Advantage Equipment Inc., based in Akron, Ohio, will commemorate its 20th anniversary this fall with laundry equipment discounts through the end of 2016.
“We’re slashing equipment prices in an effort to let our customers know how much we appreciate their business,” said President Scott Vlahos. “We are doubling our 20 years for a 40 percent discount through year-end.”
Advantage opened for business in September 1996.
“Continental became our first secured line of equipment and has spurred strong and even growth in both the vended and on-premise laundry segments,” Vlahos explained.
Today, the distributorship offers multiple equipment lines, including Continental Girbau, Hamilton, ADC, Ram Air, LG and Sports Laundry Systems. Additionally, the company supplies chemical products and ancillary laundry items.
“We started off in a small warehouse in Kent, Ohio, with one employee and my mom doing the books and answering the phone,” Vlahos said. “Today, we operate out of a large facility in Akron with four factory-trained technicians and four office personnel.”
During the last 20 years, Advantage has helped develop numerous successful vended laundries, according to Vlahos.
“We partner with investors and help them with site selection, lease negotiation, equipment mix, installation, operator and employee training, store marketing, and technical service after the sale,” he noted. “There’s nothing more exciting than a vended laundry’s grand opening. It means we’ve helped an investor’s goal become a reality.”
On-premise laundry analysis and development is another of Advantage Equipment’s strengths. The company caters to veterinary facilities, hotels, nursing homes, salons and spas, large corporations, major universities, and Major League Baseball stadiums, among others.
“If there is a need for commercial laundry equipment, we help provide the right solution,” Vlahos said.
Through its evolution since inception, the company has grown to handle any situation – orchestrating small to large installations.
“In some cases, we’ve used cranes to rig flatwork ironers and large industrial washers into buildings,” Vlahos pointed out. “Our experiences over the last 20 years allow us to take on jobs others might not want.”
Known for its personal service, the company responds to nearly all equipment service calls within 24 hours, Vlahos added.
“Our staff of factory-trained service technicians get the job done,” he said. “Our vans are stocked with the needed parts, so we can make the repair on the first visit.”
The full-service equipment provider caters to vended, on-premise and industrial laundry customers throughout West Virginia and large portions of Ohio and Pennsylvania.
