April/May 2017

The pan-European magazine for the professional cleaning sector

APRIL/MAY 2017

FUTURE TRENDS

SPECIAL REPORT

BUSINESS

Italian show Pulire - this edition’s preview Starts page 49

Technology in the cleaning sector

Batteries - all lithium-ion?

Walking off into the sunset...

Page 33

Page 41

Page 57

CONTENTS

April/May 2017 | Vol.25, No.2

BUSINESS

SPECIAL REPORTS

57 Walking off into the sunset...

22 A superior experience

Hartley Milner explores the consequences falling short on sleep.

Washrooms play an increasingly important role in creating a positive image.

33 Opportunities for innovation A look ahead to the 2017 European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards in November.

35 Assessing satisfaction Open and honest communication with clients can be difficult, but it’s vital.

41 A market going flat?

With lithium-ion growing in popularity, where does this leave other batteries?

45 The stranger behind the mop How do contract cleaning companies optimise safety and security of staff?

03 News

49 Build-up to Pulire A preview of Italy’s cleaning exhibition.

14 European reports 72 Product review

59 Time to take responsibility - part 2 FM is a discipline that can extend its contribution to the value chain.

64 Productive polishing How are the latest products reducing the time needed to polish floors?

70 What do we want from a pad?

Ann Laffeaty finds out about customers’ must-haves when buying floor pads.

Criterion Publishing Ltd PO Box 299, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 1FP UK T +44 (0)1494 791222 F +44 (0)1494 792223 info@europeancleaningjournal.com www. europeancleaningjournal.com Subscriptions UK - £60 / Continental Europe - £70 / International - £80

Editor Michelle Marshall Features Writer Ann Laffeaty Advertisement Director Chris Godman Circulation Marie Payne

Italy, Spain & Switzerland Fabio Potesta Mediapoint & Communications Corte Lambruschini, Corso Buenos Aires, 8 V0 Piano, Interno 7 16129 Genova, Italy T +39 010 570 4948 F +39 010 553 0088 info@mediapointsrl.it www. mediapointsrl.it

European Cleaning Journal is published six times a year by Criterion Publishing Ltd. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in European Cleaning, Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright for all material published in European Cleaning remains with Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents.

ISSN 0968-901X ©Criterion Publishing 2017

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NEWS & EVENTS

Latest News & Events from ECJ

WFBSC congress will focus on cleaning in the digital world

The programme for this year’s World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC) congress, which takes place in Berlin from September 18-20, has now been finalised.

The theme is Cleaning in a Digital World.

Hosting the congress is the German contract cleaning association BIV - the event will take place alongside the CMS exhibition from 19-22.

The congress will be opened by EU commissioner Günther Oettinger, with other opening speakers including WFBSC and BIV president Thomas Dietrich, Berlin mayor Ramona Pop and EFCI president Yvan Fieremans.

The internet activist and former Wikileaks spokesman Daniel Domscheit-Berg will share his perspectives concerning the opportunities and risks involved in digital networking. Changing business strategies in the digital age will comprise part of his focus along with the challenges presented by internet platforms and the impact of the internet on facility management service related processes, management issues and general working conditions.

Thomas Dietrich will challenge participants from Germany and abroad to work together at the congress toward finding answers to the questions

their various enterprises pose concerning digitalisation.

Among the topics addressed will be the question as to what consequences digitalisation will have upon service processes and performance, the extent to which the significance of knowledge acquisition and usage of stored data will continue to develop, but also the shape that working with clients might take in the future.

Opening ceremony All delegates are invited to attend the opening ceremony at the Hotel InterContinental on September 17, to take part in Premium Sponsors’ Night on September 18 following a boating excursion, to attend the Purus Innovation Awards ceremony at the CMS evening on September 19 and to enjoy the gala dinner at the Palais am Funkturm on September 20.

Participants can register at a preferential rate until July 27: €1200 for delegates and €500 for accompanying persons. From July 28 the rates will increase to €1500 and €600 respectively.

Full details of the programme and registration can be found online: www.wfbsc2017.berlin For details of the CMS exhibition visit www.cmsberlin.de • ECJ is media partner for the WFBSC Congress and the CMS exhibition

Les organisateurs du congrès de la World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC), qui aura lieu à Berlin du 18 au 20 septembre, ont annoncé la participation de deux orateurs principaux et des précision sur le programme.

ECJ launched the first broadcast programme for the professional cleaning industry - European Cleaning Television, ECTV, at the start of this year. You can now watch the entire series online: www.ectelevision.com EVENTS May 23-25

May 15-18 2018

Pulire

ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam

Verona, Italy www.pulire-it.com

Amsterdam, Netherlands www.issainterclean.com

June12-14

October 29-November 1 2018

Cleantex Pulire

ISSA/Interclean North America

Johannesburg, South Africa www.cleantex.co.za

Dallas, USA www.issainterclean.com

September 11-14

March 19-21 2019

ISSA/Interclean North America

The Cleaning Show

Las Vegas, USA www.issainterclean.com

London, UK cleaningshow.co.uk

September 18-20

November 18-21 2019

WFBSC Congress

ISSA/Interclean North America

Berlin, Germany www.wfbsc2017.berlin

Las Vegas, USA www.issainterclean.com

September 19-22

October 26-29 2020

CMS

ISSA/Interclean North America

Berlin, Germany www.cms-berlin.com

Chicago, USA www.issainterclean.com

October 18-20

November 15-18 2021

ISSA/INTERCLEAN Istanbul

ISSA/Interclean North America

Istanbul, Turkey www.issainterclean.com

Las Vegas, USA www.issainterclean.com

November 7-9

Cleaning Middle East Pulire Dubai www.mectw.com November 9

European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards Rome, Italy www.echawards.com November 14-16

Hygienalia+Pulire Madrid, Spain www.hygienalia-pulire.com To have your event included in Events, contact ECJ via email at: michelle@europeancleaningjournal.com

Die Organisatoren des diesjährigen World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC) Kongresses, der vom 18.–20. September in Berlin stattfinden wird, haben zwei Hauptredner sowie weitere Einzelheiten des Programms angekündigt.

Gli organizzatori dell’evento di quest’anno World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC) Congress che si terrà a Berlino dal 18 al 20 di settembre, hanno annunciato due relatori principali e ulteriori dettagli del programma.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 3

NEWS Hospital cleaners share €80,700 damages over toxic fumes Cleaners working at a UK hospital have won €80,700 in damages after becoming ill following exposure to a chemical disinfectant at work.

The 22 employees of the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust began using Actichlor seven years ago. They were allegedly not given any training in its use and mixed the product with hot water in small, enclosed spaces.

This led to symptoms such as runny eyes, nasal sores and wheezy coughs. Actichlor should be diluted with cold water in a large, ventilated area.

All 22 employees belong to public service union UNISON. A union spokesman said: “To make

matters worse the masks that the staff had been given were useless and the goggles didn’t fit anyone who wore glasses.”

The cleaners were awarded compensation on the grounds that the hospital had provided sub-standard equipment and had failed to comply with safety regulations.

Les agents de nettoyage d’un hôpital britannique ont obtenu pour €80 000 en dommages-intérêts après être tombés malade par suite de l’exposition à un désinfectant chimique au cours de leur travail.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 4

Thompsons Solicitors who took on the case now believes it may have repercussions for other health trusts.

According to spokesman for Thompsons Nicholas Seymour: “The concern now is that Actichlor is being used by NHS trusts across the country - and may be being prepared in

In einem britischen Krankenhaus arbeitende Reinigungskräfte, die bei der Arbeit mit einem chemischen Reinigungsmittel in Kontakt kamen und daraufhin erkrankten, haben eine Entschädigungssumme von mehr als € 80.000 erhalten.

similar conditions - causing lasting damage to respiratory systems and all sorts of other illnesses. We would urge anyone working with Actichlor who is unwell to get in touch with their union.”

A Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: “Ensuring we have a clean and germ-free hospital is very important and to do this we use effective cleaning products. It is essential that these products are used correctly. As soon as we became aware some staff had reported problems when preparing the cleaning substances we revised our training so there was absolute clarity on how to use them.”

Gli addetti alle pulizie che lavorano in un ospedale del Regno Unito hanno ottenuto oltre €80.000 come risarcimento danni dopo essersi ammalati in seguito all’esposizione a disinfettanti chimici sul luogo di lavoro.

NEWS Diversey Care to partner European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards Diversey Care will once again be the event partner for the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards, founded by European Cleaning Journal (ECJ). The only panEuropean awards for the sector recognise the high standards of excellence in the professional cleaning sector.

Serving customers in over 175 countries, the leading provider of smart, sustainable solutions for cleaning and hygiene is an ideal fit with the awards. Dr Ilham Kadri, president of Diversey Care, said: “Our mission is to create a cleaner, healthier environment.

Our association with the European

Diversey Care sera de nouveau le partenaire événementiel des Prix européens de propreté et d’hygiène. Cette manifestation aura lieu le 9 novembre à Rome et les inscriptions sont maintenant ouvertes.

Cleaning & Hygiene Awards demonstrates this commitment and allows us to celebrate the outstanding achievements taking place in the cleaning industry.”

Along with Diversey Care, the awards are supported by Afidamp, Ceris Burns International, Greenspeed, ISSA/ Interclean, Truvox International and Werner & Mertz.

Now in their second year, the awards - organised by Environment Media Group -

Diversey Care wird wieder der Event-Partner der European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards sein. Die Preisverleihung 2017 wird am 9. November in Rom stattfinden, und ist jetzt für Nominierungen geöffnet.

are open to service providers, manufacturers and distributors in the cleaning and hygiene sector throughout Europe. The awards ceremony will take place on November 9 in Rome.

Entries are now open via the awards website: www. echawards.com. For further information contact awards@ europeancleaningjournal.com You can also follow the awards on Twitter @ECH_Awards and #ECHAwards17.

La Diversey Care sarà ancora una volta il partner dell’evento European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards. La cerimonia 2017 si terrà il 9 novembre a Roma e le iscrizioni sono ora aperte.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 5

NEWS Tennant buys IPC in €330 million deal, its largest acquistion US-based professional cleaning machines and solutions specialist Tennant Company has signed a definitive agreement with private equity fund Ambienta to acquire IPC Group, manufacturer of commercial cleaning solutions based in Italy, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $350 million (€330 million).

In 2016 IPC Group generated annual sales of approximately $203 million (€192 million).

When finalised, this will be the largest acquisition in Tennant Company history.

Chris Killingstad, Tennant Company president and chief executive officer commented: “Acquiring IPC Group is a strategic move that aligns with our growth aspirations.

IPC Group significantly increases our presence and market share in Europe, and more than doubles Tennant’s current EMEA business.

“We will gain the scale to accelerate both Tennant’s and IPC Group’s growth, and better leverage our cost structure in EMEA. Importantly, our businesses

are highly complementary and differentiated in our geographies, products and goto-market approach.”

Europe concentration More than 80 per cent of IPC Group’s business is concentrated in Europe, with the remaining percentage split evenly between the Americas and the Asia Pacific regions. In addition to expanding Tennant’s EMEA market coverage, IPC Group’s brands broaden Tennant’s range of product offerings.

The companies’ brands see little overlap due to their differentiated market positions.

IPC Group produces smallto mid-sized commercial cleaning machines and equipment, including floor sweepers and scrubbers, vacuum cleaners, high pressure cleaners and related aftermarket parts and services.

IPC Group also expands Tennant’s product portfolio to cleaning tools and supplies, such as multi-purpose cleaning trolleys, window-washing systems, antibacterial microfibre mops and cloths, and a wide array of consumables. Like

Tennant, IPC Group is committed to product innovation and sustainability, with a focus on reducing energy, water and detergent use.

IPC Group sells its products under the brand names IPC, IPC Foma, IPC Eagle, IPC Gansow, ICA, Vaclensa, Portotecnica, Sirio and Soteco, Readysystem, Euromop, and Pulex.

Both brands continue Both companies’ brands will continue to operate in their markets, as they do today. The companies also have highly complementary sales channels.

Tennant anticipates that this will provide incremental sales opportunities for both companies going forward.

Said Killingstad: “We intend to market both the Tennant and IPC Group brands as part of our multi-brand portfolio.

IPC Group is a growing and profitable business with a strong

management team and we are excited about our combined potential.”

Tennant expects the acquisition to be completed in the 2017 second quarter.

Italy-based IPC Group is a leading provider of professional cleaning solutions for commercial markets. The company was established in 2005, following the merger of a number of leading companies in the professional cleaning sector, each specialising in a different product segment.

From 2014 IPC Group has been a portfolio company of Ambienta, a leading European private equity fund focused on industrial growth investing in companies driven by environmental trends.

The company has 11 offices worldwide and sells in more than 100 countries. www.tennantco.com www.ipcworldwide.com

Next edition of ECJ - June/July. In the meantime, keep up to date with news online and sign up for your newsletter at europeancleaningjournal.com

European Cleaning Days campaign relaunches for 2017 EUnited Cleaning, with the European Federation of Cleaning Industries (EFCI) and the International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products (AISE) has re-launched its European Cleaning Days (ECD) campaign.

This campaign aims to highlight and promote the importance and benefits of professional cleaning in places like offices, hospitals, airports, train stations, etc.

The campaign is scheduled to run through the month of May, with events taking place

in countries including Germany, Belgium, France, Italy and Sweden. Activities will range from exhibitions, workshops and visits to schools with lectures, to cleaning in action on public streets and squares. European Cleaning Days will focus on four key areas of the cleaning sector: • Detergents for cleaning and disinfection • Floor and high pressure cleaning: buildings, business premises, and production sites • Municipal equipment: mobile machines used in municipalities

• Tennant Company, le spécialiste américain des machines et solutions de propriété, va reprendre le groupe IPC, producteur italien de systèmes de nettoyage commerciaux.

• L’association européenne de la propreté EUnited Cleaning a lancé la campagne Journées européennes de la propreté pour 2017.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 6

and other public areas • Cleaning contractors.

Information about the

• Der in den USA ansässige Spezialist für professionelle Reinigungsmaschinen und -lösungen Tennant Company wird den italienischen Hersteller von gewerblichen Reinigungssystemen IPC Group erwerben.

• EUnited Cleaning, der europaweite Verband der Reinigungsmaschinenhersteller, hat die European Cleaning Days-Kampagne 2017 gestartet.

campaign, its partners and event submission can be found at www.cleaningdays.eu

• La Tennant Company, specializzata in macchine e soluzioni per le pulizie professionali con sede negli Stati Uniti d’America, sta per acquisire il gruppo IPC Group, produttore italiano di sistemi per le pulizie commerciali.

• L’associazione europea del settore del cleaning EUnited Cleaning ha lanciato la campagna European Cleaning Days per il 2017.

NEWS Sealed Air sells Diversey Care to Bain Capital Private Equity Sealed Air Corporation has agreed to sell its Diversey Care division and the food hygiene and cleaning business within its Food Care division (together “New Diversey”) to Bain Capital Private Equity, a leading global private investment firm, for approximately $3.2 billion (€2.9 billion).

New Diversey will be a hygiene and cleaning solutions company that integrates chemicals, floor care machines, tools and equipment, with a wide range of technology based value-added services, food safety services and water and energy management. New Diversey will continue to employ approximately 8,600 people

globally. Diversey Care and the related food hygiene businesses combined generated net sales of approximately $2.6 billion (€2.4 billion) in 2016.

Innovation pipeline “We are pleased that New Diversey has a strong partner to support future growth initiatives and drive further expansion. Diversey Care and its related hygiene business has built an impressive innovation pipeline that includes the Internet of Clean, robotics and AHP disinfection technologies, revamped its go-to-market strategy and significantly improved profitability,” said Jerome Peribere, president and

Diversey Care, l’un des premiers fournisseurs mondiaux de technologies de la propreté, sera vendue par Sealed Air Corporation à Bain Capital Private Equity dans le cadre d’une transaction de 3,2 milliards de dollars US.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 8

chief executive officer.

“Diversey has a long track record of leadership in the hygiene and cleaning solutions market on a global basis,” said Ken Hanau, a managing director at Bain Capital Private Equity.

“We are excited to partner with the talented team at Diversey to grow across key market verticals and geographies while investing in innovative hygiene solutions.

Bain Capital’s integrated global platform and strong growth orientation are well aligned with the strategic vision for Diversey.”

Growth initiatives The sale of New Diversey is expected to close in the second half of 2017, and is subject to

Sealed Air Corporation beabsichtigt den Verkauf von Diversey Care, einem der weltweit größten Anbieter von Reinigungstechnologien, an Bain Capital Private Equity für 3,2 Milliarden US-Dollar.

certain regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

The acquisition includes a formal offer to acquire certain of Diversey’s business in France and the Netherlands, which may be accepted following Works Council consultation.

The results of operations of New Diversey will be reported as discontinued operations beginning in the first quarter of 2017.

Enter now for the 2017 European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards - www. echawards.com

La Diversey Care, una delle più grosse imprese a livello mondiale fornitrici di tecnologie per le pulizie, sta per essere venduta dalla Sealed Air Corporation alla Bain Capital Private Equity in un accordo del valore di 3,2 miliardi di dollari.

NEWS Spanish appeal to government Spanish contract cleaning association ASPEL has asked the government to follow the example of the Administrator of Railway Infrastructures ADIF and stop using price as the sole evaluation criterion when awarding public contracts. It says other aspects such as quality of service must be taken into account.

ASPEL president Juan Díez de los Ríos expressed satisfaction that the public body has raised the weighting of technical tenders to 49 per cent against 51 per cent for financial tenders. The company

has also decided to stiffen its conditions, to prevent tendering with recklessly-reduced prices.

The cleaning association would like other public administrations to follow its example.

Since ASPEL published its report ‘The Tyranny of Price’ over a year ago it has been campaigning for a ‘results approach’ in contracting of services - where the quality of the service is paramount - rather than the ‘hours approach’, where a price is assigned as a function of the number of hours worked.

Stay up-to -date with industry news as it happens visit the ECJ website at europeancleaningjournal.com

•Le prestataire britannique de multi-services OCS a lancé un programme qui visera à recruter jusqu’à 900 apprentis dès la première année.

• Aspel, l’association espagnole du nettoyage professionnel, a invité les pouvoirs publics à ne pas limiter au prix les critères d’évaluation pour l’octroi de marchés publics.

• Das in Großbritannien ansässige

OCS to recruit 900 apprentices As part of National Apprenticeship Week in the UK recently, building services provider OCS launched a new apprenticeship programme which will aim to recruit up to 900 apprentices in its first year.

The scheme is offering apprenticeships in a range of operational FM, management and business support functions including ICT and HR. Open to both new and existing OCS colleagues, the programme will offer vocational learning through local training providers and further education colleges, and leadership development to degree level, providing multiple pathways for individuals to

Gebäudetechnikunternehmen OCS stellt ein neues Programm vor, das zum Ziel hat, im ersten Jahr 900 Auszubildende einzustellen.

• Der spanische Vertragsreinigungsverband Aspel hat die Regierung gebeten, den Preis nicht zum einzigen Bewertungskriterium bei der Vergabe von öffentlichen Aufträgen zu machen.

progress their career.

Roles across all service lines and functions will be advertised on the OCS website. Stuart Rowberry, resourcing and development business partner at OCS explained: “The forthcoming apprenticeship levy provides the opportunity for us to implement a development programme which delivers for our people, our customers and OCS. “Apprenticeships will allow us to attract and retain the best talent through a focus on supporting their careers while equipping our workforce with the skills needed to support our customers and the growth of OCS in the coming years.”

• La OCS, fornitore di servizi alle strutture con sede nel Regno Unito, sta per lanciare un nuovo programma che mira ad assumere fino a 900 apprendisti nel suo primo anno.

• L’associazione spagnola del settore del cleaning professionale Aspel ha chiesto al governo di non considerare il prezzo come unico criterio di valutazione durante l’assegnazione di appalti pubblici.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 9

NEWS Social media and how to use it - three basic rules

Laura Napper, managing director of Twilight Cleaning and Facilities Management starts an exclusive series for ECJ about social media and how to use it.

In this first part, she looks at some basic rules.

Social media is such a broad topic - indeed, it’s seen as a big

black hole to some companies.

If you were toying with the idea of social media, where would you go with this next? Here are some questions that you could ask yourself: How is your social media playing out in the world?

Any chance you’re scared of making a mistake or being on the outside of what you keep hearing are the rules of social media?

If this resonates with you, then read on and take stock - maybe keeping social media social should be your next aim, have a read of what I consider are the main basic rules.

Rule 1 - No to hard selling and soulless media. Think hard and fast about the message you are putting out there - could you be putting out empty or soulless messages, or even worse - could they be hard sell and even boring? Has anyone

ever noticed you and started to walk the other way? If so, the sales side of social media may have hijacked you as a brand that is dull, even if you’re not.

It’s never too late to bring fresh perspective and embrace a new, not too hard sell, positive approach.

Who is your audience?

Rule 2 - You and only you decide, who is your audience?

Is it everyone? Just the country you operate in? You choose, it’s your business. There is no right or wrong (the only wrong is if you are hurting someone or being toxic towards anybody or an organisation). Are you hashtagging everything that trends? Or are you uniformly compliant with the industry?

