Hi Andrew

Thank you for summing up this discussion. Even though you endorse Nanomax I actually have found your views quite impartial which is great to see.

Mark, I think you summed your position quite well too. However as far as I am concerned you have missed the point and once again managed turn an discussion which was based about integrity and good business ethics into something you have managed solved some way or rather.

Please let me reiterate this - the ONLY reason for me actually posting anything on this website was in response to the abundance of questions and uncertainty of Tanagra that has been created solely by the launch of Nanomax and in particular the involvement of the UK distributorship.

Mark, it is clear that you have created confusion between the Nanomax and Tanagra product lines and have displayed unethical business practices. You have unmistakenly used your previous Tanagra distribution rights to actively promote Nanomax as the "new Tanagra". Even though you have stated in your last post that the two products are different, it is a token explanation and I doubt it will make any difference to the many confused clients out there.

I find it amazing that you can claim so many accolades when it comes to the hair and beauty industry and Tanagra in particular. Does the fact that you wanted to charge us for "free" marketing information here in Australia mean that it was actually free as you stated? Or would the fact you have been caught by Tanagra for trying to sell Nanomax into the Middle East region under the name tag of Tanagra be part of your professional approach? Then there is this, and I quote, "I tried to help them before they bought TANAGRA", what you really meant to say was you tried to get us to distribute Nanomax instead. And would your sudden end in friendship with the US Tanagra distributor (a day ago) have anything to do with us sending him the link to these posts? Up until a day ago you were informing him that you were coming back to Tanagra once the EU importation restrictions were lifted! Being that this is the "tip of the iceberg", Tanagra has decided not to let these actions go by unresponded.

In the end Mark we are not concerned with your business ambitions or goals - what we are concerned about is protecting the rights and the preservation of good business practices to all present and future Tanagra clients around the world.

Andrew I apologise if the above appears to deviate too much from the original posts but the root of the problem is not just a whole bunch of chinese whispers or coincidences.

Regards
Gerald
www.nanokeratin.com

Thank you Andrew - QED. Over and out.

Best Wishes,

Mark

May I thank you both for your responese on this question. I think they have both clarified the situation and given consumers a better understanding of your histories with the products and therefore motivations - which are both perfectly valid.

It does appear that the central concern is about how Nanomax is presented in relation to Tanagra. I think we may have clarrified that for the consumer.

a) Nanomax is NOT an official upgrade to Tanagra.
b) The two companies have no relationship to each other.
c) Tanagra equipment is still perfectly useful and is NOT being phased out in anyway.

BUT (and the reader should remember we stock Nanomax) I do agree with Mark that a reasonable person might consider Nanomax an upgrade of Tanagra (in the same way that a Range Rover is an upgrade on a Mini) simply because:-

a) The technologies are very similar
b) Both have similar *great* results - no research shows either to be better.
c) But Nanomax has a wider range of treatments available including hyrdate.
d) And the Nanomax equipment quality is better that Tanagra (in our own experience).

I thank Gerald for bringing this subject up. If it hadn't been for him I think a certain degree of confusion could exist which is not in the consumer interest. I don't think this is a small point, if you're business is Tanagra - it's pretty important consumers know the truth about the two products.

Anyway good luck to both

Andrew

Good Morning Andrew,

I’ve always liked Australian wines but those grapes do seem to be particularly sour down there at the moment don’t they! I’m sure people will be wondering why Gerald is so upset! And he seems to know so much more about NANOMAX than I do! Well I am only the MD!

The sun is shining, it’s the Easter break and all the children are at home, so forgive me if I keep things as brief as possible.

First of all, may I say that I am pleased and proud to have helped build the TANAGRA business and make it a success in Australia, albeit in a small way, before Gerald bought it. For instance, we:

Established a great relationship with the Australian Distributors.
Set up a scheme whereby we would help each other out when we couldn’t obtain stock.
Passed on countless leads for their market from both salons and clients.
Actually set up meetings for them with Australian salons which resulted in sales.
Gave them practical advice to build their business.
Sent samples and allowed them to use all of our marketing and POS materials with no charge.
Helped them with other marketing ideas, at no charge.
Sent them our PR material for their use again at no charge.
Spoke with Australian trade magazines and other magazine editors on their behalf.
Encouraged them to use the word “TANAGRA” rather than “Nanoqueratin” so they would have the benefit of all the efforts and considerable financial investment in the UK.

