UAMCC and Relief for Washers Announces Merger

[PressurePros]

Russ,

I have fielded some of these same questions today so I know exactly where you are coming from. I can only tell you that you are reading too much into what is written there. I'll step lightly here with I know to be true and let Carlos address the actual wording of the website.

1) Establish discount incentives from distributors nationwide. Again, no particular brand or distributor will be the focus of these incentives
Why do contractors needing relief from already problem areas need this unless someone is trying to sell something else ? Is someone trying to PUSH environmental reclaim equipment ?

Ken: This statement is exactly as it says. Distributors have been approached to offer discounts on products for people in the southern regions. This is the "relief" aspect of the drive. Many companies in the affected region have less work and now that they have to tote water, their expenses have risen. This list of distributors approached will include, but not be limited to everyone from Pressure-Tek to Sunbrite to Delco to Easy Clean Systems to X-terior to E-spec. Their sales are down as well so many may not be willing to give discounts and that is understandable. RFW will merely provide a list of those distributors. As a business owner you are free to do business as you see fit. We all have our favorites that we like dealing with. These distributors have no influence in this. If I saw or see any influence from manufacturers or distributors I will drop my involvement in a heartbeat.


2) Provide marketing and sales training seminars from some of the industries top talent;
Are these FREE or does the contractor have to pay ?

Ken: I think it is way to earlyto discuss any type of training at this point. I can only answer that the training does not involve my company or services at all. I will continue to do what I have done the past few years. Field questions on the phone, on the BBS's and at round tables. I don't get any compensation for those nor will I be asking for any in the near future. Will the UAMCC offer advanced courses in the future? Possibly. Its a sore spot because of the way it was introduced by a previous org. It will be handled with kid gloves and done above board. We all have to be realistic. Training costs a ton of money. Either the cost has to be passed on or absorbed into higher membership fees for the org. I'd prefer to see it broken down so that memebers that do not want to take advantage of training don't have to foot the bill for those that elect to take it.


3)Educate and teach the CWA regulations and policies. Show contractors the most economical approach to get into compliance vs. having to spend 8-10K for new equipment. (This one bothers me the most)
Get into compliance ? I was led to believe that we were trying to show how we were already compliant. Seems like more selling to people instead of trying to keep working as is , the contractors doing commercial DO NOT need more equipment IF the properties in question are compliant with the way the properties should be with on site dry wells ?

Ken: Most contractors, myself included do not know the ins and outs of the CWA. There is rhetoric and suppositions but the fact is, there are few experts. Read what Carlos wrote.. "show contractors the most economical approach" This is the opposite of the way you are reading into it, Russ. By showing guys that you don't always need a $10,000 reclaim setup or a riding unit that costs tens of thousands of dollars, this goal could actually hurt the companies selling whole setups. Again, the goal is to educate, not to sell or push washing contractors towards buying equipment.

There is one truth that is hard to deny. Many major cities are growing beyond what engineers planned for. The laws that are passed today will be adopted by other cities all around the country. Reclaim enforcement may be lax today but it will not stay that way. Either we all get involved in helping to educate these local and state governments today or we back peddle and complain a few years from now when restrictions are not regional or in affected areas but are standard throught the country.

Last question: I am curious to know why you aligned yourselves with an organization that has been established as a for profit entity.

Ken: As this was presented to me I will repeat in public. This is not merely a merger but a complete change of regime. This is not a thinly veiled vehicle for Delco to peddle products. I mean no disrespect to Robert or Carlos but if that were to surface, I would completely withdrawl from the endeavor. New objectives, new leaders, forward thinking and a separation from "business as usual" is the way the UAMCC is pointed. I am realistic that we are in for an uphill battle. I'll do what I can to move things forward. I'm one guy with a little company in PA. Now if we can get a whole bunch of us little guys together and make small movements forward, we may actually make some things happen.

[Jeff]

Hell getting to complicated for me. I just wanted to give a little help if I can. Now if that means sending some emails to congressmen or donating some bucks to help something that will help our brothers & sisters that aren't working as much or at all and may not be able to work for months or years due to water shortages and lack of knowledge of elected officials that are cutting off fellow PWers livelihood. I just want to help and these are all good questions I guess. I just hope and I think it may be people trying to help, but hell I really don't know to much I guess. The way I figure is, Carlos to me is a guy that wants to help and likes being involved in industry stuff, I give him credit for trying something, even thou it may be misconstrued at times. If this was some kind of money making trick or scam, who would it benefit, probably no one, because it would be brought out as a scam. Hell its not like the RFW is raking in the bucks or anything. I figure its just some trying to find a way to help other. Like I said it is getting complicated.

