Conduct regular inspections to identify any signs of wear and tear, leaks, or other issues. Routine checks help catch potential problems early before they escalate into major repairs. Create a checklist and schedule inspections weekly/monthly to stay ahead of any problems.

Inspections may include compressed air, leakages, belts, sensors, overall cleanliness...

2. Train Your Staff

Ensure that all employees are appropriately trained to operate and maintain the equipment. Proper usage and handling can prevent many common issues and extend the life of your machines. Conduct regular training sessions and refresher courses to keep skills up-to-date.

Wrong handling of machines or ignoring of alarms can do great damage. Training new staff on how to clean and properly operate the machine makes a difference like night and day.

3. Clean Machines Daily

Daily cleaning is essential to remove lint, detergent residues, and other debris that can accumulate and affect machine performance. Clean filters, lint traps, and the exterior of the machines regularly to prevent build-up. Set aside time at the end of each workday for this crucial task.

Some machines like ironers and dryers even need cleaning each shift. In general a clean equipment is more than 50% of all maintenance.

4. Maintenance Shall Improve the Quality of the Final Products

The technicians shall see the quality of the linen and uniforms as part of their work. This improves productivity as operators do not need to check and do re-work (correcting the folding / stacks).

5. Check Electrical Connections

Inspect electrical connections periodically to ensure they are secure and free from corrosion. Faulty electrical connections can lead to malfunctions or even pose safety hazards. Use a multimeter to check for electrical continuity and tight connections.

One way to check the electric is to use a thermo camera in order to see whether some parts are overheating.

6. Monitor WECO KPIs

Hard water can cause mineral deposits to build up in your laundry machines, affecting their efficiency and longevity. Use water softeners or other treatments as necessary to maintain optimal water quality. Regularly check and replace filters to keep water quality high.

Monitor water consumption, electricity and thermal energy on a daily basis and put it into relation with the processed volume. Then you will see very fast whether there are some issue with the process.

7. Replace Worn Parts Promptly

Do not delay in replacing worn or damaged parts. Waiting too long can lead to more significant issues and higher repair costs. Keep an inventory of essential spare parts to facilitate quick replacements. Develop a relationship with reliable suppliers to ensure parts are always available.

There are so many moving parts in a washing machine or an ironer. If you wait until each part breaks down - you will have up to 20% downtime. Therefore, regular replacement of belts, bearings, and other wearing parts makes much sense.

8. Calibrate Equipment Regularly

Regular calibration ensures that your machines operate at optimal settings. Incorrect calibration can lead to poor performance, increased energy consumption, and reduced equipment lifespan. Schedule calibration checks monthly to maintain accuracy.

The calibration includes the dosing equipment, the washing machines and all other devices that are necessary for hygiene and standardized quality.

9. Follow Manufacturer Guidelines

Always adhere to the manufacturer's maintenance and operation guidelines. Each piece of equipment comes with specific instructions that, if followed, can significantly extend its lifespan and performance. It is an excellent practice to keep manuals handy and ensure staff are familiar with them.

Often it is necessary to make the effort to summarize the manual of the manufacturer because for many operators and technicians reading such a long manual is too overwhelming.

10. Schedule Professional Maintenance

In addition to in-house maintenance, schedule regular professional maintenance. Technicians can provide thorough inspections, identify hidden issues, and perform more complex maintenance tasks that your staff may need to be equipped to handle. Look into setting up a maintenance contract with a reputable service provider for regular check-ups.

Depending on which maintenance you outsource to third parties make an annual schedule for all external services.

What are the Key Benefits of Maintenance in the Industrial Laundry?

After outlining these essential tips, it’s important to understand why such meticulous care is crucial for your industrial laundry operations. Regular maintenance offers several key benefits that directly impact your business's efficiency, safety, and service quality.

Operational Efficiency
Maintaining industrial laundry equipment is not just about preventing breakdowns and extending the life of machines; it's about ensuring that your operations run smoothly and efficiently.

Industrial laundry machines are a significant investment, and protecting that investment requires diligence and a proactive approach.

Regular maintenance also plays a crucial role in energy efficiency. Well-maintained machines operate more efficiently, consuming less water and electricity, which can lead to significant cost savings over time.

Safety and Hygiene
A well-maintained laundry facility contributes to a safer working environment. Regularly inspected and maintained machines are less likely to malfunction or pose hazards to employees. This focus on safety is significant in an industrial setting where heavy machinery is constantly used.

Moreover, consistent maintenance helps maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene, which is vital for industries like healthcare and hospitality, where sanitation is paramount.

Service Quality
Proper maintenance practices also enhance the quality of your laundry services. Clean, well-functioning machines are better at removing stains and dirt, ensuring that linens and uniforms are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

This attention to quality is critical for maintaining customer satisfaction and building a reputation for reliability and excellence in service.

Conclusion

Investing time and resources into regular maintenance of industrial laundry equipment is an intelligent business strategy. It ensures operational efficiency, enhances safety, promotes energy savings, and upholds the quality of laundry services.

By following these ten essential tips, you can protect your investment, improve your bottom line, and deliver consistently excellent service to your clients.

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The Importance of Healthcare Laundry Solutions in Maintaining Professional Standards

Table of Contents

Keeping a Professional Image and High Hygiene Standards

Boosting Efficiency and Cutting Costs

Going Green and Being Environmentally Responsible

Meeting Health and Safety Regulations

Tailored Solutions and Flexibility

Extending Textile Life

Conclusion

Maintaining a professional business and ensuring smooth operations are crucial to success in today's competitive business world. Cleanliness and hygiene are non-negotiables for many industries, with the healthcare sector being particularly stringent. This is where healthcare laundry solutions come into play. Let's explore why these services are so crucial for healthcare facilities.

Keeping a Professional Image and High Hygiene Standards

First impressions count, and the cleanliness of your staff's uniforms, linens, and other textiles can significantly impact how your healthcare facility is viewed. Healthcare laundry solutions ensure all fabrics are clean, well-maintained, and presentable. This is especially crucial in the healthcare sector, where high hygiene standards are essential. By outsourcing laundry to professionals, healthcare facilities can ensure their textiles meet strict cleanliness standards, enhancing their reputation and building patient trust.

Boosting Efficiency and Cutting Costs

Handling laundry in-house can be expensive and time-consuming. It requires investment in equipment, maintenance, utilities, and labour. Healthcare laundry solutions offer a cost-effective approach with high-quality cleaning using advanced technology. This reduces operational costs and allows healthcare staff to focus on more strategic activities. Employees can concentrate on their primary tasks instead of laundry, boosting productivity and efficiency.

Going Green and Being Environmentally Responsible

Modern healthcare laundry solutions are increasingly focused on sustainability. They use state-of-the-art equipment that minimizes water and energy use and employ eco-friendly detergents and cleaning methods. By partnering with a green laundry service, healthcare facilities can reduce their environmental footprint and meet their corporate social responsibility goals. This commitment to sustainability can also attract environmentally conscious patients and stakeholders, enhancing the facility's brand image.

Meeting Health and Safety Regulations

Following health and safety regulations is critical in the healthcare sector. Healthcare laundry solutions providers understand these regulations and ensure all textiles are cleaned and sanitized to meet industry-specific standards. This helps facilities avoid potential legal issues and provides a safe and healthy environment for both employees and patients.

Tailored Solutions and Flexibility

Every healthcare facility has unique laundry needs, whether it's the type of textiles, volume, or frequency of service. Healthcare laundry providers offer customized solutions to meet these specific requirements. This flexibility allows facilities to choose the service level that best fits their operations, ensuring they get the support they need without overpaying for unnecessary services.

Extending Textile Life

Professional laundering not only cleans but also helps preserve the quality and lifespan of textiles. Healthcare laundry solutions use specialized equipment and techniques that are gentle on fabrics, preventing damage and wear. This means healthcare facilities can use their uniforms, linens, and other textiles for longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements and saving money in the long run.

