DoubleTree by Hilton MK see’s ROI from on premise Girbau laundry within 18 months

Girbau recently installed a completely new laundry and wetcleaning facility at the DoubleTree by Hilton Milton Keynes hotel, which is uniquely built around Stadium MK.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Milton Keynes Stadium site boasts 304 guest rooms positioned 360 degrees around the pitch, and the newly installed Girbau laundry is responsible for processing all the sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases, towels, face cloths, robes and shower curtains for the hotel. The laundry refurbishment saw two large capacity ED1250 gas dryers and an ED460 installed to match two new HS-6 series 57kg washers, a 24kg washer and 13kg washer and two new PBP 5132 ironers.

All towelling and linen from bedrooms and tablecloths and napkins from conference and banqueting departments was previously outsourced. The key objectives and justification in considering an in-house laundry facility, in addition to the financial benefits, was to have full control of stock, and to improve the quality of the linen provided for guests.

“Our objectives have been achieved, and with savings versus outsourcing at 54 per cent since we went live on 1 January, it means our ROI forecast is now 18 months, sooner than originally expected” said Nielsen Stead, general manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Milton Keynes. Stead also says, “Returning guests have noticed the increased fluffiness of our towels. That makes a difference.”

The Hilton brand is celebrating 100 years in hospitality this year and the DoubleTree by Hilton portfolio is said to provide a ‘feeling of the comforts of home’, and includes more than 400 wonderful places to stay, occupying prime locations in gateway cities and getaway destinations around the globe.

Stadium MK is home to the MK Dons FC and multipurpose Marshall Arena, hosting concerts by Take That and Rod Stewart. The indoor event space accommodates up to 5,000 guests and in times of full capacity can see the laundry processing many tonnes of linen. The busy four people per shift housekeeping team not only process hotel linen, guest laundry and front of house staff uniforms; when the venue is running at full capacity will also process linens for their catering, banqueting and events teams, ensuring that the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse restaurant’s napkins and table linens are whiter than white!

You’ll find the more articles in the July/August edition of Housekeeping Today UK. Subscribe for your edition or browse online here.

Housekeeping Today UK is the place for keeping informed in the hospitality and cleaning industry. Click here to view housekeeping news.