To experience it yourself: the Q-Gate at Nedlin
Nedlin's services extend beyond laundry. In collaboration with our partners, we also provide hygiene solutions, clothing lockers, and clothing distribution systems. Like the Q-Gate, a fully automated registration system that links bulk clothing to individual distribution. Customers can experience it firsthand at our new Healthcare laundry. "Some customers wonder if this system is suitable for them. But after visiting our laundry, they are so enthusiastic that they want to have one themselves."
The Q-Gate from ACG Pulse is an effective solution for managing workwear. It comes with numerous benefits. The system is easy to manage and straightforward to explain. It requires less clothing compared to personalized distribution. Additionally, the Q-Gate provides real-time information on usage, costs, and potential savings. It also takes up minimal space and offers users more convenience than other solutions.
Nedlin's new laundry facility is equipped with a Q-Gate. "It's a showcase," says Joris Hendriks, Commercial Director at Nedlin Industry, who often recommends the system as an affordable option for an automated clothing distribution system that provides better control over garments. "We are now gaining firsthand experience with the system so that we can advise customers even better. Ultimately, we aim to implement the Q-Gate more widely." Customers in Elsloo can see for themselves how the system operates, and it turns out to be surprisingly straightforward.
What is a Q-Gate?
De Q-Gate is a type of gateway with two doors that provides access to a warehouse. Employees open the first door, scan their card inside the gateway, and gain access to the space. Inside, they retrieve the necessary clothing items from the rack, each equipped with an RFID chip. When they scan their card again to exit the warehouse, the system automatically registers which clothing items they have taken. This deducts credits from their card. If an employee returns the clothing, the credits are refunded back onto the card.
Previously, the clothing was personalized. Colleagues were constantly at my desk because they wanted something arranged.
For the organization, this means more control over the clothing, and for the user, it means more flexibility. If a size M turns out to be too tight, then next time you can try a larger size. Feeling cold? Just walk upstairs to get a sweater. This also saves Maurice Ceelen, Warehouse Coordinator at Nedlin Healthcare, a lot of work. "Previously, the clothing was personalized and registered to individual sizes. Changes often required ad hoc adjustments, and colleagues were constantly at my desk because they needed something arranged."
Now, employees have a batch of clothing credit. At the beginning of their shift, they choose which clothing items they need, and at the end, they deposit all the garments in a smart laundry basket. Nothing goes home with them, so nothing gets lost anymore. The warehouse manager only needs to ensure there is sufficient stock of each size. But even that is easier now with the Q-Gate than it was before.
A smart system
Maurice: "You can extract various data from the system. For example, which sizes are used the most." If Maurice replenishes the clothing on time, the system runs smoothly. That was more challenging before. Previously, both preparation and changes took more time, and there were two clothing pools: one for permanent staff and another for temporary workers. "The latter was managed by the temp agency, so we had no visibility there."
Arthur van der Horn, Production Manager at Nedlin Healthcare, also notices the impact of everyone retrieving their clothing from the Q-Gate. Arthur handles the intake of new employees and links their batch to the system. "The Q-Gate is much easier to manage. The inventory is always in order, we can quickly see if we need to reorder clothing, and we can better control hygiene."
Easy to explain
As a production manager, Arthur always takes a tour with new employees. "I explain where the cafeteria is, the toilets, where people can change clothes. And I show them the Q-Gate." The system proves to be very easy to explain. "It's logical and straightforward. It really simplifies things for me. I give instructions once, and people know what to do. It's a great automated system." With a smile: "It has to be, in this fantastic modern factory!"
The Q-Gate really relieves me; it's a great automated system. It has to be, in this fantastic modern laundry!
Customers are also enthusiastic. "We constantly ask ourselves what our customers need," explains Joris. "And we've found that it's more pleasant for them to experience a system firsthand rather than just hearing about it remotely. Here, customers are welcome to discover if the Q-Gate is right for them." This approach is appreciated. "Some customers wonder if this system is suitable for them. But after visiting our laundry, they are so enthusiastic that they want to have one themselves."
