HK Laundry Equipment co-founder Reed Hinrichs recently passed away at the age of 93.
An icon in the laundry industry throughout New York and Connecticut, Mr. Hinrichs first established HK Sales in 1967, with his business partner Jim Kerr.
The company started out by distributing Wascomat washers and Huebsch dryers. In addition, Hinrichs built and owned laundromats, while also developing a strong presence in the on-premises laundry sector, using time purchases under a leasing structure.
In 1970, Hinrichs bought out his partner – and, in 1980, his son Karl joined the company, with the two working together to develop and retool laundromats for 15 years.
“I was fortunate and blessed to work side by side with my father for 15 years,” Karl said. “He was my mentor, my partner – and also a father. He provided the corporate foundation that has built HK Laundry into one of the premier distributors in the country. He will be fondly remembered by customers and competitors alike.”
