By: Ken Tyler, Sr. Laundry Industry Consultant
Laundry equipment planning, acquisition and inspections are critical to every laundry. Each facility should establish protocols for production, performance and quality expectations.
Inspections should be conducted by the laundry manager or chief engineer as soon as new equipment is installed. They should also take place on a routine basis to ensure production is being maintained and that the equipment is still performing up to the facility’s expectations.
Not only do these inspections ensure that a facility is running properly, in the case of new equipment they either validate payment to contractors when passing performance qualifications or deny payments to contractors.
Because of the numerous technical requirements, production, quality of goods processed, mechanical and electrical validity, and structural considerations, time must be made available to conduct this important aspect of quality assurance.
When purchasing new equipment, many times people forget what is above them – when working on the floor. Sorting systems, storage, conveyance and automation should not be ignored. New systems often impact new and existing lighting, HVAC and conveyance. It is imperative to consider the big picture when verifiiying requirements for equipment.
Equipment inspection is a joint effort between the equipment supplier and the processing facility. It is imperative that the inspection process be made known to the equipment manufacturer in writing prior to the purchase of equipment so the supplier is aware of expectations.
It is also essential that a complete check list be developed using the specifications for productivity and installation as a guide to ensure you are checking all important aspects of the acquisition. Your checklist should include: performance, productivity, quality, time and motion needs, etc. The facility should ensure space is available to accomplish all of these needs.
In the past, it has been my experience that competing laundries would make equipment inspection results readily available. This information, a performance test, is beneficial industry-wide to ensure fair and honest equipment production expectations.
Finally, it is critical that acquisition professionals be kept in the information loop with all other team players so they can fully understand if the systems either fail or are accepted and final payments are authorized. Equipment inspections should be a team approach involving engineering, laundry management, and acquisition professionals.
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About the Author:Ken Tyler has been active in laundry and textile programs for over 53 years. Between his position as Chief of the VA Laundry program and the Chief of Laundry Operations at the DOD he managed the modernization, and construction of over 100 healthcare laundry operations valued in excess of 200 million dollars. Tyler received numerous commendations including the GSA Excellence award, Department of Energy awards for energy conservation and the Presidential Award for Performance. During his time with VA, he was selected in the VA Leadership program and continues as a member of that Alumni program.
Tyler managed US Marine Corps and Department of the Navy laundry programs for 10 years, Department of Veterans Affairs textile care and laundry programs for 27 years and managed government programs for Encompass LLC for 16 years. He retired from the US Marine Corps after 30 years of service and received over 30 decorations for his military service.Tyler consults laundry manufacturers and textile/chemical groups. He is also the recipient of numerous industry and government awards and has served numerous organizations such as AHA, TRSA, JCAHO, ALM and ARTA.
