Last year Giezeman FZN Gordijnen Service B.V. was certified on the basis of the new Certex manual (version 2017), which demonstrates that the company meets the requirements of ISO 9001: 2015 and EN 14065. Recently, the re-certification for this has been successfully completed! A new step has recently been taken. The company has a mobile laundry that recently has been audited successfully by TÜV Nederland and therefore meets the Certex requirements!

Giezeman FZN Gordijnen Service B.V. in Rijswijk (ZH) is allowed to use the Certex Certificate quality management system, now also for the mobile laundry! This demonstrates compliance with ISO 9001 and NEN-EN 14065 RABC, the standard that monitors specific hygiene risks within a laundry. The RABC standard can be seen as a counterpart to the HACCP standard known within the hospitality industry.

On www.certex.info you can find a complete overview of all Certex-certified companies.

 

Elis has taken over the German Curantex GmbH and Curantex GmbH & Co KG. This acquisition will enlarge the existing Elis network in the Cologne area and will ensure an optimization at the existing sites in West Germany, given the high population density.

The Curantex branch, located in Erkelenz (North Rhine-Westphalia), serves customers in the health sector. This mainly includes hospitals and nursing homes, where the company delivers laundry services and supplies household linen, work clothing and clothing. Curantex is a family business with a turnover of approximately 14 million euros in 2017.

About the acquisition, Mr. Xavier Martiré, CEO of Elis said “It ensures that Elis will strengthen its network in the dynamic region of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. It gives our company the opportunity to serve the health sector even better thanks to this strong acquisition and the attractive portfolio of customers. The rapid integration of this family business, with a family member who remains a co-general manager, will contribute to the continuous profit growth of Elis. “

Laundry industry pioneer and innovator Bernard Milch, who founded LaundryLux, recently died at the age of 93.

Milch was a Holocaust survivor, who lost much of his family in World War II. He came to the United States with $8 in his pocket and the dream of a new life. He started in business as a mechanic and later obtained the sales and marketing rights for the Swedish Wascator machines in North America.He was sure he could adapt them for the growing coin laundry and institutional markets. He made a success of the brand in the US and for that he was honoured by the Kingdom of Sweden in 1980 for his contribution to Swedish-American business when he was knighted with “Nordstjerneorden,” the Order of the North Star. From a refugee with virtually nothing, he became a Swedish Knight. “Only possible in America!” he used to say.

Cody Milch, president of Laundrylux: “Laundrylux is what it is today because my grandfather had such drive and determination. He was a visionary who saw possibilities at a time when conventional wisdom said he was crazy trying to sell a more expensive machine from Scandinavia. Ignoring the sceptics, he risked all of his savings, worked incredibly hard, and became the quintessential American success story.”

Hydrofinity – formerly known as Xeros – recently announced a series of regional full-service sales and distribution service agreements across the US for its sustainable near-waterless commercial laundry systems.

The partnerships follow agreements the company signed with Eastern Laundry System (ELS) covering New England, New York and New Jersey, as well as with Your Laundry Source in Georgia, who are covering their home state as well as Alabama and South Carolina.

The new regional sales and service partners include: Viking Services, SAESPY and ECW – covering California, Clean Source – covering Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona, RJ Kool – covering the Midwest,
Industrial Laundry Systems – covering Florida, Consolidated Laundries – covering Virginia, North and South Carolina, Tippett – covering Maryland and Delaware and Mill Creek – covering Pennsylvania.

These regional distributors will service existing and future Hydrofinity customers in the United States thus ensuring local support and service. Apart from that they will continue to stock and sell Hydrofinity commercial washing machines, featuring Xeros Technologies. Mark Nichols, chief executive of Xeros states: “These agreements in the US follow similar agreements recently signed covering China, Dubai and South Africa. They will enable our business to increase revenues from a lower cost base while continuing to provide customers with excellent service”. 

Spanish start-up Mr Jeff recently acquired a $12 million Series A, led by All Iron Ventures.

The firm – founded in 2016 and headquartered in Valencia, Spain – currently offers home laundry and dry cleaning services, including on-demand and monthly subscription options in seven countries – with a focus on Latin America. Last August it acquired Brazilian laundry franchise Lava é Leva in order to move into another market in this region. The franchise model sets the approach apart from some other on-demand laundry start-ups and they focus on markets with lower rates of washing machine ownership.

Mr Jeff stated it is aiming to have franchises operating in 30 countries by the end of 2019, especially to the east in Asia. There are also plans to consolidate its Latin American position by expanding its operations in Panama, Costa Rica and Uruguay. Prior to the Series A, it had raised around $3.5 million in seed funding, including from European entrepreneurs such as Albert Armengol (CEO of Doctoralia), Jeroen Merchiers (managing director of Airbnb Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Kim Jung ( CEO of NXC Corp.). A majority of its earlier investors have opted to continue to support the company by participating in the Series A.

US Georgia-based Encompass LLC – a manufacturer and marketer of woven and nonwoven products for the healthcare and hospitality industries – recently announced the retirement of Ken Tyler, vice president of the company’s government operations.

He planned and managed the design and construction of some 57 laundries and consolidated operations that resulted in cost benefits reaching $250 million. He also established quality standards for laundry system inspections. However, he is best known for having managed the entire textile and laundry operations for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for 23 years. Earlier, he was the director of textile and uniform operations for the Department of the Navy, where he was responsible for all fleet and base laundry operations. He retired from the VA in 2000, ending 35 years of government service.

