UK Window Cleaning Show Postponed Because Everyone Is Skint

New dates!

Industry agrees to postpone Carpex/Windex until October 2012: Quartz Business Media, the organiser of the Carpex/Windex 2012 exhibition, has announced the postponement of the event, which was due to take place on 8th and 9th March. The new dates have been confirmed as 3rd & 4th October 2012. The exhibition will remain at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Martin Scott, exhibition sales director, said: “Carpex/Windex is staged specifically to support the needs of the carpet & upholstery and window cleaning industries, and we work closely with senior representatives from both sectors when shaping the event. Both sectors are finding trading tough at the present time, reporting that business activity is not set to rise until Q3 of this year. After positive discussions with major companies and associations from both industries we have therefore decided to postpone the event until 3rd & 4th October  2012, when buying activity is expected to be far stronger. Quartz Business Media is happy to be able to satisfy the needs of exhibitors in this way, and to reflect the wishes of the event’s sponsors, the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) and the Federation of Window Cleaners (FWC).”

Both associations support the organiser in a move that they agree is in the best interests of the industries concerned. Early indications are that the October event will be larger than that planned for March, offering visitors a greater breadth of products and technologies.

Martin Scott continued: “The event in October 2012 will feature everything that was planned for the March event - there will just be more. The seminars organised by the FWC and NCCA will be stronger, and the Window Cleaning Competition - hosted by the world’s fastest window cleaner, Terry ‘Turbo’ Burrows – will take place over the two days of the event. I would also like to acknowledge the great help provided by the management team at the Ricoh Arena in being able to change the dates at such a late stage.”

With market recovery widely predicted for the third quarter of 2012, the organiser is confident that the October 2012 event will surpass the high standards achieved in 2010. To make sure you are part of it, please contact Martin Scott or Sarah Layton on:
Tel: 01737 855086

UK Window Cleaning Show Begins Tomorrow

Windex 2010 is for everyone involved in the window cleaning industry and its subsidiary services. Windex 2010 offers companies in the window cleaning industry the opportunity to demonstrate and sell products and services to the buyers of window cleaning equipment and services a truly targeted audience. The past three WINDEX exhibitions have demonstrated just how effective a well-targeted, industry supported exhibition can be.

Situated at the centre of the country, the Ricoh Arena is within two hours’ drive of almost 75% of the country’s population. It is also set at the heart of the motorway network and less than 30 minutes away from two major train stations and international airports. Located just two minutes off the M6 junction 3. The purpose built exhibition hall is capable of holding a variety of events from trade and public exhibitions, conferences, banquets and concerts. It offers: A column-free exhibition hall, Food kiosks, Air conditioned and heated, Hotel on site, Bar and Bistro, 100 seat restaurant, Car parking on site for 2000 vehicles, Internet connection and a Casino on site.

The organisers of Carpex & Windex 2010, being staged at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on 18 and 19 March 2010, have revealed that the number of pre-registered visitors has topped all previous events – and there are still four months to go. Over 2000 visitors have already registered their details, with many more expected in the run-up to the combined events.

Stand space is also being snapped up well ahead of the deadline. Martin Scott, exhibition sales director, said: “There are only seven stands left for Carpex/Windex 2010, so I urge any companies interested in taking part to contact me without delay. The launch of the Carpex/Windex Innovation Awards to find the best new carpet cleaning and window cleaning product has proved very popular, and has attracted several new exhibitors in recent weeks. All exhibiting companies are entitled to submit a product into the awards scheme.”

Companies can enter the Innovation Awards via the exhibition websites, and short-listed finalists will be judged by an expert panel at the show. The only conditions of entry are that the product must be ‘new’, and can’t have been exhibited at any previous show in the UK. The winning products will be announced during the event, and awards will be presented to the successful companies.

Why you should visit?

• To see new products and innovations
• Catch up with the latest industry trends
• Discover new or alternative suppliers
• Meet existing suppliers
• Make purchasing decisions

Free Seminars
DAY ONE:

All Windex seminars are free to attend. Register FREE to attend

10.30 – 10.50 Why you should join the Federation of Window Cleaners
Gary Johns

11.00 – 11.30 Avoiding repetitive strain injuries from the use of a squeegee
Craig Mawlam - Chairman Ionic Systems

11.40 – 12.00 Choosing the correct van insurance policies for window cleaners with wfp systems
Sarah Richards – Alexander Swan

12.10 – 12.40 Working at height regulations

Andrew Willis outlines the basics of complying with this statutory law and provides an example of how even the HSE sometimes get it wrong. Why do property owners fail to take ownership of providing a safe place to work. He also explains how his own experience over the last five years shows that over 98% of window cleaning companies currently have unnecessary working at height liabilities.

