Page 49 - BWM March 2013

March 2013 | Business World Magazine | 49
big cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
His concern for those relationships is
equally augmented by his care in creating
relationships with customers. “Small compa-
nies care more about their relationships with
customers, and that is the backbone of our
business,” says Blaufuss.
Ironically, unlike so many laundry busi-
nesses, Lake Superior doesn’t build relation-
ships on rules dictated by contracts. Blaufuss
explains, “We don’t have a contract. We in-
form customers they can part ways with us in
sixty days if they don’t like our quality. Our
relationships have been built on quality, if
they like it, they’ll stay with us.
In all their years of operation, the laundry
has never lost a customer due to quality is-
sues. Quality, in fact, is the foundation for
which all functions are maintained at Lake
Superior Laundry. “We try and instill that
understanding in everyone that works here,”
says Blaufuss. “Our employees know these
jobs exist because of the quality we maintain.
If we don’t have the quality, customers can
replace us... quality is what keeps our jobs.”
To promote quality, Blaufuss is currently
investing in new robotic equipment from
Kannegiesser that will further enhance pro-
duction efficiencies, but otherwise, his plan
is to continue serving healthcare organiza-
tions in the Midwest. He says the company
will continue to invest in the top equipment,
will continue to constantly monitor for im-
provement while operating in the most effec-
tive, environmentally-sensitive methods, and
focus not so much on growing larger, but be-
ing the best that it can be, for its staff and the
customers they serve. All combined, these
efforts help position Lake Superior Laundry
as a superior enterprise in its industry.