Established in the tiny town of Dexter, Iowa, in 1894, Dexter Laundry and its founding community both drew their name from the same unusual source — a championship race horse. Known for his unparalleled performance and noble appearance, the equine Dexter was a national sensation, serving as the perfect symbol for American power and speed. Like the thoroughbred, Dexter washing machines were fast and efficient. Their inventor, Mr. W.H. George, designed them that way. He wanted a washer that could be run hard and always stay a step ahead of the competition.
As his young company grew, Mr. George realized that his original facilities couldn’t keep up with the demand. So, he moved Dexter to a new headquarters in Fairfield, Iowa. Though he didn’t know it at the time, Fairfield would become home to the Dexter legacy for more than a century to come.
“Every product sold under the Dexter name is built by skilled craftsmen in our facility in Fairfield, Iowa, and every product built in Fairfield bears the Dexter name.” — Doug Kuehl, Director of Manufacturing and Supply Chain
This commitment to quality and innovation kept the company running strong, even in the toughest of times. The economic downturn of the Great Depression rocked the United States and the world throughout the 1930s, but Dexter fought back with custom payment plans and new lower priced models. A decade later, during World War II, the U.S. government used our Fairfield facilities to produce important defense equipment and washers for soldiers in American camps.
“Dexter has always been built in the heart of America by proud men and women. As a veteran, I’m personally proud of the actions the company took during WWII.” — Craig Kirchner, President of Dexter Laundry
In the years after the war, Dexter doubled down on innovation. Customers soon saw the release of the first front load washer and 20 lb. automatic washing machine. The removal of the agitator and reconfiguration of the tub in the front load washer prevented clothes from being twisted, tangled or rubbed together. It also included toss-and-tumble action, providing thorough, wrinkle-free cleaning.
The Dexter 20 lb. machine had additional benefits. Its sturdy construction and unparalleled power left customers across the commercial laundry market raving. In fact, the machine was so successful that Dexter permanently reoriented its focus to serve customers in commercial settings all over the world.
Since that first 20 lb. machine, we’ve dedicated ourselves to building an ever-evolving collection of products to carry the Dexter name. From the T-300 20 lb. series washer to the T-1450 Express, Dexter now produces a range of elite products for both vended and on-premise laundry.
Though technology has changed over the last century, Dexter’s commitment to quality and service remains the same.
“Today, it isn’t just about a quality product; it’s also about quality service. That’s why we continue to offer lifetime technical support and the industry’s best warranty, and we are doing this from the heart of America. I’m proud to say that after 125 years, Dexter Laundry is still running strong.” — Craig Kirchner, President, Dexter Laundry.