Performance booster

“Tunnel washers are only for big laundries” is a common cry and a misconception that still persists with many textile service providers. For small batch sizes and a large variety of articles, washer extractors are supposed to be the best choice. Flesch Laundry Services from Eisenberg in Eastern Germany however, is proving this premise wrong, and making strides in sustainable laundering at the same time with its new compact tunnel washer.

The company‘s old washer extractors had become obsolete and had to be replaced and Flesch CEO Jörg Bornschein wanted to keep the flexibility of washer extractors. After all, the laundry processes a vast variety of articles for a wide range of customers. In addition to flatwork and dry work from hotels and guesthouses, the laundry also processes workwear for various companies and all kinds of residential linen from nursing homes. Therefore, a tunnel washer initially appeared to be unsuitable.

After comprehensive consultation with Kannegiesser and specialist advice on energy efficiency by an independent agency, in2018 Flesch replaced the old washer extractors with a new Kannegiesser Power TransVario JET tunnelwasher with integrated centrifuge. The upshot is that the laundry has increased its performance by 30%. At the same time, washing results improved while resource consumption and personnel requirements were reduced. The new washing system has also saved the laundry a lot of space and significantly improved ergonomics at workplaces.

Mastering diversity

The PowerTrans’ true bath separation allows for flexible loading which has several benefits. “We do not have to run empty baths to avoid discolouration”, Bornschein explains. Linen of different categories and colours can be loaded into the PowerTrans directly in sequence without empty compartments, thereby Increasing performance. With 400 kg/h, the performance of the PowerTrans JET centrifuge is 33% higher compared to the previous washing system consisting of six washer extractors.

Saving resources

The JET rinsing process produces excellent results with the lowest possible use of fresh water, says Kannegiesser. In addition, a large part of the chemical and thermal energy is recycled. With the new washing system, Flesch is saving 27% electrical energy, 2-3 litres of water per kg of laundry and 75% steam. Automatic loading and unloading saves the laundry about ¾ of an employee. Enormous savings of space also open up possibilities to expand the operation.

Easing the workload

The staff at Flesch Laundry Services also benefits greatly from the new washing system. Thanks to the PowerTrans‘ automatic loading and unloading, exhausting physical actions are eliminated. “Employees are rare,” Bornschein emphasises. For that reason, it is important to eliminate hard work and thus make the workplace more attractive.

Improving wash quality

The ActiveDrop mechanical wash action works deep into the fibres, allowing wash performance, textile care, and a guarantee of hygiene as never before seen or felt. In difference to conventional batch washers and washer extractors, the PowerTrans‘ large drum diameter and high lifters allow perfect throwing and compressing of the batch. Flesch Bornschein confirms: “We managed to cut our re-wash volume in half.”