Personally I find being a little “maverick” can mean getting a wider audience and being a public place, we’re open to

all anyway. I will talk about hashtagging in the future.

Rule 3 - There are no real rules on social media. You heard that correctly, so who makes rules or should put restrictions on your creativity? This is the only rule, the rest is purely etiquette and strategy. Can the creativity needed really be executed by someone that doesn’t understand your industry? How can anyone really judge or make that call? It really isn’t one size fits all - or in this case rules for all. Be independent, keep creative, make sure you enjoy it, keep it fun and be kind to others. @tenterdentwcc

Read Laura Napper’s regular blog on the ECJ website: europeancleaning journal.com

Use of nanosilver should be limited says Australian report Alarm bells should be ringing about the increasing use of nanosilver to create antimicrobial products, claim researchers at Sydney’s University of Technology.

They warn that the presence of nanosilver - which is used to coat medical items such as wound dressings and catheters - has the potential to cause antimicrobial resistance.

Besides its use in the healthcare sector, nanosilver is increasingly being employed in everyday items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby bottles, bedding, clothing and household appliances.

University of Technology Sydney nanobiologist Dr Cindy Gunawan says alarm bells should be ringing at the

commercialisation of nanosilver use because of a “real threat” that resistance to nanosilver will develop and spread through microorganisms in the human body and the environment.

Reliability jeopardised “Nanosilver is a proven antimicrobial agent whose reliability is being jeopardised by the commercialisation of people’s fear of bacteria,” she said. “Our use of it needs to be far more judicious, in the same way that we need to approach antibiotic usage. Nanosilver is a useful tool but we need to be careful, use it wisely and only when the benefit outweighs the risk.”

Dr Gunawan and her team investigated more than 140

• ECJ entame une série spéciale sur les médias sociaux et les meilleur moyens de les utiliser avec le concours de Laura Napper, administratrice déléguée de Twilight Cleaning and Facilities Management.

• Des chercheurs à l’université technologique de Sydney ont élevé une mise en garde contre l’emploi grandissant de particules d’argent nanométriques pour la fabrication de produits antimicrobiens.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 10

commerciallyavailable medical devices including wound dressings and tracheal and urinary catheters.

They also looked at dietary supplements promoted as immunity boosters and taken via a throat or nasal spray.

The team concluded that the use of nanosilver in these items could lead to prolonged exposure to bioactive silver in the human body which could create the conditions for microbial

• Mit der Hilfe von Laura Napper, Managing Director von Twilight Cleaning and Facilities Management, startet das ECJ eine Sonderserie über soziale Medien und wie man sie am besten nutzt.

• Die zunehmende Verwendung von Nanosilber bei der Herstellung antimikrobieller Produkte sollte Alarmglocken auslösen, meinen Forscher der University of Technology in Sydney.

resistance. Dr Gunawan claims that a targeted surveillance strategy needs to be employed to monitor for any occurrence of resistance.

• ECJ inizia una serie speciale sui social media e su come sfruttarli al meglio, con la collaborazione di Laura Napper, direttore generale di Twilight Cleaning and Facilities Management.

• Il crescente utilizzo di nanoargento per produrre prodotti antimicrobici dovrebbe far suonare dei campanelli di allarme, così affermano i ricercatori dell’University of Technology di Sydney.

CHARGES FASTER. LASTS LONGER. Lighter thanks to Li-ion battery. More efficient thanks to pre-sweeping. Easier to manoeuvre thanks to KART.

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Better is the enemy of good. Our BR 45/22 C Bp with its quick-charging Lithium-Ion battery is lighter than standard battery-operated devices and is ready to use all day long. Thanks to the KART brush head with pre-sweep function, which can rotate freely through 200°, you can cut cleaning time in half when cleaning in tight spaces. Simply better. www.kaercher.com

NEWS Hand sanitiser health problems

New criteria for EU Ecolabel

Poison helplines in the US receive thousands of calls each year relating to children’s adverse reactions to hand sanitisers according to the Center for Disease Control.

Products containing alcohol are the subject of most complaints with reports of eye problems and sanitiser ingestion among the most common issues.

The European Commission will introduce stricter limits to its EU Ecolabel criteria for cleaning products in June. The major changes are: • Microplastics will be banned from products • Removal of the derogation for fragrances classified chronic category 3 (H412); • Stricter requirements on preservatives that allow only a sufficient dose to preserve the product; • Bio-based products must be sourced from sustainable plantations with certification required for palm oil, palm kernel oil and their derivatives

Many symptoms Between 2011 and 2014 around 8,000 calls were logged in the US relating to children under 12 experiencing symptoms such as eye problems, vomiting, stomach pain and coughing after being in

contact with sanitiser products.

Three children suffered seizures after drinking hand sanitiser while five fell into a coma and two more temporarily stopped breathing. More than 90 per cent of the children who experienced a reaction were under five years old.

However health experts still advocate the use of alcoholbased hand sanitisers among the young where their use is adequately monitored.

The CDC report states:“If soap and water are not available, use of a hand sanitiser that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol is suggested.”

• Aux États-Unis, les lignes d’assistance pour empoisonnement reçoivent chaque année des milliers d’appels concernant des enfants qui ont mal réagi à l’emploi de désinfectants des mains, rapporte le Center for Disease Control.

• La Commission européenne introduira en juin des limites plus strictes, tendant à resserrer les critères d’octroi de l’Ecolabel UE.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 12

• Laut dem Center for Disease Control gehen bei Telefonauskunftsstellen für Vergiftungen in den USA jährlich mehrere Tausend Anrufe ein, bei denen es um Kinder geht, die Nebenwirkungen auf Händedesinfektionsmittel zeigen.

• Die Europäische Kommission führt ab Juni strengere Kriterien für das Europäische Umweltzeichen für Reinigungsprodukte ein.

•Packaging using 80 per cent recycled materials is exempt from all other packaging requirements.

The update will cover six product groups: all purpose cleaners and cleaners for sanitary facilities; hand dishwashing detergents; dishwashing detergents; industrial and institutional automatic dishwashing detergents; industrial and institutional laundry detergents, and laundry detergents.

Companies holding the Ecolabel will have a 12-18 month transition period to adapt to the new requirements.

• Negli Stati Uniti d’America, i servizi di assistenza telefonica antiveleni ricevono migliaia di chiamate ogni anno riguardanti le reazioni avverse agli igienizzanti per le mani come rivela il centro Center for Disease Control.

• Negli Stati Uniti d’America, i servizi di assistenza telefonica antiveleni ricevono migliaia di chiamate ogni anno riguardanti le reazioni avverse agli igienizzanti per le mani come rivela il centro Center for Disease Control.

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UPDATE: GERMANY PADIGLIONE 6 STAND E8/2

Key industry trends German reporter Alexandra Lachner asked Dr Frederik King, manager at cleaning systems association VDMA, about future trends.

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Whether it’s statistics for floor cleaning machines, industry analyses for cleaning systems or international committee work, the VDMA cleaning systems association represents over 40 members and is in touch with the trends and challenges in the cleaning sector. Asked what is currently the greatest driver in the industry, manager Dr Frederik King has a clear answer: “The present focus is on autonomous self-driving scrubber dryers. Both manufacturers and cleaning service providers see these as offering great potential for increased efficiency.”

Allied to the general discussion regarding the role of robotics and automation in the future world of work, there is also the vision of employees being freed up for other work and only having to intervene when the machine itself signals a problem.

The degree of technical challenge varies depending on the kind of usage. “The machine may be operating when the premises have closed for the day or in a supermarket which is still open.

In this case reliable sensors will be necessary which can react promptly to any obstacles which may suddenly appear”.

This on its own is not enough, however, since the machine must also know the premises in which it is operating. This is where mapping specialists come in, to enable navigation. “Tests must be developed to assess whether safety criteria have been met. IEC has been working on the creation of relevant standards since mid 2016.”

Another trend which will impact increasingly on the sector is digitalisation. As in other industries, the introduction of smart data – the intelliAlexandra Lachner, correspondante d’ECJ en Allemagne, interroge le Dr Frederik King, directeur de l’Association des systèmes de propreté VDMA sur la conduite auonome, la numérisation et l’écologie.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 14

gent collection and evaluation of data – is opening up far-reaching opportunities.

Here the main focus is also on increased efficiency and cost savings. “A good example is the digital monitoring of the machine’s condition – so that maintenance can be carried out only when necessary. The utilisation rate of a fleet can be monitored online and improved,” says Dr King.

“Many manufacturers are now offering machines which can control various cleaning levels.

If you monitor precisely over a period of time which cleaning level gives you the desired outcome for which job, you can then adjust the amount of effort required accordingly.”

Last but not least, environmental issues are expected to play an increasingly important role. Although topics such as optimum consumption of electricity or cleaning chemicals are already being considered, all European manufacturers will in future be required to pay more attention to greater efficiency in the way materials are used.

“Durability, recyclability or reusability – these are the key issues of EU Standardisation Mandate M/543 which has been under active discussion since 2015”, says Dr King. In order to comply manufacturers must concentrate on the sustainable management of materials. “They will therefore have to achieve increased efficiency through automation, robotics and digitalisation and take account of environmental criteria – while experiencing heavy price pressure. This is indeed a challenging range of demands to satisfy in moving forwards into a successful future.”

Die deutsche ECJReporterin Alexandra Lachner befragt Dr Frederik King, Referent Fachverband Reinigungssysteme VDMA, zu autonomem Fahren, Digitalisierung und Ökologie.

La corrispondente tedesca di ECJ Alexandra Lachner chiede al direttore dell’associazione di sistemi di pulizia VDMA Dr Frederik King informazioni sui veicoli a guida autonoma, digitalizzazione ed ecologia.

UPDATE: SWEDEN Cutting cleaning hours Pilot study gives Swedish hospital cleaners shorter working hours for one and a half year. This report from Scandinavian correspondent Lotte Printz.

Playing football or doing exercise workouts has a positive impact on health. That’s hardly a surprise.

But a recent study carried out by the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment in cooperation with a Danish, a Swedish and a British university among 116 cleaners shows that half of the participants who did this type of exercise two times 30 minutes a week over four months, improved their cardiac autonomic regulation.

Increased heart rate variability – as it is also called – has proved especially important for the rest and restoration of cleaners with high levels of occupational physical activity and may help prevent them from being worn out.

If struggling like most of us to fit in fitness routines after a full-time working day, this is perhaps particularly good news for a number of hospital cleaners in Sweden who have just been granted more time to exercise – you could argue.

Full pay On March 1 the cleaners at the hospital of Skellefteå, close to Lapland in northernmost Sweden, started a pilot study where they are going to work for only six hours a day while still being paid for a full-time job.

The trial was initiated by the county council and not as a result of the said exercise study. But it’s no secret that cleaners – in general – are less fit and more likely to suffer from coronary heart diseases such as high blood pressure than other job groups.

So this may add to its value. If they end up spending their extra leisure time on exercise that is!

Creating attractive workplaces, thus increasing the chances of recruiting and maintaining staff, Lotte Prinz rend compte d’une étude pilote menée en Suède consistant à réduire les heures de travail de nettoyeurs d’hôpitaux pendant dix-huit mois.

building better working environments and having fewer sick days were the main motivations for implementing this pilot project.

Its kick-off came, however, just after a similar pilot scheme in an old people’s home in Gothenburg in January was doomed for being too expensive. Nevertheless, head of department of the involved hospital cleaning company, AnnaMaria Rudolfsson, is confident and pleased that the project will boost the company and its employees, she told the trade magazine Rent.

Output maintained?

This Swedish experiment in Lapland will run until the end of September 2018 and will have cost a total of about € 314,000 by the end, it is reckoned.

By then Anna-Maria Rudolfsson and the hospital in Skellefteå will know whether the employees are more pleased about their working environment, whether output will be maintained even if hours were shortened, and whether stress levels have been reduced and the employees take fewer sick days than the reference group from the hospital at Lycksele. The Lapland county council will then decide whether it’s worth continuing cutting the working day for cleaners.

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Lotte Printz berichtet über eine Versuchsstudie, in deren Rahmen das Reinigungspersonal in schwedischen Krankenhäusern 18 Monate lang mit reduzierter Arbeitszeit arbeitet.

La corrispondente Lotte Printz ci informa che in base a uno schema sperimentale, per un anno e mezzo gli addetti alle pulizie degli ospedali avranno un orario di lavoro ridotto.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 15

UPDATE: NETHERLANDS Collective agreements of the future Jacco Vonhof, chairman of the Dutch Association of Cleaning Research (VSR), reports on negotiations on working conditions in the Netherlands.

At the beginning of this year employers and employees in the Dutch cleaning sector undertook renewed negotiations on working conditions. Agreements on wages, bonuses, overtime payment, probation or pension are stipulated in a collective labour agreement (CAO). This is how the government intends to prevent competitive conditions.

A CAO is concluded by employers/organisations representing employers and workers organisations (usually trade unions).

Parties with a sectoral CAO can request from the government that the CAO be made applicable to the sector as a whole. Are the employers not party to the CAO but do they fall within the sector? They will then have to comply with the CAO provisions that have been declared generally binding. Almost all sectoral CAOs are declared generally binding, including the cleaning CAO. As a result, about 125,000 cleaning workers now have a new CAO. One of the commitments in the new cleaning CAO is a total wage increase of 3.75 per cent for the period January 1 2017 to January 1 2019. With a national average of 1.6 per cent, this is a positive result. The end-of-year bonus will also increase slightly.

But even more interesting for the future of cleaning workers are the social developments that have an effect on the cleaning profession. It has therefore been decided the cleaning sector will investigate a number of developments. One of them is robotisation/automation and its impact on the labour market.

Is the fear that people have of Au début de l’année, les partenaires sociaux du secteur néerlandais de la propreté ont renouvelé leurs négociations sur les conditions de travail.

Jacco Vonhof, président de l’Association néerlandaise de la recherche en propreté (VSR), en donne aperçu pour ECJ.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 16

being marginalised justified or does this offer opportunities?

It was furthermore agreed that trade organisations will determine whether task integration of facility professions such as cleaning, catering and security, is possible. This will give rise to the profession of ‘facility assistant’ with perhaps its own CAO in the future. As a result more full-time jobs will be created.

A third pilot is the training fund, which needs to improve the sustainable employability of personnel. Cleaning is a physically demanding occupation. The sector uses the training fund to invest in training towards an occupation outside of this line of business. Truck driver, for example. This does not seem to be in the interest of the sector, but on the other hand it enables employers to prevent dissatisfaction and perhaps even protracted illness. To keep staff physically and mentally healthy, that’s what it’s about.

While the process was marked a few years ago by rows and strikes, it went more smoothly this time around. Probably because we kept the conversations going with all the parties after the previous CAO was concluded. The pressure is therefore reduced when negotiations start again.

With the new CAO, employers and employees have taken another step together in the direction of an occupation that is increasingly considered worthy by the outside world. The enhanced relationship helps to improve and professionalise the occupation. And this is, just like the CAO, in everyone’s interest.

Zu Beginn des Jahres begannen Arbeitnehmer und Arbeitgeber in der niederländischen Reinigungsbranche mit neuen Verhandlungen über Arbeitsbedingungen. Jacco Vonhof, Vorsitzender der Vereniging Schoonmaak Research (VSR), einer unabhängigen Forschungsorganisation für die professionelle Reinigungsindustrie, berichtet für das ECJ.

All’inizio dell’anno, gli imprenditori e i dipendenti del settore del cleaning olandese hanno iniziato le trattative per il rinnovo dei negoziati per le condizioni lavorative. Il presidente dell’associazione olandese Dutch Association of Cleaning Research (VSR) Jacco Vonhof fa un resoconto per ECJ.

UPDATE: FRANCE Cleaning Paris’ transport network Cleaning contracts for the entire Paris transport network are worth €80 million a year, reports French correspondent Christian Bouzols.

Cleaning operations for the whole RATP network (tubes, busses, trams and their stations) in Paris represent a market worth €80 million a year. This is the money required for the maintenance of 1.3 millions square metres in 369 stations and approximately 1,000 trains.

“Cleaning is quite a priority for us because it’s a matter about which passengers care a lot,” explains Jean Baranger, manager for cleaning contracts at the RATP. In order to carry out these large scale duties, the RATP calls on the services of five major cleaning contractors, who share this heavy workload. In all, 1,200 cleaners work every day to keep the métros in a pristine condition.

Three cleaning levels The stations are cleaned on three levels, adds Baranger. The daily cleaning, which consists in sweeping all areas and emptying waste bins. The “asset cleaning”, which is carried out once or twice a month in every station. This type of cleaning is more in depth and done usually at night, when the trains aren’t running, and involves the use of scaffolding to wash the walls. And finally there are the concentrated and thorough cleaning operations, called “coups de propre”, which include improving the appearance of stations and changing the lights.

As regards the trains, the operations are more or less similar, with cleaning being done every day when the trains are at the terminal, and every month, when they get a more in depth cleanup and the trains pass through “washing machines” at the RATP workshops.

On the 90 trains of the RER A, which is one of the most busy Les contrats de propreté du réseau de la RATP à Paris (métro, autobus, tramway et gares) se montent à 80 millions d’euros chaque année, rapporte Christian Bouzols, notre correspondant en France.

lines of the Paris underground and railway network and is run jointly by the RATP and the SNCF, it has been decided to call on passengers to help with cleaning by means of a smartphone application called “Mon RER A” (My RER A).

A call to passengers The screen displays a form on which the passenger can describe the problem (such as “broken glass”, “litter” or “stains”) and take a photo. The application then guides the passenger in supplying details on the location of the problem, the coach number, the train route and the nearest station, which will trigger the speedy intervention of the RATP Line A cleaning services. From any point of view, this is a most efficient solution, allowing for near real time cleaning interventions.

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Reinigungsverträge für das RATP-Netz in Paris (U-Bahnen, Busse, Straßenbahnen und Bahnhöfe) belaufen sich auf einen jährlichen Wert von 80 Millionen, berichtet unser Frankreich-Korrespondent Christian Bouzols.

I contratti di pulizia per il network RATP di Parigi (metropolitana, autobus, treni e stazioni) sono del valore di 80 milioni di Euro all’anno, come spiega il corrispondente francese Christian Bouzols.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 17

UPDATE: ITALY Food hygiene project Anna Garbagna reports from a recent tourism exhibition in Milan, attended by Afidamp.

Cleaning industry association Afidamp was present recently at BIT tourism exhibition in Milan.

Distributors from Afidamp’s world were in fact among the key players on the stand of APCI, the Professional Association of Italian Chefs, with the role of “super consultants of cleaning”.

The catering sector is a fast growing one and consumers are now far more aware of it. The association’s objective was to outline to chefs, kitchen staff, students and everyone involved in the industry, the techniques and methods which aim to guarantee affective cleaning of kitchens,

optimising time and costs while being environmentally conscious.

While hygiene in community facilities is very important, this is even more true in the context of catering where the regulations are rightly very strict.

Magazine section With APCI, AfidampCOM initiated a successful cooperation on the topic of hygiene in the field of catering and for this reason it has been writing for the association’s magazine, Art in the Kitchen, in a specialised section dedicated to strategies that can be used for efficient cleaning of restaurants’

Anna Garbagna fait rapport pour ECJ depuis l’Italie, où l’association de la propreté Afidamp a récemment assisté au salon du tourisme BIT. Lors de cette manifestation, elle a collaboré avec l’Association professionnelle des chefs d’Italie à titre de « super consultant en propreté ».

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 18

facilities and equipment.

Gathering producers, importers and distributors of products, machinery, paper and equipment (besides other bodies from the sector), Afidamp offers an all-round guarantee of professional hygiene.

In this way, thanks to the synergy created between AfidampCOM and APCI, there came about the idea of creating a new publishing project which is now almost finalised: a handbook for the catering sector designed for professionals who operate in restaurants, hotels, bars, canteens and catering for communities, which have to hygienically treat all the surfaces which come into contact with foods and drinks on a daily basis.

With this manual, AfidampCOM has aimed to create a valuable tool to help the sector’s profes-

Anna Garbagna berichtet für das ECJ aus Italien, wo der Industrieverband Afidamp vor kurzem an der Tourismusmesse BIT teilnahm. Dort übernahm Afidamp zusammen mit dem Berufsverband italienischer Chefköche die Rolle des „Superberaters für Reinigung“.

sionals to find their way through the best solutions for cleaning and sanitisation in order to safeguard consumers while optimising time and costs and always remaining environmentally friendly.

By means of simple sheets, the book will explain step by step the procedures to be followed, the products to be used, the timing to be complied with and warning even the most experienced professionals about the most common mistakes - all written in clear and direct language.

With this step forward, the association is presenting itself as a body which gathers the ‘super consultants of cleaning’ who are always ready to listen to their associates and quickly offer them the most targeted solutions aiming to be the ideal partners for those who operate in the professional cleaning sector.

La corrispondente di ECJ Anna Garbagna scrive dall’Italia, dove l’associazione di categoria Afidamp ha recentemente partecipato al salone del turismo BIT dove ha lavorato fianco a fianco con l’associazione professionale dei cuochi italiani nel ruolo di “super consulenti del pulito”.

UPDATE: UK The Financial Times defines corporate social responsibility (CSR) as “a business approach that contributes to sustainable development by delivering economic, social and environmental benefits for all stakeholders”.

