Indonesia's Commercial Laundry Market Growth Spurs Regional Production Expansion
The growth of the commercial laundry industry in Indonesia is driving an increase in production capacity for laundry equipment in Southeast Asia. Ongoing urbanisation, changing urban lifestyles, and the expansion of the hospitality sector are the main factors boosting demand for modern laundry services and supporting equipment.
In response, Alliance Laundry Systems (ALS) has enhanced the capabilities of its manufacturing facility in Chonburi, Thailand, to strengthen supply and support for the Asia-Pacific market, including Indonesia, which is cited as one of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the region.
Managing Director of Alliance Laundry (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Ben Dobbs, stated that the facility upgrade is part of the company’s effort to deliver more efficient and reliable commercial laundry solutions tailored to the needs of businesses across various countries. “By combining advanced engineering, high-precision manufacturing, and the region’s first STAR Lab, we are well-positioned to deliver products that support operational efficiency and long-term business needs,” Dobbs said in a written statement.
The Asia-Pacific region is currently one of the world’s growth centres for the commercial laundry industry. Besides being driven by the rising number of middle-class consumers, the growth of the tourism and hospitality sectors is also fuelling demand for more efficient, high-capacity professional laundry services.
In Indonesia, the trend of using laundromats continues to rise alongside the high mobility of urban populations. At the same time, many hotels are beginning to outsource laundry services to reduce operational costs and improve business efficiency.
Awareness of more sustainable business practices is also driving industry transformation. Business operators are increasingly considering equipment that can save energy and water while offering a longer service life.
ALS assesses that Indonesia is one of the most dynamic markets in Southeast Asia for commercial laundry services. In major cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung, urban population growth and people’s time constraints are boosting demand for outsourced laundry services, including self-service laundromats and on-demand laundry services.
Furthermore, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remain the backbone of the national laundry industry. Many independent operators, from kilo laundry businesses to franchise networks, are now beginning to invest in more durable and high-tech equipment to improve operational efficiency and service quality.
To support these needs, ALS has strengthened its manufacturing facility in Thailand, which spans 27,000 square metres and serves as a regional export hub. This facility will also be the base for increasing production capacity to meet the needs of the Indonesian market. The plant uses German-technology precision machinery that enables the production of components with high accuracy and consistent quality. ALS has also integrated rapid prototyping and computer-aided engineering into its product development process, allowing design, simulation, and validation to be completed more quickly before mass production.
One product developed through this facility is the Stax-X, a stacked washer and dryer aimed at start-up businesses, SMEs, and laundry operators with limited space. The product is available in 14-kilogram and 23-kilogram capacities and is marketed under various brands in the ALS portfolio, namely Speed Queen, Huebsch, IPSO, and Primus.
Product development is carried out through the STAR Lab (Thailand Science Technology Research Laboratory), ALS’s first regional research and development centre in the Asia-Pacific. At this facility, various products undergo testing to ensure performance, safety, and feasibility standards before being marketed.
In addition to increasing manufacturing capacity, ALS is also strengthening after-sales service through its distributor networks in various countries. This support includes training, maintenance services, spare parts availability, technical assistance, and warranty services.
“Investors are not just buying machines. They need comprehensive support throughout their business journey. Therefore, every decision we make, from engineering to distribution to service, is designed to protect their investment and support long-term returns,” Dobbs said.