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UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Doug Holloway on March 18, 2009, 07:48:48 am

Title: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Doug Holloway on March 18, 2009, 07:48:48 am
Hi Guys

There are various rumours running at present that Hydramaster have taken a large stake in Solutions. some say 40 %.A thread has been running on truckmounters for the past few hours.

Consolidation in a recession is inevitable  and geographically they obviously match.

However product wise the two companies are at the opposite ends of the spectrum, Hydramaster being high power, high temp, strong chemicals and Solutions, low power, cold water, 'green'chemicals.

Will be inetersting to see how this pans out.

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Joe H on March 18, 2009, 08:19:01 am
Re they cover opposite ends of the cleaning fluid spectrum - seems they have the whole ground covered.
Good move.

They now market what some say are the best tm's on the market, and what some say the best porty on the market, plus they have a t&g porty, plus all sorts of other things between them.

I wonder if any new machines will come out of it?
Whose in the know?
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Darren O on March 18, 2009, 08:34:01 am
I wonder on Cleantalk now if they will stop slagging people who use detergents.
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Bob Robertson on March 18, 2009, 08:36:15 am
There is nothing on CT or WOC about it yet. You would think it would be on there first.

Bob
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Joe H on March 18, 2009, 08:56:25 am
Doug did say it was only rumours he heard.
We going to have to wait.

Darren
What I find with Cleantalk - if you go on there with the mind set to promote competitors products it wont be liked. To me thats fair enough - they make the rules.

However, there have been some very good discussions recently which have included non Solutions products and these have been very informative and therefore healthy.

When you think about it Mike Boxall doesnt like advertising others products on here.
Whether you support his rules or not is up to the individual - but you can expect to go if you dont.
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: gwrightson on March 18, 2009, 01:05:54 pm
Joe,

I dont like to contradict you , but I have found the promotion of other products and other suppliers very relaxed on ciu with very little intervention form Mike Boxall, yes I know recently an altication took place but this was hardly over products or suppliers. I know your a big solutions fan Joe, I wont say "brain washed"  I,m sure your capable of forming your own opinion and making your own mind up ;) ;D
But anybody on cleantalk mentioning other products, knocking solutions is severly reprimanded and eventualy banned .
I know when I,m not wanted  ;D

geoff
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Ken Wainwright on March 18, 2009, 01:40:55 pm
Geoff

My own experiences have been different to yours. On many, many occasions, I have mentioed other products on CleanTalk by name with no problems or consequences at all. Naturally I try to be respectful to the site owners and not do so out of context.  John Bolton also does the same when appropriate and he's got a closer working relationship with Solution UK than any of us.

I, and others, also do the same here on CIU. I do try to achieve a similar balance though, as above.

Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: stevegunn on March 18, 2009, 02:52:31 pm
Ken

You maybe the exception because as a highly respected member of the carpet fraternity and an ex NCCA director it was good for Solutions to have you on board.I've lost count of the people banned for discussing or putting a different view to the board owners views.

Personally I cannot see the merger as a good thing for Hydramaster as alot of people will simply not deal with NVW whoever he merges with.

I made a flippant remark on the CCDO forum that Alltec getting the Solution range from Germany could be the beginning of the end for Solution uk for Nick to reply it would take a bigger company than Alltec to put him out of business,maybe that was the beginning of the slide losing so many good products from Glockner
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Joe H on March 18, 2009, 03:22:55 pm
Joe,

I dont like to contradict you , but I have found the promotion of other products and other suppliers very relaxed on ciu with very little intervention form Mike Boxall, yes I know recently an altication took place but this was hardly over products or suppliers. I know your a big solutions fan Joe, I wont say "brain washed"  I,m sure your capable of forming your own opinion and making your own mind up ;) ;D
But anybody on cleantalk mentioning other products, knocking solutions is severly reprimanded and eventualy banned .
I know when I,m not wanted  ;D
geoff

Geoff
As far as I understand - you have to pay Mike B to advertise on his site (and why not).
Having a discussion about various products yes he allows ( a discussion is not advertising).

As I find, Cleantalk are now quite flexible about discussing options - but NOT if you want to go on there and blatantly advertise in a bullish style.
and yes - knocking Solutions..... I would expect to be severely reprimanded.  Whats required is respect for others (especially those paying the bill).   Having said that, cleaners have been on and, in a respectful way, have said they dont get on with this or that from the Solution range - and thats been accepted.

and yes, I am a Solutions fan - I like most of there products I have tried.
but to be honest, if you saw the different cleaning fluids and powders I have - you could say I am a fan of every supplier. :D    ie Hydramaster, Chemspec, Craftex, Prochem, Alltec, Amtech, Vax, Bissell (whoops, sorry about the last two)  ;D


Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: markpowell on March 18, 2009, 03:31:43 pm
I agree, Cleantalk is not a forum to share opinions its a sales pitch, its as simple as that.
Mark
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: markpowell on March 18, 2009, 03:50:44 pm
There is now a thread on Cleantalk confirming the rumour, Hydramaster are now going to be making TM's without heaters ;D
Mark
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Joe H on March 18, 2009, 04:18:06 pm
Just glad I dont dwell on the past....... the future is the only way to go.
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: CARPET KNIGHTS on March 18, 2009, 04:49:56 pm
The thing is that most of the people who are now putting down Solutions probably have never dealt with them and as such have no right to throwing the dirt like they are. The sheep know who they are and the ring leaders who also know who they are should be ashamed of themselves for blatantly trying to destroy a business and the lives of the staff who work for it.

And for all those sheep out there some of the people who you think wouldn't buy from solution because of all the bravado that goes on don't be fooled alot of them still buy from solutions one way or another!

Well done Solutions and Hydramaster a partnership to be reckoned with. Also i now only have to go to one place to get my supplies and can now have 2 cups of coffee whilst i'm there!

Cheers Goron
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: stevegunn on March 18, 2009, 05:03:20 pm
The thing is that most of the people who are now putting down Solutions probably have never dealt with them and as such have no right to throwing the dirt like they are. The sheep know who they are and the ring leaders who also know who they are should be ashamed of themselves for blatantly trying to destroy a business and the lives of the staff who work for it.

And for all those sheep out there some of the people who you think wouldn't buy from solution because of all the bravado that goes on don't be fooled alot of them still buy from solutions one way or another!

Well done Solutions and Hydramaster a partnership to be reckoned with. Also i now only have to go to one place to get my supplies and can now have 2 cups of coffee whilst i'm there!

Cheers Goron


Goron you need to smell the coffee while your down there and wake up.Did Solutions think about my business or family when I was sold a dead duck.Many cleaners up and down the country have had dealings with nvw and won't deal with him again.The sheep you speak about are the ones who hang on to his every word believing his b/s
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: markpowell on March 18, 2009, 05:05:08 pm
Goron,
I say it as it is, i have had dealings with Sloutions before so do have the right to comment.  The point i am making is that the Cleantalk forum is not a place where carpet cleaners can give each other good honest advise.
Any newbie that joined the forum would be "brainwashed" yes "Brainwashed" into using M Power, Cold water and a Scorpion this is a fact that no one can deny, it has happened during the last few weeks.
I am not here to cause trouble, just cast my honest opinion if people dont like it fair do's.
Mark
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: CARPET KNIGHTS on March 18, 2009, 05:11:56 pm
So Mark what was the bad experience that you had when dealing with solutions?

Steve if you are talking about allerg stop, you had the choice nobody forced you to buy into it! Don't forget, Solutions put a lot of money into it aswell, nobody could be held accountable apart from yourself, i for one found it easy to sell, i just asked, i did get lazy though the same with protector!

Cheers Goron
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: markpowell on March 18, 2009, 05:15:05 pm
When did i say i had, had a bad experience with Solutions Uk ???
Mark
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: CARPET KNIGHTS on March 18, 2009, 05:18:13 pm
so why knock them?
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Doug Holloway on March 18, 2009, 05:34:21 pm
Hi Guys,

For the many banned/unable to log on to CT , I have posted below the official CT position.

Strategic Alliance

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Over the last 12 months we have been working closely in developing a number of projects with another well known Cornish based company, during this time it became very apparent that we shared the same beliefs in customer service, and the drive to make things happen. Following further discussions and after careful consideration for customers of both companies we have taken the joint decision to integrate the experienced teams from both companies.

The Team from Solution UK Ltd will be moving its operation to HydraMaster UK’s recently completed modern offices in Redruth

With HydraMasters UK’s unrivalled knowledge in Truck Mounts and its state of the art manufacturing facilities coupled with the advanced technology offered through Solution UK’s products, we feel that the “New Team” will now have pretty much all bases covered, from the most powerful of portables, to the most powerful of Truck mounts sharing possibly the best range of both detergent and detergent free, green cleaning solutions,


The Directors of both companies are extremely happy that the new team will be able to deliver amazing results, the biggest gain in the new relationship is for customers of both companies


The new contact number for Solution UK is 01209 823746

Email address’ remain unchanged


My reading is that this is  basically a takeover, it is quite usual to project as a merger but very rare that one party does not have the upper hand.

It will be interesting to see how John Gotts , a very effective communicator will deal with the Solutions reputation.

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: markpowell on March 18, 2009, 05:36:06 pm
Im not knocking them im knocking the Cleantalk forum,
Mark
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: derek west on March 18, 2009, 05:41:05 pm
do solutions own clean talk?
derek
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Mike Osbourne on March 18, 2009, 05:43:22 pm
Not sure about this 'alliance' but you quite often get a company on it's uppers approach another for an 'alliance' where in reality it's a face saving life belt exercise.

