The pan-European magazine for the professional cleaning sector
JUNE/JULY 2017
CASE STUDY
SPECIAL REPORT
BUSINESS
Focus on hygiene in food preparation Starts page 33
Reducing waste in Seoul
Self-cleaning surfaces
Long working hours
Page 34
Page 47
Page 56
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CONTENTS
June/July 2017 | Vol.25, No.3
BUSINESS
SPECIAL REPORTS
56 Working longer = productive?
23 Food hygiene for a new age
Hartley Milner explores the impact of longer working hours on productivity across Europe.
What impact has the growth of street food had on hygiene practices?
32 Polished prep areas Top tips for pristine food preparation areas.
34 Changing attitudes to waste A case study from Seoul in South Korea.
37 Safe and accurate The cost, efficiency and safety benefits of chemical dispensing systems.
41 Internal talent spotting The importance of developing employees by tapping into hidden talents.
43 Man-made imitates nature 03 News
Why do producers develop wipers that behave like their natural counterparts?
47 Self-cleaning touch points A look at a new technology that keeps surface clean and germ-free.
13 European reports
51 Digital world - are we ready? 63 Product review
The digital solutions are there, but do we want them?
58 International challenges Each country has its own characteristics when it comes to window cleaning.
61 Tubing matters Proper tubing selection for chemical cleaning products is essential.
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
World’s deadliest superbugs found on the London Underground
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
London’s tube network is a “hotbed of bacteria” where nine of the world’s most dangerous superbugs are flourishing, scientists have warned. Researchers from London Metropolitan University tested the hand rails, seats and walls of tube trains across the capital in order to assess their cleanliness. They found a total of 121 different types of bacteria and moulds including Staphylococcus Aureus, E.coli and the highly dangerous Klebsiella Pneumoniae. Victoria line worst The study, carried out in conjunction with taxi insurers Staveley Head, found the Victoria line to be the worst offender with 22 different types of bacteria detected. The Metropolitan line was the cleanest with only 11 types of bacteria identified. “Bacteria from rodents such as rats and mice were also found on tube lines along with bacteria found in faeces and bacteria from sewage,” said Dr Paul Matewele who led the study. ‘These can cause water
infections or skin infections such as abscesses if you come into contact with them.” Nine of the bacteria strains detected were among the World Health Organisation’s list of drug-resistant bacteria that pose the biggest threat to human health. The discovery of Klebsiella Pneumoniae was of particular concern. “Klebsiella Pneumoniae is a superbug that antibiotics cannot fight and that can cause urinary tract infections, pneumonia, septicaemia, meningitis and diarrhoea,” said Matewele. “The infection can be extremely harmful and proper hygiene is a must.” Director of health, safety and environment for Transport for London Jill Collis said: “The tube is an extremely safe environment and our trains and stations are professionally cleaned throughout the day and night. “There is no cause for customers to worry about bacteria on the tube or do anything different in terms of hygiene than they would in other public places.”
Le réseau du métro londonien est un « bouillon de culture de bactéries » dans lequel prospèrent neuf des super microbes les plus dangereux du monde, ont averti des scientifiques.
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 May 15-18 2018
ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands www.issainterclean.com October 29-November 1 2018
ISSA/Interclean North America Dallas, USA www.issainterclean.com To have your event included in Events, contact ECJ via email at: michelle@europeancleaningjournal.com
Wissenschaftler haben gewarnt, dass das Londoner U-Bahnnetz eine „Brutstätte für Bakterien“ ist, in der neun der weltweit gefährlichsten Supererreger gedeihen.
Gli scienziati avvertono che la rete della metropolitana di Londra è “ricettacolo di batteri” nel quale prosperano nove dei più pericolosi superbatteri del mondo.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 3
NEWS Super-fast dryers ‘as loud as pneumatic drills’ Modern jet air hand dryers have the same impact on our ears as a close-range pneumatic drill, according to a hearing aid company. Jonathan Ratcliffe from Audiologist.co.uk claims that powerful drying machines can cause lasting damage to children, the elderly and those with hearing problems. “The effects are particularly dangerous for children as the machines are typically positioned at the same height as their head which means they are getting it full blast,” he says. According to Ratcliffe it is generally accepted that 85 dBA is the maximum sound level
that we can safely be exposed to continuously. However, he adds that powerful air dryers and pneumatic drills produce noise levels of 90 dBA and more. “You’re standing for up to a minute in front of a machine that is making as much noise as a construction worker drilling a hole in the road,” says Ratcliffe. “The only difference between him and you is that he’s been issued with ear defenders.” Researchers from Goldsmiths University of London in 2013 carried out an acoustic test and found the sound decibels reached by high-speed dryers was 11 times higher in a typical public toilet than in a laboratory.
