Laundry operators in 2025 face a stark choice. To achieve sustainable growth, they must invest in machinery and systems upkeep. That includes technology and a commitment to maintenance throughout the plant—from soil-sort to packout. Anything less could leave them with a laundry that’s “running in place.”

In other words, while they won’t necessarily collapse, they’re unlikely to grow.

Vendors’ Shifting Role

That was the consensus view we got from interviews with operators and consultants on the role of maintenance in ensuring a healthy bottom line. This challenge has grown more acute in recent years because modern technology has made ...