I guess I'm a simple man, maybe thats the best thing all around...Keep it simple.

I just wish it would rain darn it

Hey did you hear the news today about finding pharmaceuticals in the water system, anti depressants, female growth hormones, over the counter stuff. Who knows what to heck the water situation will be in the future.
FEMALE GROWTH HORMONES in the water supply WTF, maybe thats why a great deal of us pressure washing guys have man BO*BS LOL


have a good one all. Keep it simple!

[newlook]

These are the ones from the list that have my concern, I am posting these here because I have had several calls from concerned parties that have issues with these, so I feel its best served to allow all to see the answers and not be handed down second hand by me so I wont be misquoted.

1) Establish discount incentives from distributors nationwide. Again, no particular brand or distributor will be the focus of these incentives
Why do contractors needing relief from already problem areas need this unless someone is trying to sell something else ? Is someone trying to PUSH environmental reclaim equipment ?

Let’s say a contractor in a D3/D4 area has a job that requires them to transfer water to the site but currently does not have a poly tank to accomplish this. We are and currently will be establishing with distributors i.e. Pressure Tek, ACR, Sunbrite, Easy Clean, Delco, (this list goes on and on and on) a discount incentive with all distributors that want to participate in this so that the contractor can purchase the tank to service that account. If the contractor chooses to purchase the poly from say Bob W. @ PT ~ great. The contractor may be compelled to buy it from Tom V @ ACR – wonderful. Maybe he has a relationship with Mark from Easy Clean – terrific.

Contractors down in the region where the drought is will not be pushed or encouraged from the new org. to purchase from any distributor. It is up to the contractor to decide where to purchase the poly tank.

The new organization is approaching any and all distributors (**note – we are still in the middle of contacting distributors) to see whether or not they are willing to offer any type of discount on purchases for contractors down in that region. If the distributor is unable to provide a discount then that is okay. That is their choice and they have the right to remain firm on their pricing.

Another example would be if a contractor was in the market for some hose reels and/or a surface cleaner. The same theory that I mentioned above would apply.

2) Provide marketing and sales training seminars from some of the industries top talent;
Are these FREE or does the contractor have to pay ?

Ken spoke on this.

3)Educate and teach the CWA regulations and policies. Show contractors the most economical approach to get into compliance vs. having to spend 8-10K for new equipment. (This one bothers me the most)
Get into compliance ? I was led to believe that we were trying to show how we were already compliant.

Certainly this is the message we want to believe in and show the world that we are in compliance. For example, take the significant number of contractors that attended the extremely successful media event in Raleigh, N.C. As you all know this event’s success falls squarely on the shoulders of the PWNC’s efforts. The media was able to get a first hand look at of what a “in compliance” contractor looked like.

However, what about the other contractors across this great land that did not attend and perhaps cannot show that they are in compliance? As an industry are we truly representing who we are or are we representing what we want to be? Something to think about.

I was also led to believe that we are trying to show the general public that we can still wash – which in some states that meant having the ability to bring in water from outside sources.

Seems like more selling to people instead of trying to keep working as is , the contractors doing commercial DO NOT need more equipment IF the properties in question are compliant with the way the properties should be with on site dry wells?

After the drought is over and water restrictions are not headline news, we as an industry can expect that our way of washing will change. The states in the drought region today are feverishly working to ENSURE that this public crisis will not happen again. Politically what has happened in the Southeast has been damaging to elected officials. Consumers are pointing their fingers at the elected officials and asking “how could you have let this happen? (meaning running out of water). They are not going to make the same mistake twice.

Reservoirs can be filled to the max but we in the industry can expect to be watched under the magnifying glass along with other industries. i.e. landscaping. We will be expected to bear the responsibility of ensuring that we are using our water smartly. Rest assured that the CWA and any additional enforcement guidelines will be top priority for all states to enforce

Russ, you talk about seems like more selling vs. trying to keep work. The new organization is looking beyond today’s drought problems. We are taking a very serious look on how we as a contractor organization can offer sensible, responsible and cost effect ways to help contractors position their business. By doing do, give the contractor the ability to continue to operate under the new water restricted guidelines along with the CWA. Contrary to what folks may believe but the enforcement of the CWA is approaching our industry sooner vs. later. By us addressing this today prepares the contractor so that he is able to keep work or as you said “trying to keep work”. The only selling that we are doing is to address what the reality is going to be “After the Drought”.


