For decades, commercial laundry has operated behind the scenes, quietly supporting hospitals, hotels, airlines, industrial facilities and countless other sectors where hygiene, efficiency and reliability are non-negotiable. Yet today, the region's laundry industry is undergoing one of its most significant transformations. Automation, digitalisation, sustainability, data-driven operations and smarter textile care are redefining what operational excellence looks like. 

Leading this transformation are professionals who are challenging long-held assumptions, adopting intelligent technologies and proving that commercial laundry is no longer just about washing linen—it's about managing resources, extending textile life, improving productivity and delivering measurable business value. 

The Laundry Champions in the Middle East recognises these individuals whose leadership is shaping the future of the industry across the GCC. From pioneering sustainable washing processes and embracing IoT-enabled operations to developing talent and driving operational resilience, each champion featured here has made a meaningful contribution to advancing commercial laundry standards in the region. 

Their journeys reflect an industry that is becoming more connected, more innovative and more strategic than ever before. Through their insights, achievements and vision for the future, they offer valuable lessons for professionals across the laundry ecosystem—whether they are managing a hotel laundry, operating an industrial plant, supplying technology or developing the next generation of talent. 

As the commercial laundry sector continues to evolve, these champions remind us that the future will be built not only on smarter machines, but also on smarter leadership. Their stories celebrate the people behind the process—the innovators ensuring that every load delivers not just cleanliness, but quality, efficiency and lasting impact. 

Abdul Samad, Laundry Division Manager, Reza Hygiene 

Your most significant achievements in the past year 

Over the past year, my most significant contribution as Regional Laundry Division Manager at Reza Hygiene has been helping commercial laundries across Saudi Arabia and the GCC improve operational performance, productivity, service quality, and sustainability through a combination of application, operational, and technical expertise. 

I have worked closely with hospitality, healthcare, airline, and industrial laundries to improve key performance indicators (KPIs), increase operational efficiency, optimize wash processes, implement best-practice operating procedures, and enhance tunnel washer performance to achieve greater throughput, consistency, quality, and cost control. 

Key trends or innovations 

A major focus of my work has been helping organizations understand and implement the true principles of sustainability in laundry operations—an area that has often been misunderstood and reduced to simply lowering chemical or utility consumption. Through optimized chemical programs, advanced wash technologies, operational benchmarking, and data-driven process management, I have supported customers in reducing water and energy consumption while simultaneously improving productivity, extending textile life, and maintaining the highest standards of textile care. 

The GCC laundry industry is rapidly evolving through automation, digitalization, and intelligent management systems. Real-time monitoring, automated chemical dosing, predictive maintenance, production tracking, and water recycling technologies are enabling laundries to achieve higher efficiency, improved quality, enhanced sustainability, and measurable cost savings. 

Advice to next-gen laundry professionals 

My advice to the next generation of laundry professionals is to develop strong application, operational, and technical expertise while embracing continuous learning. Gain a deep understanding of textiles, chemistry, advanced laundry equipment, KPIs, PPOH, sustainability principles, and data analytics. The future belongs to professionals who combine practical experience with innovation, customer-focused solutions, and a commitment to continuous improvement and sustainable operations. 

Ayesh  Al Onaizi, Senior Laundry Manager, Intercontinental Hotel Riyadh 

Your most significant achievements in the past year 

As Senior Laundry Manager at the InterContinental Riyadh, my most significant achievement was leading a comprehensive operational transformation focused on efficiency, sustainability, quality, and cost control. One of the key initiatives was transitioning to Reza Hygiene as our chemical solutions partner, which successfully eliminated the fabric damage and premature linen wear that had previously affected our operation. This change not only improved textile lifespan and guest satisfaction but also delivered substantial reductions in water, energy, and chemical consumption. 

