That is a lot of questions. I will do my best.
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1st off, do you ever plan on getting back into the Supply/Manufactureing side of this racket?
And will that effect your following answers?
The only way I would get back into the manufacturing end of it would be for big money. I would however love to teach. I taught a few little “ get to know BLUEline and
Vortex “ classes and loved it. The guys attending the classes seemed to like it. I would love to teach the CTI chem. class they do. I would teach 2-3 of those a month and clean the rest of the time.
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How and when did you get into the Carpet Cleaning business?
I worked as an Electronics Tech for Micron Technology and hated it. I wanted to start a janitorial business but after researching it out I learned there was more money to be made in carpet cleaning. I bought a portable in 1996 and starting cleaning with NO knowledge at all. I did 2 rooms and a hall for $34.00. $10.00 each additional room. I can’t believe it now but that is what I started out doing.
Please explain how you got your gig at Blueline.
I got the gig and BLUEline as the
Vortex sales manager by my raging good looks. Ok, I was the first V owner to modify my truck to run 2.5 inch hose. That got me noticed I guess. I helped BLUEline with some
Vortex training and helped them with their booth at Connections. They offered me a job and we took it. My wife at the time was in bad health and I needed to get her to a warmer climate. AZ. was perfect for that. Thom Fielding and Mark Loften were 2 of the greatest bosses a guy could have. They really did care about me and my family. I will be forever grateful to those guys.
How long will it take you to get your new cleaning biz back to where your old one was?
My old cleaning biz did about $250,000 a year in cleaning. We had a
Vortex and a small box truck with one employee. I bet it takes me 3 years to get back to those numbers. Starting over in this economy is a little tough.
What are you doing different this time around?
I started out High End. .39 cents a sq. and up. The first company I started we were cheap and worked our way up to high end.
Is there still a legitimate market for Big Trucks in your opinion?
A
big truck is perfect for guys that want to dual wand with lots of suck and heat. Going back to a van and small slide in has been tough. A
big truck is not for everyone but there is still a place for it. I loved my V. We would dual wand almost every job. We made way more money in less time with it. It pisses Martin off but we did get plenty of walk ups from people seeing the truck.
-Please tell the audience here at least four things they most likely don't know about the manufacturing end of this industry.
1. All of them hate the boards and think you all are complete idiots.
2. Many would sell their own mother for a commission check.
3. When a leasing company comes back with an offer tell them you have a better offer and they need to do better. Every leasing company in the word can give you a better deal. Most guys I would tell that to could negotiate 100-200 dollars off a MONTH! When getting a lease always fight for a better deal.
4. Mark up is unreal!!
-Your truck burned to the ground last night while you and the new misses were heating it up in the back. Fred Boyle is going to buy you a new van and machine of your choice... What's it gonna be?
I think I would buy a Big Daddy with all the bells and whistles. I would put it in a small box truck. I would also look at the
AT very close. When
Vortex gets up and going again I would look there as well.
In your opinion who are the top three suppliers in this country?
BP in Kansas City ( the people are great )
Pemberton Jim is the best
JonDon St. Louis
Having spent far too much time at Customer Appreciation Days across the nation what can you summarize about the average Carpet Cleaner.
The CAD days were a lot of work. The average cleaner has little knowledge of how to run a profitable business. Most can’t run a wand for crap.
-What Truckmount Manufacturer..
Has the best fit and finish?
BLUEline did. I guess
Hydramaster now.
AT for sure.
The best customer service?
Hydramaster and
AT
The greatest chance of surviving the next 5 years?
AT will survive because cleaning machines are a small side note.
Hydramaster has tons of foreign money backing them.
Prochem’s customer service went completely in the toilet but it getting better now.
BP has truck loads of cash, has cornered the market in many areas, the little guys have to move to BP or get pushed out. However, I do hate the MLM thing they are doing now.
Would you never buy from?
I would never clean again if I had to buy from Magic Wand.
What is your favorite Pre Spray?
I have tried them all. All do well if you have dwell, high flow, good heat and know how to stroke a wand. When I did the CADs I would take a suit case home from every trip full of free samples. I cleaned almost a full year using samples I stole, I mean got. LOL I have a 5 gallon bucket of PowerMax but the second that is used up I will go back to BP Bio-Break. I still think that is the best bang for the buck