Carpex/Windex
2008 – Professionalism with a capital ‘P’
‘Highly professional’ was the term used by exhibitors,
visitors and sponsors alike to describe this year’s largest
specialist exhibitions for the UK’s carpet and window
cleaning trades. Carpex Windex took place this year on
27-28th March at a new venue, the Ricoh Arena in
Coventry. Attracting more visitors than ever before and
hosting the best stands and highest profile seminar
programme within their six year history, the shows raised
the bar with a passion. A record breaking 2200 visitors
graced the halls however it wasn’t just the quantity but the
quality of visitors that made the shows extra special.
David Wick, sales director of Contico Manufacturing
commented: “Numbers
are definitely up from 2006. I’ve noted a higher number of
interested buyers and we’ve received excellent feedback on
products.” John Sobucinski, general manager of Unger UK
echoed his comments: “The quality of visitors at Windex is
probably the best ever. They are real professionals, highly
focused and clearly not just out for the day. The amount of
interest shown in our products at this show has far
outweighed that in previous years.” Show statistics confirm
that
81% of visitors had purchasing responsibility and a combined
annual spending power of £304 million.
When asked about their attendance at the shows, the serious
motives of visitors were quite apparent. Exhibitions might
be a bit of a jolly for some or just a chance to meet up
with old friends but for the guys at Carpex Windex it was
definitely all about return on investment. Jon Ottway, a
window cleaner said:
“I’ve come here to source new systems and to find the latest
gadgets to make my job easier and more profitable.”
Visitors were not the only ones to take a professional
approach. Exhibitors were praised for an all time high in
the presentation of their stands. Andrew Lee, safety
officer with Windex sponsor Federation of Window Cleaners
said: “Exhibitors have shown a new level of professionalism
at Windex this year. The stands look fantastic and I’ve
noticed a real passion for our industry across the board.”
Awards
for ‘Best stand’ Windex/Carpex were presented to Aquafactors
Direct and Vax Commercial respectively. Stands looked
impressive and many companies had clearly come well prepared
to use the shows as a launch platform. Amongst new products
were the Aridex low moisture upholstery cleaning system from
Host Von Schrader and Dry Fusion’s Bactoshield OV, MRSA/anti-bacterial
protection for carpets. Meanwhile, Facelift Cleaning
Systems took pre-orders for its new F1 high modular carbon
waterfed pole range to be available in May. Exhibitors
reaped the rewards of their efforts as many took orders and
made sales during the show. “We’ve got a large pile of
forward orders and have been offered cash and cheques
galore!” said Jackie Bromley, commercial national account
manager at Vax Commercial. Alan Matthews of Aquafactors
Direct was equally thrilled: “We had an amazing response to
the kitted out Ford Ranger which was ‘something different’.
Again interest was amazing and we believe we have sold four
at £33,000 each!”
Another key factor which contributed to the professionalism
of the show was the outstanding new venue. The venue which
is part of Coventry City’s football ground which includes a
hotel, restaurants and function rooms proved infinitely
popular for its facilities and location. In previous years
the majority of visitors came from the south east, this year
however, the Midlands venue welcomed 80% of its visitors
from other U.K regions with just 20% coming from the South
East. Shaun Bradbury, managing director of Dry Fusion UK had
noted the new visitor demographic: “We’ve had fantastic
sales with people coming from locations as diverse as
Inverness, Dublin and Southampton. I think the
new Coventry location has had a lot to do with this.” The
excellent venue facilities made the event a much more
enjoyable experience for everyone. John Sobucinski, general
manager, Unger UK agreed: “During my 25 years in the
cleaning industry I’ve never been to a better venue! The
Ricoh Arena is a great improvement on both Excel and the
NEC.”
Buyers came from both industry sectors with the co-location
of the two shows being a draw for some. Martin Stainsy of
Wipe Clean said: “As someone interested in both window and
carpet cleaning this is perfect. It was nice and easy to
get here and I prefer the layout this year too. A good
show.” Specialist areas within each industry were well
represented by exhibitors and visitors. While at Windex
both traditional window cleaners and waterfed pole users
were present, Carpex saw parties interested in low moisture
cleaners, traditional hot water extraction and truck
mounts. In addition, considerable interest was shown in
hard floor cleaning which could indeed pinpoint a future
trend for the industry.
Further to the exhibitions, both industries enjoyed free
seminar programmes organised by show sponsors the Federation
of Window Cleaners and the National Carpet Cleaners
Association. The seminars proved extremely popular and
covered hot topics which led to passionate debate amongst
delegates. Andrew lee, safety officer for the Federation of
Window Cleaners said: “The seminar programme has been very
well attended. The seminar regarding ladder use and work at
height regulations was particularly popular. With lots of
questions and passionate comments it was quite clear that a
genuine passion exists within certain areas of the trade to
continue to use traditional window cleaning methods. There
is also a notable concern within the industry to access the
latest training and technology. The fact that our new
waterfed pole and ladders training course is almost fully
booked evidences this.” Brian Dolby, chairman of the
Federation of Window Cleaners continued: “As far as the
Federation of Window Cleaners is concerned our main focus
for Windex was the seminar programme and this was a big
success. In recent times we have tackled health & safety
issues and our next challenge is to develop a training
course for window cleaners.” Fun was also an
important component of the two days. The 16th
edition of the Fastest Window Cleaner competition coupled
smiles with an air of intense concentration. Terry ‘Turbo’
Burrows – the world’s fastest window cleaner tried to beat
his own world record and staged two competitions, one for
professionals and one for amateurs. Commenting on the
competitions Terry Burrows said: “The standard just gets
better and better. The new competition for exhibitors was
great fun!”
