SUPPORT & SPARES
Between biscuit crumbs, pet hair, and nuisance bits of dust, your sofa can get mucky. And while cleaning a leather sofa is simple (just a quick wipe will do), there’s a few more steps to think about when it comes to cleaning a fabric sofa.
But don’t worry! We’ve got all the know-how to help you clean your sofa in no time at all - you’ll be relaxing on fresh fabric quicker than a flash!
If you’re passionate about gardening, then you’ve likely come across those sleek-looking striped lawns and wondered how on earth they do it. Well, we’re here to show you how.
Just to quickly note, you might’ve read up on this yourself and seen people using garden tools like a roller to achieve this clean look, but you don’t actually need one. You can easily get stripes on your lawn without a roller by using the humble lawnmower!
Looking for a fun way to use your garden and save a bit of cash on the weekly shop too? Well, then starting your own vegetable garden is just the DIY gardening task for you!
If you’re an avid gardener, then you may have your own little patch of veggies sprouting away already. But if you’re new to gardening or you’ve recently moved from a flat to a house with a lovely outdoor area, then we’ve got some veg garden ideas to get you started.
While you should take care of spillages straight away, we know that sometimes smaller household tasks like cleaning pasta sauce or coffee from your carpet can get put off.
So, with the spillage now set, how do we go about removing these stains? Well, while it may be simple when it comes to cleaning a hardwood floor, there are a few more steps to consider for getting tough stains out of the carpet.
Not to worry, as we’ve got all the cleaning know-how to get your floor clean and tidy once more!
While vacuuming is the UK’s favourite cleaning task, those hair strands clinging to your carpet can make it feel like an uphill battle.
Whether it’s pet hair or human, those stubborn strays manage to weave themselves into the fibres, refusing to budge with your normal vacuum routine.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help! With our easy step-by-step guide, you’ll make short work of removing hair from the carpet. The best part? You don’t need any fancy tools or cleaning products to get started – just a few household essentials and a little know-how.
Pretty plants and flourishing flowers might bring a bit of joy to your day, but did you know some of them may actually be toxic for our furry friends?
While tulips are poisonous to cats and lilies might leave your dog feeling under the weather, there’s no need to worry! There are still plenty of pet-friendly plants out there just waiting to spruce up your indoor and outdoor spaces.
To help get you started on your garden of dog and cat-friendly plants, we’ve pieced together a list of 10 pet-safe plants for your home!
We all love our pets – in fact, they’re essential members of the family! But when our four-legged friends are shedding, it can feel like a losing battle when constantly removing pet hair from your carpet.
And us pet owners know just how tricky pet hair removal can be; fur makes its way deep into carpet fibres, and it sticks like glue to sofas. Of course, a cordless handheld vacuum sorts this out, but for occasions where you need a bit of a deeper clean, we’ve got a few top tips!
So, from how to get rid of cat hair to removing dog hair from the carpet, our cleaning tips have got you covered.
From a quick blow-dry before work to a full styling session to prepare for a night out, heat is a common feature of our haircare routines.
In fact, our survey on haircare habits revealed that 48% of people use heat on their hair at least once a week. However, while these heating tools could provide that salon-ready finish, using them too often could cause heat-damaged hair.
To help, we’ll chat through what heat-damaged hair looks like, as well as how you can keep your hair looking and feeling its best.
Is there anything more frustrating than a bad hair day? Well, if our survey is anything to go by, the UK certainly thinks not!
From stubborn greys and scalp irritation to not having the time (or patience) to style it, we’ve delved a bit deeper into how Brits really feel about their hair and haircare routines. We’ve also provided some expert advice and time-saving hacks to help you love your routine again!
Moving house is always an exciting time – even when you’re just moving from one rented property to another.
But before you can fully settle into your new home, there’s one last (often dreaded) task to tackle: making sure your old property is spotless.
To help, we’ve pulled together the ultimate end of tenancy cleaning checklist to help you tackle every room efficiently and leave your home looking its best.
What’s the secret to getting a good night’s sleep? Giving your mattress a good clean! So, that's why we’ve put together a simple guide to cleaning your mattress, below.
From how to wash your curtains safely in the washing machine, to removing mould from your curtains without the washing part, continue reading, here for how to wash your curtains with ease!
By choosing the right plants and giving them a bit of TLC, you’ll find there’s plenty of veg you can plant from the comfort of your own backyard. For 11 easy vegetables to grow in UK gardens, read here.
Whether you’re looking to clean your vacuum filter or wondering how to clean a vacuum cleaner that smells, we’ve all the deep cleaning vacuum tips for you here.
In this article, we will talk through our favourite small garden ideas to help you bring your gardening dreams to life. So, before you grab your trusty trowel, read our small garden tips, below.
From sorting your daily cleaning checklist to tips that make your household chore list easier to tackle, continue reading, below, to get cracking on your own realistic house cleaning schedule.
From fresh coffee spills to the deeper set stain, our tips and tricks will show you how to tackle a coffee cup mishap with ease, as well as how to remove old coffee stains from your carpet.
