Victor works with Arrow Supplies to provide cleaning solutions
March 09th 2006 Asuccessful working relationship spanning over 25 years has resulted in Dowding & Plummer, manufacturers of the Victor range of floor cleaning machines, and distributor Arrow Supplies creating an asset management and training program for Scottish local authorities.
Working with some of the largest councils in Scotland, Victor and Arrow have combined to manage the complete fleet of machines used by South Lanarkshire Council, maintaining both the Victor machines as well as other brands. The asset management programme registers each machine and records its purchase date, service history and location within the authority with new and replacement machines adopted into the system. Victor and Arrow liaise on the delivery, labelling and PAT testing of each machine.
The two companies have also developed a training programme tailored for all cleaning supervisors within South Lanarkshire Council to ensure each has full knowledge of all the machines used, their capabilities and how to get the most out of their performance.The training programme commenced at the beginning of the year, with sessions taking place over two half-days per week, and is estimated to run for two to three months to ensure that all staff involved are fully proficient.
Each training session covers the simple installation and fault finding including the proper use of chemicals. This is followed by hour-long demonstrations and practical lessons on the various machines used for carpet care and those used on hard floors by qualified BICSc trainer and Victor’s Area Sales Manager John Hodge and Richard Cowan,Managing Director of Arrow.Once the training is completed,each attendee receives a competency certificate recognising their level of training on the Victor range. The training programme has already resulted in improved efficiency and as a result a more cost effective cleaning solution.
Richard explains:“We work closely with the Victor team including John to provide ongoing support and training to our mutual customers.Over the past 25 years,we have sold a significant number of new Victor machines as well as providing servicing via our six VASO trained engineers.Initially South Lanarkshire Council used various Victor rotary burnishers but has since expanded its requirement to include tub vacuums, steam machines,scrubber dryers,wet and dry vacuums,and upright vacuums.”.
Arrow Supplies, based in Larbert, Stirlingshire, provides cleaning machines and servicing to most of Scotland with 75% of its business stemming from local authorities such as East Dunbarton, Stirling and Renfrewshire as well as universities in Glasgow, Paisley, Glasgow Caledonian and Stirling.
Nevill Furber,Sales & Marketing Director of Dowding & Plummer,added: “Key to our success in this region is the close working relationship we develop with our distributors such as Arrow Supplies. We have cohosted product awareness events together for purchasing decision makers within the councils to ensure they make the most informed choice when buying machinery for a particular environment. Arrow’s commitment to Dowding & Plummer and the Victor brand has been constant and we are keen to take the initiatives developed with them south of the border into other areas within the UK and Europe.” Victor demonstrates its machines to each prospective buyer as well as providing them with a machine for them to use for a trial period.
Each Victor machine is delivered by Dowding & Plummer themselves and once unpacked is ready to use immediately avoiding any health and safety issues. The Area Sales Managers then continue to liaise with the customer to ensure they have the necessary accessories and consumables to guarantee optimal performance from the machine within the designated environment.
With extensive knowledge of the marketplace and machinery, Dowding & Plummer leads the marketplace in terms of quality, performance and reliability. All of the machines are manufactured in the UK to internationally recognised standards and comply with the latest EU industry directives.
Major products and services
Extensive range of floor cleaning
machinery, accessories and consumables,
training, servicing.
Standards
ISO 9001:2000
BS EN ISO 14001:1996 | 
