Jensen’s strong focus on innovation is proving its worth. In 2004, the group’s sales of equipment and systems to heavy-duty laundries amounted to 3150million, representing an increase of over 16% on the previous year.
Steen Nielsen, head of Jensen’s flatwork finishing technology says the company has recently invested in expanding the Danish plant to 18,000m2.
Centre of flatwork finishing technology
Jensen Denmark is the largest company in the group and here it produces its flatwork finishing equipment and systems. It started in 1960 as a producer of folders. Since last year the plant has doubled in size and today employs 350 people.
The additional space comprises specialised assembly areas and dedicated test areas which are used for prototypes and for equipment and integrated systems before shipment to the customers. Today’s systems are highly sophisticated and the need for comprehensive integration and the systems’ advanced software controls means that installation and fine tuning at the laundry is time consuming, says Steen Nielsen. So to reduce this time, Jensen does as much testing and tuning as possible in the factory’s new test and tuning areas. Further, the company is introducing lean manufacturing techniques which allow short lead times and clear flows through the factory, increase cost-efficiency, reduce delivery times and enhance quality.
The new facilities also include a “customer street” where customers can see their equipment being tested before delivery.
Jensen Denmark makes more than 40 different product groups including rail systems, separators, feeders, ironers, scanners, folders, stackers, plus management information software (MIS) and production support software.
A world leader with a clear strategy
The Jensen Group is a world leader and has a clear strategy to maintain its position. Four years ago, it opened a high-tech production plant for washroom equipment and systems in Harsum, Germany and last year a new, large washer-extractor factory in Belgium. Expansion of the Danish plant was completed this March. The plant is situated on the island of Bornholm in the Baltic, a convenient central location for the group’s other companies: Metricon garment sorting and handling systems in Sweden; Senking, the washroom specialists, in Germany; Futurail logistics and batch handling systems in England and the Jensen garment folding plant in Switzerland.
Thinking globally – acting locally
The Jensen Group puts a lot of effort into working closely with its customers. It has installed remote, modem-based communication links, and operates a world-wide network of more than 50 Jensen partners and distributors. It has also set up group-owned, Jensen sales and service centres in England, France, the USA, Switzerland, Germany, South Africa, Asia (Singapore) and more recently, in Australia.
Expertise for heavy-duty laundries
The extent of the group’s expertise and of its product range for the heavy-duty laundry industry makes it one of the main choices for large turnkey projects in linen rental, hospital and hospitality sectors in Europe, Asia and the USA. Many of the larger hotel groups and cruising lines choose Jensen equipment and systems. Such projects are becoming larger and larger. For example, at the Clean Show in June in Orlando, USA, Jensen will present the installations at the Comtex laundry in Columbus, Ohio. This has 14 finishing lines, 3 Senking tunnel washers, a comprehensive Futurail logistics and batch handling system and a Jenview management information system.
Most innovative
Jensen has proved to be the most innovative manufacturer of heavy-duty laundry equipment and systems. “In flatwork finishing we constantly aim at achieving high automation in terms of finished pieces per operator hour as well as minimum machine downtime and easy handling. We also focus on ergonomics, and our patented Logic feeder, which can be adjusted so that the feeding position suits the operator’s height, is still unique in the industry,” says Steen Nielsen.
A new Jensen control system
Jensen ironers incorporate the Jentrol 266M control system. This is a state-of-the-art system which can store details of past production as well as providing information on current work. It features a fast and accurate processor, an easy-to-use man-machine interface, multi-language facilities and an option for remote system service.
Essential management information system
In today’s modern and profitable laundry operations, managers need to have an overview of what is happening in the production line at all stages, so that they can make changes and adjustments during the production process. The Jenview gives information on the status of production and maintenance requirements whenever it is needed. It provides the operator and manager with the following:
- real-time monitoring of the individual operators, providing information on the category of work they are producing, the intended customer, and the ironer line where they are working
- KPI, key performance indicators, showing how the laundry’s actual production parameters compare with pre-set benchmarks
- the maintenance status and planning of Jensen Group equipment.
“Jenview has become a must for many of our customers,” says Steen Nielsen. “The KPI radar charts, and the Jenview performance reports have become essential tools for achieving the best possible profit.
Only as successful as our customers
We believe that laundry owners and operators should create a vision for their own business. They are closest to their market. Our task as a developer and producer of laundry technology and systems is to advise and assist them in choosing the best and most profitable concepts to meet that vision and then to deliver the equipment, systems and software that are needed. We are the heavy-duty laundries’ partner, and we can only be successful when they are.”