BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Equipment manufacturer Maytag® Commercial Laundry has selected three store owners from various parts of the country as the award winners in its Replace Today for $10K contest.
Laundromat owners who purchased replacement equipment from January 1 – July 31, 2021, were eligible to participate in the contest for a chance to win $10,000. Entrants submitted their business cases to compete for the prize money and a panel of independent judges declared the winners.
Winners are:
- Charles Hinkel, president of TC Wash Inc., Rochester, New York.
His goal was to replace a combination of washers and dryers with new, larger-capacity machines to reduce utility and maintenance costs of older machines, increase vend prices and improve store promotion to attract new customers.
“I increased my laundry capacity in the store while giving customers bigger machines, which is the current trend and what customers want," Hinkel wrote in his contest entry. "All while increasing our vend price, which makes the laundromat financially viable long-term.”
- Patricia Lawrence, owner and manager of The Washboard Laundry, Salt Lake City, Utah
Her goal was to improve the laundry experience for customers and remain competitive with newer stores in the area, plus reduce utility expenses and increase vend prices with new equipment and larger capacities.
“We want to improve the laundry experience for our neighborhood," Lawrence commented in her entry. "By upgrading our laundry equipment to newer, more dependable and efficient machines, it lets our customers know that we care about them. You don't stay in business for over 40 years without loyal customers.”
- Jack Wilson, owner of Polly’s Laundromat, Philadelphia
His goal was to replace a combination of 13-year-old washers and dryers to improve energy efficiency and reduce maintenance and repair costs.
“I believe when the cost of repair is higher than the value of the asset, you should replace it,” Wilson wrote in his entry.
“We take great pride in the fact that so many laundromat owners depend on our brand,” says Matt Conn, global director, commercial laundry product development and marketing at Whirlpool Corporation. “Laundromat owners have shared the positive impact new machines may have on their business, including reduced utility expense and increased revenue potential.”
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].