What if we told you that gardening and cleaning burns calories - sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Well, it may actually be true! So, let’s look at just how many gardening calories you can burn, whether a good old vacuum is exercise, and if general housework counts as exercise, below.
Gtech's third generation AirRam has launched with Gtech boss Nick Grey claiming it’s the company’s ‘best-ever vacuum’. And it seems customers agree – rating the AirRam 3 an average of4.9 out of 5 stars from 241+ reviews.
From using a carpet cleaner on your mattress to cleaning your oven with bleach, we’re here to debunk some popular cleaning hacks so you don’t have to experiment with your to-do list!
For the best way to clean your blinds, the best way to clean venetian blinds, and some top tips for washing vertical blinds or fabric blinds, read our article.
With steps to navigate and wires getting in the way, we know vacuuming the stairs is one of the more taxing household chores. But lucky for you, we’ve got tons of tips to make cleaning carpet steps much easier!
From the basics like what a good suction power for a vacuum cleaner is, to the more technological aspects, such as what is voltage and what is airflow, you can explore all the vacuum specifications here.
Want an immaculate-looking hedge? Well, you may need to consider a few garden hedge cutting laws before breaking out the trimmer.
Gtech scooped two awards for its latest products at the USA’s largest homeware trade show.
The firm was commended for its new wet/dry mop, the Orca, and the yet-to-be-released AirRam 3, at Chicago’s Inspired Home Show (IHS).
Both products won the show’s ‘Best of IHS’ awards, a major coup for Gtech after a 15-year absence from the trade show circuit.
The show, which is North America’s largest homeware trade expo, was also an opportunity for the firm to demonstrate some of its other products including the AirRam Platinum, and its popular gardening range.
Nick Grey, owner of Gtech, says: “We were really excited to go out to the US and showcase our latest innovations – along with some of our other hero products. But to win awards for both the Orca and the AirRam 3 was the icing on the cake.
“We look forward to building on our success out in Chicago and growing our customer base in the USA – it’s a big and exciting time for Gtech.”
At the end of last year, Gtech announced it was embarking on a major growth strategy which includes expanding into new markets with the latest innovation.
Nick added: “Gtech is committed to growing its product range and market, and our early success in the US is just the start.”
Barbecues, garden parties, and sunbathing – summer is right around the corner. So, let’s get your garden guest-ready to get you straight to the summer fun!
However, there’s a lot to consider when prepping your garden for summer. Along with cutting the grass and pruning flowers, there’s also hedge cutting and bush trimming to take care of. And whether you’re looking at how to trim hedges, or when to cut a beech hedge, you’ll want to get it right first time. To get your garden prepped for the warmer weather and learn how to trim a hedge like a pro, read our top hedge cutting and bush trimming tips, below.
Knowing how to keep your lawn looking its best all year round comes with tons of questions. Whether it be how often you should mow your lawn or when to start cutting grass again after winter, lawn maintenance can be tricky to master. From when to start cutting grass to how to cut grass, give your lawn the wow factor with our lawn maintenance tips and lawn care calendar.
Gtech is on a roll!
We’ve teamed up with the new PAW Patrol movie, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.
Hollywood-based Paramount Pictures gave Gtech a special mission to help promote the new film which has included an EPIC new TV advert, customer competition, and marketing campaign.
As part of the partnership, the AirRAM Platinum got a mighty makeover - with every customer purchasing the product this month receiving an exclusive PAW Patrol sticker pack to customise their vac and turn it into a mighty cleaning machine.
The sticker pack features all the key characters from the hit children’s TV and film series including Marshall, Chase, Rubble and Skye.
Nick Grey, owner of Worcester-based Gtech, said: “There were some obvious synergies between Gtech and Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, since all our vacuums are built for busy households whether that’s with kids, pets, or both.
“When your own pups – kids or pets – have made a mighty mess, there’s only one thing to do… Get The Gtech Out!”
Gtech has become a proud sponsor of Sheffield United Football Club.
On Friday (August 25, 2023), Gtech announced it will become Sheffield United's men’s first team sleeve sponsor for the 23/24 Premier League season.
The sponsorship marks the beginning of an exciting collaboration that will bring together two organisations with a commitment to excellence, teamwork, and innovation.
The Gtech brand featured on the shirt sleeve on Sheffield United's iconic jerseys for the first time at Sunday's (August 27, 2023) fixture against league champions Manchester City.
The partnership between Gtech and Sheffield United will not just be limited to branding on jerseys. Both organisations are committed to initiatives that promote education, technology literacy, and youth development and extends Gtech's strong commitment to sports, community engagement, and technological advancement.
Nick Grey, Gtech's owner, said: "I’m absolutely delighted to join forces with the Blades as their proud sponsor.
"This partnership is a testament to our shared values of pushing boundaries, embracing innovation, and striving for excellence. We believe that our cutting-edge home technology and the blades fanatical support for their club will create a winning combination both on and off the field.”
