Content about machinery

NEW YORK – Manufacturers of laundry machinery, textiles and chemicals reported renewed interest in their products from the hotel industry at the 96th annual International Hotel, Motel+Restaurant Show (IHMRS) here in November.

Exhibitors at the Jacob Javits Convention Center on Manhattan’s West Side expressed satisfaction with increased foot traffic at the show. Attendance peaked at 23,953, up 2,800 from the previous year, including managers and executives from major hotel chains and independent properties, according to show management.

The show provided manufacturers of textiles and formulators of chemicals with an opportunity to tailor their products to the hotel industry.

Standard Textile Co. targeted the high end with a new line of sheets, dubbed “Luxury That Endures,” developed in collaboration with Todd-Avery Lenahan, a hospitality designer. Pre-laundered and room-ready, the sheets are designed to withstand the harsh environments of central laundries. A high-end visual appearance combines with a tensile strength of 117 pounds to create a more durable luxury product, according to Greg Eubanks, group vice president for hospitality sales and marketing at Standard Textile.

“The traffic and interest at our booth has been fantastic,” says Eubanks.

Several manufacturers, among them Riegel and Cintas Corp., exhibited new earth-friendly, eco-conscious products for the hotel industry.

Riegel, a division of Mount Vernon Mills, drew interest with its RieNu line of recycled polyester table linen, made from recycled plastic bottles, otherwise destined for landfills. The use of one of its table napkins eliminates three plastic bottles from landfills, the company says. Riegel offered the table linen in five colors at the show.

“We believe there’s a great deal of pent-up demand in the hotel industry,” says W.H. Rogers, vice president of Riegel. “We’re hoping that will be reflected in the new budgets for hotels in 2012.”

Cintas was among 10 exhibitors who received Editors’ Choice Awards during the opening ceremonies at the show for best new products within the categories of design, equipment and supplies, and green guest amenities. The company was recognized for its Eco Cobra Jacket, an eco-friendly garment option for bellmen, doormen and other front-door hotel professionals, and the latest product within the company’s EcoGeneration™ collection.

Cintas also drew interest with the industry’s first machine-washable tuxedo, which is partially composed of recycled polyester, made from recycled plastic bottles. The company partners with Boardroom Eco Apparel and its mills to take discarded plastic bottles and transform them into recycled fibers. The process breaks bottles down into flakes; from those flakes, a filament is extruded, which is spun into yarn. The plastic-formulated yarn is then woven into a fabric to create the tuxedos. After use, the tuxedos can be tossed into a standard washer and dryer. The company estimates that the machine-washable tuxedos can save hotels up to $1,000 per employee annually.

The hotel industry is also demanding a broader palette of colors in table linen for its facilities, according to Elizabeth Barrett, associate brand manager for Procter and Gamble, makers of the color-safe Tide Professional Laundry System. “There’s definitely a trend toward the use of more color,” says Barrett.

Ecolab, a maker of laundry chemicals, also attracted an increase in floor traffic at the show. “This show was much better than the show two years ago,” says Jim Moore, assistant vice president for corporate accounts. “We’ve met with hoteliers from all over the world.”

Mercedes Benz USA, a Daimler Company, made its first appearance at the show with an exhibit of three vans, including the Sprinter Cargo Van. The diesel-powered van offers payload capacity of up to 5,358 pounds, 547 cubic feet of cargo space, and a standing height of 6 feet 4 inches.

The IHMRS will return to New York on Nov. 10-13, 2012.

Click here for Part 1.

BEIJING, China — The growing China laundry services industry is in the market for high-production equipment, so a Texcare Asia show that traditionally has featured smaller laundry machinery “grew” this year to include seven tunnel washers in the exhibition.

Demand for high-quality, energy-efficient equipment is on the rise, thanks in part to the Chinese government’s push to reduce the country’s CO2 emissions by 45% by 2020.

And as China’s middle class grows more affluent and the country becomes a more desired international tourist destination, the hospitality industry is capitalizing by building more hotels. For example, Marriott recently announced plans to open one hotel in China each month for the next three years.

