Interview with Doug Pfaff from Windsor

Purchasing or leasing a machine can be like buying a car. You are looking for something that fits your needs, there are different makes & models available to choose from, you are learning to use something new, etc. And there are differences too. First off, you don’t have to walk miles around a lot, which is always a plus. When you buy or lease a machine from WAXIE you can get: hands-on training, a partner in managing your cleaning needs, a Service Center that can make on-site repairs & estimates (when applicable), and more!

Windsor has been in the cleaning industry for over 40 years and they know a thing or two about cleaning equipment & machines. Recently WAXIE had the chance to talk with Doug Pfaff, Windsor’s Director of Business Development, all about their machines and how they are an integral part of a facility’s cleaning program. In our interview, Doug explains what to look for when leasing or purchasing your own Chariot, not to mention how using equipment can help improve indoor air quality, and his favorite Windsor machine.

About Windsor

1. What values does Windsor, as a company, embody?
   Windsor designs quality products that are built to last. We measure our success by the success of our customers.
   
   
2. In three words/phrases, describe your product(s).
   Innovative
   Reliable
   Powerful Cleaning Solutions
   
   
3. Define what clean means to you.
   A successful program must not only manage the people cleaning, the surfaces they clean, and the equipment they clean with, it must also reduce the environmental impacts of the cleaning process and provide a safer environment for the building occupants.
   

The Nitty Gritty

1. What should someone ask when they’re looking to rent or own a machine or other piece of equipment?
   Renting equipment is usually for a one time cleaning application. A facility should have a maintenance program. The proper equipment will help maintain the cleanliness of the facility. Using equipment on a consistent schedule will reduce your total cleaning costs of a facility.
   
   
2. How does someone choose the right machine or equipment for their facility?
   WAXIE Sales Consultants will help you choose the right equipment. They will ask about your cleaning program and what is the desired appearance of your facility. Then they will determine the correct equipment for your cleaning needs based on frequency of cleaning tasks performed, square feet to clean, labor hours of the facility, and the budget for your facility.
   
   
3. Is leasing a machine like buying a car?
   Not really, leasing a machine is an inexpensive way to get the equipment you need to clean your facility. A lease is typically 24 or 36 months long but you tend to own the equipment once the lease expires. The monthly payments during the lease covers the cost of the equipment for most lease options.
   
   

The Green Story

1. Do any of your machines &/or equipment have the CRI Seal of Approval or other third-party certifications?
   Yes, Windsor has virtually all of our vacuums and carpet extractors CRI approved. Many of our products are LEED^® Qualified - including our vacuums, carpet extractors, floor scrubbers, sweepers, and burnishers.
   
   
2. What’s your take on sustainability and the green movement when it comes to machines and cleaning?
   Windsor manufactures our equipment to last, not for the landfill. Windsor’s green message focuses on three components - Process, Equipment and Chemical. Windsor conducts Green seminars across the country, educating our industry in the necessity to develop a Green Program for their facility. Windsor has implemented a Green Program at our manufacturing plant in Colorado.
   
   
3. Can your machines & equipment help improve indoor air quality?
   Absolutely. Windsor vacuums have HEPA filtration which reduces the dust particles in the air we breathe. Windsor scrubbers can have maintenance free AGM batteries that reduce the risk of the operator coming in contact with chemical and atmospheric contamination.
   
   
4. Are there any new trends or exciting innovations in machines & equipment within the upcoming year?
   Windsor has been inventing innovative equipment for over 40 years and this year we will have a few new machines. The Chariot platform has changed the industry by bringing a more productive method to cleaning programs. Stay tuned for some new products later this year.
   
   
   

The Fun Stuff

1. Best cleaning advice.
   Create a plan before you get started. This will help you understand what to do, when to do it, and with the correct products to get it done.
   
   
2. Which one of your machines has the best name?
   Chariot! Who doesn’t want to stand on a Chariot!!!
   
   
3. Name the one vacuum attachment or accessory that you can’t live without.
   Expandable vacuum hose - allows the operator to extend the cleaning wand to reach up to 12’ high.
   
   
4. Is there a machine that should be invented?
   If I knew one, Windsor would have already invented it.
   
   
5. What’s the one question you wish someone would ask you about Windsor?
   How can a Windsor vacuum still work after 30 years?
   
   

WANT MORE?

• Windsor Commercial Cleaning Equipment
• Leasing Information
• WAXIE Service Center for Repairs, Rentals & Other Services