by Brianna Crandall — June 16, 2017 — ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, just announced that members of the Australia-based Specialized Cleaning and Restoration Industry Association (SCRIA) have voted to enter an “exciting and mutually beneficial” merger with ISSA.
Under the agreement, SCRIA members will retain their SCRIA memberships on a local level while their benefits will expand to include ISSA membership benefits. In addition, SCRIA members will have the resource of a local management office within ISSA’s Oceania division, which is based in Botany, Australia.
ISSA member benefits available to SCRIA members after the merger include enhanced market exposure, networking opportunities, business tools and data, expanded training and education, and industry information.
ISSA Executive Director John Barrett commented:
The merger with SCRIA represents an exciting step toward fulfilling ISSA’s mission to change the way the world views cleaning — particularly in our recently established Oceania region. We are delighted and proud to partner with SCRIA members to help them achieve their bigger-picture goals to bring about progress within their industry.
SCRIA President Gidon Kabaker, equally excited about the partnership, added:
Following an emergency general meeting on June 1, SCRIA is proud to announce this merger and become a part of ISSA. This is the step forward that SCRIA and its members needed. The carpet care and restoration industry is going through a very challenging time now, and we need to band together to bring about change toward a self-regulated industry. I believe our merger with ISSA will help us achieve that.
SCRIA board members are committed to working closely with ISSA Oceania Manager Kim Taranto and see this as a fantastic opportunity to contribute positively to the value our members receive and to the carpet and restoration industry overall. With power in numbers and a professional management staff assisting us with operations, the SCRIA board and its members will be able to achieve so much more. This opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time.
SCRIA has already commissioned ISSA’s staff to provide administrative support, which began on June 5. Transition of support from the former office to the ISSA Oceania office will take place over the next few weeks.
ISSA Europe, Middle East, Africa and Oceania Services Director Dianna Steinbach said the partnership with SCRIA is a testament to ISSA’s goal as the industry’s umbrella association. Steinbach stated:
The value that the carpet and restoration sectors bring to this industry is unmistakable. We are proud to help make a difference for companies that have put in the effort to align themselves with a professional body, drive increase in industry standards and professionalism, and be a part of something bigger.
The ISSA-SCRIA merger will include a calendar of events schedule offering regional meetings and increased training workshops throughout the year, along with an update of the SCRIA Web site.
The Specialized Cleaning and Restoration Industry Association (SCRIA, formally NUCCRA) is a registered trade association representing the carpet, upholstery cleaning, and restoration industries. The association’s aim is to continually improve the level of professionalism, training, education, and ongoing technical development of the industry while providing consumers with the knowledge that employing the services of a SCRIA member represents quality and professionalism.
With more than 7,000 members, including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaning contractors, and associated service members, ISSA is a leading trade association for the cleaning industry worldwide. The association is committed to helping its members change the way the world views cleaning by providing the business tools needed to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment, and an improved bottom line. ISSA is headquartered in Northbrook, IL, USA, with regional offices in Botany, Australia, and Shanghai, China.
