In 1974 the in-situ carpet and fabric cleaning industry witnessed a major technology change where rotary shampoo cleaning was giving way to the new concept of hot water soil extraction. At the forefront of this shift in the UK, was Professional Chemical & Equipment Company Ltd founded by Ron Tilley.

Early days

When Ron became a carpet cleaner in 1959, the Carpet Cleaning Industry barely existed. Carpet shampoo was the only cleaning method and there was very little training available. During the 1960’s Ron set about helping to change and develop the market with training courses covering carpet, upholstery and floor cleaning. He staged his workshops in London at the old Victory Club near Marble Arch, on behalf of BICSc, and the courses were well received.

Instant success

Ron also set to work to import hot water extraction equipment from the USA where the innovation had started. The new machines, designed to spray and extract a fast-acting emulsifier solution into the carpet or fabric, were an instant success and were soon replacing rotary scrubbing machines and the oil-based shampoo method, often the cause of premature re-soiling. In 1974, Prochem introduced the original Steemeasy soil extraction machine to the UK market and later that year the “Prochem” brand was trademarked.

In the USA synthetic fibre carpets and fabrics responded well to alkaline detergents, but here in the UK, wool and wool-mix fibres and sensitive cotton, rayon and silk fabrics were more common. These fibres and fabrics could often be damaged by alkaline chemicals and Prochem started to develop formulations and cleaning systems to suit the UK market, including the now widely-used concept of pre-spraying and acidic rinsing.

The company went from strength to strength and quickly became one of the most recognised names for carpet and fabric maintenance products and training. In 1980, the company started manufacture of chemical products at its former premises in Kingston upon Thames and, during the next 15 years, developed and refined product formulations to meet the growing demand from its now extensive distributor network.

In 1994, the fast-expanding business re-located to much larger premises in Chessington, Surrey where much-needed space enabled manufacturing expansion, storage and laboratory product development.

The new building also perfectly provided for a dedicated two-storey training facility which has seen thousands of trainees attend Prochem courses during the intervening 30 years.

Recognition

In 2018 the company was accorded a Special Recognition Award by the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) at the industry body’s AGM, for the support the company had provided to the NCCA during its 50-year lifetime.

Prochem’s Phil Jones, Director of Sales & Training, said at the time: “Our founder Ron Tilley recognised the importance and relevance of the NCCA from its inception and we have advocated its role and work in the Industry ever since.”

Prochem training for cleaners is expanding through growing affiliation with the NCCA and Prochem’s Training Academy in Chessington is an appointed location for membership examination to the Association, which has proved popular with cleaners located in southeast England, saving on travel to Worcestershire.

Prochem are one of the UK’s primary commercial provider of training for professional cleaners. Course details and information at prochem.co.uk/training-courses/ and enquiries via training@prochem.co.uk

Finally in 2024, Prochem has developed and introduced the NEW Steemeasy carpet and upholstery extraction machine, manufactured in the UK. This latest introduction brings added power and capacity in a compact solution that can tackle first floor cleaning without relocating the unit. For more information visit prochem.co.uk

Expansion and development

Today, Prochem Europe has grown into one of the UK’s foremost providers of specialist cleaning technology and solutions as well as being one of the largest providers of training to the Cleaning Industry.

In 2012, Prochem Europe was granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, for the supply of carpet cleaning products.

Fifty years on Prochem continues to focus on the values that won it that accolade: environmental performance and the ongoing development of safe and effective products now.