OF BRANDS PUSHING
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PRODUCT
OF BRANDS PUSHING
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PRODUCT
Not Just Equipment…
But a FULL Solution
Speed Queen prides itself on offering laundromat owners a variety of solutions to meet their location’s specific needs. Our highly experienced distributor network is made up of experts tapping into their industry knowledge to match not just the best product, but the best overall solution to deliver the best return on investment (ROI).
A look at the options…and the applications
Hardmount
Since there have been laundromats, hardmounts have been the workhorses of the wash side. Why? Rugged design, superior out-of-balance tolerance, and their long lifespan have made them the go-to product. Their solid price point also helps them deliver exceptional ROI, particularly when equipped with the Quantum Touch control. Ready to learn more?
Hardmount
Since there have been laundromats, hardmounts have been the workhorses of the wash side. Why? Rugged design, superior out-of-balance tolerance, and their long lifespan have made them the go-to product. Their solid price point also helps them deliver exceptional ROI, particularly when equipped with the Quantum Touch control. Ready to learn more?
Softmount
When you have found an excellent location, but the building has a basement and poured foundations are not an option, softmounts make the location viable. Their high G-Force extraction can be attractive for owners, but the tradeoffs are more moving parts, lower out-of-balance tolerance, and generally a shorter lifespan than their hardmount counterparts. On the plus side, if you love the Quantum Touch control and its exceptional ROI, you can get your Speed Queen softmounts equipped with this game changer.
Stacked Washer-extractor/Tumble Dryers
When the perfect location comes with a small footprint, Speed Queen stacked washer-extractor/tumbler dryers give you two machines in the space of one, often making the location viable for your business. All the features and benefits of a hardmount washer-extractor and tumble dryer – including the Quantum Touch control – give owners the performance and profit-producing power their business needs.
Stacked Washer-extractor/Tumble Dryers
When the perfect location comes with a small footprint, Speed Queen stacked washer-extractor/tumbler dryers give you two machines in the space of one, often making the location viable for your business. All the features and benefits of a hardmount washer-extractor and tumble dryer – including the Quantum Touch control – give owners the performance and profit-producing power their business needs.
Do Higher Gs = Higher Profit?
If only G-force was the sole consideration when it came to deciding on washers for your laundromat.
However, like most things in business, it’s not that simple. Especially when you consider that roughly 37 percent of your laundromat revenue comes from the dry side (a number that is going up for Quantum Touch control owners, who can leverage extended tumble and reversing cycle modifiers).
While ultra-high G-Force seems like a no-brainer, owners must consider a number of factors before going all in. Below are several points to ponder.
Manufacturers love to tout high G-Force extraction numbers and the resulting residual moisture.
The reality is many models fail to reach that speed, even in environments where laundry staff are trained on correctly loading machines. Laundromats are harsh environments, where customers typically overload machines. That means out of balance conditions resulting in either multiple tries at balancing before extract (lengthening cycles and reducing turns) or never reaching the advertised maximum G-Force.
ROI. The simple fact is softmount cost more… more parts = more cost.
Typically, owners can expect half the lifespan of that of a hardmount. So, knowing service is likely (perhaps a bearing job at 5 years), and dryer income will be less (remember, 40% of revenue is driven by dry side), you’ll want to double check the ROI on the higher priced machine. Likewise, you’ll want peace of mind that you have a full-service distributor with an in-house parts department and trained service technicians.
Final Thoughts
Softmount washer-extractors are far from a new idea and Speed Queen, like many other manufacturers, have offered them for decades. However, laundromat owners must carefully weigh the pros and cons of investing in the higher priced units. Our industry has largely viewed them as “special application” machines reserved for locations with basements or for second-story installs.
What to know more?
Join Alliance Vice President of North America Commercial Sales, Mike Hand, on this month’s Laundromat Insights Podcast.
EPISODE 30, A Look at Washer-extractor Options.
Softmount washer-extractors deliver exceptional G-Force to remove more water from loads than hardmount units. Does that make them the go-to answer for all laundromats? Mike Hand, Alliance’s vice president of North America Commercial Sales, joins us to walk through the considerations.
