African Cleaning Review SeptOct '15 issue by African Cleaning Review

PROMOTING PROFESSIONAL HYGIENE AND CLEANING

September/October 2015 | R46.00 (incl. VAT)

Impact of sustainability Cleaning methods in hospitals? Outdoor cleaning systems Women in leadership

contents SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 Vol 16 No. 5

Nilfisk’s suction sweeper

The City Ranger 3500 featuring the suction sweeper attachment offers impressive suction sweeper performance that makes it perfect for municipalities and contractors who need to keep the city centre, sidewalks, streets and paths sparkling clean. The unique hose routing ensures both a very high suction performance and energy-saving operation. Read more on page 14.

Opinion

Industry News

The impact of improved sustainability in South Africa Tissue World Jakarta conference preliminary agenda announced Contract cleaner nominated as finalist in premier entrepreneurial competition SETA grant regulations not valid Cosmonauts clean windows during spacewalk Bug-killing book pages clean murky drinking water

Features

Educational

FM Review

Exhibition Review

Women in Leadership

Growth in international participation at CleantexPulire 2015 African Cleaning Review interviewed leading women in the cleaning industry during Women’s Month, celebrated in August

People and Events

Goscor Cleaning Equipment appoints new GM

New ACR is now on Twitter. Follow us to keep up to date with the latest news @AfricanCleanRev Reminder The 2016 Buyer’s Guide is currently being compiled. We look forward to receiving your updated details. Deadline 4 December 2015

2015 Awards evening to take place on 23 October 2015 34

Nilfisk’s inaugural corporate golf day Blendwell Chemicals celebrates 25 years in business New committee members elected at NCCA Gauteng AGM Prime Cleaning Suppliers present staff with long service awards Prime Cleaning Suppliers business card winner announced NCCA Gauteng golf day

New Appointment

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in African Cleaning Review, e-squared publications and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright of all material published in African Cleaning Review remains with e-squared publications and its agents.

8 14

Changing nature of the facilities management sector Bidvest FM expands generator services Reserve your seat at the 2015 Green Building Convention

All editorial contributions can be sent to the editor who reserves the right to publish editorial based on the strength of its content. No articles or photographs may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publishers.

Nov/Dec issue: • Hard floor care • Matting systems

Infections can manifest and transfer amongst patients in hospitals if strict cleanliness is not maintained Outdoor cleaning systems Africa’s leading professional cleaner introduces unique surface cleaning technology

African Cleaning Review is aimed at end users, contractors and suppliers of products and services to Africa’s Cleaning, Hygiene, Maintenance, Pest Control and Facility Management Services industries. It is published every other month by: e-squared publications. Tel: +27 (0) 11 238 7848 or +27 (0) 72 611 1959 Fax: +27 (0) 86 672 4794 PO Box 1976, Halfway House, 1685, South Africa email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Website: www.africancleaningreview.co.za Editor/Publisher: Johann van Vuuren +27 (0) 11 238 7848 email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Features: Teresa Settas +27 (0) 11 238 7848 email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Advertising: +27 (0) 11 238 7848 email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Administration and Accounts: Nandé Jacobs email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za

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African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

from the editor Celebrating women in leadership Following on from the recent CleantexPulire exhibition held in Johannesburg, this issue offers additional information in the show review specifically relating to the products and equipment showcased during the three days. Many products were launched to the African market that opened the door for a number of new local distributor opportunities. In addition we also offer you a concise overview of Diversey Care President Dr. Ilham Kadri’s keynote address at the inaugural international conference held alongside CleantexPulire. Talking about launches, Bidvest Prestige Cleaning recently showed off their new surface cleaning technology that is unique to the Southern Hemisphere. It allows for effective deep-pore cleaning of oilcontaminated surfaces. In this issue you can read more about the full potential of the Biotec No. 1 surface cleaning machine and the innovation it brings to the professional cleaning sector. During August, South Africa celebrated both Women’s Month and Women’s Day to commemorate women’s achievements in this country and with this in mind African Cleaning Review interviewed some of the cleaning industry’s most prominent female leaders. This thought-provoking article brings the matter much closer to home as it highlights the various opportunities and challenges facing women in our industry. If you have not joined us online yet, remember the magazine is also available in electronic format via the regular e-newsletter. Also take note that African Cleaning Review now has a twitter account @AfricanCleanRev where you can share and follow news and industry happenings.

opinion

The impact of improved sustainability in South Africa By Dr Ilham Kadri

Our planet faces numerous challenges, ranging from a growing population, with an increasing demand for energy, to water scarcity in some regions. This places a huge strain on the wellbeing of its inhabitants. The only way to change the course of these challenges is to identify solutions that will alleviate it and assist us in not repeating these in the future.

recently delivered the keynote address at the CleantexPulire exhibition held in Johannesburg, South Africa, during which I explored the state of sustainability within the country and highlighted the importance of cleaning and technology solutions. South Africa is home to 52 million people and is the second largest economy in Africa. The country has strong opportunities for growth due to its mineral resources. Yet, South Africa is a semi-arid and water-scarce country that is approaching full utilisation of its available water resources. It is predicted that the country will have depleted its natural freshwater resources in roughly 50 years, which will put pressure on people, animals, agriculture, the mining and power generation sectors, and tourism. South Africa also faces increasingly limited landfill space, as well as food safety and security issues. More than half of the households (51 percent) experience hunger and another 28 percent are at risk of hunger. Additionally, the rate of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) is higher in South Africa than in other parts of the world. Between 10 and 25 percent of patients will

acquire an infection while they are being treated for another issue in a hospital. Improved cleanliness can help alleviate many of the above challenges. Consider that a clean environment will: • maintain food safety and reduces food waste • lower the rate of HAIs • reduce the spread of bacteria and illness • reduce absenteeism in the workplace • enhance the customer experience, thereby improving the bottom line. So how can greater levels of cleanliness and the resulting benefits be achieved? South African businesses should look to the latest cleaning technology, which focus on sustainability, including:

Portable dosing solutions Many small sites cannot afford to store bulky chemicals on site. New compact dilution control solutions reduce inventory complexity and increase operational efficiency because employees do not have to mix chemicals manually. These solutions also reduce packaging waste, which has its environmental impact advantages.

opinion By utilising new technologies, cleaning contractors and in-house cleaning teams can save precious resources, reduce labour costs and enhance employee safety without compromising cleanliness. Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide A disinfectant backed by the power of AHP will have a far better safety and environmental profile than other disinfectants. It is able to kill bacteria quicker with reduced dosing, improving employee productivity, and limiting the use of chemicals and creating a healthier environment for patients.

remote sensing and monitoring include floor care machines, automated dosing tools, laundry operations and RFID tags for food moving throughout the cold chain. By identifying areas where performance is lacking, managers can make adjustments to processes to use chemicals and water more wisely, thereby reducing food waste, etc.

Remote sensing and monitoring

Robotics

Our world is increasingly turning to smart connected systems that can assist in improved operations. Remote sensing supplies a key matrix (sometimes in real time) while remote monitoring drives provide an improved and more efficient service. Technologies that may use

Hands-free commercial floor cleaning robots can work independently and allow workers to focus on higher-level tasks, taking away some of the manual strain that they face each day. In addition to labour savings, these hands-free machines produce less wastewater

Dr Ilham Kadri and utilise chemicals more efficiently. They can also work in the dark, reduce carbon emissions and save money on air conditioning and lighting expenses. By utilising new technologies, cleaning contractors and in-house cleaning teams can save precious resources, reduce labour costs and enhance employee safety without compromising cleanliness.

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

industry news Tissue World Jakarta Conference preliminary agenda announced

he future trends of Southeast Asia are crucial for the global tissue paper industry: where next for a market that has experienced such rapid and aggressive growth? Tissue World Jakarta Conference, a two-day conference with 15 exhibiting sponsors and social functions will be held on 28 and 29 October 2015, and should provide some answers. The newly-launched Tissue Word Jakarta Conference will bring together industry leaders to discuss crucial environmental and economic factors and how this vastly important and dynamic region will continue to impact the world’s tissue industry. The conference will highlight, through case studies and panels, the importance for regional and global players to commit to forest conservation to remain competitive in the ASEAN Economic

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

Community. It will also offer participants insight on state-of-the-art technologies that are drawn from global leaders to optimise production output while remaining energy efficient. Some of the major topics impacting the region will be discussed at the event, including: • Regional market fundamentals: the latest analyses, trends and economic indicators for Southeast Asia

• N ew development strategies and the future for the pulp and paper industry in Indonesia following the environmental issues it faces • Developing sophisticated marketing plans to cultivate green consumption habits among end users For a full preliminary agenda visit: www.tissueworld.com

industry news Contract cleaner nominated as finalist in premier entrepreneurial competition

ocal entrepreneur Orianda Ntsompo was recently nominated as one of the finalists in the Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition. Orianda established a contract cleaning and hygiene services company – Orizoe Services – which provides business support services to clients in the greater Gauteng region. According to Christo Botes, spokesperson for the 2015 Sanlam/ Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition, the judging process for the finalists was extremely challenging this year due to the number of highquality entries received. He said that over 120 entries were received this year, with the majority of entrants originating from the greater Gauteng and Western Cape regions. “We find that the platform often encourages entrepreneurs to reassess

goals, identify competitors in the market place and to spend time thinking about their growth strategy going forward,” said Botes. Orizoe Services started operations in 2011 and currently employs 75 trained employees. The majority of the business’s staff complement is female and the business is 100 percent black female owned. As part of the training and development programmes, and in support of the “Service Quality” business strategy, staff are sent on training and receive certificates for various courses from accredited training institutions in the industry. As competition is rife in the cleaning industry and services sector, the company puts strong emphasis on innovation, which includes differentiating the service mix through customisation of services, continuously instilling customer-centric values and professionalism in staff.

Orianda Ntsompo Orianda said that being selected as a finalist for the Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition serves as validation that she is on the right path as an entrepreneur, and it is a significant milestone on her business journey. For more information visit: www.orizoeservices.co.za

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

industry news SETA grant regulations not valid

n a judgment in favour of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), the Labour Court has set aside certain aspects of the 2012 SETA (Sector Education and Training Authorities) Grant Regulations, declaring these invalid. The case relates to a dispute regarding the new regulations that reduce a mandatory skills grant payable to employers, from 50 percent to 20 percent. The regulations also included a “sweeping mechanism” that required SETAs to pay over all unspent funds to the National Skills Fund.

