Industry News
May 2008
Tennant Buys Applied Sweepers
Tennant announce that it has finalised a purchase agreement with Applied Sweepers. The deal was valued at 68 Million U.S.Dollars. Combined with the acquisition of Hofmans Machinefabriek in the Netherlands, this will provide Tennant with greater access to the 250 Million U.S.Dollar European City Cleaning market.
July 2007
JohnsonDiversey Product Wins Innovation Award
In their global responsibility report for 2006, they highlight that the Taski Swingo XP automatic scrubber-drier won an innovation award from CHSA, recognising the key environmental features of the Swingo XP as using 50% less water and requiring 60% less electric power than conventional machines.
July 2007
Hako Earn Environmental Accreditation
Announce that their commitment to developing environmentally sensitive products has earned it EMAS accreditation (Environmental Management and Audit Scheme).
June 2007
JohnsonDiversey Sponsor Environmental Award
Announce that they are sponsoring the Environmental Award within the Kimberly Clark Golden Service Awards programme, being held this year November 2nd.
June 2007
Nilfisk-Advance Buy DTE Majority Stake
Have purchase a majority stake in DTE based in Burton upon Trent.
‘This sales and service organisation will benefit the Nilfisk-Advance operation within the U.K’. says Joergen Jenson, the Nilfisk-Advance CEO.
8th May 2007
Tennant Company Acquires Floorep
Tenant Company have acquired Glasgow based Cleaning Company, Floorep.
Tennant claim that this will increase its customer base by up to 25% and the resultant combined total of Service Engineers will be 85.
8th May 2007
Premiere Products Wins Innovation Award
Premiere FCM were joint winners of the Innovation Award for Floor Cleaning Machines at the 2007 Cleaning Show.
The votes were cast by Cleaning Industry professionals attending the 2007 show and via the show's website.
The Premiere FCM product entered for the Award was the Trek Radial Sweeper.
24th February 2007
Tucony Corporation Acquires Tornado Industries
Following its recent acquisition of Truvox International, Tucony Corporation has announced that it has acquired Tornado Industries, a floorcare manufacturer based in Chicago, U.S.A.
1st February 2007
Nilfisk-Advance Merges CFM Vacuum
Effective from 1st February 2007, Nilfisk-Advance is merging CFM Vacuum organisation into its Bury-St- Edmunds based sales operation creating a new IVAC Division specialising in high quality Industrial Vacuum Systems.
The newly appointed Sales Manager for the IVAC Division, Mike Thompson, with the existing CFM sales team will work in conjunction with the Nilfisk-Advance direct sales force, taking the total sales team strength to 33.
18th January 2007
Premiere Products acquires FCM and TecServ
The New Year starts with expansion for Premiere Products as it acquires the Derbyshire based FCM Group, specialists in large floor cleaning machines.
Paul Hilltout, Premiere's Chairman and Managing Director, also confirmed that the acquisition, included TecServ, the FCM machine service division and will provide the professional cleaning industry with the ultimate cleaning supply solution. "We have wanted to enter the larger cleaning machine market sector but decided that simply sourcing an expanded range of machines was not the answer. The opportunity to purchase FCM, with its depth of knowledge and experience presented an exceptional opportunity".
Kevin Day, Premiere's UK Sales Director "We firmly believe this purchase to be complementary to both Premiere and FCM customers. It offers a genuine service based solution covering the broadest of supply spectrums; Chemicals, machinery, janitorial, machine servicing, training and consultation, all existing within a single integrated operation"
Robert Burtinshaw, Chairman of FCM said. "This is the most positive and exciting move that FCM could have made to allow it to step up to the next level as a company. It was very important for FCM that we joined forces with a like minded company and we know we have found that in Premiere. The combined size of the two companies will allow us to compete with any player in the market place."
FCM Sales & TecServ are currently moving into a new 10,000 sq/ft premises in Peterborough whilst a product showcase centre is being created at Premiere's head office and 8 acre manufacturing plant and distribution hub in Cheltenham. All existing contact numbers and e-mail addresses for FCM Sales & TecServ will continue unchanged.
For further information please write to: - solutions@premiereproducts.co.uk
11th November 2006
Osprey Steam Cleaners pass hospital decontamination tests
Osprey Deepclean announce that tests by the Hospital Infection Environment Research Unit at University College London Hospital, confirm that the Osprey Deepclean steam process, using special tooling, successfully decontaminated all of the surface types tested.
The tests focussed on high risk, high contact hospital surfaces.
11th November 2006
Gerni to cease production of high pressure cleaners.
Nilfisk-Advance, the Danish parent Company of Gerni, has decided to phase out production of Gerni high pressure cleaners.
Gerni products will continue to be produced and sold until January 1st 2007, spare parts and technical support will be provided by Nilfisk-Alto.