“There are so (many) people and so (many) needs, so they look for bigger machines,” says Bengt Bruce, president of laundry equipment manufacturer B&C Technologies, Panama City, Fla. “That’s why you see tunnels here.” Bruce was on hand to assist Accurate Technologies, the Thailand-based manufacturer for which B&C is a distributor in the United States.

“I’m amazed about the interest for our products,” says Bruce. “In general, I see a trend in the industry that you would see more quality out of the Chinese manufacturers. Overall, in the last three years, I have seen a big change. Overall, it’s a very good exhibition.”

Tony Regan, senior vice president for sales and marketing for American Dryer Corp., Fall River. Mass., took note of the increased number of China-based companies exhibiting equipment here this year.

Will their stronger presence make it more difficult for foreign companies to compete for business here?

“I’m going to say no, because as the market opens up even more and there is growth going on, we just have to approach it differently, we being the Americans, Europeans and the other parts of the world coming to China,” Regan says. “I think there still is potential for everybody.”

In September, the Jensen Group opened a large manufacturing facility in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, as its new base in China. The 91,000-square-foot plant includes a sales and servicing center.

“Our machine systems are more than a match for future laundry requirements, a fact that is entirely in line with our promise to offer sustainable laundry automation,” says Kai Anderson, Jensen’s regional business director. “We are extremely pleased with the number of visitors and are confident that we have the right solution for every laundry requirement.”

Consultant Glen Phillips of Minnesota-based Phillips & Associates attended Texcare Asia to meet with several Chinese manufacturers interested in participating in projects with his firm, as well as to visit with American and Canadian vendors attempting to gain a foothold here.

“China today is 40 to 50 years behind the Europeans and Americans in the delivery of quality laundry service,” says Phillips, whose firm has advised several Chinese national entrepreneurs in laundry projects. “Some of the international in-house hospitality laundries are acutely aware of the quality aspects of delivering quality linen service, but most are ambivalent about the benefits that service brings, particularly if the general managers don’t demand better service.”

Of the seven reported tunnel manufacturers on the floor, three were from Europe/USA and the remaining four were “copycat” Chinese manufacturers, Phillips says.

“Close inspection of these (Chinese) machines revealed welding flaws and errors, wiring irregularities that violated UL (Underwriters Laboratories) codes, and under-designed drive and safety features.”

He believes the Chinese-made machines were designed and built to meet certain “Chinese price points” without regard to good design and safety features.

Chinese manufacturers are “very naïve in the technical aspects of the laundry industry, particularly in the proper use of chemicals when dealing with contaminated healthcare textiles.”

David Tingue, CEO of Georgia-based Tingue, Brown & Co., attended the show in support of his company’s Hong Kong operation, now in its third year. Tingue, Brown supplies a variety of flatwork ironer products.

“It’s a very full conference hall, but it’s very easy to see this show, the way they have it laid out,” Tingue says. “I’m impressed by how many ‘big equipment’ guys are here vs. what I saw a few years ago. You’ve got all kinds of different manufacturers that, frankly, I’d never heard of.

“We need to see their business grow, so we can get the (orders for) after-market supplies they need to buy from us,” Tingue says. “It’ll trickle down to us soon.”

ARDMORE, Pa. — Thanks to the 100% “bonus” depreciation write-offs created by the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, many laundry and dry cleaning businesses are discovering that capital investments in equipment, machinery and other business assets are more affordable today than ever before. Remember, however, the 100% bonus depreciation write-off is available only for qualifying purchases made by laundry services and businesses in 2011.

Those that have hesitated or postponed making capital investments because of the recent economic downturn might now want to consider how the combined use of incentives and the 100% bonus depreciation can substantially reduce the cost of capital investments. Even funding those new-equipment purchases is easier—at least for a while.