• Les sèche-mains modernes à jet d’air exercent le même impact sur notre ouïe qu’une perforatrice pneumatique toute proche, affirme un fabricant d’appareils auditifs. • L’Association européenne des entreprises de propreté FIDEN tiendra son congrès annuel à Lucerne du 19 au 22 octobre.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 4
According to study author Dr John Levack Drever such high noise levels can cause discomfort to elderly dementia sufferers; affect the navigation of visually-impaired people and force hearing aid users to turn off their devices in public toilets. “Manufacturers tend to test hand dryers in ultra-absorbent acoustic laboratories which is perhaps why actual sound levels are so much higher than those advertised,” he said. Since toilets are enclosed spaces with tiled, stainless steel and mirrored surfaces, any sound is likely to be amplified which increases the pressure on the eardrums, claim experts.
• Moderne Luftstrom-Handtrockner haben die gleiche Wirkung auf unsere Ohren wie ein Pressluftbohrer in nächster Nähe, teilt ein Unternehmen für Hörgeräte mit. • Der europäische Vertragsreinigungsverband FIDEN veranstaltet seinen jährlichen Kongress vom 19.–22. Oktober in Luzern.
FIDEN meet European contract cleaning association FIDEN will hold its congress in Lucerne, Switzerland from October 19-22. The general theme for this year is Positioning as a Building Service Provider in Times of Digital Change. There will also be a general introduction of the state of the Swiss FM and real estate market, before moving on to a keynote speech from Andrea Luder of Emediately entitled Digital Transformation Trends, Tools, Humans. Other presentations will cover Digital Innovation and Services on Demand, and Digitalisation: Saviour of the FM Sector? www.fiden.org
• Gli asciugamani moderni a getti di aria calda hanno lo stesso impatto sulle nostre orecchie di un martello pneumatico a distanza ravvicinata, come ci informa un’azienda di apparecchi acustici. • L’associazione europea di cleaning professionale FIDEN ospiterà il suo congresso annuale a Lucerna dal 19 al 22 di ottobre.
NEWS European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards - entries close soon! The closing date for the 2017 European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards is fast approaching. This pan-European awards programme celebrates excellence across all parts of the sector and was launched last year by ECJ. Entries must be submitted by July 20. This year’s ceremony takes place at the Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel in Rome on November 9. Diversey Care is the event partner.
investment in training. Sponsored by Greenspeed • Excellence in client/ contractor partnerships • Distributors - excellence in added value initiatives. • Sustainability - best practice in implementing principles throughout the business. Sponsored by Werner & Mertz.
Celebrating excellence There are 10 categories: • Best use of technology by contractors in their cleaning programmes. Sponsored by Diversey Care • Commitment to and Les inscriptions pour les Prix européens de propreté et d’hygiène 2017, qui seront décernés à Rome le 9 novembre, doivent être annoncées d’ici le 20 juillet au plus tard.
• Workforce excellence in employee relationships, diversity & inclusion, rewards programmes • Best initiative raising the profile and perception of the professional cleaning sector locally or on a wider level • Groundbreaking technological innovation of the year. Sponsored by ISSA/INTERCLEAN • Inspirational leader of the year. Sponsored by Truvox International • Greatest individual contribution to driving up standards of excellence within a cleaning operation • Lifetime achievement award - to be selected by the judging panel. Sponsored by Ceris Burns International.
Nominierungen für die European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2017, die am 9. November in Rom stattfinden, müssen bis zum 20 Juli eingereicht werden.
Other sponsors include Afidamp and Brightwell Dispensers. Submissions are welcomed from building service contractors, distributors, facilities managers, manufacturers and individuals. All entries are to be submitted via the website at www. echawards.com, and forms can be completed in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish. For further information contact awards@ europeancleaningjournal.com You can also follow the awards on Twitter @ECH_Awards and #ECHAwards17.
