50 Who Made a Difference

Leaders, Innovators and Pioneers Who Have Shaped the Self-Service Laundry Industry

"Lamar Thomas, president of T&L Equipment Sales Co., got his start in the laundry industry in 1954, delivering washers and dryers to coin laundries in the Charlotte, N.C. area. In 1967, he joined his father at S.H. Duncan & Co. - and, in 1976, he opened his own company, T&L Equipment Sales. Since those days, T&L has grown into a leading supplier of not only laundry equipment but also knowledge and advice for potential investors, newcomers to the industry and experienced operators alike. Over the years, Thomas has served the Coin Laundry Association on its Board of Directors, its Executive Committee, during which time the CLA's Distributor Code of Ethics was written. Currently, he is president of the North Carolina Coin Laundry Association." (as printed in The Journal, December 2010 issue)

Mission Statement

Customer Satisfaction:

When you talk to anyone at T&L Equipment, you come away feeling that they are enthusiastic about doing what you want and giving you what you need. When they complete the job, you know that it has been done correctly and in a manner that you and your employees appreciate. You know that you paid for the best and that is what you got.

Vision:

To be known as the company that does it right the first time, meets the customers' wants and needs, has fun doing it and makes a profit.

Meet the Experts!

Lamar Thomas, President of T&L Equipment, had his start in the laundry industry in 1954 delivering washers and dryers to coin laundries in the Charlotte area. In 1967 he joined his father at S.H. Duncan & Co. building his expertise with hands-on experience and valuable industry knowledge. In 1976 he opened T&L Equipment Sales Company, Inc.

Since then T&L Equipment has grown into a trustworthy supplier of not only equipment but also a help and a knowledge base for newcomers and the experienced customer. With a mission of doing things right the first time and leaving customers with a positive sense of value, T&L Equipment and founder Lamar Thomas are well known and respected in the industry by customers, suppliers and also competitors.

Lamar Thomas Lamar is currently head of the North Carolina Coin Laundry Association (NCCLA). Over the past 19 years he has served the National Coin Laundry Association on the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and as Chairman of the Distributor Services Committee. During his tenure, a Distributor Code of Ethics was written and subscribed to by the distributor members.

Paul Thomas, Vice President of T&L Equipment oversees the sales and engineering of the next generation programs to ensure our customers are up to date – ready to meet the needs of the marketplace. He also owns and manages Peachy Kleen Laundry in Charlotte. This site is used to test and prove out new concepts in equipment and marketing and to train customers and the staff of T&L Equipment.

T&L Equipment is noted for the technical capabilities of its service department and the superior performance of its parts department. Danny Philemon, Parts & Service Manager, has a goal of fixing your equipment by providing the right service and the correct part on the first effort. Our service professionals are factory-trained and experienced in servicing our lines.

The sales staff is highly experienced in designing new operations, as well as, upgrading existing facilities. Ron Smith, Paul Thomas and John Gary bring over 50 years of valuable experience in all aspects of the laundry service.

Tommy Ashcraft, formerly Parts & Service Manager in the Charlotte facility now heads sales and service in the Coastal Carolinas office located in Southport, NC.