12 Reasons to be an IFI/TFA Member

IFI is the premier worldwide trade association of drycleaners, launderers, and wetcleaners as well as organizations and individuals concerned with professional garment cleaning, care, and serviceability.

As the leading fabricare association, IFI provides many valuable publications and services to its members. These services and publications are for members only.

Here is a brief summary of IFI’s Member Only Benefits...

#1 Publications

Fabricare Magazine is IFI’s monthly award winning publication packed with the latest industry information, solutions for problem garments, legislative reports, marketing ideas, and business strategies.

Members also receive a bimonthly copy of the newsletter, Fabricare Pro.

#2 Technical Information

Fabricare Resources: The Fabricare Journal of Technical Information is included with your Fabricare magazine subscription. Fabrics and Fashions, Industry Focus, Not in Vogue, Focus, Shirt/Laundry Procedures, Technical Operating Information, and Textile Analysis Bulletins (TABS) are easy to read and designed to give members detailed technical information on problem garments, cleaning processes and innovative technology.

You can now access IFI's complete bulletin library, Fabricare Articles, membership information, complete listing of IFI's many products and services, and information from major industry manufacturers, all from the comfort of your own computer using IFI CD-ROMs, the Complete IFI Reference Guide, and the Environmental and Government Affairs Set.

#3 Technical Assistance

IFI staff is now more accessible than ever. Members can call us on the 1-800-HELPLINE or e-mail us at techline@ifi.org when they need help.

#4 Garment Analysis

International Textile Analysis Laboratory (ITAL), our most popular benefit, helps members avoid costly, unfair damage claims. ITAL’s experts carefully examine each garment, and prepare an objective report on the cause and responsibility of the problem at hand. ITAL's reports have been accepted in mediation/arbitration efforts and as expert testimony in small claims court.

# 5 Training

Resident Classes, Self-Study Courses (available in print or on-line), Outreach Seminars, and In-Plant Training are designed to build the skills of those entering the industry and to keep veteran managers and supervisors up-to-date on the latest techniques. Timely course topics, experienced educators, and convenient schedules attract students from around the globe.

Videotapes demonstrating stain removal and finishing procedures, customer service and advertising techniques, and environmental compliance information for owners and employees are another avenue IFI provides for education.

#6 Government Relations

IFI is the strong voice that is heard and respected from local state government all the way to Capitol Hill. IFI’s Government Relations expert advocate cleaners' interests on all major issues such as Superfund, environmental compliance standards, and OSHA permissible exposure limits. IFI educates regulators about the technical aspects of proposed legislation and the economic impact that such action will have on your business.

#7 Clean Show

IFI is a co-sponsor of the Clean Show; the industries premiere Conference and Exposition. Clean attracts all segments of the textile care industry making it the largest textile care trade show in the world and one of the top 100 trade shows in North America. In addition to the wide variety of products and latest equipment on display, over 40 hours of educational seminars are available on business management, technology and legislative issues. Plan to attend and get an insider’s view of where the industry is heading.

#8 Consumer Information

Inform your customers about garment care with consumer information brochures, hanger tags, and a subscription to Clothes Care Gazette, a monthly newsletter chuck full of fabricare tips.

#9 Affinity Programs

The size of the IFI community gives the association substantial bargaining power in arranging special services for its members. Members have access to the following cost saving affinity programs:

Health and Life Insurance – for you and your employees, as well as children and spouses.

Business Insurance – Including options for building, business, personal property, crime, general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

Preferred Financing Packages – available through Cleaner’s Credit Union, which works exclusively with industry members.

MBNA/IFI MasterCard – With no annual fee, available to members, their employees and families.

#10 Quality Control Testing

Quality Control Laboratory provides state-of-the-art technologies that help cleaners and manufacturers maintain tight quality control. Textile testing, cleaning performance testing, and perc vapor testing are just a few of the specialized services offered by the research department.

#11 Public Relations

Your membership in IFI lends support to powerful and positive public relations worldwide. Public awareness of fabric care issues is an important concern and IFI has created a consumer education program that is national in both scope and vision. By working with countless organizations, appearing on television and radio, participating in trade shows, and holding talks and seminars, IFI is continually reaching out to the public.

#12 Research

Your membership dollars help to advance the progress of industry related research. IFI frequently conducts research on the latest cleaning technologies, product testing and apparel testing.

To join, visit www.ifi.org

For more membership information, send an email to info@tnfabricare.com or call (800) 967-1832.