When I was five, I often visited King Auto Parts in King, North Carolina
with my Grandfather. King Auto Parts, my Grandfather’s favorite
hangout, was where he bought me my first ever SK ½ Drive Socket and
Ratchet Set. I’ll never forget how excited I was as I carried that set
in the green metal case home. I still have it today. In all seriousness,
that ratchet set changed my life. As soon as I got home, I began taking
apart and reassembling everything within reach. Figuring out how things
work became my passion.
After high school I held a few jobs before joining A Cleaner World in
1983 as a dry cleaning plant manager. This position not only allowed me
to continue dabbling with mechanical stuff but it also allowed me to
fulfill another passion. I like to talk, and I like people. As the years
went by, my role expanded to include managing multiple locations,
scouting for new locations, and dealing with franchisees. In 2000, I was
asked to head up the maintenance division of A Cleaner World which at
that time included over 40 locations. It was a dream come true.
Since then, Tri-State Laundry Equipment Company has gone from being the
maintenance division of A Cleaner World to a business that also designs,
installs, services, and sells all kinds of dry cleaning and laundry
equipment including Parker Boiler, Electrolux, Wascomat, Unipress,
Kleen-Rite, and more. Plus over the years I’ve hired guys just like me –
guys with a passion for solving mechanical problems. In fact, I’ve seen
them perform some pretty amazing feats in rather unique circumstances. I
look forward to sharing some of those stories with you.
It is my sincere hope that this blog will be able to provide answers to
common questions and problems associated with dry cleaning and laundry
equipment while having a little fun along the way. And when I say I
really like to talk and I really like people – I really do. I hope to
hear from you.
Project: My name is Kevin Lawson, and I am obsessed with dry cleaning and laundry equipment