Conclusion

Healthcare laundry solutions are a wise investment for facilities looking to maintain high cleanliness, efficiency, and sustainability standards. By outsourcing laundry needs to professionals, healthcare facilities can improve their professional image, ensure compliance with health regulations, optimize operations, and contribute to environmental sustainability. These advantages can make a significant difference in a competitive market, helping facilities meet and exceed patient expectations.

Whether you're managing a hospital, clinic, or any other healthcare facility with substantial laundry needs, considering healthcare laundry solutions can be a game-changer. It's not just about clean linens; it's about presenting a spotless image, optimizing operations, and building a sustainable future.

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Leveraging SWOT Analysis for Success in the Laundry Industry

SWOT Analysis for Industrial Laundries

In today's dynamic and competitive business environment, staying ahead requires a clear understanding of your market position and strategic planning.

For entrepreneurs in the laundry industry, a SWOT analysis —an assessment of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats — can provide invaluable insights.

For industrial laundries, a SWOT analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the internal and external factors that can impact their operations and market position.

Let us take a closer look at how a SWOT analysis can be applied to the industrial laundry industry:

Strengths

Industrial laundry services are vital for numerous sectors, including healthcare and hospitality. This broad client base ensures consistent demand.
Industrial laundries typically operate on a large scale, allowing them to achieve economies of scale. Bulk processing reduces costs per unit, enhancing profitability.
The industry employs advanced machinery and technology tailored for large-volume laundering. Expertise in handling various types of fabrics and stains is a significant strength.
Many industrial laundry businesses secure long-term contracts with clients, ensuring steady revenue streams and long-term business relationships.

Weaknesses

Starting or expanding an industrial laundry business requires substantial capital investment in machinery, infrastructure, and technology. That can be a barrier for new entrants.
Reliance on a few major clients can be risky. Losing a significant contract can severely impact the business.
Managing large-scale operations with stringent quality and hygiene standards is complex. Any reduction in service quality can lead to client dissatisfaction and potential loss of business.
Industrial laundries consume large amounts of water, energy, and chemicals. The environmental footprint is a concern that needs addressing to meet regulatory standards and customer expectations.

Opportunities

Investing in cutting-edge technology, such as automated sorting systems, advanced washing machines, and data analytics for operational efficiency, can significantly enhance service quality and reduce costs.
There is a growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Adopting green technologies, such as water recycling systems and biodegradable detergents, can attract environmentally conscious clients and reduce operational costs.
Expanding service offerings to include linen rental, garment repair, and customization services can open new revenue streams and meet diverse client needs.
Expanding into new geographic regions or industry sectors can provide growth opportunities. Tailoring services to meet specific industry needs, such as medical-grade laundering for healthcare, can differentiate the business.

Threats

Economic downturns can affect client budgets, leading to reduced spending on outsourced laundry services. This can impact revenue and profitability.
Increases in energy, water, and labor costs can erode profit margins. Efficient resource management and cost control measures are essential to mitigate this threat.
The industry is subject to strict regulations regarding hygiene standards, environmental impact, and labor practices. Keeping up with regulatory changes and ensuring compliance is critical.
The industrial laundry market is competitive, with numerous players vying for market share. Differentiating services and maintaining high-quality standards are crucial to staying ahead.

Implementing the SWOT Analysis

To effectively implement a SWOT analysis:

Gather Comprehensive Data: Collect data on your operations, market trends, customer feedback, and competitor activities.
Involve Key Stakeholders: Engage employees, clients, and partners in the analysis process to obtain diverse insights and foster a collaborative approach.
Analyze and Prioritize: Identify which strengths to leverage, which weaknesses require immediate attention, which opportunities offer the most potential, and which threats pose the greatest risks.
Develop Strategic Plans: Create actionable plans based on the analysis, with clear objectives, timelines, and responsibilities.
Monitor Progress and Adapt: Regularly review progress and adjust strategies as needed to respond to changing market conditions and internal dynamics.

Conclusion

A well-conducted SWOT analysis is a powerful tool for industrial laundry businesses aiming to thrive in a challenging and dynamic environment.

By systematically evaluating internal capabilities and external factors, businesses can make informed decisions, optimize their operations, and strategically position themselves for long-term success.

Whether you are a well-established player or a new entrant, leveraging the insights from a SWOT analysis can help you navigate the complexities of the industry, seize growth opportunities, and mitigate potential risks effectively.

This strategic approach not only enhances operational efficiency and profitability but also ensures resilience and adaptability in an ever-evolving market.

Uncategorized

Important Tips to Consider for Entrepreneurs in Crisis

A strong management team is needed, especially in turbulent times. Managers who know how to navigate the storm with confidence while making calm and clear decisions.

I have been through some pretty big storms in my own life (insolvency of a family business with over 1,000 employees and personal liabilities in the millions).

The following advice has helped me a lot and I am constantly trying to adhere to these standards.

Aligned with the mantra "If you're in a hurry, go slowly" (Lothar M. Seiwert), it's crucial to maintain composure and focus during crisis situations.

Watch this video to discover the 3 things you should never compromise in times of crisis.

The video to the blog:

Reduce distractions

First of all, it's important what you don't do and what you don't feed your brain with. This creates a lot of space!

Even in normal times, the laundry can offer an incredible number of distractions and you are also overwhelmed from outside.

Therefore:

Delete all distracting apps on your smartphone, especially social media and email. (FB, LinkedIn, YouTube, ...)
Deactivate all notifications on the PC and smartphone.
No more than 3 tabs in the browser or programs open at the same time.
Only listen to the news once a day.
Define 2-3 reliable news sources.
Check emails only every 2-3 hours, even during the crisis.
Divert the phone or set it to silent mode.

While some aspects may seem exaggerated, the situation and associated responsibilities are far from ordinary.

You might even offend your friends if you only read the WhatsApp message on your cell phone four days later. But you can't please everyone. In our case, my wife and my assistant have taken it upon themselves to make sure that nothing gets out of hand in the family or in the company.

Take care of yourself!

With every entrepreneur crisis, my sister always reminds me that the things most important during such a time is health, the relationships that I have built and having no legal or criminal problems to deal with.

With this perspective in mind:

Absolutely no alcohol! No psychotropic drugs!
Sufficient sleep - we are most productive with 7-8 hours of sleep.
Healthy eating
Sport
One day a week "off" - best to maintain relationships with family members
Consciously cultivate the most important relationships.
"Tell the truth - or at least don't lie" (Jordan Peterson) - if one does not have to deal with any legal affairs, it improves the quality and quantity of sleep immensely.
Block out any negative energy and people. Always strive for positivity!
In general, do not do anything with evil intent!

It would be best to discuss these measures with your partner and/or assistant and then act on them. The boss’ health is of the utmost importance for everyone involved.

Clear Priorities That Should Be Written Down and Enforced

Max. 7 tasks, better 3-5 on which you can really concentrate and also complete in the short term.

The subject areas of the Workers/ Authorities/ Customers/ Suppliers/ Liquidity should always be colorfully assessed in writing (Green / Yellow / Red) and measures should be compartmentalized. When something is “green,” no action should be taken. By “red” however, the action is high priority and “yellow „stands for measures that are often delegated. This task takes only five minutes and creates overview.
Goals for the following week should be written down on Sunday.
Set daily goals (max. 3) in writing the evening before, estimate how long you need and plan your appointments accordingly.
The key forces should keep in touch and delegate things verbally as well as through writing.
Work through your own tasks in a consistent and structured manner.

... and then demand the same from employees.

These are trivial things, but they are essential for a high level of effectiveness! Written form and good communication with the team are particularly important here. For example, a daily ten-minute meeting pointing out issues and how to eradicate and/or improve them.

MUCH SUCCESS!

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Gung Ho

GUNG HO - Book Review

"Gung Ho" is a captivating business book written by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles.

