A professional approach to laundry
Analysing needs and layout a suitable technique: This is the secret of success of Danube International.
Danube International, founded in 1947 and based in Lamotte Beuvron, in the Loire region of France, is one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of flatwork dryer ironers and barrier washers, and the firm also produces a full range of tumble dryers and front-loading washer extractors for OPL use.
‘We offer a full range of laundry equipment. Only one of our competitors can do that,’ the firm proudly points out. Certainly the range offers everything from huge models down to the MEDICAL 15 washer for use in very small laundries in hospitals, clinics or nursing homes. The Danube range also includes front-loading washers from 6-55 kg; side loading washers (including gas heated washers) from 27-67 kg; tumble dryers from 6-65 kg and barrier washers from 15-67 kg. Finishing equipment includes dryer ironers with widths from 1.4 m to 3.2 m with cylinder diameters of 200 mm, 320 mm and 500 mm, and optional feeders, folders, cross-folders and stackers.
Washer extractors have a high G-factor (350G on front loading models, 440G on side loaders and barrier machines). Water consumption averages 11 litres/kg to 13 litres/kg. Residual humidity on side loading machines and barrier washers is about 35%, saving energy in the drying section.
Other important benefits: Danube’s dryers have reverse action and use a direct drive with frequency converter (rather than the more traditional belt) thus avoiding most of the problems that laundries encounter with dryers.
The company has ISO 9001/2000 quality control approval - problems account for less than 0.2% of turnover, Danube reports, and the products carry required country approvals such as CE, CSA and ETL for the USA, etc.
Distributors wanted
By 2004, Danube International was represented in 52 countries, and successful in most of Europe (Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Austria, as well as Eastern Europe). Exports to the USA are high and, to a lesser extent, to South America and the Far East (Thailand, China and Vietnam). To increase that international presence, the firm is seeking more distributors.
Danube’s team of engineers train distributor’s service staff (the firm has a registered training centre in France). When necessary, the engineers also help with the commissioning of equipment, e.g. for a big installation.
The company is also set up for video-conferences with distributors, customers, suppliers and sub-contractors, and can provide ‘face to face’ advice to service engineers.
Danube’s website also offers technical help in all areas, as well as spares, safety aspects and other data, including maintenance instructions, technical drawings, electrical diagrams and interactive 3-D drawings.
Laundry size and design
By answering a series of questions on the website, and giving the amount and type of linen to process, Danube can propose the number and type of machines needed and their capacities. This service can also be extended to suggest a laundry lay-out.
Details: www.danube-international.com