10th July 2006
Buildings Recognised for Helping Effective Cleaning
Buildings across the UK have been recognised for helping to make life better for their cleaning staff.
The McLaren Technology Centre, near Woking, won the Overall Gold Award in the 2006 Building Cleanability Awards, promoted by the cleaning industry Livery Company – The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners.
Runner-up was The Trafford Centre, near Manchester, which gained the Silver Award, ahead of Matthew Boulton College, Birmingham, which won the Bronze Award.
Other major winners were: Ropewalk Shopping Centre, Nuneaton for the New Building Award, Community Health Centre, Leicester for the Refurbishment Project Award and Wishaw General Hospital, Motherwell for the new Brian Cole Environmental Award, for its environmental 'awareness'.
National Category Winners were: Vodafone Balliol House, Adderbury – Commercial; Kingfisher Building, Enfield College, London – Education; Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool – Health; National Trust, Swindon – Heritage; International Conference Centre, Edinburgh – Hospitality; Mecca Bingo, Fountain Park, Edinburgh – Leisure; The British Library, London – Municipal/Public; Debenhams, Milton Keynes – Retail; International Airport, Bristol – Transport.
The Awards were presented by The Master of The Livery Company, Stephen Wright at a Luncheon Presentation Ceremony at The Brewery, London on 10th July attended by over 400 guests.
A total of 89 buildings were nominated for this bi-ennial Awards scheme from all parts of the UK. Each building was assessed against a wide range of relevant criteria and awarded a 5, 4 or 3 star grading certificate.
The Building Cleanability Awards are run in association with Awards Patron, The British Cleaning Council, with further sponsorship provided by; The British Institute of Cleaning Science, The Cleaning and Support Services Association, Greenham, Karcher, Mayflower Washroom Solutions and Pertrac International.
The Awards are also supported by a number of professional bodies involved in building construction or management, including The Chartered Institute of Building, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, The Health and Safety Executive, The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and The British Institute of Facilities Management.
"We are delighted by the response to these important Awards", quotes Awards Chairman, Graham Jones, "since it is our hope that all new buildings will eventually be subjected to a cleanability audit, against a range of criteria covering design and building material fitness for purpose. Keeping buildings clean and comfortable for staff and visitors is becoming increasingly important in the modern world and if certain buildings suffer from poor cleanability issues, the impact on those occupying them can be significant".
National and 5 Star Awards Winners for the 2005/2006 Building Cleanability Awards are posted on the Awards website: www.cleanabilityawards.co.uk The next Awards will be launched in July 2007.
27th June 2006
Kärcher acquires American cleaning equipment manufacturer Castle Rock
Cleaning equipment manufacturer Kärcher boosts its commercial cleaning market lead position this summer – thanks to the acquisition of American carpet cleaning business Castle Rock Industries Inc.
Castle Rock manufactures an extensive range of vacuum cleaners, spray extraction machines, scrubber dryers, sweepers and cleaning chemicals under the Windsor, Prochem, Graco and TecServ brands.
Following the successful acquisition two years ago of C-Tech, the American pressure washer manufacturer, Kärcher is now represented with a comprehensive offer of cleaning devices for commercial and private use in the USA.
Kärcher UK's managing director, Simon Keeping, says the addition of Castle Rock product lines is a superb complementary fit for existing Kärcher business: "Castle Rock has a comprehensive range of products and an excellent after-sales service. In addition, the product lines of both companies complement each other in practically all machine categories. As the Castle Rock group consists of former family-owned companies, the company cultures are also a very good match."
Castle Rock will continue to supply its UK distributor, FCM, with Windsor brand machines.
Castle Rock was formed by the merger of several cleaning equipment manufacturers and, with a workforce of about 500, achieved turnover of more than $130 million within its last business year.
Founded in 1935, Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG is a family-owned company based in the town of Winnenden near Stuttgart, in south-west Germany, which specialises in the development, production and distribution of cleaning technology and equipment for private and commercial users. Its product portfolio includes high-pressure washers, vacuum cleaners, ice blasters, steam cleaners, sweepers and scrubber dryers as well as vehicle washes, cleaning agents, drinking water treatment and waste water treatment plants. The company has 6,000 employees in 40 countries and achieved a sales volume of 1.106 billion euros last year.
Company Information
Kärcher is one of the world's largest manufacturers of indoor and outdoor cleaning equipment, for both personal and commercial use. The UK arm of Kärcher is based in Banbury, Oxfordshire. 200 staff are employed in the UK generating a turnover in excess of £50m. Kärcher UK is supported by a nationwide network of 1400 trained dealers.
Kärcher lead the field in technical innovation. As well as holding 329 patents (at the end 2005), three out of four products sold were developed within the last four years. The company has also won 70 international design awards.
