Zengeler Cleaners recognized for pair of 35-year-old machines

NORTHBROOK - UniMac's quest to find the oldest model of its commercial washer still in service has ended at Zengeler Cleaners in Northbrook, where a pair of 35-year-old washer-extractors run six days a week.

Zengeler Cleaners is America's oldest and largest family-run dry cleaner, founded by A.W. Zengeler in 1857. The company has grown to eight stores in northern Illinois, located in Deerfield, Hubbard Woods, Northbrook, Northfield, Winnetka, Long Grove and two stores in Libertyville.

"As expected, our longevity contest delivered a plethora of machines still in service from a variety of vintages," said Steve Bowie, general manager of the On-Premises Laundry Segment for Alliance Laundry Systems, based in Wisconsin. "In the end, Zengeler Cleaners stood alone with their pair of UniMac machines boasting an impressive run."

As winners of the contest, Zengeler Cleaners will receive new UniMac equipment - a 65-pound capacity washer-extractor and large capacity tumble dryer to help them increase capacity at their production plant.

With new machines on the way, does that mean the 35-year-old models will get a well-deserved retirement? "No way … that's just not going to happen," owner Tom Zengeler said. "Our UniMac machines are way too important to the success of our business."