DealersEdge Professional Forums

Everyone is always trying to cut expenses especially during these economic times. I thought I would bring up a subject that often comes up in our manager meetings - the cost and use of shop towels and recon towels. We are a small shop with 6 techs and 2 recon people. We rent our shop towels and terry towels from the same place we rent our uniforms. The terry towels are used by our recon people for exterior waxing and interior cleanup and final prep of new and used cars. We are paying about $350 per month for rental and "automatic replacement" of the shop towels and terry towels.

Has anyone come up with a solution to this high expense? Does anyone launder their own towels and/or uniforms? If so, has it proven to cost effective?

Any comments would be appreciated.

[This message has been edited by Louis (edited 06-03-2003).]

A recent depart cost survey we did had a few managers saying they did the numbers and it was cheaper to buy their own towels. Especially for detailing since they are given a fresh, brand-new towel/rag for their work.

I just think for $350 a month you could buy a $1000 in towels, a washer and dryer and be ahead of the game in less than six months.

Plus, look at alternatives like Wipeall towels you can get at Sams club.


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** Rob, Editor WD&S **
Help is only a message post away!
robc@dealersedge.com

I found the "shop towel issue" to be similar to any other supply-type expense: reduce your inventory and people will learn to make do with what they've got. Cut your supply in half, now.

If the techs and detailers have a seemingly endless supply of [towels, rags, tape, glue, brake wash, whatever] they will naturally have little incentive to reduce usage. Reduce the supply and, mark my words, they will learn to use each rag several times instead of just wiping off one part and throwing it in the dirty bin.

Washing them yourself? Well, if it works, it works. But somehow I can't see this working for very long. Just my opinion.

Cheers
Doug

Regarding your "automatic replacement"... tell your uniform company that you refuse to pay for it. Look in your "service agreement", more than likely it is not spelled out there..

I have been sucessful in getting this practiced stopped for my shop and several others just by telling them "NO". Have not had any continue charging for it.

Also check if they are delivering less than the agreed upon amount - say you keep 1000 in inventory and they are suppose to deliver 450 each week - sometimes they only deliver 300 - make them credit you the difference!! I HAVE, AND IT HAS WORKED.

you should contact your uniform company about second hand shop rags. these are rags the uniform companies take out of service.they could supply to you at a cheaper cost with no replacement charge.
hey, and still get them cleaned !

We had the same problem here, and did away with the uniform company towels all together. Now we purchase disposable, thick paper towels from a local supplier. A 3 to 4 month supply runs about $550.

We were on 250 rags per week at about $300 per week, we are in the process of changing to a disposable towel. These towels are $75 for 1100, and when the vendor dropped off samples, the techs liked them better anyhow. Works out to about half the price. We were going to go to this a while back, but were worried about disposal. Our environmental company said that if we had to clean up a big spill, they could be disposed with the used filters, otherwise, garbage was fine.

I vote for secondhand towels too. I also open an RO each month to bill shop supplies including towels and review weekly with each tech. When they know they are being watched the abuse has been greatly reduced. If they are keeping those expenses below projections for the month they are rewarded with pizza or sandwich lunches for the shop.

Try the Scott disposable towels from Sam's Club. Much cheaper than disposables offered through manufacturers reps. When evaluating disposables, don't forget the main focus -they are disposable!!- We found that techs did not tend to keep the high dollar wipes around any longer than the less expensive variety. Once you make the move to disposables, you will wonder why you ever used a rental cloth shop towel.

gman

Ps. 12 techs cost me about $125.00 monthly