CHICAGO — So-called “Clean Show years” are always exciting for the laundry industry.
Visiting a different city, attending educational sessions, networking with industry colleagues—it’s one of the few times the North American laundry community gathers together in one location.
Of course, the main attraction is all of the new and upgraded laundry technology that vendors will display in their booths.
But with hundreds of exhibitors touting software and equipment, how can an industrial or institutional laundry operator best ensure they’re choosing the right advancements for their operations during Clean or whenever choices must be made?
Three industry professionals, who have analyzed equipment and software for use, recently shared their insights with American Laundry News about ways laundries can evaluate which technological advancements will provide real return on investment (ROI) in their operations.
MAKING SMART CHOICES
From Rodrigo Patron, operations director for Lace House Linen in Petaluma, California:
When it comes to investing in new technology for your laundry plant, it’s all about making smart choices.
The laundry market is super-competitive, so investing in the right technology can really boost productivity, quality and sustainability. Think energy-efficient dryers, water-saving systems and automated sorting tools—these can offer some serious advantages.
But just remember, what works for one plant might not be the best fit for another. That’s why evaluating what you need is crucial, instead of just jumping on the latest trend.
Also, don’t get caught up in justifying new technology by how many staff members you can cut. Sure, automation can help streamline processes, but the focus should be on how well it fits into your workflow, the savings it brings over time, and the level of service improvement, not just reducing head count.
It’s easy to make hasty decisions based on flashy features, but that can lead to performance issues and many headaches down the line.
Start by figuring out your plant’s specific needs. Ask yourself if the new tech will mesh with your current setup, whether you’ll have the proper training for your team, and what the overall costs and benefits look like in both the short and long run.
Do some digging before you spend any money. Attend trade shows to check out equipment in person and chat with manufacturers. Swing by plants similar to yours to see how operators use different systems. Ask vendors for demos tailored to your setup and get case studies showing real-world results.
Hearing from people who use these machines daily can be way more helpful than any sales pitch you’ll get from a vendor showing you equipment in a carpeted, air-conditioned room with no lint or extreme temperatures. Their experiences can help you avoid mismatches and make solid, informed choices.
In the end, new technology can give your laundry operation a major boost—but only if it’s the right fit for what you need. Keep an eye on trends, dive deep into the details, and don’t fall into the trap of measuring success only by how many staff members you can let go.
Smart investments start with thorough research, and getting it right in an industry with tight margins can make a huge difference.
FILLING THE GAP
Cliff Beiser is principal of Champions Touch in Kissimmee, Florida. He has been a general manager/regional vice president of multiple hotels/resorts, where he trained in laundry operations.
How do I evaluate which technological advancements provide real return on investment for laundry operations? There are myriad considerations, and the evolution through time and location is interesting.
It is important not to upgrade the technology beyond the skills of the technicians available in the area where your laundry exists, unless the manufacturer is willing and contractually bound to train them.
Most of the time, I am looking to fill a gap by adding a piece of equipment that will at once increase pounds per operator hour (PPOH) and/or cut a full-time position. The technology I evaluate first involves sorting and finishing to help the operation’s flow to improve and reduce stress while immediately improving profit.
When attending the 2022 Clean Show in Atlanta, I was tasked with finding a tunnel for a newly planned laundry for a client. Following were my main considerations for this project:
What is important when buying advanced technological laundry equipment?
- Price—Will the piece of equipment make an immediate profit?
- Brand—Reputation and timeliness of delivery.
- Spare Parts Availability—This has grown to be the No. 1 consideration for many, especially in areas where there are not many laundries and we have to “borrow” parts from each other.
- Efficiency—Utility usage that the equipment reduces and tracks.
- Size—If I can fit a larger-capacity machine in the same footprint, then this will make the decision much easier if the payback calculation works.
When considering a new-technology laundry investment, what are the pain points to be addressed?
- Price—Everyone wants to be a hero and get the machine under the budgeted amount.
- Speed of delivery and lack of disruption of operations (install off-hours).
- Spare parts and ease of repair.
- Warranty for repairs and training provided.
- Reliable technicians.
In the hotel, condo, and resort industries, you rarely have the space for major upgrades of equipment on-site. The evaluation is centered on being more efficient.
Many times, it is upgrading the transport of linen and terry. Often added is a conveyor system between the trucks, equipment, and loading and unloading to save time and the extra lifting for all the individuals tasked with transport. It was always motivational and significantly reduced injuries.
In each evaluation, there had to be a payback of three years or less. At smaller resorts and hotels, a one-year payback was mandatory unless a machine was not repairable.
Check back next Tuesday (June 10) for a look at determining if it’s time to “jump in” on new technology.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].
