CRDN Announces New Owners in Toronto and Promotion of a New Charity Clothing Drive

By Canadian Underwriter | May 31, 2013 | Last updated on September 9, 2024
4 min read

Toronto, ON,  – CRDN (Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network), an international organization of textile restoration experts serving the insurance industry, announces the ownership transition of CRDN of Greater Toronto to former CRDN Vice President Garry Bradamore and business partner, Tom Saridis. The CRDN of Greater Toronto franchise territory, the largest in Canada by population, was previously owned and operated by Jack Creed of Creeds Dry Cleaning.

CRDN has 14 locations throughout Canada, in all the major metropolitan areas, as well as locations throughout the U.K. and United States. Local providers offer services related to the restorative cleaning of clothing, shoes, linens, leather goods and window treatments, working closely with insurance providers, contractors and homeowners who have experienced a fire or flood. And because some of these items require immediate attention, CRDN is able to restore and return homeowner requested items in as little as 24 hours.

CRDN CEO, Wayne Wudyka, is intimately involved in the selection process for each new Network franchisee; however, this decision was easier than most. “Garry Bradamore has been with CRDN for over eight years and led our Canadian National Network for the past four. He and Tom know the insurance and restoration industries well, and I’m confident CRDN of Greater Toronto won’t miss a beat as we transition our operations.”

Now located at 35A Suntract Rd. (intersection of 401 & 400), CRDN of Greater Toronto is finalizing a brand new, state-of-the-art, 21,000-square-foot cleaning center. CRDN of Greater Toronto provides 24/7 emergency service to the entire GTA.

Said Mr. Bradamore, “CRDN helps ease the burden of what can be a traumatic set of circumstances following a fire or flood in the home. All of our Canadian Partners understand that basic needs—food, shelter and clothing—become a priority when disaster strikes, so providing immediate, attentive and empathetic care in every situation is paramount.”

In addition to announcing this transition, CRDN of Greater Toronto is also taking this opportunity to announce a clothing drive they’ll be hosting in September 2013.

“We’re challenging insurance company offices in and around the GTA to make clothing donations to benefit Dress for Success (DFS). We’ve hosted this community suit drive in years past and now will revitalize the program” says Bradamore. “This organization is a non-profit registered charity that contributes to the relief of less fortunate women in our communities. We want to give back, but we also ask for the support of insurance offices throughout the GTA.”

DFS accepts clothing donations, including professional attire, and provides them to low-income Canadians, allowing them the ability to thrive in their job search and obtain gainful employment. CRDN of Greater Toronto has partnered with this charity and will organize, collect, clean, press, package and deliver donations to the DFS clothing bank, located at The Walmer Centre, 188 Lowther Avenue, in Toronto.

Said Mr. Bradamore, “As ‘The Textile Experts,’ our specialty is restoring the type of soft content textiles that DFS need. Equally, our infrastructure, locations and capacity enable us to facilitate the logistics and processing of this type of event for this very worthy organization.

“This September 16th through to the 27th,  we challenge hundreds of insurance industry professionals to consider donating slightly used men’s and women’s business suits, blouses, dress shirts, neck ties, pants, skirts, shoes and belts–so that those less fortunate can make a better life for themselves and their family.” CRDN will pick-up items from the donor’s office, after the event, then clean, press and deliver these packaged items to DFS Toronto.

To include your office in this year’s Suit Drive in support of DFS, call CRDN of Greater Toronto prior to August 1st 2013 and request a donation bag and information kit. Garry Bradamore and CRDN of Greater Toronto may be reached at 416-533-2736 or toronto.custserv@crdn.com to answer any questions about this year’s clothing drive.

CRDN, headquartered in Berkley, Michigan, is an international organization of experienced, highly trained textile experts who specialize in insurance restoration laundry and drycleaning services for all types of loss. Adept at restoring personal garments and household fabrics damaged by fire, smoke, water or exposure to mold and other contaminants, CRDN members offer an effective, efficient and proven solution for insurance professionals seeking to reduce costs and improve margins while closing claims quickly. CRDN currently operates in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The organization’s website is www.CRDN.com in the United States and www.CRDN.ca in Canada, and claims assignment can be made across Canada by calling 1-866-897-CRDN (2736).

About Dress for Success Toronto

The mission of Dress for Success Toronto is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Dress for Success Toronto provides each woman with interview appropriate suits when she has a job interview. Through our Career Center we offer career guidance, mock interviews and support in their job searches. When she successfully lands the job, she returns to Dress for Success Toronto for additional business-appropriate clothing that will help her build a professional wardrobe. She also receives an invitation to join the Professional Women’s Group, our employment retention program, which provides a partnership of ongoing support and practical information, from understanding corporate culture to handling personal finances. Dress for Success Toronto serves job-ready women by referral only from a range of non-profit organizations. Our programs help women transition towards self-sufficiency by addressing their social and economic needs in relation to work, home and community.

Each woman is a success story: She has gone from unemployment to economic independence.

Canadian Underwriter