And Now A Word From a Morantz Client......

I am fortunate to be in a business where I have the opportunity to watch our clients' businesses grow.  Sometimes its their Ultrasonic business that takes off, and sometimes Ultrasonics is a stepping stone that takes them in another direction.

The latter is true of Steve Hanson who I recently reconnected with at a tradeshow. Steve formerly owned and operated a janitorial company in Boise, Idaho when we first met and when he purchased our equipment.  Now Steve operates The Janitorial Store.com and MyHouseCleaningBiz.com, both of which are on-line stores with a personal touch.  For those with questions about running a successful cleaning business, Steve can provide the answers.  Much like how Morantz provides training for the Ultrasonic business, Steve will train members in developing systems, reviewing bidding and estimating, discussing hiring employees, advice on sales and marketing, and more.

Steve told me that his Morantz Ultrasonics equipment was a huge asset to his janitorial company, and believes it would be an asset for his clients as well.  He asked me if I would like to be interviewed for his members so that they could learn more about the technology and the potential profits.  I was happy for the opportunity, and if you are a member of the Janitorial Store, you can find this interview at: http://www.thejanitorialstore.com/members/AUDIO-Ultrasonic-Cleaning-Machines.cfm. Steve had also written the following article about Ultrasonic Cleaning to share with his members:

Ultrasonic Cleaning: High-Tech Cleaning Services Steve Hanson Are you looking for innovative ways to increase your services and your profit margins? Ultrasonic cleaning services can be a way for your cleaning business to add another income stream that can be highly lucrative. How does ultrasonic cleaning work? The item being cleaned is immersed in an ultrasonic tank filled with water and a small amount of cleaning agent, and then agitated with high frequency sound for a brief time. The item is then rinsed in another tank filled with water and a small amount of rinse-agent, and then dried. The underlying process is the creation of microscopic bubbles in the liquid. Agitation causes these bubbles to collapse with great force. This force produces shock waves up to 20,000 pounds per square inch. These waves then loosen and displace soil from the item being cleaned - this is called cavitation. Some of the advantages of ultrasonic cleaning include: Use of state of the art technology. Surfaces and cavities are cleaned without scratching, brushing or scraping. Oddly shaped and complex objects with tiny crevices and holes can be completely cleaned. It takes very short time for cleaning, normally just a few seconds to clean objects such as mini-blinds. The process is simple and uses fewer chemicals than in conventional cleaning. Cleaning is automated making it more efficient than the traditional tedious form of manual cleaning. The types of items that can be cleaned with ultrasonic technology are almost limitless: ·         Window blinds ·         Fire restoration, mold restoration and disaster recovery contents ·         Electronics ·         Plastic and silk plants ·         Patio furniture ·         Light Diffusers Cleaning electronic equipment has always been time-consuming and cumbersome. When using ultrasonics to clean electronics, the process becomes efficient and can be very profitable for your cleaning business. However, there is a lot of confusion about how the process affects electronic equipment.   Many people believe that electronic equipment cannot be placed in water. While it's true that you should never place electronic devices into water that are still plugged in, use of the proper solution to clean and proper drying techniques allows items to be cleaned and restored using ultrasonics. With the proper equipment and training, there is no damage to electronics being submerged in water.   Many people also believe that ultrasonics will loosen solder joints and the item will not work properly. This thought is based on the theory that ultrasonics shakes off debris with vibrations. The cleaning process is called cavitation, which forms and collapses tiny bubbles - a safe and effective cleaning method.   Some people don't believe the ultrasonic cleaning process works. This is usually due to a lack of understanding of how the process works. Plus many people have never experienced the results firsthand. If you invest in the proper equipment and perform the process correctly, ultrasonic cleaning is not only effective, but actually reduces cleaning time and save tons on labor costs.   Ultrasonics is not just for cleaning small items such as jewelry. Ultrasonics can clean and restore items such as window blinds, light diffusers, small electric appliances, silk plants, and much more. Just think of all the homes and office buildings with mini-blinds and silk plants. The possibilities are endless for your cleaning business.   Adding ultrasonic cleaning services to your cleaning business should not be entered into lightly, as there is a large investment in equipment and training. However with proper training and an effective marketing plan, ultrasonic cleaning can not only be another service you provide to your clients, but a great added income stream for your cleaning business.    Copyright TheJanitorialStore.com. All Rights Reserved. Steve Hanson helps owners of small cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through his online community at TheJanitorialStore.com. Read inspirational cleaning success stories at http://www.cleaning-success.com, and sign up for weekly cleaning tips at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com. If you would like to contact Steve or learn more, here is his information:  www.TheJanitorialStore.com www.MyHouseCleaningBiz.com www.Cleaning-Success.com www.cleaningbiz.tv www.cleaningbizwebsites.com www.CardsForCleaners.com 866-862-8608

Used Ultrasonic Machines-Is it worth it to buy used?

