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 It started by accident. More than 60 years of dedication and service originated in Seattle, WA. during the early 1930's with a husband and wife apartment management team. As they prepared an apartment for a new tenant, a pail of wall-cleaning solution was accidentlly spilled onto a Wilton wool area rug. Did they panic? No. They quickly absorbed as much of the soapy solution as they could. Upon inspection the following day, a clean spot had surfaced where the wall-cleaning solution had once flowed.
According to the company, the need for carpet edge finishing treatments was soon recognized and responded by offering carpet binding, serging and fringing services. Dave Burns Sr. retired in 1954 while Dave Jr. continued the family service tradition. In 1976, as the first step in succession planning, Dave brought Richard Dix on board and into the business. Richard has served the company as president since 1977 and says he has continued his "father-son-like" relationship with long-retired Dave Jr. EVOLVING TO MEET DEMANDS
D.A. Burns is a long-time member of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration (ASCR International) and the Carpet Cleaners Institute of the Northwest (CCINW). Reflecting on the company's past, present and future formula for succes, Dix says, "D.A. Burns has made life-long friends, found business mentors quick to offer kudos for success and sound feedback for failure, and kept up-to-date on the latest industry trends and technical procedures.
By Arpi Nalbandian -- Editor ICS Magazine |
They proceeded to use the solution to clean the entire rug and were pleased with the results. A rug cleaning company was born. Those apartment managers were Mr. and Mrs. Dave Burns Sr. and "at that moment, Dave Sr. and his son, Dave Jr., decided to apply their experience on a full time basis," says Richard Dix, D.A. Burns & Sons president. As their rug cleaning expertise and capabilities grew, D.A. Burns & Sons tackled Oriental rugs and added carpet repair and upholstery cleaning to their growing family of services.
During the 80's, the company invested in a dry cleaning operation that would fulfill the need for full-service drapery cleaning and ultrasonic mini-blind cleaning. "In the late 80's, the company launched a program to extend its services to a greater commercial market, building upon its primary residential client base," said Dix. As commercial settings became more "home like," the company expanded to serve the commercial segment. In 1988, the company opened a satellite office in Bellevue, WA. The reasoning: to make their in-plant cleaning services more accessible with a second location, and offer savings through a "cash and carry" pricing program. Among its many services including binding, serging, fringing, repair, and fabricating custom-designed carpet. "Understanding that any service is only as good as the persons performing it, D.A. Burns team members are valued and trusted, and they repay the company in kind," said Dix. He added, "Training and individual responsibility are high priorities in all they do."