Blanchard, in his book, speaks about three essential points in management.

Setting goals, involving people, and providing meaningful work.

That has resonated well with me and my company. One of my executives even gave me a squirrel figure as a gift.

Subsequently, there have been initiatives to explain the purpose behind the employee's work and make them understand what their work means to customers.

The term "Gung Ho" is derived from a Chinese phrase meaning "work together." The book introduces the Gung Ho method through three core principles: the spirit of the squirrel, the way of the beaver, and the gift of the goose. Each principle represents a key aspect of building a successful and motivated workforce.

The Spirit of the Squirrel:

This principle emphasizes the importance of knowing and sharing the company's goal or mission. In nature, squirrels work tirelessly to gather nuts for the winter, driven by their instinct to survive.

Similarly, employees need to understand the purpose and direction of their work to stay motivated. Leaders play a crucial role in communicating the company's vision and goals clearly and consistently, inspiring employees to work towards a common objective.

The Way of the Beaver:

The beaver is known for its industriousness and teamwork in building dams. This principle focuses on creating a supportive and collaborative work environment where employees can contribute their skills and talents effectively.

Just as beavers work together to achieve a common goal, teams in the workplace need to collaborate, communicate, and support each other to accomplish tasks efficiently. Leaders must foster a culture of trust, respect, and cooperation among team members to unleash their collective potential.

The Gift of the Goose:

Geese flying in a V formation demonstrate the power of encouragement and shared leadership. The lead goose takes the brunt of the wind resistance, making it easier for the rest of the flock to follow. When the lead goose gets tired, another goose takes its place, ensuring continuous progress towards the destination.

This principle highlights the importance of recognition, appreciation, and mutual support in the workplace. Leaders should acknowledge and celebrate employees' contributions, provide constructive feedback, and empower them to take on leadership roles when needed.

In a nutshell, the book is a visual explanation that easily helps to communicate essential management topics.

I recorded a video review of this book:

What needs to be considered?

The concept is not self-sufficient. Just because you give out the book doesn't mean you have implemented the insights.

Therefore, I see the book more as a process - a tool to bring these management topics closer to the employees in the company. As a leader, it is important to continuously accompany the change process.

The content of the book does not cover everything.
Introducing the topics of goals, purpose, and feedback is important and meaningful. But other areas are missing - for example, it lacks the topics of strategy, marketing, or lean management.

Nevertheless, I highly recommend the book and implementing its underlying concepts in the workplace.

Enjoy reading!

Uncategorized

Optimizing Uniform Distribution in Nursing Homes – A Strategic Logistics Analysis

Optimizing Uniform Distribution in Nursing Homes , workwear for healthcare staff, nursing home workwear, industrial workwear laundry services, healthcare industry workwear, laundry automation systems

There are many different systems for providing nursing staff with workwear, and new options are currently being established. This article aims to describe all variants and explain the pros and cons. It also discusses trends in workwear, and cost-effectiveness.

The author has followed and helped shape developments in the field of textile supply for nursing homes over the last 35 years and has been responsible for supplying over 250 retirement homes with textile rental services.

This article is therefore a comprehensive summary - aiming to be as neutral as possible.

For those who want to read crosswise, we recommend reading the table of contents as well as the summary at the end.

Uniform systems in nursing homes

The nursing staff washes their workwear themselves
The nursing home washes the workwear for its employees in its own laundry
The nursing home buys the workwear and outsources the washing to a contract laundry.
A rental launderer delivers personal workwear with or without a wardrobe service
Pool clothing with open shelves
Pool clothing with automatic dispenser and RFID UHF technology.

Table of Contents:

Trends in workwear for nursing homes

New technologies / systems

Type 1 "OUTLET MODEL":The nursing staff washes the workwear themselves

Type 2 "DO IT YOURSELF": The care home washes the workwear for the employees

Type 3 "BUY IT YOURSELF & HAVE IT WASHED":The care home buys the workwear and has it washed by a contract launderer.

Type 4 " ESTABLISHED":A rental launderer delivers personalized workwear with or without wardrobe service

Type 5 "KEEP IT SIMPLE":Pool clothing with open shelf

Type 6 "NEW":Pool clothing with automatic dispenser

What is the next step?

Summary

Trends in workwear for nursing homes

Several new trends have emerged in the last 5-10 years

Differentiation between nursing homes and hospitals

A nursing home is not a hospital! This is a trivial statement, but it also has an impact on the workwear. A nursing home aims to enable a dignified old age; the aim of a hospital i diagnose and treat an illness as quickly as possible.
Workwear in a nursing home is a way of portraying the atmosphere and spirit of the of the nursing home. Often the uniforms are more causal then in a hosptial setting.

Increasing demands on hygiene in nursing homes

Hygiene regulations in care homes have become much stricter since COVID-19. Moreover, after the pandemic is before the next pandemic. It is therefore important to learn from that situation.

Irrespective of this, hygiene is challenged by increased antibiotic resistance and stricter legal and regulatory requirements.

Specific guidelines:

Washing with a disinfectant process that is both bactericidal and virucidal
Providing protective aprons, protective equipment for infectious residents or in a pandemic.

Recommendations of the author:

Sufficient reusable protective equipment, as this ensures better supply in case of an outbreak. It is to be expected that the next pandemic will also lead to supply bottlenecks and inflated prices due to global supply chains.
Reusable protective coats and reusable mouth and nose protection are very good alternatives.
Daily exchange of work clothes, as it is also common in hospitals. This prevents employees from going home with their work clothes, contaminating their private clothes with their work clothes in the locker or having to wash their clothes at home out of necessity.

Workwear in nursing homes as Employee Motivation

The labor market for nursing staff is already tight and this situation will become even tighter in the coming years.

Workwear in nursing homes can motivate and prevent demotivation:

A good fit, modern design and practical details are important, as workwear is one of the most important work tools.
Daily availability and the option to replace in the event of soiling.
Dressing new employees immediately with the right items in the right size is important for the "first day at work".
A logo and a high-quality collection show appreciation for the team and offer the opportunity to differentiate yourself as an employer.
Good, professional preparation ensures quality, relieves employees and reduces anger within the team.

Experience has shown that workwear is the most important key factor for overall satisfaction with the laundry service. This will become increasingly important in the future.

New technologies / systems

In recent years, a number of new technologies established and some developments are emerging. Industry 4.0 or Textile Service 4.0 will also take place in care homes.

RFID UHF Transponder

With RFID UHF technology, hundreds of garments can be scanned simultaneously without any effort. This enables a new level of transparency, fast inventories and new applications such as automatic laundry machines.

Uniform Dispensing machines

Uniform Vending machines have been in use in hospitals for over 20 years and are already used for 2/3 of new rental contracts in Germany.
In recent years, clothing vending machines have also begun to establish themselves in retirement homes.

The function is as follows:

The employee logs in to the machine with their ID card or personnel number,
The correct compartment in the box opens,
Thanks to RFID UHF technology, the machine knows which part has been removed and assigns it to the employee.
The used parts are disposed of in the disposal box and the employee can then remove new parts.

Networking with the laundry

With the Internet of Things (IoT), laundry automation systems, mobile recording devices and antennas in the laundry can be integrated into an overall system.

By accessing the programs in the cloud (server on the internet), the programs can be used in the care home and at the customer's premises. Statistics can be called up online and everyone has access to their data.

Networking the supply chain

UHF RFID technology can track a garment during during production, stock management and the complete laundry cycle.

This will open up completely new possibilities with regard to supply chains. Similar to printer cartridges, which can already be ordered directly through the printer on the internet, textiles can then be reordered as required and without any effort.

Artificial intelligence

For the future - there is an application for artificial intelligence in the textile supply sector.

Which article is needed at what time and how much of it? When do supply peaks occur? How many items need to be replenished and when? Where are costs getting out of hand? Is there a hygienic risk?