Bonus Write-Off Background

Bonus depreciation was originally created in 2002 as a temporary economic incentive by which companies could immediately deduct 30% of the basis of qualifying assets that were placed in service after Sept. 10, 2001, and before Jan. 1, 2005. An increase in the percentage of the deduction in 2003 to 50% expired in 2005. Reintroduced by lawmakers in 2008, bonus depreciation has subsequently been extended three times.

Although the concept of taking the additional depreciation in the first year is quite simple, changes to the applicable percentage, timeframes during which each is available, and variations related to unique types of assets that qualify have made application of the rules somewhat complex.

The definition of property that is eligible for bonus depreciation under the 2010 Tax Relief Act is the same as under prior law, but the percentage and placed-in-service dates have changed. The percentage increased from 50% to 100% for qualifying property placed in service after Sept. 8, 2010, and before Jan. 1, 2012. Those laundries investing in qualifying assets will be able to fully deduct the cost during the current tax year. This will reduce taxable income and taxes paid, resulting in an increase in cash flow that can be reinvested in the business.

Expensing Write-Offs

Last fall’s Small Business Jobs Act increased the Section 179, first-year expensing dollar and investment limits to $500,000 and $2 million, respectively, for 2010 and 2011. The Tax Relief Act included a $125,000 dollar limit and a $500,000 investment limit for tax years beginning in 2012 and expiring after Dec. 31, 2012.

Unlike bonus depreciation that applies only to “new” property, a laundry or dry cleaning business may immediately deduct as a Section 179 expense, up to $500,000 of both new and used business property placed in service during the tax year. The Section 179 expensing write-off is reduced, dollar for dollar, by any property acquisitions in excess of the $2 million investment ceiling, limiting the write-off to smaller businesses.

Extending Leased Property and Other Write-Offs

Before passage of the Tax Relief Act, qualified improvements made to leased property, qualified restaurant property and qualified improvements to retail property that was placed in service before 2010 was included in the 15-year MACRS (Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System) class for depreciation purposes—that is, those expenditures could be depreciated over 15 years under the MACRS standardized depreciation system.

The 2010 Tax Relief Act retroactively extended the inclusion of qualified leasehold improvement property, qualified restaurant property and qualified retail improvement property in the 15-year MACRS class for two years through 2011.

Layering Opportunity

It is not only federal tax write-offs that can help reduce the cost of capital investments. Many laundry and dry cleaning businesses making capital investments during the 2011 tax year can also benefit from state and local credit and incentive programs. In fact, many states offer a tax credit equal to a percentage of an eligible capital investment made in that state.

Eligibility for the credit may depend on industry or particular use of the underlying asset. For example, states like Massachusetts, New Jersey and Oklahoma offer investment tax credits to manufacturing business for assets purchased that will be used exclusively in manufacturing activities. As an alternative formula, Illinois offers businesses predominantly engaged in either manufacturing or retail an investment tax credit for the purchase of all qualified purchases placed in service during the year. Best of all, the assets are not required to be used exclusively for manufacturing or retail activities.

Tomorrow: Opting Out…

“Our resort has upgraded its linens everywhere, from the guestrooms to the pool to the five-star restaurant. So, the pressure is on to clean, handle and store these goods so they give us the longest useful life possible. What advice can you give me about processing high-thread-count linens?”

Commercial Laundry: Rick Rone, Laundry Plus, Sarasota, Fla.

The best advice that I can offer is to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. The next best source of assistance would probably be your chemical supplier. It should be able to offer the appropriate details for the wash and dry cycles with an eye toward cleanliness as well as life expectancy.

In general, as the thread count goes up, you usually need a higher water temperature to open the fibers and release any soil or stains. Some people believe that you can accomplish the same thing with raising the pH level. I am not a big fan of this method, because I believe it contributes to a shorter life cycle. I am not saying it doesn’t work, but there are better ways to accomplish the same goal.

I will presume that you know the four parts of the washing equation. If available, you might try a longer formula or hotter water. We always try to use the minimum amount of chemicals, but not just due to the cost. Since we process only customer-owned goods (COG), we believe that part of our responsibility is to help our customers get the longest life expectancy (number of wash cycles) from their bed and bath linens.