For CSR to be as wide-reaching as intended it is important to consider it in relation to how suppliers might, or should, impact on the delivery of these benefits to stakeholders. The notion of social responsibility is not a new one but it is one that is extending globally across corporate, public and private organisations.

Organisations need to be clear on how every link in the supply chain helps or unwittingly sabotages this delivery.

The concept and practice of CSR may not be of current concern for many smaller and medium suppliers within cleaning and

facilities management. The range of stakeholders for a supplier will, by default, be limited in comparison to the organisations for which that supplier provides a service or product. This shouldn’t stop the supplier from paying attention to their client’s CSR strategy, using it as a practical way of developing its own policies and procedures.

We expect every potential supplier to demonstrate a good understanding of the industry, showing how the supply of services and/or products will help the client organisation to achieve its objectives. For a supplier to demonstrate its capability in relation to established CSR strategies makes good business sense.

Client organisations may also raise the issue of CSR at an early stage in the tendering process.

This means the managers involved must have a deep under-

Lynn Webster, notre correspondante au RoyaumeUni, discute du thème de la responsabilité sociale de l’entreprise (RSE) et explore tout l’intérêt que celle-ci représente pour les intervenants du secteur de la propreté.

Allies in responsibility UK reporter Lynn Webster discusses the issues around Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). standing of existing and developing CSR strategies, being able to define the points at which supplier delivery impacts directly.

For example: do the cleaning products used by the supplier comply with the client organisation’s environmental ethos? Are the supplier’s recruitment and training procedures in line with those of the client organisation? Are relevant social and economic realities understood and addressed practically, and not exploited for short term gain?

Even where a potential supplier does not have a CSR strategy as such, what evidence is there to

Die britische ECJ-Korrespondentin Lynn Webster erörtert das Thema unternehmerische Gesellschaftsverantwortung und kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass sie für alle Interessengruppen in der Reinigungsbranche durchaus unternehmerisch sinnvoll ist.

show the supplier’s working practices do not conflict with the client organisation’s stated CSR aims?

I don’t apologise for repeating the message that underpins most of my articles: excellent communication between supplier and client.

Treating CSR as marginal to operational issues cannot help businesses to flourish. This approach offers great opportunities for the supplier working with an organisation that has a well-defined and carefully implemented CSR strategy. Being able to develop working practices and procedures that are geared toward social responsibility can give a competitive edge.

La corrispondente britannica di ECJ Lynn Webster parla della questione della responsabilità sociale delle imprese (Corporate Social Responsibility - CSR) ed esamina come possa essere utile per tutti i soggetti interessati del settore imprenditoriale del cleaning.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 19

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A superior experience Sophie Rice, EMEA healthcare segment manager for KimberlyClark Professional explains why washroom facilities play an increasingly critical role in maintaining hygiene standards and driving a positive perception of every hospital.

A dirty or badly-maintained washroom is a nuisance and a potential health hazard, but it’s even more than that. It also reflects badly on the overall standards of hygiene practiced across the site and portrays a negative image of how the healthcare facility is managed and ultimately the care provided to patients. If the site cannot even keep its washrooms clean and tidy, what might be lurking in the corners of its wards or treatment rooms? Can it be trusted to provide safe, hygienic healthcare to the most vulnerable in our society?

The washroom is a very public part of the healthcare facility and it sets a standard: that standard needs to be high and the lasting impression positive.

Good hand hygiene is essential throughout healthcare premises to prevent the spread of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) and this can all start in the washroom. In the UK, health secretary Jeremy Hunt has recently confirmed government plans to halve the number of gramnegative bloodstream infections by 2020 (such as E-coli), as part of this initiative, for the first time the NHS will be required to publish staff hand hygiene indicators.

Hospital employees may need to wash their hands several times every hour to comply with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and its ‘five moments of hand hygiene’ for healthcare workers.

But hospital employees are not the only people who need to observe good hand hygiene practice in healthcare premises: family and friends visiting patients can also spread infection if they do not wash their hands. Therefore any barriers to good hand hygiene need to be addressed such as lack of awareness, time, skin irritation and an unwelcoming washroom.

Within a hospital there are four key groups of people that regularly visit the washroom: patients, staff, visitors and cleaners. Patients with compromised immune systems need an area that is

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 22

safe. A shared washroom facility has the potential to spread infection so it is vital this risk is minimised. Patients may also have reduced mobility, so think about the functionality of the area and avoid specifying equipment, for instance, dispensers, that may be too large for the space available and therefore difficult for patients and other users to manoeuvre around.

Staff want a clean and tidy area – often a visit to the washroom brings a brief respite from the pressures of a busy day and a demanding job, so it is important the environment is a pleasant one.

Visitors want to know their loved ones are being cared for in a clean and well-kept facility and that their hospital experience is as positive as it can be. And cleaners need a well-designed facility that is easy to keep clean and with no dirt traps where bacteria can hide.

Each of these user groups will have a different perspective of hygiene. Therefore education is important; informing users of the correct hygiene process and how to help the spread of infections by reducing cross-contamination. Posters can be an effective means of communicating with all user groups about good hygiene practice and may include simple instructions to reduce cross-contamination, such as avoiding reaching into the towel dispenser and touching several towels.

Get the basics right Delivering a satisfactory washroom experience is not rocket science. We are not talking about installing designer sinks or built-in music systems. It’s the simple things that matter, it’s all about making sure that the washroom is clean, looks inviting, and smells fresh – thus improving the user experience and reducing complaints. But how can you do that?

Cleanliness and hygiene are the two fundamentals of excellent washroom standards. Simple steps are the key to running a successful washroom. It goes without saying that equipment must be in good working order, so toilets need to flush and sinks need to drain.

Ensuring the washroom is well-stocked with good quality, relevant products, including hand towels, soap, toilet paper, sanitising gel and moisturising lotion, is also really important. Offering well-known, branded products that users recognise elevates the washroom experience. Don’t be tempted to think the addition of hand

care products, such as moisturising lotion is a luxury, especially for cash-strapped healthcare environments. It isn’t. It can be an essential part of ensuring a good hand hygiene programme is followed. Skin irritation is a major barrier to good hand hygiene; in fact, it is the number one reason for the failure of hand hygiene compliance in hospitals.

In Britain one in five nurses – equivalent to 80,000 – have reported work-related skin problems as a result of repeated hand washing. Therefore any steps taken to help staff to care for their skin may also encourage improved hand hygiene compliance, reduce infection and positively impact on health and wellbeing.

Drying vital Drying hands is also an essential part of the hand washing routine. Some microbes remain on hands after washing and can be easily transferred if hands are not properly dried. There are many different hand drying methods, but the World Health Organisation unequivocally recommends drying hands thoroughly with a single use towel. This method has been found to help prevent cross-contamination from wet hands into the air and the rest of the body.

A study by the University of Westminster showed that drying your hands with a single use towel reduces germ count by up to 76 per cent.

If opting for single-use paper towels for hand drying it is important to ensure bins are conveniently located and regularly emptied to encourage usage and prevent overflow of used towels spilling over onto the floor. Modern dispensers can also help to prevent product jamming or tearing and stop the cleaning staff overfilling the dispenser, which can result in jamming.

This helps to manage waste and keep the washroom tidy and litter free.

Rolled hand towels that deliver more sheets per roll, combined with an effective dispensing system can help with washroom waste and overall tidiness; specifying better quality hand towels means lower usage rates, thereby reducing overflowing bins and waste in the washroom.

Simply put, using less product generates less waste. Bins need to be emptied less frequently, freeing up domestic teams to carry out other important cleaning tasks.

Disposal costs are also reduced, helping the overall waste budget.

Don’t just think about what you can see.

Think about odours as well – the ‘inhale moment’. If it doesn’t smell clean, then the brain thinks it isn’t clean. Smells and stains therefore need to be eliminated, Continued page 24

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WASHROOM HYGIENE so consider introducing an odour control product or system. You can have all the marble tiles you like in a washroom, but if it’s not clean and smells bad then no-one is going to be impressed.

Reducing cross-contamination

cross-contamination.

One-wipe clean dispensers with no dirt traps are ideal for the hygienic healthcare environment. Products that are easy to use can help to drive compliance, especially for extremely busy staff.

Encourage hygiene

Suppliers are continuing to innovate with the development of new products, formats and dispensers to meet diverse needs in the washroom market. In the healthcare sector, this often involves products that minimise the risk of crosscontamination, either in use or during the cleaning process. For instance, stocking a good quality, soft paper hand towel may reduce the number of towels used through improved absorbency, which in turn lowers cost and waste. Using less product means more time between refills, so reducing the instances of contact with cleaners and therefore removing an opportunity for

More proactive managers will also seek ways to educate washroom users in best practice on hand hygiene, which in turn may help to overcome bad habits. Hand hygiene is an everyday habit that we all learn as children. As such it is important to understand habitual behaviours and work to change bad hand hygiene habits.

So, for instance, siting hand sanitisers by the washroom doors means users can sanitise their hands after touching the toilet door, or facial tissues they can grab to protect their hands while exiting. A word of caution though. Don’t fall into the trap

Les équipements de toilettes jouent un rôle toujours plus critique pour le maintien de hautes normes d’hygiène et la projection de l’image de marque d’un immeuble. Comme les toilettes constituent la zone la plus ouverte entre toutes d’un bâtiment, elles doivent obligatoirement établir un étalon d’appréciation - les impressions durables doivent être positives.

Waschraumeinrichtungen spielen eine zunehmend wichtige Rolle, um hohe Hygienestandards beizubehalten und gleichzeitig dazu beizutragen, dass das Gebäude einen positiven Eindruck hinterlässt. Der Waschraum ist ein sehr öffentlicher Teil eines jeden Gebäudes und als solcher setzt er einen Standard – bleibende Eindrücke müssen gut sein.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 24

of thinking that using a hand sanitiser is in itself sufficient. WHO is quite clear that good hand hygiene is the biggest weapon we have against bacteria in hospitals and washing hands properly and as recommended is the best way to stop the spread of bacteria.

Providing a pleasant washroom experience and maintaining high standards of hygiene in the washroom are vital considerations for any hospital. The top washroom complaints are a bad smell (82 per cent), clogged toilets or not flushed (79 per cent) and a dirty, unkempt overall appearance (73 per cent). The best way to deal with complaints is to stop them being made in the first place by ensuring that the quality of your washroom consumables is satisfactory, that any maintenance issues are tackled before they even become an irritation and seeking feedback from washroom users.

Le strutture delle sale da toilette hanno un ruolo sempre più importante nel mantenere alti standard di igiene mentre allo stesso tempo offrono una percezione positiva della struttura. Le sale da toilette sono una parte molto pubblica di qualsiasi edificio e come tale stabiliscono uno standard, la prima l’impressione deve essere positiva e durare nel tempo.

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At the heart of the system, the dispenser seamlessly shifts from touchless to manual mode so your customers can deliver uninterrupted hand hygiene across their entire facility. Because every moment counts.

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PRODUCTS: WASHROOM HYGIENE

Ecolabelled

A mains version is also available.

The Praesidio’s front panel is customisable with a high resolution digital print.

Ophardt has also developed a dispenser line for use on public trains, available for wall mounting or as a cabinet version. Both are built in stainless steel and are fire retardant. www.ophardt.com

Embossed tissue

Sanitex MVP Sensitive Foam Soap from Vectair Systems has recently been awarded the Ecolabel mark for environmental excellence. This foaming lotion soap is designed to clean hands effectively while being mild and gentle on the skin.

The fragrance-free soap is formulated to be used frequently and fits inside the Sanitex MVP Soap Dispenser, which is available in white, white and chrome and black and chrome. The unit can be manual or touch-free, with the manual version incorporating antimicrobial protection on the cover.

The soap cartridges are durable and sealed for optimum hygiene. www.vectairsystems.com

Public hygiene Ophardt Hygiene’s new Praesidio no-touch hand disinfectant dispenser is designed for public areas - boasting durable stainless steel housing, tried and tested touchless functionality and attractive design.

Other features include long battery operating time and quick bottle exchange, a hygienic spray chamber with integrated drip tray, adjustable dosage and a window for filling level control.

Connected More than 100 washrooms at Gothenburg’s Landvetter Airport have been equipped with connected Tork washroom dispensers. Tork EasyCube provides cleaning staff with real-time information on how much paper, soap and hand sanitiser there is in every washroom dispenser.

Sensors in each unit transmit this information to the cleaner via their smart phone or tablet.

Katrin from Metsä Tissue produces tissue consumables including hand towels, toilet tissue and wiping products. The company has just introduced Windmill embossing to its production process - this uses an increased air pocket size which increases absorbency it says.

Less glue is also needed, again leading to improvements in absorption capacity. According to Metsä this results in less product used which saves money and reduces waste. www.katrin.com

The fact cleaners can find out which dispensers need refilling via smart phones means they no longer have to physically check each dispenser, saving time and improving efficiency. It also frees up time for the cleaner to carry out other tasks. www.sca.com

Pumice clean

Report on cleaners’ security - page 45

Now in black The Excel Black range is the latest launch from Dolphin Solutions - as the name suggests all the dispensers are black. There are 14 products including soap, toilet roll and paper towel dispensers.

Each is designed to be easy to refill thanks to a simple, inconspicuous locking mechanism and clear viewing window for at-aglance checking of consumable levels. All units are also vandalproof and can be custom printed with logos. www.dolphinsolutions.co.uk

Pumie scouring sticks and Flexi-Scour from US Pumice are designed for removing stains, hard water deposits, scale and build-up in washrooms. They can be used with cleaning agents or water and are claimed to be environmentally neutral.

For hard-to-reach areas there is Flexi-Scour, while Pumie Toilet Bowl Ring Remover has a handle to reduce operator contact with cleaning agents. www.uspumice.com

• Le savon mousse sensible Sanitex MVP de Vectair Systems a reçu la marque Ecolabel.

• Praesidio, le nouveau distributeur de désinfectant sans contact proposé par Ophardt, optimise l’hygiène des mains dans des aires publiques.

• Metsä Tissue affirme que ses produits en papier Katrin portent un nouveau gaufrage Windmill pour une absorbance accrue.

• La gamme de distributeurs pour toilettes publiques Excel Black de Dolphin Solutions réunit 14 produits.

• Les plus de 100 toilettes publiques de l’aéroport de Gothenburg ont été munies de distributeurs Tork « connnectés ».

• Les bâtons de décrassage Pumie et Flexi-Scour de la société US Pumice se dispensent de tout produit chimique agressif.

• Die Schaumseife Sanitex MVP Sensitive Foam Soap von Vectair Systems wurde mit dem Europäische Umweltzeichen ausgezeichnet.

• Der neue berührungslose Desinfektionsmittelspender Praesidio von Ophardt wurde konzipiert, um die Handhygiene in öffentlichen Bereichen zu optimieren.

• Metsä Tissue teilt mit, dass die Papierprodukte Katrin mit einer neuen Windmühlenprägung versehen sind, die die Saugstärke erhöhen.

• Die neue Produktreihe Excel Black mit Waschraumspender von Dolphin Solutions, umfasst 14 Produkte.

• Mehr als 100 Waschräume im Flughafen Göteborg wurden mit „verbundenen“ Tork Waschraumspendern ausgestattet.

• Die Bimssteinprodukte Pumie Scouring Sticks und Flexi-Scour von US Pumice machen scharfe Chemikalien überflüssig.

• Sanitex MVP Sensitive Foam Soap della Vectair Systems ha ricevuto il marchio Ecolabel.

• Il nuovo dispenser senza impulsi manuali per erogare disinfettanti Praesidio della Ophardt è progettato per ottimizzare l’igiene delle mani nelle aree pubbliche.

• La Metsä Tissue afferma che i suoi prodotti in carta Katrin hanno il nuovo goffraggio Windmill per aumentarne l’assorbenza.

• La nuova gamma di dispenser per sale da toilette Excel Black della Dolphin Solutions è composta da 14 prodotti.

• Oltre 100 sale da toilette dell’Aeroporto di Gothenburg sono state dotate di dispenser ‘connected’ Tork.

• I prodotti Pumie Scouring Sticks e Flexi-Scour della US Pumice non necessitano di prodotti chimici aggressivi.

April/May 2107 | ECJ | 27

PRODUCTS: WASHROOM HYGIENE

• Fab 30 est un écran antiéclaboussures parfumé pour urinoirs, mis au point par FDT. • Unicorn Hygienics affirme que sa gamme de produits vise la cohérence des fragrances, l’élégance de la finition, et l’intelligence pour la vente de produits.

• Excel Dryer souligne que son sèche-mains grande vitesse Xlerator est aussi hygiénique que les autres méthodes de séchage des mains.

• Bei Fab 30, entwickelt von FDT, handelt es sich um eine deodorierende Urinaleinlage, die ein Zurückspritzen verhindert.

• Unicorn Hygienics teilt mit, dass seine Produktreihe unter Berücksichtigung der Ziele beständige Beduftung, elegantes Finish und intelligente Spenderlösungen zu bieten konzipiert wurde.

• Excel Dryer betont, dass sein Hochgeschwindigkeits-Handtrockner Xlerator ebenso hygienisch ist wie andere Arten des Händetrocknens.

• Fab 30 è uno schermo anti-schizzi per gli urinatoi sviluppato dalla FDT. • La Unicorn Hygienics afferma che la sua gamma di prodotti è progettata per offrire uniformità di fragranza, finiture di classe e soluzioni intelligenti di erogazione.

• La Excel Dryer afferma che il suo asciugamani ad alta velocità Xlerator è igienico come altri metodi di asciugatura delle mani.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 28

Fab scent

No touching

Fab 30 is an anti splash back 30 days fragrance screen for use in urinals. Its flexible design, says manufacturer Fragrance Delivery Technologies (FDT), makes it easy to install in urinals of any shape or size.

The mesh design with angled grooves eliminates splash-back and keeps the urinal area clean while the screen also provides drain protection by trapping debris. Each screen is packed individually with a protective glove for simple replacement.

Fab 30 screens are impregnated with fragrances incorporating Neutra-lox malodour eliminator, a proprietary odour neutralising agent that eliminates bad odours. Ten fragrances are available. www.oxygenpowered.com

Excel Dryer says it is committed to providing hygienic, energyefficient hand drying solutions with its Xlerator hand dryer. This patented unit uses a focused, high-velocity, heated stream of air to dry hands quickly. Optional accessories include the new HEPA filtration system, which can also be retrofitted to existing dryers.

Intelligent Unicorn Hygienics says its washroom range is designed to

provide fragrance consistency, stylish finishes and intelligent vending solutions.

Intensifying and matching the perfume of dispensers is possible with the company’s urinal mats, cleaner and deodoriser and air freshener systems, with all refills being available in the same 13 fragrances. And all dispensers, including vending machines, are available in the same finishes to create a positive visual impact.

Unicorn’s washroom vending machines dispense products including tampons, sanitary towels, paracetemol and deodorant. www.unicorn-hygienics.com

Xlerator features a hands-under design for touchfree drying. www.exceldryer.com

PRODUCTS: WASHROOM HYGIENE New units

New from San Jamar are three new dispensers in the Summit range. The Summit Versatwin toilet tissue unit accepts standard size rolls and features the Infinity system that eliminates stub roll waste.

Also new is the Summit Rely Manual Bulk Soap dispenser which comes in 900 and 1300 ml sizes. Dispensing 0.6 ml this model is easy to operate without batteries and works with lotion or foam soap, as well as lotion or foam hand sanitiser. And

the Summit Simplicity Essence Mechanical hands-free towel dispenser works with most types and qualities of paper, dispensing a 25 cm portion of towel.

San Jamar has also developed a recessed roll towel line of dispensers. There are multiple options, from dispenser-type, Smart System and Tear N Dry to installation types that accept 15 or 20 cm diameter rolls. www.sanjamar.com

Continuous The Easy Fresh Fan & Cover is a non-aerosol air freshener which has fragrance infused in the cover itself, with a fan to circulate it around the washroom.

This continuous release system, says manufacturer P-Wave, means a more regulated level of fragrance. It does not require a key to open it and it can be ceiling-mounted if necessary.

A number of fragrances are available and they last for 30

days - the system is then recyclable when fragrance runs out. www.p-wave.co.uk

Less impact Fumagalli says its Magnum Hi-Tech warm air hand dryer reduces environmental impact thanks to innovative production processes, the use of recycled and recyclable material up to 99 per cent and electronic management of energy.

This means the raw material and energy needed for manufacture has been reduced by up to 40 per cent, total energy consumption in drying is down by up to 82 per cent, and the time taken to dry hands is 50 per cent down. www.fumagalli.it

• Trois appareils distributeurs ont été ajoutés à la gamme Summit de San Jamar, y compris le Versatwin à papier hygiénique.

• L’appareil Easy Fresh Fan & Cover proposé par P-Wave est un désodorisant non-aérosol à fragrance imprégnée dans le boîtier.

• Fumagalli affirme que son sèchemains à air chaud Magnum Hi-Tech minimise l’impact environnemental.

• Die Produktfamilie Summit von San Jamar wird um drei neue Spender erweitert, darunter die Toilettenpapiereinheit Versatwin.