As a result, these funds could be spent on national skills initiatives that were not related to workplace training. BUSA’s attempts to appeal to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande to prevent the implementation of these measures were unsuccessful, and BUSA resorted to the courts to review and set aside these regulations. During August the Labour Court’s judgment declared both regulations invalid, and set them aside with effect from 31 March 2016. The court found that the Minister failed to consult the

National Skills Authority as required by law. The court also ruled that the Minister had acted irrationally by reducing the mandatory grant to employers as set out in the Skills Development Act. The Minister was ordered to pay all costs of the application and the SETAs now have a period to prepare for the return to the previous skills-funding regime. BUSA viewed the judgment as a significant decision that reinforced the rule of law and that reasserted the importance of workplace skills training programmes in South Africa.

Cosmonauts clean windows during spacewalk

pair of Russian cosmonauts began their working week by cleaning the windows of the International Space Station (ISS), floating 400 km above the Earth’s surface. Station commander Gennady Padalka and flight engineer Mikhail Kornienko closed the hatch on the station’s Pirs module after completing the almost sixhour spacewalk to install new equipment

and carry out maintenance tasks. The cosmonauts finished the expedition 30 minutes ahead of schedule after breezing through their first task – installing equipment to help crew members manoeuvre outside the ISS. They later completed maintenance on various experiments, photographed the Russian section of the space station and cleaned porthole windows to remove

years of dirt left by exhaust fumes from visiting ships. They developed a cleaning tool kit comprising two swabs with handles. The swabs are a kind of terry cloth,” spacewalk specialist Devan Bolch said in a NASA video published before the walk. “It’s kind of similar to what you would use to clean your car headlights, when they get hazy.”

Bug-killing book pages clean murky drinking water

book with pages that can be torn out to filter drinking water has proved effective in its first field trials. The “drinkable book” combines treated paper with printed information on how and why water should be filtered. Its pages contain nanoparticles of silver or copper, which kill bacteria in the water as it passes through it. In trials at 25 contaminated water sources in South Africa, Ghana and Bangladesh, the paper successfully removed more than 99 percent of bacteria. The resulting levels of contamination are similar to US tap water, researchers say. Tiny amounts of silver or copper

also leached into the water, but these were well below safety limits. The results were presented at the 250th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston, US. Dr Teri Dankovich, a postdoctoral researcher at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, developed and tested the technology for the book over several years, working at McGill University in Canada and then at the University of Virginia. “It’s directed towards communities in developing countries,” Dr Dankovich said, noting that 663 million people around the world do not have access to clean drinking water.

“All you need to do is tear out a piece of the paper, put it in a simple filter holder and pour water from rivers, streams, wells, etc. into it and out comes clean water – and dead bacteria,” she said. The bugs absorb silver or copper ions – depending on the nanoparticles used – as they percolate through the page. “Ions come off the surface of the nanoparticles, and those are absorbed by the microbes,” Dr Dankovich explained. According to her tests, one page can clean up to 100 litres of water. A book could filter one person’s water supply for four years.

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

feature healthcare

Infections can manifest and transfer amongst patients in hospitals if strict cleanliness is not maintained Studies fall short of identifying best cleaning methods for preventing hospital infections. In the era of “superbugs”, cleanliness in hospitals is more important than ever. However, a systematic overview of studies investigating cleaning methods in hospitals has revealed a worrying lack of evidence on the best way to protect a patient’s health. The study – published in Annals of Internal Medicine – saw researchers from Penn University, PA, investigate the current knowledge we have on cleaning methods in hospitals.

enior author Dr Jennifer Han, assistant professor of medicine and epidemiology, explains: “We found that the research to date does provide a good overall picture of the before and after results of particular cleaning agents and approaches to monitoring cleanliness. Researchers now need to take the next step and compare the various ways of cleaning these surfaces and monitoring their cleanliness in order to determine which are the most effective in driving down the rate of hospital-acquired infections.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 25 hospital patients suffer from health care-associated infections (HAIs) during their hospital stay. This figure was only updated last year and saw the CDC highlight the need to improve patient safety and reduce the risk of HAIs. One of the most notable HAIs in recent years is MRSA (Methicillinresistant staphylococcus aureus) – a life-threatening bacterial infection that proves to be resistant to numerous antibiotics. Although the CDC describes MRSA as a “major patient threat,” a study has revealed the number of life-threatening cases of MRSA declined by 54 percent between 2005 and 2011.

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

In the study, the team’s research focused on three categories: • The agents and methods used to clean hard surfaces. • The approaches available to monitor the effectiveness of cleaning. • The systems-level factors needed for cleaning and monitoring to be successful.

outcome, including bacteria burden and colony counts. There were very few comparative effectiveness studies and even fewer that measured the outcomes of the most interest to patients. Less than 35 percent of studies reported on patient-centered outcomes, such as HAI rates. In addition, only five of the

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 25 hospital patients suffer from health care-associated infections (HAIs) during their hospital stay. Researchers also conducted interviews with a number of national experts. Less than 35 percent of studies focused on patient outcomes. A total of 80 studies published between 1998 and 2014 were identified and analysed, made up of 76 primary studies and four systematic reviews. It was found the majority of studies included in the review largely focused on the before and after results of experiments using a single agent. More than 65 percent of studies focused on surface contamination as the primary

studies were randomised controlled trials. Many experts also believed that only half of the surfaces in a patient’s room are typically disinfected during cleaning. Researchers were able to identify several studies that showed how the rates of the HAI Clostridium difficile fell with the use of bleach-based disinfectants. C. difficile is a common cause of gastrointestinal infections acquired in hospitals and can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. According to the CDC, almost half a

feature healthcare

Other areas of focus include the need to identify high-touch surfaces that confer the greater risk of infection and the development of standard thresholds for defining cleanliness. million cases of infections were caused by C. difficile in 2011. Of these, 29 000 cases were fatal, with patients passing away within 30 days of the initial diagnosis. The research team also found six studies that implemented various cleaning wipes moistened with hydrogen peroxide and other chemicals were effective and achieved a sustained reduction in HAIs. Other more experimental cleaning methods were explored in 17 studies that analysed “no-touch”, meaning to clean hard surfaces, including the use of ultraviolet light or hydrogen peroxide vapour, which all reported positive findings. The use of enhanced copper coatings in hospital rooms was also found to help kill bacteria and reduce the risk of infections. The study highlighted several areas for future research, including the need to investigate the effectiveness of new technologies and approaches. Other areas of focus include the need to identify high-touch surfaces that confer the greater risk of infection and the development of standard thresholds for defining cleanliness. In the authors’ insight video, study author Dr Craig A Umscheid, assistant professor of medicine and epidemiology, hopes this review will register the importance of hospital cleanliness: “Many of my colleagues do not necessarily have an appreciation for the complexity of environmental cleaning in hospitals. My hope would be reviewing this article would help them have a better understanding of those approaches.” According to the most recent statistics provided by the CDC, there were an estimated 722 000 cases of HAIs in US acute care hospitals in 2011, with 75 000 deaths as a result.

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

educational

Africa’s leading professional cleaner introduces unique surface cleaning technology The Biotec is a phenomenal cleaning machine that provides effective deep-pore cleaning of oil contaminated surfaces at low cost in minimal time. The scrub-suction technique requires very low water consumption, which results in low waste volumes and consequently low waste disposal costs.

John van Deventer (left) and Gavin Herold.

hen Bidvest Managed Solutions (BMS) CEO Johan du Toit visited a cleaning technology trade show in The Netherlands last year, he came across what can be regarded as the most advanced large surface area cleaning technology currently available. Following a visit to the Nilfisk manufacturing and demonstration facility he realised the full potential of the Biotec No. 1 surface cleaning machine, as well as the enormous advantages it could offer to Bidvest Prestige Cleaning’s current service offering as professional cleaning market leaders in South Africa. Subsequent to discussions with Nilfisk SA, the wheels were set in motion to introduce the Biotec technology into the local market. During July 2015, Bidvest Prestige Cleaning became the proud owner of the first Biotec in the southern

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

hemisphere – the first machine offering this advanced technology unit to be acquired by a contract cleaning company outside of Europe. African Cleaning Review Editor Johann van Vuuren visited a distribution facility together with Bidvest Prestige Cleaning’s General Manager, John van Deventer and Nilfisk SA General Manager, Gavin Herold, to witness the machine in action for the first time. The Biotec is a phenomenal cleaning machine that provides effective deep-pore cleaning of oil contaminated surfaces at low cost in minimal time. The scrub-suction technique requires very low water consumption, which results in low waste volumes and consequently low waste disposal costs. The integrated recycling system allows the solution water to be re-used up to three times, depending on the contamination grade.

A specially designed, water based solution is permanently heated by a high efficiency heat exchanger placed in the exhaust system of the engine. This system provides hot water at approximately 65–70 °C in a matter of seconds without incurring any further heating costs. Operating the Biotec No. 1 is possible even at temperatures below -15 °C, effectively making the system winter proof. The machine is German DWA M-715 and RALGGVU LKM certified. Both certifications have been achieved with almost 100 percent restoration of the skid resistance of the surface cleaned with this technology. The maximum surface restoring result can be achieved in combination with a specially developed detergent called “Biolex”. This surface cleaner is approved for use on asphalt roadways and is biodegradable. Different types of special detergents for use on road surfaces for other types of contamination are also available.

educational Biotec No. 1 features: • A sweeping mechanism with a cylindrical main broom, a working width of 1.5 metres and a side broom for cleaning bulk materials, such as oil binders, soil, glass, etc. The hydraulic-operated hopper, with a volume of 454 litres, can be emptied up to a height of 1.52 metres. • A heated cleaning solution prespraying system, with individual nozzle and dosing control and a stainless steel tank with a capacity of 75 litres. In combination with scrub-suction and high pressure techniques, this system allows for adequate reaction time before

the emulsion is recovered by the powerful vacuum system and squeegee. • The road surface conserving scrubsuction technique, which uses hot water at a temperature of up to 65–70 °C, with “no-tool” gimbal mounted scrub brushes able to perform scrub-pressure on up to 272 kg and a working width of 1.5 metres. The rotation direction can be changed. The side broom has it own pre-spraying nozzle, which allows a total water consumption of only 6.5 litres per minute, depending on the degree of contamination and the medium. It can be recycled up to three times within the machine.

