Executive Report:

Clean up with Demon

Demon International’s pressure washer range includes models designed to meet future regulations governing noise and emissions. Alan Guthrie reports.

One of the reasons why Demon International prides itself on understanding the needs of hirers and their customers is that its original business once included a hire operation serving the local market in and around its base in Ivybridge, Devon. “G. Walke Construction Equipment Ltd, was founded by my father in 1964,” states Joint Managing Director Andrew Walke. “Based in the centre of the town, it sold mixers, tools and other items to local builders. I joined the business in 1978 and the following year we added another operation, called Ivybridge Hire Centre, hiring to the same market. It did well, until the recession of the 1980s hit hard.

“We then diversified into selling and servicing pressure washers. We had all the necessary technical staff and workshop facilities, and we believed - as we still do - that there will always be a market for this equipment. Dirt and dust gets stuck to construction machinery, vans and other vehicles, patios and buildings, and needs to be removed regularly. We initially supplied equipment manufactured by Wesley Group in Leeds, but eventually we began manufacturing our own products under the Demon name.”

The hire operation was retained for a few years but, seeing the potential conflict, the decision was made to close it and in 1989 the original family business was renamed Demon International.
At around the same time, a larger site was found on an industrial estate outside the town, which is its current location.

Steady expansion

“Initially Demon supplied construction professionals and hirers within our immediate area, but our geographical coverage expanded steadily, especially as local hire companies grew and national organisations expanded. Today we supply the whole spectrum, from large groups like Brandon and Hire Station, to many independents throughout the country,” states Andrew Walke, whose brother Martyn is Joint Managing Director and oversees manufacturing at the Ivybridge facility, which employs 12 people.

Demon’s pressure washers are designed for professional users and include a wide range for the hire industry. All feature 1,450rpm pumps, brass cylinder heads, suction filters that enable machines to be self-priming, intermediate reduction gearboxes, steel reinforced hoses and steel lances. Crankshaft driven pumps are incorporated to deliver constant flow regardless of pressure. Popular models include the Storm electric cold water washer available in 110V and 230V versions, delivering up to 11 litres/minute at 1500psi. Wall-mounted Storm models are also available. Hurricane cold water machines are offered in petrol and diesel versions with a choice of engines, and some models feature integrated hose reels.

Integral bowsers

Tornado cold water units incorporate their own bowsers so that water is always available, thus eliminating the need for hosepipes and other fittings. Both petrol and diesel models are offered. The Tempest line-up of electric hot water pressure washers includes 110V, 230V and 415V models, and the Typhoon is a diesel powered hot water unit, available with air or water cooled engines. Demon has also developed the Typhoon Evolution model, which has a 1000-litre water tank and an Isuzu diesel engine fitted with a Demon manufactured exhaust that exits underneath the machine, significantly dampening noise emissions, which are claimed to be 71dB.

Honda engines are frequently found on Demon models, and the two companies have worked closely to develop power units with low levels of noise and emissions specifically for pressure washers.
“We believe that four-stroke petrol engines are the only types of unit that can meet the challenges of tighter environmental legislation,” contends Andrew Walke. “We have worked with Honda to tailor its IGX440 engine for our Tornado P5.” The engine has an electronic control unit (ECU), such as is found on modern cars. Demon has developed its own microchip controller, which decreases engine speed to 1,700rpm (auto idle) if the pressure washer trigger is not pulled, and switches it off if it is not operated for two minutes. If the engine is off, whenever the trigger is pulled again, the machine starts automatically. “In auto idle, the noise level is only 67dB. We can also fit a catalytic converter to the engine.”

Andrew Walke believes that too many hirers are missing out on the opportunity represented by the pressure washer market. “The potential is enormous, and there are many more target customers outside mainstream construction. Local authorities are an excellent example. They need equipment not just for cleaning their own equipment fleets, but for operations like removing graffiti and chewing gum. We have developed our Environmental Media Injection System (EMIS) that can dispense fine grade blast media on surfaces requiring more aggressive cleaning. We know the market is there because of the number of times councils ask us if we can hire them a machine. Hirers need to be much more pro-active here.”

Demon International continues to develop its range. Indeed, it will be taking a significantly larger stand at the Executive Hire Show 2008 to unveil a new line-up, again designed specifically for the needs of hirers, and giving them another opportunity to target this aspect of the cleaning market. •

T 01752 690690
W www.demon-pressure-washers.com

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