Artificial intelligence can help with all of these questions in order to increase security of supply, optimize stocks and avoid risks at the same time.

Type 1 "OUTLET MODEL":
The nursing staff washes the workwear themselves

The nursing home buys the uniforms for the employees or supports the purchase of the clothing financially. The employees wash the clothing themselves at home.
Disinfectant washing is not guaranteed in the household washing machine and pathogens can be transferred from the home to the nursing home.

Pros

Favorable for the nursing home

Cons

Hygienic reprocessing not guaranteed
Spread of infections between nursing home and home.
Not attractive for employees

Conclusion

This type of care is no longer up to date and entails considerable risks.

Type 2 "DO IT YOURSELF":
The care home washes the workwear for the employees

The nursing home buys the clothes for the staff and washes them in its own laundry room.
This only makes sense if at least the residents' laundry is also washed in-house.
In this case, certified and disinfecting washing processes must be used.

Pros

Simple, streamlined process
High customer satisfaction, with conscientious staff

Cons

Higher Costs for employees
Higher Energy Costs
The challenge of vacation and sick leave cover
Certified washing processes require testing and investment costs
Almost all costs are fixed, no cost transparency
Required space in the nursing home

Conclusion

Currently, there is no trend towards insourcing (more laundries in care homes are being closed than newly built).
As there is no reliable textile service in some areas, this is always an alternative to ensure supply.
However, for homes that do their own laundry, this is worth considering - especially in conjunction with an automatic uniform vending machine.

Type 3 "BUY IT YOURSELF & HAVE IT WASHED":
The care home buys the workwear and has it washed by a contract launderer.

There are still some homes that buy the textiles from the catalog and then have them washed by a contract launderer.

Pros

Many small laundries offer contract laundry services.
Maximum flexibility in the choice of clothing

Cons

Many industrial laundries only provide rental serivices - There might not be a joice.
The nursing home needs to procure the uniforms and lable ever item, is not coordinated with the laundry.
Usually no transparency regarding the whereabouts of the uniforms.
Higher purchase prices than in textile service
Nursing homes buy garments that are not optimized for the processes in the laundry. (Quality problems, higher costs, higher wear and tear)
Administrative work in the care home

Conclusion

In most cases, this is a compromise and not a real system. This is also the reason why this solution has no real future.

However, if it is implemented with a good software, the selection of a good collection, very good integration of the supplier and the laundry, as well as an automatic uniform vending machine, this can also be a well-rounded solution. As the project planning is complex in this case, it will only pay off for nursing home chains in the medium term.

Type 4 " ESTABLISHED":
A rental launderer delivers personalized workwear with or without wardrobe service

Probably over 2/3 of nursing homes use personalized rental workwear.
This has been an established system for over 40 years.

The laundry keeps a stock of new and used items, memorizes the garments for each employee in the care home and the wash cycle is controlled by barcode or HF RFID transponder.

The equipment for a daily exchange is between 8 and 11 items - depending on the laundry's logistics. When the employee leaves, the returned items are placed in the used stock and the remainder is charged for the items not returned.

Sorting in the laundry is very time-consuming, but is often supported by large sorting systems.

In the locker service, the service driver loads the lockers. Each employee has a key to their compartment.

Pros

Works very well with sufficient par-level and a good laundry service.
Every employee has "their" clothing from "their" department
Full service from the textile service. Hardly any administrative work by the care home

Cons

New employees often have to wait for their clothing.
Residual value of uniforms of employees who have left often has to be covered by the nursing home, as the employees have already received their last pay-check.
Mistakes when loading the compartments or sorting in the laundry lead to bottlenecks and additional work.
Very high stocks of clothing in the laundry warehouse.
Nursing home can only choose from a limited catalog of clothing.

Conclusion

It is a very good and proven system. It is still a very good solution, especially for homes with few employees.
However, due to the usual billing per item per week, savings often are made in the wrong place and the stock does not guarantee a daily exchange.

Overall, there are a lot of items in circulation or in stock at the textile service and manufacturer, so the system is becoming increasingly complex with the high staff turnover due to interns, part-time staff, etc.

Type 5 "KEEP IT SIMPLE":
Pool clothing with open shelf

A very simple type of workwear supply:

1. A 5-7 fold supply of size-related clothing (no label with the name of the employee)
2. Storage centrally on a shelf or in a cupboard
3. Each employee takes the clothing they currently need.

This logistic has only been implemented in isolated cases to date.

Pros

Very simple implementation
Low investment costs
New employees have immediate access to the clothing

Cons

Only works with sufficient staff discipline. (no hoarding in private lockers)
Higher par level is required than for vending machines.
Shelves must be maintained daily, otherwise the laundry piles will become untidy.
Clothing shrinkage is not controlled.
Size-related pool for interns etc. still necessary.

Conclusion:

This is certainly an alternative, but should only be implemented with RFID UHF technology. This enables a quick inventory of the shelf and, if necessary, a check of the stock in the lockers or living areas.

However, one must be aware that this is an error-prone system that requires regular maintenance by a responsible person.

It is questionable whether this system will be widely implemented.

Type 6 "NEW":
Pool clothing with automatic dispenser

Employees log in to the machine with their staff card, the correct compartment opens automatically and the machine registers which item has been taken.

Each employee has a "credit", i.e. you can only take 4 parts, for example. The system is then blocked until the used parts are discarded in the disposal cabinet.

This is therefore a closed system that prevents errors by employees and also errors by the service driver.

Special sizes of clothing or professions with very few employees should be issued with named uniforms.

Pros

Very high availability of clothing for every employee.
Clothing for new employees from the first day
Management of visitor coats
Around 50% less stock in circulation
Greater flexibility in the clothing collection
Complete transparency
No waste with employees who have left the company
Lower costs in the laundry (hardly any sorting work, no storage process)

Cons

Acquisition costs of the laundry vending machine
Limitation on the number of size items

Conclusion

The system works regardless of who buys or washes the laundry and does not necessarily have to be implemented in the laundry - although this is beneficial for overall transparency.

The costs for the vending machine are largely financed by the lower investment in textiles, significantly better use of the clothing (no used stock) and savings in the laundry.

In future, clothing manufacturers will be able to offer "never-out-of-stock", similar to what is already being practiced with printers.

The automatic laundry machine will also further establish in care homes in the medium term. Many homes are already being equipped with this technology.

What is the next step?

We support decision-makers in care homes and textile services in choosing the right logistics.

Book an appointment now

Summary

Increasing hygiene requirements

Hygiene requirements will continue to increase or remain very strict in the coming years, as nursing homes are home to a large proportion of the vulnerable population.

This means that daily change of workwear, certified and disinfecting washing procedures and sufficient protective clothing are necessary.

Customized collections are on the rise

Customized collections are gaining popularity due to their ability to cater to individual preferences and needs, offering a personalized touch. This trend reflects a growing demand for unique and tailored products in today's market.

Laundry vending machines and RFID offer new opportunities

Regardless of who buys the clothing, vending machines offer a new technology that is already proving its worth in hospitals. These vending machines have many advantages (greater availability, less equipment, complete transparency, individualized clothing collection) and are also beginning to establish themselves in nursing homes.

Personalized workwear is still a good solution

Personal workwear remains a very good system in the long term - with all its strengths and weaknesses. The important thing here is not to save money in the wrong place when it comes to equipment and for the laundry to ensure good throughput times and stock availability.

There is no trend towards laundries in nursing homes

Washing clothes in the care home itself only makes sense in exceptional cases and will increasingly become the exception in the future.

There is therefore no trend towards the construction of new in-house laundries - more laundries are being closed than new ones built.

Washing at home is out!

Employees who (have to) wash their own clothes at home are an exception. Due to hygiene risks and the tight labor market situation, this will become less and less common.

Energy

Energy Costs – Strategically Manage Energy in the Laundry!

The laundry industry is very much affected by fluctuating energy prices due to high consumption and long-term contracts with customers.

