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Bill Clemens and the Legacy of the Swabby 48: A Look Back at a Pioneer in Surface Cleaning
In the early 2000s, one name stood out in the world of large-scale flatwork and water recovery: Bill Clemens. Known for his innovation and engineering expertise, Clemens is most recognized for developing the Swabby 48, a groundbreaking ride-on surface cleaner with a built-in water reclamation system—an idea well ahead of its time.
A National Stage for Innovation
The National Cleaning Expo was one of the first major events to bring riding surface cleaners to the attention of contractors. As early as 2004, on-site demonstrations of rider-based cleaning systems were featured at the Expo. But it was in 2010 that the event more formally introduced and spotlighted rider innovations to a national audience of contractors.Still, Bill Clemens was the first to take this concept into real production. With the Swabby 48, he transformed the idea of ride-on cleaning into a commercial product with practical deployment across multiple markets. His unit didn't just clean large areas—it reclaimed water, reduced waste, and aimed to comply with strict environmental discharge regulations.
Where Is Bill Clemens Now?
Bill Clemens was last publicly associated with Clean Up America, Inc., based in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he served as president. Under his leadership, the company promoted the Swabby 48 and even launched a franchise model centered around its technology.As of 2007, Clemens continued showcasing the Swabby and its green design, claiming it could reduce water usage by up to 80% while meeting EPA requirements through built-in reclamation systems.
Unfortunately, by 2014, ProPowerWash.com forum users were discussing how the Swabby seemed to disappear from the market, possibly due to patent conflicts or issues tied to polymer usage in water recovery.
Swabby 48 in Action – Watch and Read More
Original Swabby 48 Demonstration Thread https://propowerwash.com/board/upload/threads/clean-up-americas-swabby-48-video.8148 Industry Write-up on Clean Up America and Clemens https://www.worldsweeper.com/Industry/CleanUpAmerica.html Discussion About Swabby Leasing and 2014 Status https://propowerwash.com/board/upload/threads/need-to-lease-a-swabby.31546
YouTube Video – Swabby 48 Ride-On Demo Featuring Polymer Water Recovery 
Visit the National Cleaning Expo – Dallasto see the next generation of riding cleaners and water recovery systems—continuing the legacy started by innovators like Bill Clemens.