Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 22nd May 2025 Issue no. 1163
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Killis and MotorScrubber to demerge
Commercial cleaning equipment specialists Killis and MotorScrubber have announced a strategic demerger aimed at sharpening their focus and accelerating growth in their respective markets.
Sharing a legacy rooted in innovation, the two have built their reputations on delivering high-quality cleaning solutions.
This separation marks an exciting new chapter they say, allowing each business to pursue its visions with renewed energy.
The journey began in 1964 when T L Killis & Sons - founded by Tibor László Killi, father of Tibor J Killi and Imre Killi, started selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door. From these humble beginnings, the family business steadily evolved into a key player in the UK's commercial cleaning equipment market. This strong foundation paved the way for the two distinct, forward-thinking brands that emerged.
Both Tibor and Imre Killi have dedicated their entire working lives to the success of the family business, each contributing with passion, hard work, and a shared commitment to innovation. Over time, their individual passions and visions for the future naturally led them on different - but equally ambitious, paths.
“It is important to reassure customers that from a day-to-day perspective, there will be no disruption to the service, support and quality they have come to rely on,” say the pair.
Under the leadership of managing director Tibor Killi, Killis has become one of the UK's leading independent distributors of commercial cleaning equipment. Formed as a standalone entity in 2018, Killis has steadily expanded its national footprint by using decades of industry knowledge, a loyal client base, and strong partnerships.
The company caters for all the UK’s major sectors, achieving significant growth in the hotel market in particular. In collaboration with several major hotel chains, Killis has successfully developed and deployed a record number of robotic vacuums nationwide along with other innovative cleaning solutions.
Killis…
This latest move will allow Killis to concentrate on its core strength - distribution, while continuing to nurture valuable partnerships with top-tier manufacturers.
The demerger positions Killis to further invest in the development of its standalone brand, Genius, supporting innovation and expanding its footprint in the cleaning solutions sector.
The company is also committed to strengthening its service infrastructure to deliver even greater value to its customers.
Despite the structural change, Killis will remain a key distributor and strong supporter of the MotorScrubber brand, ensuring continuity and collaboration with one of its most respected partners.
"This is a strategic milestone for us," says Tibor. "By focusing more directly on our distribution strengths and Killis’ own Genius brand, we are unlocking new growth opportunities while reaffirming our dedication to our partners and customers."
The company is confident this this focused approach will facilitate more agile decision-making, faster product development and deeper relationships across its distribution network.
MotorScrubber…
Led by CEO and inventor Imre, UK-based manufacturer MotorScrubber is dedicated to designing and manufacturing advanced cleaning machines. Imre's passion for innovation was sparked through his early work servicing cleaning equipment for his father's business.
In 2018, MotorScrubber was officially launched under the T L Killis & Sons umbrella, enabling Imre to start bringing his new ideas to life. The company has since developed industry-defining products, including:
* Storm - A surface disinfection system developed during the pandemic
* Shock - A compact, high-performance deep cleaning machine
* Dryft – Renowned as ‘the world's first S-Motion Scrubber Dryer’ and thus representing a breakthrough in floor cleaning technology
A bold step forward…
The decision to demerge, say the brothers, empowers both companies to refine their strategies, drive innovation and better serve their customers.
MotorScrubber / Dryft will continue to focus on pioneering cutting-edge cleaning technologies, while Killis will strengthen its position as a premier distributor and grow the Genius brand.
"We are incredibly excited about the future of MotorScrubber and the recent launch of our new Dryft brand" says Imre. "This strategic change allows us to sharpen our focus and invest more deeply in innovation, enabling us to deliver even more game-changing products to our customers. It also empowers us to make faster, more decisive choices on key growth and investment opportunities, while scaling up our manufacturing capabilities to meet increasing global demand."
Tibor shares the same excitement for the next phase, saying:
"This is a strategic milestone for us means we can focus more directly on our distribution strengths and Killis’ own Genius brand. We are unlocking new growth opportunities while reaffirming our dedication to our manufacturing partners and customers with industry-leading products and support."
As they embark on this exciting new journey, Killis and MotorScrubber and their respective teams, remain committed to delivering exceptional products and services, building on their strong foundations to shape the future of the cleaning industry.
www.killis.co.uk | www.motorscrubberclean.com
1st May 2025