The Eco Laundry Room Expansion
We are currently seeking venture partners to help grow the expansion of the business. These partners would provide equity to the company, as an investment that would pay them a guaranteed return every year. This allows our venture investors an investment is a sustainable and environment friendly business.
Business Description: The future of the laundry mat is here. We were the first high-speed laundry mat in Canada and our environment friendly practices have made us a unique leader in our industry. Our utility expenses are half the industry average. We use high efficiency, energy saving machinery, but we also focus on the human factor of business and we offer many amenities. We offer free Wi-Fi, a lounge for reading or watching TV, a wheel chair accessible washroom with a baby change table and a children’s play area. We also have a David Suzuki libray book exchange. Our strengths lie in our eco-friendliness and our focus on customer satisfaction. We also hold events at our laundry mat. We have had comedy shows, bands and even an eco market. Our goal is to make the space comfortable and provide customers with amenties that no other laundry provides.
Technology: We use Continental Girbau commercial front-loading washers and dryers, which are made in Spain. Our double washers are energy star rated and the high-speed spin of our washers, top in the industry, shortens dry times considerably. A typical single top load washer uses approximately 40 gallons of water, our double front load washers use 15 gallons and our 4X front load washers use only 30 gallons of water. Our utility bills are half the industry average. Solar thermal roof mounted tubes are used to heat the water, a tremendous energy saver and marketing tool. The ability to be “green” and save our customers money is a great strength. We also feature automatic locking and unlocking doors and a security camera system that can be viewed online. Our facilities are also 100 % Bullfrog powered.
Sparkle Solutions will be supplying the machinery. They have many years of experience with coin laundy mats and offer the best products on the market. The washers are made in Spain and are ofthe highest quality and efficiency. As we already have two operating facilities, we will be using the same design and layout formula. We do all design and procurement in house as we have built two stores already.
The company is starting its 5th year of operations and has been profitable every year. We believe that as utilities continue to rise, many competitors will be closing. This trend is happening right now. The current laundrymats have great difficulty in retrofitting. We build all our facilities in empty spaces, ensuring all new fixtures and compliance with all building and construction codes.
Comments
Homegrown
At the Green Living Show this past year I spoke to a woman at a booth who was using mineral crystals in a ball (or something?) instead of detergent to change the pH of laundry water. Does the poster of this idea have any knowledge of this practice?
The biggest exclamation point for me was that the laundry machines have been shipped across the Atlantic, giving them a huge carbon footprint right off the get go. Are there any Canadian/Ontarian made machines that could be used in the expansion?
Hi and thanks for the comments.
We sell Nature Clean's environment friendly soap in vendable boxes. I believe it is the only one in North America, all other places only offer Tide and Cheer. Our machines are made in Spain and assembled in USA.
Love this idea!
We tried to enact this idea several years ago in Toronto, and are so excited to see that you've been able to bring it to life! It's so necessary to find ways to provide environmental solutions for everyday necessities. I truly hope this business continues to expand!
Thank you for the comments
Thank you. We hope to have many more stores and are franchising.
Eco Laundry: great idea
I think the community feel is a great idea and love family friendly feel, but I question the capital investment needed for each new location, and long term ROI
Have you thought about corporate advertising from large laundry product companies?
Thanks for the comments
Thanks for your comments. It actually costs us a lot less to build our stores, less machines, but multi loads, our 16 washers can wash 40 loads. We dont have any corporate ads as we use Nature Clean porducts, made in Ontario and we promote them at no charge.
technology
Excellent concept. It's great when environmental features can cost less than business as usual. I like that both the price point and the social aspect that JLanger mentioned are used to promote green values.
Regarding eco-features, you may want to add a heat-exchanger to recover heat from hot water.
Also, for your next expansion, you may wish to consider nearly waterless washers:
http://inspiredeconomist.com/2009/06/26/virtually-waterless-laundry-wash...
Thanks for the comments
A typical top loader uses 50 gallons of water, our 2X washers use 15 and our 4X washers use 30 gallons. Our machines also have a local service provider that will do repairs in 24 hours.
Laundry Share?
This venture provides a pleasant experience and an opportunity to get the wash done, too. I'm concerned about the scalability of this venture into a movement that brings significant emission reduction city wide. Transforming the standards of laundry machines in laundromats city-wide will take capital and probably regulatory change to make a major impact.
They've done it for cars (autoshare) and renewable energy (windshare, solarshare). Could an initiative like yours help people consider giving up the purchase of their own personal laundry machinery and just do laundry in their pleasant local eco-laundry instead? That means reduction of large cost and resource intensive euipment in homes, and maybe you could sell "laundry shares" to local residents to help finance your expansions?
thank you
We are thinking of somewhat of a laundry share program, however, we want to sell shares in the laundry and pay out dividends to shareholders.
Partnerships and scalability
Hello - I really like the idea of your business - like other commenters I have questions about the scalability (and therefore impact on emissions) and the community connection aspect of your proposal.
I suggest you look into ways in which you could scale this idea - perhaps a 'laundry share' like Mary suggests. Or you might want to explore partnerships with institutions that would be interested in your services on a larger scale - like schools, restaurants, etc.
Simple, effective
Hi -- I like this concept for its simplicity. You have applied existing technologies and services in the ubiquitous laundry mat industry. For example, you've procured (or leased) energy-efficient appliances and installed a solar-thermal water heater to minimize costs (attributable to reduced power and water consumption). And you've partnered with Bullfrog Power, which offers you an excellent marketing tool.
