General Manager, Tao Adams, shares how PowerVac continues to lead Western Australia’s commercial cleaning industry through customer focus, product innovation, and reliable service.
What is your background (university/trade/background/career) and how did you end up at PowerVac?
I hold a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia. After completing my degree, I spent several years living and working on the east coast and overseas before returning to Perth to help out at the family business – just for a few months.
How long have you worked at PowerVac?
It’s been more than 21 years now. During that time, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Sydney, New Zealand, Germany, Holland, Italy, the UAE and China with the business. PowerVac has grown from a team of five to 18 and it’s been rewarding to see that evolution firsthand.
Tell us about your role with PowerVac? What is your area of expertise?
As General Manager, I oversee the overall performance of the business while remaining closely involved in day-to-day sales and leading the sales team. My expertise lies in commercial and industrial cleaning equipment and helping customers match the right equipment to their needs. Ensuring the equipment is fit for purpose is critical to achieving long-term reliability, effectiveness and real value for money.
What do you most like about your role and why?
I enjoy working with our team and the collaborative approach we have to providing the best possible product and service offering to our customers. We deal with a wide range of customers across various industries so there are always new challenges to help solve. Over time we have worked on some really interesting projects and helped provide equipment, service and support to some key customers and facilities here in Western Australia. Some examples include RAC Arena, Fiona Stanley Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital.
When you started with PowerVac what most surprised you?
The variety of equipment available for different cleaning challenges. In key categories such as vacuums, scrubbers and pressure washers, there are hundreds of options to choose from. The challenge is understanding each customer’s needs and finding the most suitable solution. Over the years, we have built the experience required to do this effectively.
What are your main priorities for the year ahead?
Customer service and value remain our highest priorities. We have recently added another service technician on the road in Perth to strengthen our support capabilities. We are also excited about the innovations coming from our suppliers, particularly in battery-powered equipment, battery technology and robotics.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry right now?
There has been a large influx of low-cost and imitation products entering the market along with new technologies such as battery-powered and robotic cleaning tools. The challenge is helping customers understand what is suitable for their needs and what will provide real long-term value. Products that are unreliable or not made to commercial standards do not offer a return on investment.
What’s makes PowerVac stand apart from your competitors?
Our expertise and specialisation in commercial and industrial cleaning equipment. We look to understand customers and sites needs and match equipment to those requirements. Our commitment to stocking equipment and spare parts on the ground here in Western Australia is extensive and this enables us to offer second to none service and support.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned over the past 12-18 months?
Take pride in the service you offer. We work very hard to be responsive and support our customers with the best service we can. There are always challenges out there, especially being based in WA with the distances involved but clear communication goes a long way. Focusing on selling the right product for the task at hand and backing the product up builds lasting relationships.
Connect with Tao on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tao-adams-5a68a47a/