The future is green and profitable

4 June 2002



Electrolux shows how improving your bottom line can improve the environment too - to everybody's benefit


The first priority for a laundry or launderette, like any other business, is to secure its future by making a profit. Or, if it is an on-premises laundry, to operate at maximum efficiency and minimum costs.

There are of course many factors that determine profitability, not all of them under the control of the operator. Operating costs, though, provide one area where improvement is always possible, and the latest range of Electrolux-Wascator equipment includes technological advances that translate directly into savings, giving a significant impact to the net profit.

Cost-cutting features

Many of the new features are directed towards reducing water consumption and energy consumption while maintaining or improving washing and rinsing performance. The Automatic Weighing System, for example, weighs the load and delivers precisely the right amount of water. This means that not only is water consumption cut, but also that less water is heated, so energy costs are also greatly reduced. Heating takes less time, so the length of the cycle is reduced, giving further productivity savings.

Even on small washer-extractors, the savings are significant. The W375N, for instance, the 7.5kg normal-spin washer-extractor, uses an average of 39% less water (measured across mixed wash programs) than the model it replaces, and shows an even greater saving against competitive machines. Using a conservative figure for water costs of £1.20/m3, this gives a saving of 9p per load.

Similarly, the electricity consumption of the new model is only a third of its predecessor's. Again using a conservative 6p/kWh, the saving is a further 4p. Operators will be quick to understand the significance of a 13p per load saving, and the fact that the water saving alone represents £1,000s a year for a launderette.

It is understandable that the capital cost is the first thing we look at when considering new equipment. However, it probably is not the biggest cost component over the lifetime of the installation. So great are the energy and water savings made in comparison with old designs, that the additional investment for a new, more efficient design will be recouped in months. For some operators, it may even be beneficial to replace equipment early.

It is not just small machines and launderettes where there are enormous savings to be made. The greater the water consumption, the greater will be the cash savings delivered by the latest Electrolux-Wascator equipment.

Similar examples can be given right through the range of washer-extractors, and the product range includes a water re-use option which further reduces consumption by 20-30% - perhaps 100litres on a 20kg to 25kg machine on a long cycle.

Program design

Careful attention to washing programme design also pays dividends for the operator. One manufacturer's sluice programme, for instance, works by filling the drum to overflow level and then continuing to flush at a rate of 20litres per minute for 10 minutes. The Electrolux program uses two high-level rinses before washing. In a typical case, the Electrolux 7.5litre high-spin machine shows a saving of over £500 a year.

Design innovations in other equipment contribute to profitability too. Residual Moisture Control in tumble dryers, for instance. This stops the machine as soon as the pre-determined moisture level is reached so that no energy is wasted.

The environment

The savings in water and energy that improve the Electrolux operator's profitability also contribute to the environment. Electrolux is committed to leadership in this field and implements a comprehensive Environment Management System - the company has been certified to ISO14001:1996 since 1997.

The company's environment policy covers a wide range of issues, for instance commitment to using more than 90% recyclable materials and minimising noise and vibration levels.

Drycleaning

Another example of good business combining with good practice is the Electrolux AquaClean system. This is a wetcleaning system that enables drycleaners to profit from the ever increasing trend towards easy-care fabrics: the proportion of clothing that needs drycleaning continues to decline.

The scope is enormous. Not just suede and leather, but delicate synthetics, sleeping bags, rugs, blankets, soft furnishings. The operating costs are only one third of the costs of drycleaning, so every load makes a big contribution to profit. Some operators progress to 50% of their volume, but even a small percentage has a big impact on profitability.

The AquaClean system is a complete package incorporating washer-extractor, tumble dryer, dosing dispensing system and finishing equipment that is right for your business. And like all Electrolux-Wascator products, it comes with all the support you need.

Drycleaning - the future

The future of drycleaning is in liquid carbon dioxide - LCO2. The system uses carbon dioxide under pressure - non-flammable, water-soluble, odourless and extremely efficient at removing oils and dirt from textiles.

The LCO2 is environmentally neutral and does not add to the greenhouse effect. It will secure the future of the drycleaning industry and of the dry cleaners who use it.

Future standards

There is every indication that there will be increasing demands on the industry to improve standards. There is growing awareness of cross infection in our hospitals, and the measures that can be taken to reduce it. Improved handling of nurses' uniforms, for example. These will impact considerably on hospital launderers, those outside organisations that serve hospitals and, inevitably, care and residential homes.

Electrolux has considerable experience in solving these problems across Europe with a range of barrier washers and all the expertise needed to support them.

The general cleanliness of our hospitals is also frequently in the news. Again there is an Electrolux system for mop washing that delivers tangible benefits in both hygiene and costs.

Partnership for the future

Increasingly, launderers and drycleaners are looking not only for the most advanced technology, engineering quality and wash results, they are looking for continuous, economic, long-term support.

Electrolux-Wascator equipment comes with a range of service contracts to suit every user's requirements. These include extended warranties, contracts with special agreed rates for parts and labour, performance test options and even comprehensive arrangements on older equipment. The company offers a full range of finance products so there is one for every need.

The range of maintenance programmes, service contracts, staff training schemes and finance options will make Electrolux the industry's ideal partner.



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