Unger Stingray Wins Innovation Award

PRESS RELEASE : Unger wins Innovation Award Unger Stingray shines all around. Solingen/Chicago – Unger was presented with the Innovation Award at the international cleaning trade fair ISSA/Interclean North America. 

 The Unger Stingray indoor window cleaning system managed to impress the exclusive jury and won the coveted award in the Supplies and Accessories category. With a total of 50 cleaning companies registering their products for the Innovation Awards this year, the competition was challenging across all categories. 

A distinguished expert jury made up of distributors, construction companies and in-house service providers judged every product on its forward-thinking potential, giving particular consideration to profitability and safety aspects, as well as innovative features, quality and productivity. The jury chose Unger Stingray as the outstanding innovation in the Supplies and Accessories category based on its unique advantages that make cleaning indoor glass, mirror and other washable surfaces simpler and more efficient. 

Unger Stingray – allowing cleaning personnel to work simpler, faster, safer and more efficiently: 

Cleaning indoor glass using traditional sprayer and a cloth can be time-consuming and labour intensive, especially in areas with lots of internal glass surfaces that have to be kept spotless at all times, such as offices, hotels, restaurants and shopping centres. Using ladders or climbing chairs to clean at height can also be risky and require re-arranging furniture and equipment for access. 

Unger Stingray easily solves these issues and offers a perfect solution to all your indoor glass cleaning needs:

According to the “Indoor window cleaning time and consumption study” conducted by the hygiene consultant Hyco Mück, the Stingray allows you to clean 25% faster compared to traditional sprayer and a cloth method thanks to its one step “apply & clean” design. Its enclosed sprayer applies the glass cleaner directly to surface, eliminating overspray and drips, so there is no risk of airborne chemical inhalation and no need to spend extra time on covering up nearby items or cleaning up the mess.

At a push of a button, the Stingray pump dispenses a single shot of professional glass cleaner with 3M Scotchgard protection, its precise application allows you to clean brilliantly, control costs and minimise waste, using 39% less chemicals!

With its highly intuitive design, the Stingray is simple and easy to use, with minimal training required even for your least experienced staff. This means that surface cleaning at heights of up to 4 m (13 ft) can now be safely carried out by in-house teams on a daily basis, reducing risks and costs whilst increasing building cleanliness and customer satisfaction. 

Photo Caption:

The expert jury selected Unger Stingray for its outstanding innovative design, allowing you to clean indoor surfaces efficiently and faster than ever before – maximizing profitability in the process.

Also see: The Stingray indoor cleaning system
Ungers official Stingray sites here & here

Manchester Window Cleaners Scoop Top Award.

Manchester Window Cleaners scoop top award.

Manchester Window Cleaners scoop top award: A Knutsford window cleaner, whose round includes the Urbis in Manchester, has been named the best in the region. Paul Johnson runs Manchester Window Cleaners and has been busy celebrating after picking up Acquisition International’s Business Excellence Award for the best window cleaners in Greater Manchester.

Paul, 50, of Manchester Road, told the Guardian that his father Peter ran a window cleaning business since 1974 and after he decided to take early retirement from BT in 2010, he decided to take on the firm. “Dad was coming up to retirement age so I decided to get out there and take it over,” he said. “He only did one day a week so I had to build it up from scratch. I wanted to come over professional and wanted to work really hard to make it a success.”

Paul added the award had been a surprise. “It came out of the blue,” he said. “We try and do a more professional job and speak to the clients, not just clean the windows. “We’ve got some very good clients and those are the household names really and we are very proud that they put our name forward.

“With the Urbis as it is a lot of glass and free of frames it doesn’t take as long as you might think. "With window cleaning there is a lot of manoeuvring from one frame to the next but one big panel is easier, so the National Football Museum doesn’t take more than a day.”

“I have been in Knutsford for years, and we do some of the big properties in Knutsford on Legh Road, and my friends have been really chuffed for me.” Paul’s team is made up of seven employees, with two of those working part time.

Window Cleaner Wins Robert Hicks Bate Award

Las Vegas rock climber David Allfrey was honored by the American Alpine Club last week, winning the prestigious Robert Hicks Bates Award for most promising young talent. 