Le domande di partecipazione a European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2017, che si terrà a Roma il 9 novembre, devono pervenire entro il 20 luglio.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 5
NEWS Europe’s cleaning sector to gather in Berlin this September The German capital Berlin is to host the 2017 Congress of the World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC) this September, alongside the CMS professional cleaning trade exhibition. The theme of the congress, which takes place from September 18-20, is Cleaning in the Digital World - Processes, People, Technology. The CMS exhibition then takes place from September 19-22. Speaking at the recent launch of both events in Berlin, Messe Berlin’s ceo Dr Christian Göke explained: “Our objective is to position CMS as the international platform for expertise in the cleaning and hygiene market and to target audiences in every corresponding segment.” Thomas Dietrich, president of the German contract cleaning association BIV offered some background statistics on the German contract cleaning market. “In 2014 a total of 641,681 people were employed in building cleaning, a 2.9 per cent increase over the previous year. This figure is projected to
rise by 0.2 per cent in 2015, to 642,964. “There was a 7.5 per cent increase in the number of companies in this sector in 2014, to 21,309. The index figures for 2015 predict a slight decline by 0.4 per cent to a total of 21,220 businesses. However for 2016 a small increase of 1.7 per cent is forecast, which will bring the total number of businesses up to 21,580.”
Boost sales Dietrich concluded: “In 2014 the industry generated sales amounting to €14,872,961,000. Increases of 7.2 per cent in 2015 and 5.2 per cent in 2016 will boost sales by the industry to just under €17 billion.” The VDMA is the association representing German manufacturers of cleaning equipment. Its chairman is Markus Asch, who explained: “On the German market the 50 or so suppliers of cleaning systems for commercial and industrial users, employing a workforce of approximately 5,250, achieved sales of just over €900 million in 2016. Around 73 per cent of the output
Diversey Care acquisition Diversey Care has acquired the UVC disinfection portfolio of Daylight Medical, manufacturer of innovative medical devices. The portfolio includes UVC disinfectant technologies designed to disinfect rooms, surfaces, non-critical equipment and devices. Daylight’s products offer targeted dosing of UVC light to kill harmful pathogens. “When combined with consistent and proper manual cleaning and disinfection, UVC disinfection technology has the power to reduce the spread
of pathogens that can cause dangerous infections,” said Dr Ilham Kadri, president of Diversey Care. “Daylight’s innovations are a synergistic fit with our existing infection prevention platform, which includes Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP)based disinfectants. Adjunct technologies will allow all facilities concerned with preventing infection, from hospitals to airports, to add an additional level of assurance to their existing protocols.”
• Berlin accueillera en septembre le Congrè 2017 de la WFBSC (World Federation of Building Services Contractors), en même temps que le Salon du nettoyage professionnel CMS. • Diversey Care a repris le portefeuille de produits de désinfection UVC de Daylight Medical, un fabricant de dispositifs médicaux.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 6
of German manufacturers is exported. Their share of the world market was approximately 20 per cent, and they account for around 50 per cent of sales on the European market. “At the start of 2017 domestic business remained stable, compared with the turbulence on foreign markets, where the industry was affected by increased uncertainty in the wake of the US election and the Brexit referendum in the UK - where the effects of unfavourable exchange rate movements were very evident. This in turn reduced the competitiveness of our industry’s prices.”
High hopes Asch continued: “Although there were high hopes for the BRIC nations, they have been the focus of concern for more than two-and-a-half years now. The problems in Russia and Brazil, as well as declining growth in China, have resulted in a less positive outlook. “The growth rates observed by machinery constructors in India are encouraging, but the total volume is still too small to compensate for negative tendencies on the main markets.” The cleaning chemicals
• In der deutschen Hauptstadt Berlin findet im September der Kongress der World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC) 2017 parallel zur CMS, der internationalen Fachmesse für Reinigungssysteme, Gebäudemanagement und Dienstleistungen statt. • Diversey Care hat die UVC-Produktpalette mit Desinfektionsmitteln von Daylight Medical, dem Hersteller medizinischer Geräte, erworben.
sector was also highlighted, by the chairman of the building cleaning division of the IHO Werner Schulze. “During the last calendar year turnover in Germany’s professional cleaning and hygiene sector exceeded €1 billion. The total workforce numbered over 7,000. Building cleaning products accounted for around 25 per cent of the total sum.
