Commercial - Maytag Commercial Laundry

commercial
From the Dependability People
Volume 47 Number 3
Owner
Norman Lynn
Maytag-equipped
laundry turns
profitable in only
two months!
Fox Lake
Maytag-Equipped
Laundry leads
the way into
the 21st century
I
f you’re looking for the ultimate
in what a self-service store should
be, look no further than the new
Maytag-equipped Laundry in Fox Lake,
Ill., that combines high technology with
improved energy efficiency, plus an
outstanding location.
“I’m very pleased with the way Cliff
Curtis and his team have helped me
locate, design and equip this store,” said
The 3,600 sq.-ft. store is located on the end of a small retail shopping center, that also
includes a multi-plex movie theater and a supermarket.
owner Norman S. Lynn. “I relied on
them to put the package together, and
they’ve done an outstanding job.” Curtis
is the representative for Mac-Gray, Inc.,
the Maytag commercial distributor that
serves the area.
2
Customers earn
“bonus points”
under the “smart
card” system.
The Fox Lake operation is a “smart store” at the end of
small retail shopping complex just off the downtown of Fox
Lake. It features two ESD touch screen Value Transfer
Machines (VTMs) that “talk” to customers in English or
Spanish. There is an ESD Super Diamond Center to add
value to cards via credit or debit card. The bill changer
changes $10 and $20 bills into $5 bills (need $5 to purchase
first card). Even the soap dispensing machine is card operated.
Lynn, who also owns and operates a Maytag-equipped coin
store in nearby Richton Park, said this was his first experience
with a card-system but it won’t be the last, because he is very
happy with the outcome.
“The card operation does require that your attendants be
very helpful in bringing first-time customers up to speed on
how to use the system properly,” he said. “However, once
When she’s not
cutting cake
as part of the
Grand Opening
celebration, Store
Manager Kitty
Sorenson manages
a staff of five
attendants
who keep the
operation running
smoothly 24/7.
they become used to it, most vow they’ll never go back to
plugging quarters into machines.”
As a “reward” for using the card, a customer loyalty bonus
program is in place so customers earn credit bonus points
each time they use a washer. The bonus points are then
redeemable for free dry time.
The 3,600-sq.-ft. store opened Memorial Day weekend in
The mayor of Fox Lake and other dignitaries were on hand for the
Grand Opening.
3
Owner Norm Lynn (left) congratulates Cliff Curtis of Mac-Gray, Inc.,
the Maytag commercial distributor that serves the area, on a job
well done. “I trusted Cliff to put this store together, and he did a
great job,“ said Lynn.
Automatic doubleentry doors are a
big plus for the
customers using the
new Fox Lake store.
2005. In just over 8 weeks of operation, the business has steadily
about 16 hours a day but recently went 24/7 to accommodate
improved to the point that it has already reached the break-even
customers who like to do their laundry at off-peak hours. The
point, according to Lynn. “The good news is business keeps
fully attended store is air conditioned, features four Sony Wega
improving from week to week as more people hear about our
televisions, ATM, vending and has a steamer that is free to
store and bring their laundry here.”
customers. The front and side of the store are in full glass, to
The store had a “soft” opening with no advertising but
following the Grand Opening Lynn said his store manager plans
automatic doors, as well as a single manual-operated door on
to do some newspaper advertising in the area, just to let people
the other side. The store is attractively decorated in blue
know the store is in operation and ready to welcome them.
accents, with strong graphics. The floor is ceramic tile for easy
Lynn estimates the store draws customers from as far as five
miles. “Our competition is really being overwhelmed by all the
amenities of this operation,” he added. The store was operated
4
allow plenty of natural sunlight, and the store features double
maintenance and durability.
The store features two 80-lb. Maytag washers, priced at $7.50
and two companion 75-lb. Maytag dryers at $1 for 10 minutes
of drying time. “These super capacity machines have been a big
hit at the store, especially with vacationing campers,” said Lynn.
Other equipment includes 30 ENERGY STAR®-qualified Maytag
Commercial high efficiency front-load washers, priced at $1.50
(=2 bonus points); 15 35-lb. Maytag washers at $3.50 (= 4 bonus
points); 7 50-lb. Maytag washers at $4.50 (= 5 bonus points);
and 26 30-lb. Maytag multi-load stack dryers at 35 cents for
10 minutes (free 10-minute dry for every 5 bonus points).
In addition to featuring Maytag high-efficiency washers and
dryers, hot water is provided by three wall-mounted Natco
water heaters that are extremely energy efficient. There are
“
Given what’s going
on with the price of
utilities, I’m very big
on energy efficiency.