Las Vegas rock climber wins award for promising young participant: Las Vegas rock climber David Allfrey got a big nod from the American Alpine Club last week, winning the prestigious Robert Hicks Bates Award. The annual award recognizes a young climber who has exhibited exceptional skill and character in the climbing or mountaineering arts, and who has outstanding promise for future accomplishment.

Having made significant ascents from the Baffin Islands to Yosemite, the ACC took note when in 2014 then 29-year-old Allfrey decided to challenge himself to climb seven big walls on El Capitan in Yosemite in seven days. He recruited professional climber Alex Honnold as his partner. The two set four speed records in the process. In the ACC's announcement, committee chair Rolando Garibotti said, "This is a step up as far as El Cap climbing goes." Allfrey, originally from San Jose, California, started climbing as a kid with his parents. He took a hiatus in his teens and then returned to the sport about 10 years ago with a laser focus on big wall climbing.

By having an award from probably the most exclusive organizations within the outside world, odds are that soon Allfrey will have the ability to hang up the phone his window-washing gear.

He moved to Las Vegas three years ago for the easy access to world class climbing and now juggles a training schedule that's anywhere from 25 to 60 hours a week for undertakings like the "Yosemite 7 in 7" with making a living washing windows and occasionally rigging for trade shows on the Strip. He will attend the ACC's award reception in Washington in February. "This is such a huge honor," said Allfrey. "I've put in a lot of time and effort to become a good big wall climber. It's really nice to have people like the leadership at the American Alpine Club recognize that effort."

In his backyard of Red Rock, Allfrey has ticked many hard routes. He is one of four people to make a free ascent of Desert Solitaire, a 12 pitch 5.13b on the Rainbow Wall in Red Rock. With an award from one of the most prestigious organizations in the outdoor world, chances are that soon Allfrey will be able to hang up his window washing gear. To follow his upcoming alpine expedition in Alberta, Canada, visit www.davidallfrey.com

The annual award recognizes a youthful climber that has showed exceptional skill and character within the climbing or alpinism arts, and that has outstanding promise for future accomplishment.

Inspired Business

Marc Whitbread, 23, of Church Crookham, has been nominated as Young Business Person of the Year in the Inspire Business Awards 2015.

Inspire Business Awards 2015: Whitbread's Window Cleaning looks to scoop Young Business Person prize - The company Marc Whitbread founded as a teenager has seen him nominated for Young Business Person of the Year.

He was just 17 when he launched his window cleaning company which today boasts more than 700 clients, and now Church Crookham entrepreneur Marc Whitbread has been nominated for an Inspire Business award .

Marc employs two full-time staff at his firm, Whitbread’s Window Cleaning, operating across Aldershot, Camberley, Farnham, Farnborough, Fleet, Hook, Sandhurst, Yateley and other areas on the Hampshire-Surrey border.

The ambitious 23-year-had originally wanted to become a chef and had started training in kitchens. “I was fed up with the low pay and working with people, so looked into businesses I could set up,” he recalled. “When I was 12 I saw a guy with a water-fed pole system, which lets you clean windows from the ground, and it just stuck with me. “I started looking into start-up costs and did some market research, and thought it had good potential.”

The company now has 720 regular clients, and Mr Whitbread hopes to take on more staff every year – the next intake in the spring. He has just bought a third van which will be ready to use in November.

Marc says the secret is the combination of having the right attitude and filling a gap in the market. “There’s been a demand but I have always been very determined and put in the hours,” he added. “A lot of people are just comfortable standing still, but for what? “I want to grow a business not just be a window cleaner.”

When asked what he makes of being nominated for Young Business Person of the Year, he said: “I’m really pleased. I didn’t know how popular the awards were, but I was really pleased to find out that I had been shortlisted.”

Award For Officers Who Saved Dangling Window Washer

David Schmandt, former employee of North Coast Window Cleaning.

Deputies save window washer dangling from roof, become Officers of the Year (Albany, N.Y.)  – The quick thinking and heroic acts of two Albany County deputies has landed them with the title of New York State Officers of the Year. The incident happened in September 2014 when sheriff deputies Brian Lawler and Mark Duda saw a man dangling from the roof of the judicial center.

