Summarising the water fed pole market from The Cleaning Show

(This is an article published in the window cleaning feature of the June / July 2009 issue of ‘Cleaning Matters’).

Aquafactors has been promoting water fed poles and its water treatment expertise since 1998. We have attended all of The Cleaning Shows since that time. This year we saw change in various aspects of the industry. Some can be attributed to the current economic climate - but we think there is more to it than that.

Aquafactors has been promoting water fed poles and its water treatment expertise since 1998 and has attended all of the Cleaning Shows since that time. This year we saw change in various aspects of the industry. Much can be attributed to the current economic climate - but we think there is more to it than that.

The industry has seen steady growth since the late nineties and in recent years it could be said that UK has been leading the water fed pole market worldwide. Several aspects of the business were highlighted at the show:
1. There was more water fed pole representation than at any previous exhibition. There is a general feeling that the market is becoming overcrowded.
2. Pricing is under considerable pressure as competition increases. This is good for many customers. However, what is seen as growth in lower   priced equipment is judged by many as poorer quality systems stifling out the professional approach of the more traditional supplier. 
3. The number of those new into the industry, attending the show, was well down and clearly indicates that demand is plateauing.
4. Most visitors to the Aquafactors stand were existing users looking to add, change or upgrade their systems. There was a level of dissatisfaction with some competitors equipment and this was particularly apparent with the approach to water treatment (which we discuss later). 
5. The appearance of a Dutch company, exhibiting for the first time, saw some new equipment and a slightly different approach to product presentation. Some of their systems were particularly inspiring but had a high price tag to match. They were surprised by the amount of competition and low pricing applicable in the UK.

The various aspects of the industry can be further evaluated as follows:
1. Water fed poles There are now many types available giving a wide choice of formats, quality and price. This is an area of the business that really does come down to personal preference. Where someone loves their aluminium poles there is equal affection for carbon fibre. The same applies to brushes (although we have to say we probably had more interest shown in our unique range of Aquafactor brushes than was expected).
2. Water treatment This is where Aquafactors and the competition still seem diverse in understanding and technical presentation. In discussion with many visitors at the show it was apparent that many did not understand water treatment very well. Those who did were trying to simplify what they had acquired or wanted to upgrade and better the systems they had originally bought. Some of the points of discussion were:
a) The use of resin vessels upright versus horizontal.
b) The use of pumped reverse osmosis systems over tap pressure membranes.
c) The benefits of using ordinary deionised resin over colour change resins
d) The application of automatic meter controlled water softeners.
e) Avoiding heating DI water, for cleaning, due to the potency of carbon dioxide.
These are just a few of the many technical subjects that were raised. We would be pleased to elaborate further if you have any concerns about the equipment you are using.

We were very pleased with the outcome of the Cleaning Show. As usual the attendance by window cleaners produced quality enquiries and the approach taken by Aquafactors has led to us gaining some interesting new business. However, the approach being taken by many customers is showing that companies need to be more aware of how they express the water treatment implications as there is a lot of confusion about what they should be using in what circumstances.