Among the 15 exhibitors were two first timers, Norris Steam and Ken Machines. The latter was showing sewing machines and bagging equipment and Richard Evans said that although the company mainly dealt with the garment trade at present, it was interested in supplying the launderette and drycleaning sector.
Visitors could see several product launches. British manufacturer Warwick Dryers introduced a 30lb coin-op machine, taking £1 and 20p coins. David Bhogul explained that this was based on an established dryer and had the advantage of being easy to use (being non-computerised) and was also robust and simple to maintain. It is made in the West Bromwich factory.
Electrolux, exhibiting with its launderette distributor Associated Group Services, launched the Lagoon wetcleaning system. This was intended to interest launderettes which currently provide an outsourced drycleaning service and might want to switch to providing the service on site, using this environmentally friendly machine.
At Armstrong Commercial Services, Bruce Herring, who is also NALI chairman, said that the number of enquiries had made the exhibition well worthwhile. Its display included examples from its established range of Primus washers and the Speedqueen Loadstar axial dryer, which, said Herring, “gives terrific gas savings.”
Peter Munden at Alex Reid, told LCN that the company wanted to support the launderette sector. It was providing a special offer on the Procter and Gamble Liquid Feed System and had also just published its latest catalogue. Sister company Firbimatic shared the stand and was showing a heated ironing table with vacuum and a Trevil steam generator. Both were targeted at launderettes and also the growing ironing services sector.
Visitors could also seek advice from experts on employment law, financial matters and other business concerns from Council members and experts exhibiting.