Duda said it was a pedestrian that alerted him to the man hanging only by his fingertips and a maintenance worker clinging to the man’s t-shirt. The man, David Schmandt, was an employee of North Coast Window Cleaning and had come unhooked from his harness while climbing over the edge. The maintenance worker, Joseph Palella, said the officers came just in time. “He was holding on by his fingertips, literally, and another ten seconds it would have been over,” Palella said. “Luckily it worked out for the best.”

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said their quick thinking very well could have saved the young man’s life and was proud the New York Sheriff’s Association recognized his officers. “I think anybody would have done it,” Duda said. “Just acting to the situation and just helping somebody out.”

While Duda said Schmandt is safe today thanks to the actions of everyone involved, including Palella, everyone can agree it easily could have gone south. “He was physically shaken,” Duda said. “He was a nervous wreck.” “I’m just glad he is OK,” Palella said. “Just glad it worked out.” Schmandt lives in Rochester and was not available for comment on this story. However, his coworkers said he is doing fine but no longer working for the window washing company.

Vigilante Window Cleaners Given Cash Reward

Window cleaner, James Rowley received a commendation from the Met's assistant commissioner Mark Rowley. After sentencing Fernandez, judge Fergus Mitchell ordered that Mr Rowley receive a £1,200 reward for his braverery.

Bank robber Andrew Fernandez jailed for life as James Rowley, hero window cleaner who foiled his crime, receives bravery award: A armed robber foiled by a have-a-go hero window cleaner as he tried to flee a bank raid by bike has been jailed for life. Andrew Fernandez, 47, threatened a cashier with an imitation gun and demanded cash at Lloyds Bank in Brighton Road, Coulsdon, on November 27. He was fended off and then chased down by James Rowley, 34, who will this week receive a police award for bravery.

Mr Rowley, of Caterham, had been in the bank as a customer when Fernandez, of no fixed abode, burst in wearing a motorcycle helmet. The window cleaner suspected Fernandez's firearm was fake and told him to leave. The robber continued to demand cash and threaten the cashier, but fled when he was again challenged by Mr Rowley. Fernandez tried to make his getaway on a pedal bike but was pursued by Mr Rowley and the window cleaner's colleague, who was waiting in a van outside.

They wrestled the would-be thief to the ground and held him until police arrived to arrest him. Mr Rowley told officers he had seen Fernandez (pictured right) throwing an object into a nearby building site, where officers found the fake gun. Police initially charged Fernandez with attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm, but detectives later learned he was responsible for two similar robberies, in Barnet and Watford, earlier that year. He was charged two further counts of robbery and two counts of possession of an imitation firearm and pleaded guilty to all charges at Kingston Crown Court, where he was jailed for life today.

James Rowley received a commendation from the Met's assistant commissioner Mark Rowley. After sentencing Fernandez, judge Fergus Mitchell ordered that Mr Rowley receive a £1,200 reward for his braverery. He will also be given a police public bravery award at the Association of Chief Police Officers annual awards ceremony on Thursday and received a Metropolitan Police commendation in March.

Mr Rowley described himself as "humbled" by the awards. He said:  "When I saw him enter the bank waving the gun around, making demands I just acted on instinct. I thought that the gun wasn't real and therefore I knew I had to act. "At the time I didn't think it was brave I thought it was my duty to get involved ignoring it was not the answer. I told him to leave and then he tried to escape I immediately thought no he is not going to get away with this so chased him with the help of my friend, holding him down until the officers came along. "What's happened since then with receiving an Assistant Commissioner's commendation and now being awarded a police bravery award, well I am humbled."

Detective Sergeant David Barnfather, from the Met's robbery investigation team said: "The bravery of James Rowley was truly remarkable in confronting what was for all intents and purposes, an armed and extremely dangerous criminal. "Mr. Rowley's courage and sense of civic duty are to be applauded and thanks to him Fernandez is behind bars."

REWARDED: James Rowley and Daniel Sandholm.

Reward for have-a-go heroes as bank robber given life sentence: Two have-a-go heroes who caught an armed robber as he tried to stick up a bank will be given a cash reward, a judge has ordered. Window cleaners James Rowley and Daniel Sandholm will each be paid £1,200 from the Sheriff's Fund for their "bravery" in stopping Andrew Fernandez from robbing Lloyds Bank in Brighton Road, Coulsdon, last November, and holding him nearby until police arrived.

