CHICAGO — As North America’s largest textile care exhibition, The Clean Show attracts self-service laundry owners and investors from around the world to see the newest and most advanced products the industry has to offer.
But with the pandemic making large-scale in-person shows prohibitive, the event originally planned for this summer was pushed to next year.
No Clean Show ... no problem!
While awaiting Clean’s return in 2022, American Coin-Op is filling the temporary void with its own distinctive take on an industry trade show, featuring the magazine’s 2021 display advertisers through June.
These fine companies are using this opportunity to introduce themselves and their products and services, and perhaps even offer a glimpse of some things to come.
All of the entries were submitted by the exhibiting companies. Any claims made in this feature are those of the participants, not American Coin-Op.
The show floor is open for Day 4!
GREENWALD INDUSTRIES
Laundry payment technology has changed significantly since Greenwald Industries’ inception in 1954. Through its continual advancement, Greenwald is at the forefront in development and manufacture for both mechanical and electronic laundry payment systems, the company says.
At the 2019 Clean Show, it launched phone payment app GreenwaldPay. The company has been able to constantly improve user experience, and make the chore of doing laundry as easy and convenient as possible.
New to the market is Greenwald’s enhanced electronic coin drop, DigiCoin II, which can accept any coin or token. An optional remote programmer enables laundry owners to have total control of all coins and tokens they wish to accept. Programming can be done within minutes in the field, without removing the DigiCoin II units.
The new cash add value kiosks, one of which is an ultra-high-security model, are designed with an easy-to-use touch screen. As with all Greenwald electronic products, they report a detailed audit trail back to powerful management software. They’re available in either connected or non-connected mode and, to ensure secure 24/7 connectivity, the connected model can be enhanced with five choices of commercial-grade cellular modem kits.
The most exciting development, the company says, is MultiPay, its all-in-one reader. Due for release in the fourth quarter of 2021, and in answer to recent “no-touch” challenges of the past year, MultiPay will incorporate contactless or contact cards, cash/credit and mobile payment systems.
Additional information about Greenwald products, including flyers and instruction manuals, is available at the company’s website.
ESD
With over 50 years of dedicated service, ESD says it is the premier supplier of payment systems to the self-service laundry industry. Its diverse line of products ranges from mechanical coin slides and money boxes to electronic card systems, which include store-branded loyalty cards, credit/debit cards, and smartphone payment applications.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented trying times over the past year and ESD has done its part to support laundromats that continued business operations. Free money cards and free masks were two promotions that ESD offered its payment system customers in 2020 as a thank you for remaining committed to providing the necessity of clean laundry. ESD’s newest line of Value Transfer Machines supports the desires of today’s laundry customer of social distancing and contactless options.
The ESD Diamond Center 5 line of VTMs, including the Touch Screen Payment Center, provides options for the acceptance of cash, credit cards, debit cards, and pin-based debit cards. In addition, the encrypted pin pad incorporates the ability to accept Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Android Pay and all other NFC mobile payments. The terminal is EMV-enabled to accept all chip credit/debit cards, and is EBT card-capable.
The VTMs utilize a high-speed internet connection for all transaction processing and reports, in real time, all information to the ESD hosted Mylaundrylink website for viewing by the operator from anywhere internet access is available. The VTMs are supported on the Cyberlaundry, Synergy, and Smart Card platforms provided by the company.
NIE
NIE—its full legal name is National Fire and Indemnity Exchange—was founded in 1915. The company insures hundreds of laundromats, and all 48 continental states are served from NIE’s office in St. Louis.
Available coverage includes:
- Building (when owned by laundry owner)
- Business Personal Property
- Loss of Income
- Liability
- Crime
- Bailee (when laundry owner is doing drop-off dry cleaning and/or wash/dry/fold)
- Equipment Breakdown
NIE also provides access to workers’ compensation insurance underwritten by other insurance carriers.
NIE's team helps laundries get proper insurance every day. Team members have experience—the average tenure is 17 years—with most any problem your laundry will face. Laundries can work directly with NIE’s experts or, if their owners prefer, they can access NIE through their local agent.
