CHEM-DRY Elite » About Chem-Dry Elite » History of Chem-Dry

History of Chem-Dry

Robert Harris

As a young man working his way through law school in the early 1970's, Robert Harris decided to make a little extra money by becoming a part-time carpet cleaner. Unhappy with the performance of the cleaning products then available, he began looking for a better solution. His research stretched into years and years of studying the chemical properties of cleaning formulas and years of backbreaking experiments which required cleaning areas of dirty carpets with one formula and then another.

Eventually, he found his formula. A revolutionary carbonated solution that not only cleaned beautifully, but was also safe and non-toxic. With the birth of Chem-Dry came self-employment and success. The demand for his cleaning services mushroomed and soon friends and family clamored for his secret. From the first small group of franchises, the Chem-Dry network has grown to thousands of successful franchises around the world. As the Chem-Dry family increases, Robert Harris has seen his own success story repeated in the lives of many franchisees.

Following the successful launch of the Chem-Dry system in the USA, in 1986 the first international licences were sold to enable entrepreneurs to reproduce the format around the world. A pilot franchise was started on the South Coast of England in March 1987. This pioneering technician was granted the first UK franchise licence a few months later. John Minton of Chem-Dry Kalliste is still successfully operating today.

Now, after more than 30 years, Chem-Dry has become the No.1 carpet cleaning company in the world. In 2006, Harris Research, the Chem-Dry parent company, was purchased by the Home Depot, forming a partnership between the world's largest carpet retailer and the world's largest carpet cleaning company. Chem-Dry continues to lead the industry in technological development, consumer solutions and service excellence.

A Successful Future Built On A Rich Heritage

A Better Way to Clean. A Cleaner Way to Live.
Chem-Dry technicians are in more than 10,000 homes daily.
Chem-Dry cleans more than 1 billion sq feet of carpet every year.
Chem-Dry is more than just a carpet cleaning solution.
Chem-Dry is the world's favourite carpet and upholstery cleaning company

Following the successful launch of the Chem-Dry system in the USA, in 1986 the first international licences were sold to enable entrepreneurs to reproduce the format around the world. A pilot franchise was started in the South Coast of England in March 1987 and the successful UK Chem-Dry network was born. This pioneering entrepreneur was granted the first UK franchise licence a few months later and John Minton of Chem-Dry Kalliste is still successfully operating his franchise today.

In the Beginning - A Rich Heritage

With over 2 decades experience and knowledge of fabric care and recently reaching our 20th anniversary, Chem-Dry in the UK has a terrific heritage and the business has significantly evolved from the early days back in the 1980's.

Chem-Dry Early Days Chem-Dry Early Days - Team

Mark Hutchinson, one of the founding directors of Chem-Dry UK, started out in October 1987 cleaning carpets. He decided to put everything on the line and with his shareholding business partners, Philip Smith, Robin Grey and 3iplc. Collectively they all worked extremely hard with their teams to develop the UK operation.

In 1993, an opportunity arose for a national UK contract to serve household insurance policies through a large insurance company based in the south, cleaning up after accidental spills etc in the home. This resulted in a completely separate subsidiary company of Chem-Dry being set up to handle and administer insurance claims on behalf of insurance companies, by passing work out to franchisees on a regional basis. As new contracts were gained this side of the business grew rapidly and the nature of the work expanded from dealing with accidental spills, to cleaning up after floods and fires.

As both sides of the business grew Chem-Dry UK and the then Northern and Southern Master Franchise company relocated to larger purpose built premises based in Beverley, East Yorkshire. Both businesses still operate from these bases today.

In April 2005, Homeserve PLC the home emergency service specialists, purchased both Chem-Dry Franchising and the Chem-Dry UK operation and the rights to operate the Chem-Dry system in the UK.

Chem-Dry Franchising Ltd is now responsible for over 750 UK franchise licences owned by over 210 franchisees.

A Successful Future

The success of Chem-Dry in the UK is largely down to three enterprising individuals who had a vision, Phil Smith (Chem-Dry Chairman for over 15 years), Mark Hutchinson and Robin Grey. These three individuals knew how to turn a vision into a national business success story and realised the opportunity for potential growth for the Chem-Dry UK brand. Mark, Phil and Robin's drive and enthusiasm helped develop the business into the market leader it is today.

The Chem-Dry business is steeped in a rich history, strong values and the desire to delight our customers at every opportunity.

Chem-Dry Franchising holds the following accreditations and have won the following awards:-