What should I ask about the industrial washing equipment at a linen rental business?

Get a full equipment schedule with the make, model, serial number, age and condition of each machine. Go on site and match the list to what you see. Ask whether the machines run all shifts or sit idle part of the day, because heavy use wears them faster.

Request repair and maintenance records. Look for repeat failures, long outages and reliance on one technician. Ask how quickly parts arrive and whether any machine is old enough that parts are hard to find. Ask what a breakdown does to deliveries and whether the plant has backup capacity.

Find out how the plant uses water, energy and chemicals, since those are large costs. Ask whether recent upgrades improved efficiency and what the utility bills look like through the year. A tired machine can look cheap but cost more to run. Check ownership. Some equipment is financed or leased, with a lender holding a claim. Ask your lawyer to confirm what you would take over. Have an independent technician inspect the key machines and give a view on remaining life, then plan replacement spending with your accountant and lender.

Key takeaways

• Request a schedule of each machine with age, use, service and ownership.
• Ask what a breakdown does to deliveries and whether backup capacity exists.
• Have a technician inspect the key machines and estimate replacement timing.
• Compare utility and chemical costs across the year before judging efficiency.