Andy Willis - is a leading Working at Height Consultant and City and Guilds A1 Assessor

13.00 – 13.50 City and Guilds NVQ Level 2 Window Cleaners 2009-2010 Awards

IMPACT43 in association with South Thames College incorporating Merton College are hosting the awards to show recognition for the hard work and effort during 2009-2010 from both window cleaning candidates and their employers

14.10 – 14.30 An overview of powered access platforms and usage in the cleaning sector
Guy Willett – Smart Platform Rental

14.40 – 15.10 Presenting a real life example and an insight into the cleaning contractor’s experience of work at height issues

Austin Green compares the structure of his company and the service needs of medium and small contractors. Looks at sensible practicable risk management within working at height cleaning activities. How risk liabilities can be removed or reduced so that window cleaning is performed safely. Examples of the hurdles and hoops to jump through at the tender stage to being awarded a contract. The demands and requirements of service delivery and how property owners and contractors need clearer and transparent joint responsibilities.

Austin Green - Managing Director of Central Window Cleaning Services Limited (part of Initial Rentokil)

15.20 - 15.50 NVQ – Training

Mark Gillman looks at how the City and Guild NVQ level 2 Window Cleaning is becoming a directive from property owners. Outlines the overall success of the NVQ over the last two years. Some amusing comments from industry forums showing a diverse gap between domestic windows cleaner’s views on training and the need for qualification to that of commercial window cleaners. Finally reasons for taking advantage of funding whilst it lasts.

Mark Gillman NVQ – Mark is Health and Safety Manager of EMPRISE Plc and a City and Guilds Internal Verifier)

DAY TWO:

10.30 – 10.50 Why you should join the Federation of Window Cleaners
Gary Johns

11.00 – 11.20 Marketing your window cleaning business
Matthew Johnson – Cam Cleaning Services Ltd

11.30 – 12.00 Working at height regulations
Andrew Willis – Working at height consultant and City and Guilds A1 assessor

12.10 – 12.30 Window Cleaning Insurance
Allied Insurance Services

13.50 – 14.20 Employment Law
Bhaskar Choudhury - AMACUS LEGAL
Source new ideas

Sponsors & Supporters
FWC

Windex 2010 is supported and sponsored by the FWC. The professional Employers Trade Association for window cleaners for over 60 years!

The Federation of Window Cleaners aims to:

• Provide information on all aspects of the Trade.
• Increase public awareness of the need for high standards of safety.;
• Represent the Industry with government and municipal bodies.
• Support Members with FREE 24 hour legal advice
• Encourage members in attaining Health & Safety Training & Education
• Promote the protection of the customer against Fraud & Misrepresentation.

80 Year Old Window Cleaner Retires

Coventry window cleaner retires after 55 years: FRANK Flood has just hung up his chamois leather and tin bucket after more than half-a-century of keeping the windows of Coventry clean. The hardy 80-year-old, who started his own round at the tender age of 25, admitted that he’d “seen some sights” while doing the job he loved. But being the soul of discretion he refused to reveal what. Frank, who lives in Ferndale Road, Binley Woods, set up a mini window washing empire in the 1950s with his dad James who’d been a familiar figure in the city during the Second World War. The business then grew and grew, taking on the windows of many of the city centre’s big businesses including The Telegraph’s former office in Hertford Street. At one stage the firm employed eight men, with work stretching to Leamington and Nuneaton. When he left school Frank went to work in a garage, before going on to enjoy a 12-year stint with the Royal Navy. When he first switched to the world of windows he said he found it difficult to get up at 5am in all weathers. But he quickly added that the early starts and the topsy-turvy British weather were things he came to enjoy. The dad of four said he was sad that he was no longer up to the job.
But after his wife, Nora, died in February he said would now have to take it easy. Keeping the firm in the family his daughter, Teresa, now runs things from her home in Leicestershire. Frank said: “It’s a pretty physically demanding job. “In the old days, before all the health and safety regulations, we’d be up and down ladders all day. “It’s a job that’s kept me fit all my life, as you’re exercising all the time. “And of course you get to know everybody, as you end up cleaning the windows of the sons and daughters of original customers. “I’m going to miss all the people, so I’ll make sure I go into town from time to time to catch up. “But a lot has changed. There are a lot of cutbacks, people don’t seem as bothered as they did about clean windows. “And of course we’re not allowed on ladders anymore - we use a long hose-brush to reach high windows. “But all along there have been no tricks of the trade, just hard work and having time for people - which is what I’ll miss most.”