In parallel, I led the replacement of aging laundry equipment with modern high-performance washer-extractors, significantly reducing maintenance costs, minimizing downtime, and improving production reliability. Through close collaboration with technical specialists and the implementation of structured staff training programs, we enhanced operator competency, optimized workflow management, improved machine utilization, and reduced processing times across all laundry sections. 

My added value has been driving maximum operational efficiency through process optimization, KPI monitoring, productivity improvement, resource management, workforce development, and continuous quality enhancement. These initiatives resulted in higher throughput, lower operating costs, improved linen quality, greater sustainability performance, and a more streamlined and cost-effective laundry operation. 

Key trends or innovations 
The GCC laundry sector is rapidly evolving toward automation, digitalization, sustainability, and data-driven decision-making. One of the most impactful innovations is the adoption of intelligent dosing and monitoring systems that automatically adjust chemical usage based on soil levels, load weight, fabric type, and local water conditions. Advanced equipment with real-time performance monitoring, predictive maintenance capabilities, and resource optimization features is helping laundries improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact. 

Additionally, there is a growing focus on water reuse technologies, energy-efficient equipment, wet-cleaning solutions, and sustainable chemical programs that support environmental objectives without compromising textile quality or hygiene standards. The successful integration of these technologies with skilled workforce development will be a key differentiator for leading laundry operations across the GCC. 

Advice to next-gen laundry professionals 

Understand that modern laundry management extends far beyond washing textiles. It requires expertise in chemistry, textile care, equipment technology, operational efficiency, sustainability, cost management, and people development. Focus on understanding the science behind laundry processes, measuring performance through KPIs, and continuously seeking opportunities to improve productivity and resource utilization. 

Build strong technical knowledge, embrace innovation, and develop problem-solving skills. Most importantly, view chemical and equipment suppliers as strategic partners who can contribute valuable application expertise, operational improvements, and training support. The most successful laundry professionals are those who combine technical knowledge, operational excellence, and a commitment to continuous improvement. 

Gary Teeley, General Manager, Super Laundry, Oman 

Your most significant achievements in the past year 

The past year has shown once more, how owners and senior management continue to hamper the commercial laundry scene in general. Micro management is far too often prevalent, restricting the growth and development of laundry teams at all levels, from the factory production floor, lower, upper management and influencing sales and marketing. 

Key trends or innovations 
Trends, innovations are stagnant within the industry across the GCC. Commercial awareness, introducing new concepts is nonexistent, with the continuation of commercial services to hotels having the same pattern since early 2000.I feel the industry requires fresh impetus, new faces, young or old to reinvigorate the stale mate. 

Advice to next-gen laundry professionals 
For many years, there has been a plethora of the same faces, treading the same water and allowing time to pass them by. Where are the right-hand men/ladies? Who fills the role of the aging senior management, myself included? It is time for fresh blood to be streetwise, commercially, technically and having the fundamentals for customer service techniques. 

Senior management, in my opinion, have no plan B for the future growth, development within the management structure, however I would like to be proved wrong. 

Here in Muscat, Oman I have a successor plan and is in place. 

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

Your most significant achievements in the past year 

My main contribution: 

• Transferring the knowledge about CBW (Continuous Batch Washers=Tunnel Washers) to colleagues and customers Worldwide. 

• Enhancing knowledge and awareness about good laundry practices (bad laundry practices too!) and sustainability in laundry through laundry audits, customer seminars, regional conferences Worldwide, trainings for customers, colleagues and distributors. 

Key trends or innovations 
IoT (Internet of things) has transformed the laundry sector actively providing almost full control of laundry processes. AI has a great potential but is still in the “cradle”. We need to push AI forward in our sector. 

Sustainable Laundry Solutions: Learn how simple changes can make a big difference. From plastic-free cleaning chemicals to low-temperature washing, discover ways to achieve bright, clean, and white linens while using less water, less electricity, and less time. The focus is on cleaning smarter—reducing costs and environmental impact without compromising on quality. 

