As owners of nine Splash ’Em Out Laundromats in the Lexington, Ky., area, Joe Dan and Kelli Reed aren’t afraid to aim high. Since 2002, they’ve followed a simple formula: identify what customers need, invest in technology that solves real problems and deliver service at a level most laundries never attempt. Their newest venture — a 20,000-square-foot commercial laundry built for pickup and delivery — is the clearest expression yet of that philosophy.
Created to support booming residential and commercial demand, the new plant stands as their operation’s flagship and a natural progression for two entrepreneurs who constantly evolve with their market.
The Problem Worth Solving
For years, the Reeds’ vended laundries and drop-off wash/dry/fold (WDF) businesses have flourished. Making convenience a priority, they also have smart lockers at most of their stores, and other locations, so customers can drop off and pick up laundry 24/7.
But with that growth came a bit of discomfort…
“Our vended laundries were overwhelmed by drop-off orders and lacked shelving space,” said Joe Dan. “This pushed us to look for a dedicated building to house a centralized commercial laundry.”
The Reeds recognized a clear opportunity to centralize production, ease the burden on their stores and better pursue a growing commercial segment.
Building a Commercial Powerhouse
Their search for the right space ended with a large facility in Lexington’s commercial district. After investing $500,000 in renovations, the building became a true production engine. Jeff Dunn of Machinex — a Cincinnati-based laundry solutions distributor — designed the equipment mix and layout. “Jeff played a major role in developing what we have today,” said Joe Dan.
His strongest recommendation surprised them.
“We only had experience with the hard-mount washers in our vended stores,” said Joe Dan. “Jeff insisted the Girbau Commercial GS-Series soft-mount washers were unreal. We discovered he was right.”
GS-Series Washers: The Centerpiece of the Plant
Shifting from hard-mount to GS-Series soft-mount washers delivered immediate gains. Hard-mount washers require heavy anchoring and offer limited extract speeds. GS soft-mount washers install easily, relocate easily as the business grows and deliver superior productivity and programmability, according to the Reeds.
Most hard-mounts washers reach 75-200 G-force extract speeds. By comparison, the GS-Series Washers generate and sustain 450 G-force extract speeds, which remove more water from every load. That level of moisture removal reshapes the entire workflow. Loads dry faster, natural gas consumption drops and throughput rises across every shift. Dryers also run less often, which eliminates dryer bottlenecks.
“The soft-mount washers pay for themselves every day,” said Joe Dan. “Lower utilities and faster production mean everything moves more efficiently. The linen, which spend less time in the dryer, should last longer too.”
Technology Designed for Control
Each GS-Series Washer offers up to 99 custom programs, a rugged 10-inch touchscreen user interface and a 360° Corner Status Light that’s visible from across the floor.
Even more valuable is the hybrid Genius Control — the only system in the industry that switches between vended, customer-facing programming and commercial operator-facing programming. “We run 90 different wash programs designed by our chemical rep,” said Kelli. “We control G-force, chemical injection, delayed starts and timed soaks. I set delayed starts at end-of-day so loads finish right as operators arrive in the morning. It saves a ton of time.”
When cycles complete, the washers’ status lights glow green. “Operators across the warehouse know instantly what’s ready,” she said. “The lights keep the work moving.”
Today the plant runs five new GS-Series Washers in 60- and 80-pound capacities supported by a repurposed mix of vended hard-mount washers and dryers.
Express Flatwork Ironer and Foltex Folder: Finishers Built for Speed
Near the washers, the Reeds rely on a Girbau Commercial Express Flatwork Ironer to finish sheets, duvets, pillowcases and table linens. The ironer processes items straight from the washer with no dryer conditioning, which sharply cuts natural gas use and frees up drying capacity.