In The Beginning - A Rich Heritage

With over 2 decades experience and knowledge of fabric care and recently reaching our 20th anniversary, Chem-Dry in the UK has a terrific heritage and the business has significantly evolved from the early days back in the 1980's.

Mark Hutchinson, one of the founding directors of Chem-Dry UK, started out in October 1987 cleaning carpets. He decided to put everything on the line, and with his shareholding business partners, Philip Smith, Robin Grey and 3i plc. Collectively they all worked extremely hard with their teams to develop the UK operation.

In 1993 an opportunity arose for a national UK contract to serve household insurance policies through a large insurance company based in the south, cleaning up after accidental spills etc in the home. This resulted in a completely seperate subsidiary company of Chem-Dry being set up to handle and administer insurance claims on behalf of insurance companies, by passing work out to franchisees on a regional basis. As new contracts were gained this side of the business grew rapidly and the nature of the work expanded from dealing with accidental spills, to cleaning up after floods and fires. 

As both sides of the business grew Chem-Dry UK and the then Northern and Southern Master Franchise company relocated to larger purpose built premises based in Beverley, East Yorkshire, where both businesses still operate from today.   

In April 2005, Homeserve PLC, the home emergency service specialists, purchased both Chem-Dry franchising companies, Chem-Dry UK operation and the rights to operate the Chem-Dry system in the UK.

Chem-Dry Franchising Ltd is now responsible for over 750 UK franchise licenses owned by over 210 franchisees.

A Successful Future

The success of Chem-Dry in the UK is largely down to three enterprising individuals who had a vision, Phil Smith (Chem-Dry Chairman for over 15 years), Mark Hutchinson and Robin Grey. These three individuals knew how to turn a vision into a national business success story and realised the opportunity for potential growth for the Chem-Dry UK brand. Mark, Phil and Robin's drive and enthusiasm helped develop the business into the market leader it is today.

The Chem-Dry business is steeped in a rich history, strong values and the desire to delight our customers at every opportunity.