A 20-year Journey with Chem-Dry: A Conversation with Peter Snow

Chem-Dry has seen a lot of changes over the past 20 years, but the core of the business, excellence in cleaning results and superb customer service, has remained the same.

As result of a chance meeting in 1985 by Peter Snow with an American visitor, Peter was introduced to Chem-Dry and the seeds of a new business adventure began. As a Carpenter and Meat Inspector, Peter had long been on the lookout for an opportunity that would provide some of the finer things in life and security for his growing family. After several months of correspondence Peter, along with his wife Janet, decided to risk their life savings and purchase the first International Chem-Dry franchise without even seeing the process at work.

Initially started as a part time venture by Robert Harris in 1978 to help finance his College degree as a Lawyer, Robert quickly found that he had "Struck Gold" when he found a new and effective process for cleaning carpets. With a patent secured for his Carbonated Carpet Cleaning process, Robert had many interested in securing and operating their own Chem-Dry franchise. As a consequence, the study of Law was sacrificed and the pursuit of building a franchise network began. By 1985 over 550 franchises had been established in North America when Peter and Janet made their purchase.

As the first International Chem-Dry franchisee, Robert made the journey to New Zealand in January 1986 to train and assist the Snow's in their new business venture. With no money left but a determination to succeed, Peter and Janet went to work promoting and cleaning carpets in the Hawke's Bay region where they quickly built up a reputation for providing a quality product and service. In fact in the relatively short period of just six months, their operation went from one 10 year old Holden Station Wagon with no signage, to three fully equipped and professionally signed vans.

With his eye firmly fixed on establishing a franchise network, Peter worked tirelessly at promoting the attributes of Chem-Dry and after three months of operating their own franchise began offering franchises in other parts of the country. With limited resources but a cleaning process that worked, Peter invited friends and satisfied customers to purchase their own Chem-Dry franchise. As a result many of the initial franchise operators in New Zealand and Australia were either from or associated with family or friends from the Hawke's Bay region.

Within the first year most of the country was sold out with franchises established nationwide. By 2001 there were 54 Chem-Dry franchises providing coverage to over 90% of the country including some of the remotest regions.

In 1987 the National Office moved from the home of the Snow's to a rented facility down the back alley of an Industrial area until new premises were constructed in 1990. Since moving to their current location Chem-Dry New Zealand Ltd., has expanded its services and departments.

As part of a franchise network that spans the globe with approximately 4000 franchises in 50 countries, Peter and Janet where invited to purchase the Canadian franchise rights in 1991. And as the New Zealand network was now solidly in place, the Snow's once again took a calculated risk and moved with their four children to Chilliwack British Columbia to establish a new base from which to develop the Canadian sister company and network.

By 2001 Chem-Dry in Canada had 115 franchises expanding that vast continent. Meanwhile the New Zealand operation established its Chem-Dry Corporate Services Division in 1999 to market and secures national accounts for the benefit of the franchise network, and also began the process of becoming ISO9001:2000 registered. This Internationally recognized quality assurance standard has greatly assisted Chem-Dry New Zealand Ltd., in establishing quality procedures and processes designed to improve and strengthen head office and the franchise network it supports.

When asked, Peter attributes the success of Chem-Dry in New Zealand to unique exclusive patented products and equipment, continuous training for corporate staff, together with an ever-expanding support program for the Chem-Dry franchisees. With vision and the support of the franchise network who have shown outstanding commitment to providing their clients with 'the best of the best' in carpet and upholstery cleaning industry. As the slogan states, Chem-Dry is "The world's favourite Carpet and Upholstery cleaning company" receiving the highest rating in it's field when compared to other carpet cleaning franchises [rated #1 by Entrepreneur Magazine every year since 1988].

For more information on Chem-Dry or any of the services offered by Chem-Dry New Zealand Ltd., please do not hesitate to contact us at:

info@chemdry.co.nz 0800-CHEMDRY (0800-243-6379)
Fax (06) 879-7828