• A n additional hot water, high pressure spraying arch with four wide-jet nozzles for the removal of extreme contamination, featuring a working width of 1.5 metres, vacuum aspiration and water consumption of approximately 17 litres per minute. • An additional push-fit handheld lance, with a 15 metre hose on an automatic hose drum for cleaning vertical contamination (e.g. crash barriers), or other areas inaccessible for the machine. • A hand-held high pressure lance with a 15 metre hose on an automatic stainless steel hose reel, which offers vertical contamination cleaning (e.g. crash barriers).

Hand held vacuumised power scrubber.

Colour of water discharge says it all.

Before (left) and after effect.

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

educational • A high-pressure vacuumised handheld power scrubber for cleaning other surfaces not reachable by the machine. • A swivelling squeegee that offers perfect pick up of the emulsion, leaving a safe and dry surface.

Leading technology John van Deventer commented on the Biotec’s performance, “The cleaning industry is a very competitive market; therefore as market leaders, we are continuously looking for new technology and techniques that will keep us ahead of the competition. As you can see from the results, the Biotec offers exactly what we were looking for to provide our clients with a new level of cleaning on outside areas, compared to normal brush pressure from an auto scrubber. The main advantages are the high pressure and the heated water cleaning system that offers a far deeper clean.”

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

The Biotec is extremely effective for use in large outside areas, such as loading bays and parking areas, but can also be used within large warehouses. It can also be moved between sites as it is driven onto a trailer manufactured locally by Nilfisk. To an extent the Biotec will remove oil and diesel from most surfaces, but mostly we have to deal with the carbon build up from trucks and it has proved to be most efficient in performing this task. As it offers such a deep penetrating high pressure clean, it will clean just about anything. Obviously where oil and diesel spills have been left unattended, it will take more than just one clean and with its wide cleaning path it will get the job done much more quickly.

Impact on the environment “The chemicals used with the Biotec are performance tested and completely environmentally friendly to water; the consumption is minimal due to recycling. We were looking for a

system that cleans effectively and is environmentally friendly, I believe this system ticks both boxes,” said John.

Flexibility in use Nilfisk SA’s Gavin Herold described the significance of introducing the Biotec to the SA industry: “It can be best described as new innovative technology that is able to provide deep cleaning of large areas, such as airports, large paved areas, distribution centres and even roads. The Biotec’s flexibility means that it does not always have to provide a deep cleaning solution – it also has a sweeping function and a scrubber function, which differentiates it from other equipment (because of the 340 bar hot water, high pressure feature). This machine is indeed a base for multiple functions that perform detailed work with quick turnaround schedules. It incorporates the four main elements that allow for efficient cleaning, namely time, temperature, mechanical and chemical action.”

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

feature outdoor cleaning systems

Outdoor cleaning systems It is a well-known fact that ride-on sweepers have become the norm in Europe and other countries around the world, where these multi-purpose machines are used to clean roads, pedestrian walkways and other outdoor areas. However, the main driver for this is the high cost of labour. The reality in South Africa is that the demand for mechanisation is growing and, therefore, if we work out a unique balance between the use of manual labour and the use of these very effective sweeping machines, we will have a cost-effective solution for cleaning away dirt and debris from larger outdoor areas.

hen it comes to large rideon sweepers, the choice is fairly limited in South Africa and due to cost and application several factors have to be taken into consideration prior to making an informed decision. The main benefit is that ride-on sweepers offer productivity benefits over walk-behinds. Ride-on sweepers offering the same working width as a walk-behind machine tend to be 40 to 60 percent more productive. Issues, such as fatigue, backache and respiratory problems are eradicated because the operator can sit down in a closed cabin, which even contains refinements, such as air conditioning, heating, power steering, low noise and various safety features that make these sweepers effective to operate in hostile environments and in the most extreme weather conditions.

In this article African Cleaning Review takes a closer look at some of the best-known models available on the market to give readers a broad perspective of these unsung heroes of outdoor surface cleaning.

Nilfisk City Ranger 3500 The City Ranger 3500 featuring the suction sweeper attachment offers impressive suction sweeper performance that makes it perfect for municipalities and contractors who need to keep the city centre, sidewalks, streets and paths sparkling clean. The unique hose routing ensures both a very high suction performance and energy-saving operation. Both brushes on the Ranger can be used independently. This high manoeuvrability allows the operator

to easily sweep around pylons, street furniture and in car parks. The operator can adjust the sweeping speed, as well as the water quantity for damping. The brush pressure on the ground can be adjusted, ensuring low operating costs and guaranteeing spotless results due to the vertical and horizontal ground following. The system allows operation with a sweeping width of 2.40 metres, while sucking up all the waste.

Features • I ndividually adjustable front brushes that can be run in and out, and dust control in the form of four water nozzles positioned on the brushes. • 1.6 metre high dump for emptying into different containers. • Wander hose to remove sediment in cleaning wells, etc. • Large hopper capacity of 1.4 m³. • Variable sweeping width from 1.3 metres to 3.1 metres. • The vacuum nozzle manufactured from highly resistant steel. • Vacuum nozzle width 740 mm for large waste featuring four roulette wheels. • Straight pipe connected to hopper on the rear. • Stainless steel hopper. • Payload of 1 200 kg. • Optional 90 bar high-pressure cleaner, spray gun and 210 litre tank. Left: The Nilfisk City Ranger 3500

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

feature outdoor cleaning systems The main benefit is that ride-on sweepers offer productivity same working width as a walk-behind machine tend to be

The filter system shakes forcefully, which ensures the separation of powders within the waste container. Accordingly, this reduces the need for periodic cleaning.

40 to 60 percent more productive. Issues, such as fatigue,

Sweeping width:

benefits over walk-behinds. Ride-on sweepers offering the

backache and respiratory problems are eradicated because the operator can sit down in a closed cabin... The Ranger is equipped with a water recycling system, radically decreasing water consumption and extending operating time between each water supply. The capacity is naturally variable according to the type of dirt. Two hydraulic spindles control the emptying of the tank, performed securely from the cabin. The optional wander hose, perfectly embodied inside the vehicle body, can unblock sewers, suck up leaves, empty trash cans and clear other waste.

Sweeping width: • W ith two brushes – adjustable from 1 300 mm to 2 400 mm • With three brushes – 3 100 mm

Features • C ollection at high speed up to 20 km/h with lower cost per km swept. • Collection of various types of bulky debris, such as bottles, boxes, stones, etc. without having to stop for a manual picking. • The load capacity of the waste container allows for maximum running time prior to discharge. • Filtering of fine powders and dust up to a few microns, thereby only releasing clean air into the atmosphere. • Limited water usage (a valuable resource). • Noise values are limited due to the location of fans within an insulated compartment.

ISAL 6000 On the Road sweeper Dust and debris collection

The ISAL 6000 road sweeper features a mechanical and vacuum surface cleaning system whereby debris is collected by the side brushes and moved to the centre of the sweeper, where a cylindrical brush rotating at high speed projects it onto a vertical conveyor. Because of the vacuum created within the waste container by intake fans dust is sucked and retained in the container with the assistance of a fabric particle filter system. The side brushes feature a water spraying system to minimise dust on the outside of the sweeper.

Dust and light particles, elevated by the central cylindrical brush, are aspirated through a vacuum created in the container by two fans, hydraulically controlled, at high speed and then retained in the bag filter positioned in the container. The bag filter is manufactured from polyester fabric, which features a large surface area that allows for prolonged use without clogging. A filter shaker operated directly from the driver’s seat reduces the need for periodic cleaning. The bag filter, made in polyester fabric, has a large surface area of 26 m2, which allows long hours of use without clogging. Its filtering capacity, of approximately three microns, ensures that only clean air is released into the environment. A special optional green filter can grant a filter capacity of one micron. There is also a filter shaking system. The system can be operated directly from the driving seat. It is hydraulically commanded before the exhaust phase.

• Main brush only – 1 320 mm • Main brush, right and left side brushes – 2 600 mm • Main brush, right and left side brushes plus 3rd brush – 3 500 mm

MACRO Smart Machines

The MACRO M60 heavy duty road sweeper is a new entrant to the local market and is available from Goscor Cleaning Equipment. It is a highperforming mechanical suction sweeper featuring a six cubic metre hopper that allows for superb sweeping in both urban and industrial areas. Its PM 10 large surface filters allows for dust-free operation under the dirtiest conditions. Waste is collected through mechanical action created by the side and central brushes and the vertical loading container. The suction function is aimed at capturing the dust as soon as it is raised off the floor. The road sweeper features CANBUS (Controller Area Network Bus), an advanced system that connects all modules throughout the machine in order to ensure they work together, effectively and efficiently.