Tyler remains active through a consultant role with Encompass, and will serve on the Government and Healthcare committees of the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) and an industry liaison group for the American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services (ASHES). He is also an industry adviser to the General Services Administration, a member of The Joint Commission’s Environment of Care Industry Task Group and an advisory subcommittee member to the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC).

Laundrylux recently announced the acquisition of the assets of Golden State Laundry Systems in California.

“We are thrilled to partner with Mike & Laura Hurrell and the Golden State team in San Diego, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area to serve the California market and accelerate growth,” according to John Sabino, Laundrylux’s CEO. And Mike Hurrell of Golden State Laundry states: “We have had a long, successful relationship with Laundrylux and to participate financially in Laundrylux’s acquisitions and consolidation of professional laundry distribution is a great opportunity.” Neal Milch, Executive Chairman of Laundrylux, says:  “We have numerous acquisitions in development and every transaction includes management continuing to run their business, with access to all our resources and capabilities. As financial partners, acquired distributors will participate in Laundrylux’s nationwide growth and future liquidity options. We become one unified enterprise.”

Laundrulux is a North American supplier of Electrolux & Wascomat commercial laundry equipment for laundromats, coin laundries and on premises laundries, with 65 years of experience in distribution, product & technology development, financing and equipment leasing. The company operates throughout North America.

 

Deutsche Bank AG increased its position in shares of Cintas Co. by 51.3%, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The bank owned 263,167 shares of the business services provider’s stock after buying an additional 89,232 shares. Deutsche Bank AG owned about 0.25% of Cintas worth $52,054,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CTAS. Bank of America raised shares of Cintas from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $166.50 price target for the company in a recent report.

Cintas last posted its earnings results on Thursday, December 20th. The business services provider reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, a net margin of 14.10% and a return on equity of 24.87%. Revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis and research analysts expect the company to post 7.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Cintas Corporation provides corporate identity uniforms and related business services in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia through Uniform Rental and Facility Services, as well as First Aid and Safety Services segments.

Lapauw USA announced the hiring of two laundry industry veterans, Joseph Amaral and James Marquette.

They will both operate under the title of Regional Sales Director, and are responsible for business development, customer relations, and industry advocacy in a variety of industry segments in the Western and Eastern United States, respectively.

Joseph Amaral has a wealth of laundry machinery sales, laundry planning, and customer support experience from his time with G.A. Braun, Chicago Dryer, Whirlpool and, most recently, RAMCO. He is known as a dynamic, results-oriented leader with a strong track record of performance in new business development and customer service. Joining Amaral is James Marquette who is known as an accomplished professional with more than twenty years of sales, management, and customer service experience, primarily in the textile services industry. His previous experiences and successes will make him an effective advocate and partner for Lapauw’s growing portfolio of customers in the Eastern part of the country.

David Bernstein, president of Lapauw USA stated: “They are experienced, knowledgeable, and respected, and bring a breadth and depth of industry experience that will make great contributions to Lapauw’s reputation, market share, and long-term success”.

The E-DRYCLEAN EXCELLENCE course is a part of the e-learning courses for the Retail Textile Cleaning specialists aiming to focus their operation  in the textile cleaning process in a safe and sustainable way. Optimization of the process to increase energy efficiency, sustainability and safety for operators, employees and the environment is part of this level. This level will provide the knowledge to operate textile care according to the best practices.

Among the course’s chapters, you can find the following:
• PERC operation
• Hydrocarbon solvent operation
• Alternative Solvents like siloxane D5, Acetal and Glycol Ether
• Machine technology for PERC
• Machine technology for alternative Solvents

By attending the (online) E-DRYCLEAN EXCELLENCE course from the Level B of The World of PTC Business School, you will gain and strengthen the following skills:

1) Have a basic understanding of different solvents

• know the major physical and chemical properties and safety aspects of perchloroethylene, hydrocarbon, siloxane D5, acetal and glycol ether solvents
• have a basic understanding of cleaning processes of perchloroethylene, hydrocarbon, siloxane D5, acetal and glycol ether solvents
• have a basic understanding of spotting processes
• know how to treat the most common spots
• know the basic principles of detergents
• know the different types of detergents

2) Have a basic understanding of different dry cleaning machine

• have a basic knowledge and understanding of specific machine technology of perchloroethylene, hydrocarbon, siloxane D5, acetal and glycol ether solvents
• have a basic knowledge of leakage prevention and good prevention practices
• have a basic knowledge of good solvent storage practices
• have a basic understanding of solvent recycling
• know the do’s and don’ts to prevent solvent emission to the environment and health risks
• know the basic principles and demands of contact water treatment

The World of PTC – Business School is a training initiative developed by CINET in cooperation with international suppliers, specifically designed for professional laundry and dry cleaning stakeholders. Through this initiative CINET aims to strengthen and stimulate the development of the PTC (Professional Textile Care) industry.

You will find easy accessible information on Retail Textile Cleaning and Industrial Textile Services on the following levels:

• Starters (Level C): Basic level of education and knowledge for people who likes to start in the textile cleaning industry:
• Operational Excellence (Level B): Advanced level for operators, employees for detail knowledge and skills of the textile cleaning process
• Management (Level A): Excellent level for managers and employees on legislation, improvement methodologies, operational management, business modelling & cost structures and marketing

The product range of The World of PTC – Business School consists of E-learning & (on the job) Training courses, Practical Workshops & Webinars and a vast PTC online library & Book series. Select the courses that match your professional (both individual and company) needs and become a Master in PTC!

More info, on the E-DRYCLEAN EXCELLENCE course  in The World of PTC – Business School – here!