Paul Reeves, United's head of commercial, said: "We are excited to welcome Gtech into the Sheffield United commercial portfolio.
"Gtech are a global leader for high performance home appliances and their dedication to technology development. This partnership will not only strengthen Gtech's visibility alongside the club on a global stage but will also enhance the overall fan experience through collaborative initiatives and matchday activities."
Whether it’s fur on the carpet or shedding on the sofa, being a pet owner is a constant cleaning challenge. So, it’s important to invest in a reliable pet vacuum cleaner to effectively tackle the task of removing pet hair.
Choosing the right cordless vacuum cleaner is a big decision and can be a daunting task, especially with the overwhelming number of options available in the market. Gtech and Dyson are two prominent brands that have revolutionized the cordless vacuum industry. In this comprehensive deep dive, we will delve into the features, performance, and value offered by Gtech's cordless vacuums, to help you make an informed decision on which vacuum cleaner to buy.
Gtech was founded by inventor Nick Grey in 2001, and is now well established as an industry leader in cordless innovation. Nick's first invention, the world's first cordless carpet sweeper, laid the foundation for Gtech's success. Since then, Gtech has expanded its product range to include cordless power tools, garden tools, and even a massage bed. With a dedicated in-house engineering team, we continue to push the boundaries of cordless technology and are constantly working on new innovations.
Were proud to be a British brand, with our headquarters located in the picturesque Worcestershire countryside. All Gtech products are designed and developed in the UK, keeping British homes and conditions in mind. This ensures that Gtech cordless vacuum cleaners are specifically tailored to tackle the cleaning challenges faced by households in the UK.
Our commitment to innovation and engineering excellence sets us apart from the competition. Read on to see why.
- Weight distribution: Our flagship product, the Gtech AirRAM, features a unique design that keeps the weight on the floor, making it lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. This innovative design allows for effortless cleaning without straining your wrists or arms.
- Direct Dirt-to-Bin technology: By eliminating the need for tubes, our vacuums ensure that power is used where it's needed most. The direct dirt-to-bin technology prevents blockages and ensures uninterrupted suction power.
- Air Loc technology: All Gtech cordless vacuum cleaners are equipped with Air Loc technology, which collects large debris on the forward stroke and forms a seal on the backstroke. This feature ensures efficient cleaning and prevents debris from scattering.
- Extra features: Our newest technology, the AirRAM Platinum boasts additional features such as Anti Hair Wrap, which uses a built-in comb to keep the brush bar clean and free of tangled hair, and Forward Inertia, which allows the vacuum to pull itself forward, making cleaning effortless.
- Premier quality: Gtech's commitment to excellence is not limited to its products but extends to we run our business, ensuring we deliver the highest quality products and services to our customers.
Now that you've decided to purchase a Gtech vacuum, you might be wondering which model is the best fit for your needs. Let's explore Gtech's range of cordless vacuums and help you find the perfect one.
Gtech offers stick vacuums, which are lightweight and designed for easy manoeuvrability. Stick vacuums are ideal for quick clean-ups and reaching tight spaces. If you're looking for a versatile vacuum that can clean both floors and above-floor areas, Gtech stick vacuums are the way to go. Alternatively you could go for our upright vacuums which cannot clean above-the-floor, but are well built to handle your daily cleaning task. And for handheld cleaning just team up with our matching handheld vacuum.
If you mainly have hard floors in your home, the Gtech AirRAM is the perfect choice. Its strong suction power effectively removes dust and dirt hidden between floorboards, ensuring thorough cleaning. The AirRAM's low-profile design also allows for easy cleaning under furniture and in hard-to-reach corners.
In terms of weight, we offer some of the lightest vacuum cleaners on the market. Just look at our HyLite 2 bagged vacuum, which is only 1.6kg.
Gtech vacuums feature "hands-free" emptying systems. Both Gtech AirRAM and Multi vacuums use a slider that forces dust and dirt out of the dust bin.
If you have pets at home, then Gtechs range of K9 pet hair vacuums are a great option. Designed with pet owners in mind, Gtechs unique AirLOC technology picks up large debris on the forward stroke and embedded dust and pet hair on the backward stroke. All K9 pet cordless vacuums are fitted with replaceable scented cartridges so you can keep your home smelling fresh and odour free.
Gtechs standard and K9 AirRAM models have a runtime of 40 minutes, however the new AirRAM Platinum has a runtime of 60 minutes. Couple that with the Multi Platinum with a runtime of 30 minutes and thats 90 minutes of whole home cleaning!.
Gtech's AirRAM upright vacuums feature a unique filtration design that prevents dust from escaping, ensuring cleaner air in your home.
When it comes to price, Gtech vacuums offer a more affordable option compared to other brands. The Gtech AirRAM Mk2 is available at only £229.99, making it an attractive choice for the budget-conscious shoppers that don't want to compromise on performance.