When Gerald bought the company, effectively, he also purchased the benefit of all my free help and experience, so I am a little surprised at his attitude, but I’m sure it can be put down to a little naivety and lack of industry experience rather than any real malice, commercial fear, jealousy or spite as it may appear. I have spoken with Gerald and his wife Caroline on the phone (I tried to help them before they bought TANAGRA) and I think they are actually very nice people. Anyway, despite everything and to show there are no hard feelings, I’d still be more than happy to buy Gerald a drink when we get to Oz.

I think the more Gerald says, the more the waters are becoming muddied, but for his and everybody else’s benefit, I would like to unequivocally agree and confirm the following points:

1) I am delighted to say that NANOMAX is definitely NOT made by TANAGRA.
2) The owner of TANAGRA definitely IS a chemist but he definitely does NOT and never has worked for NANOMAX.
3) TANAGRA definitely DID invent the first, original permanent hair repair system.
4) Everyone that has seen the two systems seems to agree that NANOMAX is an upgrade of TANAGRA because of the latest technology it employs and the advantages it has. When you upgrade your mobile phone, you don’t necessarily choose the same brand. Having 26 years experience in the industry, I like to think that I am also somewhat qualified to choose which one is the best. I will list the advantages further on.
5) Actually we do still have stock of TANAGRA (Gerald – want to buy some at a good price?) but we are phasing TANAGRA out because of the above as well as many other factors. TANAGRA was a good product and we were successful with it (the compliments are much appreciated). However, it’s a fact that just like with computers and cars and cameras and everything, technology is always moving on and come on Gerald, own up, if you had the choice, wouldn’t you rather drive a Mercedes than a Fiat?
6) As far as I am aware, TANAGRA has indeed definitely still doggedly stuck to making the same original formula, invented years ago.
7) As a responsible and professional company, with an excellent reputation, we owe it to our customers and their salon guests to provide them with the very best products and service as is possible so that they can all experience and enjoy the finest results.


Andrew, you asked me abut how NANOMAX came into being. Frankly, I don’t think people are that bothered as long as their hair looks fantastic! But anyway, as I understand it, the story is thus: TANAGRA set up another company for distribution for the whole world outside of Brazil. For them, the rest of the world is secondary to their domestic market. Raphael Alvarado, who helped originate NANOMAX, was a partner in this company with two others. TANAGRA started to be very successful but they were having lots of problems with the brushes dissolving and the reliability of the systems (mmmmm…..). The treatment side was and still is a tiny part of the huge TANAGRA company and apparently TANAGRA wouldn’t listen or do anything about the problems. (I myself have first hand experience of this attitude and at the height of my own exasperation, made arrangements together with Alex Silva, the then Australian Distributor, to fly to Brazil for a face to face meeting with TANAGRA, but despite my appeals, this meeting was refused).

When the distribution company put in a large order, they were told it would take up to 7 months to fulfil (again, sounds familiar) and so having helped build a successful business but frustrated at the lack of support (again familiar) Raphael left the partnership about 2 years ago and started his own company, working with chemists and laboratories in Mexico. There may be another side to the story, isn’t there always, but this is what I have been told.

I’m sure everyone reading this will agree that rumours will always abound in just about every walk of life. It’s great that people are talking about NANOMAX and even more so now, but obviously messages passed from person to person often become diluted or distorted or exaggerated. For example, Gerald has stated that the brand NANOMAX is available in the US and other European countries. I’m not sure where he heard this, but it simply is not so (yet).

I haven’t witnessed any myself, but if there really is any confusion or “bewilderment” in the market, including that caused by Gerald himself, I hope things are now clear.

You also asked me to talk about the NANOMAX v TANAGRA advantages - thank you – I welcome the opportunity. When the new system was designed, naturally everyone wanted to avoid all the problems that existing salons said they had with TANAGRA systems as well as improve the product performance. Therefore most of the new features and benefits relate professionally to the equipment – the Microsystem, the capsules, the tubes, the revolutionary brushes and the treatments themselves. To the stylists this means a great deal in terms of reliability and how much easier the system and its’ accessories are for them to use (smaller, lighter, quieter, faster, cleaner, more powerful etc.).

