The 2009 Truckmount Carpet Cleaning Equipment Market Study looks to provide accurate information regarding the opinions and preferences of carpet cleaning specialists, as well as a more up-to-date view of the market. Whenever possible, data was trended to previous years.

The study sample consisted of 10,442 active members of the ICS Cleaning Specialist domestic qualified subscriber base of professional carpet cleaners and smoke/water damage restoration specialists, as well as 27 Building Materials Talk Panel members. Keep in mind that, in many cases, multiple responses are allowed.

A total of 218 completed the entire survey.

It is important to understand the makeup of the sample responding in any study. Company owners and/or presidents make up 88 percent of survey respondents. Sixty-six percent of those responding cite carpet cleaning as their primary business, while restoration and overall floor care logged 23 percent and 8 percent, respectively (Chart 1). Sixty percent of responding companies have one to four employees, while 20 percent claim 10 or more.

When asked what percentage of their residential work is performed with a truckmount, survey respondents cited truckmount use on 89 percent of those jobs, while participants said approximately three out of four commercial jobs are performed with a truckmount.

Slide-in truckmount configurations grew more popular since last year, at 74 percent vs. 64 percent in 2008. Direct-drive or PTO designs showed a slight decline in popularity from 2008, with 31 percent (multiple responses were allowed, as many respondents operate more than one machine).

Study respondents are operate their truckmounts an average of 914 hours annually, the lowest since 2005. That said, they also expect to be able to run their equipment longer – 11,592 hours, to be precise – before it needs replacing.

Heat exchange is cited as the primary heating method by 85 percent of those responding, with propane, fuel oil and electric heating making up 14 percent (Chart 2). And operators still like it hot: 22 percent of those responding operate their truckmounts at temperatures averaging between 210 degrees and 219 degrees; a full 37 percent operate their truckmounts at an average temperature of 220 degrees or higher.

Sixteen percent of respondents use a secondary heat source, compared with 25 percent in 2008; of those, 4 percent use propane heat sources, 3 percent cite electricity, 2 percent name heat exchange and another 2 percent cite fuel oil. The remaining 5 percent claimed “other.”

If a cleaning professional operates a truckmount, odds are that cleaner drives a cargo van. Just as in 2008, cargo vans make up 81 percent of the responses when those surveyed were asked what type of vehicle their truckmount is located in, with box trucks, trailers and minivans trailing well behind.

Carpet cleaning is not the only service provided by cleaning professionals operating truckmounts. When asked what, if any, additional services they perform using their truckmount, upholstery cleaning was claimed by 95 percent; water damage and flood restoration, 76 percent; hard-floor and tile cleaning, 72 percent; pressure washing, 30 percent; and duct cleaning, 10 percent (Chart 3).

One is the still the magic number as far as wands are concerned. Single-wanders make up 65 percent of those responding(Chart 4), down slightly from last year’s 68 percent. Of those who say they will use more than one wand, dual wands are used 22 percent of the time, on average.

As mentioned earlier, truckmount operators expect their machines to last for a long time, but that doesn’t mean they’re not looking ahead to their next purchase. The number of respondents who plan to purchase a truckmount “in the foreseeable future” has increased significantly since 2008: 72 percent vs. 41 percent. Approximately one in four plan to make a purchase in the next 12 months.

But how much will it cost? The median expected cost is $15,000-$19,999; that’s what 31 percent of respondents expect to pay. Eighteen percent name $10,000 to $14,999 as their range, with 7 percent finding less than $10,000 to be their comfort zone. Forty-four percent expect to pay more than $20,000 for their new machine.

The best way to improve the relationship between a manufacturer and an end-user, in any arena, is for each to better understand the other. That’s just what the ICS Market Study series strives to achieve; better understanding in a continually changing market.

The preceding is a snapshot of a comprehensive study examining the market for truckmount carpet cleaning equipment. The conclusions are based on the opinions and preferences of carpet cleaning specialists. The study was conducted by Clear Seas Research, a division of BNP Media.

This in-depth research study, including five year trending data, provides clear and actionable results to give companies a competitive edge. This report provides insightful information to help carpet cleaning specialists better understand their changing industry and includes information on various topics such as: What types of truckmounts and truckmount equipment are used by professionals? What brands of truckmounts are owned, and when do carpet cleaning professionals plan on purchasing or leasing a new truckmount? What equipment features are most important in making a truckmount purchasing decision? Which brands of engines, blowers, and solution pumps do carpet cleaning professionals most prefer? What percentage of cleaning business is residential vs. commercial?

The full and complete report is available from Clear Seas Research. For information about ordering or to find out more about Clear Seas Research services contact Sima Patel at patels@clearseasresearch.com or visit our website at www.clearseasresearch.com