Back to laundry line for Tropical

TROPICAL?LAUNDRIES is back in business with a fully computerised operation.
Yesterday, managing director Christopher Hoyte said that between $8 million and $10 million had been invested in the laundry and dry cleaning facility at Country Road, which occupies 20 000 square feet feet of commercial space.
At a Press conference yesterday, Hoyte said he was delighted to open doors again for the first time in three years after a fire in June 2008 put 95 people on the breadline.
“Before the fire, we offered a good service, and with the new facility, we will offer an exceptional service. There is nothing like this in Barbados and the Caribbean. We are in a different league,” he said. 
Hoyte, 38, said the management took the decision to employ a fully automated computerised system, eliminating any mixup or errors that could occur using the traditional manual operational methods.
He said the high-tech operation which incorporates European technology, mostly Dutch, would utilise a lower carbon footprint through the reduction of water, electricity and fuel usage with increased cleaning capacity.
“We will use state-of-the-art automated tunnel washers for our commercial business, which use less water than conventional washers, about one third less,” said Hoyte, adding that the tunnel washers could wash 3 000 pounds of linen in one hour.
Environmental concerns were raised over the old location, but Hoyte was quick to note it had passed the test then and would do so once more. 
“In the past a number of studies were done, one done by us and one by Government, and both gave Tropical Laundries, a clean bill of health. 
“In terms of our effect on the environment, we never had one before and we definitely will not have one now,” he said.
Hoyte claims his operation had 60 per cent of the market before and he was confident, it could regain a huge slice of the laundry business.
“We are capable of dominating the market again. We have the technology and know how to do so. The only way to do that is to offer our customers fantastic service at a reasonable price,” he said.
Plant manager Richard Franklyn said the facility was economically and ergonomically friendly. He said there were bar codes on all items and there was a foolproof way of tracking down all clothes.
When the doors opened on Monday, there were about 20 staffers but the number will reach about 65 over time.