The next area to review would be the extract cycle. Whether your machinery utilizes centrifugal extraction or the press method, faster or greater pressure is not necessarily best. You need to be ready to admit to yourself, as well as your supervisor, that this new material is going to take longer, and therefore cost more, to correctly process than the old (lower thread count) linens.

Higher-thread-count linens will usually finish better if sent to the iron with higher moisture content. Since the question is specifically about higher-thread-count linens, I will address the flat goods only.

Ironing of your new linens can and probably will be a whole new ballgame. Let’s review the factors that affect output and quality: ironing temperature, speed of line, roll pressure, type of pad, adjustment of each roll speed, type of tape being used, and, finally, folding method (air blast or blade). Since the moisture level might be higher, you can either run the iron more slowly or turn up the temperature and maintain current speed. I support the theory that slower is better. We would rather lose production than compromise quality.

Next, I would look at roll pressure. Generally, the higher the pressure, the shorter the life of the pad/pads. This can be balanced with the correct pad thickness as well as proper material. If your iron is a multi-roll unit, and if each roll is inverter-driven, you should properly synchronize the speed of each roll individually so as to obtain the correct pull of each roll away from the previous one.

There are many types of iron tape available. Based on your choice of pad material, roll pressure and roll-speed synchronization, the tape you use will not leave unnecessary tape marks or pucker lines in your higher-thread-count linens.

I prefer the air-blast method of folding. Unfortunately, as the thread count—and therefore weight and thickness—increases, so to does the need for a blade to assist in the proper folding. As long as the blade is properly maintained, it will be a valuable tool.

Be prepared to accept that the whole process will take longer and cost a little more, but the finished product will be better and should last longer.

Equipment Manufacturing: Chuck Anderson, Ellis Corp., San Diego, Calif.

Managers new to processing high-thread-count linens must first understand that high thread count does not equate to more durability. In fact, the opposite is true.

Thread count is simply the number of threads per square inch of fabric. These consist of vertical threads (warp) and horizontal threads (weft) woven together. To achieve a higher thread count, thinner threads are packed into the same square inch of fabric with a tighter weave. These smaller threads with a tighter, less flexible weave produce a more delicate fabric.

The most important step after purchasing new linens is to wash them thoroughly to remove vat dyes and sizing used in the manufacturing processes. If these chemicals are not removed before finishing, yellowing can occur, which will take several rewashes to remove (in some cases). These chemicals can also produce allergic reactions in some guests.

High-thread-count linens are expensive, and you want to make sure ownership has provided you with enough product. Resorts should have a minimum of three pars: one par in the room, one par being processed, and one par on the shelf. It is important that linen “rest” on shelves for 24 hours after laundering, because many types of linens are more easily damaged right after washing; this also enhances the flat-dry appearance.

Take a look at your equipment. If processing with a tunnel washer, you will need to add a program to your press for these more delicate fabrics. Specifically, to prevent hydro-burst in sheets, the press should be set to ramp to a membrane pressure of no more than 15-20 bars.

Adjust washer cylinder speeds, water levels, chemical concentrations, temperatures and process times to achieve high quality with reduced mechanical damage and chemical degradation.

Check inside of wash cylinders and around doors for snags. One method is to run an old pair of pantyhose along the inside. The material will snag on any burrs or imperfections.

For good mechanical action when washing napery, load the wash wheel to this capacity, depending on type: full drop — 90%, split pocket — 75%, Y-pocket — 65%.

Dryers should be in top shape and preferably have humidity controls. Make sure to set adequate cool-down time, and do not over-dry.

Check speed and tension on spreader-feeders using one sample test sheet; do not destroy multiple sheets before you realize you have an issue. Replace ironer padding and roll covers if worn or ripped to reduce mechanical abrasion. Make sure cleaning/waxing is on a routine schedule. Control chest temperature at 310-325 F. These heavier, larger linens are going to require slower processing.