Registration open “At 4.7 per cent, the industry’s spending on research and development last year was significantly above the average for the other branches of the chemical industry. In contrast to these positive statistics 2.5 per cent was spent on compliance with European laws. In 2015 these costs had already risen sharply from 1.5 to 2.2 per cent and they continue to complicate the situation within the industry.” Registration for the WFBSC congress is now open, and there are discounts for registering before July 27. For details of the congress visit: wfbsc2017.berlin For information about the CMS exhibition visit: www.cmsberlin.de • ECJ is a media partner for both the WFBSC Congress and the CMS exhibition.
• La capitale tedesca Berlino ospiterà a settembre il congresso 2017 Congress of the World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC) e in contemporanea la fiera CMS professional cleaning trade exhibition. • La Diversey Care ha acquisito il portfolio di disinfezione UVC della Daylight Medical, azienda produttrice di apparecchi medici.
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NEWS Social media and how to use it - a guide to the platforms There are a number of platforms companies can use for social media purposes - in this article, I’ll take a look at the top six and how can they be used. They will be explored in more detail in articles later in the series. Firstly, Facebook. Love it or loathe it this is a platform everyone’s heard of, but how useful is it for a cleaning company? For domestic cleaning it’s very useful as it taps into a friendly, recommendation market.
Twitter favourite Laura Napper, managing director of Twilight Cleaning and Facilities Management, continues her series of exclusive blogs about social media for the ECJ website. Here she offers advice on the different platforms that can be used.
Next up is our favourite, Twitter. This can be very useful to raise awareness, communicating with clients, and following accounts you want to rather than the ones you have to! LinkedIn is a professional platform that works by connecting with your peers on
a personal level - it encourages business relationships and it’s an excellent way to keep in touch with people. Instagram is excellent for cleaning companies - businesses can showcase before and after pictures, as well as stories based on work being done. This should be used more in our opinion.
Who is your client? Snapchat is currently very youth-oriented and not really applicable for cleaning businesses - but this may change! Finally, YouTube. I think this can be really useful if you have a wide audience. Regular updates can be made and your subscriber base can increase. There are other social media platforms, such as Pinterest, ask.fm, Reddit and Tumblr, but these present limited opportunities for businesses in
the cleaning industry. As a company, what works for us is Twitter and Linkedin. But your audience may be different think about who your ideal client is - where are they and what platform are they using? They may use all of them or just one! Finding the best platform for your social media is a project in itself, but one that can be a lot of fun! Tell us what platforms you use! Email us on laura@ twilightcleaning.co.uk or tweet us at @tenterdentwcc!
Read Laura Napper’s regular blog on the ECJ website: europeancleaning journal.com
Hospital-acquired C.diff rates persist despite enhanced cleaning Enhanced cleaning in healthcare is effective in reducing the number of bacteria on frequently-touched surfaces. However a new report reveals that levels of C.difficile infections may stay the same - even after improved cleaning protocols are put in place. US researchers conducted a 12-month study into the impact of enhanced cleaning in seven acute-care hospitals. They then compared their results with standard cleaning carried out in eight control hospitals. The study was led by Curtis Donskey, professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Ohio. The researchers reported reduced recovery rates of
C.difficile; vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and MRSA from high-touch surfaces following enhanced cleaning. However there was no impact on the incidence of healthcare-acquired Clostridium difficile infections.
Direct contrast The findings of the study were presented at The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America’s spring conference. According to Donskey the results were consistent with those of another recent randomised trial in which the use of ultraviolet disinfection devices had no impact on reducing C.difficile infections. The conclusions of both studies were in direct contrast
• Poursuivant sa séries d’articles pour ECJ sur les moyens de bien exploiter les médias sociaux, Laura Napper, administratrice déléguée de Twilight Cleaning and Facilities Management, nous oriente sur les différentes plateformes disponibles. • Les taux d’infection iatrogénique par la bactérie C.difficile sont demeurés inchangés malgré la mise en place de protocoles de propreté améliorés, indique une nouvelle étude.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 8
with those of previous research which associated reductions of C.difficile infections with cleaning interventions that were expressly designed to eradicate C.difficile spores. “The findings of these two large randomised trials suggest that interventions which focus
• In der Fortsetzung ihrer für das ECJ verfassten Serie, in der sie das Optimieren der von sozialen Medien gebotenen Vorteilen behandelt, bietet Laura Napper, Managing Director von Twilight Cleaning and Facilities Management, einen Leitfaden zu den verschiedenen verfügbaren Plattformen. • Aus einer neuen Studie geht hervor, dass die Rate der Krankenhausinfektionen mit Clostridium difficile trotz der Umsetzung verbesserter Reinigungsprotokolle gleich zu bleiben scheint.
