Ryan Winchell and his team from Case Western Reserve University conducted an operations improvement project at the Evergreen Cooperative Laundry. They spent 15 hours observing operations, collecting data, and conducting mathematical modeling off-site. Their analysis identified ways to optimize equipment usage and increase efficiency. Their recommendations have helped the laundry improve profitability and pounds processed per hour. The laundry president states that Ryan's work made a measurable difference and the results will continue to benefit the organization.

1.
540
East
105th
Street
Cleveland,
Ohio
44108
(216)
268.3548
January
19,
2015
To
Whom
It
May
Concern:
It
is
a
pleasure
to
write
a
recommendation
in
support
of
Ryan
Winchell,
for
his
outstanding
contribution
to
process
improvement
at
our
facility,
in
the
fall
of
2014.
The
Evergreen
Cooperative
Laundry
processes
over
$10
million
lbs
of
linen
per
year
for
some
of
Cleveland’s
largest
employers
including
University
Hospitals
and
McGregor
Homes.
We
are
also
a
social
enterprise,
whose
mission
is
to
create
jobs
and
build
wealth
for
individuals
with
severe
challenges
to
employment.
Ryan
and
his
team
from
the
Case
Western
Reserve
University
Operations
Club
made
a
measurable
difference
in
our
efficiency
and
the
way
we
will
approach
management
decisions
in
the
future.
The
team
spent
a
total
of
15
hours
on-­‐site
to
understand
and
document
our
operations
through
observation,
interviews,
and
data
collection.
They
next
conducted
a
thorough
off-­‐site
analysis
using
sophisticated
mathematical
modeling
to
identify
ways
we
could
optimize
the
maintenance,
repair
and
operation
of
our
washers
and
dryers.
Finally,
the
team
presented
a
series
of
recommendations
designed
to
support
our
business
decision-­‐making,
improve
our
data
management,
and
increase
our
pounds
per
hour
operating
efficiency.
The
model
they
built
is
now
a
tool
that
we
can
use
to
maintain
and
increase
the
efficiency
gains.
Our
experience
with
Ryan
and
his
team
was
at
all
times
positive
and
professional.
The
team
was
able
to
quickly
understand
our
complete
operations,
identify
key
issues,
and
ask
the
right
questions.
They
worked
independently,
communicated
clearly
and
effectively
with
our
staff
and
leadership,
and
made
sure
that
their
operations
research
process
did
not
disrupt
daily
operations.
The
result
of
their
work
has
and
will
continue
to
make
a
positive
impact
on
our
profitability
and
our
mission.
The
staff
and
leadership
of
the
Evergreen
Cooperative
Laundry
would
be
very
glad
to
work
with
Ryan
in
the
future.
In
addition,
we
are
confident
that
he
will
add
great
value
to
any
organization
privileged
enough
to
work
with
him.
If
you
have
any
further
questions,
you
may
contact
me
at
the
information
above.
Sincerely,
Allen
Grasa
Jessica
Bonanno
President
Manager,
Evergreen
Intern
Program