NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Winning Brands Corporation (OTCPK:WNBD) reports that BRILLIANT™ Professional Wet Cleaning Solutions www.BrilliantWetCleaning.com have performed flawlessly during a 3-month pilot project and are being officially launched at this time.
The pilot project involved the conversion of a dry cleaning facility to environmentally progressive wet cleaning in order to serve as a model for the industry. In professional wet cleaning, biodegradable cleaning agents and eco-oriented equipment are used instead of traditional dry cleaning solvents to process "Dry Clean Only" garments. Dry cleaning solvents have been associated with health and environmental hazards and are being restricted or phased out by governments and commercial property managers. The U.S. is estimated to have 35,000 dry cleaners, of which over 80% are still using traditional solvents and looking for options. Professional wet cleaning has been studied by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and environmental advocacy organizations as a technology alternative to dry cleaning. They consider professional wet cleaning a promising development, particularly with recent advancements. The Winning Brands pilot project facility, Georgian Bay Wet Cleaners, has completed its transition from dry cleaning to professional wet cleaning and is now the official launch location of the BRILLIANT™ wet cleaning solutions product line, the replacement for Winning Brands' earlier Smart line.
The Georgian Bay pilot project is particularly useful as a prototype because it encompassed the total conversion experience, rather than starting fresh. This makes the facility more representative of the majority of existing dry cleaners in North America. The successful conversion demonstrates the viability of making the change from dry cleaning to professional wet cleaning for dry cleaners who are planning their response to tighter environmental regulations.
Georgian Bay's existing customers have embraced the change and are pleased with the result for their clothing. This answers the primary question amongst traditional dry cleaners about switching to a different technology – customer satisfaction. Georgian Bay Wet Cleaners has six drop-off locations processing approximately 5,000 articles per month that were previously being dry cleaned. The vast majority are now professionally wet cleaned instead. Proprietor of Georgian Bay Wet Cleaners, www.GeorgianBayWetCleaners.com , Mr. Derron Bodell comments: "As we live, work and play in the communities we serve, we wholeheartedly embraced moving to wet cleaning as a progressive alternative to dry cleaning. The Miele / Winning Brands solution provides us with a stable foundation to build from. And, as positive customer feedback grows, we are being seen as a business leader in the community, which is driving sales forward."
Winning Brands CEO Eric Lehner adds: "The initiative of Georgian Bay to make this conversion is admirable. Derron is helping to move an industry by positive example. Winning Brands' role is to focus on advancement of the cleaning agents. It is one of the key factors in the technical equation. We have colleagues on the equipment side. The Miele brand WetCare equipment used at Georgian Bay Wet Cleaning sets the industry standard. We have deep respect and appreciation for Miele's work. Our mission is important to the industry and the community - the replacement of hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives. It's exciting to see this come together so well."
Winning Brands has worked with equipment manufacturers and professional cleaners for a number of years to help develop the viability of professional wet cleaning in a variety of settings. Recent changes to Winning Brands contract relationships enable the company to now launch its BRILLIANT line and to reach more ambitiously into the sector. The Georgian Bay pilot project utilized the latest generation of Winning Brands professional wet cleaning agents. Winning Brands expects its momentum in professional wet cleaning to accelerate through the combination of its technical and business strategy advancements.
Mr. Lehner concludes: "For years cleaners have been hampered by a reluctance of vested interests in the industry to acknowledge the possibilities of this new technique. However, the good results of professional wet cleaning facilities with appropriate equipment, specialized cleaning agents and proper training are indisputable. Professional wet cleaning is growing and is unstoppable. The process just makes too much sense. Professional wet cleaning is the simplest way forward, is the most positive ecologically and is the most attractive alternative financially for the dry cleaner and consumer both. Distributor information for the BRILLIANT product line will be announced in Q3."
ABOUT WINNING BRANDS CORPORATION: Winning Brands is a manufacturer of record for advanced environmentally oriented cleaning solutions such as KIND® Laundry Products, 1000+™ Stain Remover, World's Most Versatile Cleaning Solution™, and others through its subsidiary Niagara Mist Marketing Ltd. 1000+ Stain Remover is a multi-purpose cleaning solvent with unique desirable properties. www.1000Plus.ca . 1000+ is available coast-to-coast in Canada as a consumer product in some of that country's largest retailers including Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware as well as a number of U.S. outlets. TrackMoist and ReGUARD4 are examples of industry-specific solutions from Winning Brands. TrackMoist enhances the performance of dirt surfaces used in sports and entertainment venues www.TrackMoist.com . ReGUARD4 is a range of fire safety clean-up solutions for first responders' gear. BRILLIANT is the company's newest brand. www.BrilliantWetCleaning.com
Comments for attribution :
Eric Lehner, CEO, WINNING BRANDS
92 Caplan Avenue, Suite 134
Barrie, Ontario L4N 0Z7
Tel: (705) 737-4062 Fax: (705) 737-9793
eric@winningbrands.ca
Derron Bodell
Georgian Bay Wet Cleaners
136 Pine Street
Collingwood, Ontario L9Y 2N9
(705) 445-2811
dbodell@sympatico.ca
1000+, KIND, ReGUARD4,TrackMoist and BRILLIANT are trademarks of Niagara Mist Marketing Ltd in connection with indicated uses. Safe Harbor: Statements contained in this news release, other than those identifying historical facts, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Safe Harbor provisions as contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relating to the Company's future expectations, including but not limited to revenues and earnings, technology efficacy, strategies and plans, are subject to safe harbors protection. Actual Company results and performance may be materially different from any future results, performance, strategies, plans, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
