Waschbär GmbH, a commercial laundry provider in Mühlhausen, Germany, is integrating robotics and artificial intelligence into its production line to combat chronic labor shortages. According to managing director Henrik Bier, the company is installing ceiling-mounted conveyor systems to automate the flow of professional clothing, culminating in robotic folding to reduce reliance on manual labor.
Automation as a Response to Labor Shortages in Thuringia
The shift toward automation at Waschbär GmbH isn’t driven by a desire for rapid expansion, but by necessity. Henrik Bier told the Thüringische Landeszeitung that the company identified a decline in available apprentices as early as 2005 and 2006. This trend, coupled with broader demographic shifts in the Unstrut-Hainich-Kreis region, has made finding qualified staff increasingly difficult.
The company currently processes approximately 8.5 tons of soiled laundry daily. While the business began as a traditional laundry service, Bier describes the firm as a “health service provider.” He notes that actual washing now accounts for only about 20% of their total output; the rest consists of logistics, consulting, process design, and service for clients such as nursing homes.
Robotic Integration and Infrastructure Upgrades
Waschbär GmbH is currently implementing a new automation line at its facility on Lassallestraße. The technical upgrades include:
- Ceiling-Mounted Conveyors: New transport systems installed directly under the hall ceiling to streamline movement.
- Integrated Drying Processes: A reorganization of drying cycles to link various production steps.
- Robotic Folding: The elimination of manual intermediate stations, allowing professional clothing to move through production and be folded by robots.
Bier asserts that AI and robotics serve as tools to improve existing jobs rather than simply replace workers. However, he acknowledges that the workforce composition will shift. The company expects its staff count to decrease from 67 employees today to approximately 60 by 2030.
Shifting Job Profiles: From Manual Labor to Tech Specialists
As manual tasks like sorting, transporting, and folding are automated, the company’s hiring needs are evolving. According to Bier, the facility will increasingly require specialized technical roles to maintain the new infrastructure, specifically:
- Mechatronics technicians
- IT specialists
- Electronics technicians
- Process specialists
Company History and Financial Standing
Founded in 1895 as the “Dampfwäscherei Mühlhausen,” the business has survived two world wars and a period as a state-owned enterprise. The name “Waschbär” was adopted in 1956. Following German reunification, the company faced potential bankruptcy before being purchased from the Treuhand agency by Bier’s father.
Today, the company generates an annual turnover exceeding five million euros. Bier maintains that while profitability is essential, the company holds a social responsibility to the community and its employees during this technological transition.