Written by Barry Victor, President and owner of PROS Parts 

If you work in drycleaning or industrial laundry, you already know there’s no shortage of fires to put out—sometimes literally. Between running loads, managing customers, and keeping equipment humming, who has time to sit down and take a course on the latest controls or automation tools? 

And yet, the technology behind our industry keeps changing. New systems can help you save energy, cut down time, and even make day-to-day operations smoother—but only if you and your team know how to use them. That’s why staying educated isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s part of staying competitive. 

Why Learning Still Matters—Even When You’re Busy 

Equipment today is more sophisticated than ever. Controls are digital, data is trackable, and performance depends on precise calibration. A missed update or an untrained operator can turn into wasted water, higher energy costs, or even unnecessary wear on your equipment. 

When you invest a little time in learning, you’re really investing in uptime, safety, and profitability. The key is to make sure that learning fits your world—not the other way around. 

How to Know What’s Worth Your Time 

Here’s a simple way to focus on what matters most: 

Start with your pain points. 
What’s costing you the most time, money, or frustration? Maybe it’s recurring faults in your washers, or confusion about software updates. Start there, that’s your signal that more training or product knowledge could pay off quickly. 

Check with your supplier or distributor. 
Many manufacturers (and distributors like us) offer quick tutorials, lunch-and-learns, or online videos that break down key functions. These often come straight from the factory and are geared for real-world use—not theory. 

Stay alert for new tech and trends. 
Even if you’re not in the market for new equipment, keeping an eye on what’s next helps you plan for upgrades and know when it’s time to modernize. Follow manufacturer newsletters or trade publications—you’ll pick up valuable insights without having to attend a full conference. 

Empower your team. 
If you’ve got a technician or lead operator who loves tinkering and learning, give them the space to dig in and continue their learning. One curious, trained team member can make a huge difference in helping everyone stay current. 

Making Learning a Habit, Not a Chore 

You don’t need a classroom to stay educated. Sometimes it’s a quick video during lunch, a webinar once a quarter, or even a short conversation with your service rep when they’re on site. What matters most is that you keep learning—because every new piece of knowledge helps your operation run just a little smoother. 

At the end of the day, your equipment is the heartbeat of your business. The more you understand it, the better it will perform for you. Stay curious, stay connected, and keep that learning loop going. It’s one of the best investments you can make. 

As always, PROS Parts is here to help you with your equipment parts.  

Contact us or visit our website 

About Barry Victor 
Barry founded PROS Parts in the spring of 1988. Before starting PROS, Barry worked in the sales and engineering departments of Vic Manufacturing, one of the largest manufacturers of dry cleaning equipment in the U.S. At Vic, Barry launched a parts sales division that supported dry cleaning equipment imported from Italy and Germany. In its early years, PROS manufactured dry cleaning machinery and then evolved into an industrial and commercial laundry equipment and drycleaning operations parts supplier. Barry lives in Plymouth, MN with his wife. He has two sons, a stepson, a stepdaughter and his dog, Sora.  

Barry can be reached at 763-231-7379 or barryv@prosparts.com.