Samsung launches large-capacity washers, dryers for commercial use

Samsung Electronics' washer for the business-to-business market / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics

By Baek Byung-yeul

Samsung Electronics is tapping into the business-to-business (B2B) laundry market as the tech giant rolled out a new washer and dryer for commercial purposes, Tuesday.

Samsung said it decided to enter the domestic commercial washer and dryer market as the market is expected to show an annual growth of 50 percent. The company said it will supply its washer and dryer products to coin laundries, hotels, resorts, dormitories, hospitals and military facilities.

“Samsung is tapping into the commercial washer and dryer market, which has high growth potential, using the firm's distinguished technology and knowhow earned from the home appliances market,” said Kim Hyun-sook, vice president of Samsung.

To achieve the goal, Samsung introduced a large-capacity washer that can take up to 17 kilograms of laundry for B2B purposes. Samsung said a full load of laundry can be done in 38 minutes.

The firm also rolled out a B2B dryer with a capacity of 11 kilograms. It takes 45 minutes to dry one full load of laundry. Samsung said the washer and the dryer can be installed either in serial or in parallel.

Samsung explained coin machines can be attached to the washers and dryers and clients can additionally add a payment system for credit card or Samsung Pay, the mobile payment service of the firm.

For the convenience of its corporate clients, Samsung said it will provide product management services ranging from purchasing and installation to maintenance.

Kim said Samsung “will make inroads into not only the laundry facility market but also cafes and convenience stores to create demand.”

LG Electronics' washer for gears of firefighters / Courtesy of LG Electronics

With new products, Samsung will compete with its archrival LG Electronics in the B2B laundry market.

LG has led the country's B2B laundry market followed by GIRBAU, Electrolux and Dayou Winia. Currently, LG has sold B2B washers with capacities of 13 and 15 kilograms. The firm said it will roll out a new washer that can take up to 17 kilograms next month. LG has two washers with capacities of 10 and 14 kilograms respectively for B2B purpose.

LG is also playing a leading role in generating new demands as the firm has sold its washers for firefighters since December, 2017. “There should be a careful approach to clean protective gears of firefighters because it is important to maintain the integrity of the fabrics of the gears,” an LG official said.