• Bei Easy Fresh Fan & Cover von P-Wave handelt es sich um einen Lufterfrischer ohne Aerosol, bei dem die Abdeckung selbst mit einem Duftstoff getränkt ist.

• Fumagalli teilt mit, dass der Warmluft-Handtrockner Magnum Hi-Tech die Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt verringert.

• Tre nuovi dispenser sono stati aggiunti alla linea Summit della San Jamar, fra questi l’unità di carta igienica Versatwin.

• Easy Fresh Fan & Cover della P-Wave è un deodorante per ambienti non-aerosol con le fragranze infuse nel coperchio stesso.

• La Fumagalli afferma che il suo asciugamani ad aria calda Magnum Hi-Tech riduce l’impatto ambientale.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 29

PRODUCTS: WASHROOM HYGIENE

• Parmi les derniers lancements de produit de Mediclinics figurent le sèchemains à air chaud Speedflow et le poste de changement de couches Babymedi.

• Whisper, la nouvelle gamme de papiers-mousses Premium de Northwood, est destinée à des applications aux exigences de qualité élevées.

• All Care produit des distributeurs pour toilettes publiques et propose d’autres services tels que l’impression de logos.

• Unter den neu vorgestellten Produkten von Mediclinics befinden sich der Warmluft-Handtrockner Speedflow und der Wickeltisch Babymedi.

• Whisper, die neue Produktreihe mit Premium-Tissueprodukten von Northwood, wurde für Anwendungsbereiche mit hohen Erwartungen an die Qualität entwickelt.

• All Care produziert Waschraumspender und bietet weitere Dienstleistungen, wie etwa LogoBedruckung.

• Fra i nuovi prodotti lanciati dalla Mediclinics ci sono l’asciugamani ad aria calda Speedflow e la stazione per il cambio dei pannolini Babymedi.

• La nuova gamma di prodotti in carta di alta qualità Whisper, prodotta dalla Northwood, è progettata per quelle applicazioni dove l’aspettativa in materia di qualità è alta.

• La All Care produce dispenser per sale da toilette e offre altri servizi tipo la stampa dei logo.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 30

High speed New from Mediclinics is the latest generation of Speedflow warm air hand dryers, which it says is its quickest, most hygienic, quietest and most energy efficient model yet.

changing stations range, made from polypropylene with BioCote antimicrobial additive for optimum hygiene and easy cleaning. The nappy changing area is concave and features a nylon adjustable safety belt and hooks for hanging nappy bags, handbags etc. www.mediclinics.com

Luxury softness

Electricity consumption is between 0.6 and 2.8 W per hour per drying cycle and 0.4 W when the dryer is idle, thanks to the energy efficient motor and adjustable speed. The heating element warms the outgoing air to 42ºC while there are now acoustic dampening elements used to fix the nozzle to the base plate and also in the motor bracket.

The company has also launched the BabyMedi baby

Whisper is the name of the new premium tissue range by Northwood Hygiene, developed for use in upmarket washrooms.

Whisper Gold, for example, is a three-ply product designed for maximum softness and featuring a micro-embossed pattern and added lamination.

Slightly smaller in size is Whisper Ultra, then there are the two-ply variants Whisper Silver and Whisper Soft. Whisper Silver is a longer roll that helps reduce the number of required maintenance replenishment

visits, whilst Whisper Soft boasts an everyday luxury feel at an economic price point. www.northwood.co.uk

Every situation According to dispenser manufacturer All Care it has a solution for every situation - adding functionality, hygiene and good design to the washroom.

Along with the dispensing units themselves the company offers logo printing, GlassColour coating on stainless steel dispensers, digital printing and units with personalised images or text. All Care can also design systems to order. www.all-care.eu

9th November 2017 Parco Dei Principi Grand Hotel, Rome, Italy www.ECHAwards.com

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EUROPEAN CLEANING & HYGIENE AWARDS

Opportunities for innovation Sandra Sieber, professor, IESE Business School University of Navarra, writes for ECJ. If you get some of the leading cleaning companies from across Europe together in a room and ask them about the use of technology in their industry, you might well get an underwhelming response. I know because that’s what I got when I asked at the European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards in Barcelona.

Although there are many instances of innovation and technology being developed, cleaning is still seen as a largely traditional, people-focused industry. In itself this is no bad thing, the personal touch is always appreciated, but the world is constantly evolving and the speed at which technology is dominating our everyday lives cannot be ignored.

Digital transformation is all around us.

From drone cameras to mood changing LED lighting, our existence and daily activities are being (mostly) enhanced through the effective use of technologies.

As we’ve seen in other industries, those who don’t adapt to new technology and its uses can find themselves missing out on business to disruptive new competitors.

Technology has become ‘democratised’ and is now easily accessible by anyone with the ambition to harness it and take on industry incumbents. Just a few years ago you had to go to a shop to buy a book, now Amazon is one of the biggest businesses in the world and there are thousands of companies following in its wake, or looking to do so.

The easy access to technology has not only enabled more successful start-up companies, it has dramatically reduced Bien que les innovations et progrès technologiques en matière de propreté ne manquent pas, le secteur est toujours perçu comme étant traditionnel et à main-d’oeuvre intensive.

L’approche personnelle reste apprécié, mais il est impossible d’ignorer la propagation rapide de la technologie dans nos vies quotidiennes. Sandra Sieber, professeur à l’école de gestion IESE de l’université de Navarre, a parlé de ces questions à l’occasion des Prix européens de propreté et d’hygiène 2016 à Barcelone.

the cost of setting up a new business. In 2000 it cost an average of $5,000,000 to start up a new business, by 2012 it had dropped to $50,000 and the trend has continued downwards ever since. If you don’t need a large investment in property, people or technology, getting a business off the ground suddenly becomes much easier, whatever the economic situation.

We live in an age of consumerisation where technology needs to be focused on the user experience. The generations who are coming of age are fully integrated with technology and to them it is a given.

If no-one is supplying what they want, they can now do it themselves. It’s not just the so-called ‘Millennials’ this applies to. An increasing number of older people are also engaging in the technological revolution. The highest growth rate for digital banking use in the USA is the 65+ age bracket (where there are already 17.4 million users).

Applying the framework Clearly there are opportunities to increase revenue and improve customer service to be generated from developing/ implementing specific technologies.

The percentage of connections, interactions, and information per unit of social activity realised through digital technologies – known as ‘digital density’ – is rapidly increasing, so cleaning businesses need to be ready to take advantage.

To apply the digital transformation framework you need to how you can transform operational processes, client experiences and business models to match the levels of digital density.

The cleaning industry is not without its technical innovators already. ICE won the Groundbreaking Technological Innovation of the Year award at the European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards for its Robo 2 machine. Robo 2 has a precise navigation system which means it can operate independently and highly efficiently. Thanks to its laser and sensor technology, Robo 2 can detect its surroundings and clean even complex floor areas. This means human cleaning operatives are freed up to carry out other duties and enhance the service the customer receives.

Other finalists in the innovation category were FacilityApps for Internet of Things in Cleaning; Insider Facility Services for Kontroll Inside Active; and SmartView and Hospital Sant Pau, in Barcelona.

These apps and platforms help to transform the way cleaning services are delivered so that they work more effectively for staff and clients.

The range of innovation on display offers a glimpse of a positive technological future for the cleaning industry as long as it is prepared to meet the challenge.

To find out about entering this year’s awards visit: www.echawards.com

There are two technology categories at the European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards; the ‘Best use of technology by contractors in their cleaning programme’ and the ‘Groundbreaking technological innovation of the year’.

If you or your business has developed or implemented new technology in the past 12 months, why not see whether you could be picking up an award in Rome? Details of the categories and how to enter are available at: http://www.echawards.com/

Zwar werden viele Beispiele für Innovation und Technologie entwickelt, doch Reinigung wird noch immer als eine traditionelle, personenorientierte Branche betrachtet. Die persönliche Note wird immer geschätzt, doch das Tempo, mit dem die Technologie unser tägliches Leben dominiert, kann nicht ignoriert werden. Sandra Sieber, Professor an der IESE Business School University von Navarra, hielt im Rahmen der European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2016 in Barcelona einen Vortrag zu diesem Thema.

Anche se ci sono numerosi casi di innovazione e tecnologia che vengono sviluppati al momento, le pulizie vengono ancora percepite come un settore tradizionale e incentrato sulle persone. Il tocco personale è sempre apprezzato, ma la velocità alla quale la tecnologia sta dominando la nostra vita di ogni giorno non può essere ignorata. Sandra Sieber, professoressa presso la IESE Business School University di Navarra ha parlato di questo argomento durante l’evento 2016 European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards di Barcellona.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 33

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CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS

Assessing satisfaction Open and honest communication can be a challenge even in the best of relationships, but it can be make or break in commercial situations. Giles Wheeler, operations director at contract cleaning and soft services specialist Facilicom UK, explains how taking advantage of the opportunity for a new perspective is helping his company build its client relations.

to improve overall service and make a beneficial impact for our clients’ businesses, going beyond the basic elements of a cleaning contract.

However we were interested to know what would happen if we took a different approach and got someone new to talk to our clients, not only about the current aspects of the contract, but about future possibilities too. Would they get the same feedback as we do?

When looking for feedback, it’s often good to involve someone who isn’t directly impacted by the responses. This approach can lead to more honesty as people’s feelings won’t be hurt. Perhaps surprisingly, this can be even more important when a relationship is going well as people don’t want to fall out by being critical.

Management trainees

Evaluation and client feedback are important to any business relationship, and it’s no different for contract cleaning. However all too often this involves a ‘tick box’ exercise relying on generic and task-based evaluations and reports. The results might therefore not always be that enlightening, and this could lead to some unpleasant surprises when it comes to contract renewal discussions (or the lack of them).

Of course relationship managers are supposed to know how things are going with a contract, but they may not always pick up on signs or ask the right questions.

They may simply take the approach that the client would let them know if there was an issue.

A different approach We have a focus on understanding our customers and building relationships, especially in the early stages of working together. Our contract managers also look

Our colleagues at Facilicom in the Netherlands and Belgium run a management trainee programme for recent graduates.

One aspect of this programme is taking part in company-wide projects. We therefore had an opportunity to invite a couple of the participants to the UK to undertake the client feedback exercise for us.

The project was a win-win as it gave us access to valuable client insight, and the participants got the chance to develop their research and customer service skills.

It also showed our clients that we value their opinion and are looking to continuously improve the way we work with them. We understood that, although we give our customers regular opportunities to provide feedback, this was a chance for them to open up if they’d been reluctant to previously for any reason.

Being approached by ‘young professionals’ who weren’t directly involved in the contract meant any potential sensitivities were removed.

The trainees – Tessa Van Meerten and Nick Geutjes – devised the questions and then contacted several of our larger customers, covering FM, food services, property management and chemical manufacturing.

They carried out 20 interviews asking about why people awarded the contract, what made them continue the relationship and what they’d be looking for in the next five years of working together.

They then produced a report and presented their findings to our operations management team.

The process was beneficial for both Tessa and Nick’s self-confidence in dealing with higher level customers, and having worked in the Netherlands and Belgium to get an insight into the variances between the UK and European markets.

It’s not all about the money Although we’re not suggesting that clients have open chequebooks or bottomless pockets, Tessa and Nick found that, for the clients they spoke to, the cost of the contract was not the over-riding factor in deciding who to do business with.

When making that decision, the human touch (the relationship) and operational excellence were the decisive factors.

Clients told the Tessa and Nick that: “the contract is only as good as the people you are working with” and that they’d heard “lots of promises from other companies, but we don’t believe them”. As they always say ‘first impressions count’. However it’s more than that. Successful relationships are cemented by the follow-up to meetings and calls.

Tessa and Nick found that price was even less significant at the contract renewal stage, after all if people have been getting the service they want at a price they are willing to pay, why would they change? The crucial factor is instead the amount of involvement we had with clients. “I want to be taken seriously, and I see the commitment of Facilicom and its management,” said one client. Another said: “I can’t say that Facilicom only has one USP, but familiarity was a decisive factor.” Communicating well and ensuring the relationship is working is what turns short-term relationships into long-term ones.

Continued page 37

April/May 2017 | ECJ |35

CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS Assessing satisfaction (continued) Get involved

Where next?

When working together over time, clients expect to see a greater partnership with their contractors. They need to feel they are fully understood and that those working with them will look to innovate and initiate improvements. By this stage the client should be able to take communications, operational excellence and the like as read. They’ve been getting these for years, but they don’t want a relationship or service to go stale. The contractor needs to find ways to enhance the client’s business, not just its own.

“You’re our expert when it comes to cleaning, tell us what can be improved,” said one. Another client said: “The more initiative you use, the more confident we are about the future.”

Our strategy is to preview rather than review operations and activities. To anticipate our clients’ needs and get to the heart of their companies, so that we offer that extra level of service that makes a relationship successful.

Thankfully there were no surprises for us among Tessa and Nick’s findings. It was a very useful exercise though, as it demonstrated our commitment to our customers and gave them an extra way of feeding back to us, so that we can improve the way we work with them even more. It also helped develop two of our management trainees, who now have a better understanding, and more experience of client relationships.

It’s not always easy to find out what

Maintenir des communications ouvertes et franches peut présenter des défis même dans le cadre de rapports chaleureux, mais peut faire la différence entre le succès et l’échec dans des situations commerciales. Giles Wheeler, chef des opérations chez Facilicom UK, une société de multiservices, explique comment elle a développé ses relations client en tirant parti d’une nouvelle perspective.

Die offene und ehrliche Kommunikation kann selbst in den besten Beziehungen eine Herausforderung darstellen, doch in gewerblichen Situationen kann sie entscheidend sein. Giles Wheeler, Operations Director beim Gebäudetechnikunternehmen Facilicom UK, erläutert, wie das Unternehmen durch die Ausnutzung der Gelegenheit für eine neue Perspektive seine Kundenbeziehungen aufbaut.

Special report on security issues around cleaners - page 45 your clients really think of you. Even clients giving high scores in satisfaction surveys can sometimes choose to move on. Our approach to assessing client satisfaction and identifying future requirements has helped us better understand and further develop our client relationships. We will continue to look for innovative ways to ensure those relationships develop, especially when it gives the opportunity for our future management stars to shine. www.facilicom.co.uk Delle comunicazioni oneste e aperte possono essere una sfida anche nelle migliori relazioni, ma può crearle o distruggerle in situazioni commerciali. Giles Wheeler, direttore alle operazioni del fornitore di servizi Facilicom UK, spiega, come sfruttare l’opportunità di una nuova prospettiva, aiuti la sua azienda a costruire le relazioni con i clienti.

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BATTERIES

A market going flat?

As an increasing number of cleaning machine manufacturers turn to lithium-ion, where does this leave the market for traditional AGM, GEL and flooded batteries asks Ann Laffeaty?

“They are also up to three times smaller and have a longer run time, higher power, a reduced charge time and a 10-15 per cent lower charging energy cost. However they can cost between three and five times as much to buy which is their main drawback. For this reason it may take some time before lithium-ion is fully adopted.”

Lead-acid is still used in the vast majority of cleaning machines according to Botting. “There is a particular preference for sealed gel batteries in Europe,” he said.

“The cleaning market is currently dominated by flooded, AGM and gel batteries and for cost reasons I think these will continue to play a major role. But we think we’re going to see many floor machine manufacturers introducing lithium-ion batteries in the near term.”

Premium performance

Lithium-ion is enjoying a surge in demand as a growing number of manufacturers choose to power their machines with batteries that are smaller and lighter than traditional alternatives.

Meanwhile other new battery technologies using sodium ion, magnesium ion and lithium air are currently in the development stage. But where does this leave the more traditional lead-acid options? Is the market for old-fashioned batteries going flat, or is there still a place in the commercial arena for a range of products of all kinds?

Lithium-ion has a number of advantages over traditional offerings according to Delta-Q Technologies research manager Chris Botting. “They are up to four times lighter in weight than lead-acid batteries and require no maintenance,” he said.

He believes lithium-ion will find a market among those customers who are willing to pay a premium for higher performance, longer life and lower operating costs. “Whether lithium-ion can entirely replace lead-acid batteries will depend on how low their prices can actually go in the next five to 10 years,” he said.

According to Botting one of the advantages of lead-acid batteries is their lower safety risk. “The safety risks associated with lithium-ion can be managed by a battery management system but this adds complexity and cost,” he said.

However he feels that the other main advantage of lead-acid batteries – that of low cost - is being eroded by the price reductions of lithium-ion batteries year on year. “And since lithium-ion batteries offer a higher performance with a longer life and a lower capacity fade, it is often possible to use a lower capacity lithiumion battery which further reduces the cost premium,” he said.

One environment in which lead-acid batteries may be preferred is in counterbalanced forklifts, he says. “Here the battery’s mass is actually required as ballast and the reduced weight of lithium-ion

would not be valued,” he explained.

“However lithium-ion would have other benefits in this application such as faster charging which would result in less machine down-time.”

Meanwhile, other new post-lithium-ion battery technologies are being developed, according to Botting. “Research breakthroughs are regularly being announced,” he said. “Some are improvements based on lithium-ion such as lithium silicon which replaces the graphite anode with silicon - or solid state lithium-ion which replaces the liquid electrolyte with a solid material.

“Others are new battery chemistries such as lithium sulphur, sodium ion, magnesium ion and lithium air. However none of these technologies are past the research stage and all still have fundamental challenges to overcome so it’s unlikely they’ll reach commercial use within 10 years.”

Delta-Q Technologies works closely with lead-acid and lithium-ion battery makers and offers a range of chargers ranging from 650 watts to 1500 watts.

Kärcher’s floor cleaning product manager Cassio Murillo confirms that lithiumion batteries are becoming increasingly popular in the cleaning industry. “Instead of heavy lead plates and acid electrolyte, lithium-ion battery packs are lightweight and can provide the same voltage as lead-acid batteries with a higher energy density,” he said. “They also have a low memory effect and low self-discharge.”

Long life span Another major advantage is the expected life cycle of lithium-ion batteries, he said. “They have a life span of around 2,000 to 5,000 cycles while lead-acid batteries are typically only good for 5001000 cycles,” said Murillo.

“Lithium-ion batteries can also be fast charged to 100 per cent of their capacity.

Unlike lead-acid there is no need for an absorption phase to ensure that the final 20 per cent is stored and if your charger Continued page 42

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 41

BATTERIES A market going flat? (continued) is powerful enough, lithium batteries can also be charged incredibly fast.

“If you can provide a sufficient quantity of charging amps you can actually fully charge a lithium-ion battery in just 30 minutes.” Other advantages are the fact that Li-ion batteries are completely maintenance free as well as being CO2 neutral if charged with alternative energy sources, he said.

“Machines equipped with lithium-ion batteries can be lighter and more compact and be used many times per day thanks to features such as fast charging and low memory effect which enables the option of daytime charging,” said Murillo.

However he adds that traditional alternatives still remain popular in the cleaning industry. “The lower price is still the key advantage of traditional batteries, particularly where a high capacity is required,” he said.

Sometimes dangerous “Lithium-ion batteries can also be dangerous under some conditions and can pose a safety hazard since they contain a flammable electrolyte and are kept pressurised. As a result of this the testing standards for these batteries are more stringent than those for acid-electrolyte alternatives which means they require both a broader range of test conditions and additional batteryspecific tests.”

However he adds that lithium-ion batteries are preferable in most applications since they are completely maintenance free. “They also perform better than traditional batteries in harsh environments where they will continue to deliver very high energy while lead-acid batteries may lose up to 70 per cent of their capacity,” he said.

The type of battery chosen to power a cleaning machine will depend on machine type, says Murillo. “Compact models need to be light while offering outstanding handling and mobility,” he said. “They will also be used many times per day for spot cleaning. Lithium-ion batteries are perfect for this machine class since they combine a compact size with a low weight and the possibility of opportunity charging.

“Large walk-behind and ride-on machines on the other hand need very large batteries since they are used in wide open Les batteries au lithium-ion ont révolutionné le marché des batteries grâce à leur moindre poids et à leur capacité de charge supérieure. Mais qu’en est-il des batteries AGM, GEL et inondées traditionnelles ?

Des fabricants expliquent pouvoir il y existe toujours un marché pour des batteries de tous types.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 42

areas and are operated during long working shifts. The price of lithium-ion is still a barrier in this class.”

Kärcher offers machines powered by traditional AGM, gel and flooded batteries as well as by lithium-ion. New from the company are the BV 5/1 Bp backpack vacuum and the T 9/1 dry vacuum cleaner, both fitted with lithium-ion batteries.

“For the first time these can deliver the same performance as a mains-operated machine,” said Murillo. “Besides selective cleaning both models can also be used for maintenance cleaning by contract cleaners in the transport industry – on buses, trains or planes – as well as in hotels and in the retail trade.”

“Lithium-ion batteries are up to four times lighter in weight than lead acid batteries and require no maintenance. They are also up to three times smaller and have a longer run time, higher power, a reduced charge time and a 10-15 per cent lower charging energy cost.

However they can cost between three and five times as much to buy which is their main drawback.”

Diversey Care offers machines powered by various types of battery such as gel, acid, XFC and lithium-ion.

Each has its own advantages according to global Taski machine portfolio manager Laurent Ryssen.

