3 Sheets To The Wind Case Study

Professional Cleaners

Devon Laundry Expands with the Help of WashCo Dealer Roy Greenslade

 

Devon laundry Three Sheets to the Wind began life in founder Julie Bennett’s garage in 2008.  By the end of the year the business had outgrown this space so was moved to its own premises, and within two years Julie had to take on a second unit.  This year further expansion has meant another move, this time with the opportunity for it all to be under one roof, with space for further growth, in Kingsbridge.

 

Since she started the business Julie has had all her equipment supplied by Roy Greenslade, a commercial laundry specialist based in Dartmouth.  When this year’s move took place, all the machines from the two existing sites was transferred over to the new units, but more equipment was needed to service the growing business.  Roy Greenslade is a dealer for WashCo Commercial Laundry Systems, and he supplied and installed three new large capacity machines supplied by WashCo.  These are a Primus FS55 washer extractor which has a 55kg capacity, a Huebsch Giant Loadstar 54kg capacity tumble dryer and a Primus ironer with a 3200mm roller length and a 500mm roller diameter.

 

Much of the laundry’s business comes from holiday homes and letting agents plus some from caterers, B&B’s, pubs and some private individuals.  It is a somewhat seasonal business but Julie explains, “the season has got longer and now the only quiet times are December pre-Christmas and February up towards Easter.  In the height of the season we employ around 30 people, but some of those are students who will leave to go back to college as things quieten down.  We work hard to meet clients’ needs on turnaround, mostly it’s one week but the arrival of increasing number of AirB’n’B properties has meant customers often require a quicker return.”

The laundry offers a linen hire service, and Julie says that around 50% of their customers now use this.  Each customer’s laundry is kept separate, so a range of machine sizes allows for this to be done economically.  A free collection and delivery service is provided.  On the hire side, in addition to bedding, towels etc Julie offers a range of baby equipment for holidaymakers including cots, pushchairs, stairgates and high chairs – very useful range for families travelling to Devon on holiday.

 

Julie is delighted with the new big machines have been put in this year, ‘they’re brilliant’ she told us.  In addition to supplying and installing new equipment, Roy Greenslade also handles all service and repair work for the laundry.

 

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