Paul Crookes

About Paul Crookes

For the past six months, Paul Crookes has been managing director of Maxi-Press DRM Ltd, the newly launched UK division established by the German laundry spare parts manufacturer in Manchester.

The company joins an already well-established international network, with subsidiaries operating in the USA, Australia, Thailand, and China. This global presence reflects Maxi- Press’s long-term commitment to supporting the industrial laundry sector with high-quality, reliable components and technical expertise. A familiar face in the industry for many years, Paul recently celebrated a milestone birthday and continues to bring extensive experience to his role. Away from the business, he is a passionate beekeeper, supplying locally produced honey to a nearby bakery and café – so no wonder he’s a fan of a sweet treat!

On his current role…

Before we launched the UK division, DRM Industrial Fabrics had already earned a solid reputation as a trusted partner in the British laundry industry. They were known for delivering consistently high-quality products and really putting customers first, which helped them build long-standing relationships with laundries across the country. Bringing DRM into the Maxi-Press family just made sense – it combines that local market know-how with the resources, innovation, and manufacturing strength of a global business. It’s a combination that really sets us up to meet the changing demands of modern laundry operations.

At Maxi-Press, we specialise in making and supplying membranes for water extraction presses, compatible with major brands like Jensen, Kannegiesser, Passat, Lavatec, and Transferon.

On top of that, we provide a wide range of essential spare parts – from drainage plates and basket guides to components for batch washers, dryers, feeders, and ironers. For our customers, that means they can get everything they need from one reliable supplier, which helps keep downtime to a minimum and operations running smoothly.

Personally, I’ve been working in the industry for many years, having spent a lot of time with Maxi-Press as UK sales manager while running PGC Laundry Services. That experience really gave me insight into what customers need – both technically and commercially – and allowed me to build some great relationships across the sector. I’m excited to bring all of that experience into my role leading the UK division.

On laundry engineering…

My background is in engineering. My first job, back in the early 1990s, was as a hydraulic engineer with Calderfield Hydraulics before I spent a decade with Thomas Broadbent & Sons Ltd in the roles of project engineer and then regional sales manager in the laundry department.

The principles of laundry haven’t changed, but the technology behind it has – hugely. The move towards more automation has always been the key to increasing productivity and reducing labour costs. Improvements in materials and the way they are used in the manufacture of machines and spare parts have increased the lifespan of machines as well as making them more reliable. Innovative ideas like nanotech and anti-bacterial rubbers for use in membranes and seals ensure the industry keeps up with the demands of legislation and safety, while also making life easier for engineers and laundries.

The principles of laundry haven’t changed, but the technology behind it has – hugely

On the next generation…

Encouraging young people to choose engineering as a profession and help reduce the general engineering skill shortage across the UK has always been a challenge. With new AI technologies and computer-based systems, the younger generation should hopefully engage with the industry. Given the opportunities offered by manufacturers, they may stay in the industry and eventually replace some of us “old dinosaurs” – but not just yet! The shift toward robotics and AI is reshaping how engineering, manufacturing, and service businesses operate, but people need to remember that it doesn’t replace engineering. That said, it will change the roles within it. AI and automation should increase productivity and help with diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and reducing equipment downtime. Robotics and automation will also help in our own manufacturing process to increase efficiency and improve parts performance.

On the laundry and cleaning sector…

One of the reasons I’ve stayed in the industry so long is that working for a growing, exciting company like Maxi-Press, alongside the passionate people within the group, is incredibly rewarding. New ideas and new products are constantly being developed, which keeps everyone engaged and really helps our customers. Having many years of experience and knowledge really helps when talking to customers and understanding their needs, which can then be fed back to the development team to turn ideas into reality. The people I deal with on a daily basis are amazing, and I’m lucky to have so many industry colleagues I can also call friends.

On pressing issues…

Whatever pressures we face in the future, two issues stand out: the continued drive toward a more sustainable future and the cost of energy. Maxi-Press and the Jensen Group are always looking at ways to reduce our environmental impact. Our manufacturing plants use clean, green energy like solar, and we don’t use single-use plastics to pack our products. Our customers are also moving away from plastics, which is why we’ve seen a huge increase in demand for our hamper bags used in laundry packing areas. These replace plastic wrapping and can be washed and reused many times over. Made from a variety of material specifications, such as waterproof or stain-resistant materials, we can tailor the bags to a laundry’s specific needs.

On minimising stress…

Because we supply such a wide range of parts, we understand that when a customer gets in touch it’s often urgent – machinery is down, and they need a solution fast. Our approach is to remove as much stress from the process as possible. A key part of that is preparation. Maintaining strong stock levels in our UK warehouse helps reduce the stresses of breakdowns for our customers. Next- or same-day deliveries are no problem, and with our great UK and German teams working together under efficient processes, we ensure seamless deliveries. Honesty with customers and meeting their expectations is key to building strong working relationships, which keeps stress to a minimum for everyone. Daily check-ins with staff and encouragement go a long way in promoting best practice and a happy workplace. And, of course, a good supply of sweet treats helps!

Paul supplies honey to a local bakery and cafe