Kärcher

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

a Kärcher street-sweeper in action

Kärcher is a German family name originating from the South-West of Germany. Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG is also a German manufacturer of cleaning systems and equipment, known for its high-pressure cleaners. The inventor Alfred Kärcher from Württemberg founded the company in 1935. Initially Kärcher specialised in the design of industrial submersible heating elements, i.e. in salt smelters which were heated with immersion heaters. After numerous experiments, a hardening furnace for alloys was produced, the so-called “Kärcher Salt-Bath Furnace”. 1,200 units were sold up to 1945.

Today the family owned company, which is based in Winnenden near Stuttgart, is represented in 160 countries with 38 subsidiaries all over the world, selling commercial cleaning equipment as well as cleaning equipment for the private consumer. Kärcher involves their expertise in restorative cleaning projects of cultural monuments such as the Berlin Brandenburger Gate, Germany, and Mount Rushmore, U.S.A.

The Kärcher subsidiary in Dubai, U.A.E. has witnessed a 40% growth in sales over the 2004-2005 period. As a response Kärcher is building a modern facility in the Jebel Ali Freezone including a Customer Service Center and a Kärcher Academy. The opening of the new Middle East Kärcher center is set for November 2006.

In some countries such as France and Mexico, Kärcher is now colloquially used as synonymous with a cleaning system using high-pressure water, used to clean cars, outdoor equipment etc. In a famous quote, French politician Nicolas Sarkozy once declared figuratively that a certain banlieue should be "cleaned out with a Kärcher" (nettoyer la cité au Kärcher) — meaning all criminals and other undesirables should be removed and washed out. This comment was highly controversial.