Conclusion...if you're looking for an affordable option that excels at hard floor cleaning and offers lightweight manoeuvrability, then a Gtech cordless vacuum cleaner is a solid, budget friendly, feature packed solution.
Staff Gtech swapped the day job for the recording studio to sing the jingle for the company’s latest TV advert.
Jenna Webb, Ellen Cakebread, Alice Greany, Tezza Williams and Liam Hughes joined Gtech owner Nick Grey to record ‘Get The Gtech Out’.
The catchy jingle was written in-house and accompanies Gtech’s new advert showcasing its range of floorcare and garden equipment – including the latest AirRam Platinum.
Recording took place at a studio in the Worcestershire countryside before the soundtrack was put to visuals put together by Gtech’s creative team.
Jenna, aged 24 and a customer excellence representative from Worcester, said: “The ad was a pleasure to be a part of. I had great fun, and it was so nice to collaborate with other departments at Gtech to create a catchy jingle.”
Meanwhile, Liam, 22 and one of Gtech’s quality engineers, added: “It was definitely a very creative step up from my usual job here at Gtech, it was interesting to see the studio where we recorded the vocals - Nick even mentioned it may have hosted Black Sabbath at one point in their career!
“It was nice to be able to participate in something that will now be used in the future to help drive the increasing success of the company.”
Nick, the well-known face of the Gtech adverts, said: “Our staff here at Gtech are one of our biggest assets and it was great for some of them to be involved in areas of the business they wouldn’t normally be part of.
“The new advert and jingle is catchy, and one we hope will stick in people’s heads – and encourage them to Get The Gtech Out!”
Gtech is not the first company to use its own staff to feature in its adverts. Halifax famously used its staff including the unlikely star Howard Brown in a campaign which ran between 2000 and 2008.
Watch the new ad here.
The Worcester News reported the story. Read it in full
The economic outlook is looking brighter again after it took a battering from the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the owner of Gtech has told the Worcester News.
Nick Grey told Chief Reporter James Connell that after 'a fairly quiet January and February' sales had begun to pick up again.
He attributed economic struggles and cost of living crisis to the pandemic followed by the outbreak of war in the Ukraine.
However, he said he was feeling positive about the future; his optimisim supported by Gtech's purchase of its own £6 million, 100sqft warehouse in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Gtech currently uses third party premises - also in Northamptonshire - but will move stock to the new facility in the next six months.
Read the full story here
Gtech's customer excellence department has featured on a prime time TV programme.
The Tonight programme, presented by Paul Brand and screened on ITV, visited Gtech earlier in the year to film its customer service staff at work.
The topic of the weekly current affairs programme was how big companies deal with customer queries - and whether they use chatbots. It was screened on Thursday, March 23, at 8.30pm.
Gtech boss Nick Grey and Head of Customer Excellence Hassaan Kassim were both interviewed for .
Watch Gtech on the Tonight programme here
The full episode is available on ITVX here
Gtech boss Nick Grey has told the Worcester News he'll never stop inventing.
Chief reporter James Connell visited Gtech HQ and took photographs of Nick as he jotted ideas down on a sketch pad.
The interview was part of Gtech's 21-year anniversary, and Nick reflected on two decades of successful business.
He said he was 'immensely proud' of his staff in Worcester who provide 'great customer service and great products'.
Looking to the future, he made his commitment to sustainability, and is working to design a vacuum that lasts 20 years.
Read the full interview here
Gtech boss Nick Grey has shared the story of his success in a new podcast.
Nick looks back at 21 years of Gtech in the hour-long podcast produced by the Design & Technology Association.
From his childhood to Gtech's early days in a Worcestershire garage to the multi-million pound business he now runs, Nick dicusses what makes him tick.
He also lifts the lid on the recent 10-year sponsorship deal with Premiership team Brentford FC.
Nick is interviewed by Design & Technology Association's chairman Tony Ryan - himself a Brentford fan.
Listen again here
Gtech boss Nick Grey told the BBC News that 'the next 12 months are going to be tough'.
Nick was interviewed by the BBC for its report on the shrinking of the UK economy.
The report stated that the economy is likely to have tipped into recession despite being temporarily buoyed by November's World Cup.
The BBC visited Gtech HQ filming around the offices and interviewing Nick, with the report featuring on the BBC News bulletin throughout the day on Friday, January 13.
Despite admitting the economic climate is tough, Nick expressed cautious optimism saying; "We're just trying to make sure we do the basics well, and that when all this blows over, we're positioned well to grow and recover."
Read the full BBC report here.
Gtech staff are being given a one-off payment of £1,000* in time for Christmas, to help with the rising cost of living.
The announcement was made to the firm’s 162 employees after the UK rate of inflation hit a 40-year high of 11.1%.
The rising cost of living which has seen household bills soar has been attributed to inflation outstripping wage growth exacerbated by increases in taxes.
Gtech’s CEO Nick Grey says: “If there is one time of year that people need a bit of extra help, it’s before Christmas.
“I was one of seven children and I know how difficult it can be to make ends meet so we want to give our workforce as much help as we can.”
