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.
Part 1 examined the importance of making smart choices and filling equipment gaps. This time, we look at the right time to invest in new technology.
TIME TO JUMP IN?
Cecil Lee is general manager of Metropolitan Detroit Area Hospital Services Inc. and a member of the American Laundry News Editorial Advisory Board.
I work in a plant that has a lot of bells and whistles.
I must say that I am enjoying the access to information. Most of it helps us to evaluate progress during the day and summarize the day at its end.
While the tunnel (Lavatec) provides information on turns, water use, faults, and holds, the monorail system (eVue) also provides tons of information.
From the time we start until the time we finish, it provides production information regarding linens sorted, washed and finished. This is done in pounds, pounds per hour, bags, bags per hour, and the approximate runtime.
All of this information is used to gauge and plan the production day.
This information allows us to manage the course more easily. Additionally, with screens placed strategically around the plant, we can access this information no matter where we are.
This is the kind of information managers love. They are interested in just-in-time information so changes can be made when needed, as opposed to after the fact.
Similar information is available for the other equipment in the plant. Whether ironers, small-piece folders, baggers, or steam tunnels, we are always looking for a gauge.
Additionally, employees have work requirements or standards, and information access allows them to know how they are doing in real time.
Real and definitive information is valuable to employers and employees alike. With information access, there really shouldn’t be any surprises.
We are constantly looking for information that tells us something we need to know. These systems pay for themselves as you “manage what you know.”
Additionally, in our industry, we are constantly looking to save water and energy. We are looking for the new and the revamped former methodology. Many times, the difference between old and new is implementation or just your current need.
There are so many good plants out there that do a lot of things well. Thus, many times, we are looking for incremental improvements. The cost and the savings will determine the payback period. There are many great ideas that just don’t make sense financially.
Some things that are accomplished in large plants don’t apply to small plants. The constancy of need becomes a factor.
The thing about technology is, when is it time for your plant to jump in?
We use The Clean Show, plant visits with fellow managers, and other conferences, as well as conversation with experienced managers, for ideas. We ask others to share with us what works.
The International Association for Healthcare Textile Management (IATHM) is good with this. They can ask just about any question in a safe space. We are all constantly learning. Sometimes, with all of our experiences, we need to be reminded.
Necessity is the mother of invention. Need pushes us to look at and evaluate ideas seriously. We visit plants and attend conferences with the idea of learning one new thing we can bring to our plant.
A few years back, laundries were installing information systems at costs that we were unaccustomed to. But we continue to relearn that information is powerful and therefore technology is powerful.
Evaluating technology is about answering the question, What are we going to get out of it? Does it make sense? Will it pay for itself? It is not about being sexy, it is about being functional.
It reminds me of a Stephen Covey principle: Begin with the end in mind.
Does the technology provide what is promised while paying for itself over time?
Click HERE to read part 1 about the importance of making smart choices and filling equipment gaps.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].
