Kiara’s First Commercial Laundry Tour and Experience.
As part of Linen Finder’s tradition, each new employee has the pleasure of touring a commercial laundry facility, better known as a Textile Rental Facility according to the laundry owner. This morning I drove up to a plant and one of the first things he said to me as we walked into the huge warehouse where the linens were sorted and washed was, “Do you smell that? That’s the smell of money” – It was actually the smell of soiled linens. He continued, “One of the first things my father did to me when I visited his plant was stick a handful of soiled linens in my face,” Luckily, he spared me that experience.
We started off by checking out the sorting area. I was pleasantly surprised to learn how organized the counting process is due to the automation of the systems that are in place. Workers sort through the tagged laundry bags that are delivered while a powerful vacuum counts and deposits the linens into large bin. The owner then took me over to see the massive washers and dryers. I was in total awe! I didn’t think equipment that immense even existed! He then followed by showing me the pressing machines and how the linens are packaged and prepared to be sent back out.
This was my first time ever in an industrial plant so I had never seen an assembly line prior to this. This eye-opening experience was one to remember, and the owners’ stories about his experience with sales and working with people were extremely fascinating. Among many things, I learned how organization and efficiency are major keys to this operation. Thank you textile laundry owner and staff for being so friendly and taking the time to show me the ropes!
Lastly, I’d like to end this with some inspirational food for thought that the owner passed over to me: Imagine this, for 8 hours you are happily alone on a beautiful tropical island. Imagine there is plenty of food and you have your favorite drink in hand. You are free of all physical, social, and emotional connections to the world. For those 8 hours you no longer have your routine, your job, your friends, or your family. On a numeric scale from one to ten, what would you consider yourself? I know what my # is, do you?