Bill Yeadon discusses the quality of carpet cleaning today verses 10-15 years ago as a result of improved equipment and chemistry as well as better relationships with carpet producers. Yeadon names the encapsulation method of carpet cleaning as the most important development in the cleaning and maintenance sector in a number of years, for many reasons, the prime reason being its ability to effectively clean without the need for truck mounts, long hoses, and noisy machinery. Also discussed is the increase of franchise operations in the retail maintenance sector.