Handling Pool and Spa Towels in a Purpose-Built Laundry
Portavadie’s marina and accommodation facilities on Loch Fyne expanded with the addition of a leisure complex featuring hydro pools, spa pools, a gym and treatment spaces. These facilities generated hundreds of towels each day, creating a substantial increase in laundry demand alongside the existing accommodation linen.
Thain Commercial had worked with Portavadie on its initial laundry provision four years earlier. The next stage required an expanded facility in a purpose-built building, with enough capacity for the new workload and flexibility for future development.
From a Temporary Laundry to a Permanent Building
The initial laundry operated from a temporary portakabin, where limited space influenced the equipment selection. Thain Commercial assessed anticipated volumes and linen types, considering slimline and stackable Miele machines to make practical use of the available room.
Portavadie General Manager Iain Jurgensen highlighted long-term cost effectiveness, reliability and the ability to handle volume as important reasons for choosing Miele. Access to Thain Commercial’s service support was also a key consideration in protecting that investment.
For the expanded facility, Thain Commercial worked with Guest Services Manager Kim and the architects on the layout, piping and building services. The planning brought together the new building’s requirements and the increased workload from the leisure operation.
Retaining Machines and Adding Capacity
The Miele machines installed four years earlier were still in excellent working order. Rather than replace serviceable equipment, Thain Commercial incorporated them into the expanded laundry and added a Miele PW6167 16 kg washer and PT8403 dryer.
The new layout also allowed for further 16 kg machines if Portavadie’s future development created additional demand. This gave the business room to grow while keeping the initial expansion proportionate to its requirements.
Iain’s feedback emphasised that Thain Commercial had considered the business’s needs and timescales without recommending unnecessary capacity. The result was a permanent laundry facility that could support the leisure complex and accommodate future expansion.
Customer Feedback
The leisure facility is generating hundreds of towels per day so we needed to be able to handle that volume. I was impressed with the level of research and detail that Thain Commercial provided for the project, working with our Guest Services Manager, on the development side and liaising with the architects. They advised on the plan, piping and all aspects of the operation. What is pleasing is that Thain Commercial do not try to sell something which is over-capacity, in order to increase margins. Instead, they have been thoughtful of our business needs and respectful of our timescales in terms of pushing things forward.
Scott’s Comment
Portavadie have ended up with an extremely professional and efficient laundry facility, which can be developed further in line with the plans they have for the business. The new facility has a purposeful, permanent layout.
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