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THE WASHER THAT STARTED IT ALL Built to Solve a Real Problem
In the late ‘90s, I was running a tent rental company and trying to figure out how to make the numbers work. I remember asking myself, “Could I make the same money working for someone else?” When the honest answer came back as yes, I knew something had to change. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the work. It was that the business wasn’t running the way it needed to. I started looking at where we were bleeding time and labor. Cleaning tents was the obvious answer. We were still scrubbing by hand, and it felt like we were in the 1800s. I remember thinking about my great-grandma on the front porch with a washboard. That’s basically what we were doing. But then I thought of my grandma. She had a washing machine. Why didn’t we? At the time, most people assumed you couldn’t use a machine to wash a tent safely. They figured it would tear, crease, or come apart at the seams, and that was what was happening with the few machines on the market back then. But I wasn’t ready to quit, and the more people told me it couldn’t be done, the more I wanted to figure it out. My brother and I worked on cars growing up and have mechanical backgrounds, so we started tinkering. We called other tent rental companies and even toured commercial laundries, but nobody had the answer. So, we decided to go in the opposite direction. If we could figure out how to ruin a tent, we could work backward from there. We tested everything: temperature, RPMs, chemicals, and cycle time. Temperature and speed ended up being the keys. We found that 100-degree water hit the sweet spot. It was warm enough to loosen the dirt without hurting the vinyl. Many people thought cleaning power came from speed, but
we learned it came from balance. How fast the drum turned, how hot the water got, how long the cycle ran, and what chemicals we used all worked together. If something wasn’t right, we’d tweak one variable and test again. It was all trial and error, but eventually, we discovered a combination that worked. Then came the question of how to build the machine. The commercial washing machines we’d seen for linens were full of fancy features we didn’t need. I kept thinking, “Why make this more complicated than it has to be?” I’ve always believed that simple is strong. Fewer moving parts mean fewer things to break. That’s why we followed the old “Keep It Simple, Stupid” rule to create a machine that works hard, is easy to use, and costs less to own and maintain. Believe it or not, the basic concept came from a rock polisher I had as a kid. I remembered how it tumbled around on little wheels, and that helped me picture what we needed. That smooth, slow tumbling motion became the heart of the machine. Instead of spinning like a typical washer, the drum gently rolls the tent to loosen dirt without damaging the fabric. We added a big front door, forklift access, and enough space to clean large tent panels, but the concept stayed simple. That drum was the defining feature, and it still is today. At first, we only used the washer in our tent rental company. We weren’t planning to sell them; we were just trying to solve our problem. But once people saw it in action, they asked where to get one. That’s how Teeco
DECEMBER 2025 Teeco Times
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Solutions got started, not with a business plan but with a question: “Can we make this better?” Turns out, we could. And we haven’t stopped improving since.
–Steve Arendt
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Drying Tents t THE OTHER HA
During the last Summer Olympic Games, Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn’s performance caught the world off guard. After watching the event, many Americans wondered why breaking was added to the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is responsible for choosing the events, and they consider a wide range of criteria when considering adding or removing events. They look at how long the sport has existed, its popularity within the host country, the cost to broadcast the events, and whether an international federation governs the sport. Breaking was a hit at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics and was added to the 2024 Paris Games to drive engagement with a younger audience. The IOC has already announced that breaking will not return for the 2028 games in Los Angeles, joining a list of other sports dropped from the Olympic stage. Think breaking was a little outside the box? Then you won’t believe some of the events from past Olympics. Plunge for Distance (1904): Plunging was a sport in which participants dove into the water from a spring 18 inches above the surface. They floated for 60 seconds without propelling themselves forward, and whoever went the farthest won. Only five individuals competed in the event, and all were American. Not Your Average Olympic Sport Strange Events You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
After we built our first washers, it didn’t take long to see that drying was the next big hurdle. Most rental companies at the time were improvising. They’d hang tents from the ceiling, drape them over forklifts, or lay them on the floor and point fans at them. We did it, too. But it took forever, tied up our crew, and created a lot of guesswork. Eventually, we started experimenting. We found that draping a clean tent over a tarp and rotating it with airflow and heat helped. Rack drying with fans also worked, but those methods had limits.
So, we built a dryer.
We couldn’t use high heat like you would with linens. Tent vinyl can melt or break down if temperatures exceed 100 degrees F. So, we had to think differently. We built a massive drum,
Ballooning (1900): Technically an unofficial event at the 1900 games, ballooning consisted of various hot-air balloon-related activities. They held competitions for the farthest distance traveled, longest time traveled, greatest height achieved, and landing closest to a target.
Motor Boat Racing (1908): Competitors got in their boats to travel five laps around an 8-nautical- mile course in the Southampton waters of England. This event was a complete disaster. Multiple boats would start each race, but in almost every instance, only one would cross the finish line, as strong winds heavily affected the others.