only on improving cleaning may not be sufficient to control healthcare-associated C.difficile infections,” said Donskey. “Healthcare facilities faced with high CDI rates should therefore consider other approaches, including antimicrobial stewardship.”
• Continuando con la sua serie per ECJ sulla massimizzazione dei benefici dei social media, Laura Napper, direttrice generale della Twilight Cleaning and Facilities Management, offre una guida sulle varie piattaforme disponibili. • Un nuovo studio rivela che il numero di casi di C.difficile contratto in ospedale potrebbe rimanere uguale nonostante il potenziato protocollo di igiene.
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NEWS EFCI and UNI Europa launch Selecting Best Value guide Contract cleaning associations, clients and trade unions from around Europe gathered in Brussels recently for the launch of Selecting Best Value, a guide for private and public organisations awarding contracts for public services. The guide was developed by contract cleaning umbrella organisation the European Federation of Cleaning Industries (EFCI) and UNI Europa, the umbrella body for trade unions, with the financial support of the European Commission. Its aim - to assist buyers in their tendering process by highlighting the benefits of choosing quality services. “As it has been co-drafted by the European social partners in the cleaning services industry,” said EFCI and UNI Europa at the launch, “the guide offers a unique approach to selecting best value reflecting the experience of the cleaning sector. For the same reason, it suggests that the cleaning services industry should be seen as a partner in the process of procuring services.” The guide covers all aspects of tendering cleaning services: • Defining the buyers and their premises’ needs, and what a quality service would look like for them
• Drawing up a procurement procedure where these quality elements are reflected • Comparing tender submissions through a practical tool developed as part of the guide, whereby different bids can be evaluated against the originally selected quality criteria • Evaluating bids using the selected quality criteria, and selection of the bid with the highest quality. There is a tool aimed at assisting buyers in defining their needs for cleaning services, along with a framework for allocating values/scores to different criteria of importance to the buyer. After values are allocated to the different criteria, the tool allows for applying weightings according to the buyer’s own estimation. So the buyer can set the balance between quality and price elements.
Monitor contractors Andreas Lill of EFCI added: “The guide can also be used as a tool to control whether contractors are fulfilling their obligations throughout the duration of the contract. For example, it would allow the buyer to check that contractors keep to their commitments in terms of recruitment
La Fédération européenne du nettoyage industriel et l’organisation syndicale Uni Europa ont lancé le guide Selecting Best Value, un ouvrage à l’intention des organisations publiques et privées qui ont à passer des contrats pour services de nettoyage.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 10
procedures, quality assurance and training.” Selecting Best Value is broken down into four sections - Why Opt for Best Value; Understanding the European Legislation for Public Tendering and Recommendations for the Social Partners; Achieving Best Value for Your Cleaning Services; and Evaluation Guidelines and Interactive Tool.
Positive reputation The guide emphasises to buyers that buying quality professional services allows them not only to fulfil their legal obligations to ensure the health, safety and hygiene of their premises but also to preserve their facilities at a level that would minimise maintenance needs. “Working with wellrespected cleaning companies also contributes to the positive reputation of the buyer,” it says. The consequences of selecting lowest bid instead of best value are twofold: unfair competition is created among employers which can contribute to adverse conditions for cleaners. The lowest bidders may not be respecting wage legislation, social contributions or tax obligations. Collective agreements and national labour laws must always be considered.
Der Europäische Dachverband der Reiningungsbranche EFCI/FENI und der Dachverband europäischer Dienstleistungs-Gewerkschaften UNIEuropa haben „Selecting Best Value“ vorgestellt, einen Leitfaden für private und öffentliche Organisationen, die Verträge für Reinigungsdienstleistungen vergeben.