One of the major benefits that everyone seems to like is that the NANOMAX system runs on a rechargeable battery and is completely portable, so it can actually be worn on the stylist’s waist or shoulder. Anyway, here are some of the advantages that will most interest salon clients:

1) There are 5 specific formulas, which makes NANOMAX more specialist and prescriptive, so stylists can choose which formula would be most effective to best suit their client’s individual needs, rather than just a ‘one-size fits all’ product.
2) The application time is considerably faster, so clients spend less time in the chair.
3) The formulas feature unique advanced TCQ ionic technology for smoother hair and therefore greater shine.
4) The products are more concentrated.
5) The product fragrances have been especially developed to be pleasantly subtle and non-conflicting with a clients own perfume.
6) One of the formulas is specifically for naturally dry, frizzy hair which as all professionals know, needs moisture rather than protein. The TANAGRA original formula is principally protein.
7) NANOMAX has been designed for ALL salon clients, not just those that need protein in their hair.
8) The system has its own pre-treatment cleanser (Phase 1) specifically designed to work with the treatments and optimise their results.
9) The system has its own special retail products so clients can look after their hair perfectly at home following treatments.
10) The advanced ceramic brushes feature state-of-the-art Nanosilver technology to kill bacteria and prevent cross-infection between clients.
11) Immense financial investment, painstaking research and meticulous development have brought NANOMAX to the profession to much acclaim. World-renowned stylists agree the equipment is better and the results are superior, softer and more natural-looking.

In short, TANAGRA was good – NANOMAX is better. For more information, readers can visit www.nanomax4hair.com.

I like to think that my work time is best spent looking after our customers and promoting our products, rather than worrying about what other people are doing, listening to rumours and believing everything I hear. And personally I would always listen to both sides of any story and get the facts before committing my thoughts publicly. Otherwise I might look a bit petty.

I’m off now - thanks again – enjoy the weather!

Best Wishes,

Mark Holmes
Managing Director
TCQ Nanoscientific Limited
(Formerly TANAGRA Hair Technology (UK) Limited)

Hi Andrew

Nanomax was launched in the US and South America over 2 years ago and was present in several European countries as well (but not the UK). Before taking up distribution of Tanagra I was well aware of the presence of Nanomax, its product range and its beginnings, and upon weighing up the options I still decided to go ahead with Tanagra. I like the Tanagra products, I like the story of the way Tanagra nanokeratin was created and I like dealing with the manufacturers.

As mentioned in one of my previous posts, Tanagra welcomes competition with open arms, but I can not sit by and watch so many customers be mislead with a range of lies and false information. This whole situation is about protecting consumers rights and carrying out duty of care to the general public and our clients.

A few months ago we began dealing with a particular region in the world, which I won't specify, and Nanomax was being introduced as Tanagra and this was under instruction by the UK distributor (I have a mountain of emails that all tell a very interesting story). In business I understand people will try to get an edge and all though this example showed extremely poor business ethics by that particular person, the issue was finally resolved.

Now a few months down the track we are receiving more and more questions from our clients that are, amongst other worries, concerned that their Tanagra machines are no longer useful, and this totally untrue.

There are actually too many rumours to list Andrew but funnily enough I stumbled across this website because I saw that everytime Nanomax was mentioned you wrote that it was previously Tanagra ... I think it was originally in the biolustre post? Its easier to say these main points:

- The chemist at Tanagra is the inventor and owner of Tanagra and does NOT work for Nanomax.
- Nanomax is NOT an upgrade of Tanagra and Tanagra is NOT being phased out ... the two companies are not related at all.
- Tanagra products have been momentarily unavailable in the UK due to new EU legislation. The products will once again be available in the next couple of weeks.
- Tanagra was the first to invent the permanent repair hair system using nanokeratin and is still the only company producing the original formula.

I think my other posts paint the rest of the picture. In terms of scientific proof I am not aware of any that compares the two. They both produce great results but do this in different ways and each have their own formulas.

