Dri-Eaz to Open New European Education Centre
Centre will offer professional, technical training designed for European restorers

NEWPORT PAGNELL, United Kingdom - Aug. 17, 2004 - Dri-Eaz announces the grand opening of its European Education Centre, located at the company’s European headquarters in Newport Pagnell, U.K. The new Centre, which opens its doors on Oct. 13, 2004, will offer a range of professional level courses designed specifically for the needs of European restorers. Initial course offerings will include flood and fire restoration, and carpet and upholstery cleaning.

“Dri-Eaz has dedicated more than 20 years to the education and growth of restorative drying professionals, and our commitment to their success is a global one,” said Jim Myers, Education Manager for Dri-Eaz. “We look forward to providing education courses that will serve the needs of European restorers, giving them a competitive edge and helping them succeed.”

As the third campus for Dri-Eaz’ education program, the European Education Centre represents the latest advancement in the company’s long-term commitment to restorer education. Dri-Eaz educators in the U.S. and the U.K. worked closely with European restorers to develop plans for the new education facility and its course offerings. The facility includes a custom-built drying room, incorporating building materials and methods typically found in local residential and commercial structures.

At the Centre’s grand opening on Oct. 13, restorers, distributors, and local officials will have the opportunity to tour the new education facility, learn more about course offerings and future plans, and meet Dri-Eaz educators and representatives from the U.S. and the U.K. Further details about the day’s events will be announced in the next few weeks.

The Centre’s education courses will be taught by Nigel Hewitt, Dri-Eaz’ lead instructor in the U.K. Hewitt brings more than 15 years of technical restoration and management experience to the 13-member Dri-Eaz education team. Hewitt managed his family’s janitorial business in the U.K. for many years, successfully expanding it by adding restoration services and forging relationships with insurance adjusters.

“Having the right equipment is important, but knowledge about the science of drying and application techniques is also critical,” Myers said. “That knowledge brings restorers control over every job, and the confidence to know when the job is done - and done well. It helps them inspire customer confidence and put insurance adjusters at ease, leading to greater business success.”

Dri-Eaz & Education
Since Dri-Eaz was founded in 1980, the company has focused on restorer education as a top priority. Dri-Eaz founder Claude Blackburn led the company’s commitment to education with publication of the Complete Guide to Water Damage Restoration. As the first “how to” book in the industry, it planted a seed for the comprehensive education program that Dri-Eaz has today.

After providing on-site education at distributor locations for many years, in 1999 Dri-Eaz built a 6,000 square foot Center for Advanced Restorative Drying (CARD) at its global headquarters in Burlington, Wash., U.S. Recently renamed Dri-Eaz University, the education program operates training facilities at both the CARD in Burlington and at its Nashville, Tenn. location - and will soon at the new European Education Centre.

In 2003 alone, Dri-Eaz helped more than 4,000 restoration professionals improve their business and technical skills. All Dri-Eaz education facilities include state-of-the-art flood structures, enabling students to get hands-on, practical training.

In addition to IICRC-certified Applied Structural Drying (ASD) and Water Damage Restoration (WRT) certification courses, Dri-Eaz currently offers classes at its U.S. facilities in advanced drying techniques, mold remediation, photo inventory pack-out, and understanding the IICRC mold guidelines (S-520).

About Dri-Eaz
Dri-Eaz provides solutions for the drying and restoration of water-damaged buildings. The company manufactures dehumidifiers, air movers, structural drying systems, and air scrubbers used by water-damage-restoration professionals and in industrial drying, cleaning, and maintenance work. Dri-Eaz works with partners to offer the industry’s best moisture-detection instruments and antimicrobials. Dri-Eaz University, the company’s education division, has three campuses dedicated to advanced research and professional education in the water damage restoration field.

Editorial Contact
Marcia Neu
Dri-Eaz Products, Inc.
Phone: 1.800.932.3030
Fax: 1.360.757.7950
Email: market@dri-eaz.com

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