Specialised Carpet and Restoration Industry Association (SCRIA) has rebranded as the Specialised Restoration & Cleaning Professionals (SRCP) following ISSA’s takeover of the industry body last year.

The merger was announced in June 2017, marking ISSA’s first major acquisition in the Oceania market. SRCP represents the carpet, upholstery cleaning, and restoration industries.

ISSA said SRCP members will have access to industry-specific benefits and administration resources of the local management office within ISSA’s Oceania division, based in Sydney.

SRCP committee president, Gidon Kabaker, said it’s time to create a new footprint for the association.

“We greatly appreciate the commitment from those before us who have made their mark in the industry and taken the association to new heights, however, with the support of ISSA, we hope to offer our members even more,” Kabaker said.

“This is the start of a new era and we are excited to see how much we can grow because we all know you have to try a different approach to get different results. It’s not an overnight occurrence – we now have long-term goals to focus on and achieve.”

With its reference to restoration and cleaning professionals Kabaker said the new association name encompasses the entire industry sector of specialty experts.

“We have a diverse range of professionals that fall into niche categories and the association wants to show support for everyone, whether it’s in restoration, carpet cleaning, textile and rug cleaning, and all other speciality field experts – all of which are cleaning professionals,” he said.

“Our members voted on the new name and majority agreed that this best represented our industry as a whole.”

SRCP is also launching the Restoration and Textile Care Wing at the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Exhibition, 29 and 30 August 2018, being held at the ICC Sydney at Darling Harbour.

This industry-specific wing will have its own education theatre on the show floor with a targeted education stream and a live demonstration stage.

ISSA oceania manager, Kim Taranto said the rebrand is a significant moment in the association’s history.

“We understand that an association like SRCP is managed by volunteers who dedicate their time, and yet it takes a whole team of people to organise an event like this, so I commend them for taking the plunge and becoming a division of ISSA,” Taranto said.

“It shows that they are willing to embrace change and use their time involved with the association to make an impact and a difference – and we are excited to help them achieve that.”