Peter Pano – Laundry Whiz & ‘Great Guy’ Passes On

In early July, the linen, uniform and facility services industry lost longtime consultant Peter Pano, a man whose career spanned nearly 60 years of counseling operators and playing a leading role in several supplier companies, as well as at TRSA. He was 97 years old.

A Boston native who took pride in his Albanian ethnic heritage, Pano’s journey through the laundry industry began with a post at TRSA (then known as the Linen Supply Association of America, LSAA). He served as a technical director with the association from 1958-’63. In that role, he oversaw educational programs and meetings focused on areas such as production, engineering and research. He also counseled individual companies facing challenges in these areas. He wrote articles and spoke publicly as well on a variety of industry-related topics.

After leaving the LSAA, Pano served through 1969 with Hydraxtor Co., a machinery manufacturer that was later acquired by a larger company. Pano then joined Ludell Manufacturing Co., in Milwaukee, WI. There, he succeeded another longtime industry leader, the late Skip Kemberling, who left Ludell in order to found his own company, Kemco Systems Inc., which continues its operations today in Clearwater, FL.

Retired Pellerin Milnor Corp. Director Emeritus Mike Dineen remembered Pano as “My old boss Pete.” Dineen had hired on with Ludell, initially as a college intern in the mid-’60s. Later, he worked full-time with the company and relocated to Southern California. Dineen called Pano a “fine gentleman.”

In 1995, Ellis Corp., led by Bob Fesmire Sr., bought Ludell from its owner Bill Lutzen. Prior to the sale, Pano left Ludell and joined Al Kahnweiler in a used laundry equipment company dubbed “Kahnweiler & Pano.” At that time, Dineen relocated to Wisconsin to succeed Pano. “When he moved on, I got the call,” Dineen says, noting that he relocated from Palos Verdes, CA, to Brookfield, WI.” Dineen joined Pellerin Milnor in 1986.

Pano was successful in the used equipment business in part because of his knowledge and trustworthiness. “In that business, your reputation is the whole thing,” Dineen said. “Only honest men will succeed in used equipment.” As a Milnor rep, Dineen would contact Pano when they’d sold equipment to a company and needed to move out older machinery.

After Kahnweiler passed away, Pano sold the company and worked for several years as an advisor to Talley Machinery Co., Greensboro, NC. He also served as a marketing manager for Thermal Engineering of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. After that, he was an independent consultant for several years.

Donald Struminger, chairman and CEO of Mohenis Services Inc., Petersburg, VA, recalled Pano as skilled analyst and industry adviser. “In his day, he was very well known for being very knowledgeable, competent and was very well liked throughout the industry.” Struminger praised Pano’s design skills as well. “He was one of the best material-handling layout people in the industry.”

Pano had an associate degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University (1950). He spent the first 15 years of his career (1940-’55) with Westinghouse Electric Corp. He also earned an MBA from Northwestern University (1960); and a BSBA from Northwestern (1956). Dineen recalled Pano’s exacting approach to detail. “He did have an engineering background,” Dineen said. “He was very precise. His handwriting was very precise. He was always very precise with his drawings.”

Pano had learned to appreciate Palos Verdes, CA, when Dineen lived there and they both were working for Ludell. Later, Pano would retire there, relocating from the Chicago area. As a consultant, he worked closely with Dennis Mack, president of Western State Design Inc., Hayward, CA. Mack lived nearby and stayed in touch with Pano after he retired. They enjoyed sipping martinis together, he said. In retirement, Pano continued to hold the laundry industry in high regard, Mack said. Pano’s daughter Robin affirmed that view, noting that, “I think he truly loved his work and met so many wonderful people in the industry that became his friends—much more than just customers and industry contacts.”

Pano was predeceased by his wife Gerry. In addition to Robin, survivors include three other children, Leslie, Scott and Keith Pano; and six grandchildren. A U.S. Army veteran from 1943-’46, Pano earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart while serving in Europe during World War II.

A man of modest physical stature, a resume lists Pano’s height as 5-foot-6 inches. Nonetheless, Pano stood tall among his industry peers for many years. “Pete Pano was a great man,” Dineen said. “He was a great guy, a fair boss. I can’t say enough about him.”