What Is STMP and How It Protects You
At Bay Towel, we believe transparency matters. One question we often receive from both new and long-term customers is:
“What is STMP, and why is it on my bill?”
Let’s break it down in a clear, straightforward way and explain how it actually works in your favor.
Understanding Service Charges, Maintenance Programs, and STMP
Most Bay Towel accounts include a combination of Service Charges and a Super Textile Maintenance Program (STMP). These are not random add-ons, they’re carefully structured to create predictable costs and protect you from unexpected expenses.
1. Service Charges: Keeping Operations Consistent
Service Charges help cover the rising operational costs required to reliably service your account, such as:
- Utilities
- Water and waste disposal
- Fuel and transportation costs
This is a flat rate, meaning it does not fluctuate month to month. You get consistency and stability instead of surprise increases.
2. What Is STMP? (Super Textile Maintenance Program)
STMP stands for Super Textile Maintenance Program.
STMP is a comprehensive maintenance program designed to eliminate billing headaches and protect you from large, unexpected replacement charges.
Rather than charging customers individually for every lost, damaged, or prematurely worn item, STMP:
- Applies a single, agreed-upon percentage to your overall bill
- Spreads risk evenly and predictably
- Removes the stress of surprise invoices
In most cases, STMP follows an industry standard of approximately 25%.
How STMP Protects You
STMP isn’t about charging more, it’s about protecting you from financial spikes.
Here’s what that protection looks like in practice:
- ✔ Covers accidental disposal by employees or customers
- ✔ Covers linens taken out of facilities
- ✔ Covers excessive wear from hard or improper use
- ✔ Eliminates per-item replacement charges
- ✔ Creates consistent, predictable billing
Instead of receiving a large bill because multiple items were lost or damaged in one month, STMP ensures those costs are already accounted for.
A Special Note for Mat-Only Customers
Mats are high-cost items to replace if lost or damaged. For mat-only accounts, STMP can be especially valuable.
With STMP in place:
- A lost or damaged mat does not result in a large one-time charge
- Replacement costs are already built into predictable monthly pricing
That means no budget surprises and no disruption to your operations.
How These Charges Are Set
All Service Charges and Maintenance Programs—including STMP—are:
- Calculated as part of your overall Rental Service Agreement
- Reviewed and agreed upon upfront
- Reflected in your unit pricing
Adjustments require an account review and/or a new Rental Service Agreement, ensuring fairness and transparency for both sides.
The Bottom Line
STMP exists to make your experience with Bay Towel:
- ✔ More predictable
- ✔ Less stressful
- ✔ Better protected
It replaces uncertainty with consistency and ensures you can focus on running your business, not tracking missing linens.
If you ever have questions about your Service Charge, or STMP setup, our team is always happy to walk through it with you.
