Alliance Laundry Systems
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Commercial laundry equipment |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Ripon, Wisconsin , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (over 100 countries) |
| Products | Washers, dryers, ironers for coin laundries, multi-family housing, institutional facilities, residential consumers |
| Owner | BDT Capital Partners (majority), Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (minority) |
Alliance Laundry Systems LLC is a U.S.-based supplier specializing in commercial laundry equipment, offering design, manufacturing, and marketing services across more than 100 countries. Its range of products encompasses washers, dryers, and ironers tailored for coin laundries, multi-family housing, institutional facilities, and residential consumers. Prominent brands under its umbrella include Speed Queen, Primus, Huebsch, IPSO, and UniMac. Established in 1998 with headquarters in Ripon, Wisconsin, the company’s origins date back to the founding of Speed Queen in 1908.
The firm commands a substantial portion of the market and enjoys a robust operating income margin, highlighting its strong competitive position within the laundry sector. Alliance Laundry Systems serves a global customer base with a broad assortment of products aimed at various niches in the commercial laundry industry.
Background
The origins of the company trace to Barlow & Seelig Manufacturing, which was established in 1908 and produced a hand-powered washing machine. The Speed Queen brand was introduced in 1928 and by 1939 had incorporated stainless steel wash tubs. Automatic washers and dryers were added to the lineup by 1952. Barlow & Seelig later became known as Speed Queen Company before being acquired by McGraw-Edison, which subsequently sold its appliance division to Raytheon Company in 1979.
Formation
Alliance Laundry Systems was created in February 1998 when private equity firm Bain Capital acquired Raytheon’s commercial laundry segment for $358 million.
In January 2005, Teachers' Private Capital, the investment branch of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, purchased a majority interest in Alliance Laundry for $450 million.
The establishment of Alliance Laundry Systems University (ALSU) occurred in 2009 as an online educational resource aimed at authorized distributors, route operators, and customers.
In March 2014, Alliance Laundry broadened its international presence by acquiring Primus Laundry Equipment, headquartered in Belgium, for roughly $259.4 million.
By April 2015, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan was evaluating options to either sell Alliance Laundry or initiate an IPO, with company valuation estimated at $1.8 billion. Subsequently that year, a majority stake was transferred to BDT Capital Partners, while the pension fund retained a minority share.
This combination of strategic management and capital investment has allowed Alliance Laundry to expand its market presence and sustain its competitive edge within the commercial laundry marketplace.