Ski Ballet (1988 and 1992): While never an official Olympic event, ski ballet was demonstrated at two Olympic Games, anticipating its potential as a real event. Imagine figure skating on skis instead of skates. Competitions required participants to complete a choreographed routine in 90 seconds on a smooth slope. 2
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the Right Way ALF OF CLEAN
Stepping Back
Why Taking Breaks Matters to Move Forward
large enough for big tent panels to tumble slowly, and we dried the air before it entered the machine. That dry air acted like desert air. It’s warm enough to evaporate moisture, but gentle on fabric. Our dehumidification system is what made it possible. The dryer we created dries any fabric and tent top and saves time. It can handle 20,000 to 30,000 square feet in 12–15 hours, but we understand it’s not for everybody. It’s a serious machine for companies with serious volume. If that’s not you, there are still options. We offer smaller dryers, or you can use another drying method. Some companies use custom hanging rigs, pulley systems, or hang- and-fan setups in tall buildings. We’ve even seen setups that borrow ideas from sailboat rigging. But not every space can support that. If your ceiling’s too low or your building wasn’t designed for the weight, you’ve got to be careful. Just-in-time drying is another option. You wash the tent the night before, hang it briefly, and send it out damp to finish drying in the field.
Early in my career, I thought productivity was about exhaustion. If I collapsed into the bed at the end
of the day, I took it as a sign I was doing something right. I stayed in motion constantly, so that meant I was getting somewhere, right? But over time, I noticed something. I wasn’t always making the best
We’re also working on a new system that solves the ceiling height issue and doesn’t rely on your building’s structure at all. It’s still in testing, but if you’re curious, call us. No matter your setup, there’s always a smarter way to get the job done.
decisions. I moved so fast that I didn’t stop to think. And because I didn’t take the time to think, I created problems I had to fix later. So, I’d run faster, but I was just cleaning up messes I caused by rushing.
Eventually, I learned to hit pause. Sometimes, that means simply stepping away for a few minutes: I’ll take a walk, a quick drive, or have lunch with someone outside the business. Those breaks don’t feel productive initially, but they do something to your brain. I come back with ideas I wouldn’t have otherwise. The same principle applies on a bigger scale. I have friends who schedule solo time off every quarter to “get air.” They buy a plane ticket and put a trip on the calendar. It might be for a long weekend or an entire week, but the idea is to pause and give their brains a break. The time away also gives them a wider view of their business and helps them notice things they might miss when they’re too close to the work. These days, I pay closer attention to my energy than my schedule. When my brain is stuck, I don’t keep pushing. That’s my cue to get up. My dog even helps me out with that. He’ll nuzzle me every hour or so, and it used to bother me. Now, I take it as a reminder that it’s time for a quick break. To anyone who thinks they can’t afford to take time off from work, I’d say you can’t afford not to. Stepping away gives your brain room to work things out in the background, and it helps you lead with clarity instead of stress. If you want to move forward, sometimes the best move is to walk away, even if only for a short while. 3
From “ew” to “brand-new!”
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Inside This Issue 1 Building a Tent Washer That Worked
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2 The Olympics’ Most Unusual Events Smarter Tent Drying at Any Scale
3 The Truth About Time Off 4 3 Train Trips to Take Today
Flying over beautiful landscapes can be exhilarating, but what if you could experience those beautiful sights in a closer and more personal way? With railway vacations, you can. Whether you’re a seasoned train traveler or curious about cruising on the tracks, here are three travel options you can only experience and appreciate on the rails. A Euphoric European Escape While there are plenty of thrilling sights to behold in America, the glamorous international excursion of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is incomparable. From its pristinely preserved 1920s/1930s-era carriages and stunning Art Deco interior to its remarkable gourmet food (including breakfast in bed!) and live entertainment, this world-renowned train will take you through Venice, Paris, Istanbul, and other legendary European destinations. A Symphony of Swiss Scenes For many travelers seeking some of the most breathtaking visuals imaginable, all rails lead to the Swiss Alps. The Glacier Express’ 292-bridge/91- tunnel track from Zermatt to St. Moritz gives passengers a personal view of picturesque valleys, mountain streams, and alpine meadows. Often
referred to as “the slowest express train in the world,” it travels 24 miles per hour, allowing you to feast your eyes on the scenery through its panoramic windows. Boasting millions of passengers in its decades-long history, the Glacier Express has earned its rightful place as one of the most celebrated names in tourism. An Alaskan Adventure If you’re looking for railway adventures closer to home, consider hitting the tracks in Alaska. Since 1903, the Alaska Railroad has provided travelers an intimate way to explore what later became our 49th state. Getting a seat will guarantee a breathtaking journey through scenic landscapes, national parks, fjords, snow-capped peaks, and valleys brimming with wildlife. For the ultimate Alaska experience, opt for the Alaska Railroad’s GoldStar Service, which offers glass-dome ceilings for panoramic nature viewing, a full-service dining room, and a one-of-a-kind upper-level platform for additional sightseeing. The next time your wanderlust inspires you to explore new wonders, skip the plane and take a train!
SCENIC RAIL JOURNEYS WORTH RIDING Tracks and Treasures
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