Scandinavia’s first BLIZZ towel-folding robot is performing well at the RentX laundry in Kongsberg.

Nieuws & innovaties

Fortune favors the bold: Scandinavia’s first towel-folding robot boosts

The Rentx laundry in Kongsberg, Norway, serves hospitality providers and healthcare institutions in the greater Oslo region, a hub that is known for its robust economy and thriving tourism industry. Established 25 years ago, the family-owned business evolved from Sandsvær Vaskeri, originally run by the parents of the current CEO. The shift to focusing on business clients marked a new chapter for the company. Fast forward to 2022, Rentx embraced automation with AI-powered robots for soil sorting. In 2024, they took another leap forward by introducing BLIZZ—the first towel-folding robot in all of Scandinavia.

Streamlining routine tasks

CEO Hans Richard Andersen and his son, Operations Manager Hans Martin Andersen, share the vision championed by the JENSEN-GROUP and its partner, Inwatec: replacing repetitive, monotonous tasks with cutting-edge robotics. The latest addition to Rentx’s lineup, the BLIZZ towel-folding robot, uses advanced artificial intelligence to identify and sort various towel types before feeding them into a folding machine to complete the process.

“The recently redesigned BLIZZ robot features enhanced internal buffering, ensuring stable performance even when handling mixed batches,” explains Nikolaj Juulsgaard, Sales Director at Inwatec. This capability is particularly beneficial for Rentx, which processes an extensive range of laundry items in varying sizes and quantities.

More than just a productivity boost, the BLIZZ robot has made tasks easier and more appealing for employees. While automation may not always reduce staff numbers, it allows for reallocating resources, enabling business growth and creating new opportunities.

An Attractive Workplace

The adoption of artificial intelligence, advanced imaging systems, and automation has positioned Rentx as a forward-thinking player in the industry. These innovations enhance efficiency and foster a more dynamic workplace where employees can focus on engaging, challenging tasks instead of repetitive labor. For younger workers drawn to technology and innovation, these advancements make the laundry industry an unexpectedly appealing career choice.

"Technology is Fun"

Hans Martin Andersen, who oversees technical developments as Operations Manager, sees technology as both a key to profitability and an exciting challenge. “Technology is fun,” he says, emphasizing the role it plays in modernizing operations and driving sustainable business growth.

By investing in the BLIZZ robot, Rentx cements its reputation as an innovative leader, combining technology and efficiency to redefine laundry services in the region.

“Robotics are no longer exclusive to large-scale laundries processing tens of tons per day,” says Lars Borg, Sales & Service Manager for JENSEN Nordic in Oslo.

“Smaller laundries serving niche markets or local communities can also gain a competitive edge—becoming more productive as service providers and more appealing as employers.”