“Acid batteries are the lowest-cost option but they require more maintenance than other types,” he said. “Gel is maintenance-free and XFC batteries are similar to gel while also offering opportunistic charging.

“Lithium-ion allows for opportunistic charging and discharge levels are very low - close to zero, in fact - without killing the battery. The battery itself is also maintenance-free, very lightweight Lithiumionenakkus revolutionieren die Akkubranche aufgrund ihres geringeren Gewichts und ihrer besseren Ladezeiten. Aber was wird aus den herkömmlichen AGM- und Gel-Akkus sowie Akkus mit Flüssigkeitsfüllung? Die Hersteller erläutern, warum es nach wie vor einen Platz am Markt für alle Arten von Akkus gibt.

and smaller. But it is also the most expensive option.”

He says cleaning machine manufacturers are increasingly opting for lithium-ion, however. Diversey Care’s latest models include the TASKI swingo 150 Li Ion and TASKI swingo 350 Li Ion. “However the trend towards mechanical cleaning is also increasing,” he adds. “For that reason I would say that demand for more traditional options such as AGM, gel and flooded batteries is likely to remain stable until the price of lithium-ion becomes more accessible.”

Price is the key driver for customers when choosing a power source, according to Ryssen. “Safety is another important consideration,” he adds. “We experience fewer problems with gel but in terms of safety I would say that lithium-ion is safer than AGM/acid batteries.”

He says the choice of battery depends largely on the size of the machine being used – and that this depends on the size of the area to be cleaned. “Lithium-ion will be more often used for opportunistic cleaning in smaller areas whereas large machines operating in food service environments, reception areas and offices are still using gel batteries” he said.

More and more popular “Lithium-ion is the most popular type of battery for smaller machines due to their light weight, opportunistic charging and the fact that they can be easily transported from site to site.”

So does he feel the market for traditional batteries is going flat? “Anything is possible,” said Ryssen. “It all depends on the equation of cost/customer perceived value.”

The benefits of lithium-ion batteries make them more and more popular each year adds Kärcher’s Cassio Murillo. “The challenge is to make them affordable to replace bigger batteries in big machines,” he said.

But their cost is already falling according to Delta-Q Technologies’ Chris Botting. “Lithium-ion technology continues to incrementally decrease in cost while improving in performance every year,” he said. “So the bottom line is, lithium-ion batteries will be the dominant battery type for at least the next 10 years.”

Le batterie agli ioni di litio stanno rivoluzionando il settore delle batterie con il loro peso leggero e migliori capacità di ricarica. Ma cosa ne sarà delle batterie tradizionali AGM, GEL e batterie al piombo? I produttori spiegano il motivo per cui sul mercato c’è ancora posto per tutte le tipologie di batterie.

PRODUCTS: BATTERIES Performance

Trojan’s deep-cycle flooded batteries are the flagships of its product line, boasting durability and long life. Featuring the company’s T2 technology, they are designed to provide maximum sustained performance and increased total energy.

The company’s HydroLink single-point watering system simplifies the watering process, aiming to save time and money while avoiding battery failures.

A set of batteries can be filled in less than 30 seconds.

Trojan also offers deep-cycle AGM and gel batteries, which are maintenance-free and boast long life. www.trojanbattery.com

Full line

Lithium charger

Battery Supplies offers all types of battery, from traditional open-lead acid technology in deep-cycle and traction versions to maintenance-free options.

These include AGM, where the electrolyte is absorbed in a glass fibre mat, and gel, where the electrolyte is gellified.

The company also offers pure lead batteries, which offer immediate and fast charging. Finally, there are lithium-ion batteries which are maintenancefree, offer up to 2,000 cycles and can cope with intermediate charging. These can be supplied in 12V or 24V drop-in replacement blocs. www.batterysupplies.be

New from Delta-Q Technologies is a charger designed specifically for lithium-ion batteries - the ICL1200. This 1200-watt unit can charge lithium battery systems with any lithium-ion chemistry (eg, LCO, NCA, NMC, LMO, LFP, LTO, etc).

The ICL1200 uses Controller Area Network (CAN bus) communications and has a number of global regulatory approvals, including touch-safe requirements for the European electric vehicle market. Featuring a wide AC input range, the charger can operate on any single-phase electrical grid around the world. www.delta-q.com

• Les produits phare de la gamme de Trojan sont ses batteries noyées à décharge profonde.

• Battery Supplies propose la technologie entière des batteries, en allant l’acide-plomb au lithium ion, via les batteries libres d’entretien.

• Produit nouveau Delta-Q : l’ICL1200, un chargeur de batteries au lithium.

• Die Flaggschiffe in der Produktpalette von Trojan sind die Deep Cycle-Batterien mit Flüssigkeitsfüllung, die eine nachhaltige Leistung bieten.

• Battery Supplies bietet sämtliche Batterietechnologien, von offenen Bleisäurebatterien und wartungsfreien Batterien zu LithiumIon-Batterien.

• Neu von Delta-Q ist ein Lithiumspezifisches Akkuladegerät, das ICL1200.

• Il fiore all’occhiello del portfolio della Trojan sono le sue batterie a ciclo profondo che vantano un rendimento duraturo.

• La Battery Supplies propone tutte le tecnologie di batterie, dalle batterie al piombo- acido e batterie che non necessitano di manutenzione fino alle batterie agli ioni di litio.

• La novità della Delta-Q è il caricabatterie specifico per batterie al litio ICL1200.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 43

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SECURITY IN CLEANING

The stranger behind the mop Are your cleaners actually who they claim to be? Ann Laffeaty asks contract cleaners how they optimise safety and security – both for customers and for the cleaners themselves.

Cleaners are an invisible workforce.

They glide silently around our hospitals, schools, hotels and airports, cleaning up our messes often while we sleep.

But who exactly is that individual behind the cleaning trolley? Who is the man wielding a mop? Where does he come from - and more importantly, is he who he says he is?

Companies need to place a high level of trust in cleaning staff who are often expected to work autonomously, out of office hours and on short-term contracts. But hiring cleaners is not without its dangers.

This has been highlighted by UK-based cleaning contractor Julius Rutherfoord in its new best practice white paper: Security in Cleaning1. The publication is accompanied by an infographic2 and includes advice on issues such as verifying identities, authenticating documents, pre-employment screening, biometric recognition and GPS fleet monitoring.

“Staff and contractors have the right to work in a safe environment,” says operations director Chris Parkes. “The risks of poor security vetting have always been present but are even more of an issue today.

“Trends such as an increase in illegal workers and the threat of terrorism make proper security vetting of paramount importance for everyone involved.”

He believes that security checks need to be improved and standardised across the industry. “While we champion a progressive attitude to improving staff retention and safety, there is no getting away from the fact that the cleaning industry has a reputation for high staff turnover,” he said.

Julius Rutherfoord regularly rejects between 20 and 40 per cent of its applicants due to forged or out-of-date IDs. “This shows just how complacent some contractors have become – and how strong security measures need to be,” said Parkes. “Fake documents simply should not get past if rigorous security vetting procedures are in place.”

He claims that a spate of recent security lapses in contract cleaning have damaged the industry’s reputation. “For example in one case a burglar posing as a cleaner stole €20,000 worth of office equipment plus cash from some London facilities to which he had tricked his way in,” said Parkes.

“While this particular case involved a lone wolf criminal masquerading as a cleaner there can be no doubt that contract cleaning companies still need to step up their security vetting procedures.”

Raising the bar Julius Rutherfoord claims to be raising the bar in terms of best practice for security in cleaning. “Some contract cleaners vet potential employees using Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and they fail to use the latest technology when it comes to verifying photographic IDs,” said Parkes.

“Depending on the location, facilities managers should also seek to establish whether cleaning operatives have been checked against the Children’s Barred List.

The British Standard BS 7858:2012 is the recognised benchmark for performing candidate and employee screening within the UK. Clients should be asking if their

cleaning company is vetting to this level.”

Julius Rutherfoord goes above and beyond DBS checks when verifying identities, according to Parkes. “We have extra document authentication and pre-employment screening processes in place,” he said. “DBS checks will only go so far and are useless if the ID in question is fake.”

Poor vetting He claims that poor vetting poses safety and security risks for cleaning operatives as well as for the company employing them. “Cleaners are often expected to work outside normal office hours, during the early mornings and evenings,” he said.

“As well as protecting the facility, security best practice also safeguards the cleaning operatives themselves.

“And cleaners working illegally are also at risk of exploitation: there have been cases of employers knowingly taking on illegal workers and seeking to exploit or blackmail them, for instance.”

Security is always a prime concern in the cleaning industry agrees operations director of AM Services Group in the UK Greg O’Brien.

“It is something we must be continually mindful and vigilant about if we value strong customer relationships and the confidence of our clients,” he said.

“Cleaning staff work 24/7 and are often unsupervised. They also have access to all areas. It is therefore vital that we ensure to the best of our ability that our clients can trust them.”

He says there are stringent requirements in place for security-checking cleaners who work in schools and hospitals in order to protect vulnerable groups.

“For other contracts, staff need to provide documentation to identify them by proof of address and national insurance number,” says O’Brien. “Without this, nobody goes on to our payroll. Cleaning staff also need to be able to meet the very clear criteria for ‘right to work’.”

AM Services has a relatively low staff turnover, according to O’Brien. “However Continued page 46

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 45

SECURITY IN CLEANING Stranger behind the broom (continued) we are constantly recruiting for multiple positions when we gain new contracts,” he said. “Like other cleaning service providers we find the use of recruitment agencies for this type of high-volume recruitment to be cost-prohibitive. Therefore the level of security checking and personal vetting that needs to take place requires substantial company resources.”

Meeting compliance He says AM Services takes the security of its client sites very seriously. “We take all possible steps to ensure that compliance is met in this area,” he said. “The legislation is currently robust for checking people coming from overseas to work and it would certainly support and raise the bar in the industry if the same stringent standards were applied to UK nationals as well.

“Our management system also allows us to run self-checks and gives advance notice of ‘right to work’ renewals so that we are always one step ahead of compliance.” However, he adds that the company has a very low percentage of people applying for work with papers that cannot be verified.

As far as staff safety is concerned, this is a high priority for AM Services according to O’Brien. “Around 50 per cent of our cleaning team works outside of normal office hours, and often alone,” he explains.

“There is a full safety escalation process in place across all our sites along with lone worker tracking systems and lone worker check calls.

“And as part of our rigorous customer training service all our staff are fully equipped to deal with vulnerable groups, aggressive behaviour and threatening situations.”

Austria-based cleaning firm Markas has a strict vetting procedure for its employees according to human resources director Peter Gasser.

“All candidates are asked to provide their original documents and are given a questionnaire to fill out,” he said. “Their documents are then scanned and sent to the human resources department together with a completed form. The HR department also checks whether the candidate is Vos agents de nettoyage sont-ils ce qu’ils prétendent être ? Ann Laffeaty interroge des entreprises de nettoyage sur les moyens qu’elles utilisent pour optimiser la sécurité et la sûreté, tant pour leurs propres employés que pour leurs clients. Elle explore des thèmes tels que la vérification d’identité, l’authentification de documents, la présélection à l’emploi, la reconnaissance biométrique et la surveillance du parc d’appareils GPS.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 46

Citizens of Nordic countries can work freely with no time limit at Insider Facility Services according to the nation’s policy.

“Besides a few minor exemptions the only requirements are a Norwegian tax card and a Norwegian address,” said Nielsen.

“Citizens of EU/EEA and EFTA countries can work here for up to three months.

After that they must register electronically for a registration certificate issued at a police station. And citizens from countries outside the EU/EEA must have a Norwegian residence and work permit and in these cases we usually check with the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration

for confirmation.”

He says the company makes a few other checks during the interview process. “For example we ask for a social security number, valid passport, tax card and a bank account number with a Norwegian bank before hiring,” he said.

“We can’t demand a police certificate for just anybody, only where it is appropriate by law. However it is common for customers in sectors such as healthcare, police, banks and airports to demand that their cleaners pass security courses.”

He says that no-one to his knowledge has ever tried to obtain a job with the company using fake documents. “But the question is, how difficult is it to forge a social security number that will pop up as valid in our system?” he asks. “When we hire for normal contracts with standard security levels we can’t be 100 per cent certain that the company’s cleaning employees are who they say they are.”

Julius Rutherfoord’s Chris Parkes concludes that the question of security should clearly be revisited in today’s uncertain times. “A good system of checks and balances should not stop even when the cleaner has been employed,” he adds.

“Attendance and tracking technology will ensure that cleaning operatives are where they should be. This includes biometric identification using fingerprint or iris recognition plus GPS vehicle tracking.

“This way we can be notified in real time if a vehicle in our fleet goes missing or if a cleaning operative doesn’t turn up for a job and we can find out what has happened.”

And he adds that as technology advances, the cleaning industry should be moving towards a more systems-based approach towards staff vetting and improving the safe delivery of cleaning.

“We go above and beyond normal processes when it comes to security in cleaning and we want to lead by example,” said Parkes. “We think other contract cleaners need to take this issue as seriously as we do.”

1 www.julius-r.co.uk/resource-centre/file/ your-property-in-safe-hands-security-incleaning/ 2 www.julius-r.co.uk/resource-centre/file/ security-best-practice-checklist/

Sind Ihre Reinigungskräfte wirklich diejenigen, die sie zu sein vorgeben? Ann Laffeaty fragt Vertragsreinigungsunternehmen, wie sie Sicherheit und Schutz optimieren – sowohl für die Kunden als auch die Reinigungskräfte selbst. Sie untersucht Themen wie die Identitätsprüfung, beglaubigende Dokumente, Überprüfung neuer Mitarbeiter, biometrische Erkennung und GPS-Überwachung des Fuhrparks.

I vostri addetti alle pulizie sono coloro che dicono di essere? Ann Laffeaty chiede alle imprese di servizi di pulizia in appalto come ottimizzano sicurezza e mancanza di rischi, sia per i clienti che per gli addetti alle pulizie stessi. In oltre esplora problematiche quali la verifica delle identità, l’autorizzazione dei documenti, lo screening prima delle assunzioni, il riconoscimento biometrico e il monitoraggio GPS della flotta.

allowed to work in Austria. If any documents are missing, they will not process the application.”

He says this system ensures there are no illegal workers at the company. “If a candidate comes to us looking for a job but has insufficient paperwork, the Markas operative will kindly but firmly decline their application and direct them to the authorities,” said Gasser.

The safety and security of cleaners themselves is not usually an issue for Norway-based Insider Facility Services according to marketing and purchasing manager Thor Nielsen.

“Few of our contracts are fulfilled by just one person and the majority of cleaners begin work at five o’clock in the morning,” he said. “However, all our employees have access to online HSE guidelines that cover different situations.”

Julius Rutherfoord regularly rejects between 20 and 40 per cent of its applicants due to forged or out-of-date IDs. “This shows just how complacent some contractors have become – and how strong security measures need to be. Fake documents simply should not get past.”

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PREVIEW: PULIRE

Build-up to Pulire, Italy’s cleaning show Pulire, the Italian professional cleaning exhibition, is set to take place from May 23-25 in Verona - over 300 companies from 21 countries will exhibit there and the last exhibition in 2015 saw over 15,000 cleaning professionals attending - almost 27 per cent of them from outside Italy.

The organisers say visitors will include facility managers, contract cleaning companies, distributors, importers and buying groups.

Alongside the exhibition is a comprehensive programme of conferences and seminars taking place over the three days.

Themes include Women as Drivers of Innovation; Infection Risk Management in Healthcare; Kitchen Cleaning; Hygiene in ECJ passe en revue les produits et services qui seront exposés au salon Pulire, qui aura lieu à Vérone, en Italie, du 23 au 25 mai.

Healthcare; The Circular Economy; 25 Years of EU Ecolabel: Air Duct Hygiene; European Cleaning Days; The Value of Recyclable Plastic; Creating an Eco-Sustainable System via Cleaning Services; Hygienic Value of Paper; How to Bid for Public Contracts.

Also taking place is the presentation of the 2017 Innovation Awards. There are five categories: Machines, Equipment, Chemical Products, Paper Products, Systems.

Another feature of the exhibition this year is Pulire Outdoor, an area dedicated to sweeping and urban cleaning.

The Pulire app allows visitors to access information about exhibitors on their mobile devices throughout the show.

Visit www.pulire-it.com for details.

Das ECJ beginnt mit seiner Vorschau auf die Reinigungsmesse Pulire, die vom 23.–25. Mai im italienischen Verona stattfinden wird.

ECJ inizia la sua anteprima della fiera di settore Pulire che si terrà a Verona, in Italia, dal 23 al 25 maggio.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 49

PREVIEW: PULIRE Comac Comac has reintroduced its historic C130 scrubber dryer with a new design and more technology. There are now three types of engine available: battery, diesel and Bi-Fuel (a combination of petrol and LPG).

One of the key developments, says Comac, is the instrument panel, which has been streamlined and incorporated into a seven-inch colour touch screen display. From there the opera-

consists of four disk brushes, with variable pressure of up to 180 kg.

It can also be shifted sideways to reach dirt against walls or underneath shelving. www.comac.it

tor can configure the machine according to requirements or use one of the programmes already stored: Eco, Standard and Plus.

Each uses different amounts of water, detergent and pressure.

The scrubbing brush head

Gloria

sector by Eurofins Food Testing.

With a filling capacity of 1.25 litres and a maximum operation pressure of three bar, the FoodMaster is suitable for disinfecting and cleaning production plants, canteen kitchens, etc. www.gloriagarten.de

Gloria’s hand sprayer FoodMaster F 12 is safe to use in applications that work with food every day. This pressure sprayer has been tested and approved for use in the food processing

VDM The new IdeaTop Serie 100 range is designed for those who want to have a workstation rather than simply a cleaning trolley, says manufacturer VDM. Each model, it emphasises, is an ergonomic system that makes it possible for the operator to work in every environment in the most precise and hygienic way.

For optimum safety there is a lockable drawer system, which also ensures the necessary tools are always to hand. www.vdm.it • Comac a réintroduit son autolaveuse C130 après lui avoir donné un look moderne et une foule de nouvelles fonctionnalités • Le pulvérisateur à pression FoodMaster F12 de la société Gloria est d’emploi sûr dans l’alimentaire et possède une contenance de 1,25 litre.

• VDM considère que sa Série 100 IdeaTop n’est pas seulement un chariot de nettoyage, mais aussi un poste de travail.

• Comac führt seine Scheuersaugmaschine C130 mit moderner Optik und vielen neuen Merkmalen wieder auf dem Markt ein.

• Das Drucksprühgerät FoodMaster F12 von Gloria ist zur Verwendung in der Nahrungsmittelindustrie zertifiziert und verfügt über 1,25-Liter-Kapazität.

• VDM teilt mit, dass die Produktfamilie IdeaTop Serie 100 als Arbeitsstation konzipiert wurde und nicht einfach nur als Reinigungswagen.

• La Comac sta reintroducendo la sua lavasciuga pavimenti C130 con un look moderno e una serie di nuove caratteristiche.

• L’erogatore spray a pressione FoodMaster F12 della Gloria è sicuro per essere usato nel settore alimentare e ha una capacità di 1.25 litri.

• La VDM afferma che la sua linea IdeaTop Serie 100 è progettata per essere una stazione di lavoro piuttosto che un semplice carrello per le pulizie.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 50

PREVIEW: PULIRE SCA Tork Visitors to the SCA Tork stand will learn how working smarter can dramatically improve efficiencies in away-from-home washrooms, says the company.

Tork EasyCube will be a focal point of the stand.

Tork EasyCube allows cleaners to tell via a smart phone or tablet when dispensers are running out of soap, hand towels or toilet tissue. It also incorporates a visitor registration unit which

Other products on display will include the Tork SmartOne toilet roll dispenser and the Tork Matic hand towel roll - all of them designed to naturally reduce consumption in order to reduce product and labour costs. www.sca.com

Chicopee With its microfibre cleaning cloths, wipes and mops Chicopee is serving a range of sectors from healthcare to catering.

The Microfibre Light, for example, is suitable for use in hospitals or care homes. Made from 100 per cent microfibre it is designed to remove 99.99 per cent of microbes without the use of chemicals. The cloths are

designed to be used for a limited time and are discarded after use.

The Microfibre Plus has Food Contact Clearance, anti-bacterial properties and can remove 99.99 per cent of bacteria from surfaces says Chicopee. It is designed for streak-free cleaning on a variety of surfaces.

Recently launched is the Microfibre Fluid Mopping System - microfibre mops are quickly and easily attached to the light mopping tool. www.chicopee.com

enables cleaners to check when washroom traffic is particularly high in any cubicle. This allows them to carry out targeted maintenance visits.

Tork bins can also be fitted with a Tork EasyCube sensor to notify cleaners when the unit needs emptying.

• Le visiteur du stand Tork apprendra à intervenir plus intelligemment et rentablement dans des toilettes publiques.

• Parmi les produits à microfibre sur le stand Chicopee figurent les Microfibre Light et Microfibre Plus.

• Tork teilt mit, dass Besucher an seinem Stand erfahren werden, wie sie intelligenter arbeiten und die Leistungen in aushäusigen Waschräumen verbessern können.

• Unter den Mikrofaserprodukten am Stand von Chicopee sind Microfibre Light und Microfibre Plus.