It is important to educate banquet staff, pool attendees, servers, housekeeping and any other resort personnel who come into contact with these high-end linens about their cost and proper handling.

Each department should have proper soil carts or bins so that linen does not sit on the floor. These carts should be cleaned regularly and checked frequently for protrusions that could snag or tear linen. Besides sorting linen into normal classifications such as towels, sheets, pillowcases, etc., goods should be sorted by degree of soiling. This will eliminate over-processing and prevent unnecessary wear.

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Click here for Part 2.

“I know that my laundry operation is due to be inspected sometime soon, but I’m not sure how to get ready for it. Where should my focus be? In what areas are we most likely to get nailed if our operation is deemed substandard?”

Commercial Laundry: Rick Rone, Laundry Plus, Sarasota, Fla.

I would want to know first, what type of inspection and by whom. The best answer is that if you are doing things properly from the beginning, you will have no reason to panic. Focus instead on the various things that can be done prior to inspection.

There are numerous free resources available to assist in building, remodeling and maintaining a safe, clean facility.

Traditionally, your workman’s compensation insurance carrier will be more than happy, if you ask them, for a courtesy inspection. It will review your complete facility and offer recommendations to make your plant a safer workplace environment.

This is extremely important, as it will show your carrier that you are indeed partnering with them on the safety of your employees, saving both of you time in lost labor as well as money.

Most of us have at least one steam boiler. Again, your insurance carrier (you should be carrying boiler insurance if you have this equipment) will be able to send a boiler inspector to your plant for a courtesy inspection before you get notice of a state or county inspection. Traditionally, you will also find your local fire department quite happy to provide a free inspection.

Additional avenues that can be explored include the complete visual and mechanical inspection of all machinery.

Are any machines utilizing temporary wiring (extension cords)? Are all emergency stops in proper working order? Are all chemicals in the correct storage containers, and are they in the proper location?

At this point, take a close look at your maintenance department. What about all the chemicals used? When maintenance is working on a specific piece on equipment, do you have a tag-out/lock-out procedure in place and is it being followed? Your ladders and other similar devices around your plant, are they in safe working order?

Do you have a contract with a local fire extinguisher company? Take a look at all your fire extinguishers. Have any been used and not refilled or replaced?

We all have carts around our plants. Are they blocking emergency exits?

There have been too many reports of workers in this industry getting severely injured or even killed. Major areas of concern should be those with the highest possibility of causing injury/death.

These are most of the areas that should be taken into consideration regularly, not just prior to a pending inspection. Safety needs to be a part of every employee’s job description.

Hotel/Motel/Resort Laundry: Phil Jones, Sheraton Vistana Resort, Orlando, Fla.

One of the best ways to prepare is to treat every day as if there will be an inspection. If you wait until you know an inspection will be happening soon, you will most likely miss the one thing the inspector looks for.

Our facility has a standard operating manual given to all employees, covering all policies and procedures for each piece of equipment or area in which an employee may work. Information as simple as proper starting and stopping of machines is covered, including the locations of emergency stops. A key to an inspection may well be how an employee understands the operation and safety of a machine.

Our employees also go through an annual certification on safety that is documented for an inspector to review. The safety class is conducted both on a hotel-wide theme during their new-hire training and then on-site with our laundry trainer.

A key to passing an inspection is your partnership with maintenance mechanics. Our property requires a daily log of all work on equipment to verify maintenance and mechanical issues. This includes verifying that a piece of equipment has been properly locked out/tagged out. All mechanics must also be certified on safety on a yearly basis.

The final piece is to have your employees take ownership of the laundry as if it is their home away from home. Cleaning everything from the floors to wiping down the equipment is a way of life at our laundry. There is a sense of pride that exists when our operation is clean. We treat each day as if the president of our company will be visiting.

Consulting Services: David Chadsey, Capital Equipment Consulting, Winter Haven, Fla.

There are several different inspections that can occur throughout the year for a laundry operation. Understanding what the inspectors will be looking at and looking for is the key to being prepared.

