Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110

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Karcher to relocate UK headquarters

Karcher UK intends to relocate its Banbury headquarters from the present site on Beaumont Road to a purpose-built facility adjacent to Junction 11 of the M40. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2015 with the move to commence from December 2015.

Occupying a 6.5 acre site in Banbury, the proposed three storey building almost doubles the size of the current premises and will feature modern offices, warehouse space, training and customer facilities to accommodate the growing business.

Since the company first located to Banbury in 1978 with an original team of eight, it has grown to employ almost 300 people and its product range now encompasses 380 machines across 13 product lines.

"While Karcher is renowned for our commercial and domestic pressure washers, other products are increasingly coming to the fore - among them our window vacs, steam cleaners and professional floor care solutions," notes Simon Keeping, managing director of Karcher UK. "These are exciting times and this opportunity, afforded by the company's expansion, is testament to the quality inherent in Karcher - not only of our products but of our team and its ethos too.

"In order to maintain continuity amidst our growth and retain key Karcher knowhow, remaining near to our Banbury roots was crucial. Indeed the new site is only one mile from the old, albeit the environment will be very different."

The relocation includes plans for the expansion of the Karcher Academy, the training facility for customers, distributors and employees. Tripling the size of the Academy will allow the further development of its training portfolio and allow more staff and customers to experience its useful blend of theory and practical learning delivered by a team of onsite experts.

The development is also to include Banbury's first Karcher Centre - a one-stop-shop for both domestic and commercial customers, offering sales, service and advice for the entire range. Karcher Centre Banbury will be the latest in a national network of 17 existing Centres, and the UK's third Karcher owned, Karcher operated Centre following on from Karcher Centre Bristol which opened earlier this year, and Karcher Centre Nottingham which will hold its Grand Opening in the New Year. The manufacturer aims to have 1,000 Centres operational across the globe by 2020.

The company intends for the Banbury Academy and Karcher Centre to help better acquaint the town and surrounding area with the full scope of its offering, which includes domestic pressure washers, steam cleaners and window vacs as well as the full range of professional hot and cold pressure washers, vacuum cleaners, scrubber driers, carpet cleaners and sweepers.

2015 will be an important year for the international cleaning giant as, along with the new building, it also celebrates its 80 year anniversary. This major milestone for the German based family firm will be marked with a series of special events and promotions both in the UK and internationally.

T: 01295 752000
E: [email protected]
W: www.karcher.co.uk

27th November 2014