• La Tork afferma che i visitatori del suo stand avranno modo di imparare come lavorare in modo intelligente e migliorare le prestazioni nelle sale da bagno pubbliche.

• Fra i prodotti in microfibra esposti sullo stand della Chicopee ci sono Microfibre Light e Microfibre Plus.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 51

PREVIEW: PULIRE IPC New on the IPC stand will be the LP range of dry vacuum cleaners, developed with ecodesign as a priority. Said to be silent, easy to transport and ergonomic, these models are made of up to 75 per cent recycled plastic.

Also on the stand will be the CT51 scrubber dryer, designed for heavy-duty use. Features include Advanced Productivity Control (APC), Advanced Noise

added to with the Push Push, for instant soaking of the mop head.

The operator does not need to touch anything - pressure with the frame on the lever is enough.

The dosage setting knob enables the quantity of detergent in the water to be controlled while the large soaking plate makes solution distribution uniform.

And the PW-C21 high pressure cleaner will also feature on the stand. This is designed to be highly versatile and can be used as a standalone unit, on a trolley

if there is a need to move it, or fixed to a wall. www.ipcleaning.com

TTS TTS claims to have developed a new hook that allows operators to hang up any cleaning tools in order to keep them tidy. This, it says, is a truly universal hook - thanks to its elastic section it can be attached to any diameter of tool in a few moments.

One solution can be used to

Visit the ECJ stand at Pulire to register for your regular copy hook handles, brooms, dustpans, doorstops, litter pickers or any other tool to a cleaning trolley or any other convenient place. The hook can then be detached from the tool easily in order for it to be used on another handle. www.ttsystem.com

Control (ANC) and Double Battery Life (DBL). The Eco Cleaning Solutions system (ECS) reduces water consumption by 80 per cent, chemical consumption by 90 per cent and energy by 15 per cent.

The Brix trolley has been • Parmi les nouveaux produits du groupe IPC figure la gamme LP d’aspirateurs écologiques à sec.

• TTS a mis au point un crochet universel de maintien de poignées qui peut servir pour suspendre des outils de nettoyage quelconques.

• Unter den neuen Produkten der IPC Group befindet sich die Produktreihe LP mit umweltfreundlichen Trockenstaubsaugern.

• TTS hat einen UniversalHandgriffhalterhaken entwickelt, der nach eigenen Angaben zum Aufhängen eines jeden Reinigungswerkzeugs verwendet werden kann.

• Fra i nuovi prodotti del gruppo IPC Group c’è la gamma LP di aspirapolveri dry eco.

• La TTS ha sviluppato una griglia universale per appendere qualsiasi attrezzo di pulizia.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 53

PREVIEW: PULIRE

• Brightwell fait la démonstration de ses systèmes de distribution avec Aemmesei, son partenaire italien.

• Werner & Mertz présente sa gamme de produits green care Professional, focalisée sur sa nouvelle bouteille en HDPE recyclé.

• Filmop a annoncé le lancement d’un chariot tout nouveau, comportant un cadre monobloc en matière plasteique.

• Proposé par Lucart Professional, EcoNatural est un système à papier et distributeur fabriqué à partir de cartons de boissons.

• WM System fait ses débuts en présentant son poste de travail mobile Dynamic, équipé de l’air comprimé et d’un générateur électrique.

• TMB lance à ce salon la gamme TP Orbital de machines légères à disque unique.

• Brightwell demonstriert seine Spendersysteme zusammen mit seinem italienischen Partner Aemmesei.

• Werner & Mertz präsentiert die nachhaltige Marke green care Professional und konzentriert sich dabei auf die neue, aus recyceltem HDPE hergestellte Flasche.

• Filmop hat einen völlig neuen Reinigungswagen angekündigt, der mit einem aus einem Stück gefertigten Kunststoffrahmen hergestellt wird.

• Bei EcoNatural von Lucart Professional handelt es sich um ein Papier- und Spendersystem, das aus Getränkekartons hergestellt wird.

• WM System stellt zum ersten Mal die mobile Arbeitsstation Dynamic vor, die mit Druckluft und Generator ausgestattet ist.

• TMB stellt die Produktreihe TP Orbital mit leichten Einzelscheibenmaschinen vor.

• La Brightwell dimostra i suoi sistemi di dispenser insieme alla sua partner italiana Aemmesei.

• La Werner & Mertz presenta la sua marca sostenibile “green care Professional” concentrandosi sul suo nuovo flacone in HDPE riciclato.

• La Filmop ha promesso un nuovo carrello dotato di una struttura costituita da un pezzo unico in plastica.

• EcoNatural della Lucart Professional è un sistema di dispenser e prodotti in carta prodotto utilizzando cartoni per le bibite.

• La WM System presenta in anteprima la sua stazione di lavoro mobile Dynamic attrezzata con aria compressa e generatore.

• La TMB sta per lanciare la gamma di macchine leggere monodisco TP Orbital.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 54

Brightwell Brightwell Dispensers is exhibiting alongside its Italian partner Aemmesei with new launches including dishwash dosing systems, a drain dosing system, additions to the ECO range of chemical proportioners, and the Modular Autocut paper towel dispenser.

For dishwash dosing the new Qantura line boasts precise and consistent dosing solutions for a wide variety of commercial dishwasher applications including single-tank, conveyor, door/ hood and glass dishwashers.

Included in the range is a two pump peristaltic dosing system for dosing detergent and rinse aid with the option to incorporate an additional, third peristaltic pump for dosing sanitiser.

DrainWatch is the recently developed drain dosing system, designed for drain maintenance, water treatment applications and any other purpose that requires the delivery of a single product at timed intervals.

And ECOMULTI is a new proportioner that can dilute up to five chemicals from one unit. www.brightwell.co.uk

Werner & Mertz In line with its focus on sustainable cleaning Werner & Mertz Professional will dedicate its stand to the green care Professional range of cleaning solutions.

The focus will be on the new 100 per cent rHDPE bottle, completely made of PE recyclate.

This bottle is completely sourced from the yellow bag (public waste collection system) and is intended for permanent re-use.

Quick & Easy is a portable automatic dosing system that requires no installation, no maintenance and no instructions, and is certified by the

Cradle to Cradle Institute as safe for both people and nature. One foam spray head is sufficient for multiple application areas and the easy plug-and-play system enables operators to change formulations quickly and safely - mixing with water is done automatically while spraying.

The Smart dosing system features a membrane technology that brings portable dosing and safety solutions to one-litre bottles. As it is fully integrated in and supported by an upsidedown scale on the bottle, the system enables flexible dosing without any additional dosing equipment or training. www.wmprof.com

Filmop New on the Filmop stand will be a new single-piece plastic trolley frame, designed to be set up as a trolley with wringer. This comes after the success of the single-piece Fred trolley, with some additional features.

uses its technology to separate the cartons into their component parts. From the cellulose fibre it generates Fiberpack which is used to produce paper. And from the aluminium and polyethylene it makes Al.Pe - the new raw material from which the dispensers are manufactured. www.lucartprofessional.com

WM System WM System has been best known for its range of loading ramps designed for light commercial vehicles. At Pulire the company will unveil its Dynamic mobile workstation, which is designed to enable operators to offer multi services.

Dynamic is equipped with compressed air and a generator and it can be used to perform various tasks by changing the front module. So from a single workstation operators could clean monuments, streets, road signals; carry out road repairs and building maintenance; offer pest control services; wash windows; and transport waste. www.wmsystem.com

TMB For example there is the option to use either 15- or 25-litre buckets, thus obtaining a 30- or 50-litre trolley - and the buckets are stackable.

The new frame is made from a high quality polypropylene designed to be longlasting, safe and easy to clean.

Different colours are available and it is Plastic Second Life (PSV) certified. www.filmop.com

Lucart EcoNatural is a new paper and dispenser system developed

by Lucart Professional that uses beverage cartons in its manufacturing.

The company

TMB says its new TP Orbital single disk machine offers versatility, operator comfort and ease of transport. Designed for scrubbing, heavy-duty cleaning, de-waxing, crystallisation and cleaning of carpet, it has an orbital movement that provides greater stability with less effort for the operator while reducing cleaning times.

The vacuum cleaner line has also been expanded with the addition of Team Line models.

Brand new from TMB is a range of trolleys, available in different versions and equipped with castor wheels, a central or lateral handle and either one or two buckets. www.tmbvacuum.com

MADE IN ITALY

ECO FRIENDLY

NATURAL SANITATION

LOW COST

MORE EFFICIENCY

USER FRIENDLY

PREVIEW: PULIRE

• Diversey Care présente ses robots de nettoyage de plancher TASKI Intellibot.

• Comme produits nouveau, Kärcher aligne l’aspirateur à batterie T 9/1 Bp et l’aspirateur à dos BV 5/1 Bp. • Le visiteur au stand Numatic verra l’aspirateur sans cordon Henry et l’autolaveuse Henry HGB. • Selon son fabricant, le système Fimap Fleet Management (FFM) aide les opérateurs à améliorer la performance de leurs machines de nettoyage.

• RCM, le spécialiste des autolaveuses et balayeuses, célébrera son cinquantenaire au cours du Pulire.

• Les produits phare de la gamme de Trojan sont ses batteries noyées à décharge profonde.

• La Nikita de Santoemma est une machine de nettoyage de moquettes à conducteur debout pour de très grandes surfaces.

• Diversey Care präsentiert seine autonomen Scheuersaugmaschinen TASKI Intellibot.

• Neu von Kärcher sind der akkubetriebene Trockenstaubsauger T 9/1 Bp und der RucksackStaubsauger BV 5/1 Bp. • Besucher am Stand von Numatic können neben dem kabellosen Staubsauger Henry die Scheuersaugmaschine Henry HGB sehen.

• Laut eigenen Angaben des Unternehmens hilft Fimap Fleet Management (FFM) den Betreibern dabei, die Leistung ihrer Reinigungsmaschinen zu verbessern.

• RCM, der Spezialist für Scheuerund Kehrmaschinen, feiert im Rahmen der Pulire sein 50-jähriges Jubiläum.

• Die Flaggschiffe in der Produktpalette von Trojan sind die Deep Cycle-Batterien mit Flüssigkeitsfüllung, die eine nachhaltige Leistung bieten.

• Nikita von Santoemma ist eine Aufsteh-Teppichreinigungsmaschine, die für sehr große Flächen konzipiert wurde.

Diversey Care

Autonomous cleaning will be the key focus of Diversey Care’s stand, with the TASKI Intellibot line of robotic cleaning machines. These models, says the company, support new ways of working by delivering higher levels of efficiency, performance and business value.

Advanced features include programming flexibility, remote management capability and performance metrics, and interconnectivity with the company’s Internet of Clean (IoC) platform.

This new platform remotely monitors equipment, machines and operations through sensor generated data. It features a digital portal and intuitive dashboards where users can review key data and trends.

Making its debut appearance is the TASKI Swingobot 2000, which represents the next generation of robotic machines and boasts at least 20 per cent higher productivity than previous models. www.taskiswingobot.com

Kärcher • La Diversey Care mette in mostra le sue macchine robotiche per il lavaggio dei pavimenti TASKI Intellibot.

• I nuovi prodotti della Kärcher sono l’aspirapolvere dry alimentato a batteria T 9/1 Bp e l’aspirapolvere dorsale BV 5/1 Bp. • I visitatori dello stand della Numatic vedranno esposti l’aspirapolvere cordless Henry e la lavasciuga pavimenti Henry HGB. • Il sistema Fimap Fleet Management (FFM), come afferma l’azienda, aiuta gli operatori a migliorare le prestazioni delle loro macchine per le pulizie.

• La RCM, specializzata in lavasciuga pavimenti e spazzatrici, durante la fiera Pulire celebrerà il suo 50° anniversario.

• Il fiore all’occhiello del portfolio della Trojan sono le sue batterie a ciclo profondo che vantano un rendimento duraturo.

• Nikita della Santoemma è una macchina lavamoquette con uomo a bordo progettata per aree di dimensioni molto vaste.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 56

With its new T 9/1 Bp dry vacuum cleaner, Kärcher claims to be launching a battery-powered machine with a cleaning performance comparable to a mains-operated model for the first time.

Also new is the BV 5/1 Bp, a backpack vacuum featuring a new lithium-ion battery which Kärcher says delivers the same power as a mains-operated machine. This can be used in the

transport industry, in hotels and the retail trade for example.

For the commercial cold and hot water high pressure cleaners range the EASY!Force trigger gun has a brand new design.

The main feature is the trigger, which is pushed into the handle with the ball of the hand. When the trigger is operated, the recoil of the water jet automatically presses the trigger into the hand, which contributes to effortless use.

Kärcher’s walk-behind scrubber dryer line now has another model featuring the KART steering concept - the brush head of the BR 45/22 C is controlled directly via a steering wheel, making it highly manoeuvrable. www.karcher.com

Numatic

The overview displays which models are being used and where, as well as the hours they were in service and the hours they were idle. If there are any issues to be resolved a notification is sent immediately by email. www.fimap.com

RCM

RCM, which specialises in floor cleaning machines, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Among the new launches on show will be the Byte I and Byte II small scrubber dryers and the Macro road sweeper. www.rcm.it

Trojan

Among the new launches on Numatic’s stand will be Cordless Henry, the first battery-powered version of the world-famous vacuum cleaner.

Adding to the Henry range will be the Henry HGB scrubber dryer and the Henry Rotary floor machine. www.numatic.co.uk

Fimap

Trojan’s deep-cycle flooded batteries are the flagships of its product line. Featuring the company’s T2 technology, they are designed to provide maximum sustained performance and increased total energy.

The company’s HydroLink single-point watering system simplifies the watering process, aiming to save time and money while avoiding battery failures.

A set of batteries can be filled in less than 30 seconds.

Trojan also offers deep-cycle AGM and gel batteries, which are maintenance-free. www.trojanbattery.com

Santoemma According to Fimap cleaning operators can improve the performance of their fleet with Fimap Fleet Management (FFM). This system, fitted to the company’s cleaning machines, provides a comprehensive overview of each machine, facilitating coordination while the machines are in use, optimising cleaning times and reducing costs. All information is available online and is updated in real time.

Nikita is a step-on carpet cleaning machine from Santoemma - it can clean up to 1,000 square metres per hour.

In a single pass, a 70 cm strip of carpet is sprayed with a concentrated chemical solution, brushed with two counterrotating brushes, rinsed and vacuumed. And thanks to the powerful vacuum motors Nikita can leave the carpet almost completely dry. www.santoemma.com

BUSINESS: RETIREMENT

Walking off into the sunset...

Thinking about selling your small business and retiring? Well, don’t book that world cruise just yet…there’s much to think about and do before you go sailing off into the sunset, writes Hartley Milner.

You will have put much time, toil and tears into building up your business, so you will expect a handsome payback on your investment when you are ready call it a day. Only you will know when that time has come. But if you find yourself serially staring out of your office window daydreaming about the many things you said you would love to do one day but had put off and focusing less and less on your business, then the chances are you have already made your mind up.

So now the long hard slog to gainful unemployment can get under way. “’Typically, the first emotions business owners experience at this time range from relief and elation to apprehension and sense of impending loss,” said retirement adviser Rob Searle. “Of course, the decision to retire from a company you built up and put your heart and soul into isn’t an easy one. But everyone needs to let go at some point, and one of the first things you will need to decide is do you handle the sale yourself or put it in the hands of a broker.

“The DIY route saves money by avoiding fees and commission. It is also the best option when selling to a family member or if it’s a management/employee buyout.

A broker’s fee can be as much as 15 per cent of the selling price, and then you have accountancy and corporate financial advice fees to include. But a broker can help free you to keep the business up and running, keep the sale quiet and get the highest price for you (and for themselves). And this route may be more appropriate for larger or more tech-led businesses.”

Technology and greater transparency has transformed the brokerage market, making it easier for business owners to achieve a low cost DIY exit, if you follow some largely intuitive advice and make use of social media.

Preparation is key. Prepare properly in advance of going to market and you dramatically increase the chance of a deal and of achieving a decent price. Go to market too early and you increase reasons not to buy and risk the deal collapsing further down the line.

Do your preparation Prepare up-to-date accounts with the aim of selling at or soon after year-end, tidy up leases, contracts and legals, settle litigation and employee disputes, improve cash flow (reduce employee expenses), reduce your own take from the company, liaise with professional advisers to find the best deal/tax structure and give the business a general makeover.

Avoid pre-sale valuations. For smaller businesses, these are often a distraction and can distort seller price expectations against the market reality. Value is driven

and cemented by good preparation and canny marketing. Concentrate on both.

Prepare a single sheet market ‘teaser’ with headline information about your business for circulation to potential buyers and advertisers. It should contain:

Potential buyers What you do and where you do it, what sets you apart from competitors (location, customers, contracts), potential for growth, reason for sale, headline financial information such as turnover, gross profit and earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation, plus contact details. Perhaps create a unique yahoo email address to maintain initial anonymity.

Seek as many potential buyers as possible using ‘business for sale’ websites, existing contacts (competitors, customers, suppliers), do your market research to find out who is buying, advising, commentating, research potential buyers and send your profile. Make the most of Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Linkedin, local publications/business networks and Google Adwords.

Leakage about the sale of your business can be unsettling to stakeholders, your employees, customers and suppliers. To be on the safe side, provide buyers with an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) and request they sign before you release detailed information. No genuine buyer will refuse. There are lots of NDAs available online.

Continued page 58

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 57

BUSINESS: RETIREMENT Walking off into the sunset... (continued) Respond promptly to buyer enquiries with an emailed copy of your headline profile and, if required, an NDA. Within your response, request information about why they are interested in your business, where they are based and how long have they been looking, what are their current circumstances and experience of your sector and how will they fund a purchase.

Winkle out time wasters. Research buyers at official record offices, industry associations and review sites such as glassdoor.com/Reviews and whataretheyreallylike.com, as well as checking out their website. Strike up a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding early with an initial meeting in person or via Skype.

Open and patient If asked for a CIM (confidential information memorandum), save your pennies by providing an expanded version of your headline profile, perhaps giving a personal insight into what you would do if buying the business. This will create a more valuable sales tool than commissioning a report that can turn out to be turgid and over-embellished.

Always be open, communicative and patient when negotiating a deal. Avoid inflexibility on price and terms and take care not to overestimate and/or underestimate your business’s value. You may wonder how without a valuation do you know if the price being offered is acceptable. By this stage, however, you should have a better view of how the market values your business and an idea about the price you may be willing to accept.

Can you pick and choose a buyer? If you turn down one, will another emerge? Is there enough goodwill to work out a solution? Can you create a deal structure that enables you to bridge a price gap, perhaps some cash now and some later? You may find yourself in the happy situation where you are inundated with offers, so can you create an auction process?

Ultimately, getting any offer is great news and should not be dismissed lightly. Be as flexible as possible – even if your instinct says turn it down. Understand the reasoning behind the offer, and if the gap is unbridgeable ask what you can do to help address and alleviate the buyer’s concerns.

Once you’ve agreed a price/deal, make sure the buyer confirms everything in writing via ‘heads of terms’. This is not a legally binding document but provides both sides with clarity about what’s been agreed and becomes the deal template to take forward into due diligence Vous songez à vendre votre petite entreprise et partir en retraite ? Eh bien, attendez de réserver votre croisière de rêve ! En effet, vous aurez un tas de choses à régler avant de vous évader au soleil, écrit Hartley Milner.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 58

and the sale & purchase agreement. So it is important to get it right.

You are now at the due diligence stage – the most difficult and stressful part of the process with everything still to play for. As the buyer or their advisers begin to ferret around in the business, they might use this opportunity to chip away at the price or even consider withdrawing.

Your housekeeping should have left no messy corners where their snooping may reveal issues that could potentially scupper any deal.

One such area relates to leasehold properties – check that any deal struck is not held up much to everyone’s frustration because the landlord is unavailable, or even unwilling, to give their consent or is looking to convert the offices into flats when the lease comes up to renewal.

Once satisfied all is well, you can download a sale & purchase agreement, which is ideal for a small asset sale. For larger and/or share sales, it is advisable to get a solicitor on board to handle the legals ensuring, of course, that they are amply qualified and experienced to take the deal to completion.

These are all steps you can take yourself, but if you feel you are getting out of your depth at anytime during the sale process do not risk everything by hesitating to seek expert advice.

Continued involvement?

“As an alternative to selling the entire business, you may wish to keep a small stake in it, perhaps in the form of a shareholding, or the buyer may request that you make yourself available in a consultancy role when and as needed,” Searle said. “Your continued involvement can give the business continuity and the buyer confidence that it will still do well… while providing you with an income.

“If you opt to make a clean break with the company, you will need to decide how you want to receive payment. When the sale is complete, you can ask for payment in full or in instalments.

The buyer may well prefer to pay in instalments, but then you will be at risk if, for example, the buyer cannot make future payments. Some buyers want to make a series of payments based on profits, in which case you may be contracted to stay with the business for a period of time often known as an ‘earn out’. Your choices can affect whether buyers are interested and how much they are prepared to offer, and can affect the tax treatment of the sale. But as a retiree, you are more likely to want to take your money all at once and disappear.”

Now you can book that cruise. Bon voyage!

