2023 Case Study - Commercial Laundry

Case Study

Safety and efficiency improvements for a commercial laundry

Who we are

SEKO’s manufacturing processes are driven by the Kaizen principle of continuous improvement, which sees us constantly refine our systems by integrating cutting-edge technology to adapt to the latest market needs.

As well as enhancing product quality, this philosophy allows SEKO to minimize waste and streamline production. The resulting savings are passed on to customers, who enjoy premium-quality yet cost-effective solutions to their requirements.

Globally Present, Locally Active

Twenty-four national SEKO subsidiaries across six continents means that, wherever you are, you enjoy the same exceptional level of service as every SEKO customer around the world.

And an accredited partner distributor network allows us to provide local customer support in over 120 countries, so you benefit from region-specific knowledge and rapid delivery of goods as well as world-class after-sales service and technical assistance.

When a busy commercial laundry with 20 years’ experience serving hotels, restaurants, spas and B&Bs across Staffordshire and South Cheshire wanted to modernize its chemical dosing regime, they turned to industry expert Sylvester Keal Group

Committed to excellence

The laundry operator had recently made a significant investment in order to expand the business, including moving to larger premises and upgrading its washers.

However, the dosing of chemicals such as detergent and softener was still being carried out manually which was causing several issues, including:

• Variable chemical dosing

• Inconsistent wash results

• Chemical spillage during dosing

• Operational inefficiency caused by extended dosing time

• Exposure of staff to highly-concentrated chemicals

A trusted partner

Working on behalf of the operator was our client Sylvester Keal, a renowned service provider for professional laundries. Sylvester Keal, enjoying a strong, positive working relationship with SEKO following a number of successful collaborations, contacted us to specify a solution from our extensive commercial and on-premise laundry dosing range.

After carrying out a site visit to assess key aspects of the laundry operation such as washer location and water and power connection points, SEKO’s technical team recommended our Smart Evo multi-pump laundry dosing system.

SEKO’s Smart Evo chemical dosing system helps a commercial laundry protect its investment

“The operator wished to upgrade to automated dosing”

“A choice of high-grade squeeze tubes provides superior chemical compatibility”

SEKO solution ticks all the boxes

Smart Evo is designed for 30-100 kg washer extractors and offers flow rates from 15–120 l/h. With automatic formula selection and 2–16 pump solutions available, it’s among our most flexible laundry dosing systems and was the perfect fit for this application.

Simple to install and programme, Smart Evo is a peristaltic pump system supplied with a choice of high-grade squeeze tubes depending on the chemical being dosed. The superior chemical compatibility of these premium materials, which include SekoBril, SekoExtra and Santoprene, provides resilience against abrasion, wear and fatigue for consistent performance and reduced maintenance requirement.

The system also allows wash programmes to be managed via a laptop with SEKO’s bespoke software and transferred to the Smart Evo unit, meaning for multi-site operations, current and historical data can be easily replicated across different laundries.

Along with Smart Evo’s modularity, which allows the system to be easily extended, this provided important future-proofing for the end user with further expansion of their business a strong possibility.

The client chose to add the optional SEKO flush manifold which, in combination with the boosted water supply, would help to administer doses into the washer machines quickly while simultaneously cleaning the delivery tube ahead of the next cycle.

“A system for both the present and the future”

Immediate performance improvements

SEKO Sales Manager Narinder Grewal said: “The installation was completely hassle free, which you’d expect with a Smart Evo system, and most pleasing was that the operator reported immediate performance improvements.

“They saw better, more consistent wash results, and by improving dosing accuracy and eliminating the spillages they were experiencing when adding chemical manually, they say that consumption has reduced significantly.”

Dosing times are now considerably reduced courtesy of the highly-efficient Smart Evo, which allows the laundry to carry out a greater number of daily washes. This has increased its capacity, helping the operator to better serve its clients and expand its customer base.

And with manual dosing eliminated, employees are no longer exposed to harsh concentrated chemicals, removing the risk of skin irritation and other complaints which commonly arise from direct contact with detergents.

Another example of a SEKO solution helping customers achieve long-term, cost-effective improvements in their daily operations.

“Efficient

Let’s treat the world better

A statement from our owners

As a family-owned business, we are acutely aware that we have a responsibility to leave a lasting legacy and that positive actions we take today benefit us and future generations.

We firmly believe that sustainability isn’t something to do once in order to tick a box.

It’s a constant process that requires dedication and tenacity to overcome the challenges presented by an ever-changing business and environmental landscape.

Having operated under the Kaizen business principle of continuous improvement for decades, SEKO is well positioned to fully commit to sustainable practice in everything we do.

We’re committed for the long term and we do it not because it’s an obligation, but because it’s the right thing to do.

Alessandro Folio (President) and Stefano Folio (CEO)

Environment

At SEKO, we are committed to creating products that minimise chemical, water and energy consumption and reduce wastage. It’s at the heart of everything we do for our customers.

It’s not only about the process, though. Every component used in our systems is chosen with care and consideration and we always ask ourselves the difficult questions: What is the environmental impact of this part during production, use and disposal, and how can we reduce it?

By designing high-quality, long-lasting products with minimal consumable parts and using responsiblysourced parts that are recyclable wherever possible, we not only reduce our own carbon footprint but also help our customers to minimise waste and achieve their own sustainability targets.

As a long-time champion of IoT and data on demand, we invest in the latest technology to connect users to their systems remotely and help them vastly reduce their travel requirement.

Since 2017, we have transformed our internal packaging by replacing polystyrene sheets and blocks with item-specific FSC-approved cardboard, allowing customers to recycle all waste after delivery.

All this is achieved as we work in accordance with the internationally recognised ISO 14001 management system for environmental compliance, ensuring we always operate to the latest legislation.

People

To us, corporate sustainability extends beyond the environment to our responsibility towards the people we employ and serve. With the human aspect of business forever in view, we treat customers and staff with respect, honesty and trust at all times.

The global influence of our next-generation products would not be possible without the rich blend of ideas, opinions and innovations brought by a workforce of more than 1,500 professionals from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds across six continents.

And with a non-hierarchal approach that means every member of the SEKO team is equally valued for their contribution, we foster a positive, inclusive working environment in which each person can thrive, develop their skills and take pride in their work.

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SEKO reserves the right to amend and change specifications without prior notice. All pictures shown are for illustration purpose only. Actual product may vary due to product enhancement. Published data may be subject to change.

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