Sorry I missed you Joe, I'd have enjoyed your company I'm sure. perhaps we'll meet at CCDO?
A major part of these events is the networking. And I did one hell of a lot
I arrived yesterday @ 10.30 and left today @, well, quite a bit after close up. I even had to carry on afterwards at the local M6 Services
Not manning the NCCA stand left me much more freedom than I've enjoyed in recent years, so it was great to spend some useful time with some of my suppliers. Had a good couple of hours with Julie Roberts of Chemspec Europe chatting over my experiences with their Eco products and I then discovered later in the day that threir DFC has gained Woolsafe Approval. I pretty sure it's the 210, but I will await confirmation.
John Gott was there too both days and good news was spreading all around. HydraMaster have some exciting things happening again in the near future, they've got some quality green solutions, a new T/M, and will be running what they are this year billing as a "Dirty Weekend" over the August Bank Holiday. If you've never done the Hydramaster annual bash, you're missing out big time. And with special accomodation organised at £15 or £20 for a double, it's really cheap. Some CCers were talking about spending the week there and taking the whole family. I'm hoping to do the weekend thing and the IICRC Upholstery Course too.
Much of the Prochem stuff I was familiar with, but I was given one or two hints (in confidence) about things forthcoming.
Amtech UK had a couple of slightly smaller machines available which still had the same working components of their larger stablemates. ie 500psi twin vac. The CFR, being recycling, is not really affected performance wise for most work by having a smaller capacity. The Poweflite is not too bad on capacity either. Regardless of tank size, if a job requires 10 buckets of water, it doesn't matter a jot whether you fill the machine in one go at the beginning or in two or three goes whilst your pre-spray dwells. Amtech UK also had a nice looking in-line heater in a metal case. Cast alloy heat exchanger with stainless steel coils. From memory it was priced in the low to mid £400's. It's mounted very nicely to the handles of the ProStation 400 or can have feet for use with any other machine. 80c is acheivable. I'm told that the outer case stays cool, and it can't melt like some plastic cased examples have been known to.
EnviroDri are enjoying good success, and as they already sell a shampoo for upholstery cleaning, I was trying to persuade them to look at Encap for use on carpets with their existing CRB machine. I know lots do in the US and quite few here too. I've tried it and it works really well. We'll have to watch this one.
Alltec had their new Twin Vac 600psi porty on show as well as the rest that we all know. It's equiped to take 1.5" or 2" vac hose and works well. I also had the chance to play with a Rotovac 360 fitted. Light and easy to use. It's a bit like a mini RX20 with 3 vac slots. It would be interesting to try on a proper dirty carpet though
LTT were their usual professional, friendly selves. I had a nice chat with Judy but whenever I past by, they were always really busy and I never got chance to speak with Andy
Dry Fusion was always busy too. They've got a new, greener version of Activator called Pure Fusion. It's odourless and is more economical than Activator at 8:1 for pre-spray AND pad. So it's virtually half the price in use!. I also won a bottle of Champagne in a draw held by the Insurance Company that is recommended for Fusioneers
Whenever I passed the Host stand, it was heaving, and as well as the dry compound, there always appeared to be a lot of interest in the Von Schrader upholstery kit.
NCCA reported that they had a considerable interest from non-members looking to join, and there were at least three significant industry players looking to become Associate Members, which along with Texatherm and Vax Commercial being recent new additions enhances the NCCA profile. They must be doing something right
There was a broad spectrum of other exhibitors present who, although not specifically CC, were definately offering essential business services, and I made some good contacts.
Without mentioning names, I heard that one of the above long standing NCCA Associate Members completed more business in the first half day of Carpex 2008 than they did in a whole day at the NEC cleaning show. Especially pleasing when you remember that the NEC is a MUCH bigger show with many more corportae "suits" present than at the Ricoh Arena.
Some of the exhibitors have already booked their place for Carpex 2010, with some talking of bigger stands. One non-exhibitor I spoke to was suitably impressed to suggest that it's "almost certain" that they'll also be there in 2010
Believe it or not, although a spent 2 days at Carpex I still didn't get to see/speak to everyone I wanted to. Perhaps I will have to wait for next time.
I must be honest when I say that I had some reservations about Carpex 2008. I felt that it could have been a make or break year for the show. As I'm the type of person who's glass is always half full as opposed to some here who had a half empty Carpex glass, I was prepared to be disappointed. I needn't have worried. Martin Scott and his team at Quartz have done a superb job, and I'm confident that their efforts will be doubly rewarded on 2010.
Safe and happy cleaning
Ken
