After working more than 42 years with The Minnesota Chemical Company, Stephen A. Baker, Vice President and Co-Owner, is ready to retire.

Steve’s full-time employment with MCC began in 1975, after he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. But his storied career with the company actually began even earlier than that, doing odd jobs at the Milwaukee office, like cutting the lawn, cleaning the office, and working the warehouse during the summer months. He also spent time in his younger years working at Milwaukee Electric Tool as a parts runner, a student loan bill collector at Career Academy, and at McDonalds as a fry cook. Steve jokes about his time at McDonalds, “I wasn’t sophisticated enough to work the counter."

Joining a family business can prove challenging for some people, but Steve wasn’t worried about working for his father and uncles.

“I never really had concerns about working for my dad, Robert Baker. He was easy going. When I moved to St Paul it was a bigger operation and there were more people to get to know. I think being in and running a family business is all mostly positive.” Steve adds that at MCC, the intergenerational transitions and relationships have been free from drama. Although he might sometimes see things differently with his partners Mike and Dan, they’ve never had serious differences. “In many ways our different personalities and management styles have served our business and customers well.” The downside of working in a family business? Steve finds that it’s a challenge to “turn it off”, feeling a bit like he’s on duty whether at work or at family gatherings.

After working more than 42 years in the laundry and dry cleaning industry, Steve has handled a variety of challenges. “Our current main challenge is the consolidation of our customers. There are fewer accounts to sell to and the wholesale distribution business model is not as integral to customers’ needs as in the past.” That said, MCC continues to bring expertise to customers who have very busy operations and need good local supply, equipment and service vendors.

Retirement from MCC will be bittersweet for Steve. When asked what he’ll miss most about his job, he says, “Believe it or not, I think I will miss the routine and watching all areas of our business function together. I will also miss all of the relationships that I have developed over many years with employees, customers and vendors.”

When Steve retires on April 1, he hopes to do a bit more volunteer work. He is currently a reading tutor with Reading Partners and a 32-year charter member of the St. Paul Sunrise Rotary Club. He’s looking forward to spending more time with family, “especially with our first grandchild who will be relocating to Minnesota with her parents.” Steve and his wife of 33 years, Lisa, hope to spend some time traveling around the USA and have planned an expedition cruise around southern Japan and Korea in 2019.

Huebsch Facility Tour and Deep Dive Training

In March, three MCC staff went to Ripon, WI, for Huebsch new product announcements and a factory tour. Dan Baker, Tony Crain and Jon Karll spent three long days learning and training – and met dealers from across the USA and Canada. There are changes coming to coin and On Premise Laundry (OPL) Hardmount washers and tumble dryers. Huebsch machinery shipped in May will have control panel changes, improved choices for voltages and a host of other changes – details next month. Alliance Laundry Machinery produces more washers and dryers than any other company in the USA. They met many Huebsch staff members including Kathryn Rowen, Brand Manager; Andy Lubohn, Director of Training and Maggie LePine, Order Entry.

Save the Date: 2018 MCC FREE Fall Shows

On-Premise and Coin Vended Service School and Open House.

Hotels, Care Facilities and Laundromats.

Meet with industry experts, get inside tips on store management,

machine technical support and troubleshooting.

Tuesday, October 23rd

MCC Warehouse

Menomonee Falls, WI

Thursday, October 25th

North Metro Event Center

Shoreview, MN

Complete information and registration at www.minnesotachemical.com

Water Conservation for On-Premise Laundries

Milnor’s 60 lb. capacity washer-extractors feature RinSave® water conservation technology standard

Current economic conditions have forced healthcare facilities to focus on operating costs, particularly back-of-the-house operations – including the on-premise laundry, according to healthcare operators.

This innovative process called RinSave® eliminates up to two high-level rinses (.33 gallons per pound processed) and up to 10 minutes in the wash formula. It saves labor,
water, sewer and electricity which are the largest direct operating expenses in the laundry. RinSave® conserves water, further substantiates your facility’s green program
and is infinitely sustainable, without further investment.

Coin Store Owners:

We can use some help in coin laundry equipment sales and/ or service in our 5 states... even PT.

Do you have time?

Call Dan Baker 414-708-5242. We want to talk.

WANTED: SERVICE TECH TRAINEE

• Basic electrical knowhow or better  • Can-do attitude

• Interest in learning new skills  • Good driving record 

• Some overnight travel 

Call Ed Jensen - Service Manager at 651-646-7521

Laundry Scales

Washer Load Estimating Portable Floor Laundry Scale - Not Legal For Trade
$1,975.00

R&B ID: RBPS-1000

This is a portable platform scale with easy access ramps on two sides. Equipped with high-quality mild steel construction, this scale is ideal for weighing heavier items such as laundry carts and basket trucks.

• Anti-skid diamond plate deck
• Includes easy-to-use external display
• Not legal for trade
• 1,000 lb weight capacity
• Mild steel construction
• High-quality powder coated finish
• Portable with easy to use handles
• Two built-in rubber wheels for easy transport
• Ramps on two sides
• Basket truck not included

Dimensions: 42.25”L x 39.5”W x 3.5”H (Complete Unit)
Product Weight: 194 lbs (scale-188lbs, display-6lbs)

Portable Bench Scale with Detachable LCD Display, 300 lb. Capacity - Legal For Trade
$589.65

R&B ID: RBPB-300

This portable and versatile scale provides excellent mobility and ease of use for any environment. The detachable display provides outstanding convenience and functionality in any setting. The plastic outer shell makes this scale tough and durable.

• Easy to move with convenient built-in handle
• Tough outer shell provides great protection
• Detachable LCD display allows convenient ease of use
• Adjustable leveling feet ensure scale is properly balanced
• Legal for Trade
• Rechargeable battery and power adapter included
• Option to use 4 “C” cell batteries (not included)
• RS-232C interface

Overall Dimensions: 24”L x 14”W x 3.5”H

Platter Dimensions: 17”L x 14”W

Product Weight: 15 lbs.