Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dai on December 19, 2005, 08:25:32 pm

Title: Our continental cousins
Post by: dai on December 19, 2005, 08:25:32 pm
Since the new W.A.H.L regs affect us all in the E.E.C, it seems strange that we hear nothing of the WFP systems being used on the continent.
Are there no manufacturers there? Does anyone have any links for continental WFP gear?  It would be interesting to see other designs and prices. Perhaps some German or French speakers could do a search. Dai
Title: Re: Our continental cousins
Post by: Sarah Sarill on December 19, 2005, 08:31:22 pm
Vince Green is a w/c in Spain and will be able to do this once he reads your post Dai.

Sarah
Title: Re: Our continental cousins
Post by: g_griffin on December 20, 2005, 07:35:55 pm
It`s Vince Cobbold isn`t it  ??? ?

                    Gerry.
Title: Re: Our continental cousins
Post by: Londoner on December 24, 2005, 09:34:08 am
I'm in North West london but if anyone wants to pay my expenses I will happily move .....................

Actually I do know a bit about window cleaning in europe becauseI have a mate who lives in Spain.
The Locals clean their own windows. The only market would be ex-pats.

I would imagine the commercial buidings need cleaning in the same way as over here.
Title: Re: Our continental cousins
Post by: Ian_Giles on December 24, 2005, 09:48:33 am
In Holland there is a total ban on ladders. period.
So WFP or pole work is the only option.

Ian
Title: Re: Our continental cousins
Post by: Stephen@Belper on December 26, 2005, 09:15:07 am
In germany where my wife comes from all windows are tilt and turn, which means no one needs a ladder to get to the windows to clean them. Very few people employ a window cleaner, it's mainly commercial or wealthy householders that have their windows cleaned for them. I know that they are using wfp on commercial work though.
Title: Re: Our continental cousins
Post by: steve k on December 26, 2005, 10:43:24 am
Ian
In Amsterdam the window cleaners are still using ladders and they are working at dangerous heights with wheeled ladders single handed and no safety devices. I`ve seen them with my own hungover eyes working at 30 or so feet leaning over to reach distant corners!!
Apparently, only new window cleaners (I assume they have to be licenced) HAVE to use WFP...existing window cleaners are allowed to maintain their status quo ie: ladders but are being encouraged by governing bodies to adopt safer methods.
Title: Re: Our continental cousins
Post by: chris@c.m.s on December 27, 2005, 12:04:50 am
god  i have moments of distraction over here and forget where I am,  I wouldnt last 5 mins over there  ;D and what about cleaning over a coffee shop  :o
Title: Re: Our continental cousins
Post by: Paul Coleman on December 27, 2005, 08:01:49 am
god  i have moments of distraction over here and forget where I am,  I wouldnt last 5 mins over there  ;D and what about cleaning over a coffee shop  :o


It should be OK but, if they offer you a cuppa, just don't accept any cake or biscuits with it.
Title: Re: Our continental cousins
Post by: Londoner on December 27, 2005, 08:37:14 am
How about cleaning the windows in the red light district? What would you get offered there?
Title: Re: Our continental cousins
Post by: Ian_Giles on December 27, 2005, 09:34:33 am
I wonder how much they'd charge you to let you clean their windows 8)

Ok, time to cut the funnies before we all get carried away and the thread has to be blocked!! :o

Back on tack; I guess our European neighbours will flout the Health and Safety regs much liike they flout any other rule they don't like.
But at least we don't have a ban on ladders here....yet!

There was quite a lot of chat at one point on the forum about the ladder ban in Holland...but it might have been one of the other forums :-\

Do the Austrians have domestic window cleaners?
We were over there last year and I was staggerred how clean everything was, and not just the windows either, the place was spotless.

Ian
Title: Re: Our continental cousins
Post by: dai on December 27, 2005, 08:52:27 pm
The reason I posted this question was to find out about any continental WFP manufacturers, or suppliers. It would have been interesting to compare prices to what we pay here. It would be interesting too to see if there is any inovation that we are not aware of.
Judging from the replies on here and another forum, it seems that U.K. manufacturers have got the continent sewn up. DAI
Title: Re: Our continental cousins
Post by: Vince_Cobbold on December 28, 2005, 01:32:23 pm
there are a lot of water purifier companies out here and lots of boat shops to buy tanks and pumps from

I only know of 1 large company supplying out here and i think they buy a lot in from Norway...

 ???