Lets’ talk cost – Historically in our industry when we say CWA there is a stigma attached to it. That stigma is, “You need to get into compliance or else”. You can’t dispute this because it is the truth. In our industry that has been our battle cry to entice contractors to get into compliance with the CWA. When you talk about compliance the first thing that comes to mind is “RECLAIM AND/OR RECOVERY”. What is the price tag on that? What is the actual price tag that gets a contractor in compliance at minimum cost?

The new organization is going to pursue those questions by taking it to the source ~ the CWA folks.

We are bringing in reps from the Federal level to dissect and explain all this to us. They are going to tell us what the minimum requirement’s are for a contractor to be in compliance. There are many experts in the washing industry that have an acute understanding of the CWA i.e. Ron M., Cujo and Robert H. ~ too name a few. However, as a contractor based organization we want to go the extra mile and allow the people that drafted and understand the “in’s and out’s” of the CWA to once and for all tell us where we need to be. From that understanding then we as an industry will know what a contractor needs to invest so that he/she is in compliance.

Last question: I am curious to know why you aligned yourselves with an organization that has been established as a for profit entity.

That is a great question and I am glad that someone finally asked it. Contractors industry wide deserves to see and hear the complete picture. Right now all the industry knows is that there was a merger and it gives the appearance that UAMCC is still operating under the premise that it is the same organization that you currently see on their website.

The short story – here it is.

UAMCC has been offered to the industry. I have been asked to lead the organization to stimulate contractor involvement. The UAMCC will be completely overhauled so that it’s by-laws and purpose will be contractor driven to the extent that this new organization WILL be established to serve the contractors in the washing industry. I have been given control of the UAMCC with no strings attached. I am reaching out to CONTRACTORS in our industry to help construct and implement policies and standards that represent CONTRACTORS.

Everything about the UAMCC will be approached in a manner that benefits the contractor. Russ, in my communication to you via email you will see that we ask for your feedback on what an organization needs to address so that we can implement ideas and thoughts to outline our policies and standards.


That is the first step.

Now, let me speak about Robert H. His position, as it always has been, was to have an organization for the contractors. I don’t need to speak about his dedication and contribution to the industry. He is a cornerstone of the pressure washing industry. For a gentleman to freely hand me the responsibility to execute this goes beyond words. I am humbled that he has enough faith in me and the washing industry to believe that this can be done. I agree with him – this can be done.

The individuals involved in helping to establish the new organization will be individuals that are aggressive and posses a keen understanding of our mission – that is to ensure that the contractor needs are put in the forefront. Any individual or groups with a personal agenda need not to get involved - Period. I am sorry to say that but this is how the business of establishing this organization will be handled.

Many attempts over the years have been made to make an organization for the contractor a reality. For whatever the reasons are, those attempts have been unsuccessful. The new organization posses a clear vision of what it wants to do and will position the appropriate strengths and resources to accomplish this.

Just as a footnote to this, the merger did NOT involve anybody from the industry except Robert H. and me.

This is the vision and this is the plan.

Thanks for your questions Russ.

[Jeff]

edited because i can LOL

[Beth n Rod]

Thought twice about that whole effects of female hormones in water did ya? Thant was funny. No wait! That's still there.

Beth

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Beth n Rod

Thought twice about that whole effects of female hormones in water did ya? Thant was funny. No wait! That's still there.

Beth

I was wondering why I was watching more of the TLC channel, nahhh. Hey maybe next time we see each other we can go look at pocket books. Love your nails LOL

Thats some messed up stuff in the water system


You know I had a couple conversations over the past couple years with people on how nowadays girls seem to develop faster, really not trying to be rude, but girls when I was a kid didnt have bo*bies until later in there mid teens now they have them much younger. I thought it was all the additives in cows that they use to make bigger & better cows and it transfered over to the human population some how, maybe its all these hormones in the water. With all the additives in the food system and now the water system are we mutating into something more than we were origanally designed to be? It could happen

But then the male side of me thinks, what the matter with a bunch of BIG Bo*bed women running around every where



Hey maybe I can start a new biz and make millions of $$$ Bra's for Men, Ya I'll be rich

[Beth n Rod]

Originally Posted by Jeff

I was wondering why I was watching more of the TLC channel, nahhh. Hey maybe next time we see each other we can go look at pocket books. Love your nails LOL

Thats some messed up stuff in the water system


You know I had a couple conversations over the past couple years with people on how nowadays girls seem to develop faster, really not trying to be rude, but girls when I was a kid didnt have bo*bies until later in there mid teens now they have them much younger. I thought it was all the additives in cows that they use to make bigger & better cows and it transfered over to the human population some how, maybe its all these hormones in the water. With all the additives in the food system and now the water system are we mutating into something more than we were origanally designed to be? It could happen

But then the male side of me thinks, what the matter with a bunch of BIG Bo*bed women running around every where



Hey maybe I can start a new biz and make millions of $$$ Bra's for Men, Ya I'll be rich

What did you add to your coffee today?

