A challenging anniversary year

Modern cleanroom infrastructure at the Bardusch facility Mülheim-Kärlich.

The quality control department checks for stains and defects. Depending on the result, the employee selects the next processing step via touchscreen.

In 2021, the textile service provider Bardusch will turn 150 years old. Of course, all those responsible had envisioned and wished for a different anniversary year. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and its impacts have also affected Bardusch and its employees. However, one thing has become clear: the company remains solid even in these challenging times, and Bardusch's field of activity has a future.

A brief look at the statistics shows that it is something special when a business exists for 150 years: According to a comprehensive banking study from 2017, the average age of all German companies is just over 16 years. Only about eight percent of businesses are older than 100 years. Even older companies were not recorded separately in statistics — probably because there are so few.

Two world wars, economic upswing, several economic crises, the division and reunification of Germany, globalization, and digitalization: All of this has been experienced by Bardusch and has ultimately shaped what it is today.

From Laundry to a Modern Service Company

Starting from the beginnings of a small laundry, Bardusch has now developed into a company operating across Europe, offering comprehensive services in the textile sector. The goal for the future is to continue operating as a textile service provider, as the responsible persons at Bardusch are confident that this business — providing and maintaining workwear and laundry — is a service package that will continue to gain importance.
In the anniversary year, the Bardusch Group includes more than 30 laundries in six European countries. Overall, approximately 3,500 Bardusch employees generated a turnover of 314 million euros.

Organic Growth and Acquisitions

Bardusch is on a growth course in all European countries, and acquisitions are being considered. "Of course, Bardusch depends on the overall market development, but fundamentally, we see growth opportunities in all sectors in which we are active," assesses CFO Oliver Kuck the prospects for Bardusch. And he adds: "Through our broad range of textile services for various industries, including crafts, gastronomy, and hospitality, as well as clinics, laboratories, and nursing homes, we can relatively well compensate for revenue declines in individual segments. Due to our comprehensive portfolio, Bardusch exhibits high resilience."

The company also benefits from being regionally present with its operations in six European countries, maintaining proximity to customers. This allows employees on-site to respond quickly and specifically to changing wishes or requirements.

The difficulties or failures in the hotel and gastronomy sectors affected Bardusch last year: Orders in these industries declined significantly due to the pandemic, and Bardusch had to apply for short-time work in some divisions.

System-Relevant Services

In the crisis year 2020, certified washing and disinfection processes became more important than ever for many companies. High hygiene standards have become essential for some industries, and outsourcing service activities is trending. Hospitals, nursing homes, and emergency services are increasingly commissioning specialists for this purpose.

In managing its tasks, Bardusch was greatly helped by the fact that the company's business activities were classified and recognized as "system-relevant." This means that textile services are indispensable for the supply of healthcare and industrial companies, such as the food industry.

Focus on Cleanroom

With its strengthened activities in the cleanroom sector and the opening of the sixth cleanroom last year, Bardusch has set the course to quickly tap into an interesting future market. For highly technical companies, cleanrooms are crucial because, in addition to high hygiene requirements for employees, "particle-free" conditions must also be ensured for their production and products.

Such particle-free environments are demanded, for example, by customers from the pharmaceutical and food industries, as well as companies from electronics, optics, precision mechanics, or biotechnology sectors. All processes at Bardusch are designed so that the processed textiles contain no dirt or fiber particles, and employees in highly sensitive areas can be assured that their products are protected from environmental influences and reinfections of any kind.

Healthy Middle Class

The company operates in an international market. "Our advantage is the medium size of the company — basically in the upper middle range," explains Andreas Holzer, COO Europe. "We are large enough to offer significant volumes to corporations or other major clients. But at the same time, we are still manageable and flexible enough as a family business to serve our customers individually." He is confident: "Quantity is not everything; the service mindset counts."

In recent years, Bardusch has invested heavily to best prepare for future demands. Not only has the competitive situation been analyzed, but societal trends have also been considered in the strategic planning of future business activities.

Various Challenges for People and Technology

Oliver Kuck emphasizes how important modern technologies, transformation, and digitalization are for Bardusch: "On one hand, companies like ours are required to ensure efficient yet service-oriented workflows. We have achieved this change: We have made the necessary investments, and the focus areas 'Digitalization of business processes' and 'Optimization of logistics' are currently being implemented together with our employees. On the other hand, it is crucial to react early to changing customer markets and demands. To bring employees along on this journey, we are also investing heavily in training and further education measures."

In terms of customer orientation, the keywords are also "digitalization" and "new ways of collaboration." "Overall, we expect increasing demand, especially for hygienically flawless textiles and consumables. We have prepared for the market changes in Europe in a timely manner," explains Andreas Holzer about the company's orientation.

Long-Term Decisions and Rapid, Flexible Action

Despite all the dynamic changes, Bardusch has remained true to its roots. The manager-led company is still family-owned and is currently represented by the fifth generation: Christina Bardusch-Haupt and Carl-Matthias Bardusch have been steering the company's affairs as shareholders and members of the supervisory board for ten years. 150 years after its founding, Bardusch remains solid and healthy overall and is navigating in relatively calm waters.

The employees of Bardusch can be assured that the company will remain in family hands, and decisions on economic matters are fundamentally aimed at long-term sustainability — in keeping with family tradition. "We want Bardusch to remain an independent provider of individual, professional solutions and an important service provider in Europe. This approach involves quick action and short decision-making paths," summarizes Carl-Matthias Bardusch the company's philosophy. He adds: "For the future, we wish for Bardusch to retain its 'family spirit.' It is the people who have accompanied, supported, and carried Bardusch over many years — sometimes a whole career — who have ultimately made Bardusch what it is today. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts."

Despite currently challenging times, shareholders and employees look to the future with optimism.