PRODUCTION: Swiss Laundry has invested in equipment supplied by Girbau UK, including ten 50kg gas-fired dryers and two new tunnel washers, one 16 stage and one 12 stage
UK
Swiss Laundry has unveiled a new, purpose-built commercial laundry in Papworth, Cambridge. It follows a £6m investment by the family-run independent firm, as it realises its ambitions to create one of the most technically advanced and environmentally friendly commercial laundries in Europe.
The business, which has a Cambridge heritage dating back to 1904, is the city’s largest commercial laundry and provides linen hire and laundry services to tourism, hospitality and University customers throughout the east of England.
Part of the Swiss Camplings group, and with sister business Camplings Linen based in Great Yarmouth, the combined group turnover in 2019 was £13m. While the turnover for Cambridge based Swiss Laundry jumped to £5m in 2019, up from £4.5m in 2018.
The business has spent two years developing a purpose-built, 38,000 square foot laundry in Papworth.
Doubling the previous capacity of its former commercial laundry on Cherry Hinton Road, and introducing new systems, technology and equipment to significantly reduce impact on the environment, the new site has now been unveiled as the board sets its sights on future growth and long-term success.
At its peak, the Papworth laundry will have a capacity for washing, drying and pressing up to 500,000 individual pieces of linen, including bed sheets, towels and napkins, every week, effectively doubling what was previously possible.
RAIL SYSTEM: A newly installed sky-track rail system transports more than 200 laundry bags around the ceiling of the factory - each bag carrying up to 50kg of laundry
Mark Turvill, Swiss Laundry’s commercial director said: “We’re really proud of our roots in Cambridge, and while we needed larger, more modern premises, we wanted to remain close to the city. Some of our employees have worked for us for more than 30 years, so it was important to find a new home where we could take them with us, offering long-term, secure employment.
“Our priority was also to upgrade and invest in the very latest technology, with the aim of minimising our impact on the environment. We’ve made a significant investment in new machines, which will dramatically reduce our water usage per kilogram washed, and, increase the amount of water we’re able to recycle and re-use.
"While the design and installation of a new hot water system, replacing a traditional boiler, will minimise our environmental impact further. We’re now able to control and direct heat to specific parts of the laundry, rather than heating the entire site, meaning less energy is wasted.”
FUTURE INVESTMENT: Pictured at the official launch of Swiss Laundry’s new £6million purpose-built commercial laundry in Papworth, Cambridge are (from left) Richard Turvill, Swiss Laundry’s managing director; Marina Turvill, former chairwoman and managing director; Guy Turvill, chairman; and Mark Turvill, commercial director. At its peak, the Papworth laundry will have a capacity for washing, drying and pressing up to 500,000 individual pieces of linen, including bed sheets, towels and napkins, every week
