A Berkshire businessman has won a top award for his work in protecting people from potentially lethal superbugs.

Cleaning and hygiene specialist Paul Torrent has been working closely with residential care homes in the county to provide a defensive shield against hospital acquired infections such as MRSA, C difficile and Novovirus.

Paul who runs a franchise for Chemex International covering Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Middlesex has been working closely with local care homes since he launched his business four years ago.

Now Paul has beaten off competition from 90 other franchisees to be chosen as the company’s most outstanding franchisee. The award reflects Paul’s performance, innovation and excellence of service.

Paul whose businesss is based at Old Windsor said: “Unfortunately, hospital acquired infection can pose a major problem for residential care homes but we are able to provide them with specialist advice and products to prevent potential outbreaks.”

Only last month Paul was able to make available the only cleaning product in Europe that guarantees to kill C.difficile spores on contact – AntiBak. The product has attracted national media coverage and is being trialled by NHS hospitals.

Since his business launch in 2004 Paul’s success in the care home and catering sectors has seen turnover rise by 12 fold to £150,000 a year. He has plans to extend his area to cover Watford later this year and expects to be taking on more staff to help meet demand.

Previously, Paul – a former Reading FC youth footballer – worked in the sports retail sector but he says switching to his new role was the best move he has made.

Paul said: “I gain tremendous satisfaction from running a business which is helping the community while at the same time assisting my customers to make their businesses safer and more successful.”

More information on Chemex AntiBak can be found at www.chemex.org.uk.

There is much talk of doom and gloom in the economy and with money tight you might be more wary about going into business for yourself. However, when is a good time? The fact is that businesses are built in recessions too.

In almost 25 years of trading, Chemex has experienced periods of both recession and boom. Whilst the UK is by no means in a full blown recession, consumers are concerned about the current state of the economy.

The credit crunch means that lenders will be more careful about providing money for business start ups outside of franchising. For established and credible franchisors, funds are still readily available through the main banks who will typically lend up to 70 per cent of the franchise investment.

Additionally, essential services such as cleaning and hygiene products where health and hygiene related issues create the demand, are not tied into consumer spending. Due to the nature of the products and their continuous demand this is also a repeat order business. Although not recession-proof, the extensive and diverse range of Chemex products provide choices for the customer who will always need cleaning and hygiene materials whatever the state of the economy.

It is generally accepted that the failure rate for franchises is lower than that of stand alone business start-ups. However, it is important to choose your franchisor wisely and find something that you will enjoy doing which has the potential to realise your dreams and aspirations. Get rich quick schemes are seldom stable and for the long term. Promises of fast cash and immediate returns should ring alarm bells. Traditional businesses require hard work, planned growth and business acumen.

Chemex provide a detailed introduction to their business for any potential franchisee which includes a meeting at their head office in the West Midlands, discussions with franchisees over the telephone and time spent in the field with a franchise operator. Their selection program is designed to find the right match of candidate as the next 25 years growth will see many of its franchisees moving towards the management of multi- van operations.

The company has appointed James Trahearn as a non executive director and Ron Hutton as Sales Director.

Since it was formed 22 years ago Chemex International has grown to become the leading supplier of cleaning and hygiene materials in the UK and Europe.

James Trahearn comes from a background in corporate finance and business development and brings a wealth of experience which will compliment the skills of the existing team. James offers a seasoned view in developing successful structures within business.

Ron Hutton has a successful track record in the franchise industry and was formerly head of franchisee recruitment at Rainbow International. Ron joins the group to head up sales both in franchising and national accounts.

Chemex are also looking to appoint an additional Non-Executive Director with extensive chemical and hygiene industry experience to add further impetus to the organisation.

Chemex Director Sean Derrig said: “The business continues to grow inspite of the doom and gloom of the credit crunch and the uncertain economic climate.

“Our franchisees are experiencing strong sales in the first quarter of 2008 and in some cases record sales are being achieved.

“We are continuing to launch innovative and relevant products and this is stimulating an increasing demand for our services.”

Mr Derrig added: “Essential services such as cleaning and hygiene products where health and hygiene related issues create the demand, are not tied into consumer spending.

“Due to the nature of the products and their continuous demand this is also a repeat order business. Although not recession-proof, the extensive and diverse range of Chemex products provide choices for the customer who will always need cleaning and hygiene materials whatever the state of the economy.

“In a competitive UK market, Chemex provides quality products with the emphasis on service and cleaning, and hygiene control programmes. “

Chemex International is also expanding its overseas network following a surge in demand for its cleaning and hygiene products. The company is set to open up distribution operations in the Middle East, Asia and Western Europe.

Mr Derrig said: “Our international business grew by 20 per cent last year and following the introduction of a range of leading edge products we are getting tremendous interest from a number of countries where we are not currently represented.

  Sean Derrig - Franchise Direct

Sean Derrig, Chief Executive Officer of Chemex and former bfa board member, explains the pros and cons of setting up in business. Supported by Peter Ridge, a Chemex franchisee from Buckinghamshire, they were interviewed recently by Monika Cyprys from Franchise Direct.

The Chemex product range is extensive. For over two decades the company has provided expertise, innovation and market leading products for every type of industry throughout the UK. Chemex franchisees specialise in offering consultancy services, specialist advice and training. The level of service offered is second to none.   

It is worth mentioning that our products lead the industry. Our market potential is enormous when you consider the typical sectors of business in which we operate. All of them have a hygiene or cleaning requirement. Can you think of a business that does not?

In this section we include a few testimonials from our franchisees. If you decide to explore the Chemex opportunity in more detail then you could soon be speaking to some of them or experiencing the job first hand with a day out with one of our franchisees. Franchisees not only feel good about becoming respected members of their community, but they also benefit from becoming involved with prospective customers, who in turn may provide referrals.