ELMWOOD, La. — Starr Textile Services has recently opened the doors to its new 70,000-square-foot facility located here at 312 Time Saver Ave., in Jefferson Parish, the company reports.
The expansion allows Starr to double its capacity and service 5,000 hotel rooms on a single shift, with room for growth, the company says, adding that the new plant has the capacity to process more than 7,500 pounds of laundry per hour.
“Clean, pressed linen is a must in the hospitality industry, and that’s what we provide all day, every day: consistent quality,” says COO Les Williams.
The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Council (JEDCO) worked closely with Starr for more than two years to secure the SBA 504 loan, the company says. Of the $10.7 million investment, more than $4.3 million of it was financed by JEDCO, making it the largest SBA 504 loan in JEDCO history, the company adds.
Around 40 positions were moved from the company’s 1152 Magazine St. location, and at least 25 new positions will be added during the next year, Starr says.
The company recently hosted a grand opening celebration for the new plant, where attendees got the chance to go behind the scenes of a major operation, including a peek into how machine and equipment suppliers such as E-Tech, Pellerin Milnor and Chicago Dryer Co. all helped bring the new plant together, according to Starr.
“Our hospitality partners rely on us and we are committed to keeping our operations running 24/7. Should an emergency arise, we can shift our production to our sister plant in Foley, Ala.,” says Sheila Hodges, Starr owner and SHE Inc. chairman. “Consistently high ratings from several four-star hotels in the New Orleans area speak for the continued success of Starr along the Gulf Coast.”
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