LAVATEC reaches New Equipment Agreement with West Michigan Shared Hospital Laundry
Members of the West Michigan Shared Hospital Laundry executive team include, from left to right: operations director Martin Ocon, HR director Amy Smith, finance director Caren Kerprich, executive director Bob Pfeifer, and maintenance director Jeff Bodell.
Beacon Falls, Conn. – October 12, 2026 – LAVATEC announced it has entered into a new equipment agreement with West Michigan Shared Hospital Laundry (WMSHL) in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The member-owned, non-profit cooperative has purchased three, LT-120 continuous tunnel wash systems with 12 compartments, another LT-120 tunnel with six compartments, and 30 TT-745 series gas dryers. The tunnel system compartments each have a 265-pound capacity, and the front-loading, high-performance and energy efficient dryers offer 292-pound capacities.
“We chose LAVATEC equipment based on several key indicators for us. This includes the simplicity of operation, machine productivity, maintenance needs and costs, and the layout and design for the project,” said Bob Pfeifer, executive director of WMSHL
“I have purchased and operated many LAVATEC systems with great success during my career. Service is always an issue with any vendor today, but I’ve been fortunate that LAVATEC’s staff have been responsive, helpful and timely with their assistance. It has always felt like a true partnership for me.”
WMSHL supports over 40 owning healthcare facilities and more than 500 medical clinics in western Michigan and northern Indiana. With over 700 total delivery points, they now process nearly 47 million pounds of laundry annually. Needing to replace two older 2009 tunnel systems sooner than expected, Pfeifer said the board of directors opted to switch from a gradual, new equipment phase-in plan in favor of one big project.
“We discussed it and decided to pivot and change out the entire soil and washroom,” said Pfeifer. “In looking at the whole project, we felt it would be better than spreading out the disruption each phase would cause, especially for our employees. Along with the simplistic nature of the LAVATEC systems, the history and relationship with their people played a big role in our decision.”
About Lavatec Laundry Technology, Inc.
Delivering dependable commercial laundry equipment engineered for higher returns throughout their lifecycles has been the Lavatec Laundry Technology mantra for over four decades. Some LAVATEC manufactured equipment has been on the job for more than a quarter century. A rarity among manufacturers of continuous tunnel washers, LAVATEC offers center transfer, bottom transfer and standing bath construction options, plus a full range of readily integrated, end-to-end laundry system components: washer extractors, extraction presses, centrifuges, dryers, conveyor systems, pickers, feeders,
ironers and folders. Simple design, durable construction, user-friendly operation and low maintenance are hallmarks of LAVATEC machines. A global leader with equipment in laundry operations throughout Europe, the Far East, South and North America, more than 9,000 LAVATEC machines have been installed in the United States alone. For more information, visit the website.
