Our History
NU-LIFE FROM THE BEGINNING BUILDING A HAPPINESS BASED BUSINESS
1981 was the year Brian Philbin found himself out of work and basically on the scrap heap, when the owner of the company he worked for, decided to sell his business.
After three fruitless months of job hunting and no work in sight, he decided to start working for himself as a carpet cleaner, skills he’d learnt earlier in his life when working for a laundry and dry cleaning company, where his daily duties consisted of collecting and delivering clothing from various shops. As this was only a part time position, he used to help out in the other side of the laundry firms business vacuuming carpets and moving furniture for the company’s carpet cleaning technicians.
So, armed with £200 borrowed from family members - he purchased a second hand Mini van for £150 and a carpet-cleaning machine, he saw advertised in the local paper, at a bargain £70 (he put the extra £20 in himself).
His business had been born. But there was no name!
Well, the answer was simple. It was a new beginning, a new start in life, a new-life! And, Nu-Life Carpet Care was born!!
Now, for the next few years, Brian set about building his business, with not much business sense it must be said. But, he was earning a living, enough to take him, his wife Christine and his son Mike, on holidays to Florida.
It was on one of these holiday’s that would change his whole way of thinking in respect of Customer Service, after experiencing an in-depth viewing into the “Disney” way of doing things He discovered the importance of excellent customer service and came home determined to build his business and provide his customers with the WOW factor!
Every month for the next 2 years, he set aside two days. Travelling all over the UK, even to Phoenix – Arizona in the USA attending schools for excellent service, learning all he could, on how to provide a carpet cleaning service that would be second to none.
Next, he focussed on the cleaning solutions and equipment.
There were so many different (albeit the same) cleaning solutions to choose from, all making similar claims. But it was difficult to find natural products, which Brian was certain that his customers would prefer being used in their home. He new this was true, because he had asked 127 of his most valued clients for their thoughts and concerns. Eventually, after many months, he found all the natural solutions from as far away as Australia, Thailand, China and the USA.
Cleaning machines were in abundance. But of course, there are so many different types of fabrics and fibres, natural and man-made. They couldn’t all be cleaned the same way! And therefore, a number of different types of machines were identified, that would make it possible and importantly safe, to clean all the different types of carpets and delicate fine fabrics.
Carefull selection of like minded staff
But there’s much more. His business was beginning to expand and he needed to employ staff. And if they were to provide the type of service-company he was developing, they needed to be the right type of people. He carefully selected like-minded individuals that were genuinely interested and determined, to also provide excellent service.
Each member of staff is meticulously trained in the Nu-Life way of service. Undertaking on-site and in-house training for six months working to a set procedural format. Completing formal written exams each month. After the six month period, they attend the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) training headquarters in Leicester, being trained to the highets standards, undertaking an intensive two day training programme, followed by a 2 hour written exam. On successful completion of the six-month course and exams, they earn the accreditation to become a Professional Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Technician. The process continues with natural stone education
Building "the best" cleaning service business
But their training doesn’t end there. For the technician to keep his accreditation, further advanced training is a requirement, by successful completion of continuing courses and exams, in all aspects of advanced carpet/upholstery cleaning, stain removal, carpet repairs, fire/flood and many more.
In Brian’s continuing efforts to give the client exactly what he/she requires, a Laptop presentation Audit was developed. Explaining in detail, the benefits of having Nu-Life clean and protect furnishings. Much more than a survey, here, a full evaluation of the health of the home and furnishings is undertaken and a three page report giving advice on how to keep the home healthy is provided free of charge, there’s also video presentations for schools and commercial premises.
Consumer Education Guides - Healthy Environment Cleaning
To further assist clients when deciding whether to have their furnishings cleaned, and by who, a number of guides have been published, Such as “The Consumers Guide to Carpet Cleaning” and “10 Steps To Allergy Proof Your Home/Office”.
If that’s not enough, more recent innovations include a joint venture with a chemical manufacturer based in Cambridge who specialise in healthy cleaning products.
Studies carried out have identified that the way we now build our homes means the air inside them cannot freely ventilate out and so can quickly become more pollutant-lagged than ever circulating outside air.
Exhaustive scientific research, (particularly that of Dr John Maunder of The Medical Entomology Centre at Cambridge University), has identified a very significant factor in our increasing sensitivity and hence suffering from the reactions to allergens, is the House Dust Mite. In fact 40% of the population are sufferers but don’t know it!
Finally, Promite™ Protection was developed and Nu-Life is now licensed to apply this safe and invisible shield to furnishings, protecting your home from these allergy causing, eight legged cousins of the spider. If you’re an Asthma sufferer, this protection could just save your life!
Also, at the same time as agreeing the Promite™ licence Mike Philbin (Brian’s son) visited factories in Frankfurt, Germany, which have started to produce chemicals that are completely different to conventional detergents and described as micro-splitting.
Micro-splitting products are free from detergents, enzymes, bacteria and micro-organisms as well as, optical and colour brighteners are odourless and hypoallergenic. As well as being clear and odourless they are ideal for use where people have allergies.
So – what does all this mean for the client?
Simply put - “You Receive The Most Thorough, Healthier Restoration Ever, Or It’s Free”
You see…whilst most companies have a one or two-step cleaning process, Nu-Life’s extensive research has produced their 12-Step Process. Ensuring their clients receive a unique service, with a programme tailored exactly to their requirements. Not only providing clean, fresh smelling furnishings but at the same time, improving the indoor environment and ensuring the health of all our clients.
The process of excellent customer service and innovation continues...
Mike Philbin continues the ever changing, procedural methods of Excellent Customer Service (The WOW factor) within Nu-Life Carpet Care Ltd and their network of like-minded colleagues throughout the UK.
Over the last 3 years Mike Philbin has Reasearched and Developed the latest of Nu-Life Services... Natural Stone Restoration. This has taken him to opposite ends of the world in China and the USA. Here he discovered a completely new way of cleaning and restoring Natural Stone.
During this time he has tested 547 different cleaning products and 107 types of machinery. The machinery has been identified but the products just didn't come up to scratch.
The only solution was to manufacture our own!
This has now been completed and Nu-Life now offer the finest of cleaning and restoration using ingredients from around the world. This ensures that Nu-Life's crafstmen are providing their valued clients the best results possible.The search for improvement continues with Nu-Life forging new links with the Marble Institute of America (MIA) helping to bring more knowledge for Nu-Life and even more information for our valued clients.
Due to the ever increasing requests for Nu-Life's specialist services, The Directors have recently Franchised the Stone Restoration side of the business with new Specially trained franchisees in Merseyside, North Wales, Chester, Hull and York
"Success doesn't happen overnight. It takes faith and the ability to stick it out no matter how tough the going gets"
Chris, Mike & Brian Philbin