Gtech joins a number of businesses pledging to help its staff with the rising cost of living via one-off payments, including Nationwide, Virgin Money and BT.
A study by advisory firm BDO showed that half of UK businesses are giving one-off bonuses to support workers through the cost-of-living crisis. The survey involved 500 leaders of medium-sized businesses.
* The payment was pro-rata for part-time staff or those who have not yet worked for Gtech for one year.
Nick spoke to BBC Hereford & Worcester about the one-off payment. Listen again here
The story was also reported in the Worcester News here, and on the BBC here
Gtech's ProLite has been named the best handheld vacuum of 2022 by experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI)
Testers at the GHI loved how well it picked up crumbs and debris and said it was 'ideal for bigger households'.
The Gtech ProLite MM001 was one of 11 different handheld vacuums tested, and was awarded a whopping 94/100.
"This handheld is a trusty and intuative buy," said the experts.
Buy your ProLite MM001 for £129.99 now
Black Friday is the best chance to bag a bargain, Gtech boss Nick Grey told Ideal Home.
In a chat with the UK's best-selling home decorating magazine, he told writer Jullia Joson that Black Friday had now overtaken the Boxing Day sales in terms of when is best to
Nick says: "Black Friday is now easily the biggest sale day of the year. With sales up to five times those of the traditional Boxing Day or January sales, it is definitely the one where the biggest savings are offered."
Read the full article here
Take a look at the gtech black friday bargains here.
Businesses can efficient whatever the size, Gtech's Nick Grey tells Management Today.
After finally generating profit, there’s usually one thing at the top of a founder’s mind: growth, writes Management Today reporter Oriana Rosa Royle.
But while pumping money into growing a business can generate increased output and consumer demand, if you're not careful, it can also lead to poor financial discipline and overspending.
Looking back on Gtech’s growth and expansion phase, its founder and CEO Nick Grey says “the company was out of control” when turnover shot up from £4m in 2011 to £120m by 2017. Because at the same time, the home and garden cordless company’s spending went through the roof to £1.7m per month.
Today, Gtech runs consistently below £400,000 per month. Here’s how Grey broke the high-spend, high-growth cycle.
“It's very difficult for an owner and the business itself to keep control of everything when you’re concentrating on growth. And we grew very, very fast.
People got into the habit of getting more money to spend each year - and they were spending it. I read them the riot act and said: “I don't know how we've spent that much money, but that isn't funny. We don't need to run the business at that level.” Fast forward to today, Gtech ran on £394,00 last month.
To paraphrase Einstein, leaders should focus on the value over the cost of things. We aim to make everything the most valuable it can be. This is true for each operation at Gtech. The key outputs for our business are the design of our products, the quality of our products, our customer service and efficient marketing. If the cost isn't adding value to those four key pillars, then we shouldn't be spending it.
£1.7m was a silly number from a company that had grown very fast and wasn't being prudent. We still have the same standard of everything. In fact, our products are more reliable now statistically than they've ever been, and they last longer. We answer the phone quicker than we ever did. It's just we spend less money on things that are not valuable.
We were overspending because things were going phenomenally well and we were focusing on harnessing that growth. But all great growth spurts come to an end. Businesses need to focus on being efficient, whatever their size.”
The demand for home appliances during lockdown was unprecedented – a level we probably won’t see again, Gtech boss Nick Grey tells Technology Dispatch.
Home tech became a priority when people were stuck indoors and had little else to spend their money on. In times of crisis – in this case a global pandemic - a clean and orderly home and garden was one thing people could take control of.
The market for food processors, espresso machines, bread makers – sourdough bread, obviously – boomed, along with that for haircare and styling appliances.
When it came to cleaning, we saw consumers focus on time-saving helpers with the purchase of robotic vacuums gaining pace, outstripping traditional cylinder vacuum cleaners in sales for the first time. Handstick vacuums also proved a popular choice for customers with sales growing rapidly.
We also saw a surge in demand for gardening equipment as those furloughed or forced to self-isolate had more time to spend mowing lawns or tending to their borders or allotments.
However, such appetite is unsustainable – commodity sales have dropped off sharply since the covid boom - and as we move into 2023, we need to be innovative to sustain growth.
Priorities have shifted and company strategies must reflect these challenges. Fortunately, I’ve always been a problem-solver; I like to tackle a challenge head-on and find solutions that make life’s complexities that little bit easier.
Quite understandably, the cost-of-living crisis is a top priority for consumers as many see their bills rise at never-seen-before rates. We must use our tech knowhow to help drive down household outgoings; we’ve already seen a boom for goods such as air fryers which are reputedly a cheaper way of cooking food than using an oven. Here at Gtech we are focussing on creating products with low running costs – cleaning your house must be as simple as it is cost-effective. Covid rendered people indoors as will the budget constraints of escalating prices, so maintaining a clean and healthy home will be paramount.
