Armstrong news Armstrong delivers results for Brentford FC

Brentford FCWhen Brentford FC decided to install a new laundry at their Osterley training ground, experience pointed Stadium Manager Tony Ashley to Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems. ‘I knew we needed professional equipment, professionally supported’ said Tony ‘and that’s just what we get from Armstrong.’

The laundry comprises two Horizon washer-extractors and two Huebsch tumble dryers and serves 26 hard training professional footballers plus 18 youth team players. In Tony Ashley’s words ‘the machines are working all the time and they get a good hammering daily. We have had the equipment nearly a year with no problems and I know I can rely on Armstrong for spares and service.’

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‘Excellent’ Armstrong delivers for Scotland’s finest

DistilleryAs one of the largest producers of grain whisky in Scotland, North British Distillery’s output is incorporated into many of the world’s favourite brands. There is a large workforce engaged in a continuous process, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, working to the highest standards of hygiene. Every process worker has four or five sets of uniforms and other executives also wear corporate clothing so the investment in workwear and its processing is considerable.

After a thorough review of quality and costs, the company switched from using an outside contractor to operating its own on premises laundry installed and supported by Armstrong Commercial laundry Systems. The laundry consists of a 10 kg Primus washer extractor and a complementary Huebsch tumble dryer. It is operated by the members of the seven or eight man crews, working to a rota. Engineering Manager Graham Manson says ‘The results are excellent. In the two years we have operated the laundry we have never had the slightest problem and our maintenance contract with Armstrong gives us complete peace of mind.’

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Armstrong dryers work more for Caremore

Caremore LaundryCaremore Laundry Services in St Andrews really does believe in sweating its assets, especially space and equipment. The company has private clients but operates in largely seasonal work such as guest houses and small hotels. In the season, which runs from April to October, the laundry operates for very long hours seven days a week.

‘The premises where we spent our first five years were very small and our Huebsch dryers worked every day and in the season for 24 hours every day’ said Anne-Marie Bisset. ‘We still operate in that site and two years ago we bought a larger competitor in Woodburn Terrace. Here we inherited another brand of dryer. After six replacement electronic boards on a new dryer plus replacement motors and replacement bearings on a dryer that was itself a replacement, we ordered five stacked 2 x 30lb Huebsch dryers plus a 50 lb model from Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems. This gives us a very high drying capacity in a rather small space. Although they outpace the washers, we are still running them from 9.00 am to 2.00 am seven days a week.

Anne-Marie’s partner, Ian Drummond says ‘working our kit this hard means we really do need reliability plus easy, low cost routine maintenance. Replacing a roller on the other brand took two engineers 2.5 hours. On these Twinstars and Loadstars I can handle replacing rollers and belts myself a lot more quickly. Lifetime costs are the true measure of value and I know our Armstrong equipment wins hands down.’

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Armstrong reliability key for Donatello

DonatelloWhen you run a restaurant open 12 hours a day, seven days a week with seating for 400 plus 50 al fresco, reliability in your equipment is absolutely vital and the Donatello in Brighton's famous Lanes, has operated Armstrong Laundry equipment for years. The equipment handles everything - chef's clothing, table cloths, tea towels - and typically runs from three o'clock in the morning to nine o'clock every day.

The business has grown to the point where larger equipment than the existing Armstrong Horizons was needed. In consultation with Armstrong, manager Sue Addis settled on two 7kg Primus washer-extractors and a Huebsch tumble dryer, again all on fixed price rental. Sue Addis says 'The fixed rental scheme suits us very well. We know exactly what our costs will be every month and the service we get from Armstrong is always very good.'

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Goodman Sparks and Armstrong again for Abbeydale

Baker's Benevolent SocietyWhen the laundry in Stanley House Nursing Home needed to be replaced in 2006, owner Mike Shepperson consulted the Armstrong dealer Goodman Sparks. The outcome was a laundry based on two 10 kg washer-extractors teamed with two Huebsch tumble dryers. The new laundry performed so well that when the owner’s other site, the Abbeydale Nursing Home needed to be re-equipped, Mike had no hesitation in specifying the same equipment supplied by the same suppliers.