By the way - I think...we are off topic....
Beth

[Russ Spence]

Carlos and Ken , I appreciate what you are doing , I hope it all works well , I think you honestly have the best of intentions , as for now I feel its best to wait and see , I may miss the boat but I dont at this time wish to endorse it due to the recent changes , its not you but some of it seems all too fimilar , I just hope you have made the right decision , I myself will be glad to continue to offer the same support as far as letters and phone call to help in drought situations but not as a member of the UaMCC/RFW , just as a concerned contractor

Best of luck and thanks for answering my questions so far I feel right now Nationall that it does not serve all contractors best and local networks will do a better job of approaching the problem. In the Sothern US Some dont take kindly to City Slickers and Fancy talk. hahaha

I will continue to monitor all this and I will be the voice for the unspoken for now , it seems folks like calling me and asking me to ask questions.

[Org Founders Committee]

Just to eliminate any confusion, there was group at one point in time, that was moving towards either forming a new org or reviving the UAmCc. As a group it had even come down to a vote of yes to do so. However, the momentum behind this effort was not sufficiently fast enough for everyone involved some of us had less time to devote than others did while others wanted faster results. What you are seeing now between UAmCc and RFW is not related to the past efforts of those listed in this post as a group and is related to the desire for more rapid progress in relation to donations of time than some of us were able to give due to various constraints.

We wish UAmCc and RFW success with the merger and revitalization. We suggest that you also look to those who have expressed an interest to help here online and who traveled to PA to participate in the discussion surrounding our industry's need for an organization and voice.

Good luck in all of your endeavors!

[Russ Spence]

Carlos Gonzales John Orr John Tornabene Tom Vogel Rob Huffman Rod Rodriguez Beth Borrego

so who answered that ?

[Beth n Rod]

Beth did.

As a group we all had access to that login. It has now been used twice. Once to post meeting minutes, and just now to wish UAMCC and RFW good luck. There was some knowledge of the group out there, and it is best to avoid confusion by making this final statement I think.

Beth

[Russ Spence]

no problem , I was just curious, I know most of you well and that can dictate how some things are taken as to who said it , knowing its you makes me feel better ! smile

[Russ Spence]

I hope no one gets me wrong I am not against the idea I just have some reservations as do many now that this particular "merger" has happened , I have recieved countless phone calls over the last two days , many are those who had openly supported RFW , and now feel like they have been manipulated into this by some "backdoor" politics with a seperate agenda. I will openly say I have no problem with any of the parties involved I am at this point unsure of pledging my support

I hope that the others with questions will express them as well , I look forward to seeing this work well for all in the end that is the most important thing anyway

[Beth n Rod]

I will say this....

Robert Hinderliter, when we were discussing working on UAMCC, was willing to turn the whole thing over, domain and all, and we were going to reclassify it as non-profit. I can't speak for Carlos or RFW, or thier plans. But I do know based upon knowing Robert H for many years (since 1999), that he wants what is best for the industry, and he is an honorable man. I'm sure his offer is one that will benefit all.

Everyone in business, is in business to make a profit and to earn living for themselves and their staff. We all need to generate revenue to survive. That's life. Profit is not a dirty word. Vendors and manufacturers have knowledge we do not and products that we need. If you think about it, this relationship is no different than any other economic relationship you have, such as that of your truck mechanic. Many of us relay on a good mechanic to take care of our vehicles at some point in time when something happens we can't handle. They have to charge us. We accept that, and pay the bill. Our trucks would not hold up as long otherwise.

Another example....you walk int o a store and buy goods. Might be a paint store, might be a box store Like HD or the big L. Either way, you know going in they have to charge for items, you get items you need to make money and they will be there for you next time. It's the same thing. Now should vendors and manufacturers be involved in an org? I think to some degree, yes. The question is, to what degree. I think that is the sticking point for most people.

Beth