Chemex is a chemical supplier which goes to market through franchising. Chemex has been proud to innovate and supply top-quality solutions to many industry sectors, and our head office and field teams work together to support our franchisees in the field.
Our marketplace
Most of our product range is aimed at the cleaning, hygiene and maintenance market. This is one of the biggest areas of business in the UK, second only to the food sector. It is estimated that our marketplace is worth well over £2 billion. In fact, a Chemex franchisee will have the opportunity to sell within various sectors such as automotive, industrial, manufacturing, leisure, catering and healthcare, ensuring that the business can withstand any industry recessions.
Recruitment
The quality in Chemex starts from day one, when we receive your enquiry for a franchise information pack. We fully realise that the decision you are looking to make is a big one, as is the intended step into the world of business. We will therefore do all we can to help you in your search for the right course of action, giving you lots of information, to help you make the correct decision.
Training
Our training of new franchisees starts with a residential 10-day induction course in our training suite at our offices in Smethwick in the West Midlands. We normally have only two or three new franchisees on our training courses, as we want to ensure you get the best possible personal attention from our team of franchise support managers.
When you leave the induction course, the period of on-the-job training starts. Chemex provides initial training, one-to-one, in the field. Your Franchise Support Manager will teach you product knowledge, including what to use and where to use it, account opening techniques, prospecting tips, planning strategy to help you get the best out of your day, how to plan your area, invoicing, cash collection, in fact, all aspects of running your franchise.
Support
The high-quality support offered by Chemex continues throughout your business career as a franchisee. Whether it is advice on how to develop your business into a multi-van operation, or advice on what product to use for a particular application, the support will always be there from Chemex.
Business administration
Our franchise package provides everything you need to start out in your business life. We include all your personalised stationery, a complete pack of accessories (even a box of paper-clips!), comprehensive operations manual and a documented training schedule. Our mobile showrooms have a 240-volt power supply to power the laptop computer and printer on board. The computer is pre-loaded with an accounts package and is also pre-loaded with the product range. A dedicated telephone helpline is included for times when you need assistance to solve a problem with operating the system.
Insurance
A comprehensive package has been arranged with a leading UK insurance broker, to provide full cover for the van showroom and its contents and personal liability, together with product liability - basically, all of the insurance requirements to run your business.
Marketing
All the marketing tools are utilised to increase your business, from the website through to printed literature and commercial exhibitions.
On the customer area of the website you will find a description of all the products we offer, together with a postcode search facility where customers can locate their local supplier contact details including phone number and email address. Alternatively, customers can complete the online form which goes direct to their local supplier.
Chemex have produced supporting literature to help franchisees sell the products. We also have a comprehensive colour catalogue which fully illustrates the Chemex range.
We promote the Chemex brand name and your business by attending national and regional trade shows and exhibitions. Additionally, our National Sales Manager is working in the background, helping develop national and regional business for you. Remember, all business obtained is directed to the local franchisee on whose area the account is located.
What does it cost?
In actual fact, the cost of the franchise package is remarkably low at £24,500 plus VAT. We are not interested in making fast profits on franchise fees. Rather, we are committed to finding the right people for our organisation because we understand that investment in successful franchisees is key to the long-term success of Chemex.
You will need to be able to finance about £10,000 yourself with the balance available through finance from the high street banks. We can assist with arranging this if required. Additional working capital of up to £10,000 is recommended.
The next step
You are interested in becoming a Chemex franchisee, what do you do next?
Complete and submit the short request for information form or call us now, and a full information pack will be sent through the post. This will contain most of the information required to assist you in evaluating the Chemex business opportunity.
Request more information from Chemex International Franchise
Testimonials
MARK Thompson was one of hundreds who lost their jobs when the Terrys factory closed in York. But he turned disaster into triumph by using his redundancy pay to invest in his own business a franchise of Chemex International, Europes top supplier of cleaning and hygiene products. Now, four years on, having doubled turnover last year and scooped awards, he is forecasting sales of more than 200,000 and preparing to take on staff for the first time as a string of new contracts come through. So successful is Mark, based in James Street, York, that he is pitching not only for Small Business Of The Year in The Press Business Awards 2009, but also Growth Business Of The Year. The franchise, which covers a large part of North Yorkshire, supplies a wide array of businesses across the county, including local authorities, care homes, hotels and restaurants and schools and colleges. He said: It may sound strange, but losing my job after 17 years at Terrys was one of the best things ever to happen to me. It opened up new opportunities and gave me the chance to set myself up in business.
Mark Thompson, Chemex International
No two days are the same, the role is very varied and I meet people from all walks of life The company have an organized and ethical approach to franchising I knew this would be hardwork from the start, but it has been much better than I expected and I know I have made the right decision joining Chemex. You only get out of the business what you put in
Chris Lunn , Chemex International
Chemex is a long established company which has a history and record of innovative development and success and I am pleased to be a part of it. I look forward to the exciting challenge of building a successful business with the company
Tim Davies , Chemex International
I know a lot of 58 year olds getting ready to retire, but not me, I am looking forward with excitement to building a business with Chemex. This is a franchise that is almost completely recession proof, with customers who have to buy our products to continue trading. Its brilliant when businesses around me are struggling, we are as busy as always
Ray Jennings , Chemex International
I love the business. Its hardwork but the growth potential is great. I am a seasoned business person and I will be using my experiences to recruit staff and build a successful a substantial business
Steve Smith , Chemex International
With his business generating an annual turnover of 400,000 and an extensive client base built on repeat business, seasoned Chemex franchisee Charles Williams Cheshire-based business continues to beat the recession. A former farmer, Charles joined the Chemex network in 1989 when profit margins in the agricultural industry nosedived and he was unable to maintain a comfortable lifestyle for his family. Eager to re-train and to continue working for himself, Charles decided to explore franchising.
Charles Williams, Chemex International
Chemex franchisee of six years Malcolm Dixon has never looked back since acquiring his franchise. Previously employed in the corporate world, Malcolm lived a life that consisted of a 7am flight on a Monday to Frankfurt where he would be lucky if he returned home on a Thursday night. After being made redundant, Malcolm seized the opportunity to find something that he would enjoy, doing a job where he could fully reap the benefits of his own labour.
Malcolm Dixon , Chemex International
John Heslop started his career as a mining engineering apprentice in the early 70s and worked his way up to senior position with British Coal by the 1980s. Hard work and study had given him a bright future in an industry that by then was going nowhere.
John Heslop , Chemex International
Paul Torrent joined Chemex as franchisee for the Middlesex area in November 2004. He took over an area that was nominally vacant, although there was some existing turnover on the patch that became his when he started.
Paul Torrent, Chemex International