Over the last years, gas prices fluctuated wildly. Energy taxes are constantly being increased in the course of climate protection.
How should a textile service entrepreneur react?

Key points in energy management in the laundry:

Is energy a bottleneck? Are energy costs relevant to the company's success?
What energy price fluctuation can the company afford? How should the prices be hedged?
What are the benchmarks? Setting the right goals.
Focus on quick cost-saving opportunities (ABC analysis)
Attention to capital commitment: How quickly do energy investments need to pay off?
Implementation measures
Control and constant monitoring

In this article, I would like to make a contribution, especially for the textile service industry - but the content can also be applied to other industries that face similar challenges.

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Table of Contents

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What are the topics in Energy Management?

How important is the topic of Energy in the laundry?

Attention: "Overengineering"

Hedging against fluctuations in the purchase price

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Gas prices and electricity prices continue to rise

Energy management in the laundry

Quick wins for Energy Savings

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Define energy objectives

Organizational Measures - Energy Officer

Monitor Energy Consumption in Real Time or Daily

Prioritize Energy Saving Measures Correctly

ATTENTION: Correct Valuation of Investments

Summary

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What are the topics in Energy Management?

Energy Costs have several challenges:

Current and impending price fluctuations - the market got more volatile! How can and should we protect ourselves?
Energy costs are rising in the medium and long term. The right strategic orientation is important.
Identify and implement cost-saving measures.
Can/should we also produce energy ourselves?
Protection against blackout.

These are all topics that you can spend hours and days on. But you have to be careful not to be remote-controlled by political or public interests.

Therefore...

How important is the topic of Energy in the laundry?

Firstly, it is important to decide whether energy is an A, B or C topic:

A-topic: "The management of energy costs is crucial for business success and energy is an absolute bottleneck resource. More important than new revenue, productivity, employees, etc.
B-topic: "The management of energy costs is important for the profitability of the company, but other topics such as customers and associates are more important."
C-topic: "Energy costs have no significant impact on the company's success. Measures in the area of energy mainly serve to secure the supply or the sustainability policy."

In the great majority of cases, the topic of Energy is either a B or C topic.

”

First things first ... second things not at all.

Peter Drucker // Pioneer of modern management

With this in mind, it is important to ensure that energy issues do not take up more of the owners' or management's attention than necessary. It is better to delegate this if possible or to schedule it specifically.

Energy Management helps to set the right goals... and to the right extend. Not too much and not too little.

Attention: "Overengineering"

"Overengineering" is one of the 7 types of waste in lean management and it means that you do more work than the customer wants. In German-speaking countries in particular, we are very sensitive to this.

Equally, the same applies to the topic of Energy. Sustainability quickly becomes a hobbyhorse and can keep you busier than you should be.

The critical questions are: "What is my business?" and "What are my customers paying for?"

Of course, there's nothing wrong with investing more - if you can afford it. But then you have to be honest about the fact that this is a kind of personal contribution to charitable purposes.

Hedging against fluctuations in the purchase price

The fact is that fluctuations in the purchase price increased and that these fluctuations are likely to continue.

Some examples of this are:

September 2021: extreme price for natural gas across Europe
2020: extreme electricity price peak in Texas
Autumn 2021: the price of coal in particular and electricity in general in China

The reasons for this are the increased globalization and the effects of the switch to renewable sources of energy, which at this point are significantly less reliable. In addition, ensuring grid stability lags 10-20 years behind political decisions.

Without doubt, we must therefore expect price fluctuations for ALL energy sources and not be guided by past experience. Times have changed!

IMPORTANT: if the prices for energy are relevant for the budget, they must also be fixed for the next 12-36 months.

There are thousands and thousands of people selling and buying on the Energy Price Market. Everyone believes that they are making a good deal with a transaction. Everyone should therefore be very modest about their own opinion on energy prices and price trends. You can assume that the market has more information than you have.

If you fix the prices for energy for 12-36 months, then one thing is guaranteed: either you are happy to have made a good decision or you are annoyed about the difference to cheaper spot prices that your colleagues are paying. But both are irrational, because you simply can't be certain.

Thus a recommendation:

Consultation with an energy provider on this topic.
Always secure prices for the next year at a minimum of 70-80%. (100% is usually not necessary and carries the risk that you have purchased too much in the case of a sales decrease).
Secure prices for the next 2-3 years at 30-60%.
Check whether it makes sense to be able to use both natural gas and heating oil as alternatives. The market for heating oil and natural gas moves independently to some extent.

The best thing is to have an energy consultant who can quickly recognize price movements and then react quickly and fix the remaining quantities for the 2nd and 3rd year. Alternatively, you can put the topic of " Energy Prices" on a quarterly basis and decide whether it is the right time to hedge the 2nd or 3rd year even further.

Here is a link to the current prices for the futures market: Futures Market Data

Under no circumstances is it advisable to buy electricity or natural gas on the spot market. A shortage of electricity, oil or gas cannot be predicted.

The Spot Market appears to be cheaper in normal times. However, only one massive price fluctuation in 5 years cancels out this difference. In the long term, the spot price is probably a few percent cheaper, the difference being the cost of insurance and better budgeting.

IMPORTANT: Briefly describe your own strategy for dealing with energy prices on an A4 page. (10 minutes work). This gives you your own guidelines and then simply implement them. That saves a lot of headaches.

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Gas prices and electricity prices continue to rise

Energy prices are expected to rise at least until 2030, and probably beyond.

As soon as electricity or natural gas prices fall, taxes and charges on energy are increased and these increases are practically never reversed when prices rise again. This means that energy costs are likely to rise until the population or the economy is overburdened.

There is therefore a "pain threshold". How high this is and when it will be reached is pure speculation. My personal assumption is that we will reach a peak between 2025 and 2030.

It is therefore important:

Change the value assurance terms in contracts with customers so that they also include energy costs. If possible, with a threshold value of 3%, as in rental contracts, so that an increase during the year can also be implemented.
Do not agree to fixed prices with customers over a timeframe of several years.
Leverage energy-saving potential
Invite tenders for energy supply every 3-5 years

Energy management in the laundry

Energy management is a fancy word for replacing fire department activities with targeted measures that can be delegated more easily.

Essentially, energy management covers the following areas:

Analyzing the current situation and potential in your own company.
Settting long-term goals based on the industry benchmark and potential.
Breaking down the long-term goals into specific annual objectives for the most important levers.
Clarifying the responsibilities.
Communicating the goals.
Identifying concrete measures.
Implementing the measures.
Continuously monitoring consumption.
Checking the results and taking further measures if necessary.
Celebrating successes 😉

This is de facto a PDCA cycle, as in quality management, and can also be easily certified (ISO EN 50.001) - if this makes sense or is necessary.

Every company already implements one or another aspect of energy management. You don't have to be perfect, but it makes sense to constantly improve the management system. One step at a time.

Recommendation: Self-critical assessment of the current state of energy management (= audit), if necessary with an external expert, and continuous improvement. ISO 9 000 certified companies can use the QM for this purpose.

Quick wins for Energy Savings

Some ideas for simple and quick measures:

Optimize machine utilization. Highly productive systems have lower energy costs.
Check the steam system. Very often there is quick potential in the steam supply: Replace broken stevedores, repair defective insulation, avoid steam plumes, and remove unneeded lines.
Maintain the compressed air. Is there a noise when the operation stops? EVERY leakage costs electricity.
Improve water consumption. Every liter counts.
Switch off machines that are not needed completely - turn off the steam supply if necessary.
Monitor water, gas and electricity consumption on a daily basis.
Clean the dryers
Check the remaining moisture - Does the ironer or the dryer overdry?
Check the load profile of electricity consumption - it is often very easy to recognize abnormal loads at night or at the weekend.

Ideas for further quick wins?... simply write them in the comments under this article.

