I've gone onto the Vikan website and sent the following email to their marketing department.
I don't suppose it will help at all but if you don't ask you don't get. If you do ask, then there is a remote chance that it will reach someone in the right place who takes it on board.
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Dear Sir.
I'm sure you are aware that many window cleaners use Vikan brushes for window cleaning these days. These brushes are fitted onto the end of telescopic poles to enable windows to be cleaned with pure water systems and work very well.
A problem that has been around for a while is with the 10 inch (some call it 11 inch) oval shaped brush.
Many window frames these days are made of white UPVC. Unfortunately, the red rubber surround on the Vikan 10" brush can mark the window frames. A lot of window cleaners resolve this by removing the surround. However, this can lead to the problem of window sills being scuffed or even scratched by the black edge of the brush head.
A similar problem existed some years ago with the pointed end of a window cleaning ladder. The pointed ends used to have black rubber on them. As white UPVC frames became more dominant, a manufacturer started using red rubber instead. However, this still marked the frames. So eventually, a manufacturer started making these ladders with white rubber. Problem solved. No marking of frames.
The reason I am writing to you is to discuss the possibility of Vikan using a white rubber surround on the 10" brush instead of red. Obviously I have no idea of the inner workings of the Vikan company. My very limited understanding of manufacturing processes suggest that there would be no extra cost in moulding as the product would be identical to the current one except in colour.
A lot of window cleaners use these brushes. However, it is also true that many use other companies' brushes for the reason stated above. Obviously I can only refer to my own experience and those of window cleaners I know personally and via the internet. Therefore, I have no view of the bigger picture.
I'm told that these brushes were originally made for cleaning vehicles. Window cleaning with pure water pole systems is a massive growth industry. I believe that if you make this product with white surround, at least in the window cleaning industry you would see an increase in sales.
Of course there may be reasons that I am unaware of why you would be unable to alter the product in the way that I've suggested and I realise that this email would look better coming from a large window cleaning supplier. However, I hope I have given you something to think about for the future.
I have attached pictures of the 10" brush and the rubber on a point ladder so that my meaning is made clearer.
Regards,
Paul Coleman
PS. If you reply to this there may be a delay in response as I am on holiday for a short while.