Trail Cleaners & Laundry is a locally run family business. With over 60 years of know-how in industrial laundry technology, our success has been built on solutions that exceed industry standards and customer expectations.
Management Team
- Joe Ruggiero, Owner/General Manager
- Robert Hickey, Office Manager
- John Owens, Consultant and Safety Manager
- Steve Douglas, Consultant (formerly Lead North Teck Operating Manager)
- Tony Bobbit, Operation Manager
Our History
Francesco Ruggiero was born in Bocchiguero, Italy, and arrived in Trail, BC, in 1950. That same year, he met and married his wife Rita Esposito (family of 10) and began to live as a hard worker in the Kootenays.
In 1952, Francesco started the company Trail Dry Cleaners and Laundry. He started working for Teck Cominco in 1975 and built a very strong working relationship with them. BC had just changed the laws and, as a result, workers were required to wear an outer garment when working under contamination.
Teck Cominco helped Francesco set up the industrial coverall side of his business and plant to handle all contamination. Teck also purchased the first dry cleaning machine. Francesco was a good family man who believed in family values and keeping his business family owned.
In 2008, Joe Ruggiero (Francesco’s son) took over the family business. A year later he changed the name to Trail Cleaners and Laundry, discontinuing the dry-cleaning service to provide a stronger focus on the company’s industrial services.
Joe was president of the Trail Smoke Eaters for 35 years and was one of the original 6 people who brought the BC Junior League franchise to Trail.
To this day, it remains a locally run family business.
Awards
- 2018 – Best of Business Award (Silver)
- 2017 – GE “Proof Not Promises” Award
- 2013 – Trail Business Award (Silver)
- 2012 – Best of Business Award (Silver)
Community Support
We are proud to live and work in the Kootenays. Our family has deep roots in Trail so giving back to our community isn’t something we do, it’s part of who we are.
Things we are proud to support:
- Annual Snowflake Gala to support and strengthen healthcare in our region
- 2017 New Years Eve Gala with proceeds to the Gordy Steep Sick Children’s Memorial Fund
- Trail Smoke Eaters Corporate Partner
“Having been president of the Smoke Eaters for over 35 years, I’m a huge supporter of our local team. Go Smokies Go!” – Joe Ruggiero, Owner/General Manager, Trail Cleaners and Laundry.
Our Friends
We believe 100% in shopping local and would like to say thanks to these local (and some family-run) businesses and groups:
Our Mission:
We are committed to a process that:
- Provides reliable and dependable service to our customers
- Provides a safe working environment for our employees
- Respects the nature of our business, allowing us to protect the environment
- Continues to explore opportunities to increase value to our customers and our business