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Define energy objectives

The most important parameters in the laundry are:

Water usage efficiency,
Gas or oil usage efficiency,
Electricity usage efficiency

Organizational Measures - Energy Officer

As mentioned at the beginning, it rarely makes sense for the CEO or even the plant manager to be personally responsible for the topic of energy.

However, it is possible to make it an A-task for a technician, a Process Engineer or QM. It is important that facility services, process E

engineering AND the respective team leaders all pull together.

One person should be responsible for:

Control the measured values and interpret deviations.
Determine the cause of deviations.
Ensure the implementation of the action plan.
Publish the results.
Further train and obtain information on new technologies and processes.

The task of the Management Board is to set the targets, make inquiries on site, provide resources and help solve the problems in the event of deviations.

It is also very motivating if the officer is given a small budget that they can dispose of themselves. Of course, further training also makes sense - e.g. "energy officer"

This ensures that the topic of Energy gets enough attention.

Monitor Energy Consumption in Real Time or Daily

If you start to measure the Energy consumption values on a daily basis, enter them in a chart and start to work diligently with the values, you can save 5-10% with this measure on your own.

And even more if you set up real-time measurements for the most important water, gas and possibly electricity consumers. These systems are becoming increasingly cheaper to install and more economical to implement.

In this way, you can avoid a drain valve hanging and only realizing at the next gas bill that you have wasted a lot of energy in the last 4 weeks! (happens often and in many companies)

Furthermore, employees are constantly being sensitized to the issue. "What gets measured, gets done".

Of course, if you want to do it really well, then it is better to use a quality control chart. Working with statistics or "statistical process control" is not as complicated as it looks at first, and it helps enormously to distinguish between the normal spread of measured values in the process and special information.

In this sense, training the Energy Officer is very important.

Prioritize Energy Saving Measures Correctly

Sort the cost-saving measures in the following order:

1. High savings, low investment
2. Low savings, low investment
3. High savings, high investment (Boss must be asked)

The difference between low and high investment is the amount for which the building technician or process engineer does not have to ask the boss.

Then the Energy Manager keeps the list of measures, evaluates the individual measures and organizes their implementation.

The above classification is in reverse order, as external energy consultants often do. A consultant is often interested in expensive projects and not in measures that cost nothing ...

ATTENTION: Correct Valuation of Investments

In any case, all investments that pay off in 3-5 years or that are made for other reasons (replacement procurement, more capacity, more quality/customer benefits) make sense.

Investments in Energy Saving that do not pay off in 3-5 years must be well thought through before tying up money for them. If you are largely financed with equity, then you can make such investments, otherwise it might be more sustainable to reduce the company's debt in the current situation.

This may be controversial, but the task of a laundry is to offer a good service at competitive prices and not to tie up money in areas that the customer does not pay for.

Particularly critical here is the subsidization of investments by the state. A subsidy is often granted that is just large enough to enable the investment to be financed externally. This means that the state de facto assumes the equity for the loan. However, the repayments still tie up the company's cash flow and this appears as a liability in the bank's credit rating.

Summary

The prices for natural gas and electricity will fluctuate more in the coming years. Simply buying from the spot market must be reconsidered and replaced with a structured approach if necessary.
In most cases, energy is a B issue. Market success, associates and textile purchasing are more important in most cases. Therefore, delegate the topic of energy to someone in the company who will make it her/his A topic.
Beware of overinvestment in energy! Question: "What is the customer paying for?"
Critically analyze anything with a payback period of more than 3-5 years.
An analysis of the current situation and the introduction of energy management makes sense and pays off.
Daily or, even better, real-time monitoring is a good measure in itself, as it gives the issue importance.
Arrange a free consultation. An outside perspective in this area is always valuable.

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RFID Technology

UHF RFID for Laundries – A Comprehensive Guide (August 2022)

UPDATE August 2022

This article is intended to provide comprehensive information about UHF RFID systems for laundry. This is from the point of view of a practitioner who has gained a lot of experience over the last 20 years, with additional research over the last 4 years.

Tips for reading the article:

For an overview of the topic, it is sufficient to skim the table of contents and read the summary at the end. The detailed information is grayed out for those who want to know in more detail. The videos give essentially the same information. For easier playback, you can use the playlist: link to the playlist on YouTube.

UHF RFID transponder for laundry/textile service:

60 x 10-15 mm
washable, even suitable for ironing and steam sterilization, and - depending on the manufacturer - over 150 cycles lifetime
Reading range > 5 m
up to 99% read rate in bulk
writable (SGTIN recommendation) and password protection
Price < 0,35 Euro

PLEASE COMMENT: I have tried to work up as simply as possible and thoroughly everything around the UHF RFID transponder for textiles. But nobody is perfect ... I am therefore grateful for any suggestions to improve this article. Furthermore, I invite you to discuss this in the comments.

PLEASE GIVE FEEDBACK regarding the translation. I did my best, but some terms might sound odd to a native speaker or some terms are used differently in several parts of the world. So don't hesitate to write a comment or contact me.

CLARIFICATION: I am a sales partner of HID Global in the German-speaking area. HIC Global offers a complete textile management platform, including a software suite and RFID UHF components. However, this article is formulated in a vendor-independent way, and I have tried to put myself in the shoes of the decision-makers in the textile service industry - which I am pretty good at 😉

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CONTENT

HF and UHF RFID transponder types compared.

Current Development

Layout of a UHF RFID transponder

Functionality of UHF RFID transponder

Factors affecting the range of RFID UHF tags

Quality requirements for the purchase of UHF RFID chips

Testing of UHF RFID transponders

Industry standards

Attaching UHF RFID transponders to textiles

UHF RFID and Data Privacy

UHF RFID Systems in the Laundry

UHF RFID Systeme im Hotel und im Krankenhaus

Cost of UHF RFID

Textile Service 4.0, IoT

Summary

Additional information

HF and UHF RFID transponder types compared.

In the 1990s, LF (low frequency) RFID transponders were first used, mainly for automatic garment dispensers. These have been replaced by HF (high frequency) RFID transponders from the year 2000. In 2008, the introduction of UHF RFID began and the Wozabal Group was a pioneer in the industry.

HF	UHF
RFID HF Transponder "Blue Tag" von HID Global	RFID UHF Transponder C10 von HID Global
7-16 mm diameter	30-70 mm length, 10-15 mm wide
ID fix	ID codierbar, Kennwortschutz
15-40 cm (5" to 1 ft) reading range	4-7 m (12-20 ft) reading range
Mulitread	Multiread with 10x speed compared to HF
Frequency: 13,56 MHz Standard: ISO 18000-3	Requency: 865–868 MHz (Europe), 902–928 MHz (North America) Standard: ISO 18000-6C
Advantages: fewer false readings ("leakage") due to shorter range, very resistant, readability in wet condition	Advantages: Reading in bulk, longer range, cheaper antennas, encoding possible
Price < 0,30 USD	Price < 0,32 USD
Hanging Uniform Dispensers, Uniform Rental, Swobs	Flat linen, Uniforms in SMART-Rooms, Uniform Rental

Current Development

HF RFID will continue to have a medium-term role in uniform rental, especially in hanging automatic garment dispensers and in existing applications where a switch to UHF is not worth it.
UHF RFID also has significant advantages for workwear. Proper installation allows individual garments to be read equally well as with HF. Internationally, many companies are therefore switching from barcode directly to UHF RFID.
As of 2022, UHF RFID is used by about 60% of laundries in German-speaking countries (Austria > 90%) and will become more and more common in the flat linen sector.
As of 2022: A working group on digitization is meeting at the DTV (similar to the TRSA in Germany). Important recommendations regarding the labeling of textiles and the improvement of the procurement process are being worked out. However, the discussion is not yet finished, as some software manufacturers are very challenged with the implementation of the GTIN.
On YouTube there is a playlist on the topic: link to playlist
Interesting technological developments regarding transponders, hardware and software. More on my YouTube channel: link to YouTube channel

Layout of a UHF RFID transponder

The UHF RFID transponder consists of

One chip (which is effectively produced by only one manufacturer),
a housing with the primary antenna and
of a secondary antenna.

