Grey Technology (Gtech)
{{Short description|British company}}
{{other uses|Gtech (disambiguation){{!}}Gtech}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Grey Technology (Gtech)
| logo = Gtech (Grey_Technology_Ltd) logo.gif
| type = Privately held company
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2001}}
| founder = Nick Grey
| location_city = Worcester, Worcestershire
| location_country = United Kingdom
| locations =
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = Nick Grey
(Owner), Jothie Walford
(Managing Director)
| industry = Technology
| products = Vacuum cleaners, floor sweepers, grass trimmers, hedge trimmers, power tools
| services =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner = Nick Grey
| num_employees = 160 (2023)
| parent =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| homepage = {{URL|gtech.co.uk}}
| footnotes =
}}
Grey Technology Ltd, which uses the trade mark Gtech, is an independent British company designing and manufacturing cordless home and garden appliances such as vacuum cleaners, floor sweepers, grass trimmers, lawn mowers, hedge trimmers and power tools.
The company is based in Worcester, Worcestershire.
History
Gtech was founded by Nick Grey, who had previously worked at vacuum cleaner brand VAX.{{Cite web |date=2018-10-17 |title=CEO Interview: Nick Grey, Gtech |url=https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/22577636.ceo-interview-nick-grey-gtech/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Great British Life |language=en}} Working initially from his Worcestershire home, Nick Grey developed the world's first cordless floor sweeper, the SW01 cordless floor sweeper, in 2002.{{cite news | title = Gtech is looking to solve the Chinese puzzle | work = The Daily Telegraph | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/8055349/Gtech-is-looking-to-solve-the-Chinese-puzzle.html |first=James |last=Hurley| accessdate = 9 May 2013 | date=11 October 2010}} Since then Gtech have launched more floorcare products such as Multi, Pro and HyLite, as well as an eBike range, a garden range, and even an automated massage bed.{{cite web |last1=Clareville Communications |title=Gtech inventor designs massage robot |url=https://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/98518/gtech-inventor-designs-massage-robot/ |website=Press Releases |date=8 October 2019 |publisher=Response Source |accessdate=29 May 2020}} Gtech has also designed several products on a 'white-label' basis for other brands.
In November 2012, Grey revealed that Gtech has been subject to several corporate espionage attempts from rival manufacturers.{{cite news | title = Stop thief! Don't steal my ideas | work = The Sunday Times | url = http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/small_business/article1164748.ece | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140505042804/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/small_business/article1164748.ece | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 May 2014 |first=Catherine |last=Wheatley | accessdate = 9 May 2013 | date=18 November 2012}} {{subscription required|s}}
Following success in the UK and Europe, [https://www.gtechhome.com/ Gtech] is expanding to the USA, with well-loved products such as the [https://gtechhome.com/cordless-vacuum-cleaners/uprights/airram-platinum-anti-hair-wrap-vacuum.html AirRAM] available to purchase on Amazon.com.
=Founder=
Nick Grey (born 12 July 1968) is the British designer and inventor who founded Grey Technology.{{cite news| url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/small_business/article510900.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505042508/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/small_business/article510900.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=5 May 2014 | work=Sunday Times | title=How I made it: Nick Grey, founder of Gtech | date=16 January 2011}} {{subscription required|s}} Grey was born in Spetchley, Worcestershire,{{cite news | title = How I made it: Nick Grey, founder of Gtech | work = The Sunday Times | url = http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/small_business/article510900.ece | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140505042508/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/small_business/article510900.ece | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 May 2014 |first=Rachel |last=Bridge| accessdate = 9 May 2013 | date=16 January 2011}} {{subscription required|s}} and attended Aston Fields Middle School. The Grey family spent three years in Roscommon, Ireland, before resettling in Worcestershire in 1979. Grey studied at Ludlow College. Grey and Gtech are based in Worcestershire.
