Solutions - A1 Services, Inc. - Jefferson, LA
“The machine’s superior mechanical action enables us to achieve unparalleled production rates.”
A-1 Services of Jefferson, LA used Automation in their recent equipment/building renovation to streamline product flow and increase productivity. A-1 Services is a mat and dust control rental company that has been servicing Louisiana and Mississippi customers since 1970. Privately owned and operated by the Bode Family, A-1 takes pride in providing excellent customer service with quality products at competitive prices.

A-1 Services utilizes Milnor Automated Continuous Batch Washer (CBW®) Systems to process 11,000 – 12,000 mats per week. A-1 purchased their first Milnor CBW in March 1993 and second system in May 1995. When it was time to replace its 16-year-old Milnor CBW washer, the Bode family once again chose Milnor.

The latest expansion consisted of: a Milnor 4 Compartment Loading/Weighing Conveyor, a four-module 76039 150 lb. CBW tunnel washer, a 700 RPM high speed centrifugal extractor, two Milnor 300 lb. gas dryers and approximately 250 feet of Milnor conveyors.

A-1’s third Milnor CBW System is vital to overall operations and efficiency because it permits the 248 feet of conveyors to link the wash room to the assembly/distribution warehouse, with minimal labor.

Max Schroeder, A-1’s Operations Manager, said, “The plant used to run forklifts to transport palletized mats all day long between the buildings. Now this task is performed automatically with the use of Milnor takeaway conveyors. This has reduced our operation time by 25%. Also, by properly laying out the new system’s loading conveyor, one operator can now load both systems. This task took two operators before the renovation.”

Howard and Darrell Bode chose Milnor because of the machine’s durability and washing capability. Darrell stated that “the Milnor CBW processes mats better and faster than their open pocket washers, using only cold water and little wash chemistry.”

Schroeder added, “The machine’s superior mechanical action enables us to achieve unparalleled production rates.” All three men know a great deal about Milnor tunnels, especially Max who previously provided maintenance on two Milnor 12-module tunnels at another laundry. To further improve
production rates, Schroeder commissioned custom carts for unloading and sorting off the conveyor. Working with Flexion cart manufacturers, Max designed wooden varnished carts to assist the employees in expediting the distribution and pallet process of the clean mats.

The new Milnor System produces 150 lb. batches of rubber mats every 2:30 minutes, standard mats every 3:05 minutes, and large mats every 4:05 minutes.

By using Milnor CBW Systems and streamlining their production, A-1’s operations labor only contributes to about 8-9 % of their total revenue. This allows us to produce “quality products at very competitive prices” says Howard Bode.

A-1 delivers to over 500 business daily and services over 4,000 valued customers across the Gulf South and Central Louisiana. “The Pellerin Family and Bode Family have grown together through the years”, says Curtis Pellerin (President and Owner of Pellerin Laundry Machinery Sales Company, Inc.). “Both Milnor and A-1 have multiple generations of family members working within their organizations. We look forward to working together as we grow our respective companies.”