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The different frontiers of self-service, instructions for use

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MARZIO NAVA

Self-service has also different facets. In this focus, we are going to expand the boundaries of self-service. We talk about typical self-service laundry, equipped with washing machines and tumble dryers. There are companies that produce "turnkey" solutions for self-service laundries. There are also next-generation self-service laundries that offer a much wider range of machines, specifically adapted and dedicated for the care of pets' clothing for the pet-corner, as well as disinfecting cabinets that, with the help of ozone, "treat" not only clothing but also many other "objects" that are difficult to wash but need to be sanitized. The evolution of technology allows for the placement of so-called "smart lockers" even outside the laundromat, enabling the distribution of the garments throughout service rooms in healthcare facilities, residential care homes (RCH), as well as room rentals, B&Bs, etc. What is your concept of self-service, and what specific features or innovations would you like to focus on?

ALGITECH

When a few years ago, during the EXPODETERGO INTERNATIONAL trade fair 2018 edition, we presented the “Matrix smart locker”, it wasn’t yet the appropriate moment to think about the “widespread” automatic distribution of linen made by industrial laundries to small customers such as guesthouses, home sharing, B&Bs, and private individuals. Today, the market has matured enough to embrace this concept, and more and more industrial laundries are adopting it due to its various advantages. Indeed, it is a fact that guesthouses, B&Bs, and private accommodation facilities have experienced a significant growth in Italy. This growth has created a new concrete need: the efficient distribution of linen to private customers.
Briefly, the main advantages of automatic distribution machines can be summarized as it follows:
- continuous monitoring of the linen avoiding its loss, as there is a deposit for each customer profile that does not allow withdrawal beyond the available credit;
- distribution is not manned and it allows for pick-up at any time with a card and a mobile app;
- the software allows to be always aware, for each individual customer, of the time status and rotation of the items used, and to monitor the flow between the delivery of the dirty and the return of the clean items.
Practically, the customer can visit the nearest distribution point at any time and, after identifying themselves using a card, can pick-up the clean linen they need from individual compartments: for example, a single or a double bed kit, or a set of towels. The customer selects the desired items via touchscreen adding them to their “cart”, the smart locker then enables the opening of the corresponding door and the customer can collect their linen. The rental can be managed for each individual customer, and a maximum withdrawal limit can be set based on the deposit paid. Both the software and the configuration of the wardrobe can be fully customized, allowing for the selection of the number and size of the compartments and can be adapted to various specific needs. The implemented system is expandable at any time by integrating additional modules as needed. An important note is that depending on the type of distribution, the linens can be equipped with or without UHF chip technology for tracking purposes. •

BRENTARENO

Brentareno, a company that has been present in the self-service laundry industry for 30 years, with 2.237 laundries built since 1996 both in Italy and abroad, has developed innovative systems and techniques to increase quality and ensure the highest standards of washing efficiency and hygiene. Brentareno is always active in the research of practical, economical and efficient solutions and techniques to adress all issues related to washing and sanitizing garments and beyond.

That is why for several years now we have introduced new devices in our self-service cleaning centres, such as:
- ozone cabinets for sanitising items that cannot be washed, such as motorbike helmets, suitcases, strollers, children's toys, remote controls, pillows, etc;
- pet dry washing machine for cleaning the clothes and accessories of our pet friends;
- shoe washing machine which is our most recent new entry that allows us to wash our shoes in water and sanitise them with ozone;
- wet cleaning as an innovative washing technique that allows us to wash in water, garments that were usually only dry-cleaned in the past, guaranteeing a high degree of hygiene, effective stain and odour removal, that until now was very difficult.

All of this is supported by efficient treatments that guarantee 99,9% reduction of bacteria, with low consumption, while always ensuring high safety and eco-sustainability. •

ELECTROLUX PROFESSIONAL

Electrolux Professional has a long tradition in the production of equipment for professional laundries. In the recent years, customer expectations and technological advancements have transformed modern laundries, making them very different from traditional businesses. With a high focus on hygiene, promptness, sustainability and efficiency, the solutions dedicated to the self-service laundry of nowadays are real innovations: professional washing machines that operate 50% faster than the domestic ones, with highly efficient disinfection programs and contact less payment integrated technology alongside traditional coin-up payment. In the self-service laundry sector, Gandolfi Group has been our exclusive national distributor for over 30 years, with more than 800 shops, offering two distinctive solutions: the Lavagettone format, with simple and clear procedures, and OndaBlu, which combines high-quality machines with a relaxing environment. Since 2004, is also available Laundry4Pets, the first self-service laundry dedicated to washing clothing and accessories for pets, offered as a corner within Lavagettone or OndaBlu shops, or as an independent shop. Another rapidly growing trend in recent years is co-living (e.g., student housing), an innovative accommodation form that brings people together in a modern and sustainable environment. Shared residences offer full comfort, including self-service laundry facilities, which not only meet practical needs but also become a point of interaction among tenants, fostering an environment of sharing and collaboration. •