The term ‘cost saving’ should also apply when referring to the longevity and sustainability of appliances; efforts to reduce carbon footprint and environmental impact of goods is high on the agenda of many consumers.
Sustainability has long been one of our core values, and at Gtech we continue to explore materials and production methods which will create products that last. We are designing our products for a 20-year lifespan – a remarkable jump from the expected two to three-year lifespan for most home appliances. This is no easy task and we have expanded our research and development team to meet these demands. We believe short-lived, throwaway appliances should be a thing of the past – innovation must be used to increase endurance.
And while building cost-effective, sustainable products is a key priority for us, there’s also an increasing appetite for luxury home appliances. It’s a customer base that’s badly catered for, so we are developing a range of beautiful, aspirational appliances which will look at home in the world’s leading department stores. We’ve long created goods of functional simplicity and now we are adapting those values to produce breath-taking designs in high finish materials. They’ll be the kind of appliances that will top wedding lists all over the world, we hope.
Whatever the requirement or budget of a consumer, moving forward it will be even more necessary to exceed expectations of consumer experience. A wide-open market means that customers will vote with their wallets and their shared opinions.
We recognise that from point of purchase to delivery and beyond, we must give all our customers a ‘premium’ experience. With this in mind, we are exploring new and exciting ways to package our products to ensure a first-class ‘out of the box’ experience. Aftercare also remains a priority, as we know that repeat business only comes from complete customer satisfaction. While transactional online sales peaked in covid, there’s still a genuine demand for in-person aftercare and troubleshooting, which is why we are proud to have a considerable UK-based customer service team.
The landscape in home tech maybe shifting on from the one which was set during lockdown and beyond, but in terms of how innovation is used to tackle these challenges, I, for one am excited.
As first impressions go, it could have gone better: “Gtech? Who are Gtech? I’ve never heard of them!”
This is what Nick Grey, the founder and inventor of Grey Technology (Gtech), overheard a young girl say to her parents the first time he watched a football match at the Gtech stadium which bears his company’s name, he told Jay Harris at The Athletic.
Brentford left Griffin Park and moved to their new ground, which they share with Premiership Rugby side London Irish, in August 2020, but they only announced their naming rights deal with Gtech a few months ago. The 10-year partnership represents the biggest sponsorship deal in the club’s history.
Jon Varney, Brentford’s chief executive, spoke about how they conducted the search for a sponsor with “caution” and that they wanted a “progressive, community-minded partner”. As part of the deal, Gtech will support Brentford’s Community Sports Trust too.
Grey set up Gtech in 2001 from his own garage in Worcestershire and the company has become one of the leading domestic appliances brands in the United Kingdom. Its expertise is such that it was asked by the government to produce ventilators to help the NHS cope with the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, although it was ultimately stood down.
Grey, 54, grew up supporting West Bromwich Albion and was a huge admirer of their pioneering black players, Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham, and Brendon Batson, known as the Three Degrees. He had been approached in the past by other clubs about working with them and he initially rejected Brentford’s interest too. So how did they convince him to change his mind?
“Peter Wright (Brentford’s partnerships director) reached out to us in May and said they were really interested in hooking up. I said, ‘No, I don’t do sports sponsorships!'
“One of my colleagues supports Leeds and he was invited down to watch a game (on the final day of the 2021-22 season). He came back and said: ‘Brentford are an interesting club, they do things differently. There is a lot of thought behind what they do’.
“My main thing was, can Brentford survive in the Premier League? The numbers work at that level but not so much in the Championship. Four billion people per year watch the Premier League. The global reach is fantastic. Gtech have a nice brand in the UK, but we want to grow outside it.
“Lots of clubs are run in an old-fashioned way, the decision-making is appalling and there’s politics, but Brentford seemed very different. It is a club where the people behind
Brentford finished 13th last season, 11 points above the relegation zone, but before he signed off on the deal, Grey needed to know how the club would react if their best players were poached by other teams. The club failed to convince Christian Eriksen to accept a new contract offer, which would have made him the best-paid player in their history, and he joined Manchester United.
Others may now be targeted. Since the start of the 2021-22 campaign, only Harry Kane (27), Mohamed Salah (26) and Son Heung-min (26) have scored more top-flight goals than Ivan Toney (20) while David Raya has broken into Spain’s squad. It would be no surprise if they were already being considered by bigger clubs.
It is not just players, either. Head coach Thomas Frank is in talks over a new contract, but has been linked with roles at Leicester City, Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion.
“These are the questions we asked,” Grey says. “If we sponsor you and then your manager leaves or you sell your top striker, what happens then? Ollie Watkins left and Said Benrahma went to West Ham. You think it would have ripped the heart out of them, but they have got Ivan who seems even better. They are a group of people with a plan and a vision. I just trusted them.”
Grey also saw the value in forging a strong connection with the club’s leaders and learning how they conduct business. Since Matthew Benham became owner in 2012, Brentford’s data-led approach has given them a crucial edge in the transfer market. They signed Vitaly Janelt from German club Vfl Bochum for only £500,000 and he has excelled in the Premier League. Watkins cost the club £1.8million when they bought him from Exeter City in 2017. Three years later they sold him to Aston Villa for a club-record fee of £28m.
