In the fast-paced world of hospitality, healthcare, and facilities management, commercial laundries often operate behind the scenes—working tirelessly to uphold the highest standards of hygiene, efficiency, and sustainability. These operations are the unsung heroes ensuring crisp linens in five-star hotels, sanitized uniforms in hospitals, and eco-friendly practices across industries.

This month, Clean Middle East is proud to shine a spotlight on the region’s most innovative and impactful Commercial Laundry Champions. From trailblazing technology adoption to implementing water-saving practices, these organizations and professionals are redefining what it means to deliver excellence in laundry services.

In a region where quality, scale, and sustainability intersect, we bring you the stories, achievements, and solutions of the Middle East’s top laundry performers—those who continue to raise the bar for operational excellence while supporting global sustainability goals. It’s time they received the recognition they truly deserve.

Abdul Samad, Laundry Division Manager, Reza Hygiene

Abdul Samad is a Senior Laundry Management professional with extensive experience across the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE. He has led large-scale commercial, hotel, and healthcare laundry operations, consistently improving efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction. His expertise includes strategic leadership, project management, staff development, and technical application of laundry systems and chemicals.

As Regional Laundry Division Manager and Laundry Application Expert at Reza Hygiene, he manages multi-country operations, focusing on sustainability, performance, and standardized procedures that boost productivity. He specializes in water and energy conservation, workflow optimization, and the implementation of best practices.

Previously, he has held leadership roles in major laundries across Bahrain, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, where he developed strategies that improved financial results and expanded customer bases. His approach is hands-on and solutions-driven, with a strong emphasis on team training and client engagement.

Driven by a passion for operational excellence and innovation, he remains committed to advancing the region’s laundry industry through continuous improvement and practical, results-oriented leadership.

Leading the Laundry Division at Reza Hygiene, Abdul Samad’s focus is on optimizing operations and enhancing service delivery in commercial and healthcare laundry management. Leveraging extensive industry expertise, he has honed skills in operations management and team building, ensuring our services meet the highest quality standards.

His team's commitment to excellence has been pivotal in developing new business avenues and streamlining processes for efficiency. With a strategic approach to operations and a keen eye for innovation, he has consistently delivered exceptional results, contributing to Reza Hygiene's reputation as a leader in the sector.

Ignasi Guia I Delgado, Regional Expert – Institutional Water Treatment & Fabric Care, Emerging Markets, Diversey – A Solenis Company

Born in Barcelona in 1972 and now based in Dubai, Ignasi Guia I Delgado brings over 27 years of deep expertise in the chemical industry. A Chemical Engineering graduate from Universitat de Barcelona, he currently serves as Regional Expert for Asia, Africa, and Australia-New Zealand at Diversey, a Solenis company, specializing in Fabric Care and Institutional Water Solutions. Ignasi is renowned for his passion for laundry technology—especially tunnel washers (CBWs)—and is a respected voice in sustainable and efficient fabric care practices across emerging markets. Outside of his professional pursuits, he is a dedicated family man with three daughters, and an avid nature lover, traveler, and off-road enduro motorbike rider. Ignasi’s commitment to innovation and excellence in water treatment and laundry solutions continues to shape best practices and drive impact across the industry.

Michael Connor, Chief Operations Officer, Lavendry

With over 30 years of hands-on experience across the UK, Ireland, GCC, and Asia, Mick connor has become a recognized leader in the commercial laundry industry. His journey spans every aspect of the sector—from concept development, design, equipment specification, and installation to full operational management. Mick’s career is defined by his ability to transform laundry operations into high-efficiency, innovation-driven enterprises.

He has held key leadership roles across major regional and global companies. As Operations Director at Paragon Laundry Group, he oversaw six large-scale commercial facilities across the UK. His strategic vision was further honed as Group Operations Director at NEWGEN in the Middle East and as Project and Completions Manager with JENSEN Group, where he led projects across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

He also played a pivotal role as General Manager at MCL in Qatar, delivering one of the region’s most advanced facilities for FIFA. Today, as COO of Lavendry in Saudi Arabia, he continues to redefine the industry standard by building scalable, centralized operations focused on quality, sustainability, and technology.

Notable projects under his leadership include Lavendry in Dammam and Riyadh, Saudi Airlines Catering, Bubble laundry in Abu Dhabi and California Laundry in Singapore—each a testament to his visionary approach.

Jorge Damasceno, CEO of Bubble Holding

Jorge Damasceno is the visionary CEO of Bubble Holding, a company that has seen extraordinary growth under his leadership. Jorge’s impressive career journey began in 2015 when he joined Bubble, bringing with him a wealth of experience from several esteemed organizations.

Jorge started his professional path as a Process Engineer in Oil and Gas at Fluor Daniel in South Africa. His keen operational insight and management skills quickly propelled him into leadership roles. He later joined Maclellan Facilities Management, where he oversaw operations in Portugal and Spain, further honing his expertise in facilities management.

In 2000, Jorge managed a group of companies in Portugal, where he demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by expanding the business into one of the country’s largest facilities management companies. He achieved this through the acquisition and construction of new laundries, specifically catering to the healthcare and hospitality sectors.

Jorge relocated to the UAE in 2014, initially working at Butlers before being invited by a member of the Abu Dhabi Royal Family to lead Bubble. Since taking the helm, Jorge has driven the company’s revenue from 14 million to an impressive 150 million. This remarkable growth was fueled by a combination of organic expansion, strategic acquisitions-including Clean Swift and Prime Laundry-and the launch of innovative brands such as Clean Easy, Bubble Care Express, and Bubble Hangers.

Under Jorge’s dynamic leadership, Bubble Holding now employs 1,250 people and continues to expand its footprint. With a robust financial and operations management team, the company is well-positioned for continued success, with several exciting projects on the horizon.

Jorge Damasceno’s journey is a testament to his strategic vision, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to growth-qualities that continue to drive Bubble Holding to new heights.

Narayanan Raghavan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Dr Linen Sustainable Ventures FZCO

Narayanan ( fondly remembered as Dr.Linen) is an Electrical Engineer by background with 35 plus years of work experience in varied fields of interest. The initial days of his career was with the world's most admired company General Electric of US as Project Manager working on complex cross-country projects in the building of Substation & Process Automation projects.  The entrepreneurial itch made him become a first-generation entrepreneur with interest in the hospitality industry and has been living in the world’s best place UAE for 20 plus years now.  He is a passionate Engineer trying to solve many challenges in the industry including operating commercial laundries.  The recent venture of Textile recycling with the initiative of 360 WEAVE has been the new focus to bring in the momentum in this space of textile waste management with a clear agenda to move towards collecting 1 % of global textile waste in 5 years. He always dreamt of building something unique and wanted to be the front runner in the industry. He is always seen in the related forums and loves to share the knowledge and engage himself with the industry professionals. He likes to travel around the world and has a business appetite to achieve big in life.