LEXINGTON, Ky. — As the owners of nine Splash ’Em Out Laundromats here in the Lexington area, Joe Dan and Kelli Reed aren’t afraid to aim high.
Since 2002, they’ve followed a simple formula: Identify what customers need, invest in technology that solves real problems, and deliver service at a level most laundries never attempt.
Their newest venture — a 20,000-square-foot commercial laundry built for pickup and delivery — is the clearest expression yet of that philosophy.
Created to support booming residential and commercial demand, the new plant stands as their operation’s flagship and a natural progression for two entrepreneurs who constantly evolve with their market.
The Problem Worth Solving
For years, the Reeds’ vended laundries and drop-off wash-dry-fold (WDF) businesses have flourished. Making convenience a priority, they also have smart lockers at most of their stores, and other locations, so customers can drop off and pick up laundry 24/7.
But that growth came with a bit of discomfort.
“Our vended laundries were overwhelmed by drop-off orders and lacked shelving space,” Joe Dan says. “This pushed us to look for a dedicated building to house a centralized commercial laundry.”
The Reeds recognized a clear opportunity to centralize production, ease the burden on their stores and better pursue a growing commercial segment.
Their search for the right space ended with a large facility in Lexington’s commercial district. After investing $500,000 in renovations, the building became a true production engine. Jeff Dunn of Cincinnati-based laundry solutions distributor Machinex designed the equipment mix and layout.
“Jeff played a major role in developing what we have today,” says Joe Dan.
Dunn’s strongest recommendation surprised them.
“We only had experience with the hard-mount washers in our vended stores,” Joe Dan says. “Jeff insisted the Girbau Commercial GS-Series soft-mount washers were unreal. We discovered he was right.”
Shifting from hard-mount to soft-mount washers delivered immediate gains. Hard-mount washers require heavy anchoring and offer limited extract speeds. GS soft-mount washers install easily, can be relocated easily as the business grows, and deliver superior productivity and programmability, according to the Reeds.
Most hard-mounts washers reach extract speeds of 75 to 200 G-force. By comparison, the GS-Series Washers generate and sustain 450-G-force extract speeds. That level of moisture removal reshapes the entire workflow. Loads dry faster, natural gas consumption drops, and throughput rises across every shift. Dryers also run less often, which eliminates dryer bottlenecks.
“The soft-mount washers pay for themselves every day,” says Joe Dan. “Lower utilities and faster production mean everything moves more efficiently. The linen, which spend less time in the dryer, should last longer, too.”
Technology Designed for Control, Speed
Each of the GS-Series washers offers up to 99 custom programs; a rugged, 10-inch touchscreen user interface; and a 360° Corner Status Light that’s visible from across the floor.
Even more valuable to the Reeds is the hybrid Genius Control that switches between vended, customer-facing programming and commercial, operator-facing programming.
“We run 90 different wash programs designed by our chemical rep,” says Kelli. “We control G-force, chemical injection, delayed starts and timed soaks. I set delayed starts at end of day so loads finish right as operators arrive in the morning. It saves a ton of time.”
When cycles complete, the washers’ status lights glow green.
“Operators across the warehouse know instantly what’s ready,” she says. “The lights keep the work moving.”
The plant runs five new GS-Series Washers in 60- and 80-pound capacities supported by a repurposed mix of vended hard-mount washers and dryers.
Near the washers, the Reeds rely on a Girbau Commercial Express Flatwork Ironer to finish sheets, duvets, pillowcases and table linens. The ironer processes items straight from the washer with no dryer conditioning, which sharply cuts natural gas use and frees up drying capacity.
With two operators feeding, the ironer finishes up to 49 feet of linen per minute.
A Foltex Folder completes the mix. One operator feeds and the machine automatically folds gowns, blankets, sheets and towels at rates up to 1,000 pieces per hour.
Together, these finishing tools deliver commercial speed with controlled labor.
In Thursday’s conclusion: A high-capacity operation built for growth and the specialty services it offers to set itself apart
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].