“I like the way they use data and insights — it is very modern and very advanced,” Grey says. “We’ve started to use more data in how we market and how we go forward, but I wanted to get better at it.
“They are experts in this and I’ve sort of said, ‘Look, if you can help me with Gtech, I will plough more money into Brentford’. I will sponsor the shirts if I can afford it as well and things like that. I saw it as a strategic partnership, not just a sponsorship opportunity. I wanted to learn from them and throw our support behind a really well-run business.”
Brentford’s shirts are currently sponsored by the South African-based gambling company Hollywood Bets and their current deal expires at the end of the 2022-23 season. Grey, who owns Gtech with his wife Louise, has been featured on The Sunday Times Rich List twice and in 2018 his fortune was estimated to be £120million. In its latest accounts, which cover up until November 30 2021, Gtech’s turnover was £65.1m and it recorded a pre-tax profit of £12.6m.
For now though, Grey’s focus is on finalising the branding around the stadium. He has never actually met Benham, but the pair plan on arranging a date in the near future. Grey mainly communicates with Varney, Wright and club director Nity Raj.
“Nity works in mysterious ways,” Grey says. “He is in the background doing lots of clever stuff. If he’s working on it, you know it’s important. He works closely with Matthew.
“When we came to brand the stadium, there was pushback at first and they said, ‘No, our stadium is red’ (Gtech’s logo is green). I said, ‘Red and green look great together, it’s like a Christmas tree!’. We can harmonise. I think the ground looks fantastic. It all seems to go perfectly well. We are really thrilled.”
The first Premier League match at the Gtech stadium with Gtech’s official branding was Brentford’s historic 4-0 victory over Manchester United. It was a milestone moment for Grey which vindicated his decision to leave his senior role at electrical goods brand Vax and set up his own business over 20 years ago. However, he missed the grand reveal.
“I couldn’t believe it. I promised my kids I would take them to the Boardmasters festival in Newquay and I didn’t even know about the Brentford deal at that stage,” Grey says. “I watched it on TV down in Newquay and it was incredible, but I would have loved to have been at the game. I have loved all the games apart from when I went to Villa Park (where Brentford lost 4-0 to Aston Villa on October 23) because that was painful.”
Brentford have played only six home matches this season and, apart from the demolition of United, the highlight has been their 5-2 victory over Leeds. Toney scored an incredible hat-trick and was rewarded a few days later by being called up to the England squad for the first time.
“One of my favourite ever goals I’ve seen live was when Ivan dispossessed Leeds’ goalkeeper (Illan Meslier),” Grey says. “The whole defence was running at him and he just dinked it over them. It seemed to be in slow motion. He scored that incredible free-kick as well and a beautiful penalty. But that is Ivan all over — he’s thinking on a different level.
“I loved what he said about taking penalties and the neuro-linguistic programming of imagining he’s on a beach having a cocktail. It’s genius.”
Grey says there were a “few sceptics” at first when the sponsorship deal was announced, but their “warmth grew and grew”. It helps, he says, that Gtech “have no skeletons in the closet”. He now runs a competition for every home match where he gives fans the opportunity to win free tickets.
Grey’s mother recently passed away which meant that he was unable to attend the 0-0 draw with Chelsea on October 19 but he was touched by the messages of support he received from the fans.
“Stadium sponsors can be really unpopular,” he says. “But when I’ve been to the ground lots of people say hello to me and it’s amazing. It’s more than just giving tickets away, I think they appreciate that I am interested in the football club and emotionally deeply invested in them already.
“I’m probably stronger for Brentford now than I am West Brom, because I do feel that affinity with the supporters. I see Gtech as my own money, so when I spend a lot of it I would only do it with something I really genuinely believe in.”
Read more from The Athletic here or Nick Grey's vision for the future with Brentford fans.
With so many makes and models to choose between, it's important to know what to look for in a cordless vacuum. We've compiled a list of the benefits and drawbacks of different vacuum types, as well as other product-specific features to consider when buying a cordless vacuum or cordless handheld.
We can all appreciate a good upcycle, so why not give it a go yourself? Gtech Power Tools make it even easier to expand on some home improvement skills and enjoy the accomplishment of making (perhaps) your very first DIY creation.
We made this side table from pallets using the versatile Combi Drill, and in just a few hours, you can make it too – no experience required!
The Gtech Combi Drill is a powerful tool that’s easy to use and comfortable to hold. With no cord holding you back, you can rapidly switch between drill, hammer drill, and screwdriver modes, allowing for an endless opportunity of DIY creations.
To create your own pallet side table, you’ll need:
- 2 pallets
- 80-90 x 30mm screws
- Wood saw
- 3-4 hours, depending on whether you are starting with ready to use wood or old pallets
- Someone else to hold things in place
We also advise that you wear gloves during this process to avoid potential cuts or splinters when disassembling pallets if you are not familiar with this sort of DIY.
