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Ensuring every aspect of their operation is as energy-efficient as possible is the commitment of an award-winning South West linen and laundry business.
Baythe Linen and Laundry in Vasse, on the outskirts of the City of Busselton, is setting benchmarks for sustainability and environmental responsibility by continually seeking out and investing in innovative new equipment and practices.
The business is the brainchild of Ezekial Amudala - or Mash as he prefers to be known - who set up the business after immigrating to Western Australia from the Middle East in 2012 and settling in the growing regional centre of Busselton.
Invest time in detailed market research
Mash said that the idea for the business originated when he struggled to find a local dry-cleaning service for his suit.
“This gap in the market piqued my interest and through initial research into the dry-cleaning industry, I quickly realised that the linen service sector was more vibrant and had a larger market potential, especially given that the South West region is a tourist hub,” he explained.
Using the knowledge and skills gained when he was studying for his MBA, Mash conducted a targeted survey of five local resort operators to understand their linen service needs.
“The data collected revealed a significant market gap with no local linen service providers, and most services coming from Perth.
“Also, I found that the local business culture strongly favoured supporting local services, so this insight confirmed that the area was ripe for a local linen service provider.”
Expanding their service throughout the region
Building on his research findings, Mash took the plunge and opened his own business, Baythe Linen and Laundry, in 2013.
“Our focus was on providing bed and table linen to hotels, resorts, caravan parks, Airbnb properties and event venues in the region.
“We were processing approximately four tonnes of linen per week we when we started and now, we are washing and processing around 45 tonnes each week, such is the level of our growth.
Baythe’s expanding client base and the increasing demand for their services now extends from Bunbury all the way to Augusta and includes a wide range of businesses in the renowned Margaret River region.
“This extensive reach has allowed us to establish a robust presence in the South West tourism sector.”
Mash said the local tourism boom by WA residents during the COVID induced border closure was also a reason for the substantial growth in demand for linen services from local accommodation providers.
Work smarter not harder with SBDC guidance
As the business rapidly grew, Mash found himself working 12–18-hour shifts so he reached out to his local SBDC Regional provider, IPS Management Consultants, seeking some guidance.
“The resources and advice provided by IPS have been crucial during critical periods as their guidance has enabled us to make informed decisions, enhancing our operational efficiency and strategic planning,” Mash said.
“Knowing that expert support is just a phone call away has given me peace of mind and confidence in managing the business's growth and development.”
With IPS advice, Mash has been able to recruit an on-site operational manager to ease the demand on his own time. He now works mainly from home managing the business, which has given him back quality time with his family and, more importantly, preserved his own energy levels and health.
Sustainability the key to an efficient business future
Mash said that being surrounded by the South West region's stunning natural beauty, with its pristine beaches, forests, and vineyards inspired his deep commitment to environmental sustainability.
“By minimising our carbon footprint, we contribute to preserving this unique environment,” he said.
“Personally, I have always had a strong affinity for nature, which has driven our business's eco-friendly initiatives.”
“Our dedication to sustainability is not just a business strategy, but a core value that influences all our operations.”
Some of the energy-efficient and environmentally friendly practices used by Baythe include collecting and storing rainwater on-site during the winter months to both reduce their reliance on and use of scheme water and promote water conservation.
“While the South West is usually a reliable rainfall area, the recent long dry spell is a reminder that is very wise to have your own back up source, so water harvesting and storage is a worthwhile investment,” Mash said.
The laundry operation uses a heat exchange system to recycle hot water from the machines and has embraced technology to help meet environmental goals. This includes investing in computer-controlled dosage pumps to minimises chemical use, reduce waste and manage environmental impact; installing double-walled tanks, to prevent spillage by containing potential breaches; and surrounding the chemical areas with restraining bunting to further ensure containment.
Mash said that he has also invested in state-of-the-art dryers to significantly reduced businesses gas consumption by an impressive 25 per cent – with the added benefit of driving down running costs.
After ten years of leasing his premises, Mash said deciding to purchase the property in 2022 gave him greater control over the operational environment and allowed the business to invest more confidently in the plant and equipment needed for a growing enterprise.
Foster a local community focus and identity
Mash said his business started in 2013 with less than 10 employees, all of whom were from the local Busselton and Dunsborough community. Baythe now boasts a team of more than 50.
“By focusing on hiring locally, we've been able to build a strong, community-oriented workforce that shares our commitment to quality and service,” he said.
Coming from overseas, Mash has observed that the WA business sector excels in fostering a supportive environment for local businesses.
“The culture of mutual support can be crucial for the success of startups.”
“Specifically, the supportive business culture in the South West, which emphasises local collaboration, made it a little easier when we were sourcing additional staff for our growth.
Invest in infrastructure to enable growth
Looking back on his time in business, Mash said he would have advised himself in 2013 not to hesitate to invest in larger premises and higher-output equipment.
“Our rapid growth outpaced our initial infrastructure, and upgrading facilities sooner would have avoided the bottlenecks when we were trying to meet rapidly increasing demand with the same equipment.”
“I advise any other new small businesses to embrace technology responsibly and keep an open mind.”
Mash notes that staying adaptable and continually seeking innovative solutions can drive growth and efficiency in small businesses. His future business plans include expanding into the rapidly growing Airbnb market, which is currently under-served in terms of linen services, and focusing on more business environmental sustainability endeavours.
“One of our goals is to invest in a continuous batch wash tunnel system, which can recycle and re-use more than 50 per cent of the wash water.
“This investment will significantly reduce our water usage and overall carbon footprint, aligning with our commitment to environmentally responsible operations.
More information
For more information on support from the SBDC that assisted Baythe Linen, see the following information.