That’s clearly where
my focus has to be.
— Norm Lynn
”
no traditional hot water boilers in the store. Another major
innovation is the dryer make-up air system. It uses roof-mounted
fans that automatically adjust to correct speeds based upon
barometric air pressure.
Lynn said the store has not been in operation long enough for
him to get a good reading on utility costs, but based on the gas,
water, sewer and electric bills he has received so far, he believes
this store will operate at much less cost than the national average. “It certainly is a lot more efficient than my other store,”
he added.
The store features
Maytag washers
ranging in size from
high efficiency singleload washers to
mega-size 80-lb.
washers and
companion 75-lb.
capacity dryers.
5
Attendants are well trained in helping new customers use the
equipment in the store, including the touch-screen Value Transfer
Machines (VTMS) that “talk” to customers in English or Spanish.
An attorney by profession, Lynn said he now devotes
full time to his real estate holdings and to his laundry
operations. In addition to the new store in Fox Lake, and
a store in Richton Park, he recently acquired an older store
in Schaumburg, which is being renovated into another
“Smart Store” and equipped with Maytag laundry machines.
“I’m also working with Cliff Curtis to identify other
locations for future laundry stores.” Lynn said. “I very much
Drop-off laundry, at
80 cents per pound,
is starting to take off
as well. In fact, Store
Manager Kitty
Sorenson and her
attendants recently
completed a record
2,480 pounds of
laundry over two days
as a result of dozens
of bags of laundry
being brought in
from a nearby
summer camp for
boys and girls.
6
like this business, and I’m of the opinion that bigger is
always better when it comes to a successful business operation.”
Among the amenities are an ample supply of folding tables, as
well as wide aisles and an abundance of light to give the store
a warm, inviting look.
The Maytag Mix:
30
15
7
2
26
2
“
ENERGY STAR®-qualified Maytag® Commercial
high-efficiency front-load washers at $1.50 a load
(= 2 bonus points)
35-lb. Maytag® washers at $3.50 a load (= 4 bonus points)
50-lb Maytag® washers at $4.50 a load (= 5 bonus points)
80-lb. Maytag® washers at $7.50 a load
30-lb. Maytag® multi-load stack dryers
at $0.35 for 10 minutes (free 10 minute
dry for every 5 bonus points)
75-lb. Maytag® dryers at $1.00 for 10 minutes
Friendliness, cleanliness and a ‘wow, what a great laundry’ are
what we expect first-time customers to react to when they visit
our new store.
— Norm Lynn
”
7
Energy Advantage™
Maytag products
just right for saving dollars!
I
f you were among the thousands who
attended the Clean ‘05 show and exhibition
June 23-26 in Orlando Fla., you had the
opportunity to review what Maytag believes is
the longest and strongest lineup of energysaving products for coin stores in the industry.
MORE ENERGY-SAVING
SOLUTIONS THAN ANY
OTHER BRAND
Maytag built the first appliance ever
to recieve the ENERGY STAR® label.
Today we offer more high-efficiency
The Maytag® brand, with its reputation for
dependability and energy savings, was a highlight of the show as attendeees gathered
around the products to learn more of the details. Maytag at Clean ‘05 Show.
laundry appliances than any other
brand — from energy-efficient dryers
to highly-efficient ENERGY STAR® qualified washers — to help you save
Receiving special attention was the new ENERGY STAR®-qualified
Commercial High-Efficiency Top-Load washer, along with the newly
designed Maytag Commercial H.E. Multi-Load Stack Dryer, one of the
most energy efficient in the industry.
With spiking energy costs on everyone’s mind, the timing
for the new top-load washer was excellent. The washer
saves natural resources by reducing water usage up to 25
percent. In addition, the new top-load Maytag exceeds the
2007 state energy regulations for commercial washers that
select states have already adopted.
Sharing the spotlight at the Clean ‘05 Show was the
new H.E. Multi-Load Stack Dryer, with a design that is up
to 23 percent more efficient than previous models, without lengthening the dry time. (See page 9).
To learn more about these and other Maytag
energy-saving commercial washers and dryers,
visit www.MaytagCommercialLaundry.com.
REDUCES WATER
USAGE BY 25%*
*Compared to previous Maytag® Dependable Care top-load washer.
8
money and build profits.
For complete details, visit the Maytag Commercial
Laundry website at www.MaytagCommercialLaundry.com
FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS:
• Fast-Drying Axial Airflow System
• ThermoGuard™ System Helps Prevent
Laundry Overheating
• Extra-Large Door Openings
• Digital Display Shows Time Remaining In Cycle
• Automatic Lint Filter Indicator
FOR YOUR OPERATION:
• Lowest BTU Dryer On The Market
• Improved Insulation For Greater Efficiency
• Accu Trac® Audit System With Two-Way
Data Communications
• Single Coin Box For Both Dryers
• Front Access For Easy Service
• 2 Large-Capacity Lint Drawers
NEW MULTI-LOAD
STACK DRYER
SAVES UP TO 23%
IN ENERGY
BUILT-TO-LAST ™FEATURES:
• Heavy-Duty Enclosed Motors
• The Best Warranty In The Business
AND UTILITY COSTS*
Model MLG33PD
Available in white (shown)
or stainless steel.
Ol’ Lonely®
*Based on comparison between Maytag® MLG33 vs. Maytag® MLG32.
9
They’ve Taken 40%
Off Her Water Bill!
R
eplacing 16 older, less efficient top-load washers with 16
ENERGY STAR®-qualified Maytag® commercial high-efficiency
front-load washers has not only pleased customers, they’ve
cut the store owners’ water bill by 40 percent a month. Sandy and
Bill Dunbar purchased the 45-year-old Coin Mart coin laundry in
Atchison, Kansas, in 1998 and watched helplessly as utility costs
kept rising every year.
“We limped along for several years with the older washers but
finally the water and sewer bills just got so far out of hand we had
to do something,” she said. “Working with Steve Grigsby of Jetz
Service Co., Inc., the area Maytag commercial distributor in Kansas
These Maytag Commercial high-efficiency, front-load
washers can save up to 50% or more* every year in
water, sewer, and utility costs.
®
10
City, the owners replaced the older washers in two phases, in 2004
* Cost figures based on testing with 10-pound, D.O. load.
and 2005. “We noticed an immediate improvement in our
coming here for a lot of years and they were used to the top-
utility usage in both instances,” she added. They’ve been
load washers,” said Dunbar. “That’s one reason why we took our
so pleased that they are already planning to replace older
time as we changed out older top-loaders with the front-load
multi-load washers and dryers still in use with new Maytag
washers. We wanted to give our customers a chance to get used
energy-efficient equipment as soon as possible.
to the new machines. In fact, we still have two Maytag top-load
washers for those who just don’t want to make the switch.
The new Maytag® high-efficiency
front-load washers are not only
proving their worth when it comes
to reducing water usage, they’re
popular with the customers who
like the larger capacity and the
fact that the clothes come out
drier at the end of the wash cycle.
“It takes a little training for people to learn how to properly
use the front-load machines, especially when it comes to using
less detergent per load,” she added. Once the customers use the
equipment, they’re sold on the benefits. “They especially like
the larger capacity, the convenience of front loading and the
fact that the clothes come out of the washer with less water in
them, which means less drying time,” she added. They also
like the fact that they are using less detergent, which saves
them money.
“All in all, I’d say I and my customers are very happy with our
new Maytag washers,” she said. “I’m especially happy with my
lower water bills.”
Located at 407 Commercial St. at the Cap of the Mall in
The store is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through
downtown Atchison (Pop. 10,636), the fully attended store
Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and on Sunday (winter
is the community’s only full-service coin-store, featuring coin-
months only) from noon to 5 p.m.
operated laundry equipment, drop-off laundry at 95 cents a
pound and drycleaning service. “Our customers have been
Store Owner Sandy Dunbar (center) runs
the coin-laundry store with her daughter
Angelique Dunbar-Bulgin (left) and
Attendant Cheryl Sinclair. Their drop-off
laundry business is so significant that one
employee is kept busy full time handling
this part of the operation.
11
Maytag Commercial Products
403 W. 4th St. N.
Newton, Iowa 50208
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
NEW MULTI-LOAD
STACK DRYER
SAVES UP TO 23%
IN ENERGY
AND UTILITY COSTS*
NEWTON, IA
PERMIT NO. 1
“
Given what’s going
on with the price of
utilities, I’m very big
on energy efficiency.
That’s clearly where
my focus has to be.
— Norm Lynn
”
commercial
See details, page 9
*Based on comparison between Maytag® MLG33 vs. Maytag® MLG32.
See story, page 2
Published four times a year by Maytag for owners of Maytag
commercial laundry equipment in the United States, Canada and foreign countries. For further information or address changes, write
Commercial Publications, Maytag, 403 W. 4th St. N., Newton, Iowa
50208. Phone 641-787-8254.
Copyright 2005
Printed in U.S.A.