‘Our laundry is one of the key factors in our Quality Assurance programme and we demand very high standards’ said Mr Shepperson. ‘These machines work much faster than the ones they replaced but we are still running them for ten or twelve hours a day, seven days a week. We cannot afford any downtime and we know that if we do have a problem, Goodman Sparks will resolve it straight away.’

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New Armstrong washers for old school

Elmswood SchoolThe Elms School in Worcestershire, founded in 1614 is the oldest prep school in England. The school numbers 200 people, approximately 85 boarders and 65 staff and has long operated a laundry equipped with washer-extractors and tumble dryers from Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems. When the smaller washers, dedicated to the boarders’ clothes and sports kit, needed to be replaced, the selection of Primus PW5 washer-extractors from Armstrong was easy.

‘We are very aware of our energy costs and our carbon footprint,’ said headmaster. Clive Ashby. ‘The new machines are more energy and water efficient in operation than the ones they replace. A large proportion of the lifetime carbon cost of a machine is in the manufacture and eventual disposal. Robust and reliable equipment is therefore very important. We have been happy with Armstrong’s equipment and support for many years. We are delighted with the new machines – they couldn’t be better.’

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Armstrong again for Sheltered Housing project

Baker's Benevolent SocietyWhen the Bakers’ Benevolent Society’s sheltered housing project needed new washer-extractors, selecting Primus from Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems was the obvious choice. ‘Our previous Armstrong equipment was still running after 13 years very hard work’ said Manageress Suzanne Pitts. ‘The decision to replace it was based on looking at the running costs of new machines against our existing ones.’

The Epping Charity selected two 7 kg washer-extractors and two 5 kg machines. The laundry serves over 50 residents and 15 staff, handling all clothing, bed linen, towels, etc. Suzanne said ‘Our Huebsch tumble dryers from Armstrong are still performing well. Armstrong have always given us very good after sales service and when it is time to replace the dryers, we shall know where to go.’

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Launderettes 'better than property'

When Glasgow letting agent Harvey Ferguson first bought a launderette his original plan was to let the shop but he changed his mind and decided to run it. Less than two years on he now has two thriving sites, both of them equipped with Speed Queen dryers from Armstrong Commercial Laundry Systems.

In the first launderette space limitations pointed to Speed Queen Twinstar stacked dryers plus one 528 litre (50 lb) dryer. They proved so effective and reliable that when the second unit in Argyle Street became available, Harvey had no hesitation in ordering six 271 litre (30 lb) Speed Queen Loadstars from Armstrong. ‘I like the way they accept both coins for the public and tokens for the launderette staff ’ says Harvey, ‘but the most important things are reliability and consistency. We are developing the business with contract work for restaurants, hairdressers and health clubs and the consistent drying is vital.’ Both shops are thriving despite the economic climate and, says Harvey Ferguson ‘given sound, reliable equipment and good marketing, this business is a lot more fun than property.’

Armstrong for RAF fire fighters

Donnington GroveRAF Brize Norton is the largest Station in the Royal Air Force. It is the main airport for deploying UK troops worldwide and can handle the largest aircraft 24 hours a day. The fire station is proportionately large and professional with a team of 80 fire fighters. Each fire fighter has two sets of protective clothing and Armstrong Commercial Laundry Equipment has just re-equipped the specialist laundry which serves them.

The new floor secured 10 kg washer extractor and complementary 347 litre Huebsch tumble dryer are programmed specifically for the high-tech fabrics used in the tunics and leggings. An RAF spokesman says ‘Just as our service must deliver world class reliability, so must our support – including the laundry. We have had Armstrong’s equipment and service for seven years so we know we’ll get the performance we need.’

