Vega Systems UK

Steve Childs, general manager of Vega Systems UK, says that in a time of rising inflation and huge hikes in utilities and energy costs, the GC range of large washer-extractors “has become even more attractive.”

He says that the GC range of large capacity washers uses water in a fundamentally different way to others: “Our EcoDrum system achieves the same washing result as other machines but uses considerably less water (as much as 50 per cent) and as a consequence, it requires much less energy to heat the water and less detergent compared to established designs.”

Childs adds that the GC range also “features an Active Balancing System for a super-smooth extraction and 100 per cent reliable balancing; this makes it possible to wash small loads without unbalance problems and much less wear and tear on major components.” On top of that is a built-in load weighing system which, Childs says “ensures the machine uses the minimum water, heat, chemical and energy for any given batch… we think the GC range is the most economical and sustainable large machine solution in the market.” Beyond that, tilting to load and unload along with a large loading door “makes the machine more comfortable to own and allows the option of automatic loading and unloading.” There’s also a large touchscreen display which records all of the operating parameters and makes programming “as simple as possible.”

The GC range is available from 60kg up to a gigantic 480kg capacity. “Make no mistake,” says Childs, “despite their sophistication the GC range is definitely a heavy and robust industrial machine last should last for years and years on the most demanding applications.”

The complete range is supported by Vega UK and Broadbent’s aftersales support.

Bootec

Steve Boote, director of Bootec, says his washing machines “rival and surpass many if not all the other machines in their weight category and show great value for money with superior build qualities.” Boote adds that the drums and tubs, as well as the entire cabinet are “made of robust and durable high quality stainless steel AISI 304 and have ceramic coated shafts which have a longer life due to less friction on sealing surfaces… they offer a far superior quality compared to other manufacturers.”

Bootec’s machines include a “highly flexible and freely programmable control with an advanced seven-inch colour display for easy operation and perfect management of your laundry business”, USB connection in the front for quick data transfer, and data editing in simple .csv format. He says that an on screen photographic illustrated troubleshooting guide helps with breakdowns and repairs and “allows engineers to quickly rectify any service issues.”

Turning to the TWE washer-extractor, Boote says that it “is extremely energy efficient with one of the lowest running costs in its class.” Available with either steam or electric heating, he states that “a standard 60-degree celsius wash cycle uses less than 8.8 litres of water per kilogramme.” Also, a high extraction speed “generates a G-factor of 360 which ensures drying times that are as short and economical as possible and is designed to keep residual moisture content below 50 per cent.” Tie that in with the option of a water recovery system and Boote says that “its efficiencies are hard to beat.”

Looking at healthcare applications, Boote reckons that the Tolon washing machine with a sluice washing function is “an indispensable tool when hygiene is a priority.” He says that the machine is WRAS approved and fitted with a Category Five A Type Air Gap so it can be connected directly to the mains water supply. Other benefits he highlights are the pre-installation of healthcare wash programmes, and sluice and thermal disinfection wash cycles “which meet the requirements of the CFPP 01-04 and fully comply with CQC Care Quality Commission in England and Care Inspectorate in Scotland and Wales.”

In his view, “all these innovative systems and controls and efficiencies make these machines the most economically viable against other manufacturers over the period of ownership.” As he advises his customers “there are cheaper machines available at time of purchase but when balanced against reliability and medium to long term usage we are proving to be one of the best options.”

Girbau UK

Jeremy Challis, sales director, Girbau UK, says that his company “offers an extensive range of larger models in its HS Series of washers with no less than seven different machines with capacities over 20kg,” ranging from the 27kg HS- 6024 to the giant 122kg HS-6110.

The benefit of HS Series washers’ high spin speed, in his view, is a “centrifugal spin force of up to 386G throughout the spin cycle to leave laundry with residual moisture levels of less than 50 per cent.”

But beyond that, he comments that “Girbau’s unique Care Touch Drum optimises water-extraction and prolongs linen life.” In more detail, Challis says that drum holes are pressed into the highly polished stainless steel to ensure there are no sharp edges. Another feature that he’s keen to point out is the ECO60ew programme which gives HS Series washers “high wash quality combined with water consumption rates as low as seven litres per kg, making them among the most water efficient washer-extractors available today.” And for those seeking even greater water efficiency Challis points to water recovery systems designed specifically for use with the HS Series washers.

Looking at the HS Series inclusion of Girbau’s Aquamixer, Challis explains that this “precisely controls hot and cold water mixing to save energy and reduce wash cycle times.” And then there’s Aquafall, which Challis says recirculates water through perforated drum blades to save water, increase washing action and reduce cycle time. Girbau’s three largest HS Series washers, the HS-6057, HS-6085 and HS-6110, offer EasyLoad as an option. Challis says that this performs two operations that compact a load and increase capacity. From his standpoint, EasyLoad makes it “even easier to maximise the efficiency of our popular larger HS Series machines and also makes it easier to unload the machine at the end of the cycle.” Effectively, the system allows the operator to slowly and safely turn the drum manually when the door is open. They can dislodge tangles and unload much more easily than on conventional machines. Something else to consider is Girbau’s pneumatic Tilt system – an option which can physically tilt the larger machine to “ease” loading and unloading.

Girbau’s HS Series washers come with the option of the Sapphire cloud-based management system that Challis says allows users to completely monitor, manage and configure a laundry. In overview, data is stored and processed in the cloud, making it easy to view activity reports via a PC, laptop, tablet or phone. He says that “you can quickly connect to check machine status and alarms as well as analysing data trends to spot how operational efficiency can be improved.”

The software has a smart-alerts system that sends an SMS text or email when there is any irregularity in how machines are working. “Problems,” Challis says, “are solved quickly and effectively, while providing information and data to inform future operational decisions.” The last feature Challis refers to is disinfection monitoring. This, he says, allows users to control and verify that disinfection parameters have been met in each wash cycle. He adds that “it is easy to create disinfection criteria based on time and temperature for each programme; the system verifies disinfection parameters have been met in each cycle and can be configured to issue an alert if a cycle has or has not fulfilled a disinfection condition.”