Cleaning companies, trade unions and buyers attending the Brussels launch welcomed the document as a useful tool. However it is seen as very much a first step in that this is a tool which all stakeholders now must learn how to use. So the question was raised as to how the guide will now be marketed and EFCI urged its member associations and trade unions to become engaged at a local level in promoting it to clients, through service providers. One other concern raised was the guide may be too complex for many buyers, who are simply not deeply involved enough with the detail of their cleaning service to read it thoroughly. Clients may prefer a shorter, more simplified version. Eddy Stam of UNI emphasised: “What we have here is a document agreed upon by both trade unions and employers and that is a huge achievement in itself. Now we must continue to work together in promoting it.” EFCI’s Andreas Lill concluded: “It’s our job now to convince purchasers it’s a good idea for them to incorporate this guide into their organisations - that it is actually in their interests.” Selecting Best Value can be downloaded at www. cleaningbestvalue.eu
La federazione European Federation of Cleaning Industries e l’organizzazione di categoria Uni Europa hanno lanciato Selecting Best Value, una guida per le organizzazioni sia private che pubbliche private per l’aggiudicazione di contratti di servizi di pulizia.
NEWS EXTRA Norway’s cleaning sector - challenges and opportunities Thor Nielsen is marketing and purchase manager for Insider Facility Services, which operates in 12 cities in Norway. The company specialises in a broad spectrum of services in shopping malls, office buildings, airports and aircraft, and has its own development programme for staff. Nielsen writes about the trends and characteristics of the Norwegian market. The total market in Norway is worth around €2 billion. According to The Confederation of Norwegian Service Industries (NHO Service), the total surface in commercial buildings is estimated at 102 million square meters. Sixty-one per cent of the total market is competitive, which represents a market value of €1.2 billion. In recent years, the trend is that more of the public sector market is being outsourced to private companies. As of January 2107 there are 3,879 officially approved businesses. Out of these businesses, 1,737 are officially approved with staff and 2,142 are approved without staff. The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority has 6,905 companies which have applied to become approved - they have either been approved, rejected or are being processed.
Registered status There are 1,254 businesses which are still active and registered with the status ‘not officially approved’. This means they either have had their applications for approval rejected or have had their approval revoked. When approval is revoked, it could be because the business has not fulfilled the requirements for official approval. In 2016 564 businesses were not approved. There are many small businesses and only a handful
companies offer their services all over Norway - many operate within just one county and sole traders account for 70-75 per cent of cleaning companies. Because of this the larger cities in Norway, especially in the south see fierce competition between companies. That means there is intense price pressure. The economic changes in Europe have also affected Norway and that has meant customers wanting to reduce costs, sometimes by reducing daily cleaning frequencies.
Encourage training Companies in Norway encourage cleaners to take internal and external courses, and they will invest resources and time in educating new employees (some provide bonuses for doing internal courses, with an increase in salary above our industry collective agreement). Getting more cleaners to take these courses will become more and more common and important if firms intend to bid for major tenders, especially public tenders. This is because NHO Service promotes NS-INSTA 800 standard towards public purchasers as a requirement. One of the market’s main challenges is the number of unprofessional companies providing services way below what approved companies can match - price pressure and social dumping is a serious problem. With larger tenders (public and private) the lack of knowledge in the purchase chain means many purchasers end up choosing the lowest price. The Confederation of Norwegian Service Industries has introduced a tool for purchasers, a highest value system, but it is not used often enough. The view from economic experts for 2017 is not as bleak as for 2014-16, but the
ECJ jette un coup d’œil sur le secteur de la propreté professionnelle en Norvège, qui compte aujourd’hui près des 4000 entreprises. Comme dans d’autres pays européens, le secteur est soumis à de fortes pressions sur les prix, et les périodicités de nettoyage y sont en baisse. 904
Norwegian economy has felt economic instability, specially from the oil industry, which has had drastic consequences in certain parts of the country.