Andrew, from my point of view the whole purpose of this thread was to inform your readers of the situation with Tanagra and Nanomax. At the end of the day the general public and hair salons will decide which product they will go with ... I just wanted to make sure that they all know they still have that choice ...

Regards
Gerald
Tanagra Nanokeratin
www.nanokeratin.com

Thanks again for your reasoned posting.

We must remember that the purpose of this thread is to help consumers get a better picture of the 'Tanagra vs Nanomax Trust' so long as we're doing that all contributions are welcome.

Would it be useful for you Gerald to list here the rumours which you feel have circulated and your official response to each?

ie.

1) Nanomax is an upgrade to Tanagra.
not true ....
2) Tanagra is being phased out. etc....
not true ....
3)....

It's interesting to note that you were aware of Nanomax when you signed with Tanagra. I think it helps clarify your position. Is there any scientific proof that Tanagra is more effective than nanomax (intense/repair)?

It seems so far that the argument against Nanomax has more to do with it's heritage/birth than actually against it's results.

thanks

Andrew

btw: as a general note if you register with the site you can opt for an email notification whenever a reply is received to your mails (it's one of the options when you reply).

hi Andrew and hello Mark

I also thank Andrew for letting this conversation appear on the web because we are being inundated with people asking us questions regarding the future of Tanagra and Nanomax and whether or not the rumours about Tanagra are true.

Mark, I have refrained from using your name when it came to these posts and I can tell you that your amusement in them isn't any near the bewilderment we get from trying to combat the never ending lies we hear about Tanagra, and the funniest thing is that the people we speak to are all saying that they originated from the same source.

Since you have brought up the subject of a Tanagra contract, at the time of signing the Tanagra contract we knew about Nanomax and also how the company was formed and the difference in products and we chose to go with Tanagra. As far the expensive Tanagra distribution contract well unfortunately you are misinformed but I thank you for posting that information as well.

In business I believe honesty is the most important aspect to adhere to and not using "smart" advertising to lure people in purchasing products that they don't really understand. The truth with regards to the UK is that new EU health regulations have demanded new documents to accompany hair products and that Tanagra have taken some time to get these ready. During this time Mark was approached by Nanomax to distribute their product (to all English speaking countries) and has undertaken this distribution without informing the Tanagra manufacturers.

No one can deny Mark did an amazing job with getting Tanagra into so many salons into the UK but it is the promotion of Nanomax as the "New Tanagra" that has caused us to stir.

As a distributor for Tanagra to four continents around the world I am well aware of the competitive products in the market place and so far the majority are relying on their merits to succeed.

I look forward to reading the response ...
Regards
Gerald
Tanagra Nanokeratin

Thanks for your contribution :) I was hoping someone from Nanomax might be able to say something.

Can you clarify the history of Nanomax for consumers?

What is the relationship with Tanagra?

And what are those intriguing 37 advantages?

Thanks

Andrew

Hello Andrew,

May I introduce myself – I am Mark Holmes, Managing Director of TCQ Nanoscientific Limited, the company that owns the rights to distribute NANOMAX products.

First of all I’d like to thank you for your balanced, restrained and sensible approach to the posts. I read these posts with interest and some amusement, because, just like Chinese whispers, the facts appear to be ever-increasingly distorted.

Rather than add to the argument, I would just like to say that TANAGRA was a very good product for us, but so far we have counted 37 advantages with the new NANOMAX system and everyone seems to like it. As you say, stylists and their clients will decide based on the results.

I don’t in fact know Gerald personally; however, I am aware that he purchased a rather large TANAGRA contract just before NANOMAX was launched.

Finally I should mention that despite his comments, I don’t bear Gerald any ill will and I wish him all the very best of luck with his business in Australia.

Best Wishes,
Mark Holmes

Thanks for your input on the forums, we do appreciate it.

If there are inaccuracies we'd rather know about them.

I think your clarity of argument will have helped consumers better understand the options out there. It certainly clarified the story behind Nanomax and Tanagra.

Sorry about the 'axe to grind' point but it's important that consumers realise we both have a motivation behind the discussion.

Thanks again

Andrew