(UPDATED 11/11/10 with additional project details)
ABILENE, Texas — Ground has been broken here for Texas Healthcare Linen (THL), a 48,000-square-foot medical laundry facility that will serve partners Hendrick Health System (HHS), Midland Memorial Hospital and Medical Center Health System in Odessa, along with other healthcare facilities in the region.
“We are very excited to break ground on this new facility,” says Jon Riggs, director of financial services for HHS and board member for THL. “This state-of-the-art facility will be equipped with laundry technology that will allow us to expand the scope of services and resources we are able to provide to our new and existing customers.”
THL will serve as an outsourced laundry facility for the three partners, while continuing to serve current customers. Existing clients include healthcare facilities in Abilene, Lubbock, Eastland, Winters, Snyder and other surrounding areas.
Midwest Texas Healthcare Linen Services, Hendrick’s existing laundry facility, processes approximately 7.4 million pounds annually. The new facility will process an estimated 15 million pounds a year, with the capability of processing 25 million pounds.
The plant will be equipped with Milnor washing equipment, Chicago Dryer Co. finishing equipment, an E-Tech rail system and Kemco water systems, according to ARCO/Murray National Construction Co., which is handling construction document design, permitting, construction, and equipment installation for the project.
Pellerin Laundry Machinery Sales Co. completed the facility layout, says ARCO/Murray. The structure will feature 24-foot clear ceiling height and be constructed of concrete tilt wall panels.
Expansion plans began five years ago, according to Riggs. There was an internal need for HHS, but it became apparent that forming a partnership with other healthcare facilities would be more cost-effective.
Officials estimate the $12 million project will be completed by May or June next year.
The City of Abilene, Texas, has paid utility impact fees for the building through credits on the land purchase, according to ARCO/Murray.
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