Have a Safe and Enjoyable Labor Day Weekend!

Two Weeks 'til Show: Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. Stand #1983

It's now less than two weeks until the beginning of the annual ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America, scheduled for September 8-11, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Tucker will be at Stand #1983 at this year's Trade Show.

We invite you to stop by and see us at our booth, during the Trade Show.

As an attendee at ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America, September 8-11, 2008, in Las Vegas, NV, you will prove there’s never been a more exciting time to be a member of the professional cleaning industry!

(Straight off the official show site)

Especially in these uncertain economic times, ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America is THE ONE SHOW you simply can't afford to miss!

From our point of view, we hope to see you in Las Vegas! During uncertain economic times, many have turned to using the Tucker Pole as a way to clean and provide services to those needing window and surface cleaning.

Sincerely,

Robin Tucker

Window and Surface Cleaning with the Tucker Pole

Customers and end users don't just have windows to clean; and the Tucker Pole isn't just a window washer.

A Tucker Pole is used on windows and glass, and of course solar panels need cleaning as well.

Like the greenhouse being cleaned in Cedar Rapids, Iowa or the solar panels and windows that require cleaning in Napa, California... window washing and surface cleaning can be assisted with the right method, assessors and brush(s) for the Tucker Pole.

We thank those facility managers and directors of buildings and grounds that use our products at their facilities here in Iowa and wherever they may be. From California to Maine... we go to great lengths!

Robin Tucker

Good Luck, Happy Birthday and Welcome...

Tucker takes a little break from work today to celebrate a little:

• Good Luck
• Happy Birthday
• Welcome

We wish Cheryl good luck on her final day. Cheryl returns to the University of Northern Iowa after working for us part-time this summer.

Ken in the plant and Larry in customer service celebrated there birthdays this week. Larry is 21 on the 21st... lol!

We welcome back to Cedar Rapids today Tommy and LaVerne. Tommy and LaVerne represent the second generation of Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. It was great to welcome them back today!

peace

How long will my Tucker Pole last?

We received an e-mail today from a customer in Maine. They indicated that needed to replace a Tucker Pole and requested a quote.

"price for a 45B B-METHOD including shipping to portland maine 04103 . This would
be a replacement for a 15 or 20 year old one" S.T., Portland, Maine

The Tucker ® Pole Window Washer Model 45B retails for $593.52 plus shipping and handling. Typically, this model would be shipped FedEx Saver for around $40.00, in this case.

I remember when one of the University of Illinois locations back near 2000 replaced a Model 71 unit they had in service for nearly 40 years. Tucker Poles are durable goods. When properly maintained, they will last a while, as this customer in Maine has mentioned.

peace

New Google Reader: Keeping up with candidates in the USA

The new feature Google Reader seems to be an interesting new service from Google. Getting on the Internet today, I noticed following copy and link underneath the Google panel:

"New! Read what Barack Obama and John McCain are reading with Google
Reader."

Interesting feature... technology is great, do I really need to order those newspapers and magazines that I do?

peace

Using a Tucker Pole: It's good for Greenhouses too...

Yesterday, we had a community greenhouse stop by to pick up the Tucker® Pole handle sections that they had recently had reconditioned by us. They also purchased some new parts (brushes) for their Tucker Pole that they use at their greenhouse.

For years, the Tucker Pole has been a good tool for those who have greenhouses. Whether it be a commercial greenhouse or one for personal use, the Tucker Pole can help make short work of cleaning windows and other types of exterior surfaces.

Sincerely,

Robin Tucker

Web Site for Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. is back up

Our web site was knocked out during the Flood of 2008 that rolled through Cedar Rapids, Iowa nearly two months ago.

We were very lucky that our building didn't sustain any flood waters or sewage back up. Of course, we are on high ground, as you can see from this shot from the front of our building on Second Avenue SE.

Today, we launched an updated version of our web site.

We have plenty of enhancements to make in the coming months, but we hope you will stop by from time to time to kick the tires and learn more about the Tucker Pole and Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA.

Next month, Tucker Manufacturing Co., Inc. will be exhibiting at ISSAInterclean North America. Our Stand is Booth #1983 during the event scheduled for 8-11 September 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. If you are attending the Interclean North America this year, please stop by and see us.

peace

Tucker Pole on Cover of Summer issue of PWC Magazine

The Summer 2008 issue of The Professional Window Cleaner just arrived this morning on my desk with a picture of the Tucker Pole on the cover. Cameron Riddell, president of J. Racenstein Co., LLC, wrote an article (pages 12-15) titled: 'Are Water-Fed Poles and Pure Systems Right for You?'

J. Racenstein Co., LLC, is a Tucker distributor with locations on the East and West Coast. Cameron speaks about the three main components of a water fed pole (WFP) system:

• Brush
• Pole
• Pure water maker

The original WFP system is the Tucker Pole. We began exporting our products in the 1960's. Europe was a limited market back in the 1960's, due to the accessibility to water. Window cleaners in Southern California using the Tucker Pole in the 1980's added "spot free" water rinse, because of the availability to cost-effective pure water brought about by the development of the personal computer (PC), which used pure water in the manufacturing of PCs.

The question is a "Water-Fed Pole... Right for You" will lead to different environmental requirements in the Americas vs. Europe. The countries next to the Pacific Ocean typically hook up to a standard water faucet. In Europe, the Tucker Pole didn't really begin to enter into the market, until health and safety standards changed and customers began to accept the idea of taking water on the go.

While I was writing this blog, I received a phone call from India about our features. Our products are shipped to over 25 different countries, often through FedEx.

The PWC article left out one area of interest, which is more unique to our brand:

• Type of Work: Above 5 stories
• Type of Pole: High grade telescopic, but the Tucker brand can be removed (sectional)
• Material: Aluminum (lightweight aircraft type)
• Length of Pole: 60 feet to 83 feet (up to 25 meters)
• Range: $615 to $890 (US$) for the model of pole
• Weight: 26 pounds to 40 pounds (11.8 to 18.1 kg.)

We have speciality models up to 83 feet (25 meters) that have been used by institutional customers, especially in the USA, since the 1960's. From short work, using the Tucker® Junior Pole Systems to high-level work. Ultimate high-level work can be a 2-3 person operation. Otherwise, a lot of Tucker Pole work is a one person operation.

The Tucker Pole celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007. We had a home-car washer before the Tucker Pole, which spawned the idea for a WFP, in 1957. Give us a call or e-mail, if you have any questions or comments.

Robin Tucker

Cedar Rapids Area Rotarians host Youth Golf event

The 2008 Rotary Pribyl Junior Boys Golf Tournament occurs this week in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA.

The Open Division is for ages 15 to 17 and Novice Division is for ages 12 to 14. This event is assisted by six metro Rotary Clubs in the Greater Cedar Rapids area.

Robin Tucker and Tommy Tucker are members of the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids, also known as Downtown Rotary.

Robin Tucker

August 1, 2008 - Celebrating my 21st Wedding Anniversary!

Robin and Carole Tucker