Kannegiesser Expo 2018 Introduces Robotics and Integrated Solutions

Martin Kannegiesser welcomed guests to an informal dinner following a full-day spent touring the latest product innovations at the Kannegiesser Expo 2018, held from June 3-9 in Bad Salzuflen, Germany. Nearly 2,000 linen, uniform and facility services professionals from more than 55 countries attended the Expo, which focused on integrated solutions.

“Growth opportunities in textile services are extremely high,” Kannegiesser said. “Therefore, we must help our customers grow by investing in R&D (research and development) to increase productivity and efficiency through integrated solutions that leverage equipment innovations, emerging technologies and software.”

The Kannegiesser Expo 2018 followed the flow of the laundering process from soil sort through packout with various new innovations highlighted throughout the process. In addition to robotic automation in soil sorting and folding, Kannegiesser introduced Qualitex, a quality-assurance process that measures and tests wash liqueurs during the laundering process to evaluate, control and document hygiene, and a small tunnel and sorting system for processing long-term care personal items.

“TRSA members from around the world are facing labor shortages and logistical challenges,” said TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci. “Successful companies are reinvesting in their employees and facilities to remain competitive. This is driving collaboration within TRSA and our associate vendor partners to identify and develop integrated solutions to reduce labor and operational costs.”

According to Kannegiesser, to better serve all market segments, textile services companies also must invest in marketing materials that promote the environmental aspects of operational efficiencies and the implementation of integrated solutions that improve customer satisfaction and control costs by significantly reducing processing times for washing, drying and finishing, enabling communications between equipment to optimize throughout the entire process.

During the Kannegiesser Expo, it was announced that Engelbert Heinz would be taking over as CEO. Heinz has been with Kannegiesser for 30 years. Martin Kannegiesser will become chair of the foundation concentrating on strategic initiatives and his daughter, Tina Kannegiesser, was named assistant chair of the foundation, responsible for supporting and integrating subsidiaries.