Sweeping width: • With central roll brush – 1 300 mm • With central roll brush and right hand side brush – 2 000 mm • With central roll brush and two side brushes (standard) – 2 700 mm • With central roll brush, two side brushes and a third front brush (optional) – 3 600 mm

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

facilities management review

Changing nature of the facilities management sector Over the years, the Facilities Management (FM) sector has changed exponentially, from a cleaning and handyman service offering to an organisational change catalyst where it influences organisational culture to business growth. Martijn Drost

ccording to Katlego Maribe, Portfolio Director at Broll Facilities Management, FM services are no longer seen as a procurement process but has matured and is now accepted as part of the partnership relationship by investors and occupiers. Maribe explains that with high energy costs and a move towards green building and sustainability, facilities management now influences investor strategies. In essence, he says sustainability from a facilities management perspective refers to the balance between the environment in which a business operates and business growth. This he says is evident when facilities management is involved from the infrastructure design phase until the disposal phase, as result, influencing the return of investment for investors, says Maribe. According to Martijn Drost, FM Operations Director, Netherlands CBRE, the facilities management function can influence investor strategies by identifying future locations (in the case of existing property) that are already LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design), BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) or Green Star certified, or that can become certified without having to invest excessive amounts of money. Drost notes that if the choice is to develop a new building, the added value can be found in professional advice on the design (interior, exterior,

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

installations) of the building to become a green building from the start. The long-term reduction in energy and resource consumption compared to non-green buildings will contribute to the profit of the investor/company. “Together with the benefit for our planet and the people living on it, we can speak about the positive influence of the triple bottom line and build towards a sustainable future,” says Drost. Speaking from a global perspective, Drost says in the past five years, there has been a major shift in the sector from subcontracting individual services to specialist single service suppliers, via the subcontracting of bundled services towards a model of outsourcing the full FM spectrum to a single supplier. The total FM provider will, to a larger or lesser extent, selfdeliver the outsourced services. “We believe that the added value of the FM service offering is moving more towards a fully-integrated service model, thinking beyond ‘the building’ and beyond the specific services offered by the FM division. Facilities Management is increasingly critical to overall corporate growth by creating interconnected value between people, place and property,” says Drost. Locally and globally, investors and occupiers take certain important factors into consideration when approaching sustainability in the buildings they buy or rent. In South Africa and Africa, Maribe says they look at the organisation’s reputation (emphasis on core values), sustainability leadership (have

dedicated key people who drive sustainability within the organisation and the occupied/owned building) and return on investment, as this is ultimately the reason they invest in buying buildings. Drost says investors and occupiers are now making sustainability part of the strategic agenda of the company. They also partner with corporate real estate services and FM service providers as these providers are able and committed to drive the sustainability agenda for the full life cycle of the property. The implementation of programmes and building designs that positively influence the way of working for the end user of the building, is also seen as important by investors and occupiers, says Drost. He notes that with growth in FM services, they are seeing acceleration in outsourcing with greater aggregation (scope and geography) as companies look for interconnected value: people, place and property. Investors and occupiers seek sustainable reduction in costs and this drives a need for real understanding of service delivery mechanisms and cost levers. This stresses the need for up-to-date and factual data to base decisions on. “Greater expectations around risk transfer and acceptance of liabilities, which is out of proportion to returns, for example, means large occupiers of space now shift more risk to the service provider. As a result, while the risks are high, the returns are not keeping up,” adds Drost.

facilities management review

Bidvest FM expands generator services

ith power outages and the ongoing electricity supply challenges, Bidvest Facilities Management (previously Total Facilities Management Company) has launched its mobile generator services to a broader market. The company has over 12 years’ expertise in supplying mobile generators to remote locations, with dedicated teams supporting the provision and maintenance of these services in emergencies. Derek Jack, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at the company, says that their large range of environmentallyfriendly and super silent generators with full backup support on servicing, maintenance and re-fuelling will go a long way to bring peace-of-mind to small to large organisations during an emergency or crisis situation. “We also provide long-term generator solutions to new and re-structured building sites until such

time as full power can be provided by the city council,” he adds. Bidvest Facilities Management has a large stockholding of mobile generators at various capacities, which can be provided nationwide on a 24 x 7 basis including during emergencies. The new generation of environmentally friendly, low noise (super silent) generator equipment is installed and managed in line with best practice procedures by skilled and experienced technicians. Mobile browsers are used for carrying diesel fuel countrywide, even to the remotest places. Jack adds that refuelling and service take place with UPS backup, resulting in no downtime of clients’ power resources. “We have conducted extensive training with our qualified and highly skilled staff to install suitable generator solutions for each customer, ensuring that preventative measures are in place

for switch-over with electricity providers. Coupled with this, we provide education and knowledge transfer of power capabilities to our customers’ staff on an ongoing basis,” said Derek. On 1 July 2015, Bidvest Facilities Management rebranded from Total Facilities Management Company (TFMC) to its current name as part of a growth strategy in line with the Bidvest Group. The company, which is well known for its end-to-end total facilities management services, is seen as a key driver of growth in Bidvest’s Services Division. With this rebranding, Bidvest Facilities Management is refocusing and expanding its offering by unbundling its integrated facilities management package to provide additional, individual, customised solutions to a wider business market. For more information, visit www.bidvestfacilitiesmanagement.co.za.

Reserve your seat at the 2015 Green Building Convention

eading the movement for a greener built environment in Africa, the Green Building Council of South Africa’s (GBCSA) Annual Convention is scheduled to take place in Cape Town from 2 to 6 November this year. The convention will go beyond simply finding ways to cope with the country’s current energy crisis, and help move South Africa towards more innovation

and future-orientated thinking to “Inspire Better Buildings”. Anyone who wants to effect environmental transformation in Africa’s built environment should be there. Sponsored by Property Finance at Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking, and one of the highlights on the South African property and sustainability calendar, the Green

Building Convention is highly regarded as the event where experts and decision makers gather to effect environmental transformation in the built environment within the African region. Brian Wilkinson, CEO of the GBCSA says in addition to inspiring delegates on the broader subject of sustainability, the convention also aims to provide a forum in the South African property sector to discuss current trends, share knowledge and engage in compelling debate to make a difference to the way we do business in the built environment. “Buildings are the key to a cleaner and greener future and delegates are invited to join in working towards a better future. Building green is an opportunity to use resources efficiently and address climate change while creating healthier and more productive environments for people and communities. We need to make a change,” says Wilkinson. For more information visit: www.greenbuildingconvention.org.za

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

Reliable and affordable ride-on sweeper/scrubber technology

FS100D

FSR

MG85

The FS100D is an industrial sweeper, with a debris hopper capacity of over 400 litres and a sweeping width put to 1.4 metres with the side brooms. It has a dust filter equivalent to 10 m2 with its own in-use cleaning ability. It also vacuums the air through the filter so no dust is returned into the environment, making it a very capable machine in the most extreme and dusty conditions. It has a hydraulic lifting mechanism to empty the hopper, with a lift height of 1.5 metres. This sweeper is suitable for removing even the most resistant dirt from both indoor and outdoor surfaces (large warehouses, car parks and large public areas) of more than 40 000 m2.

The FSR is the latest in the range for compact ride on sweepers, it is available in both battery or in a hybrid petrol/battery version to allow for use both indoors and outdoors. While running on petrol it charges the battery for use later; this allows for continuous use throughout the day. Built on the same strong ideas of the bigger sweepers, it still offers equal durability and capability as the smallest of its kind in the world. The battery version (FSR B) is able to work for four hours, non-stop, with only one energy charge and its outstanding quietness makes it suitable for indoor cleaning, providing excellent results even on carpeted areas.

The MG85 is an industrial ride-on wet sweeper and scrubber, allowing for both the collection of dirt and debris while scrubbing. The MG85Bs is a dual purpose wet sweeping and scrubbing machine, completing two tasks in a single pass. Exceptional results at a lower cost.

Tel: 076 146 6039 Email: info@cleanwise.co.za Website: www.cleanwise.co.za

exhibition review CleantexPulire

2015

Growth in international participation at CleantexPulire 2015 broadens the scope of professional cleaning and facility maintenance solutions

Gallagher Convention Centre was the venue for the milestone 10th edition of CleantexPulire, a trade exhibition established in 1998 to build a platform for African cleaning professionals to congregate and showcase the latest product innovations.

ased on industry research, the format of the show was changed for the first time in six editions, allowing for a mid-week show that opened on a Tuesday, rather than a Sunday. It was also the first time in twelve years that the show was staged as a standalone event dedicated to the professional cleaning sector. An ever-increasing demand to meet international standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the workplace, linked with the constant need to upgrade cleaning systems across multiple

industries, drew visitors from multiple sectors including professional cleaning, facilities management (FM), healthcare, retail and food service, hospitality, inhouse cleaning and local government to the three-day event to further streamline cleaning and hygiene processes. CleantexPulire is a member of the international Pulire Cleaning Show Network and this strategic alliance contributed to increased international participation at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhibition. This year twelve international exhibitors made their way to South Africa to introduce

their products and equipment to the African market, compared to just four at the 2013 exhibition. The 10th edition of CleantexPulire has also shown a marked resilience under difficult trading conditions and a subdued economy where many companies are looking for ways to contain costs. In fact, the 2015 exhibition offered a record number of participants with 51 exhibitors, compared to 37 at the 2013 exhibition, and representing 138 leading brands from around the world (compared to the 87 at the previous exhibition).

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

exhibition review CleantexPulire

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of CleantexPulire – and introduced as a new feature – the inaugural international conference was also launched. This one-day conference, a first for the local industry, was aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills transfer at the highest level at this year’s exhibition. A panel on local and international speakers, led by the keynote speaker, Diversey Care’s President Dr Ilham Kadri addressed the most relevant and important issues within the professional cleaning sector.

Diversey Care sponsored a brand-new TASKI® ergodisc® 200 single disc floor care machine that was presented by Dr Kadri to fortunate delegate Avhatendi Mphanama from Thulamela Municipality, following a lucky draw amongst the more than 100 conference delegates.

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

A centrally located demonstration area allowed exhibitors with floor care equipment to put these machines through their paces in a typical environment. Industry Associations form a crucial part of any industry as they play an invaluable role in setting and maintaining standards, facilitating industry activities and acting as mouthpieces for their members. The 2015 edition of CleantexPulire welcomed three industry Associations as exhibitors, namely the National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA), the BEECA Cleaning Association and SATSA, the South African Laundry and Textile Services Association. The show attracted 3 058 visitors, putting the three-day event’s attendance on a par with similar events held in Australia, Middle East and Eastern Europe. The visitor profile during the

period included people from all nine provinces of South Africa, as well as other neighbouring countries, including Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, Swaziland, the Seychelles and Zimbabwe. South Africa’s new visa regulations definitely had an impact on the number of foreign visitors, as many pre-registered visitors vented their frustrations over the red tape they had to wade through to finalise their visa applications prior to the exhibition. More than 79 percent of visitors indicated that they are more than likely to visit the show again. The visitor statistics also revealed that 88 percent of visitors were either decision makers or directly influenced purchasing decisions – a fact that underlines the reality that visitors do not travel to this show to merely collect posters. Trends at this year’s show included eco-friendly innovations, innovative mopping systems, washroom technology, recently-launched outdoor cleaning equipment, step-on auto scrubbers, high-access cleaning technology, smart janitorial systems, hand hygiene solutions and green automotive cleaning systems. Also worth noting was the everincreasing number of visiting emerging professional cleaning contractors, not only within South Africa, but also those who travelled from other countries to source new technology to streamline their cleaning operations.