Ultrasonic Cleaning for the Restoration and Window Blind Cleaning Industry has been established for some time now.  My father, Stan Morantz, put the first ultrasonic blind cleaning machine on the market over 30 years ago. Since the beginning, thousands of companies and individuals have purchased our equipment.  Competitors came onto the market later and they sold equipment too.  With so many machines sold, it is more commonplace now to see ultrasonic machines for sale by private owners, through eBay, Craigs List etc.  The question for many has now become, do we purchase new or used? 

A Morantz Used Tank for Sale by Morantz Ultrasonics

I explore this question weekly with potential purchasers who, like all of us, are looking for the most "bang" for their buck.  Price is, of course, the ONLY reason to purchase used equipment.  With that in mind, I have these folks take a good look at the asking price versus what they are sacrificing. I make sure that they understand that a new purchase includes:

-Guarantee that all parts of the machine are present.

I am still surprised by how many machines are sold without all their parts included.  It's something to look out for.  I'm talking about basic parts, not just accessories.  For example, I received a call recently from someone who purchased a machine with only one immersible pack when it was supposed to have multiples.  They didn't know this by looking at the machine.  You might think that this is obvious just by looking at the machine, or even by seeing it run, but it's not always the case if you don't know what you are looking for.  When this used buyer found out how much it cost for a replacement, the savings he thought he had gained went right out the window.

-Guarantee that the machine is in working order.

This is a biggee! Even if a machine runs, it doesn't necessarily mean that it is running properly. Sure you can test clean a few items, but it still doesn't mean the machine runs properly.  How do you know?  You really don't unless you send it to a company like ours to check it out (it's not like a car where you can take it to any mechanic). We will check your system for a fee, but remember, there are also shipping costs involved.

I've had a few people get REALLY MAD about this one.  Only a couple of weeks ago at a recent restoration trade show we had a guy who purchased a used, 17 year old machine of ours yell about the fact we couldn't get his machine running properly again when he sent it in for evaluation.  The reality is that some parts are just obsolete, and after many years we may not have them in stock to support the system.  I told him from the start that I could not guarantee I could help him.  I did try, but still it's no consolation to this guy who paid thousands of dollars for something that doesn't work.

And yes, our new machines do come with full warranties!  Major component failure on an Ultrasonic machine can cost you big bucks to replace.  There's something to be said for peace of mind knowing a reputable company will help you out in the event of a failure regardless of fault. Know that these warranties do not transfer, so be very careful.

-Guaranty that you are getting the proper equipment for the work you are performing

I cannot begin to count the times that a client purchased an Ultrasonic machine thinking that it would be great for them, only to find it to either the wrong power, the wrong frequency, the wrong shape/size for their work, etc.  There is a reason that most manufacturers offer variations in models because one size does not fit all.  Be sure you have the proper tool for the job at hand.

-Guaranty that you will receive up-to-date training, on-going support, marketing and advertising assistance, access to seminars and other new information, and have your questions answered when you need them answered.  Which brings me to this:

-Things that you are almost guaranteed to hear from every used seller:
1.  The machine has only been run for a few hours.
2.  The machine has been safely in storage since the last time it was used.
3.   I will train you on how to operate the machine.

Every seller I have ever heard about tells their prospective buyer they will train them, or at least provide them with training materials, but it is not the same as Manufacturer training.  Many sellers have forgotten much of the important information.  If they still have a manual, it is usually outdated. Note that Morantz provides its manuals only to original owners, so those that were counting on downloading a PDF off the website, will be very disappointed. 

You might be interested to know that Morantz Ultrasonics does sell our own used equipment.  Why is this different than buying from a 3rd party?  First, we make sure everything is in proper working condition prior to the sale.  This means repair or replacement as needed.  Next, we offer a limited warranty on our used equipment.  Third, you get the support of our company this way, same as buying new.  This means all the benefits of training, on-going support, etc.  You can check our website for what used ultrasonic equipment is available at: http://ultrasonicmachines.com/?morantz_products=used-machine-b-136-baby#sthash.EFj1HLXG.dpbs or call 215-969-0266 as the website is not always up to the minute and new machines come in every day. 

If you are a past client and looking to sell your equipment, you can call us at 215-969-0266 and we can discuss your options.  We do require clear photographs of all equipment and components prior to any discussion, so please have these available.

Hope this information is helpful.  If you have any questions about what you are purchasing, I encourage you to call us prior to buying. This way you may know better if you really did find "THE DEAL" or if you have better options.

Strange But True

I am fortunate to work with many companies throughout the restoration, medical and cleaning industries.  Each company has its own unique cleaning challenges.  Some, however, are downright strange...but true.  From time to time I like to post these items that make you go "Really?"

Here's one.  I was recently training a restoration group in Wisconsin and the first item they brought out for test cleaning was a mounted and stuffed deer head.  They asked "Can we clean it with Ultrasonics?"  "Of course", I replied.  Here's a photo of it on the M-115 "Mighty One" machine.

The soot that was removed was considerable.  You could really see a difference in both the body and the antlers.  After it was cleaned, it was dried with a Heated Blow Dry Gun.