A Clean Sweep For Kärcher

Kärcher UK has acquired Manchester-based Clean Sweep Hire, and in doing so firmly sets the foundations to become the UK’s leading cleaning machine hire and multi-brand service provider.

The move will enable customers nationwide to access their Kärcher products in a new way and cements a relationship that has grown from strength to strength over the four years Clean Sweep has offered Kärcher machines for Contract Hire.

Explaining the purchase rationale, Simon Keeping, Kärcher UK’s Managing Director said: “We firmly believe that hire and leasing has become a significant factor in the Professional Cleaning market. For years, companies have leased their vehicles, IT equipment and forklift trucks. Against that backdrop, many organisations are now making the same decision regarding their floorcare requirements.

“Clean Sweep has built a tremendous reputation for efficient, responsive machine hire and I’ve admired Steve’s business since we first started working together,” Simon added. “As the relationship evolved it was clear that adding a professionally run hire business to our offer would significantly enhance Kärcher’s position in the UK Contract Cleaning and FM market. At trade shows it became increasingly difficult to tell where Kärcher ended and Clean Sweep began. ‘Tying the knot’ was the logical conclusion.

“We both share that ‘customer can-do’ mentality where nothing is too much trouble. Personally, we hit it off with each other – a perfect foundation for any business relationship, though I doubt I will ever share Steve’s love of Spurs!”

Commenting on his decision to partner Kärcher, Clean Sweep UK Managing Director Steve Dennis added: “Clean Sweep UK moved over to Kärcher as their sole supplier in 2011. The motivation for this move was due to our desire to offer our customers modern, reliable and user friendly equipment. Their extensive range of machines, from Tub Vacuums to Mini Road Sweepers, enabled us to satisfy our growing and diverse customer base. Kärcher’s Technical and Training Support has enabled Clean Sweep UK to achieve the reputation it enjoys today.”

And following the decision to acquire Clean Sweep, Simon added that he feels the hire market will continue to grow and grow, especially as margins get tighter. He said: “Logically, when cleaning contracts are being squeezed, it makes sense for the cleaning contractor to hire the machines. If we can provide them with the best in cleaning productivity, but without the capital outlay, we believe we are meeting an important, and growing, customer need. The convenience of hiring a machine just when you need it, without any of the headaches of maintenance, is surely an appealing solution.”

www.karcher.co.uk
www.cleansweep.co.uk