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

exhibition review CleantexPulire

CleantexPulire 2015 – Exhibitors and Brands In this show review we have captured the most relevant information as supplied by some of the exhibitors at this year’s CleantexPulire exhibition for easy reference and broken down per company. Many distributor opportunities are available for prominent products and equipment that can most certainly enhance the professional cleaning and facility maintenance marketplace in South Africa.

Abrasivos Aguila

Afrimac

ABRASIVOS AGUILA has participated as exhibitor at the CleantexPulire exhibition for the first time and has obtained a very positive feedback from the very large number of visitors who were interested in the specialised professional products for natural and artificial stone surfaces. We have displayed our range of sealers-crystallisers for marble and granite and our innovative diamond pads FASTERDIAM®, for an easy and fast refurbishment and maintenance of shiny marble and granite floors. We have also introduced our new range of floor polishing machines, suitable for grinding, polishing, washing and crystallising all kinds of floors. ABRASIVOS AGUILA is present in the most important markets worldwide and is now involved in a programme of commercial development in Western and Southern Africa countries, looking for new wholesalers and distributors to cover all the needs of the professionals involved in the treatment and maintenance of natural stone and hard floors. Our aim is to offer our long experience in this field and our maximum effort to build successful long-term relationships with specialised trading companies. www.abrasivosaguila.com

Afrimac, a commercial dry cleaning and laundry machinery and consumable supplier, also introduced Speedway Car Care kits, soap dispensers and stainless steel hand dryers at the show.

Annovi Reverberi introduced high pressure piston pumps, high pressure washers and spraying pumps to visitors and is actively seeking distributors in South Africa. www.annovireverberi.it

Furthermore Arcora International has produced a wide range of high-quality floor care systems since 1992, made of only the best ingredients, including daily cleaners for all sectors, with a special product line for hotels and restaurants, following German standards for long-time resistance and restorable floor coatings. These coatings can also be restored in partial areas without being uneven. www.arcora.de

Cleanwise – Fimap

Arcora International

www.afrimac.co.za

Anatech

Anatech introduced the Charm PocketSwab Plus to visitors. The PocketSwab Plus is a true measure of cleanliness and hygiene. It detects micro-organisms and food/organic product residue on surfaces. It is an essential part of food safety programmes, has highspeed reproducible and sensitive five-second read outs, consists of software that monitors and tracks results for HACCP programmes, and caters for real-time assessments of cleaning efficiency with a numeric result. www.anatech.co.za

2015

Annovi Reverberi

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

ARCORA INTERNATIONAL has grown since 2013 from a local supplier to an international manufacturing organisation specialising in mop fabrication with over 300 employees. By specialising our individual product lines, our research team continuously develops innovative products that resulted in 80 own patents. The idea behind our story of success is based on the production in most of the different and important product areas in the industrial section, covering the individual demands of every single client. With a strong focus on research and development, Arcora produces everything from the yarn to the finished mop resulting in full control of the production of weaving, stamping, assembly and quality. For this reason, we are capable of producing your individual mop, including material design and your very own company logo.

Cleanwise, the South African importer of FIMAP auto scrubbers, sweepers, vacuums and single disc machines introduced their MXR – Micro Rider to visitors. This small ride-on scrubbing machine won the Red Dot Design Award in 2013. It requires little maintenance, is built with top quality materials, uses wastereducing technologies, can be used anywhere at any time, it is comfortable, safe and userfriendly and has been designed to be more productive because it is small and fast, the Micro Rider reduces costs by up to 35% and increases productivity by 43%. www.cleanwise.co.za

2015

exhibition review CleantexPulire Durashine Technologies

the dirtiest greasy floors to medium-sized businesses that just need general office and workshop cleaning, to corporate headquarters. www.factorycat.co.za

FCT (Future Cleaning Technologies) Durawash was introduced to visitors as a high-performance waterless wash and wax technology. A microfibre cloth is used to wipe and trap dirt inside the microfibres of the cloth thereby preventing the dirt from scratching and swirling the surface. The chemicals used are bio-degradable, contain no VOCs, silicones, teflons, hydrocarbons or petrochemicals. It is more cost effective compared to traditional wash systems, i.e. the cost per car is less than R10 and a wash is inclusive of a wax coating. No specialist knowledge is required and it is based on spray and wipe technology. Durawash cleans light to heavily soiled vehicles. Franchise opportunities are available. www.durashine.co.za

Factory Cat

The I-Mop – manufactured by Dutch company FCT – was introduced to the South African market to attract distributors. This revolutionary machine is brand new and focuses on the end-user experience and problem solving. The I-Mop combines two commonly used floor systems for hard surface cleaning – the flexibility and ease of use of the mop with the speed, strength and quality of a full-sized scrubber dryer. This opens up a whole range of new locations for machine cleaning, a true innovation within the professional cleaning industry. www.i-mop.com

Germcurb

Factory Cat’s MINIMAG Walk behind Floor Scrubber Dryer impressed visitors at the show. It has a simple design and very durable construction, offering unmatched value. The MINIMAG Walk behind Floor Scrubber Dryer comes equipped with either a Brush-Assist drive, which allows for operator ease with little-to-no pushing on level surfaces, or a Traction drive, which includes a powerful all-gear trans-axle for climbing steep ramps and uneven surfaces offering easy operation. MINIMAG Walk behind Floor Scrubber Dryer is easy to manoeuvre into tight areas, and simple to service. The deck is protected by steel guards and large polyurethane rollers to keep the unit from marking walls. This machine offers nearly 50% more power than other equivalent machines. Along with having the ability to scrub floors, you can also buy separate pads and equip your machine for Stone Polishing. This machine cleans from

GR5 produces a water-based degreaser that can remove and clean the most severe grime, grease and oil from mining equipment, trucks, ships, etc. This same product can also be used, diluted or undiluted, in an operating theatre, restaurant or simply for washing dishes. This product is eco-friendly, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-flammable, bio-degradable, anti-bacterial and water-soluble with ISO 9001, 14001 and 18001 certification, SABS approved and is a SANS 1828:2005 approved cleaning chemical for use in the food industry. GR5 multi-purpose degreaser kills 100% of E.coli, S.aureus and Aspergillus. Contact pzwennis@me.com for more information

Guangzhou Newmade Cleaning Products

Newmade, a Chinese manufacturer of professional cleaning products including vacuum cleaners, burnishers, floor dryers, wringer trolleys, janitor carts, utility carts, garbage cans, warning signs, window squeegees, mops, floor squeegees, telescopic wands, paper dispensers, soap dispensers, are looking for distributors in South and Southern Africa.

ISAL – Kärcher Group

ISAL, a manufacturer of professional road sweepers introduced itself to South Africa and is looking for agents to distribute ISAL sweepers to government, macro and corporate institutions in South Africa and Africa. The MC1 Urban sweeper is an electric vacuum sweeper for urban cleaning. It has an ergonomic cab in a single chamber with air conditioning on request. Each sweeping group component (mouth, brushes left and right) is independent of the other. The aspiration mouth is manufactured from stainless steel AISI304 with a width of 60 cm. The innovative system features automatic tracking of the brushes and synchronises their movements with the steering of the machine. Waste bin capacity is 1 cubic metre, is waterproof and manufactured from stainless steel AISI304. Dust discharge is situated behind the machine and can reach up to 1 800 mm. The theoretical maximum coverage per hour rate is 20 000 square metres. The weight of the machine with the battery is 2.65 tonnes. www.isalsweepers.com

Kärcher

www.newmade.net

Impact Cleaning Germcurb was introduced at CleantexPulire to focus on improved hygiene standards with UV visualisation of cleaning and correct hand washing. It is a costeffective solution and is especially relevant to the hospitality, food and healthcare industries. www.germcurb.co.za

GR5

Impact Cleaning provides a professional cleaning service, is innovative in its approach, has the ability to provide tailor made and personalised service packages within this highly competitive and specialised industry, and provides excellent services to tertiary, governmental and commercial institutions. www.impactcleaning.co.za

The BRC 45/45 C is a two-in-one function carpet cleaning machine that offers superb deep cleaning results in a single pass. The 45/45 can be used for interim two-stage cleaning – providing fast, efficient cleaning of carpets with very short drying times. Using Kärcher’s fast drying carpet cleaner RM 768 detergent, medium–large area carpeting can be cleaned and be ready for vacuuming within 20 minutes. The BRC 45/45 C has two roller brushes for high cleaning performance, and a floating brush

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

exhibition review CleantexPulire head with contra-rotating roller brushes; it simultaneously cleans deep into the pile from two sides and ensures uniform floor contact even on uneven surfaces. The working direction is adjustable to the carpet and the cleaning direction is selectable by folding a push handle. The BRC 45/45 C weighs 48 kg and its dimensions are 770 mm (l) x 545 m (w) x 1 250 mm (h) and has a brush working width of 410mm, and a spray pressure for interim cleaning of 3.5 bar. Spray pressure for deep cleaning is 7 bar.

Lavorwash offers cleaning solutions to many challenges. Watch product videos on www. youtube.com/lavorpro. www.lavorwash.it

MaPa Cleaning Technologies

Nanosterile is suitable for application in hospitals, medical facilities, homes, shopping centres, hotels, restaurants, airports, aircrafts, vehicles and trains. Distributers required.

and upholstery restoration is also offered. The company services hospitality sectors, educational facilities, health spas, government institutions, healthcare and corporate facilities.

www.nanosterile.co.za

www.northerndrycleaners.co.za

Nilfisk

Prime Cleaning Suppliers

Nilfisk introduced the SC500 with every detail designed to get the cleaning job done more easily, focusing on quality, cost efficiency and sustainable use of water and detergent. The requirements for highly effective cleaning are met by the many improvements of the new Nilfisk SC500 scrubber-dryer. This machine is an ideal walk-behind machine for cleaning hospitals, schools, offices, supermarkets, shops, sports centres, restaurants, hotels, and production floors. Ease-of-use and manoeuvrability is granted through a foot-operated squeegee lifting system, an ergonomic drive paddle, and an innovative dashboard with OneTouch button and intuitive icons to control all main functions while working. An improved cleaning performance accompanies these benefits. The suction power on all types of floors is superior. Consistent cleaning is ensured with the water/detergent solution flow being automatically controlled by the speed of the machine. Furthermore, the user can turn on the new double pressure setting to clean filthy areas whenever needed.

