Business

$5M multiyear reinvestment positions Zengeler Cleaners for future growth

Posted June 09, 2026 2:32 pm

Mick Zawislak

Robert Zengeler, a sixth-generation Zengeler family member and an employee of the historic cleaning company, loads an item into the Giulietta automated bagging system. Courtesy of Zengeler Cleaners

Zengeler Cleaners, the oldest and largest family-owned dry cleaner in the Midwest, has completed a $5 million reinvestment to improve its stores and customer experience.

Five years ago during the COVID pandemic, the company embarked on a long-term reinvestment program to include new equipment and other improvements to strengthen the business and position the company for sustainable long-term growth.

Improving operating efficiency even included relocating the Northfield store, one of the oldest in the company, which was founded by John Zengeler in 1857.

Wesley Nelson, president of Sankosha USA, Mike Zengeler, vice president of Zengeler Cleaners and Fernanda Estella, Zengeler’s general manager of operations, put newly installed Sankosha production equipment to work. Courtesy of Zengeler Cleaners

“Our company has been in business approaching 170 years, surviving everything from the great Chicago Fire, two World Wars, the Great Depression, the Great Recession and more,” said Tom Zengeler, company president.

Zengeler said his great-great-grandfather founded the company on a set of values and standards, including a commitment to the local community, respect for every employee and the highest standard of fabric care, that have been passed to each generation.

The philosophy is demonstrated in the reinvestment campaign, he added. Zengeler has locations in Northbrook, Deerfield, Northfield, Hubbard Woods, Long Grove and two stores in Libertyville.

Improving efficiency was part of the campaign and included new equipment for dry cleaning and laundry production at two separate locations.

Part of the rebranding portion of the $5 million upgrade is a new sign, with pictures featuring Zengeler Cleaners’ first four generations of leaders and a caption expressing the company’s 170-year operating philosophy. Courtesy of Zengeler Cleaners

Using cutting-edge technology, the machines provide the best cleaning option for each piece of clothing, ensuring even the most delicate, modern fabrics are properly cleaned, according to the company.

Automation also was a driver for the upgrades. The number of 24/7 self-service kiosks were increased, for example.

The newly remodeled exterior at Zengeler Cleaners’ oldest location on Park Avenue in Libertyville. Courtesy of Zengeler Cleaners

Another significant addition was incorporating Metalprogetti’s Giulietta all-in-one compact dry-cleaning, auto bagging machine at the Northbrook location. The machine bags an order for delivery and is integrated with a labeling machine to print ID labels using bar codes generated by the point-of-sale system.

Customers, Zengeler said, expect the company to focus on quality and treat them and their dry cleaning with the utmost care and attention.

“That’s why our upgrades included remodeling and rebranding our stores, just as we upgraded our processing equipment, so customers can see the enhancements as they walk into our stores,” he said.

“Each step communicates an important message: We value our customers, we are committed to their communities, and we are here to stay,” Zengeler added.

Fernanda Estella, Zengeler Cleaners general manager of operations, demonstrates one of the new high-efficiency finishing machines recently installed at the Park Avenue Store in Libertyville. Courtesy of Zengeler Cleaners