This afternoon Fernandez, 47, of no fixed abode, was jailed for life with a minimum term of eight years, after admitting trying to rob the Coulsdon bank and robbing two other Lloyds Bank branches elsewhere last year. On each occasion he used a plastic imitation gun as a pretend weapon and a pedal bicycle as his getaway vehicle. Sentencing him at Kingston Crown Court, Judge Fergus Mitchell stressed the harm he had done to people he had terrified during his attacks, including staff fearful of returning to work. Praising Mr Rowley, 34, of Caterham, and Mr Sandholm, 23, of Purley, he said: "They both contributed in their different ways and I am going to make an award for their courage in relation to their bravery. "[...] It's pretty impressive behaviour on both their parts in detaining this man."

The court had heard how Fernandez robbed Lloyds Bank in Mill Hill of £5,429 on July 12 after walking in at around 11.45am, brandishing his plastic hand gun and demanding a cashier hand over the money. He repeated the pattern on September 27 at Lloyds in Watford, Hertfordshire, when he walked in at around 9.45am, demanded cash, and was handed £4,038 before he left and got away on his bicycle. But when he tried to do the same at the Brighton Road branch on November 27 last year, he was confronted by Mr Rowley, who had popped in to deposit some money after work.

Prosecuting, Nathan Rasiah told the court: "The customer on this occasion was Mr Rowley, who responded by saying, 'Look, you p****, why don't you just f*** off.' "He [Fernandez] responded by saying, 'I am going to start shooting, I will start shooting through the glass'." Mr Rasiah continued: "The customer persisted by saying, 'F*** off you p****, it is a fake gun anyway, it is plastic'." Fernandez, the court heard, then left the shop shouting as if for back up, before running off and getting onto his bike. But he was chased by Mr Rowley, who threw a fire extinguisher at him, toppling him off the bike. Fernandez then hit Mr Rowley over the head with his crash helmet and ran off, at which point Mr Sandholm, waiting for Mr Rowley in a parked van, ran after and grabbed hold of the robber.

Police arrived shortly afterwards and arrested Fernandez, who initially told them he had been attacked and was suffering memory loss. But on April 3 this year he was charged with all three incidents, after police found CCTV and witness evidence. He pleaded guilty on May 19 to one count of attempted robbery, two counts of robbery, and three counts of possessing an imitation firearm. Mr Fernandez had previously been convicted of robbery in 1986 and 1995.

Mitigating, Michael Hillman told the court his client had turned his life around since those convictions but then relapsed into crime to feed a cocaine addiction. He said: "It is clear that he really turned his life around in 1999, gained excellent qualifications, building up an excellent business, doing very well. "He started experimenting recreationally with cocaine that unfortunately has resulted in an addiction which has spiralled out of all control and caused him to go back to the sort of offences which he was committing when he was much younger."

Judge Mitchell said Mr Fernandez clearly had a supportive family, telling him: "It is just a great regret really that you have so let them down in the way that you have been involving yourself in what are very serious offences. "And the really serious aspect of these offences is what happened to those people who were involved." Reading from statements given by witnesses, he told of one who was "terribly upset and frightened" and "anxious about resuming my role".

And a cashier who had been the victim of six robberies before Mr Fernandez told the judge: "The people who do this don't understand what pain they cause." She added: "I am trying to put a brave face on but as soon as anyone asks me what happened I start crying." Speaking after the sentencing, Mr Rowley told the Advertiser he was "a bit shocked" to find the man he confronted had such a chequered past. He added he was "really happy" at the financial reward given by the judge, and pleased at the tough sentence.

Fireball Window Cleaning Hero Takes Award

Gareth Salmon, who was hailed as an 'outstanding hero' at the Hounslow Community Safety Heroes Awards for rescuing a woman from a fire. He was joined on stage by Hounslow Council leader Jagdish Sharma and Hounslow borough fire commander Stuart Low.

Window cleaner who saved woman from Chiswick fireball is hailed a hero: Gareth Salmon pulled an elderly woman from a burning flat, moments before a huge explosion which would almost certainly have killed her ripped through the building. Gareth Salmon was working in Edensor Road, Chiswick, on New Year's Eve last year when he noticed smoke pouring from a neighbouring block. After alerting other residents the 37-year-old father-of-two made three attempts to rescue an elderly woman who was trapped in her flat. After the power of one explosion sent him flying out of the window he bravely went back in and carried her to safety moments before a huge blast, which would almost certainly have killed her, tore through the property.

