INTERNATIONAL
‘Let’s Create Your Next Level Laundry’, was the message for visitors to Texcare 2024 as Kannegiesser presented its latest solutions, addressing key challenges in the laundry industry with practical innovations in automation, robotics, ergonomics, and sustainability. Kannegiesser demonstrated how tailored solutions can help laundries enhance efficiency, sustainability, and overall service quality.
“The laundry industry is at a critical juncture where the need for efficiency, sustainability, and quality is more pressing than ever,” said Tina Kannegiesser, CEO of Kannegiesser. “At Texcare, our focus was on delivering the next level of technology and services to empower our customers to navigate these challenges successfully.”
Innovations for the future of laundry
Kannegiesser’s advanced solutions in automation, robotics, ergonomics, sorting, and sustainability aim to provide tailored systems designed to meet the specific needs of laundries.
Next Level Automation: Responding to the growing demand for automation as a solution to labour shortages and the need for efficient production processes, Kannegiesser unveiled new automation and robotics solutions, enhancing productivity across laundry operations. As Kannegiesser’s Jennifer Frentrup told LCNi: “Robots are great for productivity and for tackling the labour shortage. They don’t need to go to lunch or have coffee breaks – they have no natural bodily functions to attend to. All they require is some occasional maintenance.” Maybe eventually by another robot.
Next Level Sorting: How about sorting a la carte? Do you wish to sort by article size? Colour? Or by RFID? Kannegiesser says it is setting new standards in sorting technology. From sorting on the soiled and clean sides to machine sorting based on size, colour, barcode, and RFID technology, these solutions offer flexibility and precision, aligning with the specific processes of each laundry operation. Wherever a laundry decides to sort items in the production line, there is a solution.
Next Level Ergonomics: “The use of robotics will increase in laundries but we will still have manual labour for a long, long time,” said Frentrup. With a commitment to improving working conditions and reducing physical strain, Kannegiesser has prioritised ergonomic innovations that enhance both employee satisfaction and productivity.
Next Level Sustainability: Sustainability is now a critical demand in the laundry industry. Kannegiesser’s sustainable technologies reduce energy and water consumption, helping laundries cut operating costs and reduce their environmental impact.
Next Level Quality: High quality remains essential in the textile service industry, where customers expect nothing less than flawless linen. Kannegiesser’s cutting-edge technology guarantees neatly stacked and stain-free linens that consistently meet the highest standards.
As Frentrup explained: “There have been a lot of innovations in laundry equipment and services over the past eight years since the last Texcare, but we need solutions customised to individual laundries, large, small and diverse. We have to find the best solution and always a quality one.
“The core business for all laundries is washing and here we have the PowerTrans tunnel washer – deep cleaning but gentle on fabric. The Synchro Pro feeder with SwiftCare offers perfect alignment of the sheet and a little bit of slack when it is grabbed – that is a good thing as it doesn’t stretch the fabric thereby extending the life of the item.
LCNi looked at the new EMR SynchroRemote feeder which Kannegiesser says offers 37% more feeding capacity than conventional feeders and 66% less grip needed on the sheet, therefore 25% less risk of wrist injuries as there is less physical stress when loading the item. The machine has been issued with independent ErgoCert Institution certification.
The dry work line can automatically fold, sort and stack laundry batches containing mixed towels from hotels and hospitals. It consists of the newly developed and field-tested Robofeed RFT feeding robot and the Speedline XFM-SR folding machine. The Robofeed is equipped with the latest camera technology, which enables a servo-controlled gripper to recognise each individual piece, separate it and feed it to the folding machine at maximum speed.
Also on show was the X-loader hanger loader for the garment-hanging rail system. The loading station provides hangers quickly and without waiting time. It can also be continuously adjusted to any body size and is very easy to operate.
The X-Stream tunnel finisher has four modules in three, offering super efficiency. The new counterflow design saves time and energy. It works by juxtaposing cold and heat. The items enter the apparatus from the hottest end taking heat with them in the counterflow to the coldest point. It is a very efficient system.
Michael Harre, chief sales and service officer, added: “We are committed to developing tailor-made solutions that not only meet the current demands of the market but also future-proof our customers’ businesses. The innovations we present at Texcare highlight this commitment.”
Tina Kannegiesser was appreciative of the many visitors to the stand, saying: “It was inspiring to see so many of you eager to connect with colleagues and us at Texcare. Your enthusiasm to advance your business and our industry is truly admirable. Thank you for being a part of Texcare 2024. Let’s shape your Next Level Laundry together.”
