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Mobile carpet laundry service
Published on 15 January 2021
Finland
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Starting point for the good practice was the need and desire from the customers to get a carpet maintenance service that meets the expectations of the property maintenance and cleaning requirements. The existing businesses were not able to provide maintenance services for high-quality carpet materials and it was a challenge for a traditional laundries. In addition, the availability and location of laundry premises varied regionally and traditional replacement carpet service requires transportation between the laundry and the client company. This not only mean high fuel consumption and operation costs but also takes time, requires more staff and strain the environment.
Green Carpet has invented a mobile carpet laundry service where a special laundry system has been built inside of a truck. This way the laundry system can be brought to onsite and the whole washing process takes place inside the truck compartment. With specially designed washing process, Green Carpet is able answer to the existing need and provide the high-quality and safe carpet washing services at the location of the customers.
Originally, the laundry technology was developed in Helsinki area (2008) but the business model was further developed in Southwest Finland area from 2012 onwards.
Main stakeholders are private companies, schools, kindergartens, municipal halls and housing companies, business partners, e.g. environmentally friendly detergent supplier.
Green Carpet has invented a mobile carpet laundry service where a special laundry system has been built inside of a truck. This way the laundry system can be brought to onsite and the whole washing process takes place inside the truck compartment. With specially designed washing process, Green Carpet is able answer to the existing need and provide the high-quality and safe carpet washing services at the location of the customers.
Originally, the laundry technology was developed in Helsinki area (2008) but the business model was further developed in Southwest Finland area from 2012 onwards.
Main stakeholders are private companies, schools, kindergartens, municipal halls and housing companies, business partners, e.g. environmentally friendly detergent supplier.
Resources needed
Estimated acquisition cost for a truck is over 100 000 €. Public innovation funding for the R&D of technology was received from Business Finland. The company has currently 5 employees, 2 laundry system trucks and 2 vans for short transportation, 2 warehouses for vehicles and small storage space.
Evidence of success
There is more than 1500 customers for the company. Compared to a traditional replacement carpet service the Green Carpet solution decreases number of drives into a tenth. Company washes about 50 000 m2 of carpet every year and compared to the traditional laundry technologies the water consumption in the Green Carpet washing system reduces approx. 80%.
Company has received regional INNOSUOMI innovation award in 2009 and local Environmental act of the year award in 2012.
Company has received regional INNOSUOMI innovation award in 2009 and local Environmental act of the year award in 2012.
Potential for learning or transfer
The Business model is transferable to any European country or region. Technology is already available but development of the business model takes time and requires good planning of the resources (acquisition of the customers, understanding the public procurement practices) and also getting to know the regional directives for the field of business (laundry service).
Business Model offers alternative for a traditional carpet service with a special and sustainable carpet laundry system for high-quality carpets. Mobility broadens the availability of the carpet services in the region.
In addition, area of business is reliable and safe; it can be seen as a steady market despite of the economic fluctuations. Cleaning services are always needed and the carpet cleaning cost in the end is very low but important part of the client organizations external image.
Business Model offers alternative for a traditional carpet service with a special and sustainable carpet laundry system for high-quality carpets. Mobility broadens the availability of the carpet services in the region.
In addition, area of business is reliable and safe; it can be seen as a steady market despite of the economic fluctuations. Cleaning services are always needed and the carpet cleaning cost in the end is very low but important part of the client organizations external image.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Green Carpet Mattopalvelut Oy
Finland
Etelä-Suomi
Contact
Senior Advisor