Grey won the Insider Media Limited award for innovation in 2011.{{cite news| url=http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/53425-hard-takes-top-prize-42-under-42s-awards| work=Insider Media| title=Hard takes the top prize at 42 under 42s awards| date=3 June 2011}} He has been profiled by British newspapers,{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/8819689/Incentives-would-boost-start-ups-with-corporate-talent.html| work=The Daily Telegraph | title=Incentives would 'boost start-ups with corporate talent'| date=11 October 2011}}{{cite news| url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/small_business/article1164748.ece| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505042804/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/small_business/article1164748.ece| url-status=dead| archive-date=5 May 2014| work=The Sunday Times | title=Stop thief! Don't steal my ideas| date=18 November 2012}} {{subscription required|s}} and has been interviewed in the UK press about issues facing start-ups and his own experiences with Gtech.{{cite news | title = Incentives would "boost start-ups with corporate talent" | work = The Daily Telegraph | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/8819689/Incentives-would-boost-start-ups-with-corporate-talent.html | accessdate = 9 May 2013 |first=James |last=Hurley| date=11 October 2011}}
Products
- SW02 and SW22 [https://www.gtech.co.uk/cordless-vacuum-cleaners/floor-sweepers.html Cordless Carpet Sweepers]
- AirRAM, AirRAM K9, AirRAM Platinum and AirRAM 3 [https://www.gtech.co.uk/cordless-vacuum-cleaners.html Cordless Vacuum Cleaners]
- Multi, Multi K9 and Multi Platinum [https://www.gtech.co.uk/cordless-vacuum-cleaners/handhelds.html Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaners]
- Pro 2 and Pro 2 K9 Cordless [https://www.gtech.co.uk/cordless-vacuum-cleaners/sticks/pro2.html Bagged Vacuum Cleaner]
- HyLite 2 Cordless [https://www.gtech.co.uk/cordless-vacuum-cleaners/uprights/hylite-2.html Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner]
- Orca [https://www.gtech.co.uk/cordless-vacuum-cleaners/cordless-wet-and-dry-vacuums.html Cordless Wet and Dry Vacuum]
- AirFOX Stick Cordless [https://www.gtech.co.uk/cordless-vacuum-cleaners/sticks/airfox-platinum.html Bagless Vacuum Cleaner]
- CLM50 [https://www.gtech.co.uk/garden-tools/lawnmowers.html Cordless Lawn Mower] and SLM50 [https://www.gtech.co.uk/garden-tools/lawnmowers/small-lawnmower-slm50.html Small Cordless Lawn Mower]
- GT50 [https://www.gtech.co.uk/garden-tools/grass-trimmers.html Cordless Grass Trimmer]
- HT50 and LHT50 [https://www.gtech.co.uk/garden-tools/hedge-trimmers.html Cordless Hedge Trimmers]
- Combi Drill, Impact Driver, Multi Tool, Task Light and Flood Light [https://www.gtech.co.uk/cordless-power-tools.html Cordless Power Tools]
- HeatWave [https://www.gtech.co.uk/garden-tools/utility/heatwave-patio-heater.html Outdoor Heater]
Media coverage and awards
Gtech's cordless vacuum, the AirRAM, has been reviewed in The Daily Telegraph,{{cite news | title = Battery-powered vacuum takes on rivals | work = The Daily Telegraph | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9225609/Battery-powered-vacuum-takes-on-rivals.html | accessdate = 9 May 2013 | date=25 April 2012}} The Sunday Times,{{cite news | title = Vacuuming no longer sucks with the USB cleaner | work = The Sunday Times | url = http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/ingear/Tech___Games/Gadgets/article1025067.ece | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233247/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/ingear/Tech___Games/Gadgets/article1025067.ece | url-status = dead | archive-date = 3 March 2016 |first=Matt |last=Bingham| accessdate = 9 May 2013 | date=29 April 2012}} {{subscription required|s}} and Which?.{{cite web|url=http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/laundry-and-cleaning/reviews-ns/stick-vacuum-cleaners/gtech-airram/|title=Which? AirRAM review |work=Which? |accessdate=14 September 2013}} In addition, the Good Housekeeping Institute has approved the AirRAM,{{cite news | title = New vacuum phenomenon, Gtech AirRAM scoops Good Housekeeping endorsement | work = SourceWire | url = http://www.sourcewire.com/news/73167/new-vacuum-phenomenon-gtech-airram-scoops-good-housekeeping-endorsement | accessdate = 9 May 2013 | date=24 July 2012}}[http://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/tried-tested/good-housekeeping-institute-approved-products-2013 GHI Approved Products 2013] and the Gtech-designed Bissell Versus cordless vacuum was a winner in its 2009 VIP (Very Innovative Products) Awards.{{cite news | title = We're cleaning up America | work = Worcester News | url = http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/business/4232959.We___re_cleaning_up_America/ | accessdate = 9 May 2013 | date=25 March 2009}}[http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/innovate-products-awards#slide-6 2009 First Annual VIP (Very Innovative Products) Awards: Versus Bare Floor Vacuum]
Gtech won awards for Excellence in Innovation and Business of the Year at the 2013 Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.{{cite news| url=http://www.hwchamber.co.uk/chamberbusinessawards| work=Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce website | title=Chamber Business Awards 2013 | date=27 September 2013}}
Gtech was awarded the Queen's Award for Innovation in 2015,{{Cite news |date= |title=Gtech Joins The Business Elite As Winners Of A Queen's Award For Innovation |url=https://homes4media.com/showPRPreview/100007404 |archive-url= |work=homes4media}} with the launch of the AirRAM MK2 cordless vacuum.
Gtech's AirRAM Platinum was awarded the T3 Platinum award, {{Cite news |date=29 July 2022 |title=Gtech AirRAM Platinum review: probably the best upright cordless vac ever |url=https://www.t3.com/reviews/gtech-airram-platinum-review}} and described as "probably the best upright cordless vac ever."
Sponsorship
On 28 July 2022, Grey Technology announced a 10-year partnership with football club Brentford F.C. which included naming rights to their stadium, which immediately became the Gtech Community Stadium.{{Cite web |title=The Gtech Community Stadium |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/gtech-announced-as-stadium-naming-rights-partner |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.gtech.co.uk/ Gtech official UK website]
- [https://gtechhome.com/ Gtech official USA website]
Category:Manufacturing companies established in 2001
Category:Home appliance manufacturers of the United Kingdom
Category:Vacuum cleaner manufacturers