The main competition for professionals was won by Glyn Baily
of Hazel Window Cleaners with an impressive time of 13.09
seconds, meanwhile the new exhibitors competition went to
Steve Fox of Window Cleaning Warehouse who completed in
16.56 seconds.
The laughter continued well into the evening with a Gala
dinner held onsite. The new lady president of the National
Carpet Cleaners Association June Frankum particularly
enjoyed herself. Commenting on the evening June Frankum
said: “The gala dinner went down a real treat. The meal was
splendid and the entertainment had us all in stitches”. On
a more serious note the evening saw £700 being donated by
exhibitors for charities NSPCC and MedEquip4Kids.
So, with another highly successful show under their belt do
organizers Quartz Publishing & Exhibitions have ideas to
build on this success in 2010? It would appear so.
Comments Martin Scott, the show director: “We
have already confirmed that the 2010 event will return to
Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, a decision that has proved extremely
popular with all our current exhibitors. We will be adding a
hard floor cleaning area to the next event, which has also
been well received by the exhibitors and visitors we have
surveyed this year. Quartz is now very focused on ensuring
the event in 2010 takes another step forward to reflect the
specific demands of the carpet, window and hard floor
cleaning sectors.” Pawlo Woloszyn, chief executive officer
of the National Carpet Cleaners Association feels this could
be just what is needed. Commenting on the next edition of
the shows Pawlo Woloszyn said: “Bookings for 2010 have
already started and the new addition of a floor cleaning
area at the next show will make this a totally unmissable
event! Date: 4th April 2008 /From: Quartz
Publishing & Exhibitions Ltd
News Release
Dates for 2010 have not yet been announced but will be
available in the near future at
www.carpex.co.uk and
www.windex.co.uk
Pictured below is Bryan Dolby & Beryl Murray at the opening
of the Show
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Federation of Window Cleaners
- Trade Show 2009 |
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 Venue De Vere Herons' Reach Hotel
Window Cleaners Trade Exhibition in
Blackpool -
sponsored by
The FWC
Cleaners from all over the UK will converged in
Blackpool on Friday (9th October 2009) as the town welcomed
everyone in the Window & General Cleaning Industry to
the Federation of Window Cleaners Trade Exhibition
and Window Cleaning Competition. The event, will run
over two days, incorporating a one-day IOSH approved
"Cleaning Windows Safely" Course on the Thursday... This
is a free to enter trade
exhibition and window cleaning competition
(sponsored by window cleaning tool manufacturer Contico/Pulex,
SYR & Unger UK.
For most people a trip to Blackpool might
involve a visit to the Pleasure Beach or a stroll along
the resort’s famous Golden Mile. For the
Exhibitors it will be a chance to gain an insight into the
world of window cleaning at the Federation for Window
Cleaners annual conference .. more information to
follow.......
Above left -2007 Ladies Speed
Winner - Debbie Morris -Cornwall - 28.27 seconds
Above Right- 2007 Open Speed -
Damien Holmes - Sureshine Window Cleaning Ltd Wales - 20.34 seconds
Above Left - 2007 winners of the
children's event - Harrier Ruddick - Stockport / Sam
Mottley - Oldham / & Joshua Kaye - Yorks
2007 EXHIBITORS:
"
Comments about the Show
Just a quick note to say
a ‘BIG THANK YOU’ from me, Vernon and all at Contico for
organising yet another excellent show. The Federation
of Window Cleaners Trade Show Weekend was truly a
roaring Success…….the Blackpool venue is always popular,
but this time round it was extraordinarily busy. From
the 10.00 a.m. start to just after 3.00 p.m. in the
afternoon we didn’t stop?...And the DeVere hotel food
and facilities were exceptional.
Sales on the day were
terrific, but I must apologise though to your members…
for not taking enough stock. If I had taken more this
figure would have been far greater….possibly double!
Some window cleaners agreed to place orders to follow
of course as you know, but a lot were unhappy that they
couldn’t take the product with them, so left without
anything. The new Micro Tiger just flew out the door!
Still, maybe next time I will get it spot on, I will
certainly endeavour to aim for this…..but it is so
difficult as I’m sure you will understand to get the mix
right. I feel sure that a lot more extra orders
should follow from the Federation now, especially with
the new Micro Tiger Sleeve on board and Universal
Squeegee Handle.
My guests from Pulex -
Italy….Loris Giustetto, Chiara Gregorelli and Mario
Caretta also had a great time and enjoyed themselves
enormously and add their thanks too …..Looking forward
to next time! Best regards Francesca Estacy
MBICS—Sales Manager - Contico Mannufacturing Ltd /
SPRAYCHEM
2007 The Cleaning Show NEC Birmingham - Pictures
left of the Window Cleaning Competition and right, Ian
Douglas-Executive Council with General Secretary Beryl
Murray following a successful day in recruiting five new
members to the FWC. Picture on the right shows the
popular window cleaning competition with presenter Terry
bottom right.
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