RAF Brize Norton has approximately 4,500 aircrew and ground support staff. Armstrong provides equipment including washers and dryers in a number of locations around the base.

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New Commercial Director for Armstrong France SAS

New Commercial Director for Armstrong France SASEmmanuel Pointet joined Armstrong France on 12th January 2009 as Commercial Director in charge of OPL and coin store machine sales both for end users and dealer sales throughout France. Emmanuel is extremely experienced in selling a great variety of self service equipment apart from laundry machinery. He also has knowledge of the OPL market.

Emmanuel spent some time in Australia and New Caledonia where he was Product Manager then Marketing Director for Nestle prior to returning to France. He is married with two children. He enjoys tennis, golf, sailing, deep sea diving and foreign travel.

‘Excellent’ Armstrong Laundry for Crest House

Donnington GroveWhen the hardworking laundry equipment at Crest House, the Hindhead care home, needed to be replaced, manager Tom Feury carried out a thorough market appraisal. ‘We knew what sort of equipment we were looking for and the kind of support we need. Having looked at several submissions we decided on a free standing Primus 16 kg washer extractor from Armstrong Commercial Laundry Equipment.’ It is proving to be excellent – extremely reliable.’

Crest House, part of the Care Homes of Distinction group, has 60 residents and the laundry handles everything including kitchen textiles, curtains and chair covers. Additionally it helps if other group homes have laundry problems. Laundry Manager Lesley Lucas says ‘The new machine is lovely. I particularly like the control and flexibility it gives me, such as the option to include a pre-wash or not.’

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Armstrong standards suit Buckreddan

Buckreddan Care CentreIn 2004 the Buckreddan Care Centre in Kilwinning, Ayrshire underwent a very large expansion to satisfy demand for the Centre’s high standards. Proprietor Andrew Fitzsimmons carried out a thorough market appraisal before settling on Armstrong Commercial laundry Systems, the supplier of the original equipment in 1986. ‘We have always appreciated the high quality service support we received for our existing laundry’ said Mr Fitzsimmons ‘and we were delighted when the equipment they recommended proved the most competitive in capital and running costs.’ Recently when an ironing table from the original laundry needed to be replaced it was no surprise that Armstrong have again won the order.

The new machine is the Rotondi PVT 38 ironing table complete with electrically heated thermostatically controlled buck, vacuum unit, steam electric iron, silicone iron rest, whip spring and associated fittings, internal 8 litre / 4kw steam generator, with automatic water level control and feed pump.

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Armstrong Laundry at Donnington Grove

Donnington GroveDonnington Grove Country Club has become one of the top destinations for golfers in the UK. Corporate and society events plus two and three day golf breaks generate a great deal of golfing activity – and a great deal of laundry from the shower room.

The Club recently installed PW5 washers teamed with a 201 litre Huebsch dryer from Armstrong Commercial Laundry Equipment to handle all the towels. Laundry Manageress Pauline Westall says ‘The new laundry produces excellent results. It is quiet, efficient and very easy to operate. It not only copes with all the towels, it also handles the staff’s personal clothing.’

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New machines from Armstrong

Businesses can survive and even prosper in a tough economic climate and to do so it is important to keep a sharp competitive edge. This doesn’t have to mean slashing prices and margins. It does mean keeping a careful watch on operating costs and delivering what the customer wants, including value for money. Two new machines from Armstrong, a washer-extractor and a tumble dryer are designed to help you do just that.

Primus FS13The new freestanding Primus FS 13 fills a gap in the market that will help many operators stay ahead of their competitors. The existing range has seven models between 8 and 55 kg and the new 13 kg machine is in response to market demand for one between 10 and 16 kg.

The FS 13 has all the virtues of the established range - energy efficiency, a frequency controlled motor, easy maintenance and the reliability that has made the range so popular. There is an extensive selection of options to allow the operator to tailor the equipment to his own requirements. These include a water recovery kit and a communications interface which enables remote servicing, a great advantage for the multiple operator. The new model has a smaller footprint than the 16 kg machine yet a very large (41 cm) door for fast loading and unloading.

