Bringing Laundry Industry together

A niche platform for the thriving laundry segment in India, Laundrex India — the three-day Show that concluded on January 23, offered unique interaction opportunities to the solution seekers from laundry owners in small towns to laundry chain operators of metro cities and the suppliers.

Finally the Laundry Industry has a platform of its own.” – The positive feedback from both the visitors and exhibitors confirmed the success of India’s first-ever exclusive expo on linen care, Laundrex India. “This is the first time that a show on such a grand scale is being organized in India. I for one, thoroughly enjoyed the show – its contents and my own participation,” said veteran laundry consultant Vijay Rodda.

India’s laundry segment worth over $32 billion, largely unorganised, witnessed the latest range of global laundry equipment besides solutions for stain removal, laundry systems, ironers and many more.

Famous brands in laundry industry were on full display during the show, such as STAHL from Germany; Electrolux Professional, Comestero, ALVI, Trevil srl & Ghidini Presses from Italy; Datamars from Switzerland; Hydro Systems, Unipress, Thermopatch and REMA from USA and Wasmaatic, Quick Clean & Star White from India.

Representing some of the largest players in laundry care, the show offered exclusive interaction opportunity, especially for the retail segment who got to source solutions from a range of vendors at the exhibition. Providers ranging from standalone laundry shop owners in distant small towns to bigwigs of the trade.

While Quick Clean, pioneer of community washing in India, showcased not only its coin operated laundromat solutions, but also the complete range of solutions from Italian laundry major Electrolux Professional, Trevil, Comestero, Alvi, Datamars and Hydro Systems. Wasmaatic, a professional turnkey laundry equipment company introduced various global brands such as STAHL & Kannegiesser, Ghidini Presses Unipress, Thermopatch and REMA to Indian market at the Show. Buzil Rossari Pvt Ltd., a JV between Buzil and Rossari, one of the esteemed exhibitors at the show offered over 150 products spanning across laundry and specialty product segment which are eco-friendly in natures and minimise the water usage.

Exhibitors Voice

UWE STAHL, CEO – GOTTLOB STAHL WÄSCHEREIMASCHINENBAU GMBH:

“Laundrex India was a good experience overall, with full occupancy and some relevant queries raised by the visitors and professionals. We are a full-service supplier of efficient, innovative, durable and service-proven laundry systems, with a comprehensive range of product portfolio, including washing machines, laundry dryers, flatwork ironers, folding machines and centrifuges. Laundry market is more-often driven by quality and is lesser dependent on local market variation with focus on cost effectiveness and better quality.

We do provide customised solutions to our customers, but we choose the middle way with more care towards environment. I am sure customers too will understand this. The Laundrex Expo has been very impressive for us, as we met well informed customers seeking specific solutions to match their needs. Stahl tries to address their exact requirements through its distributor network in India for quick after sales services.”

TIMOTHY NYMBERG, VP, ASIA PACIFIC-HYDRO SYSTEMS:

“This is my first time at the Clean India Expo, hence had no expectations while coming in. I have found the show extremely positive. Chemical companies, laundry owners and operators have come together with willingness to improve their existing technology and commitment towards lean & green practices. We looked upon the show as an opportunity to get acquainted with the Indian market.”

ANKUR GUPTA, DIRECTOR, QUICK CLEAN PVT. LTD:

“Our company sees great business opportunities in Indian marketplace. At the Show, our partner Electrolux has come up with new RFID tracking technology, a truly innovative product for large consignments of washables that can now be tracked across the process chain from anywhere.”

RAJEV S KUMAR, CEO, WASMAATIC:

“We offer an entire range of laundry equipment. This includes hot air recirculation, in built heat plate exchanger systems and external heat plate exchanger systems from STAHL, Germany. This is an innovative system launched at the Show. These systems can be installed over the top, on the back wall, specially fabricated support systems or on the side of the Dryer wall, reducing drying times and reducing energy consumptions by up to 30%. We are already doing one-of-itskind of such project for the Taj Mahal Palace and Towers, Mumbai.”

RAMESH ANAND, ROYAL UNIFORMS:

“We supply speciality uniforms for pharma and hospitality sectors apart from 365 safety gears like shoes, belts helmets for industrial workers including private as well as government units. We prepare uniforms for housekeeping and engineering staff and cater more than 3,000 clients in India mainly in pharmaceutical and hotel industry. The response is good and we are receiving a lot of business related and general queries from visitors across India.”

 

Visitors Speak

HASNAIN MANSOORALI, HEAD OF OPERATIONS, SPINNPRESS:

“Setting up a commercial laundry is not just simply buying a washing machine. A laundry equipment must ensure energy efficiency, reduced manpower expenses and operational safety. The technology is already evolved and available in the European and American markets. It is only a matter of adopting that technology and implementing them in India. At present, the market is in the nascent stage but is slated for exclusive growth in the near future. If you look at the market dynamics today, there is a lot of interest that is being generated from various quarters, which
were not even expected. Laundrex India is just the beginning.”

ANUPAMA UMRAJKAR, OWNER – OCEAN WASH LAUNDROMAT:

“I came here to look for specific chemical based detergent solutions that can retain fabric’s softness in long term against harsh washing in machines. I found some solutions at stalls. Besides, I was also looking for some powerful laundry machines to support increased load of work at our premises, and I am planning to procure one soon from here.”

MAHENDRA SINGH RANA, GUEST SERVICE ASSOCIATE, ITC-GRAND CHOLA, CHENNAI:

“Laundrex India had some of the best and advanced systems along with innovative technologies showcased. We were also able to meet quite a few laundry system providers. In fact, the entire event was informative and more technology oriented which is a step in the right direction.”

Laundrex Net

The first-ever exclusive networking and knowledge sharing session of the laundry segment, LaundrexNet, organised during the Laundrex India expo received a very encouraging response with delegates coming in from retail, commercial, hospital, hotel and private laundry.

Elaborating the need for sustainability, especially in laundry where water, energy and other consumables cost tend to be on the higher side, Vijay Rodda gave valuable information on cutting cost and at the same time achieving quality output. In the panel discussion on “Towards Sustainability”, other panellists Uwe Stahl, Managing Director-Stahl, Germany, Timothy R. Nymberg, Vice President-APAC, Hydro systems-USA and Sumeet Verma, Managing Director- Buzil Rossari Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai extended their experts advice on issues pertaining to removing deep stains from coloured linen, retaining whiteness and costeffectiveness vs quality.

In another discussion on ‘Emerging Laundry & Dry Cleaning Trends’, Yvo Metzelaar, Managing Director, Pressto Dry, Sergio Calzati, Export Manager- Union, Italy and Maxie Lewis, Surekleen Services Pvt Ltd, Goa discussed the hurdles and opportunities in Indian market which is largely in the hands of unorganised players.

Read more in the March issue of
Clean India Journal