Pumping up the heat

9 January 2019



New developments from Electrolux Professional are promising great things to operators in terms of energy and production savings. Kathy Bowry reports


SWEDEN

Electrolux Professional recently launched its range of Line 6000 dryers, showed them off at ExpoDetergo and then organised a distributor event at the dedicated laundry equipment manufacturing facility in Ljungby, Sweden for a more in-depth inspection.

New developments at the factory are influenced by Electrolux’ distributors: they are in constant touch with end-users and therefore the go-to experts when it comes to knowing what their customers need from their equipment. In Ljungby, where the new range was designed, built and tested, they were able to examine the new machines in detail as well as catching up with additional Electrolux innovations with the promise of more good things to come in 2019.

Ljungby is Electrolux’s manufacturing base for washing machines and dryers for professional customers. The site serves as the global R&D hub for Electrolux Professional Laundry and has a history of innovation.

The Line 6000 range is available in electric, gas and steam versions, and the introduction of a heat pump option that can be offered on all models in the range, really puts the Line 6000 dryers in a class of their own..

Electrolux says the new Line 6000 tumble dryers are streets ahead of other dryers in terms of energy savings and speed, thereby potentially adding substantially to the operator’s bottom line in lowered running costs and increased productivity. According to Electrolux, the Line 6000 dryers provide the shortest drying time on the market, with the smaller machine taking just 44 minutes to dry 6kg of garments – the larger being even more efficient.

Electrolux claims for the HP models 60% savings on energy compared with traditional dryers. “The trade-off for heat pump energy savings in the past was slower drying times but Electrolux has managed to achieve, with the 14kg machine a full load dried in 35 minutes and in the 20kg machine a full load in just 42 minutes.

“The heat pump line is suitable for installation almost anywhere thanks to its small footprint and plug & play capabiities even in awkward basement laundries as there is no need for exhaust ventilation ora water cooling system,” Silvana Johannson, head of category, business unit laundry, who is enthusiastic about the benefits of the Line 6000 innovations and a driving force in product development at Ljungby.

“The Line 6000 dryers have changed the rules in the market when it comes to productivity, efficiency, ergonomics and performance. Thanks to the Electrolux customer-centric product development, the new range becomes really a unique partner in the laundry business,” says Darren Lockley, head of region UK & Ireland at Electrolux Professional.

Distributors were also brought up to speed on the adaptive fan feature which adjusts fan speed automatically to save energy and reduce drying time while providing an even drying result. For example, when there is more than one tumble dryer in a series and the ventilation duct has a constant diameter, the adaptive fan will adjust the fan speed to keep air flowing efficiently. The adaptive fan control also makes the fan last longer.

Electrolux Line 6000 dryers have earned  the prestigious 4-star rating in compliance with international standards from the ergonomic certifying institute, ErgoCert. This means the machines have been intensively user-tested to make sure operators feel less tension, effort and strain, and can therefore work comfortably.

Ergonomics and ease of use are extremely important to Electrolux which is aware that laundry staff often have to perform repetitive movements which can be physically stressful and subsequently reduce productivity so making thongs easier for workers was very much part of the design remit.

The tumble dryer door has been designed specifically to reduce strain and has been fitted with a self closing magnetic action and there is a better grip on the door. Insulated glass has been used, too, to avoid burning fingers and the door has been placed at the ideal height for laundry staff loading and unloading the machine.

“Making things easier for the customer and ironing out problems is something Electrolux is taking seriously,” said Christer Ågren, plant manager of the Ljungby facility. It is a policy that has been recognised – Ergocert, the European ergonomic certifying institute has awarded the range a 4-star rating for ergonomics.  

He adds: “Yesterday, we delivered the first Line 6000 HP dryer to a commercial customer.” Investment in the Ljungby site has funded expansion with a new area being built to house a laboratory, a research and development facility, as well as increased factory floor space. “We are involved in some big projects at Ljungby and are now preparing for more product launches in 2019,” adds Ågren. Watch this space.

ELECTROLUX PROFESSIONAL


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