Spielen Sie mit dem Gedanken, Ihr Kleinunternehmen zu verkaufen und in den Ruhestand zu treten? Dann buchen Sie Ihre weltweite Kreuzfahrt noch nicht. Es gibt viel zu bedenken und zu erledigen, bevor Sie in den Sonnenuntergang segeln können, schreibt Hartley Milner.

State pensando di vendere la vostra piccola attività e di andare in pensione?

Bene, aspettate a prenotare la crociera intorno al mondo. C’è ancora molto a cui pensare e molto da fare prima di spiegare le vele verso il tramonto, come scrive Hartley Milner.

FACILITY MANAGEMENT

FM - time to take responsibility (2) In recent years, facility management (FM) has developed into a discipline which is increasingly able to extend its contribution to the valued added chain of business, healthcare, public administration and other sectors. FM is being integrated more and more into the core processes, thereby generating increasing value and no longer representing a simple cost factor. Ronald Schlegel, director of Vebego Switzerland and visiting lecturer at the ZHAW Institute for Facility Management, writes the second of a two-part feature for ECJ. The first part was published in the February/March 2107 edition.

In recent years, facility management has developed into a discipline which is increasingly able to extend its contribution to the valued added chain of business, healthcare, public administration and other sectors. Facility management is being integrated more and more into the core processes, thereby generating increasing value and no longer representing a simple cost factor. This brings with it greater responsibility on the part of facility management for the success of the enterprise as a whole. Are we ready to take on this responsibility? Which direction should research and development take and how should education and training be geared to meet these new demands?

Facility management faces both opportunities and responsibilities. The first of these is Digital FM. Data relating to the operation, use and user of a property converge in facility management and form the basis for sustainable operation. They are however at the same time of great value for the entire value-added of a company.

The integration of facility management into the overall value-added chain can open up access to important customer information. The interconnection of systems and instruments from various parts of value-added forms the basis for integrating facility management into the valueadded chain.

Digital facility management brings these tasks together within the area of facility management and integrates the relevant systems. One of the key tasks here is to integrate the systems and bring together usage and users. Facility management must take on responsibility for this.

Digitalisation must create added value for investors, users and operators, since these are, as the beneficiaries, the ones who will ultimately have to pay: the wishes and needs of users and tenants will be met with considerably more speed and cost-effectiveness, the needs of tenants will be better recognised and products developed to meet these, life-cycle and ancillary costs will be reduced and profitability will increase.

Energy transition as a practical contribution to sustainability Why don’t we realise the potential of saving over 20 per cent energy? The technical means are available and are constantly being further developed. Building technology can provide devices and systems which are certified as guaranteeing minimal energy usage. Building automation gives us the means to achieve optimum operation of buildings and individual rooms. In spite of this, even buildings with the most recent certificates use far too much energy. Buildings and systems are not operated on an integrated basis and optimisation is therefore either not implemented or not possible. No-one in the property planning and development process is responsible for the integrated operation and optimisation of buildings.

Some individual builders are now adopting approaches whereby general contractors are given the responsibility and have to provide evidence of contractual per-

formance over several years in operation.

In these models, facility management is integrated and planning data are actually reduced by optimisation.

The Institute for Facility Management, with the support of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (BFE) and the Zurich Cantonal Office for Energy, Water and Land Management (AWEL), has carried out a well-documented building optimisation programme, with the following findings. The building was handed over to the clients in 2013 in accordance with contractual terms and conditions. The energy consumption was much higher than planned. In winter and summer the users complained of too low or too high temperatures respectively and in winter they complained about humidity which was between 10 and 20 per cent.

Proper commissioning and optimisation led to a reduction in energy consumption of over 50 per cent as a result of correct parameterisation. No physical adjustments to the system (eg replacement of pumps) were necessary to achieve optimisation. The success of this exercise was based on analysis of measured readings and readjustment of target values, configuration and optimisation over the building management system. The individual components were aligned with each other and now work together in harmony.

The potential of the inherently efficient individual components has now been realised thanks to correct commissioning and optimisation.

Facility management can play an important role in implementing the energy transition strategy. The 20 per cent reduction in energy consumption by buildings which can be achieved by operational measures would, with minimum costs, lead to a reduction in total energy consumption in Switzerland, for example, of eight per cent. The only costs to be incurred would be those of proper commissioning and optimisation. In most cases, only minor additional investment would be necessary Continued page 60

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 59

FACILITY MANAGEMENT FM - time to take responsibility (continued) and the technical means are available. In order to achieve this, incentives must be applied in such a way that those who take responsibility for implementing the necessary measures can also benefit. There will need to be changes in responsibilities and skills and models will have to be developed to enable and encourage this.

Facility management must continue to develop as a discipline if it is to take on appropriate responsibility in these new models. There is a vital need for research on models which allow for planners, builders and operators to accept liability for consumption and emissions over a longer period following the completion of the building. What sort of incentives can be applied, who can influence them and in what way? Which regulations, laws and standards will have to be changed to create these incentives? How will the different roles be defined and how in particular will the role of facility management as integrator be defined?

Demography as opportunity In order to benefit from the opportunities arising from demographic changes and to make a significant contribution to the management of these changes, facility management must make full use of modern technology. There must be significant investment in the integration of these technologies into facility services and relevant innovations must be encouraged.

In parallel and as an equally high priority, employees at all levels must be trained for these demanding new tasks. The selfimage of the sector has got to change. Activities in certain sectors of facility services frequently do not at present require professional training. Specific programmes Ces dernières années, le facility management est devenu un discipline toujours plus capable d’apporter une contribution à la chaîne de valeur ajoutée du commerce, de l’industrie, de la santé, de l’administration publique et d’autres secteurs. Le facility management se trouve intégré toujours plus dans des processus centraux, générant de ce fait une valeur accrue et ne représentant plus un facteur de coût simple.

Facility management is a management and a social science which brings

together different sectors and disciplines.

FM training is therefore a form of management training which covers various topics in depth while at the same time delivering the knowledge and skill to think and act as a generalist.

The key areas of training are: business topics, facility services, such as the operation and maintenance of technical systems, hospitality management, catering, cleaning, safety and security, economic and financial control etc, personnel management, management and leadership, service management, systems engineering and project management, etc.

With the bachelor’s and master’s programmes, and in continuing education and training, the aim is to achieve professional competence. At the same time, talented and ambitious students must be given the chance to become drivers of industry and to push forward the developments described above.

As far as research is concerned, in addition to basic facility management topics such as digital FM, sustainability and benchmarking, research targeted at important economic sectors should also be pursued. The Institute for Facility Management is concentrating on workplace management and facility management in healthcare, assisted living and consumer facility management, in addition to more general topics.

With the integration of the Institute for Facility Management into the Department of Life Science and Facility Management of the ZHAW in 2007, this sector now has its own faculty which will enable it to drive forward training and research in this discipline and develop it still further.

In den letzten Jahren hat sich das Facility Management (FM) zu einer Disziplin entwickelt, die ihren Beitrag in zunehmendem Maße auf die Wertschöpfungskette des Handels, des Gesundheitswesens, der öffentlichen Verwaltung und anderer Bereiche ausweiten kann. FM wird verstärkt in Kernprozesse integriert, und dadurch trägt es verstärkt zur Wertschöpfung bei und stellt nicht mehr einfach einen Kostenfaktor dar.

Negli ultimi anni, il facility management (FM) si è trasformato in una disciplina incredibilmente in grado di estendere il suo contributo alla catena del valore aggiunto delle imprese, del settore sanitario, delle amministrazioni pubbliche e di altri settori. Il facility management (FM) viene sempre più integrato nei processi primari, generando quindi ulteriore valore e non più rapresentando un semplice fattore di costo.

and training courses are therefore needed to enable these employees to undertake new roles.

Summary The quality of employees must be systematically raised through continuing further education and training and new technologies must be used. Modern technologies require investment and in many areas a much more “industrial” approach. Services must increasingly be delivered with as little effort and expense as possible. Institutionalised innovation processes will help to drive the sector forwards. This all requires companies in the facility management sector to be able to make the necessary investments and generate the margins which will allow this to happen.

An industry can only get established and grow if it is in a position to generate these margins. Without this capability, facility management will not be able to take on the responsibility which it deserves. The industry should therefore be even more proactive in seeking success. Innovative contract models which are more performance-oriented and geared to the creation of added value are needed: these will allow companies which are delivering operational excellence with commensurate success to improve their margins.

Clients would thereby also transfer the risks to the companies who are better able to control them. This should consequently also enable the clients to improve their own margins.

Challenges for training and research

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FLOOR POLISHING

Productive polishing Keeping a floor shiny and in pristine condition can be a timeconsuming business. So what are the latest machines, polishes, pad and other products the market that can produce a highlypolished shine without keeping the floor out of action for any longer than necessary?

Keeping a shiny floor in pristine condition can be a time-consuming business. In fact any floor that attracts high volumes of traffic may need to be treated and protected up to six times a year.

This will entail stripping away any existing coatings, buffing the surface and re-applying a new coating each time.

Several layers of polish may be required which means the floor could remain out of action for some considerable time.

But is it possible to speed up the process? Are there any shortcuts, or should customers resign themselves to the fact that effective polishing cannot be rushed?

This is certainly the case as far as older, more resilient floor surfaces are concerned according to Diversey Care’s senior application expert building care Michael Johnson. “Traditional solutions are still relevant when it comes to floors made from materials such as linoleum and PVC,” he said.

“These types of surfaces don’t have the durable mill finishes that have become more or less standard on today’s modern floor coverings.”

When treating a floor using traditional methods there is no room for shortcuts, according to Johnson. He compares the

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 64

task with painting an outdoor wall.

“If you don’t carry out the right preparation work, the paint won’t stick to the wall and will peel off,” he said. “If you try to make the paint dry faster by using a fan, the paint will not level out.

This means the surface will have a streaky appearance and the paint will be brittle and sensitive to wear.

“And if you choose to apply fewer layers, the surface will wear out faster. You should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for stripping and polishing.”

He adds that productive floor polishing can be achieved by balancing a number of factors. “It is all about using the right type of stripping chemical in the right dilutions according to the thickness of the polish film,” he said. “It is also important to use a heavy single disk scrubbing machine with the right stripping pad. Customers tend to buy machines with a lower weight since these are easier to lift during transport.

Contact time “Another factor to consider is the amount of time the stripping chemical needs to be on the floor before the machine can begin scrubbing. Stripping takes longer on older, thicker coatings.”

He says floors that have been lightly stripped and then coated with polish year after year tend to become increasingly difficult to deep-strip and require more mechanical action in the form of tougher pads and higher pad pressure.

“The best way to spin out the time between these operations is to increase the use of maintenance methods that can be integrated into regular cleaning regimes - and in some cases during intermediate cleaning,” said Johnson.

“For example, during regular cleaning our diamond coated Taski Twister pads for scrubber dryers will perform a combination of cleaning and buffing, while a high-speed machine equipped with the same type of pad when used periodically in furnished areas will help to maintain standards in situations where a scrubber

dryer cannot be used.”

Factors such as speed and productivity are major considerations for customers when choosing a floor polishing system, he says. “Other important factors are user safety, environmental characteristics, odour and price,” he adds. “Customers are often more concerned with the price of the product itself than the benefits they will gain and the support they will receive from using a premium floor care system.”

According to Johnson, environmental and safety considerations are placing limits on the development of new stripping agents. “We are able to improve productivity, however, by introducing pads that offer a better mechanical action; by optimising pad pressure with heavier machines, and by using floor finishes that have shorter levelling and drying times,” he said. “We are also creating polishes with a higher dry solids content that require fewer layers. And we are coming up with faster and more consistent application methods along with more durable, high-tech finishes based on new raw materials.”

Achieving a good finish on a hard floor does not need be excessively timeconsuming according to Nilfisk’s group floor care product manager Anders Sandstrom. “It all depends on the floor type, the method used, the gloss level, the location and of course the size of the area,” he said. “Also, some floors may be pre-coated for easier and faster maintenance. But in the end, the amount of traffic determines how frequently the floor will need to be maintained and polished and how time-consuming the task will be.”

If you rush the polishing stage it will influence the end result, says Sandstrom.

“Any mistakes may permanently damage the floor so when carrying out polishing work you will need the necessary knowledge about the flooring plus the right tools for the job,” he adds.

The more frequently the floor is polished and maintained, the easier the

FLOOR POLISHING task will be according to Sandstrom.

“However depending on the floor type there are always ways of increasing productivity,” he adds.

The company’s Nilfisk SC500 machine is capable of polishing some stone and concrete floors at the same time as cleaning them, he says. “This method can also be used on coated floors to some degree,” he said. “Coating systems will also protect the original floor from wear, giving it a longer life and making the maintenance task easier.”

Nilfisk offers equipment for polishing, maintaining and cleaning floors. These include single disk polishing machines such as the Nilfisk FM400 Series plus the walk-behind Nilfisk BU800 burnisher and the ride-on Nilfisk UHR70-1700 for use in larger areas.

“Solution providers will continue to improve the efficiency of their products.”

According to Sandstrom productivity is an extremely important consideration for customers when choosing a polishing system. “However, they also consider other factors such as machine size, floor type and the use of a coating system,” he said.

The condition of the floor will tend to dictate how long the task of floor polishing will take according to Kärcher trainer Gerd Heidrich. “For example heel marks and soiling require more intense treatment,” he said. “A good outcome can only be achieved if the work is carried out meticulously since working too fast will not produce uniform results.”

He says floors can be polished more productively by selecting the right machine and accessories. “The higher the number of machine revolutions, the more quickly good results may be achieved,” he said.

“The most effective results are produced by using a polishing machine with 1,500 revolutions since this carries out the job more efficiently and quickly.” The company’s own Kärcher BDP 50/2000 RS Bp Pack is an example of such a machine, according to Heidrich.

Pour maintenir un parquet dans un état lustré et impeccable, cela demande un certain temps. Que peuvent donc offrir les machines, les cirages, les tampons et autres produits les plus récents du marché pour maintenir un sol dans un bel état sans devoir le mettre hors services trop longtemps ? ECJ cherche à le savoir.

Stubborn marks should be sprayed with a product such as Kärcher’s FloorPro Spray Cleaner RM 748 and then treated with a floor polisher, he says. “You should also divide up the surface to be cleaned and then work in sections,” he said. “And high quality polishing pads – preferably pads made from hogs’ bristles – will provide a better shine than inexpensive polishing pads.

Speed and productivity are both key considerations for customers when choosing a polishing system, he says. “Cost is also important, but price is not everything,” adds Heidrich.

“Anyone who wants a good and uniform result should not save on the quality of the machine.”

3M’s cleaning and workplace safety application engineer Sandrine Maljean agrees with other manufacturers that achieving a good finish on a hard floor takes time. “The act of polishing entails etching micro-fine and regular scratches on to the floor surface,” she said. “And when the floor is hard, these scratches are more difficult to create.”

Many operators and building managers take short cuts to reduce the cost of the operation, she says.

“They attempt to do this by reducing the number of passes; increasing the speed of the machine or by eliminating a step such as the protection process,” she said. “But they will discover the final result will not be what they expected. The floor surface will be less attractive, the finish will not be sufficiently fine or the protection level will be too low. As a result the floor will become dirty again more rapidly and they will need to spend more time on recleaning it.”

3M offers pads for a range of hard floors including Trizact disks, which have a micro structure of diamond abrasive minerals to polish and prepare the floor; and Purple Diamond Floor Pads. These are designed to finish the operation with a final micropolishing, first using water at low speed and then drying the surface at ultra-high speeds to achieve a high shine.

Many of 3M’s customers are concerned about factors such as hygiene and sustainability when choosing a polishing system, says Maljean.

“They want to reduce the use of Es kann zeitaufwendig sein, den glänzenden und makellosen Zustand eines Bodens zu erhalten. Was sind die neuesten Maschinen, Polituren, Pads und andere Produkte auf dem Markt, mit denen ein Boden in möglichst kurzer Zeit auf Hochglanz poliert werden kann? Das ECJ erfährt Näheres.

chemicals due to environmental concerns and also because chemicals may create an odour or act as an irritant,” she said. 3M offers a range of floor pads that work with water alone for stripping and buffing.

Save time, cut costs Productivity is another key consideration for customers, according to Maljean. “Productivity can be improved by using a high-performance floor pad,” she said. “Certain technical features such as high quality mineral abrasives will enable a disk to polish a floor more rapidly and more finely. Other such features include a uniform coating and a strong cohesion between the abrasive particles and the pad’s fibres.

“Solution providers will continue to improve the efficiency of their products in order to help their customers save time and money.”

Kärcher is also seeking new ways to save time and cut costs according to Gerd Heidrich. “We are always looking for new materials - for polishing pads, for example - that will help to increase efficiency,” he said. “Time is the main cost factor in cleaning and the lower the customers’ costs, the happier they are.”

And Diversey Care’s Michael Johnson believes the face of floor polishing is changing. “Manufacturers of today´s linoleum and vinyl flooring do not recommend the use of polish on their materials,” he said. “There has been an increasing development of strong and durable mill finishes that only require cleaning and intermediate maintenance with buffing. Depending on traffic and wear, these mill finishes will last for some years. However there will come a day when they are worn out - and then the floor will need some kind of treatment to keep its properties.”

He adds traditional deep-stripping operations that involve all the old finishes being removed and replaced with new primers and top coatings are becoming increasingly rare.

“Such practices are so time-consuming,” he explained. “Today’s customers tend to opt instead for a simple top-stripping and recoating operation which is 40 per cent faster and can then be followed by a complete polish.”

Mantenere un pavimento lucido e perfettamente pulito può essere una procedura che richiede molto tempo. Quindi quali sono le macchine più nuove, i prodotti per lucidare, i dischi e altri prodotti sul mercato che danno come risultato una brillantezza perfetta senza che il pavimento sia fuori servizio per un periodo superiore allo stretto necessario? ECJ indaga.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 65

PRODUCTS: FLOOR POLISHING

• La Kärcher BDP 50/2000 RS, une polisseuse à conducteur debout, combine la maniabilité de machines accompagnées et la performance de machines autoportées.

• La dernière gamme d’autolaveuses Tennant réunit les T500 et T500e, deux machines conçues pour une performance optimale.

• Der Polierautomat zum Aufstehen Kärcher BDP 50/2000 RS kombiniert die Manövrierfähigkeit einer handgeführten Maschine mit der Leistung einer Aufsitzmaschine.

• Die neueste Produktfamilie mit Scheuersaugmaschinen von Tennant umfasst die T500 und T500e, die beide zur Optimierung der Leistung konzipiert wurden.

• La lucidatrice per pavimenti Kärcher BDP 50/2000 RS con pedana abbina la manovrabilità delle macchine con uomo a terra e le prestazioni delle macchine con operatore a bordo.

• Le nuove lavasciuga pavimenti della Tennant T500 e T500e sono entrambe progettate per ottimizzare i risultati.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 66

Large areas

The Kärcher BDP 50/2000 RS step-on battery floor polisher is designed to combine the manoeuvrability of push-along machines with the area performance of ride-on models.

The ultra high speed machine can be used on surfaces such as natural stone, PVC, linoleum or parquet. Turning circle is 130 cm, making it suitable for use in small spaces, and the working width of 510 mm makes it capable of polishing up to 2,250

square metres per hour.

As the machine moves forward the operator stands on a running board so has a good view of the area to be cleaned immediately in front.

The polishing head is raised and lowered electrically for optimum adjustment to the floor structure while a selection of operating programmes with automatic settings prevents operating errors. www.karcher.com

Walk-behind The newest models in Tennant’s automatic scrubber dryer range are the T500 and T500e, which are available with the com-

Keep up to date with latest news at europeancleaning journal.com

pany’s IRIS fleet manager. This is a web-based management system that offers customers more thorough information regarding equipment use to help it work more intelligently and efficiently.

Other features include the patent-pending Smart-Fill automatic battery watering system; optional Pro-Panel LCD touch screen controls with video tutorials; and new orbital cleaning head that removes floor finish without use of detergents. www.tennantco.com

PRODUCTS: FLOOR POLISHING No chemical

Matt finish

Wecoline claims its chemical-free stripping pads can save time and costs of cleaning large floor areas.

These have been designed for use dry or with water only for removal of different surface finishes, and can be used with single disk machines or scrubber dryers.

Longlife matt by green care Professional (Werner & Mertz) is a sustainable floor coating that gives floors a matt finish. It is designed for healthcare facilities and nursing homes, where the matt appearance and proven slip-resistance is required.

The formulation also boasts resistance to disinfectants and is suitable for use on plastic flooring such as PVC, linoleum and other special materials.

There are no (eco)toxicological polluting ingredients such as zinc, TBEP and fluorinated levelling agents and perfumes.

And Longlife has been designed to work in conjunction with the stripper Linax complete, which can remove even multi-layer Longlife complete polymer films. www.wmprof.com

Using a chemical-free pad, says Wecoline, means fewer errors as there are no incorrect doses of stripper, no chemical residues and no adhesion problems with the new polymer layer to deal with. www.wecoline.com

Easier operation Nilfisk has developed its BU800 floor polisher with easy opera-

tion and better safety in mind.

Features include simple controls combined with low profile design, and the burnishing deck automatically lifts when the motor is turned off.