The chip with a primary antenna is readable but has only a short range of a few inches. Finally, the secundary antenna achieves a range of up to 7 meters (20 feet).

RFID UHF Tag für Textilien und Chip

The functionality of the transponders is standardized and every UHF RFID transponder is therefore compatible.

The differences between the manufacturers are found in

the characteristics of the primary antenna,
the ruggedness of the transponder's housing,
the quality and functionality of the secondary antenna,
the size and the design,
the policy regarding the password protection and the encoding of the tag,
the reproducible quality in production and
the delivery capability

In most cases, the chip itself is sourced from the same manufacturer.

Functionality of UHF RFID transponder

The UHF RFID transponder used in the laundry is a passive chip. Unlike active chips or semi-active chips, the transponder requires energy from the antenna or reader to be activated. The tag sends back a modified signal.

Funktionsweise von UHF RFID Transpondern

UHF RFID transponders can execute commands: (HF tags do not have this function)

Encoding of the transponder
"Kill" or permanent destruction of the transponder
Setting a password for writing or reading the transponder

The simple reading of the ID of the transponder takes place within milliseconds virtually in real time, so that an entire container with over 200 pieces can be read within 10-15 seconds.

Encoding is much slower and can take 30-120 seconds per container. (which is still relatively fast compared to initializing each item manually).

The functionality of UHF RFID systems was standardized by GS1 in 2004 and published as EPC UHF Gen 2 in the ISO/IEC 18000-6C standard.

Factors affecting the range of RFID UHF tags

In order to successfully implement UHF RFID technology, a sound understanding of the limitations is important. Used correctly, this technology can be implemented very well and very stable. However, where there is a lot of light, there is also a lot of shadow.

The major challenges are:

not a 100% read rate for a single reading.
limited reading rate in hot or wet conditions.
Water absorbs the UHF frequency and wet transponders are not readable in contrary to HF.
Misreading, i.e. unintentional reading of transponders ("leakage")

In the following, I would like to go into detail about the causes.

The reading distance of the transponder is dependent on direction

Leseradius UHF RFID Transponder unterschiedlich je nach Ausrichtung

Leseradius unterschiedlich je nach Ausrichtung der RFID Antenne zum UHF Tag

The reading range is greatest when the largest possible surface area of the transponder is facing the antenna.

If it is read at an angle or from the side, the range is significantly reduced. (s. diagram)

Therefore:

either move the textiles,
install several antennas or
incorporate deliberate reflections.
make sure that the chip is not attached to a fold of the textile.

"Blind spots"

UHF RFID Tag im "Blinden Fleck" der RFID Antenne

The wavelength for UHF RFID is around 30-35 cm (1 ft).

Every 30 cm (1 ft), therefore, there is a risk that the transponder will not be activated because it is located at the zero point of the wave.

The reader can prevent this blind spot by changing the frequency. However, this requires a longer reading time.

Therefore:

either move the textiles,
install several antennas,
incorporate deliberate reflection or
wait for the frequency modulation of the reader.

Transponders interfere with each other

eingeschränkte Leserate bei Wäschestapel mit vielen Tags direkt übereinander

Each transponder has an antenna and is activated simultaneously by the reader. This means that the transponders can interfere with each other.

Therefore:

Especially with small items, do not always place the transponders in exactly the same position.

Misreadings due to deflection of the signal

UHF Fehllesung durch Ablenkung des UHF Signals durch Metalle, Menschen, Wände etc.

Metal, a wall, a ceiling or even a person can deflect the signal and tags that are nearby are suddenly read unintentionally.

This problem occurs especially when the Reader is constantly running at maximum power.

Therefore:

Workplace design by an expert
Using a smart reader that a) requires less power and b) is not on all the time.

Limited reading performance with hot textiles

eingeschränkte Rechweite des UHF RFID Chips bei heißer Wäsche

eingeschränkte Reichweite bei heißer Wäsche, z.T. wird der UHF RFID Chip temporär deaktiviert.

Most UHF RFID transponders "survive" ironing at around 200°C (400 F), heat-sealing at 220°C (430 F) and sterilization at 134°C (280 F).

However, the heat can completely or partially deactivate the transponders for a short time.

HID has already proven that scanning is nevertheless possible by installing a reading point after the ironer and before the folding machine.

Therefore:

Thoroughly test the transponders with regard to the effect of the temperature.
If necessary, installation by an expert

Limited read performance in wet conditions

UHF RFID hat eine eingeschränkte Reichweite bei nasser Wäsche

Unlike LF and HF, UHF RFID cannot be read through water. However, textiles after the press or centrifuge with residual moisture and normally soiled laundry can be read very well.

There are differences between different transponders regarding the readability in wet conditions.

Therefore:

Do not install reading points when textiles are completely wet.
Test the transponders used for this application.
Switch to HF technology if necessary

Limited reading performance with metal

UHF RFID hat eine eingeschränkte Leserate bei Metall

Metal shields or interferes with the antenna of the transponder. (even if it is behind the tag)

Therefore:

Sufficiently test containers in use in connection with the UHF installation. (usually metal mesh containers are not a problem).
Installation and workplace design by an expert.

... the good news

Through good design of the workstations or reading points and the use of modern hardware, read rates of well over 99% can be achieved.

Over the entire process in the laundry, 99.95% of all transponders have already been read and documented by external expert reports.

Quality requirements for the purchase of UHF RFID chips

It is important to buy the right quality of transponders from the beginning, otherwise you will have a more serious problem in the implementation. The replacement of transponders costs many times more and must be amortized within a shorter remaining life of the textile.

When making a purchase decision, consider:

the actual lifetime of the UHF transponders
the actual process fitness in YOUR plant
for the healthcare: MRI Compatibility
a uniform quality of all transponders (no deviations)
the policy regarding encoding and password protection
Delivery terms of the manufacturer
Availability
Price

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Actual durability of the UHF RFID transponders

There are significant differences between individual manufacturers in the actual service life - due to the design of the housing and the quality of the secondary antenna.

It is important to test both the function of the chip and that of the antenna at the end of the life cycle. For the purpose of this test, the entire washing process needs to be run through.

The result may thus be:

The transponder is fully functional, has approximately the same reading rate as at the beginning and is therefore fully functional for longer than the service live of the textile. (=realistic target)
The transponder has only a limited reading range. In this case, the secondary antenna is probably damaged.
The transponder no longer works (total failure). This is probably due to damage to the chip.

Since the reprocessing processes are different and no standardized external test procedure has been developed to date (analogous to the quality label), it is advisable to carry out the tests yourself in your own plant.

Subsequently, it makes sense to define standards for the requirements of UHF RFID transponders in the industry and to prescribe these test criteria to the manufacturers.

Actual process fitness in the laundry

Transponders differ in

the reading range
the ability to read single items without leakage (reading wrong pieces)
the readability in wet condition
the readability of a stack of textiles

It is therefore important to qualify the transponders for your own process so that the requirements of all workstations and applications are met.

For process suitability, it must be tested for each read point whether

the reading rate meets the requirements and whether it
there are increased misreadings. ("leakage")

ATTENTION: some installations are extremely optimized for a transponder from a particular manufacturer. In this case, the laundry becomes dependent on one supplier. A good UHF RFID installation is characterized by being robust to any variations in individual transponder performance criteria.

MRI Compatibility (Healthcare)

The secondary antenna of the transponder can cause considerable interference with MRI scans. This primarily affects patient gowns, pajamas, and sheets that are used during the examination. Since patients are usually not supposed to be changed, and in some cases textiles from the wards are also used in the MRI, ALL tags need to be MRI complient.

There are transponders that are MRI compatible and do not cause any significant interference. These are preferable in the case of hospital supply.

