Bob Spalten is the owner of Aladdin Cleaning and Restoration (San Antonio, TX).

How would you best sum up the last 50 years (or the time that you’ve been a part) of the carpet cleaning/restoration industry?

I believe the quality of the rug cleaning has improved tremendously due to the amount of training that has become available. From the first educational programs offered by the ASCR to the new ones by ARCS, our industry will continue to improve both the quality and the efficiency of rug cleaning.

In your opinion, what have been some of the most significant events and milestones to impact the industry over the past 50 years? What about some of the most significant people?

The most significant event that has impacted our industry (as well as most others) is the use of the Internet in marketing and advertising to our customer base. The most significant people that have affected our industry are Ellen Amirkhan and Aaron Groseclose because they were the pioneers in developing educational programs and processes to improve this industry.

What are some of your fondest memories of being involved in the industry in years past?

Spending a week at one of the first CRS classes with Ellen and Aaron and meeting people from all over the country in the same business that I was in.

Moving forward, what do you see in store for the cleaning/restoration industry’s future?

I think this business will continue to grow due to the increasing consumer demand for hard surface flooring, which almost always leads to rugs to cover up the floor. Also, there has been a large increase in the number of households that have indoor pets, which is great for our business.