Factors that influence the purchasing decision

6 August 2015



Janet Taylor talks to machine suppliers about the factors that need consideration when purchasing a drycleaning machine


The economic crisis will have delayed purchasing decisions that required substantial investment, but with signs of recovery and perhaps slight growth, some drycleaners will be considering replacing an old machine.

Alex Reid, the UK distributor for Firbimatic, suggests three factors that may help to bring cleaners back into the machine market. First, older machines are expensive to maintain; second, a favourable Euro could mean better pricing and third, a new machine would reduce running costs.
As to the factors that will influence choice, he suggests that running costs and environmental pressures should be a prime consideration. Utility costs continue to rise and to affect profitability.
Matt Dowse of Parrisianne, which imports Union machines, points out that the choice of drycleaning machine is one of the most important decisions that a cleaner will take. Considerations will include costs, not only of purchase but also of installation and maintenance - including spares and servicing.
Solvent will be part of the decision and Parrisianne supplies both perc and multisolvent machines. But, says Dowse, it is also important to think about the economy and efficiency of the machine.
Jason Alexander at Renzacci UK says that although, understandably, cleaners have been cautious about big investments during the past few years, by delaying an upgrade, they may have been incurring additional maintenance costs. He points out that new machines are increasingly efficient with a number of energy-saving features. The opportunity to save on running costs is a serious consideration.
It is important that purchasing decisions are well informed and his company can offer a free "business health check". This will include looking at the current business, the types of garments and processing methods. Renzacci will assess the state of the current equipment to see whether it is giving the best return and how the business can develop, improve and/or expand. "We can give a broad range of ideas without any obligation," says Alexander.
Sheila Higgs at Dane Realstar suggests that consulting suppliers, starting with the company that the business has worked with before, will be a first step.
Machine longevity and reliability will be a priority. To ensure this, Higgs advises looking at a top specification in terms of machine build as well as features. The machine should be manufactured using stainless steel components to avoid the risk of corrosion. She also underlines the need to look at lifetime costs.
The main development in machine manufacture has been the awareness of running costs.
Compliance with the latest solvent emissions directive is a legal requirement but the high cost of solvents means it is to the cleaner's advantage to ensure
that machines can help to optimise solvent mileage. Modern computer controls will help the machine to run at its highest efficiency.
Higgs also says that solvent temperature is important and that modern machines will include a solvent chilling device.
Cleaners now have a range of solvents available to them and the distributors named here will all offer a choice. Perc has long been a favourite with the UK drycleaning industry and is tried and trusted. Although regulated, the likelihood is that it still has a future and it remains a viable choice.
At Parissianne, Dowse says that his company offers the 8000 Series of Union perc machines, which covers capacities up to 25kg, with slim or wide machines and two- or three-tank options.
Despite the publicity given to possible issues surrounding perc use, he says that perc machines continue to be the choice of the majority.
However interest in alternatives is growing and a recent addition to Union's offering is the K-range. This was originally designed to work with the Kreussler Solvon K4 system, which combines a solvency similar to that of perc but is also gentler and so able to handle a wider range of clothes.

More recently, this series has also proved its worth as a multisolvent machine that can be used with hydrocarbon and cyclosiloxanes (D5/GreenEarth).
Parissianne currently has 10 Union . .8000 Series K installations in the UK.
One of these is Salisbury Cleaners in west London.
Tony Moran had been using perc for over 30 years but was persuaded to try an alternative and is now a convert.
He says: "I was an old school drycleaner that believed nothing could replace perc, a solvent that had helped me build my business to where it is now.
"However after discussing SolvonK4 with Jimmy Holt of Parissiane I decided this could be the way to go. I am amazed at how well it has replaced my old perc machine. The garments we are processing are coming out just as clean but softer and brighter."
He adds that both he and his staff are happy and the working environment has improved. Most importantly, his customers are happy.
Matt Dowse at Parrisianne also highlights another development in the Union multisolvent range, the Nova, which he says is Union's most economic machine at present.
It has two independent cleaning systems, one for dark garments and a second for light-coloured and
white garments.
The machine does not require distillation and electrical consumption is "extremely low". A 35lb machine uses 4.9kW per cycle compared to 16 - 18kW for a standard perc or multisolvent machine.
At Renzacci, Jason Alexander says that the saving to be made by installing a modern machine can be considerable. The Renzacci Nebula hydrocarbon machine is both efficient and cost effective. It does not have a still, which reduces maintenance costs and he estimates running costs at £1 per load.
The Nebula also uses 40% less energy and 40% less water, savings made possible by the Easy touch computer and the Combiclean system, which adjusts cleaning to the type of textile and garment. An almost endless combination of programs and options is available.

Three ranges
Alex Reid supplies three ranges of Firbimatic machines.
Both the F-range of smaller machines (10 - 15kg, with two or three tank options) and the Vortex range (which covers 18 - 60kg) are available in perc and in multisolvent versions. The multisolvent machines are suitable for use with hydrocarbon, cyclosiloxane, SolvonK4 and Christeyns' HiGlo.
Vortex machines take their name from technology designed to increase the induction flow of air and solvent vapour into the recovery chamber.
This shortens overall cycle times, leading to increased production.
All machines are fitted with energy saving features, including valves that regulate the water flow and the Eco still which allows heat from distillation to be used in drying.
The company also offers the Ecogreen, alternative solvent machines that are designed for reduced utility consumption. The Saver filtration system, which avoids the need for conventional distillation, is said to lead to substantials savings in electricity, water and maintenance.
Sheila Higgs at Dane Realstar says that the majority of sales are still for perc machines and points out that this is still favoured by most UK drycleaners.
Top of the range machines will offer features such as a solvent chiller, automatic still pump-out and still heat recovery, which reduces energy use by using still heat to assist in drying.
However, the company does note an interest in alternatives and says Realstar has always been innovative. Realstar multisolvent Vision machines need neither water or steam, and therefore have a low environmental impact as well as well as reducing costs. Realstar also has a range of machines for K4.
Lifetime costs are increasingly important, so after sales support should always be part of the purchasing decision. A new machine will be expected to last at least for 10 years and often longer, so making sure it will be well maintained is essential.
The key factors here include availability of spares both on site and on the vans - most drycleaning machines are imported so spares stockholding can be vital,
Support response time is also of prime importance, as is the record of first time fixes. It is also essential that support teams, including telephone support, can be contacted out of hours and at weekend. All engineers must be qualified including gas safe qualifications where applicable and all installations. Membership of SLEAT, the society of Laundry Engineers and Allied Trades, is a reassurance here.
Suppliers can also offer support in other areas, such as finance, training, service contracts.

SOLVENT CONVERT: Tony Moran of Salisbury Cleaners in London had used perc machines very successfully for more than 30 years but is now pleased that Parrisianne persuaded him to switch to a K4 multisolvent machine

DRYCLEANING MACHINES


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