Mr Salmon was one of three 'outstanding heroes' honoured at the annual Hounslow Community Safety Heroes awards ceremony, held at Hounslow Civic Centre, last night (Wednesday, February 12). "My initial thought was 'if I don't do anything I don't think I could live with myself'," he modestly said. "I was so caught up in the urgency of getting her out I didn't have time to be scared. It was only afterwards I realised I probably should have been." His proud wife Lois was more blunt. "I didn't know whether to hug him or strangle him for risking his life," she said. Luckily she chose the former, adding that their elder daughter Aimee is now convinced her dad's a superhero.

The aftermath of the fire in Edensor Road, Chiswick, from which hero window cleaner Gareth Salmon pulled an elderly woman to safety.

Mr Salmon, who lives in Ruislip, but works mostly in Chiswick and Ealing, had first kicked down the woman's door and crawled along the carpet under a choking blanket of smoke. He used a wet cloth, one of the tools of his trade, to stop him breathing in the thick fumes but couldn't find her. Eventually he was alerted by a faint cry from the kitchen and went round the back of the property, smashing in the back door and climbing in, only to be thrown back onto the balcony by the force of an explosion.

He thought she must be dead but fearlessly returned after hearing a noise from inside. The smoke was so thick he still couldn't see the woman, only finding her when he stumbled into her by chance. "I got my arms underneath her and dragged her to the back door where a couple of guys helped me get her over the balcony," he said. "Moments later, the second big explosion happened, sending a 20-foot fireball bursting out of the windows."

Presenting Mr Salmon with his award, Brendon Walsh, Hounslow Council's director of regeneration, said: "Our colleagues in the fire service have commented that it is without any doubt Gareth's actions had saved a life that day. He has rightly been recognised as a true hero by locals as well as by the emergency services as a result of his selfless actions."

Q & A With South Africas "Window Lady"

The Window lady is a bloke.

Thabang’s unconventional business venture: Having spotted a gap in the market, Thabang Mazibuko took advantage and launched his own window washing company. Mazibuko set out to provide an innovative service to households and businesses after quitting a senior level sales position with a reputable company. His company, The Window Lady, is now 12-years-old and Mazibuko has no regrets by taking the plunge and venturing into entrepreneurship has paid off well for him. With a mission statement that reads, “To transform an industry known for high staff turnover, low standards and low self-esteem, into an effective and efficient industry through training and fair remuneration,” it’s no wonder Mazibuko has two SAB KickStart National Awards to his name.

How did the idea of starting a window washing company come to you?
I saw a lot of window cleaning company specialising in commercial buildings. So I did my research and found out that there are no household window cleaning services in the market.  In 2000, I started the Window Lady, then in June 2001, launched the company.

What research did you do?
I looked at who my clientele would be, what equipment I would need, best pricing and the service levels that customers would expect.

What challenges did you come across?
We encountered several issues. The first was trust. We clean windows both in and outside homes, so our customers would tend to be sceptical about crime. The second was payment, some of our customers would make payment on a 60/90 days payment agreement while some would not pay at all. Lastly we’ve had to work on our brand, who we are, where we come from and define who we do the windows for.

What should an entrepreneur looking to go into a similar business consider?
They must look at their reputation, because the majority of customers will look for a window cleaning background and service history. And you have to be able to show you know what you are doing.

What is your company’s vision?
The Window Lady’s motto is to exceed the customers’ expectations!

How is the business doing?
Despite the difficulties we have come across – from most household and business premises downsizing due to financial and economic pressure – we are still doing exceptionally well.

How receptive has the market been to your business?
I have received excellent responses from both commercial and domestic businesses. It’s a dynamic business, that revolves from time to time, and we get new customers through referrals all the time.

When you started out, did you have a business plan?
I had a business plan, and also raised the capital. I also arranged all the necessary equipment, trained the staff and really did my ground work exploring specific customers to target and advertising opportunities.

Who helped you draft the plan?
I was previously working at a senior level in a sales environment, and before I left my full-time position, I gathered as much relevant information as possible.