Let’s get going!
1. Break apart the pallets and remove any nails from the wood.
2. Cut the wood to length (if your wood is a different thickness, adjust the measurements to fit):
a. 3 pieces: 36cm x 7cm x 1.5cm
(1x front base panel, 1x shelf support, and 1x base support)
b. 10 pieces: 34cm x 7cm x 1.5cm
(5 pieces per shelf/base)
c. 3 pieces: 39cm x 12cm x 1.5cm
(3 pieces for the top)
d. 15 pieces: 60cm x 7cm x 1.5cm
(5 pieces per side)
3. Place five of your base pieces next to each other lengthways, so that you create a 34cm x 35cm rectangle. On top of this, place the base support piece across all five of your base pieces, 1.5cm away from the 35cm edge. Using two screws for each base piece (10 screws in total), screw these into the base support. Repeat this for the shelf. Place these to one side.
4. Using four of the side pieces, make the outer frame. To fit the front two pieces of the frame, screw one of the side pieces in to one of the 34cm edges of the base, leaving 7cm overhang on the bottom, as this is where the front base panel will attach later. Repeat this on the opposite 34cm edge so that you now have your front two frame pieces attached to the base. For the back two frame pieces, repeat the previous step, leaving a 1.5cm overhang at the back for the back panel to be attached. You should now have your four corner pieces, attached to the base.
5. Slide the shelf into position, 12cm from the top of the frame pieces and screw this to the four corner pieces in line with the base.
6. Attach the front base panel by screwing this into the base support piece.
7. Build up the side and back panels, screwing them to the base and shelf. These don’t need to be flush to each other.
8. Fit the top. Make sure there is at least one screw going through the top pieces of wood into each side piece of wood.
And there you have it – your very own pallet side table!
If you don’t need a table, there are many more DIY creations that can be crafted with the help of the Gtech Combi Drill. Get creative with it and see where your imagination takes you!
We would love to see how you’re using your Gtech Power Tools, so be sure to tag us @gtechsocial on Instagram and Facebook, or send us a picture of your hard work.
What will you create?
Here at Gtech, we’re all about creating the perfect cleaning partners. Sometimes one vacuum just isn’t enough to do everything you need. That’s where our upright and handheld cleaning bundles come into play. Check out our System bundle or theHyLite 2 and ProLite combo, designed with you in mind, for floor to ceiling cleaning.
Not sure whether to go for bagged or bagless vacuums? Take our quiz here to find out which is best for you.
For fans of bagless vacuums, try the Gtech System. Two lightweight cordless vacuums, one whole-home cleaning solution. Powered brush bars work alongside our patented AirLOC technology to tackle everything from large debris to fine dust. Together, this ultimate duo delivers up to one hour of runtime combined.
Got pets? It also comes in a K9 variant with aluminium strengthened components for stronger cleaning to tackle the embedded pet hair and scented tabs to help with any pet smells.
Prefer bagged vacuums? The HyLite 2 and ProLite are super lightweight cleaning partners. There are no filters to maintain or bins to change, but instead a triple-filtered dust bag, which you just remove and replace when full. Perfect for busy, modern lifestyles.
Already got the HyLite or HyLite 2? Grab the ProLite (body only) to complete the set and swap the compatible battery and charger between.Check out the rest of our cordless hoovers to find the perfect match for you and your home.
With all the different options available nowadays, choosing the right vacuum can be pretty confusing. And the first (and possibly the biggest) decision to make is whether to go bagged or bagless.
Did you know that not all your gardening needs to wait till the spring? Lots of gardening tasks are best done at the end of winter before everything starts growing again, especially pruning deciduous trees such as apple trees.
Not only do apple trees look beautiful, but they also provide us with a delicious fruit full of impressive health benefits. Plus, once established, apple trees are rather easy to maintain, making them extremely popular with gardeners.
You might already have an apple tree in your garden, or perhaps you’re thinking about growing one this year. We’ve listed a few suggestions to ensure you get the most out of your apple tree.
Larger trees will be more resilient but make sure that you are especially taking care of your young trees. Try placing a drip line to make watering easier.
Don’t have your own apple tree yet or simply want another one? Plant bare-root and container grown trees over winter to give them the best head start.
At the beginning of spring, use a high potassium general fertiliser to give your trees some care. If your tree is growing in bare soil, scattering one handful per square metre will do, if it’s growing in grass, add another half a handful.
If you’ve been pruning your tree in spring, you’re probably getting your hedge trimmer or sheers covered in lots of sticky sap. Avoid this by pruning in winter before the fruit starts to grow, this will give the best crop and stop you from having to deal with all the sap.
Keep your trees and hedges in shape with the HT50 Hedge Trimmer and attachable Branch Cutter attachment. With the Branch Cutter you can cut through branches up to 60mm thick, perfect for getting those tougher branches the Hedge Trimmer might not be able to get through.
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