This model boasts superior passive and (optional) active dust control and the HEPA filtration is optional for dust sensitive areas. Downtime has been minimised thanks to the on-board battery charger. www.nilfisk.com

• Wecoline propose les tampons de décapage Maroon. Exempts de produits chimiques, ils travaillent à sec ou à l’eau.

• Longlife Matt, proposé par green care Professional, est un revêtement durable de plancher à effet dépolissant.

• Les lustreuses Nilfisk BU800 se démarquent par leur aisance d’opération, leur sécurité accrue, et leur profil effilé.

• Wecoline bietet die chemikalienfreien Strippads Maroon, die für den trockenen Einsatz oder nur mit Wasser entwickelt wurden.

• Bei Longlife Matt von green care Professional handelt es sich um eine nachhaltige Bodenbeschichtung, die Böden einen Matteffekt verleiht.

• Der Polierautomat BU800 von Nilfisk bietet benutzerfreundlichen Betrieb und zusätzliche Sicherheit dank seinem Design mit niedrigem Profil.

• La Wecoline propone i dischi per sverniciare Maroon che non contengono prodotti chimici e che sono progettati per essere utilizzati asciutti o con solo acqua.

• Longlife Matt della Green Care Professional è un trattamento sostenibile per i pavimenti che dona loro un effetto opaco.

• La lucidatrice per pavimenti BU800 della Nilfisk vanta un funzionamento agevole e maggiore sicurezza con il suo design a basso profilo.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 67

PRODUCTS: FLOOR POLISHING Three stages Hard floors can be treated in three stages with the TASKI Jontec system, says Diversey Care.

First the surface is cleaned and prepared for polish adhesion with floor strippers TASKI Jontec No 1 or TASKI Jontec Prostrip. The floor must then be protected, which is where Jontec Eternum high gloss emulsion comes in.

For maintenance there is the TASKI IntelliPad, a diamondimpregnated floor care pad for

cleaning and burnishing coated and non-coated floors. This, Diversey Care claims, can address 80 per cent of a facility’s floor cleaning tasks to reduce floor maintenance costs.

The two-in-one pads are designed to be used with scrubber dryers and single disk machines. www.diversey.com

Big finish Aztec’s Grand Finale is a simple, rugged, floor chemical applica-

tion machine designed to apply floor finish, concrete densifiers, hardeners and sealers quickly and uniformly. Available in 24 or 36 ins pad width, it is designed to offer a high-speed way to lay down a uniform coating of chemicals at up to 3,500 square metres per hour.

With this machine the company claims one operator can apply an even and controlled coat of finish faster than an entire crew with mops - while also reducing chemical usage by 30 per cent.

A battery-powered pump precisely controls the flow rate to a microfibre or looped pad.

Using a magnetic sensor and pressure controlled pump, the chemicals flow from the bucket through the machine and onto the floor, with no streaking or edge bleeding. aztecproducts.com

• Diversey Care affirme que les sols durs peuvent se traiter en trois étapes avec son système TASKI Jontec.

• La Grand Finale proposée par Aztec est une machine conçue pour appliquer des finis, durcissants et scellants de plancher.

• Diversey Care teilt mit, dass Hartböden mit seinem TASKI Jontec-System in drei Phasen behandelt werden können.

• Bei der Grand Finale von Aztec handelt es sich um eine Maschine, die zum Auftragen von Bodenpolitur, Härtungs- und Versiegelungsmitteln konzipiert wurde.

• La Diversey Care afferma che i pavimenti duri possono essere trattati in tre fasi con il suo sistema TASKI. • Grand Finale della Aztec è una macchina progettata per l’applicazione di finiture per pavimenti, indurenti e sigillanti.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 68

PRODUCTS: FLOOR POLISHING

Quiet power

Streamline

The Zeus floor polisher from Sprintus has a 1,200 W motor yet is claimed by the company to be particularly quiet. The steel planetary gearing is said to be maintenance-free and the 175 rpm Zeus is easy to operate safely even for inexperienced users, according to Sprintus.

The 12-litre fresh water tank sits directly on top of the machine for optimum contact pressure and easy handling. The user can remove the tank in a single action if desired in order

The Orbis eco range of rotaries has recently been developed by Truvox International - designed to deliver economical cleaning and polishing. The company says these models incorporate robust build, handling and performance in a competitive package.

to clean beneath objects or up to edges. This is said to be easily achievable due to the machine’s low 10 cm ground clearance.

The fresh water tank is equipped with a stretch hose to enable it to be topped up directly from the tap. The machine is described as being energyefficient and easy to transport.

It is also space-saving when stored since the shaft can be completely folded down. www.sprintus.eu

Pads from plants Treleoni has developed the Provito line of floor pads which are made from renewable plant material and have been certified by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as Bio Preferred.

The company says the pads are durable and efficient - both UHS and conventional options are available. www.treleoni.com

There are three models, with speeds of 200 rpm, 400 rpm and dual-mode. Each has a cleaning width of 43 cm and is driven by a 1100 W motor. Orbis eco models come pre-assembled with handles to save time.

High pad/brush pressure makes for effective cleaning and polishing, while ergonomic design makes the machines comfortable to use even on long shifts says Truvox. Vibration and noise levels are low, and the handle height is adjustable. www.truvox.com • La nouvelle polisseuse de plancher Zeus, de la société Sprintus, se signale par sa pression optimale et son aisance de manoeuvre.

• La gamme Provito de tampons de nettoyage de planchers de Treleoni est fabriquée désormais en matériaux végétaux recyclables.

• La gamme Orbis Eco de machines à disque unique de Truvox se caractériste par son économie, son ergonomie et son pouvoir de polissage.

• Die neue Poliermaschine Zeus von Sprintus bietet optimalen Druck und einfache Handhabung.

• Die Produktfamilie Provito mit Bodenpads von Treleoni wird aus nachwachsendem Pflanzenmaterial hergestellt.

• Die Produktreihe Orbis Eco mit Einzelscheiben-Rotationsmaschinen von Truvox ermöglicht wirtschaftliches und ergonomisches Reinigen und Polieren.

• La nuova lucidatrice per pavimenti Zeus della Sprintus vanta pressione ottimale e facile manovrabilità.

• La linea di dischi per pavimenti Provito prodotti dalla Treleoni sono fabbricati in materiale vegetale rinnovabile.

• La gamma di monodisco Orbis Eco prodotta dalla Truvox vanta di essere economica e vanta pulizia e lucidatura ergonomiche.

April/May 2017 | ECJ 69

FLOOR PADS

What do we want from a pad?

What do customers look for in a floor pad? Is sustainability a major issue or are factors such as durability, versatility and ease of use more important? Or do they simply want a low-cost pad that can do the job for which it is intended? Ann Laffeaty finds out about the average customer’s must-haves.

“The environment is a key factor for those companies with a strong sustainability profile but price, performance and durability take precedence for many.”

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 70

A successful floor pad needs to have a number of characteristics. Naturally it needs to be fit for purpose and capable of doing the job for which it is intended.

It should also be durable and easy to use, while also helping to reduce costs. And ideally a floor pad should offer sustainability benefits as well. But which of these qualities resonates most with today’s clients?

Durability, efficiency and cost are all important considerations for Nilfisk’s customers according to group floor care product manager Anders Sandstrom.

“The environment is a key factor for those companies with a strong sustainability profile but price, performance and durability take precedence for many,” he said. Nilfisk offers a wide range of floor pads made from recycled PET bottles for its sustainability-driven customers.

Sandstrom claims it can be difficult for clients to find the right pad for a specific application. “The floor pad offer on the market is almost unlimited but quality and performance vary greatly depending on the supplier,” he said. “The need for flexible and productive cleaning solutions that are also easy to use is driving the industry forward. We at Nilfisk are highly committed to providing these.”

According to Sandstrom it has been a challenge for cleaning companies to enter the floor renovation arena. “The specific requirements of floor renovation systems need to be met if you are to be successful,” he said. “Knowledge and experience are both very important and these are two areas in which cleaning companies need to invest.”

A well-known brand associated with high quality is among the top requirements of most floor pad customers according to marketing specialist at HTC Twister Group Anette Therén.

“The trend is to focus on results and the total cost of ownership rather than simply to look at unit price,” she said. “Customers are interested in achieving clean, attractive and safe floors. Once those criteria

are reached they then want to maintain the desired result for as long as possible.

This is because periodic maintenance is costly while also resulting in valuable floor space being temporarily out of action for both customers and visitors.”

Sustainability is another important consideration, she says. “An increasing number of companies are aiming to reduce their chemical usage in order to enhance their green profile,” said Therén.

“A sustainable approach is also becoming more important when competing for government tenders and corporate contracts.

So it is crucial that floor pad producers can present an offer in line with these ambitions.”

She claims that Twister pads can prolong the life of a floor and its coatings, resulting in consumable waste savings of up to 17.8 kg per pad.

“The products themselves are also sustainable since they are made from old PET bottles recycled into the non-woven raw material we use to make the pads,” she said. “Microscopic diamonds are then impregnated into the pads to provide the polishing effect in daily cleaning.”

Chemical alternatives She says there is a growing understanding that new and improved alternatives to chemical cleaning are available today.

“The chemicals used with floor cleaning machines have long been known to have insufficient time to work during the period between the cleaning pad passing over the floor and the squeegee removing the chemical,” she said.

“Twister pads use mechanical methods to dissolve and remove the dirt while simultaneously polishing the floor during daily cleaning. This makes the floor surface more resistant to dirt and wear.”

Twister offers a range of pads for use on various types of floor. These include the Twister Extreme Red pad which is designed for stripping away floor finishes.

“The Twister Extreme Red is a mechanical alternative to traditional, harsh alkaline strippers and can also be used for the light

FLOOR PADS honing of stone floors and for stain-repairing concrete,” said Therén.

Other factors that are important to customers include durability and ease of use, she says. “Today’s customers demand a high level of versatility which means that being proactive in R&D is one of the keys factors for success in the cleaning pad business,” she said.

Sustainability and ease of use are two of the megatrends as far as customer demand is concerned according to 3M’s marketing communications manager María Gomez.

“A growing number of floor pad customers are showing an interest in using environmentally-sound products and following sustainable processes,” she said.

“They want safe, chemical-free systems to protect their employees and they want to ensure that any waste and chemicals that end up in the environment are kept to a minimum because they care about their customers, their employees and the environment.”

She says 3M’s main objective is to provide sustainable products. “We do this by ensuring our floor pads are efficient and save our customers time,” she said. “We also offer a range of pads that can be used without chemicals.”

According to Gomez, ease of use is important because the industry experiences such a high turnover of staff. “The level of employee movement means there is a need for intuitive and easy-to-use products,” she said. However she adds that many companies are simply seeking a low-cost product. “By buying a cheap pad they believe they are saving money but the real savings come from using long-lasting, efficient systems,” she said.

“Every day we work on creating an awareness of this.”

Anticipate needs Other key customer requirements include speed and efficiency, says Gomez.

“Products such as our double-sided pads help to reduce costs and material usage while achieving more gloss finishes at a lower price,” she said. “At 3M we are constantly developing products in line with customer needs while also trying to anticipate those needs.”

Clean Part customers seek a good Que recherche le client dans un tampon pour le traitement de planchers ? La durabilité est-elle un facteur important, ou la priorité est-elle accordée à la longévité, à la polyvalence ou à l’aisance d’utilisation ? Alternativement, le client se contentera-t-il d’un tampon bon marché capable d’accomplir la tâche prévue ? ECJ cherche à le savoir.

quality product at appropriate price levels according to ceo Maria Svensson.

“The typical Clean Part customer has a limited in-house stock of floor pads and relies on us for quick deliveries, in many cases directly to the end-user,” she said. “So the fast service we provide is as important as the high quality of the pads we deliver.”

Wider range needed Other requirements of today’s customer include the delivery of a wider range of floor pads including more specialised products and a broader range of sizes and shapes, she said. “We believe this trend will continue in the coming years.” Clean Part offers a range of Americo floor pads for applications such as stripping, scrubbing, buffing, polishing and burnishing.

These are available in both standard round and rectangular sizes.

Like other suppliers, Svensson believes that issues such as sustainability and chemical-free cleaning are becoming increasingly important among customers.

“Americo floor pads are made with 100 per cent recycled PET plastic and they are also fully recyclable,” she said. The company’s EPP pads also contain micro-abrasive particles that can remove damaged layers of finish without the use of harsh chemicals.

“This pad is also excellent for repairing acrylic or urethane finishes for recoating,” said Svensson.

The main requirement of Wecovi’s customers is to find the right floor pad for the required task according to the company’s marketing coordinator Margo Heusdens. “They want to know: can this pad solve my floor problem? What is its price and how durable is it?” she said.

“Sustainability is also becoming a major issue, as is chemical-free cleaning. This is not only important from an environmental viewpoint: it also reduces costs and results in floor pads that are more durable than other products.”

The company develops products that can be used without chemicals and Wecoline by Americo floor pads are made from recycled fibres.

Durability and effectiveness are also key customer requirements, says Heusdens. “Durable and effective pads allow cleaners to limit the number of passes Was erwarten Kunden von Bodenpads? Ist Nachhaltigkeit ein Hauptaspekt oder sind Faktoren wie Strapazierfähigkeit, Vielseitigkeit und Benutzerfreundlichkeit wichtiger? Oder möchten sie einfach nur kostengünstige Pads, mit denen die geplante Arbeit ausgeführt werden kann? Das ECJ erfährt Näheres.

required which saves time and money,” she said. “Cost is another important consideration but it is sometimes a challenge to look at cost in use instead of cost per unit.

Luckily there is a lot of common sense out there and when cleaners work with effective materials they are more likely to demonstrate good results.”

So, what will tomorrow’s customer want from their floor pad? “Customers such as cleaning contractors, hospitals, retail chains and industrial companies are all looking to reduce their ecological footprint while achieving better results and maintaining the same routines,” said Twister’s Anette Therén. “There are many solutions being developed to meet this demand and our Twister mechanical cleaning solution is among them.”

3M’s Maria Gomez believes customers will increasingly seek products that will make their lives easier by saving them time and effort. “We develop our products by listening to the customers and even when the product is on the market, asking for their feedback,” she said. “In fact you could say our customers are the real 3M product designers.”

And Clean Part’s Maria Svensson feels that sustainability will play an even greater role in the future. “We feel that our customers want to make a positive contribution to the world,” she said. “As more facility managers establish sustainability programmes, distributors are demanding more eco-friendly products from their manufacturers.”

Cosa cercano i clienti in un disco per pavimenti? E’ la sostenibilità il problema principale oppure sono più importanti altri fattori tipo la durata, la versatilità e la facilità di uso? Oppure i clienti vogliono soltanto un disco a basso costo che svolga il lavoro per il quale è stato progettato? ECJ indaga.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 71

NEW PRODUCT REVIEW

• NCH Europe a lancé le produit Chelade pour l’élimination de rouille et la prévention de la corrosion.

• Le spécialiste en logiciel TemplaCMS a lancé le Roster Manager pour aider les entreprises de propreté à gérer les vacances et les couvertures.

• Le Claro est un nouveau purificateur d’air produit par Signature Aromas pour détruire les bactéries et virus.

• Le nouveau système HydroPower RO de la société Unger est capable de déminéraliser 400 litres d’eau à l’heure par un procédé en trois étapes.

• VTVe est le nouvel aspirateur compact à cuve signé Truvox, destiné aux spécialistes de la propreté.

• Staffcheck a ajouté une nouvelle fonction à son application mobile de localisation des employés.

• NCH Europe hat Chelade zum Entfernen von Rost und Schutz gegen zukünftige Korrosion vorgestellt.

• Software-Spezialist TemplaCMS hat Roster Manager vorgestellt, das konzipiert wurde, um Reinigungsunternehmen bei der Verwaltung von Urlaub und Urlaubsvertretung der Mitarbeiter zu helfen.

• Neu von Signature Aromas ist Claro, eine Luftreinigungseinheit, die zur Vernichtung von Bakterien und Viren konzipiert wurde.

• Das neue HydroPower ROSystem von Unger entmineralisiert bis zu 400 Liter Wasser pro Stunde in einem dreistufigen Verfahren.

• Beim VTVe handelt es sich um den neuen kompakten Bodenstaubsauger von Truvox, der für Vertragsreiniger entwickelt wurde.

• Staffcheck hat seiner mobilen App eine neue Funktion hinzugefügt, mit der geprüft werden kann, dass Mitarbeiter wirklich da sind, wo sie sich nach eigenen Angaben befinden.

• La NCH Europe ha lanciato il prodotto Chelade per la rimozione della ruggine e per la protezione contro la corrosione futura.

• La TemplaCMS, specializzata in software, ha lanciato Roster Manager, progettato per aiutare le imprese di pulizia a gestire le ferie del personale e le sostituzioni.

• Il nuovo prodotto della Signature Aromas è Claro, un’unità di purificazione dell’aria progettata per distruggere i batteri e i virus.

• Il nuovo sistema HydroPower RO della Unger demineralizza fino a 400 litri di acqua all’ora mediante un procedimento a tre fasi.

• VTVe è il nuovo aspirapolvere compatto a cilindro prodotto dalla Truvox e sviluppato per le pulizie professionali a contratto.

• La Staffcheck ha aggiunto una nuova funzione alla sua applicazione mobile che controlla che il personale sia esattamente dove dichiara di essere.

April/May 2017 | ECJ | 72

Rust remover Water, energy and maintenance solutions provider NCH Europe has launched Chelade, a chelating agent designed to simplify rust removal. This can be applied directly to rust-coated surfaces, which eliminates the need for scraping or sandblasts. It also protects against future corrosion.

NCH Europe says chelating agents offer a more surfacefriendly approach to corrosion control - others contain an acidic composition that can cause damage. Chelade is a water-based polymeric rust converter that can be painted on directly without pre-treatment as it encapsulates and dissolves rust, converting it into a heavyduty primer. www.ncheurope.com

Manage holidays Roster Manager is a new feature that sits over the real-time time sheets of TemplaCMS Pay software and links dynamically through to them in order to enable operations managers to manage staff holiday and cover.

The system boasts touch-ofa-button visibility, in the form of a colour-coded time line, of currently planned holidays or other absence. To update absence on the time line and arrange cover there is a simple click-and-drag feature. And once a change to a roster is confirmed any affected time sheet in a current or future pay period is automatically updated. www.templacms.co.uk

Kills germs New from Signature Aromas is Claro, an air-purifying unit that is said to destroy harmful bacteria and viruses within seconds.

The rocket-shaped unit can be placed on a floor or table where it will constantly detect for

VOCs, gases or particles in the atmosphere. Available in a white or black housing, Claro displays a green light when the air is clear and this turns red when harmful particles are detected.

Managing director Brian Chappell explained: “At the moment it simply purifies the air but we want to incorporate a fragrance by means of water filtration. The fragrance to be incorporated will be either Summer Orange or Green Apple.

The unit destroys bacteria and viruses via an internal plate that is heated to 250 degrees centigrade. It has a sleep mode for quieter operation in noisesensitive environments. www.signaturearomas.co.uk

Remember to submit your entry to ECJ’s European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards deadline July 20. Visit echawards.com

Pure water

when it is in use and guarantees the user has access to pure water at all times.

The condition and performance status of all filter components are shown on the display. A traffic light display provides information about when the filter cartridges must be replaced.

An automatic flushing function is performed each time the HydroPower RO is turned on and off, which improves efficiency and contributes towards extending the service life of the filter components. www.ungerglobal.com

Compact tub

New from Truvox International is the compact tub vacuum VTVe, said to be light and highly manoeuvrable with a weight of six kg. It uses standard 32 mm vacuum consumables and offers an A energy rating.

High filtration – using a four-stage HEPA 13 filter – ensures particles of 0.3 microns and larger are trapped.

Capacity is 11.5 litre.

Crevice and brush tools are stored at the back of the machine, and there’s a tidy cable wrap at the top of the unit to prevent tangling. www.truvox.com

Locate cleaners Unger has expanded its pure water cleaning range with the new HydroPower RO, which boasts powerful performance capacity and an electronic assistance system.

Capacity is up to 400 litres per hour and the device can be used by up to three people at the same time. Unger says this unit is also particularly user-friendly.

The HydroPower RO is equipped with an electronic assistance system called RO Smartguard which monitors the performance of the filter system

Staffcheck has added a function to its mobile application that checks whether cleaning staff are where they say they are.

Managers can now track their staff through geofencing. This means they can pinpoint exactly where staff have logged in rather than merely in the vicinity.

The new function also enables managers to better protect their staff. For example if there is a fire and the alarm goes off, they check accurately whether or not the cleaner has logged out. staffcheck.com

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FROM BEVERAGE CARTONS TO THE SUSTAINABILITY YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE.

Verona May, 23rd-25th 2017

THE SMART SHOW

Hall 4 Stand B6

EcoNatural, the first paper + dispenser system that breathes new life into beverage cartons.

Lucart Professional uses innovative technology to separate beverage cartons into their component parts; from the cellulose fiber it generates Fiberpack®, which it uses to produce the paper, and from the aluminium and polyethylene it makes Al.Pe.®, the new raw material from which the dispensers are manufactured.

The EcoNatural system is a sustainability achievement for us and a concrete opportunity for you.