KONA

Kona Srl reaffirms its position at the forefront of industrial laundry management with the Bianco24 system, an automated Pay-Per-Use linen rental solution. Bianco24 meets the needs of "less conventional" hospitality sectors, such as campsites, accommodations, agritourism facilities, and hostel, that are among the most resilient, fast-growing businesses often overlooked due to the challenges of direct management. This represents a significant opportunity. The Bianco24 system stands out for its ability to streamline production, logistics, and linen inventory management, especially as customer numbers grow. Unlike traditional linen rental processes, which are managed by laundry services, Bianco24 shifts control to the end user. Through a mobile app, the user manages both the garments and the investment, eliminating the need for direct interaction with laundry staff. Clean linen is distributed from automated lockers, while used linen is collected in dedicated drop-off boxes across various locations. These IoT devices, equipped with RFID UHF technology, remain interconnected with Bianco24. Integrated with Mistral Laundry software, the system automates payments, credits, locker and box management, invoicing, production planning, inventory tracking, and logistics. Users receive automated notifications about their credit status, inventory updates, as well as alerts and promotions. Bianco24 grows its user base organically through web and social media promotions, ensuring expansion without significantly increasing operational workload. For industrial laundries traditionally focused on a B2B model, Bianco24 presents a seamless opportunity to enter the rapidly expanding B2C market, providing them with the tools to directly engage with end consumers. •

LOCKERCLEAN

The laundry sector is quickly evolving to adapt to new customer needs. Today, 70% of the consumers are looking for practical and automated solutions to save time and avoid unnecessary waiting. LockerClean is revolutionizing the sector with an innovative Smart Locker system, allowing customers to drop off and pick up their garments at any time, without schedule constraints or wasted time. This solution not only enhances the customer experience but also creates new opportunities for both traditional and self-service laundries. Thanks to the modular lockers placed in supermarkets, businesses, gyms, and residential complexes, the service becomes more accessible and extensive. Through an user-friendly and intuitive app, customers can manage the entire process in just a few steps: book the service, pay online, place the order, and receive a notification when their garments are ready for pickup. For laundries, this means optimised logistics, improved operational efficiency, and reduced transport, which also has a positive impact on CO2 emissions. The pilot project launched in the province of Milan in collaboration with Conad has been highly appreciated. Integrated into the store, the service allows customers to drop off and pick up their laundry while shopping, enhancing the user experience and increasing the competitiveness of the laundry that trusted and invested in our smart lockers. LockerClean is the perfect opportunity for those looking for innovation. Discover how to modernize your laundry! •

RENZACCI

The Renzacci’s innovation in the selfservice laundry has been concretized into the exclusive WATERLAND concept, a success proven by the many units already started and operating worldwide. Many new features and innovations which provide the highest practicality, userfriendliness, saving of cost and time both for the customer and for the owner. Starting with the speed and simplicity of preparing the premises necessary to carry out the activity, to continue with the advantage of not having to invest in expensive plant engineering and brickwork costs, which as a matter of fact are almost never re-usable and can be cashed back. Another great success that has also been reported by Renzacci “INTELLECTUS”, the exclusive domotic system that allows real-time monitoring regarding the functioning and the rentability of the coinop laundry by simply using your tablet and to organize incentive campaigns to reach each single customer in a personalized way; to continue with the sensational “WATERLAND half consumption”, the new drying system that makes it possible to enormously reduce both the energy consumptions and the power installed inside the self-service laundry, at the same time eliminating also the problems and the cost related to the compliance with the standards linked with the use of traditional energy sources. In addition to this the Renzacci’s innovation has developed many other services which makes richer the offer in the self-service laundry segment: - the advanced i-Genius 2.0 ozone cabinet to offer a superb sanitation and disinfection service against viruses and bacteria; - the new range Renzacci “PET FRIENDS” to wash and dry what we use for our “beloved PETS”. •

SPEED QUEEN LICENSED STORES

Alliance Laundry Systems, the world leader in the commercial laundry sector with over 110 years of experience, has focused its Speed Queen brand on the self-service laundry investment concept. The new self-service laundry concept introduced by Speed Queen has led to significant growth of this market, offering investors with no prior laundry experience the opportunity to create a profitable and easily scalable business. The key advantages of investing in a Speed Queen laundry include the absence of personnel, remote management, energy efficiency, and the creation of a comfortable and aesthetically appealing environment. The increasing demand for this service ensures continuous market growth. Additionally, remote management and payment systems via mobile apps make the laundry convenient for customers and easy to monitor for owners. There are no costs for using the brand, subject to an evaluation of the customer base, location assessment, and consultation on the number and type of machines required to provide optimal service. By choosing Speed Queen, you gain the advantage of quality and experience from the world's leading self-service laundry brand. Since 2015, we have been offering turnkey branded self-service laundry solutions, with over 240 laundries in Italy and more than 1.200 laundries across Europe. •

DETERGO MAGAZINE # MARCH 2025

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