Category: Bruce Gershon

Arrow Fabricare Honored at Kansas City City Hall

1/2/2015

Arrow was very honored on December 18th to stand alongside Mayor Sly James when a resolution was entered and adopted at Kansas City City Hall and presented to Arrow Fabricare Services honoring Arrow on it's 100th Anniversary. Councilman Jim Glover and Councilwoman Jan Marcason sponsored the resolution. Click link to view http://kansascity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php…

from left: Bruce Gershon, Mayor Sly James, Stephanie Gershon and Susie Shatz

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What does Arrow’s 100th Anniversary mean to me?

12/31/2014

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The 100th anniversary of Arrow means a great deal to me. It is a time of reflection, and a source of great pride in what we have accomplished. I have heard all kinds of statistics about how few companies survive the third generation of family ownership, let alone make it to 100 years. I owe my father a great deal of thanks for giving me an opportunity, and for believing in me. Not long after I joined the business 40 years ago, I remember he said to me, “Don’t say you work for your Dad, but rather say you’re in business with me.” That set me on a path of understanding the feeling of ownership, and whether by happenstance or his plan, he let me do so many things that I felt were necessary to grow the business.

Approximately fourteen years after I joined the business, we executed a stock redemption plan in which I was able to purchase the stock in the company from my Mom and Dad with “sweat equity”. Even though Dad took his social security and a lesser role in the company, he never had any intentions of totally retiring, so over 26 years later he still comes in a few hours each day, keeping his hand in, and he plays an important role in mentoring my sister Susie, the leather department employees, and talking to his many customers and friends on the phone.

Our 100th anniversary means 40 years for me of an incredible education in business as an entrepreneur. It means I have basically grown up in the business, and worn every hat possible that one could wear, from route driver and sales, to fur cleaner, hat blocker, dry cleaner/spotter, leather cleaner, sprayer, fire restoration
sales, pack out, and project manager, just to name a few. I have had a chance to learn every aspect of the business, and steer the company in the direction of diversification that has served us well. That foundation of learning and doing most every job in the business was fostered in me by my Father, and gave me an understanding of hard work, and what it took to be successful.

Above all else it means that over the last 40 years I have come into contact with so many people it would be impossible to count. I have been so lucky to know so many customers, employees, and colleagues that have truly enriched my life. Countless relationships from which I have learned so much; a lifelong relationship of being in business with my family, although bumpy at times, always cherished. It means that I have not only had the
opportunity to work with my wife Stephanie for over 26 years, but have had the love and support of her and my children Brad and Lauren through all of the really tough growth years, when I needed that support system to keep my sanity. I am also lucky to have had my sister Susie join the business 6 years ago, and now enjoy an even stronger bond with her. I have had the great pleasure of getting to know so many customers over the years from all over the country, as well as here in Kansas City, and some of them have become great friends. We have also benefited greatly from being a member of two unbelievable industry groups, made up of colleagues in the leather specialty business, and the textile restoration business that we could measure our company against,
and some of these business owners have been like my board of directors. One man in particular that I have been so fortunate to have known and learned from was Mr. Sid Tuchman, one of the great mentors in my life.

Finally, none of these 100 years of longevity would have been possible without the wonderful employees that enable us to carry out the plans, do the work, and serve our customers. So this 100th Anniversary is very much about our employees, past and present, who have worked the long hours in sometimes difficult conditions,
and have believed in our mission of being the best at everything we do. And so that is why we say…

“With every garment, every customer, and
every employee, Arrow cares”.

Bruce Gershon
President & CEO

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What a Wonderful Note from a Loyal Customer.

8/29/2014

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This week we received the below note and a copy of KC Magazine from a loyal Arrow customer congratulating us on receiving Top KC Companies - Phonenix Award from KC Business magazine. We are so grateful for the message and the loyalty to Arrow!

Hi Gershons,

WHAT A GREAT ARTICLE!

It makes us glad that we have been "Arrow " customers for over 30 years. Congratulations and best wishes for continued success.

We thought you might like an extra copy.

Sincerely,

Linda and Bob

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Arrow Fabricare receives KC Business Top Company Phoenix Award

7/24/2014

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Arrow was very honored to receive the Top Companies of Kansas City “Phoenix award” from KC Business last night. It was a wonderful event. Thanks to all who have supported Arrow. We are so privileged to be celebrating 100 years!

To view article please visit http://www.thisiskc.com/2014/04/kansas-city-top-companies-2014-arrow-fabricare-services/

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ehow begins home cleaning care series featuring Bruce Gershon

4/1/2012

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The ehow.com Leather & Fabric Care video series hosted by Arrow's Bruce Gershon has been released!

Once you view this video you will see the other video segments below it that you can view. In this series there are 16 other videos of in home clothing care and cleaning tips that covers care of Leather Garments, sofas, dry clean only clothing and much more…

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Bruce Gershon chosen by ehow to demonstarate "do it yourself" care tips for leather and fabric.

2/17/2012

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Coming soon to www.ehow.com... In this picture owner, Bruce Gershon, preps for his video shoot with ehow.com. Bruce will be featured in a series of Leather and Fabric care "how to" videos on ehow.com beginning in April of 2012.

Bruce was contacted by ehow.com through one of their producers who had used Arrow's services before. Her husband was going to throw away one of his old leather coats, and she did not want to get rid of it. She did a Google search on leather restoration, and came to the conclusion that Arrow was the best place to send this special coat. She shipped the coat to Arrow through our special online shipping program, and when they received the coat back they were more than thrilled with the results.

Being recognized as one of the premiere leather cleaners in the country ehow.com asked Bruce to do a Leather and Fabric Care “how to” video series. 17 helpful videos were filmed and will be posted on ehow.com starting in April.

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Arrow's CEO, Bruce Gershon educates dry cleaners

2/3/2012

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Arrow owner, Bruce Gershon, was invited to Denver last weekend to address Dependable Cleaners Customer Service Representatives during their annual all-company meeting. Arrow Leathercare was one of five vendors selected to speak at this event, and of course the topic was skin identification, cleaning, and repairing of leather and suede. Dependable Cleaners put on a very entertaining and educational event, and in reviewing the evaluation forms employees filled out, the majority came away with more knowledge about leathers than any of the other four categories!

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Arrow's open house at new processing plant!

9/19/2011

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The Open House at the new plant located at 1330 Washington Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66102, was a lot of fun for the many Arrow employees, customers and vendors who attended. The afternoon was highlighted by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Shown to the right doing the honors were: Jackie Gershon, Connie Mosier BlancPlume Division Manager, Stephanie Gershon, Bruce Gershon wielding the giant scissors, Connie Kenig Arrow Fire Restoration Division Manager, Bob Gershon and Arrow Drapery Division Manager, Brad Gershon. Our thanks to all that attended.

If you were unable to attend and would like a plant tour, contact Glenda Davis at: 816-365-1015 or by email: glenda@arrow-care.com

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