Prime Cleaning Suppliers’ complete cleaning solutions covers paper products/dispensers, cleaning chemicals/disinfectants, machines and cleaning sundries. Amongst other equipment Prime Cleaning Suppliers exhibited the Wetrok Karpawel Plus – an optimised vacuuming performance machine with deep cleaning action for hygienic results and minimal energy consumption. The compact deep-vacuuming and pile-brushing machines Karpawel 36 and 46 Plus can handle any type of carpeting soiling with ease. These vacuum cleaning machines get to the bottom of the dirt with their unique combination of rotating brushes and extra-strong vacuuming power. The detachable hose reaches every corner and other hard- to-reach places for optimised cleaning results. It features an extended 14 m action radius power cord, three-step manually height-adjustable brush to adapt to various carpet pile heights, all accessories are stored on practical holders on the machine for easy access and the high suction power ensures efficient and fast cleaning.

www.karcher.co.za

Kränzle South Africa

Visitors were introduced to Kranzle’s boiler cleaning system. It allows for one-man operation and guarantees a very high grade of cleanliness without doing any damage to the boiler tubes. When using the Quadro 800 TST cold water high pressure cleaner, it is able to supply water at 13.6 l/ minute at 250 bar with a 10 m hose, gun, lance and turbokiller lance. It reduces cleaning time by up to 70% and does not create dust, eliminating a huge health hazard. The Quadro 800 TST should be used as part of the maintenance schedule for boilers as this is essential to reduce fuel costs, prevent blockages of the second pass tubes and if not cleaned property, will cause overheating of the stoker and lowers steam pressures. Because soot has five times the insulating value of asbestos, the heat transfer loss in a dirty boiler rises dramatically as the layer of soot builds up.

Mapa introduced a new manufacturing company – CEMSA (Cleaning Equipment Manufacturing SA). CEMSA introduced the locally manufactured, midrange rugged range of UPUs to cope with a variety of washing applications to utilise with high pressure washing of cars and trucks, refuse areas, food processing areas, mechanical workshops, etc. The Cemsa UPU is available with options such as a wall mount bracket or a floor stand, low water protection or delayed total stop. It is fitted with a high-quality Italian UDOR pump; has a direct online starter with overload protection; a 280 bar rated unloader with internal bypass and quick coupling nipple and has a 10-metre lightweight 350 bar rated high pressure thermoplastic hose with quick couplings; a 25° stainless steel water nozzle, 500 mm plated lance 310 rated HP gun; 310 bar HP gun, and a polypropylene water tank with inlet water filter and GEKA coupling. www.mapa.co.za

Nanosterile

www.nilfisk.co.za

Northern Cleaners

www.primecs.co.za

Roots Multiclean

www.kranzle.co.za

Lavorwash SPA

LAVORPRO new ultra-silenced scrubber dryers SCL NEXT EVO have a low noise level mainly due to the position and isolation of the vacuum motor.

Nano technology was introduced to visitors during the show. Nanosterile is a protective layer coating of titanium dioxide (TiO2) Nano particles, which are capable of destroying bacteria, viruses, mold, dust, odours and chemical substances released into the environment. Nanosterile coating is eco-friendly and not harmful to the environment. When applied by a trained and certified application partner, the product is guaranteed to last for two years.

Northern Cleaners offers comprehensive laundry care with a modern, highly-efficient range of laundering techniques and equipment, saving valuable working time and ensuring that laundry is ready for use in quick turnaround time. Additionally carpet

Roots Multiclean is looking for distributors in South Africa and Southern Africa. Roots the largest cleaning equipment manufacturer in India showcased a range of scrubbers. However, for the purpose of this article we will focus on the Flipper and Manual Sweeper.

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

exhibition review CleantexPulire This hand-pushed sweeping machine is 10 times quicker than a traditional broom. It is extremely manoeuvrable, compact, easy to operate, covers 2 600 squares within an hour. Dust is swept and collected into a self-collecting hopper with the aid of the main broom and the side broom. The broom chamber is completely sealed with rubber sealing aprons, which ensure absolutely pollutionfree sweeping. Its compact design fits through any standard door and can be used indoors and outdoors. The hopper is sturdy, rust free, lightweight and has a handle for easy disposal of the collected materials. The new innovative anti-wrap technology prevents threads, wires and long thin materials from getting wound up on the brush shaft. The brush pressure has an adjustment knob to enable optimum adaptation to the floor conditions and type of dirt, the handle is also ergonomically designed to suit each operator. www.rootsmulticlean.in

Rubbermaid Commercial Products

Safic

Safic introduced its new line of cleaning equipment, Greenspeed at CleantexPulire. Greenspeed offers the latest microfibre technology to the professional cleaning industry. Safic is proudly associated with Greenspeed as they present complete unique tailor-made solutions for floors, walls, interior and sanitary areas. Safic also showcased its range of Cleanfix cleaning equipment such as vacuum cleaners, scrubbers and sweepers. Safic’s Biological Parts washer and Spill Kit overwhelmed visitors from the Industrial sector with a keen interest in a greener environment. Safic is an Accéntuate Ltd company and a manufacturer of cleaning chemicals for the Industrial, commercial, food and beverage, water and metal treatment Industries. Safic is certified as an ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 organisation. Safic offers a total solution for all your cleaning requirements. www.safic.co.za

Santoemma Rubbermaid CM introduced the Slim Jim Step-On waste containers at the show, as it was dotted around the hall drawing emphasis to its ability to fit into the tightest of spaces. This bin features a small footprint and a slim profile, an internal hinge design and is designed to be fingerprint resistant (stainless steel version). The Slim Jim is quiet and has controlled lid-closure. It is also factory mutual certified and HACCP-compliant, because foot operation avoids contact between hand and waste. The Slim Jim has a liner retainer band and cinch to easily and securely hold polyliners. It comes with optional dual stream ridged liners that simplifies sorting and makes recycling quick and easy. The foot pedal clearance has also been increased for easier access and operation. The Slim Jim is available in both resin and stainless steel, in five sizes, six colours and two different styles. Slim Jim Step-on containers are designed to meet any facility’s waste needs. www.rubbermaidcommercial.co.za

This edition of CleantexPulire was a great success for Santoemma. We have successfully showcased our bestsellers featuring our main cleaning programmes: professional carpet cleaning, washroom cleaning and sanitising programmes. The Santoemma carpet cleaning program includes the widest range of machines and accessories for professional carpet cleaning. The entire range is characterised by reliability and robustness. Santoemma has developed its own method for the professional cleaning of carpet that achieves better results than any other system available. The Santoemma method incorporates and simultaneously uses all the cleaning factors: chemical action, mechanical action,

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

temperature, time and vacuuming and cleaning carpeting easily and quickly. Santoemma Restroom Cleaning and Sanitising program provides innovative and patented systems for cleaning and sanitising public washrooms of any type and size. By using specially designed machines, instead of manual work only, washrooms are completely cleaned and sanitised in a short time, with excellent results. It is finally possible to reach a higher level in washroom hygiene, increase productivity and have a higher sense fulfilment for the cleaning operators. Specific systems, including the Powertec system, Foamtec system and IdroFoamRinse machines have been developed by Santoemma, to better suit any area, according to the type and dimensions of the area to be cleaned.

in the world, the IF Product Design award and the Red Dot Design award. Based on an understanding of what good function means to the customer and the importance of design, Tork and the renowned designer Thomas Meyerhoffer has developed a new range of dispensers for public hygiene areas, Tork Elevation. Functional design in hygiene areas is the starting point when developing all Tork products. A dispenser must be user friendly, both for maintenance personnel and washroom visitors. It also needs to be aesthetically appealing. The entire Tork Elevation-range is designed for ease of day-to-day maintenance whilst making the washroom experience more pleasant for users.

www.santoemma.com

Scent Pur Manufacturing

www.sca.com

Sappi

Sappi is a local producer of Tissue Wadding made from post-industrial sugar cane waste fibre (bagasse) with care for the environment. No timber from indigenous forests is used. Sappi Triple Green Tissue is elemental chlorine-free, biodegradable, acidfree and recyclable. Wood fibre is sourced from sustainable and well-managed forests and can be used for facial tissue, toilet tissue, wipes and towels. www.sappi.com

Scent Pur, based in Malaysia is a designer and manufacturer of high quality integrated washroom hygiene systems looking for distributors in southern Africa. The Scent Pur Auto Soap Dispenser & Auto Foam Dispensers are the latest products from the Aura series. All our products have obtained the Industrial Design Certification and are manufactured in Malaysia with a one year warranty.

www.scentpur.com

Sealed Air

SCA

Tork Elevation is a dispenser range for public hygiene areas. The range comprises a wide range of dispensers in two colours for paper towels, toilet paper, liquid soap and air fresheners. Tork Elevation dispenser range has received two of the most prestigious product design awards

Sealed Air introduced the new TASKI procarpet 45 at the show. The TASKI procarpet 45 has been designed with the reliability found on all our floor care machines. This machine has been developed using the TASKI expertise in vacuum pick-up and chemical application to design a high performance carpet cleaning system with excellent results.

exhibition review CleantexPulire The machine can be changed from a deep extraction to interim clean simply by changing the chemicals and flipping a switch. Using the machine in a push or pull motion allows the end user flexibility in their applications. It is simple and easy to use, is reliable, has flexible application options and is available at an excellent price. www.sealedair.com

Siyaya Skills Institute

A generic entity (where the annual turnover exceeds R 50 million) will need to spend 6% of their annual payroll on upskilling their employees and a Qualifying Small Enterprise (with an annual turnover between R10 million and R50 million) will need to spend 3% of payroll. Investing in learnerships is the most cost effective way to achieve your Skills Development target, and it holds multiple benefits: not only are the learners upskilled with an accredited qualification, but the company achieves the required score and gains the benefits from the SARS 12H Tax Concessions.

industrial and agricultural equipment and specialising in replacement parts for most makes of scrubbers and sweepers. www.tvh.com

Wet Wipes

All these charged particles flock together, allowing them to be trapped in a filter or to settle to the bottom of a container. These ions maintain a stable One-Drop® residual in the water until this process uses them up. One Drop kills Cholera and E-coli, is CSIR tested and proven, is tasteless and odourless. www.wipe-eeze.co.za / www.onedrop.co.za

www.siyayaskills.co.za

TVH Parts South Africa

Marietjie Swanepoel, Regional Manager at Siyaya Skills Institute says that Siyaya assists clients to quantify and achieve their B-BBEE aspirations at the lowest overall cost. With the change in the B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice, a huge emphasis has been placed on Skills Development.

