for professional cleaners in BC and their site contains links for both cleaners and suppliers.

Canadian Cleaners & Allied Trades Association (CLATA) | An industry group whose mandate is to support and strengthen the laundry and dry cleaning industry in Canada.

Coin Laundry Association (CLA) | A US-based trade organization servicing the coin laundry industry.

Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) | International trade association, representing manufacturers and distributors of drycleaning and laundry equipment and supplies.

International Drycleaners Congress (IDC) | A worldwide organization for professionals in the textile care industry.

Magazines & Trade Journals

Trade journals (often called magazines or trade publications) can be very useful in helping you find current articles relating to business research. Contact your local research library to determine which trade journal subscriptions they have. There are also free trade publications that you can access online. 

Fabricare Canada Magazine | The voice of the dry cleaning and laundry trades in Canada. Published 6 times per year. Check out the Industry Links page.

American Drycleaner | The definitive source of industry information for dry cleaning plant owners and operators. Published monthly. Check out the Research Center page.

American Laundry News | Magazine aimed at readers responsible for plant operations at institutional/on-premise laundries and textile rental companies. Published monthly.

American Coin-op | Magazine for coin-operated laundromat owners and managers. Published monthly.

Blogs

West Boulevard Cleaners | A blog from a Vancouver-based dry cleaning company that covers various dry cleaning dos and don'ts.

Dry Cleaning and Landry Institute Blog | Drycleaning experts that help you solve problems and run a better drycleaning business.

Discussion Forums

The Drycleaners Forum | An active discussion group for drycleaners, manufacturers and suppliers.

Consultant Websites

[This section is for industry specific websites that are not associations. These could be websites that are run by businesses that offer for services for those within the industry but also run blogs or provide free information. Delete this prompt]

MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.

Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.

As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.