The approached company has no intention of letting the beleaguered company continue in it's current form, only interested in absorbing it's customer base with the owner out on his arse within a year.

Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: stevegunn on March 18, 2009, 05:44:41 pm
So Mark what was the bad experience that you had when dealing with solutions?

Steve if you are talking about allerg stop, you had the choice nobody forced you to buy into it! Don't forget, Solutions put a lot of money into it aswell, nobody could be held accountable apart from yourself, i for one found it easy to sell, i just asked, i did get lazy though the same with protector!

Cheers Goron

Not just allergstop too many things to go into on here.Speak to the lad from Middlesborough who bought his equipment from nvw and promised contracts eg barclays etc only to be out of business a year later as no work was forthcoming fell for the smooth talk.

So my business is thriving obviously I cannot sell ::)
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Len Gribble on March 18, 2009, 07:24:10 pm
Got a call this morning rumour has it JG 40% SC 10% NVW 50% JB 0% what a solution to be in! In the ff game it called  s.  h.  i. T. but there is money in it; none of it will be ever be mine!  But bet the bankers are happy a rescue plan saves there jobs, will need to ask for more £££££ from the Gov.

I find history dose repeat it self look at Afghanistan we tried 5 times now we are our 6th NVW for prime minister  ;D

Len
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Comfort Sector on March 29, 2009, 09:53:14 am
Len you are like a good bottle of wine.

You just get better with age LOL
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: richy27 on March 29, 2009, 10:58:54 am
i live in devon and went to hydramaster on fri just on the off chance they maybe able to help me with a minor prob with my porty . They were really helpfull and sorted it out for me so had no down time.

When i was there i was introduced to the chap from solutions and i asked the question are you merging. the answer was unclear but they were keen to mention that they were working closely together

I these times as long as we all get through it i think it is important for companys that we NEED as proffesionals survive too so if it takes co operation from two parties to make it work good work.
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on March 29, 2009, 11:27:42 am
If the merger is to work there needs to be bridges built as the Solutions camp did distance themselves from other cleaning chemicals and other cleaners the split was right down the middle but if there's ever a man to push it all together it's John Gotts, I've been dealing with him for some years and he is infectious.

Shaun
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Joe H on March 29, 2009, 02:47:04 pm
You will see that at CCDO Clinton
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on March 29, 2009, 02:56:26 pm
It's funny how things ebb and flow, 12 months ago alot of cleaners were wanting bigger TM's because of water cooled angines and more power but the trend has reversed or more likely the readers on here have changed as most now are looking for smaller TM's, John Kelly has a new one as do Hydramaster with their 318 and Dave Ingram's light weight version.

I think you can't check reliablility as all units haven't been out long enough to say that they are the number one, weight must be taken into concideration as size as well.

Shaun
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on March 29, 2009, 05:57:28 pm
I love the the sheer power of my TM it has all of the new ideas of increased air flow and also heat but I wonder how long it will be before smaller Tms catch up? the plus and minus points of a smaller TM are lighter weight, cheaper and cheaper to run, but then the other side is that they aren't as powerful and water cooled angines are less prone to hiccups and do last longer.

It will be interesting to see all of them in the flesh I even thought of an idea of putting a fresh water tank on a van and having a new Alltec or Scopion with a generator on board I bet it would only cost £4500 with tooling etc.

Shaun
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Mike Halliday on March 29, 2009, 06:02:46 pm
small T/M will never become the Norm, people will always want the power of a bigger machine, if the weight does become an issue I bet people will get rid of thier water tanks and hook up to the customers supply rather than trade down to a smaller machine.



Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on March 29, 2009, 06:29:27 pm
You may be right Mike as in the US they have alot of TM's in trailers and us a double cab to do the pulling.

Looking forward to Mondays leather day? I'm jealous!

Shaun
Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: mark_roberts on March 29, 2009, 06:49:48 pm
I think theres ways of cutting out weight on TMs.  Over engineering of the machine and reels, plastic instead of metal tanks for example. 

Also we do carry a lot of chemicals and gear when its never used.  Why carry a 5 litre of prespray when we only use 500ml a day for example.

With better design a small TM may well outperform the medium sized units.  Im lead to believe the new 318 is very much on power with the older 421.

Also a smaller blower could be boosted with an inline booster for those few jobs over say 150ft of hose.  In my case thats a few times a year.

Mark

Title: Re: Hydramaster/ Solutions
Post by: 1 man band on March 30, 2009, 12:44:12 am
DOSE ANYONE HAVE ANY CHEESE,


TO GO WITH THAT WINE YOUR ALL HAVEING :D