Consistent quality

The production and assembly of the transponders are either done manually or fully automated. Accordingly, there may also be deviations in the manufacturing process.

Therefore, consistent quality and sound quality management by the manufacturer are crucial.

Ways to evaluate this are:

Certification of the manufacturer
Obtain references
Audit on site

Logistics service of the manufacturer

The administration of the transponders with the various suppliers can be very time-consuming. As a result, some manufacturers send the transponders directly to the textile manufacturers and thus help simplify the entire supply chain.

In this case, however, each textile service company sends the transponders to the textile manufacturers or via the manufacturer.

When the quality of the transponders is standardized, we hope that the textile producers will purchase the transponders and sell the textile with the transponder included. This would represent a significant simplification for all parties involved.

Availability

The market is currently very much on the move. Many large companies in the textile service sector and also hotel chains are making decisions in favor of UHF RFID technology.

It therefore happens that manufacturers repeatedly reach the limits of their capacity.

It is therefore important to have framework agreements with corresponding obligations to ensure availability and, if necessary, to list a second supplier.

Price

Fortunately, the purchase price for transponders reduces from year to year. When negotiating framework agreements, it is therefore necessary to weigh up between a more favorable price due to a higher volume and the chance of more favorable prices in 1-2 years.

Testing of UHF RFID transponders

UHF transponders are used in large numbers in many areas such as retail, the automotive industry, etc.. However, tests for the washing of semiconductors are not yet standardized.

There are some initial concepts here and it would make sense for the industry association to moderate the development of a standard. One test institute that has already carried out tests is the EECC (European EPC Competence Center).

However, it will be necessary in any case to qualify the transponders for your own requirements.

I have created detailed checklists and recommendations for testing UHF transponders. You can download this with the following link ...

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And never miss out of current information for the industry.

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Industry standards

The DTV's Digitization Working Group is currently working on recommendations for the following topics:

Encoding of the UHF RFID transponders with an SGTIN
Definition of the minimum requirements for master data in order to standardize the cooperation between textile manufacturers and the textile service or also between textile service companies and their customers.
Standardized processes in the supply chain

First results have been presented, but due to the pandemic the final recommendation has been delayed.

Attaching UHF RFID transponders to textiles

The types of attachment are:

Sewing in by the textile manufacturer (usually in the hem).
This is often the most cost-effective option, as many manufacturers do not charge additional costs and it does not affect the appearance.
Sewing on with a pouch or a textile label, usually with logo.
This is by far the most expensive option, as the pouch costs money, the chip has to be inserted into the pouch, and sewing on - even with an automatic machine - is time-consuming with an hourly output of only 60-100 parts per MA hour. Additional costs of 25 cents and more are therefore to be expected. On the other hand, a pouch with a logo consistently represents added value.
Patching
"Heatsealable tags" or transponders for patching are a very good alternative. The hourly output is up to 200 pieces and the durability is positively tested.

Important aspects to consider:

Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Especially in the case of small items, the transponders should always be placed in slightly different locations, if possible, so that they do not interfere with each other when reading a stack.
Do not attach a tag to folds, as this also reduces readability.
When the manufacturer sews in the transponder, it must be ensured that the transponder is not bent, sewn over the chip or even the secondary antenna is cut off. (all already happened and partly difficult to recognize, because the transponder still has limited functionality).

UHF RFID and Data Privacy

This is a sensitive topic throughout and it is recommended to address this proactively. In 2003, Metro installed UHF RFID transponders on its customer cards without informing its customers, and in 2008 Deutsche Bahn received the "Big Brother Award" because it also fitted the BahnCard with a UHF RFID chip without informing its clients.

The fear is based on the fact that the transponder can be read by the employer or various snoopers without knowledge and time-lines could be derived from it. In this respect, an HF transponder has an advantage, since the shorter reading range makes concealed monitoring more difficult..

However, this is not a problem with RFID UHF laundry tags, since no reference can be made on site between the wearer of the uniform and the transponder without a database connection. This means that no personal data is involved.

Regardless, it is recommended, especially when used for workwear or residential laundry, to be forthright about this issue and inform customers about the use of RFID, update the privacy policy, and encourage customers to inform their employees as well.

UHF RFID Systems in the Laundry

Listing of already implemented applications:

Check-in on Soiled Side

Installation of multiple antennas that collectively capture over 99% of soiled textiles and generate the order based on the soil count.

IMPORTANT: UHF RFID is no substitute for good operational management and adherence to the wash schedule is even more important.

Batch documentation for PPE, surgical drapes and gowns

Reading in all pieces of a batch so that the batch records can be referenced to every piece in the batch.

Einlesen am Finisher

Merging of individual uniforms with the tag of the hanger. (At the feeding station, at the quality check-point, or at a singularization similar to reading points with HF technology. (Only experienced technicians can implement this without risking leakage)

Reading of single items at the towel folder

Reading of each individual piece either during feeding. Pieces without transponders are rejected, as well as parts that should be rejected according to the Laundry software. (reclamation parts, end-of-life).

The implementation must be checked per machine type, but can usually be done without intervention in the folding machine. An interface is not always necessary, but advantageous.

Reading of single items at the ironer

Reading of each individual piece either during feeding or before the folding machine. Pieces without transponders are rejected, as well as parts that should be rejected according to the Laundry software. (reclamation parts, end-of-life).

The implementation must be checked per model, but can usually be implemented with dry contacts to the existing reject buttons.

This has already been successfully implemented several times, although the heat after the ironer is a challenge.

Automatic sorting

Parts tagged with UHF RFID can be sorted in real time, especially if they are encoded with the part number (SGTIN). Already successfully implemented.

However, it is important that the process also works without UHF RFID, otherwise the system cannot work with non-chipped parts. (own experience!)

Stack verification

fully automatic or manual

The items in a stack are checked to see if they contain the right number and the right items, then they are combined to a virtual stack.

At this point, picking into the customer's order can also take place immediately.

Check-out Cabin

In a cabin, 98-99% of a container's transponders can be read within 15 seconds.

Advantages: optimized reading and no false readings ("leakage").

To achieve 100%, a multi-step process is necessary.

Gateway

The containers are pushed through an "archway" with UHF RFID antennas. This is very fast and can deliver relatively good read rates.(+/-95%)

The challenges are misreading between different containers and non-reproducible conditions in case the containers are pushed manually.

Processing surgical drapes and gowns (medical devices), Sterilization

The transponder can be autoclaved (273 F or 134°C). At the assembly of the pack each piece is merged with the sterile pack. Before sterilization the packs are merged with the sterile batch.

Production data acquisition, process visualization

Practically as a "by-product", implementation of data acquisition and visualization can be carried out independently of the machine manufacturer.

Incoming goods control / procurement process

The incoming goods inspection can best be automated via a cabin. In the course of this, the articles can be encoded or recoded.

The "Digitization" working group is developing a process description from the order to the order confirmation, the delivery bill, the invoice, and the goods receipt.

Data is exchanged electronically throughout the process. This saves a lot of work and eliminates errors.

Note: this is technically possible, but still "dreams of the future", as the GTIN has not yet been implemented.

Inventory in the plant for textile, at the customer's premises etc.

Inventory of textiles, new and used goods in the plant, as well as any other inventory.
Taking inventory with the handheld antenna is relatively fast (approx. 5 minutes per area) and has a relatively high read rate (95-98%). However, it depends on the user and is therefore difficult to standardize.

Anti-theft system

Securing of exits in the plant or at the customer's site

Container tracking

Containers equipped with a transponder can be read with the same antennas. If necessary, a 2nd active transponder can also be considered so that a truck can always be read out as a whole without much effort.

UHF RFID transponders for the resident laundry are still at the concept stage. There are already some laundries and nursing home groups using UHF for resident laundry. The challenge is the payback of the transponder on the short time of use of the garment and the tagging of small items (e.g. socks, underwear).