A one-stop shop offering fast service in material handling,

Wet Wipes launched One Drop® at CleantexPulire ’15. One Drop® is a worldwide patented ionic solution containing copper, silver, zinc, aluminum and gold to address the global water crises to purify water. The microscopic action of these natural mineral ions within the unwanted algae and bacteria in water are destroyed through a change in their enzyme processes as the ions break down their DNA structures and cell walls.

2015

Visit www.cleantex.co.za to view the hyperlinked logos of all exhibitors

interview

Women in leadership South Africa celebrated Women’s Month during August to commemorate women’s achievements in the country but also to highlight the various opportunities and challenges facing women today.

he South African government declared August as Women’s Month and 9 August is celebrated annually as Women’s Day, as a tribute to more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. With this in mind African Cleaning Review approached leading women in the cleaning industry to share their views on women in leadership and to acknowledge their respective achievements.

Amanda Martin, MD – Newell Rubbermaid South Africa

permanently, my house would be pretty active and I would be babysitting most of the time.

from culture to culture. Women should be judged on the way that they operate and their levels of success achieved.

Industry gender mix

Challenges facing women in achieving leadership positions

My experience within a global company is that there is definitely a gender disparity in the migration from middle to senior management positions. In general, most women occupy middle management positions; however, this is not the case amongst senior management. The reason for this is probably that women in middle management positions are often a “victim of their own success”, because when you are an excellent manager at middle management level, you are often held [in place] rather than training a new manager and get them up to speed.

Main advantages or disadvantages for women in the cleaning/hygiene sector

Background I started my career in the washroom industry during 1985 as a service driver for a washroom company in the UK and for 10 years I operated my own route, servicing sanitary bins and soap dispensers. In 1995 I was appointed Service Manager at Johnson’s Service Group, a UK-based company. I then joined Technical Concepts (TC) in January 2004 and the rest is history, as I am still with the company, now Newell Rubbermaid, almost twelve years later. I have three sons and six grandchildren living in the UK and in South Africa I have an adopted son, Moses. I guess if I was living in the UK

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

Advantages for most women across Europe would be that they are handson cleaners and that they have been brought up performing household chores. This valuable experience serves as a good background and understanding of the cleaning and hygiene sector. I also think women have a better understanding of cleaning compared to men and this is certainly evident when dealing with clients in this sector. I normally don’t look for disadvantages. However, what remains an important aspect is how women are perceived across the various cultures. For instance, when I arrive at the airport in Johannesburg, there is always a man that can pick up my suitcase and put it on the trolley. In the UK however, you are quite capable of picking up your own suitcase and putting it onto the trolley. The perception of a woman being weaker does exist, however it differs

In my opinion women still have to work harder to gain the recognition. Obviously there are the family responsibilities, especially for younger women, which is probably why women achieve leadership positions later on in life compared to men. Generally family responsibilities fall within the ambit of women as the major caregivers: being a parent; the mother has to take time off in school holidays; they have to attend to the school routines, etc. – that is just the expectation and it is the same in most countries. Therefore it is quite difficult for a woman with children to be able to commit to the number of hours, the amount of travel and dedicate the amount of time that is needed to build themselves towards a leadership position and it may also be the reason why a company does not consider women for leadership positions during this stage of their careers. There are no barriers to entry for women achieving leadership positions and in fact, you presently find that many companies are keen to address gender imbalances. However, having said that, it will be a mistake to appoint a woman to a leadership position on the basis of her gender only; it has to be the right person for the job.

Workplace support for women Newell Rubbermaid is probably a leader in this regard with online forums where women from various countries, occupying similar positions can interact in real time. This platform allows women to share different perspectives, workplace challenges

interview and news by utilising blogs. There is no discrimination in the workplace on any level, whether it is based on disability, sexual orientation, gender, or religious orientation. Newell Rubbermaid actually works very hard to ensure that it stays that way.

Growing the number of female leaders in the industry The only people who can increase the number of women leaders in the industry are the women themselves who want to get there. There has to be more determination and more selfdoing. Women need to be confident. If they know what they want and if they are doing a good job, then they have to push for that vacant position. However, women also need to understand that sacrifices will have to be made. My personal position is that I have lived in South Africa for six of the past nine years, that is 6 000 miles from my children and my grandchildren; that is an example of a sacrifice and a big one. As part of a natural progression, I think there will be more women in leadership positions in the future. Women just need to grow their ability to delegate (woman are inherently not good at delegating). All women believe that they can do everything better than anyone else, myself included.

Your company gender ratio The ratio at Newell Rubbermaid South Africa is slightly in favour of women. The middle management team is completely represented by women, with the men forming part of the warehousing team. Within the broader group there is a recognition that we need to get women into the higher levels of management. Personally, I am currently the only female sales director within the Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region with the nine other sales director positions occupied by men.

Greatest challenges in balancing work and family The greatest challenge for me is the travelling – for instance if I have to attend a meeting in Geneva, it means I will be away from the business for a week. It is also difficult to be up late at night to get the work done and quite often you get so engrossed in work

that you find your family taking second place. That is the wake up call – family should always come first. When I do have time I enjoy travelling with my family. It doesn’t matter where we go as long as we spend some time together, so sometimes it’s in Southern Africa and sometimes further afield. We have just returned from a two-week trip to India. During my tenure at Newell Rubbermaid I have made a lot of friends in different countries and it is always pleasant to catch up with them.

An exceptional woman that achieved in life Germany’s stateswoman and first female chancellor, Angela Merkel, is a qualified physicist and a leading figure in the European Union. She is quietly strong, no frills, no pretensions, she gets on with the job at hand and does it consistently well. She follows strategy without deviating or getting distracted – that is why she is successful. She has endeared herself to world leaders and can proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with her male counterparts.

Vision for women in the cleaning industry I would say that there needs to be more mentoring, more succession planning, more coaching and more job shadowing. Female leaders should make a concerted effort to take leaders in middle management under their wing, thereby allowing them the experience of being at the coalface – in front of the client, attending high level meetings and sharing in brainstorming sessions.

Dudu Mofokeng, CEO – Legaći Superior Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services

Background I am an economist by profession and was previously employed by the Department of Trade & Industry, married with four children and I am a proud grandmother. During 2014 I won the Sanlam Business Partners “Entrepreneur of the Year” Judges Award. I was also a finalist for the Technology for Woman in Business (TWIB), a dti award and this year a finalist for the SA Premier Business Award, sponsored by Proudly SA. I got involved in the laundry business by sheer luck, or maybe it was my destiny. I never planned to enter the industry nor did I have a business plan at the time. My husband attended a trade show and returned with an interesting laundry brochure. My mother is a domestic worker and I thought she would be of assistance, plus the barriers to entry were not huge.

Industry gender mix The majority of dry cleaners and laundry businesses in South Africa are established firms managed by men; in fact very few companies are owned and operated by women. The irony is that women have been involved in this industry since its inception and it is still evident that most of the workers employed today are women. This tendency has increased the perception in the industry that women are regarded as the working class while men are the managers and owners.

Main advantages or disadvantages for women in the dry cleaning and laundry sector I want to start with the advantages from women especially. I think laundry is part of our composition as women, part of our DNA. We are taught how to do laundry from an early age, therefore it is second nature to us. It comes to us easily. Women have intuition, women are visionary and women are hard working. Therefore, the overriding factor is that when a woman leads a company, she has been groomed from blue-collar level to management level, thereby creating the best executive for that establishment.

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

interview The disadvantages for women in the laundry industry is that it is hard work, long hours, labour intensive and women are not physically strong compared to men; they have other responsibilities too, including taking care of their families and bearing children.

Challenges facing women in achieving leadership positions It is unfortunate, but men drive commerce and women are lagging behind – it is regarded as a man’s world. We also need to understand that the kind of people attracted to the cleaning industry are not necessarily educated and therefore many of them are still at a grass roots level, with a few achieving leadership positions. Also, as an entrepreneur it is very difficult to be a teacher and run your business effectively at the same time. The industry is tough, competitive and fast moving and all these complexities affect women in reaching their true potential.

Workplace support for women As a general rule in our business, management positions are offered internally to women first; thereafter we source candidates externally with preference given to women applicants. To give you an example, our current laundry manager for corporate laundry started her employment here as a presser, today she runs the entire operations for our laundry division. When it comes to female employment I put my foot down, women staff our entire administration department.

Growing the number of female leaders in the industry The onus is on us as business owners to grow the number of women in leadership positions. If a person is, for instance, employed as a presser for two years, I start questioning why this individual has not been promoted. I cannot create entrepreneurs, but internally I can promote, inspire and build women to take up leadership positions. It is important for us, as owners of laundry and dry cleaning businesses, to grow the industry for women at levels higher than pressers or machine operators. You may start your career as a cleaner, then become

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

a receptionist, thereafter a position in administration may become a reality (Emmah Kabini our receptionist started with us as a cleaner and currently she is included in a managerial training programme). It is all possible – but women have to believe that they can lead effectively. Training is something that also needs to be addressed in this industry. I have discussed this lack with the Services SETA, but to date they have been unable to offer a tangible solution for 15 members of staff who have almost completed matric and need to build their skills.

