The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Hi-tech linen focus of new project
Fife laundry group Fishers is harnessing the power of technology to drive forward its commercial operations.
The Cupar-based group has entered into a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) with Strathclyde University to see how it can further capitalise on a project that has seen its top of the range ZHEN bed linen and towels embedded with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.
The system allows textiles to be tracked – helping hotels and restaurants to know how much stock they are holding and letting Fishers keep tabs on where its laundry is in the washing, delivery and collection cycle.
The two-year KTP project will look at how the RFID data can be further capitalised on through improved analysis.
Fishers hope to use the outcomes to improve their internal strategic planning and purchasing, with a further aim to develop new intellectual property related to the ZHEN range.
“It’s important that Fishers is seen to be leading the industry in the important area of RFID,” Fishers managing director Michael Jones said.
“At Fishers, we have always looked on ourselves as part of the hospitality sector rather than simply a laundry business and we are constantly refining what we do and how we do it in order to help Scotland provide the warmest welcome it can to visitors.”
Dr Aylin Ates, the project’s academic lead, said: “We are honoured to be collaborating in this highly innovative KTP project with our industrial partner, Fishers Services Ltd.
“Strathclyde Business School takes a great deal of pride in delivering impact to local businesses.
“We will be bringing our expertise to apply technological innovation to assist Fishers to move towards higher value propositions.
“We are looking forward to seeing the successful delivery of this project over the next two years.”
In addition to Dr Ates, a Strathclyde advanced manufacturing technology graduate will also work on the project.