The extensive Kärcher product range has been developed to include machines that are capable of carrying out every cleaning task from light domestic work, through to large scale industrial cleaning. Kärcher produces ranges of pressure washers, vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners, sweepers, scrubber driers, carwashes and water recycling units; as well as a comprehensive range of detergents, chemicals and accessories that ensure Kärcher products are efficient and effective at every cleaning task.
Kärcher's equipment is now even easier to buy with Kärcher Finance, a flexible finance package with two main options: hire purchase and operational leasing. Kärcher Finance is designed to unlock customers' capital, allowing them to manage their budgets more effectively. Financial specialists are available on 01295 752163 to discuss specific requirements and the different options available.
Kärcher UK Ltd
Beaumont Road
Banbury
Oxfordshire
OX16 1TB
W: www.karcher.co.uk
T: 01295 752 000
F: 01295 752 040
5th June 2006
Truvox to Join Tacony Corporation
Merger Creates New Global Floor Care Market Leader
Southampton, UK; 5 June 2006 - Truvox International today announced that its shareholders have accepted a definitive offer from Tacony Corporation to acquire all the equity of Truvox. The deal, which is subject to due diligence, is expected to close this summer. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
This merger now combines the market strength and broad product range of Tacony Corporation's Powr-Flite Commercial Floor Care Division and CFR Environmental Carpet Cleaning Systems in the US, together with the Truvox and Cimex branding and market presence in the UK, Europe, Mid--East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.
By merging the two companies, Tacony will establish a unique competitive position as an industry-leading, full-line supplier of total floor care machines with world-wide market penetration.
According to Tacony Corporation President & COO Bill Hinderer, the Truvox merger makes tremendous sense for customers, shareholders, and employees alike. "No other company will be able to offer a similar range of high performance hard floor machines, carpet cleaning systems and specialist machines," commented Hinderer. "This deal is as close to a perfect match as you can get for a merger of this size in the cleaning equipment sector. Tacony can bring the product, market and industry leadership proposition that will position Truvox for a new era of growth."
"We believe that merging with Tacony is the best path forward for those involved in our business," commented Truvox Managing Director Peter Holt. He continued, "Both companies are passionate about serving the needs of floor cleaning market and our visions, technologies, and overall strategies are very closely aligned already."
Holt concluded, "Putting together our two companies will benefit customers worldwide. I am looking forward to leading a team that will become a key part of such a well-run, family-owned company with a solid balance sheet and a proven track record in growing companies that join the corporation."
About Truvox International
Truvox is a leader in the manufacture and supply of floor care machines. Today, its products are the preferred choice of cleaning professionals around the world.
With machines manufactured in the United Kingdom, Truvox offers a complete range of products for the cleaning & maintenance of hard & soft floors. This range includes rotary floor polishers, scrubber/dryers, carpet dirt extraction machines and vacuum cleaners. The most recent addition to the range is the revolutionary new Cimex-Encap Low Moisture Carpet Cleaning system.
About Tacony Corporation
Founded in 1946 by Nick Tacony - the father of current CEO Ken Tacony - Tacony Corporation today is organized into four strategic business units: Commercial Floor Care, Home Floor Care, Sewing and Ceiling Fans & Lighting. Prior to the conclusion of the merger with Truvox, the Tacony Corporation has over 500 employees worldwide based at 10 facilities.
Tacony Corporation company, Powr-Flite, has been a leader in the commercial floor care industry for over 35 years, manufacturing and distributing equipment, parts, chemicals and accessories. CFR are the innovators and leaders in the Environmental Carpet Cleaning sector.
19th May 2006
Free Health and Safety Advice Service for Small Businesses
Workplace Health Connect is a terrific new service for small businesses. It gives free, confidential and impartial advice on workplace health, safety and return-to-work issues.
It's for people who run small businesses and their workers who want their workplaces to be healthy, pleasant places to work, but don't have the knowledge or confidence to create this sort of environment.
The service provides an Adviceline for England and Wales, (0845 609 6006), which, in five regions, is supported by Workplace Health Connect adviser teams who provide free, problem-solving workplace visits. The focus is on helping those businesses with between 5 and 250 workers identify and manage work-related health risks.
Often much harder to identify than safety issues, work related health risks are estimated to cause 28.5 million working days to be lost each year and this costs the UK economy approximately £10 billion annually.
Workplace Health Connect can help by providing high quality advice, tailored to a businesses specific need. Completely free, with no catches, it enables managers and workers to gain the skills and knowledge they need to deal with these issues themselves in the future.
Anyone wanting free advice and support on workplace health, safety or return-to-work issues can call the Adviceline and speak to a trained adviser. If appropriate, employers located in one of the five Workplace Health Connect Adviser regions will be offered a free workplace visit whereby a Workplace Health Connect adviser can attend their premises to help.
The service has been designed in consultation with Occupational Health professionals and has been developed in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive.