World class innovation

Integrated laundries are the way forward according the major laundry equipment  manufacturers at Texcare 2016 and the technology to drive this on has taken great leaps in the past few years. Both Kannegiesser and Jensen each dominated a hall (the show used up two halls this year for the first time in its 60th anniversary year) with the two big players doing business from vast stands built to replicate working laundries.

The search for efficiencies was also very much to the fore, both in fuel, water  and solvent/chemicals usage and sustainability was very much the buzzword from exhibitors along the aisles and boulevards of Frankfurt Messe.

The strong message emanating from Jensen Group was that buying from a one-stop-shop allows for easier integration across all disciplines, which in turn leads to a better managed, more efficient and cost conscious laundry. To this end, Jensen marketing supremo Gerda Jank says: “New perspectives in laundry automation using smart technologies and new materials handling solutions are opening up great new perspectives for heavy-duty laundries.”

Jensen built a complete super laundry by visualising the entire flow - including new materials handling solutions, including the Jensen Cockpit system for central production monitoring offering real-time information to laundry productivity, and with many advantages in streamlining operation and data in each section of the laundry.

Laundry managers were able to explore new perspectives for the washroom, flatwork finishing and garment finishing sections. The Evolution Cube auto towel feeder and folder along with a new ironer and what the company claims is the fastest feeder in the world for hospitality and healthcare, caught the eye.

Evolution Cube is a fully automatic separator and feeder of towels developed for the Jenfold Tematic Pro towel folder. The Evolution Cube now reaches an average production of up to 600 towels an hour, allowing fully automatic separation, feeding, folding and sorting of different sizes of towels in combination with the Jenfold Tematic Pro.

The new Jenroll Hybrid ironer is said to offer 5-star ironing quality without tape marks at a speed of up to 50 metre/165 feet per minute or more. There was also something for mat laundries in the shape of the Jenmat SpeedRoller that automates the mat rolling process at a speed of 320 mats per hour – that’s four times the performance of one operator. Automatic sorting can be done as well in combination with the Jenmat roll-off table.

Meanwhile, in the adjoining hall, Kannegiesser’s impressive purpose-built super laundry on its massive stand was similarly crammed with new developments and the wherewithal to create seamless process throughout a large commercial laundry via Kannegiesser’s smart laundry concept, that it likens to a “data highway”. The company’s  cross system technology applies to applicable products across the entire laundry, such as the sorting and distribution system Supertrack, the energy management system EMS, the AERO transport system and Kannegiesser’s  standard controls.

New kit displayed and demonstrated on the stand included the PowerTrans volume maximiser tunnel washer, the PowerSwing high performance machine for automatic processes available in different sizes that can handle up to 400kg mats or up to 300kg workwear providing auto load and unload options, and the FA-X 1200 Servo folding robot, which makes dealing with uniforms and workwear a cinch.  “Due to the logistic advantages for storage and shipping of folded articles, folding robots are becoming more standard in modern laundries,” says Matthias Schäfer, laundry logistics product manager for Kannegiesser, who adds that the advent of this machine allows “an enormous economy of scale generated per operator”. The FA-X 1200 Servo is available for all garments in the hospitality sector while the FA-X Industry 1200 for overalls allows processing of 950 - 1,200 items per hour, depending on the article.  The machine facilitates hanger feeding, discharge of empty hangers, length folding wings and stacker and automatic article identification.

At the same time, the  EMV universal manual feeder debuted with its ability to feed large, small and special items as well as table linen. It is available in working widths between 2.7m and 4.2m and has an inclined feeding table and optimised ergonomics for the reduction of handling times and, therefore, a constantly high feed performance. A useful optional extra is coloured LED light bars for safe and accurate feeding of small items and Kannegiesser’s Quality Package designed specifically for hotel and restaurant work.

Tolon has been in partnership with Jensen for more than five years and in January this year Jensen entered into an agreement to acquire up to 49% of Tolon, which manufactures and markets stand-alone laundry equipment as well as distributing Jensen equipment and solutions in Turkey. The acquisition means Jensen is now able to offer a highly competitive stand-alone washer extractor and dryer product range under the Jensen umbrella to complement its washroom offering. This means all products including the JWE and JTD can be seamlessly integrated into flatwork and garment processing for Jensen textile rental customers, commercial laundries, large hotels and cruise lines. JWE washers and JTD tumbler dryers process wash loads of 20, 40, 60 and 110kg (45, 90, 130 and 250lbs).

Girbau Group displayed new products it says are designed to achieve maximum efficiency in ironing – the PB ironer and the Optifeed system. It also offered up a suction loading system on its ST1302 dryer, DRB3 feeder, FRB folder and aerial loading system for the Girbau TBS batch washer. For OPL and launderettes it set out to show how to achieve cost-effective self-service operation with the launch of its new HS6024 washer extractor. The stand also had a vended launderette in operation, with a smart system to handle payment and build customer loyalty.

General manager of Girbau, Guillem Clofent, highlighted behind the scenes intitiatives, too, such as the increase in the strength of the technical services department, 24-hour delivery of urgent spare parts, the development of tools for concieving and designing laundry projects, service and new financial services and maintenance packs.

Milnor International’s managing director, Thierry Lambermont, summarised his experience at Texcare 2016 saying, “As usual, this Texcare was a success and gave our dealers and customers another opportunity to visit our stand and have a closer look at Milnor’s PulseFlow updated technology, our new range of soft mount washer- extractors and their MilTouch controller. Texcare is  a highly anticipated event for exchanging information and to gather our partners together. Unfortunately, given this show was during Ramadan, we saw less attendance from our friends and customers from the Middle East.”

Alliance Laundry Systems previewed its brand new STAR (Science, Technology and Research) Centre research lab recently opened in Pribor in the Czech Republic. Innovative control panels for the laundry brands Ipso, Primus, Speed Queen and UniMac were unveiled with their large graphic displays allowing laundry users and owners versatility in operating the machines and the ability to  track all kinds of data.

Increased capacities for Primus and Ipso have also been engineered and all have a smaller physical footprint than before. The ecological footprint on the machines has also been  reduced, with greater efficiencies introduced to  in energy and water use.

The entire Ipso range has also a had a complete redesign with the focus firmly on ergonomics, functionality and accessibility.

Lavatec Laundry Technology displayed a complete array of products with a tunnel washer, extraction press, a washer-extractor, centrifugal extractor, and dryers. Several of the machines had stepped up a notch or two in  technical features over their predecessors. “The LX 445 washer-extractor is a perfect example. We listened to our customers to provide the efficient, operator-friendly products that they need,” says Keith Ware, vice president of sales.

 “The LX 445 has a compact design and small footprint, a truly desirable trait for any size laundry operation. Our computerised system with touch screen controls allows an operator to maximise their time and efficiency.

“The simple design system controls time and temperature, level dosing, drum speed, reversing and cool down aspects. Combine it with a drive motor system that reserves power during all cycles for the lowest energy consumption at any speed, and that translates to a machine with positive, bottom-line results,” he adds.

Other highlights were the LP575 extraction press, LZ 286S centrifugal extractor, and FL 633 tumble dryer at the Lavatec stand.

Lapauw presented a completely new reinvented gas-heated ironer, the Ironmax,as well as introducing visitors to the Medistream cleanroom dryer teamed with the next generation Mediwave cleanroom barrier washer.

The stand also featured a full garment finishing line based on Lapauw’s established HotSteam tunnel finisher

Electrolux unveiled its Hyvolution barrier washer  – a hybrid of the manufacturer’s Heavy Duty Pullman and compact Evolution range. It boasts a two compartment inner drum separated by a Pullman partition for what Electrolux claims are the best ergonomics and mechanical action of the market. It is available in electrical, steam or dual energy versions.

Miele Professional showed off its first heat-pump dryer for confined spaces that can cope with large volumes of laundry and claimed it can slash energy costs by half. The PT 8203 WP from the SlimLine series features a new heat-pump module which is fully housed inside the dryer reducing the width of this machine to as little as 71 cm.

With a load capacity of up to 10 kg of laundry, this is the fourth heat-pump dryer to be introduced by Miele Professional and completes the previous model portfolio ranging from 6.5 to 16kg of laundry.

Miele Professional is now also offering tumble dryers, which use sustainable energy sources – for example Miele’s hot-water (or H2O) dryer. Heat energy is extracted from hot water in a heat exchanger in the tumble dryer – exploiting cheap sources of energy such as waste water from a co-generation plant, district heat or solar/geo-thermal heat.

Onnera has beefed up its offering with its Domus Ecovolution concept and Touch Control microprocessor, which has many other features and advantages over the previous range, making the use of the machines both easier and more efficient. For programming both front-loading and hygienic barrier washer-extractors using the new TouchControl, an operator can choose from four economic programs, reducing both water and energy consumption but increasing the mechanical action to ensure optimal wash results.

The high spin washer-extractors feature G-Factor 450, which drastically reduces the residual moisture (by around 45-50%) after the washing process and allows important savings in the following processes, such as drying and ironing.

“The washers have “Auto Weight”, an automatic weighing system that can provide up to 30% savings,” says Domus marketing manager Gemma Colomer Mallol.  “The optimal loading feature means the washer automatically adapts the quantity of water and chemicals to be used. Domus washers also have an automatic water mixer.”

GMP showcased flatwork ironers including the latest updates in rollers and the latest version of its Tenax roller padding, which is thinner than previously and with a modified shape conforming to the new GMP rollers. At the same time three models of the latest version of its G-line range of heavy duty ironing system were on show.

Flexco Europe has developed the ARK-150-WNP electrohydraulic mobile press that allows service engineers to permanently join conveyor belts up to 200mm width using  Anker patch connectors. The machine can produce joints with wire hooks in just 30 seconds.

For Krebe Tippo the main point of attending Texcare was the live presentation of its smart laundry concept, Smart 516. It also presented new controllers from the Smart line  – the 516 Classic for self-service laundries, 516 Avant and 516 Touch which enables all the connections between the washer-extractor and other smart laundry equipment using RFID technology and smart phones, tablets and watches.

Krebe-Tippo also exhibited its new 70kg barrier washer-extractor PCH-701. “Customers are looking for the alternatives to the existing major players and products,” says a spokesperson for Krebe Tippo.

Thai manufacturer Image was impressive with its vast display of washing  equipment with which it is making inroads in Europe. Latest developments on show were a washer-extractor and accompanying dryer. Visan Mahachavaroj, managing director of Image, says the company now exports to 40 countries and 80 per cent of its output is exported.

“Image is a one-stop-shop offering a total solution with integrated software, much like the leading north European suppliers, at a very competitive price. We can supply machinery for OPL through to the largest super laundry.”

Whirlpool used the show as a platform for the Maytag commercial laundry and ADC brands to showcase equipment for the coin and (OPL) markets. Products on display on the stand included the latest Maytag high-efficiency, front-load washer, which uses approximately 10.71 gallons of water per cycle and is Energy Star rated.

It also showcased  the Maytag top-load washer and stack washer/dryer and the ADC traditional and I-series large-capacity dryers alongside the ADC EcoWash washer lineup. The ADC firefighter’s gear drying cabinet, designed to prolong the life of heavier, bulky garments was also on show.

Manufacturers of radio-frequency identification (RFID)  systems were well represented at the Texcare show.

SoCom, Polytex, Micross WSP, ABS and Datamars were all demonstrating to laundry managers the efficacy of their individual systems.

Datamars, for example,  presented practical demsontrations of its product in action at stations replicating steps in a typical laundry cycle.

WASH CHEMICALS

Christeyns added to its Cool Chemistry range of washing chemicals with new solutions for white and high visibility workwear. These enzyme-based detergents, says the company, will cope happily with dried blood (healthcare) food stains (hospitality and food processing) and blackstains (workwear). The hospitality products have now been given Ecolabel status.

Ecolab boasts its OxyGuard40 program will revolutionise the way hospitality launderers conduct business, according to the company’s  Andreas Weilinghoff. “At 40C, OxyGuard40 produces unprecedented whiteness while maximising linen life.”

Ideal showed visitors its British-made products including Ahoy Wet Cleaning and Ahoy Dry Cleaning product alongiside a demonstration of the Ideal Spotter Kit (Sk) and Miniroller Spotter kit (Sk) as well as drumming up custom for its bespoke powder formulations.

Büfa launched OzernaPolar which when used in combination with its Lizerna Sept detegent which meets the legislation on cleaning textiles for care home residents and has been recognised as an effective disinfection wash in Germany.

TEXCARE 2016 FACTS

Texcare 2016 attracted 319 exhibitors from 28 countries – over 20% more than four years ago. In terms of visitor attendance, the organiser says Texcare welcomed 10% more international visitors. Overall, the number of trade visitors remained stable – of the 15,700 visitors (2012: 15,650 from 101 countries (FKM certified), almost 9,000 (2012: 8,045) came from outside Germany.

Visitors travelled to Texcare International from 112 countries, to discover the latest products and innovations at the exhibition stands. After Germany, the top visitor nations included Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria and Poland. Outside Europe, the USA, Japan, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, China and India ranked among the biggest visitor nations. Overall, the proportion of international visitors from outside Europe rose from 15 to 22% with the largest non-European growth coming from Argentina and Kazakhstan.