The business says its financial ratios are stronger than most insurance industry giants. And NIE buys reinsurance from companies with aggregate surplus of over $15 billion.
The Exchange's policyholders appoint an attorney-in-fact to manage the Exchange. They also elect a committee to advise the attorney-in-fact of policyholder needs and preferences, what to do with the Exchange's profit, how its assets should be invested, what actuarial firm should analyze the loss reserves, and what CPA firm should audit the financial statements.
GIRBAU NORTH AMERICA
Girbau North America, a leading provider of vended laundry equipment and support services, introduces a new Continental Girbau washer control upgrade kit, ProfitPlus® with Extra Sanitize, and chemical dispensing system, Express Clean®, to make it simple for vended laundries to provide and monetize sanitized laundry loads.
In doing so, laundries can differentiate themselves from the competition, draw new customers, increase revenue and ensure a safe laundry environment.
The new ProfitPlus with Extra Sanitize upgrade kit works with Continental washers and takes 15 minutes per machine to install. It comes with an overlay kit with an “Extra Sanitize” button and works in concert with the machine’s automatic chemical-injection feature and the use of either sanitizing ozone or chemicals. Once installed, customers can select “Extra Sanitize” for an extra, owner-determined cost added to the overall vend price. The new control upgrade makes it simple for laundries to monetize sanitized laundry loads and provide a safe environment for customers and staff.
Express Clean is a system that automatically dispenses detergents, softeners and brighteners or sanitizers into a compatible washer (all Continental washers are compatible). Self-contained within a transparent cabinet, Express Clean chemistry is automatically injected into the wash cycle at the perfect moment during the wash process. Customers simply load the washer, enter their desired cycle and press start. Using Express Clean, it’s easy for store owners to offer sanitization, or simply add to customer convenience by eliminating their need to lug and load detergents.
EASTERN FUNDING
Eastern Funding considers itself the premier financial lender to vended laundries nationwide. Its laundry financing offerings include funding for:
- Acquisition of Existing Laundries
- New Store Development
- Laundry Equipment Purchases
- Commercial Real Estate
- Refinancing
Washers and dryers are considered the engine that power laundry businesses. Eastern Funding offers a range of financing options for laundry owners to purchase the equipment needed. Its XPRESS-APP loan program is designed to make equipment financing simpler and streamlined, and features:
- A simple, one-page credit application;
- A credit decision in as fast as one business day; and
- Up to $200,000 in financing for vended laundry equipment purchases.
To learn more about XPRESS-APP, visit www.easternfunding.com/xpress-app.
Owning the real estate occupied by your laundromat can provide a better foundation for your business. Eastern Funding offers financing to purchase commercial real estate for laundries. It works with the SBA 504 Program and helps business owners access the benefits of an SBA loan, including potential lower rates and longer terms. Learn more at https://easternfunding.com/financing/sba-504-loans!
Buying a business can be complex. Eastern Funding’s expertise helps laundry owners and potential buyers navigate the process. With financing tailored to fit your needs, Eastern Funding helps put you on the path to success. Visit https://easternfunding.com/financing/acquisition-financing to learn more.
The leadership and sales teams at Eastern Funding includes long-time laundry industry veterans who know the business and have built rock-solid relationships with successful owners, equipment manufacturers, distributors and other industry participants. They stand ready to help you.
MONARCH COIN & SECURITY
Monarch Coin & Security Inc. is a family-owned and -operated business established in 1903. It specializes in replacement coin boxes, coin/token slides, locks/keys and other accessories. It offers full body guards and coin box guards for security, coin/token operated bathroom door locks, and coin/token operated meters for showers, lights and other applications.
Being around for over 115 years, the company has weathered many storms during its history. But one thing that has never changed is its customer service. Monarch Coin & Security will work with you to find which product will best serve your needs.
Check back Tuesday for the final day!
If you were unable to make earlier show days, you can read about them here: Day 1 – Day 2 - Day 3
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].