Huebsch 55lbThe new Huebsch 55 tumble dryer is an important extension to the range of energy efficient axial flow dryers. It has a drum volume of 491 litres (55 lb) yet at 902 mm (35.5”) it is narrower than the 528 litre (50 lb) model. This makes it possible for many operators to provide the services of a bigger dryer despite space restrictions and, in particular, narrow doorways.

Over a number of years the Whirliwash Launderette in Tiverton had several brands of equipment from several different suppliers. This included six Primus washer extractors from Armstrong Commercial Laundry Equipment in 2005.

Despite having three local competitors, Whirliwash has a strong core business core of customers from the farming community from as far away as seven miles. This steady business is based on reliable quality and a reputation for exceptionally high standards of cleanliness. When owner Shirley Middleton decided to upgrade the dryers, it was a straightforward decision, based on experience, to go to Armstrong for six coin-operated Speed Queens.

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Finance - don't sign their rental agreement until you've checked out ours!

Subject to customer needs and status, we’ve long offered a huge range of finance packages and these include low cost fixed price monthly rentals, which are administered and financed by us without the need for any third party involvement (which of course has the effect of keeping costs down).

We’re constantly amazed however, at some of the competing finance packages on offer in the industry – so if you’re thinking of equipment finance, don’t sign up to a long term commitment without checking out our rates first. You could be pleasantly surprised and save a great deal of money! For further details just call our sales department on 01635 263410 or email sales@armstrong-laundry.co.uk

Armstrong helps trim the carbon footprint

Durham UniversityWhen Snow and Stephenson Colleges at Durham University decided to cut the student launderettes’ carbon footprint, they called in the equipment suppliers and operators of both College launderettes, Armstrong Commercial Laundry Equipment.

Durham University is one of only 13 in the UK to be accredited as an Energy Efficient Institution by the Carbon Trust. The Armstrong launderettes have been running for a year and the Accommodation Officer, Margaret Kuby, decided to see if Snow and Stephenson College Students could make their contribution to progressively reducing its carbon footprint.

Armstrong conducted a comprehensive review of the existing programmes and the students’ requirements. The outcome is a number of changes to the timings and temperatures of the wash programmes to cut water and energy consumption. Eliminating a pre-wash, for example, saves about 50 litres per cycle. Temperatures in some programmes are reduced and, importantly, the students are offered a choice of a 30 degree wash or a 40 degree wash on the most frequently used programme.

‘Our launderettes are busy so the changes will make a significant contribution to cutting our carbon emissions’ says Margaret Kuby. ‘ The changes Armstrong are implementing help us achieve our objectives and also make a welcome contribution to reducing our expenditure on energy and water.’

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Express parts service

We hold thousands of genuine manufacturers parts available by express delivery. Need a part for that elderly Loadstar? We’ll almost certainly have it in stock, and at a sensible price - just call Alison and her team on 01635 263415 or email parts@armstrong-laundry.co.uk

Absolute reliability from Armstrong

Bournemouth SandsThe thriving Daish group of hotels has considerable experience of the equipment and support provided by Armstrong Commercial Laundry Equipment so when the decision was made to take the laundry in house at the Bournemouth Sands Hotel, the specification of the machinery was simple. The newly built laundry comprises three Primus free standing 10 kg washer extractors, two 271 litre Huebsch tumble dryers and a 300x1600 mm rotary ironer.

The Bournemouth Sands has 76 guest rooms and a busy restaurant and bar. Manager Matthew Brown says ‘Our occupancy rate is in the high nineties and a large proportion of our business is in short stay coach parties. It’s a very busy laundry because we process absolutely everything ourselves so we don’t just need good quality, we need absolute reliability. I’m pleased to say that’s just what we get from Armstrong.’

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