Girbau
ES · 1960 · Vic
Girbau, a family company operating in Vic, Spain, since 1960, manufactures washing, drying, ironing and folding equipment for commercial and industrial laundries; it supplies products to more than 140 countries and has over 850 employees.
History
Girbau's roots go back to the mid-1920s, to a small electromechanical workshop founded by Pere Girbau Barbosa in Catalonia, where household appliances, including home-type washing machines, were repaired and manufactured. His son Joan Girbau Vilageliu continued the business, and in 1960 Joan's children — Pedro, Toni and Teresa Girbau — began manufacturing heavy-duty equipment for industrial laundries, formally establishing the company.
The rapid growth of tourism in Spain during the 1960s shaped Girbau's product line: the company focused on manufacturing industrial washing, drying and ironing equipment for the hotel and restaurant sector, establishing a business model that also included after-sales service. Its first tunnel washer was manufactured in 1989.
International expansion began in 1989 with entry into France, followed by the US in 1995, the UK in 1996, and later Brazil, the UAE, Germany and China. Today the Girbau group has 15 subsidiaries and its products are installed in over 140 countries; alongside its plants in Spain (Vic) and France (Aix-les-Bains), it operates 7 international manufacturing centers in total.
The company is currently led by Girbau family representatives Mercè Girbau and Pere Girbau (since 2008). Girbau allocates approximately 3.98% of annual revenue to R&D; in 2024 it launched the "Sortech" product for automated garment sorting, and in 2025 it earned the EcoVadis Gold Medal — placing it among the top 4% of highest-rated companies worldwide.
Known for
- GENIUS series commercial washing machines and ED series dryers.
- Industrial tunnel washing systems and ironing lines.
- "Sortech" — automated garment sorting technology.
- Wall-type ironers and towel folding machines.
- Production supported by environmental certifications (EMAS, EcoVadis Gold).
Milestones
- 1920-ci illərEstablishment of Pere Girbau Barbosa's electromechanical workshop.
- 1960The Girbau brothers began manufacturing industrial laundry equipment, and the company was formally established.
- 1989The first tunnel washer was manufactured, and the French market was entered.
- 1995US subsidiary established.
- 2024The "Sortech" automated garment sorting system was introduced.
- 2025Awarded the EcoVadis Gold Medal (top 4% worldwide).
Product lines
- Commercial and self-service washers
- Industrial tunnel washing systems
- Tumble dryers
- Ironing and form-finishing lines
- Folding and sorting automation
Categories in the catalog
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