Your company gender ratio In our company we have already reached the 85 percentage mark with regard to creating employment for women, as we have an ideal source pool, because the laundry and dry cleaning sector tends to attract women applicants. Because we employ majority women, certain positions have been identified especially, and are reserved, for women.

Greatest challenges in balancing work and family I have not been able to find the balance. It is a tricky one but what I have mastered is to bring my family into the business so they are not left out. For instance, my son spends time here during school holidays to gain first-hand experience of what his mother does during the day. I spend as much time with him as possible to expose him to the business. What I have learnt is to involve my family in everything that I do, however difficult it may be. During weekends I switch off completely to allow time with my family, but during the week everyone needs to be in bed by 20h00 to allow mom time to catch up on her work. If that is a balance, then it works for me.

An exceptional woman that achieved in life There are so many women who have done well in South Africa to date. Dr Anna Mokgokong comes to mind as an exceptional businesswoman that inspires me. Qualified as a medical doctor, Dr Mokgokong received international acclaim for her entrepreneurial ability.

She was inducted into the leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World, an independent international network of the world’s powerful and successful female entrepreneurs in 1998. In addition, she also received the SA Businesswoman of the Year Awards during 1999. She is very inspirational, humble in her approach, caring, hard working and self made. A businesswoman of note.

Vision for women in the laundry and dry cleaning industry My vision is to build a legacy for women in this industry and I am going to claim that position. I am building networks with other women in the same industry and I am also trying to impart the knowledge that I have assimilated over the past eight years. My story is unique and I aim to be an inspiration to women with my own experience in starting a business without any assistance. When I speak to women they can relate to my journey as a businesswoman. The [most successful] combination is to realise your potential is passion, your drive and vision – you need to love what you are doing and you need to work hard at it.

Judy Nankervis, Director – Blendwell Chemicals

Background Basically I got involved in the cleaning chemical industry because of my father, who is a chemist and also the founder of Blendwell Chemicals. He started the company in 1990 and during 1992 he asked me to join him. Since then I have been involved in every aspect of the business. I am married with two young children; a boy and a girl aged 11 and 6 respectively. I love the outdoors – hiking, biking, and

interview playing golf. I am a people’s person, I have strong analytical skills and it is the human element that interests me in people, the psychology aspect fascinates me. My ability to interact with people is probably my most valuable attribute.

Industry gender mix There are not many women in the manufacturing side of cleaning chemicals. It is a male dominated part of the industry. However, there are a lot of women working in the contract cleaning sector where they have daily interaction with the various cleaning chemicals. I don’t think it is because women can’t function in a manufacturing environment, but traditionally the manufacturing industry tends to be more male orientated.

Main advantages or disadvantages for women in cleaning chemicals sector I think the main advantage that women have, is that they are more attuned to exactly how the final product will be sensed. Women realise the importance of, for instance, product colour, aroma, foaming ability and other aspects that make a product attractive to a client. Men tend to be more practical in their approach, if it has the ability to clean then it must be good. In general women will pay more attention to detail in this regard.

Challenges facing women in achieving leadership positions It can be difficult for women to fit their office and home routine into the number of hours that is often associated with leadership positions. Because women have a lot more to do apart from running a business, it is often problematic to create an equal balance between running a household and a business. Family can’t disappear when our workload gets heavy. Often our families are a huge part of why we do what we do. They are the most important part of our lives. It is vital to have the right support so that we are able to give our work the attention it needs. At the end of the day, and if you want to lead in business as a woman, it comes down to prioritising your attention.

Workplace support for women I am a firm believer in mentoring people and encouraging them to become who they ideally want to be. It gives me a sense of achievement by facilitating people to realise and attain their potential. Also as a woman, I do understand the difficulty in balancing family and work. Therefore, if a woman occupies a position that does not require her to be in the office from 07h30 to 16h30 then I adapt a more flexible approach in this regard. My approach is simple. For instance, if it is something that you are not able to complete this afternoon, then it would be fine if you can attend to it in the evening once your children are in bed. The world has changed in such a way that we can work any time and from anywhere. You might be waiting for your kids in the parking lot, but that does not stop you from working on your laptop or making a phone call. This mindset allows for a lot more flexibility in how you manage your career and it assists women especially to lead a more balanced life.

Growing the number of female leaders in the industry The creation of a business leadership forum for women would be a fantastic move. This forum could stimulate greater interest for women who have the drive and want to attain leadership positions. In addition training and mentorships, inspiration and motivation all play a part in preparing women for leadership.

Your company gender ratio The nature of our business, especially the manufacturing division, tends to be male orientated because of the sheer nature of the jobs. However, women hold the majority of positions in the administration department. I have often had the thought of steering the business to become an organisation owned and managed by women thereby creating a niche business. However, the logistics of such a move are not always practical and it definitely has its limitations. The idea of positioning it as an all-women chemical manufacturing company is appealing though.

Greatest challenges for you in balancing work and family The most important lesson I have learnt is that you need to look after your own health first. You have to ensure that you eat properly, relax and exercise regularly, because what tends to happen is you have to fit this in, you have to fit that in, and in the process you end up in a position where you cannot accommodate your own needs and requirements. It is imperative that you create and nurture the ability to enjoy personal time, look after your health, your wellbeing and the many other things that you enjoy in life. Personally, I have a creative side, therefore I like to cook, take photographs and enjoy the outdoors. I just find that this necessary balance is what keeps you from burning the candle at both ends.

An exceptional woman that achieved in life Definitely Pam Golding, founder and life President of the Pam Golding Property Group. She created a remarkable empire, which she started when she was 50 years’ old with virtually no capital, no leads, no infrastructure and a single sales assistant. What is important for me is that once you have created something, you have to continuously look at achieving more and it is not always in the numbers, it is in your heart as well.

Vision for women in the cleaning industry I would most certainly like to see more women in leadership roles within the cleaning industry and I believe it can be achieved through training, coaching and mentoring, as this will open their eyes to new opportunities and possibilities. If you have the belief that you can do it then you will achieve. In general people tend to limit themselves, but if they are guided to take a step in a new direction it is often just what they need to set them soaring. It is important for them to realise that mistakes will be made on the new journey, but it is even more important that they know how to fix the problems and thereby overcome these hurdles that life throws.

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

people and events Nilfisk inaugural corporate golf day

Nilfisk celebrated spring day by having their inaugural golf day on 1 September at the Randpark golf course. More than 120 golfers took to the course and many of the company’s suppliers sponsored holes at the event. The company’s Mike Manson certainly made it a memorable event by shooting a hole in one on the day. Filmop and Vileda, two of Nilfisk’ international suppliers also made their way to South Africa to show their support.

Blendwell Chemicals celebrates 25 years in business

Specialist cleaning chemical manufacturer Blendwell Chemicals celebrated its 25 year in business during August. The family concern established by Charles Marais invited clients and staff to a function held at Rodizio’s restaurant in Fourways, Johannesburg to celebrate the occasion. Pictured here are Blendwell management and staff.

Long service awards

NCCA AGM

Hector Bafana Mfanafuthi and Gail Jooste were recent recipients of Prime Cleaning Suppliers Johannesburg long service awards presented to them by GM, Sheryl van Wyk (middle).

The Gauteng branch of the National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA) elected Ruth Maseko (Servest Cleaning) and Walter Butterworth (Cleaning Specialists), to the NCCA executive committee at the AGM held at Goscor Cleaning Equipment’s premises. Pictured from left are: Paul Roux (National Vice Chairman), Sandy Deale (NCCA Administrator) Ruth Maseko and Patrick Makhubela (Gauteng branch Chairman).

NCCA Gauteng golf day

Business card draw winner

Team Hygiene Systems, one of the sponsors seen at the NCCA Gauteng branch golf day, themed Rugby World Cup 2015.

Prime Cleaning Suppliers recently announced the winner of their visitor draw competition held at the CleantexPulire exhibition. Pictured here is Bidvest Managed Solutions Operational Manager Anne Dearle (right) receiving the brand new Wetrok Monovac 6 vacuum cleaner from Prime Cleaning Suppliers GM Sheryl van Wyk.

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

new appointment Goscor Cleaning Equipment appoints new GM African Cleaning Review caught up with Greg Venter, General Manager at Goscor Cleaning Equipment at the recent CleantexPulire show and asked him to highlight his career path leading up to his recent appointment and his vision for the way forward. The appointment of Greg Venter as GM at Goscor Cleaning Equipment signals the company’s serious intent to bolster its position in the professional cleaning market. Greg is no stranger to the professional cleaning industry, having joined Prestige Cleaning Services in 1994 as a supervisor. He steadily climbed the career ladder to occupy various managerial positions at Prestige Cleaning Services, Cleancor and Servest Cleaning, where he was appointed Operations Director in 2001. Greg joined Goscor Rental Company in 2009 to launch a new short-term (daily, weekly and monthly) rental division for cleaning machines. It proved to be the ideal solution for mining and construction companies who were looking for

African Cleaning Review September/October 2015

machines to speed up their cleaning operations, without being tied up in prolonged contract periods. “The rental division boomed within a short period of time. We started with 70 units and within eight months our utilisation increased to 140 units with rental utilisation in excess of 80 percent per month,” said Greg. Subsequently he was appointed as GM of Goscor Rental Company. When the company moved to its new premises in Edenvale, Greg joined Goscor Cleaning Equipment where he worked closely with the MD, the late Ricky Bodmer.

Looking ahead “With the recent restructuring at Goscor Cleaning Equipment we are now positioned as what can be classified as a twin division company. Firstly, focusing on the contract cleaning market where we believe huge potential exists as many cleaning contractors are consolidating and increasingly looking at mechanisation. These contractors will be looked after

Greg Venter, GM at Goscor Cleaning Equipment

by our building service contract division under my direct leadership. Secondly, our focus will be on the end-user market for industrial equipment. This division is headed by Jonathan Kirsch, who was recently appointed as sales manager for the industrial equipment end-user market. Goscor Cleaning Equipment now has a division for contract cleaners, which we call our ‘building service contract division’ and an end user equipment division. We believe both market sectors have very specific demands and unique clients. Additionally, the company will continue to represent world leading cleaning equipment brands in Southern Africa, including Tennant, Ghibli and Elgin,” said Greg. For more information visit: www.goscorcleaning.co.za