Hand towel dispenser provides cost savings
July 1st 2004

A state-of-the-art, sensor-operated hand-towel dispenser has delivered significant resource and cost savings and improved hygiene at the Crewe site of tobacco manufacturer Gallaher.

When the company decided to review facilities in the 24 washrooms at its national distribution centre, the need to reduce management call-outs was a priority. Constant calls from employees reporting faulty drying equipment, hand towel wastage and concerns about general cleanliness were just some of the issues faced.

Kenny Wood, integral site manager, decided to seek a solution. He says I was keen to find a substitute to the manual dispenser, as the wastage and inconvenience was becoming too much of a regular occurrence. When I was introduced to the Lotus Professional product, enMotion, I was extremely impressed, particularly when I realised how effective and user friendly it is.

Launched in 2003, EnMotion is an automated hand dryer that has been well received for its stylish design and potential for substantial cost-in-use savings.

It is a durable system that helps minimise the spread of germs through its touchless sensor that limits contact with the user. When a hand is waved in front of the sensor, a length of towel is automatically dispensed, eliminating the need for users to touch the system and, therefore, reducing the transfer of infectious organisms. A length of paper towel is torn off easily, discouraging the touching of the towel exit.

Cost-in-use savings are said to be as high as 50%. The system controls use and is said to reduce both wastage and maintenance. An adjustable sheet size function allows the site manager to adjust the towel size according to application suitability, and the sensor proximity function varies the range at which the dispenser will operate so that in smaller washrooms there is no risk of towels being dispensed accidentally.

A time delay between sheets encourages the use of fewer sheets.