There is nothing revolutionary here, but it is effective and good business. I reckon that your business will thrive by virtue of reduced operating expenses alone, assuming that your "halved" utility bills continue to hold.
I would like to use the Eco Laundry Mat
Saving operating cost is great. What a good idea that the Laundry Mat serve as an eco information centre. Organizations in ecological business can use bill board in the place to inform their activities.
One commentator suggested heat exchanger. That's a great idea to bring your energy cost down.
Combined Heat and Power
Paul I think you are a pioneer and for that you should be commended. I am very interested in what you have done because the commercial laundry mat industry in Ontario is a big market for CHP I am the exclusive distributor for ecopower. Ecopower operates on natural gas it is designed to operate 24 hours a day producing 1 million BYU's of heat energy that in your case would be converted to hot water for washing and as a by product of the heat generation ecopower produces 112 kw per day of electricity that would be used in the laundromat. In your case Paul I assume you would consume all the electricity ecopower would produce but in the event you couldn't use it all it would be sent out on the grid and a credit would be created. Ecopower is Green Power it produces 65% reduction in carbon emissions and has an overall efficiency of 93% winner of the 2011 Energy Star product of the year award. Ecopower may be a product you would want to look at if and when you open another store. ROI with ecopower is 7 years it is an alternative energy that really makes Cents :)
Install a ecopower CHP become your own energy producer.
Wash On!
Love your project. It makes so much sense. I operate a massage clinic and if we weren't in leased premises would love to do our (many) loads of laundry with solar power. How can I lease/buy your machines? The only catch I can see if that future locations depend on management and like-minded entrepreneurs.
Expand to other markets; institutions, etc. Target spas, massage clinics, anyone who spends time/money doing laundry. Condos and apartment buildings.
For families who need to use
For families who need to use laundromats this sounds like an excellent place to go. Clean, reading available, wheelchair accessible, with washrooms, and child friendly. Also do not forget the eco-friendly part. Great concept! Laundromats in my area do not seem to last financially so I wish you the best. Expanding to other markets as others have suggessted may be the key to staying profitable.
eco laundry
I love the idea. Do you have serviced laundry offerings? Are there any restrictions of the type of detergents used?
Additional education and product offerings on the types of detergents used
Financial Strategy: Bootstrapping and your Lead Customers
Please read below.
I’m excited to see so many entrepreneurial proposals on ClimateSpark. I especially like the model of social ventures that can sustain themselves by creating their own revenue and be less dependent on grants or gifts.
In my own experience starting and building several companies, I’ve often employed “bootstrapping” techniques so I’m not dependent on external capital (VCs, etc.). One technique I’ve used successfully is to recruit one or more “lead customers” who pay me up-front for a service (e.g., consulting or something they need right away), which gives me the capital to build my product or capability for them. The big advantages: cash up-front (or early); a real customer to help make sure my design is something they’ll want to buy; and a great partner to test ideas with as I’m getting off the ground.
What’s your bootstrapping strategy? Have you tried to develop “lead customers” for your product or service? Have you talked to potential customers ? What are you doing to get cashflow from them early, so your idea can gain traction?
Clearly expressing your business value – Mock Press Release
Each proposal in ClimateSpark is bringing a valuable community based idea forward to help with energy conservation and the reduction of carbon emissions
Centennial College, School of Communications Media & Design, Corporate Communications and Public Relations Class of 2012 will be working on a set of mock press releases, in anticipation of this proposal being one of the 20 to be selected on October 31 to continue to ClimateSpark Ignite Phase 2.
If you would like to be interviewed as part of the mock press release development process, please send a note to Professor Barry Waite, bwaite@centennialcollege.ca by Friday October 21, 2011.
If you choose not to be interviewed, the mock press release will be developed based on Information currently posted in the description of your idea, as well as information gleaned from the various comment interactions.
Eco-friendly and personalized service
I really enjoy the Eco Laundry Room proposal! The combination of being eco-friendly, cheaper than the regular laundries and customer oriented is key for reaching out more stakeholders.
The concept of creating a friendly environment for children and also holding events such as the comedy shows make the business unique.
I also like the idea of "laundry shares". The Eco Laundry Room can promote the concept and help people consider giving up the purchase of their own personal laundry machinery and just do laundry in their pleasant local eco-laundry.
To use dry cleaning technology. As an example, Pressto, a Spanish laundry company, which is considered a phenomenon in terms of business growth, uses GreenEarth, a new dry cleaning technology. GreenEarth solvents are silicone based (not petroleum based) and they leave your garments clean and fresh-smelling. Developed by Proctor & Gamble, GreenEarth is a revolutionary cleaning process that does not rely on perc or other chemicals to effectively clean garments. Hailed as an ecological break-through, the GreenEarth Cleaning System is good for people, good for your clothes and good for the Earth!
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Sadly, laundry will never end
Sadly, laundry will never end, but I guess that is happy for this company. The focus on energy and water efficiency is essential, and really, should be the norm. What sets this apart is the ambiance and community space creation which gives the 'social' aspect of this venture.
What is the corporate structure of this venture, and what is the thinking regarding structuring for the next stage? What kind of partners are being sough, and what contributions to the business plan? I'd like to hear more about the shared/social value which this venture is creating.