Hughes Electricals’ two commercial laundry operations, Hughes Pro and Armstrong, have joined forces with Solent Laundry Solutions (SLS) to form a new company: WashCo.
It is planned to have three companies fully integrated by the summer, with a combined workforce of more than 100. The new company’s headquarters will be in Newbury, and will also operate from bases in Fareham, Glasgow, Leicester, Norwich and Rochester.
Hughes has a 75% shareholding in the new venture, with SLS having the remaining 25%. WashCo’s board will be made up of chairman Andy Pallant from Hughes Electrical, Managing Director Peter Hosking and Sales Director James Holmes – both from SLS – as well as Operations Director Simon Quinlan from HughesPro/Armstrong.
Andy Pallant said: “While Hughes Pro, Armstrong and SLS have historically fiercely competed for customers, we have also worked together supplying products, services and advice to one another. So, the logic of combining the three companies under one banner was compelling, particularly as we each operate in different parts of the country and both Hughes Pro and SLS are established Miele professional partners.
“We will now be working hard to integrate the three businesses while maintaining our high standards of customer service.”