What are your future plans?
I’m planning to establish myself in both Pretoria and the Vaal by 2015. I also want to revisit my branches in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, possibly through joint ventures and gradually to stand alone. I was forced to close down these operations in 2010 because of the market.

How do you market your business?
We use various social media platforms, Estate magazine, billboards but most importantly, word of mouth.

Is your business making a profit?
I made profit in this business in my first year, and reinvested the money back to the business. In the five years he’s been running, Mazibuko has won the SAB Kickstart National Awards for two years in a row. Even during the economic meltdown, we managed to make a sustainable profit.

How many people do you employ?
Between 2005 and 2010, we had 48 employees in both Gauteng, Western Cape and KZN. However we have currently downsized to just eight employees after closing our Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal operations.

The Window Lady cc is a reputable organisation known for excellent service, responsive, happy, innovative staff and satisfied customers. Our mission is to transform an industry known for high staff turnover, low standards and low self-esteem, into an effective and efficient industry through training and fair remuneration. We also aim to empower people to fulfill their aspirations and capabilities through exchange of their honest labour to build a reputation of managing contracts successfully, by continually improving our service levels, and constantly meeting our customer requirements, to upgrade services to meet customer requirements in an ever changing market.To upgrade the technology and knowledge of all personnel through continuous improvement training. To constantly provide cutting edge knowledge and information as per acceptable national and international standards. Achieving customer satisfaction through the combined efforts of planning the infrastructure and executing the projects through our dedicated workforce

Men In Kilts Window Cleaning Wins Top Award

Men In Kilts CEO, Tressa Wood, wins the prestigious Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award for 2012.

Men In Kilts CEO, Tressa Wood, wins the prestigious Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award for 2012: Men In Kilts, a franchised window and exterior cleaning company, officially announced that CEO Tressa Wood has been awarded the prestigious Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award. Men In Kilts is Canada’s largest window cleaning company and is expanding fast into the US, with plans to be in every major market by 2017.

The Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award is presented annually, and highlights the achievement of BC's outstanding entrepreneurs, executives, managers and professionals in public or private business and non-profit sectors. “It’s fantastic to be recognized by the local business community in any fashion, but to win the BIV Top 40 Under 40 award is an honor,” says Wood. Before becoming CEO of Men In Kilts, Wood was VP of Operations for the highly successful 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise. While part of the senior leadership team at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? revenue grew from $10 million to over $130 million in a five-year period.

“I can’t think of a more deserving recipient… I have the opportunity to witness her exemplary leadership on a daily basis. Tressa manages to keep her family top priority and maintain the diligence and focus needed to lead the Men In Kilts franchise system across North America,” says Brent Hohlweg, Co-Founder & Chief Brand Architect of Men In Kilts who nominated Wood, along with Brian Scudamore of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?.

While honored to win the 40 Under 40 Award, Wood says she is most proud of her family and finding balance between the two roles. Becoming a mother hasn’t lessened Wood’s drive and ambition. “I see even more potential at Men In Kilts. The opportunity and the vision for this brand are massive. We currently have ten franchises across Canada and the United States and plans to add 20 to 30 more in 2013,” says Wood.

About Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award - The Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award is sponsored by Audi, CGA, EO Vancouver, Fasken Martineau, BCIT, CBC, Clark’s Audio Visual, and TEC Canada. The event consists of a panel of judges that first and foremost look at an individual's professional success. They are also interested in knowing about their education, community service, as well as participation in industry and business associations and other accolades and awards. They look for a cross-section of impressive people from a wide range of industries who are ahead of their time for their age. They’ve progressed up the ranks of their company or industry or have built their own company and demonstrated professional success and responsibility at a relatively young age.

About Men In Kilts: Men In Kilts was started in 2002 by Nicholas Brand with $500, a squeegee and a hand-sewn kilt. The company offers professional window cleaning, gutter cleaning, siding cleaning and pressure washing services to both commercial and residential customers. The first franchise was opened in 2010 in Vancouver, with Fraser Valley and Seattle soon to follow. Calgary, Victoria, Philadelphia and New Jersey opened in 2012, with Toronto and Edmonton scheduled to open shortly. The company expects a 300 percent increase in revenue in 2012. 

More blogs on Men in Kilts here.

Standing out from the rest of the pack isn’t easy, but for Nicholas Brand, the founder of window washing company Men in Kilts, the uniform does most of the work for him.