A Transition Model for On-Demand Laundry Processing

Where logistics meets data, interesting questions arise. In our Data2Move Research Stories, you will find out how students have answered these. This time, we delve into the work of Thijmen Bruist to learn more about the operational challenges for on-demand laundry, with Data2Move partner TKT.

Where it started

On-demand laundry for consumers is a growing business – the always-busy households, the elderly no longer able to do their laundry, or the young professionals who simply wish to use their time for things more fun. Today, there are only a handful of companies that offer such on-demand laundry services.

Getting ready for the continued growth of on-demand laundry is a real challenge because the required processes are very different from standard laundry processes. On-demand laundry means smaller batches and a much larger variety of textiles to be cleaned. Serving this growing market requires the knowledge (and resources) to change production processes overnight.

Thijmen Bruist analyzed the laundry processes at two industrial laundry companies to gain more insight into the operations of on-demand laundry, and the innovations that the new process requires. By thorough analyses of throughput times and costs, we gain insight in the effectiveness and feasibility of each process innovation.

The importance of data

In order to analyze throughput times and costs, Thijmen used data from two case studies. The first case study predicts the expected change in costs under increased demand. The second case study provided data on the time spent in each production step. Thijmen calculated the throughput time and the time to expedition for each item, from which the profit-maximizing volume is calculated.


Findings and advice

Based on the data analysis of costs and throughput times, Thijmen proposed a transition model: “The most effective way forward is to invest in automation gradually. This should, in turn, allow for more production and more profit.” The transition model consists of the following steps:

  1. Gain insight into the cost structure of the internal logistics.
  2. Process a volume close to the profit maximization point, thereby using the current production facilities as efficiently as possible.
  3. Invest in process automation when the company already processes a volume between their profit maximization point and their revenue maximization point. Investing in process automation will allow for higher production volumes which are essential for higher profits.
  4. The company should use a Return-On-Investment model to determine which production step they should automate.
  5. Repeat steps 1 to 4.

Thus, the model guides laundry facilities in upgrading their laundry processes to profitable on-demand laundry and guides them in the implementation.