For more than 110 years, Anderson Chemical has built a reputation for delivering innovative chemistry solutions backed by exceptional customer support. Founded in 1911 and now in its fourth generation of family leadership, the Minnesota-based company has remained true to its guiding philosophy: “Treat others – all others – the way you want to be treated.”
That philosophy, combined with a forward-thinking approach to product development and manufacturing, has made Anderson Chemical a trusted name across several critical industries. Today, the company operates four distinct divisions:
- Sanitation Technologies, serving the food processing industry.
- INTEGRA® by Anderson, providing institutional Laundry, Foodservice and Housekeeping solutions.
- Water Technologies, focused on boiler, cooling tower and wastewater treatment systems.
- Private label chemical manufacturing, offering customized solutions for clients.
Each division is built on the company’s long-standing commitment to “Just the Right Chemistry®,” delivering tailored, results-driven products to meet the specific demands of each market.
A New Focus on Laundromats
Although Anderson Chemical has traditionally focused on larger-scale institutional and industrial laundry operations, recent shifts in the laundromat industry have opened new opportunities and Anderson is ready to meet them head-on.
“We’re excited to support a rapidly changing laundromat industry from multiple perspectives,” said Alex Carlson, General Manager of INTEGRA® by Anderson. “This is a market segment that we’ve historically not served because there has not been a demand for chemical dispensing systems. But continuous improvement is a part of our business culture, which we believe we have in common with the laundromat industry as it’s continued to evolve.”
From self-service walk-in traffic to fluff-and-fold operations and full-service pickup and delivery models, today’s laundromats require flexible chemistry solutions that address a wide range of cleaning needs. Anderson Chemical brings both the expertise and the product line to help owners and operators meet those demands – efficiently and effectively.
Elevating the Laundromat Experience
Anderson’s team understands that a clean, fresh-smelling facility is more than just a nice-to-have. It’s essential to attracting and retaining customers. That’s why the company emphasizes whole-facility cleaning and sanitation programs that help laundromat owners protect their investments and create environments their customers feel good about.
And as more laundromat operators expand their services, Anderson is developing new packaging, dispensing and support tools designed specifically for the growing market.
“We’re confident in our chemistry to meet the needs,” Carlson said. “But what really excites us is seeing what else we can bring to this expanding market – from innovation in packaging and dispensing, to the kind of personalized support laundromat owners can rely on.”
With a legacy built on trust, quality and adaptability, Anderson Chemical is proving that even after more than a century in business, there’s always room to grow and always a new industry to serve.
In addition, Anderson’s General Manager, Carlson shared with PlanetLaundry his thoughts on the future of the laundry industry:
What is the most pronounced trend you’re currently seeing in your segment of the industry?
From our perspective, the need for store owners to have access to laundry chemistry expertise as they offer more services to customers through fluff-and-fold and pick-up-and-delivery.
What are you most excited about going forward?
To bring the knowledge we have from our OPL experience to store owners and how this will translate into excellent results for customers.
From a business perspective, what are you most concerned about?
Economic uncertainties are present in many industries, which makes business planning challenging. As a company that’s been around since 1911, we’ve been through many challenging times and remain optimistic in 2025 that whatever comes our way we will find a way to adapt and continue to provide valuable products and services for our customers.
Where do you see your niche of the laundromat industry headed?
Providing chemistry expertise and using it to positively affect the entire laundry process.
What’s the biggest reason for laundromat owners to be optimistic about the future?
Cleaning and sanitation both, as well as laundry, have received much attention through the pandemic and post, highlighting its importance. The need for these services is fundamental to daily life that many have come to expect, making the laundry business a good one to be in, even in challenging times.
What are the keys to successful laundromat ownership today?
First off, as stated earlier, the investment made within the building and equipment needs to be a clean, safe and welcoming environment for the consumer who cares about providing the best for their family.
Also, knowledge is power. Seek out and create a trusted circle of people that bring the best of industry knowledge that will look out for your best interest in being successful.