Advice to next-gen laundry professionals 

This has been my focus in the last 4 years, not only to transfer knowledge but the soul of our profession. Let me elaborate. 

A laundry professional only will excel when is has the following skills: 

• Passion as a motor. 

• Knowledge built through experiences 70% (failures and successes)+training 30%. 

• Physical fitness - laundry professional must be fit and active in a tough environment specially in GCC! Where the temperatures at laundry can reach easily 40C inside the laundry. 

• Ability to listen the experience-ability to absorb the knowledge. 

• Fully open to new technologies like AI-IoT. 

• Mental resilience. 

Mayur Mundada, Co-Founder and CLO, LaundryHeap 

Your most significant achievements in the past year 

At Laundryheap, our mission has always centred on delivering genuine convenience. Now we are one of the largest on demand laundry provider in the GCC; operating in 8 cities(Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Doha, Jeddah, Manama, Kuwait and Muscat), which is an amazing achievement to look back on. With Laundryheap, your laundry is just 3 clicks away across all major cities. 
 
Key trends or innovations 

The Laundry industry is changing from traditional mortar setups to “On Demand Everything”, as the convenience of having a professional service at your fingertips is more of a necessity. Along the same lines, customers can now find Laundryheap with multiple service partners , on different booking platforms; this ease of access and availability will continue to push the GCC market. 
 
Advice to next-gen laundry professionals 

Focus on what you do exceptionally well, build deep expertise in that space, and trust others to do the same. Push towards more sustainable practices, these are harder to achieve if not planned out thoroughly. Better machinery and integrated SOPs are musts. Cost savings should come from efficiency and not from compromising quality. 

Mohamed Metwali, General Manager, JENSEN ME Laundry Equipment Trading 

Your most significant achievements in the past year 

Together with our regional team and channel partners, we have continued to strengthen our close collaboration with customers across the Middle East. By combining local market knowledge with JENSEN's industrial laundry expertise, we support customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their operations. At the same time, we have further expanded our regional service organization, investing in skilled, factory-trained service engineers to ensure fast, reliable support. This customer-focused culture helps build long-term partnerships based on trust, responsiveness and operational excellence. 

Key trends or innovations  

Advanced Blue Edition tunnel washer technology continues to set new standards for water and energy efficiency, reducing freshwater consumption to as little as 1.62 L/kg of linen. At the same time, digitalization enables plant managers to track every batch, optimize chemical dosing and resource consumption, reduce human error and maintain consistent hygiene quality. The combination of innovative technology with strong local service and application expertise will continue to shape the future of commercial laundry in the GCC. 

Tareq Abdou, Director of Laundry, MCL Qatar 

Your most significant achievements in the past year 

Contingency and adaptability have been key achievements over the past year. We successfully supported diverse sectors, including hospitality, airlines, entertainment, and healthcare, during uncertain times by continuously adjusting to changing customer needs. We also invested heavily in people development, training both in-house and outsourced associates to build valuable laundry and hospitality skills. This has strengthened our operational resilience and enabled us to provide contingency support to other laundries during maintenance periods and operational disruptions. 

Key trends or innovations  

Sustainability is the primary driver of change in the GCC laundry sector. The industry is increasingly adopting water recycling, energy-efficient processes, sustainable chemicals, and low-temperature washing to reduce environmental impact while improving efficiency. Circular economy initiatives, such as Re-Thread, are also gaining momentum by transforming retired linen into practical products including clothing, bags, and other everyday items, extending textile life and reducing waste. 

Advice to next-gen laundry professionals 

Stay committed, be patient, and embrace continuous learning. Focus on excelling in your current role rather than pursuing titles or worrying about future outcomes. Success is built through consistent daily actions and continuous improvement over time. Concentrate on what you are doing today, give your best effort every day, and trust that results will follow. Hard work, consistency, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from challenges will create opportunities for long-term growth and leadership within this evolving industry.