Service franchisees with the collapsed Kleenmaid group have been offered a lifeline. The franchisees in the Kleenmaid Customer Solutions business have been offered a future as allied independent contractors with Aussie Whitegoods Rescue (AWR ) which has bought the KCS service and maintenance business for an undisclosed amount.

Geoff Bartels, AWR director, told franchise.net.au he had been on a cross-country roadshow to explain to all interested Kleenmaid service franchisees the contractor offer which demands no fee and allows them to source other business in addition to AWR/Kleenmaid leads.

The reception had been varied, he admitted.

“We were very conscious that these franchisees were misled and mishandled. We are very conscious that they are quite understandably mistrustful of anyone charging in as a white knight.”

Bartels said the AWR business will be the only independent whitegoods service working across the country and the business plan is to bring on other national appliance brands looking to outsource service.

“Kleenmaid will die over the next five years,” he said.

Bartels said the new business model has been analysed by consultants, financial institutions and possible investors. Due to open for business on July 6, a date that may be pushed back, AWR is installing worldÍs best practice CRM, Bartels added.

Also sold from the liquidated Kleenmaid group is the EDIS business which provides spare parts for Kleenmaid appliances.

The operations of EDIS will be continued by Edis Pty Ltd, a new company associated with Stokes (Australasia) Limited.

Stokes and AWR are working towards a Memorandum of Understanding, Bartels said.