[simoncollins]

I took a call this morning from someone telling me that A&M Cleaning Supplies in Hemel Hempstead had gone into administration so I popped over there this afternoon and the place is all locked up, shutter down, no sign of any activity.

There is a notice in the window saying "closed due to family illness" but according to the guys at Screwfix next door the place was shut yesterday as well and the phone goes straight to answerphone. I can't imagine why a business wouldn't remain open even if someone was ill...

So for all you contract cleaners, carpet cleaners and window cleaners in the Hemel area you might need to look for another supplier!

Simon

[M.Acorn]

Aw don`t say that ! i have been using them since Olympic shut.Have found them very helpfull and they know what they are on about,infact due to call them to get new spring for my K valve,and some brass connectors,to replace my leaky one 

[simoncollins]

Just come off phone from Prochem sales rep who was up there first thing this morning having been "tipped off". Nobody was there and no answer on various phone numbers they tried, so they're now waiting to see what's what.

Have also had a call this pm from Numatic who said that they have been made aware that A&M have gone.

Shame, long established business and all that. I'm sure they'll re-surface somewhere down the line.

[mark shannon]

Bloody same if that's true known and done buisness with Alan and his boys for years Top company

mark

[Mike Osbourne]

In a lot of ways we have it easy.

No staff (most of us) no real stock, cash flow only an issue if you like life on the edge and pricing is more an intangible.

[Joe H]

Were they too cheap making it unsustainable?

[mark shannon]

No Joe proper well established supplier, very big down here.

[Ed Valentine]

If this news is true, I just hate to hear hard working, good people be forced out of their businesses that they have given so very much to sustain.

Hopefully, the sign was correct, and even more so, "hopefully" any family illness will be quickly solved in a positive manner.

Wishing them the very best as we all do;

Ed Valentine
cross-american corp.

[Pristine Clean]

Thats a shame if it is true.

I was ordering and had a quote for an Envirodri e30 from them at £550 Wont find another one at that price.

I dont think I will get that now. But at least they never took a a card payment. Have checked. the 0800 number on there site is out of order so I think its true.

Dave

[Len Gribble]

Ed

Think you need to go cap in hand too JG think someone saved your bacon here!


Len

[robert meldrum]

Having a look at the A&M web site I can see why they might struggle and possibly fail if their sales volume dipped even slightly.

I don't know the company or the people, just analysing what's on their web site.

[Joe H]

No Joe proper well established supplier, very big down here.

Obviously A&M are very well respected by those who have used them for a long while.

What I heard was their prices were more then very competative.  Which is fine whilst times are good, you can sell for a £1 when your competitors are selling at £1.20.
but when times are bad (like now) and volume sales drop, then you can easily find yourself in the muck.

Thats why I asked the question......    "Were they too cheap making it unsustainable?"

[mark shannon]

Joe they were competitive but not Olympic cleaning cheap,

mark

[robert meldrum]

Mark

You have to sell an awful lot of items at around the £1 mark to be profitable. That's why the ASDA's etc have many items at above their competitors price and a range of HIGHER VALUE items in high visibility locations.

Cash flow is fine, but it has to be at a sustainable volume.

[Ian Gourlay]

Perhaps the market is not Big Enough

I think better Prices could be achieved if the manufactures cut out distributors and sold direct

[Pristine Clean]

Perhaps the market is not Big Enough

I think better Prices could be achieved if the manufactures cut out distributors and sold direct

Steady Ian, I wanted to do that. But they did not like it when I wanted to cut out the ditsrubutor to save money.

Dave

[Simon Gerrard]

This is one of the reasons that we SHOULDN'T be even thinking about importing equipment and other items from the states. If everyone did it ALL of us would suffer because we need people like A&M, Prochem, Alltec, Hydramaster and others because these are people that stand behind our businesses and help make them successful. Love or hate some of these companies, but some of us rely on them for vital services, especially after sales back up on equipment.

Simon

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

Simon is of course right on this.

I have always believed in supporting local businesses where possible, because one can take the convenience for granted until they go, happened to me when Midel Cleaning in Leigh on Sea were taken over and relocated.

Now have to travel further for half the service 

A friend of mines long established janitorial business in the midlands has also gone under, they relocated to spanking new premises, recession kicked in , bye bye.

Cheers

Doug

[mark_roberts]

I liked the guys at A&M but they didnt really have any unique selling point that made me come back.  If they had of kept the Recoil and built on that maybe things would be different. 

Price isnt everything as we keep telling our customers.

Mark

[robert meldrum]

Perhaps they were denied the opportunity Mark