Who is coming is central in understanding what areas of the operation will be inspected and at what level. Let’s take a look at what specific inspections might entail.

Corporate Supervisor: Environmental Services, Rooms Director

These are your own people. Unless there is a specific issue that is leading them to the laundry, these folks come in only when they have to.

Your immediate supervisor may be looking for production and cost reports, but typically these folks want a tour. Be prepared to show them the whole shebang, from mechanical room to loading dock.

Make sure engineering has plenty of notice. You want their shop area in order. If there is a piece of equipment in service or waiting for a part, put the panels and covers back on.

Don’t neglect the shipping area. These folks will recognize the packaging that arrives in their areas of responsibility. This is probably the only area of the laundry that is familiar to them. They love to see “their linen” staged and ready to ship.

If you are looking for capital dollars within the next budget year, this is an excellent opportunity to point out where those dollars will improve your efficiency.

Current and Prospective Customers

A laundry inspection is almost always part of the process in securing new customers. Current customers will also typically inspect the laundry operation at times of renewal. It is important to step back and try to see the laundry through their eyes and from their perspective.

What are the specific processes that their linen goes through to ensure it is returned hygienically clean, and meeting their requirements for quality? If there is something unique that you offer to better meet their need, this is the time to show it off.

In addition to the processing features of a plant, COG (customer-owned goods) customers are interested in inventory control procedures. Walking them through the process helps educate them on your procedures and improves understanding.

Educated customers are typically easier to work with. Understanding your basic processes can help explain why turning their truckload of pool towels in two hours may be a challenge.

Compliance-Oriented Inspections

There are specific requirements in processing healthcare linen, which vary by state. If you are anticipating an inspection along the lines of Joint Commission or any compliance-oriented inspection, a key resource for being prepared is the Association for Linen Management’s Guide to Assessing Healthcare Laundry Quality.

The guide provides laundry management with guidelines, regulations and standards applicable to healthcare laundry services. State-specific standards are available with information on how to determine if your plant is in compliance.

The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council publishes standards for healthcare textile processing and provides accreditation for independent healthcare laundry operations.

Friday: Answers from the equipment manufacturing and long-term-care laundry sectors...

HONG KONG — Texcare Asia will return to Beijing and the China International Exhibition Center on Nov. 17-19 next year for its sixth edition, event manager Messe Frankfurt has announced.

The international trade fair will cover more than 10,000 square meters of trade space in presenting a wide array of products and services, including laundry, ironing, drycleaning, dying machinery and agents, equipment, textiles and accessories for rental services, and laundry- and drycleaning-related measuring instruments.

BISMARCK, N.D. — Central Dakota Hospital Laundry (CDHL) Manager Greg Lorenz was faced with a challenging question. When should he replace an efficient tunnel system that has been working well for many years? Lorenz got his answer when the financing that was available became too good to pass up.

With financing in place and approval from its board, CDHL looked to The Minnesota Chemical Co. for a new Milnor tunnel washer. The local distributor sold the original tunnel system back in 1992.

BEIJING, China — With two days of Texcare Asia under their belts, representatives of exhibitors based in the United States or with significant operations there spoke favorably of the event during interviews Thursday.

While still carrying a great deal of activity, the show floor at the China International Exhibition Centre wasn’t as busy on this second day. Final attendance figures won’t be available until after the show.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The global market for commercial laundry machinery is expected to reach $3.6 billion by 2015, driven by rising demand from the Asia and Latin America markets, according to a recent report from Global Industry Analysts Inc. Customer moves toward high-value equipment with improved functionality, water usage and energy efficiency are another driving factor, a press release summarizing the report states.

“What ‘green’ laundry products are available for my operation? Are they truly ‘green’ or ‘environmentally friendly’? What’s the difference? I hear the term applied most often to chemicals, but can’t equipment or textiles carry that description, too?”

Hotel/Motel Laundering: Neil MacDonald, the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club, Lihue, Hawaii (ONLINE EXCLUSIVE)