Validation of companies The most important development for our industry is the Validation of Cleaning Companies” (Godkjenningsordningen). These regulations came into force in September 2012. This regulation requires all businesses that wholly or partially provide cleaning services to apply for approval. Approved establishments are registered in a central repository, where it is easy for purchasers to find approved companies. The regulation prohibits the purchase of cleaning services from unapproved cleaning businesses. Businesses can go to arbeidstilsynet.no and type in a firm’s name and information on status will be shown. This is obviously a very positive development, however the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority have not promoted these changes well enough and recent surveys show only 50 per cent of clients are aware of the regulations. The industry has - through
Das ECJ wirft einen eingehenden Blick auf die professionelle Reinigungsbranche in Norwegen, die fast 4.000 offiziell anerkannte Unternehmen umfasst. Wie in anderen europäischen Ländern ist die Branche auch hier einem enormen Preisdruck ausgesetzt und die Reinigungshäufigkeiten werden reduziert.
Agency for Public Management and Government and The Confederation of Norwegian Service Industries, developed a standard template for purchase of cleaning services. The contains all documents one needs to create a complete tender.
Useful tool The Confederation of Norwegian Service Industries also has created ‘the highest value principle’, a useful tool to find out which offer provides the best value, and thus the most economically advantageous. The system guarantees equal treatment of bidders and transparency in the procurement process, so more and more public tenders are evaluated on this principle rather on just the lowest bid. As with most other countries, cleaning jobs seem to be the easiest way to integrate for migrants. Every cleaner in Norway who works for an approved company has to have a cleaning card (HSE-card). From these statistics, around 40 per cent of employees are Norwegian and 60 per cent are from other countries. The nations most represented are Poland, Lithuania and Thailand.
ECJ esamina da vicino il settore del cleaning professionale in Norvegia, dove sono presenti quasi 4.000 imprese ufficialmente riconosciute. Come in altre nazioni europee, il settore è sotto fortissima pressione a livello di prezzi e la frequenza dei servizi di pulizia si sta abbassando.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 11
UPDATE: UK With the Apprenticeship Levy having come into effect on April 6, any issues and wrinkles are probably still being dealt with. Introducing a whole new system of payment is difficult enough, and plans to maximise the impact of this 0.5 per cent self-investment may not yet have taken shape. One essential point raised by the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy is: what does this mean for cleaning and the industry? Stepping back can help to re-focus on several fundamental questions including that historical one: what value has been placed on cleaning skills in the wider FM world? Allied to this is the consideration of the wider commitment that, supported by the introduction of the levy, cleaning could now be repositioned as integral to FM. How does FM plan to apportion the levy in relation to cleaning? If we’re honest it may be that,
at this stage, cleaning doesn’t feature on many apprenticeship plans, possibly because the value of cleaning in FM terms is neither understood or accepted. Without true recognition of the value of apprenticeships to the organisation in skills terms, and to individuals in career terms, the success of cleaning apprenticeships may still be in jeopardy – even though funding via the levy could be available. And the elephant in the room needs confronting; what can be done to attract young people to cleaning in the first place? Not one of the sexiest of occupations, how can we package cleaning in a manner that sets it in the context of an essential service in FM, one where an apprenticeship in cleaning could provide a solid foundation to a fulfilling career? Crucially the apprenticeship standards, resulting from a rigorous definition process, must be
Suite à l’introduction récente d’un droit sur l’apprentissage au Royaume-Uni, Lynn Webster, reporter d’ECJ, examine l’impact des apprentissages sur le secteur de la propreté.
Swept under the rug... UK reporter Lynn Webster discusses apprenticeships in the professional cleaning sector. a more than adequate reflection of industry requirements, in skills and career terms. Wide-ranging employer involvement, via the cleaning apprenticeship trailblazer group, ensures resulting apprenticeship standards are fit for industry purpose. The process of defining, agreeing, redefining and submitting standards for Institute for Apprenticeship approval is ongoing and needs to remain industry- and employercentred. While employers affected by the levy may be to the fore in the consultation process, the involvement of SMEs is also vital if the whole industry is to benefit. Preparation is underway
Im Anschluss an die vor kurzem in Großbritannien eingeführte Ausbildungsplatzabgabe untersucht die ECJ-Reporterin Lynn Webster die Auswirkungen von Lehrverhältnissen auf die Reinigungsbranche.
for a final industry consultation on the ‘cleaning hygiene operative’ standards, defined for both internal and external building cleaning activities, and the wider this consultation the better. Arguably the introduction of the levy might serve to focus employers’ minds on all occupational skills areas within their organisation, with an appropriate focus on cleaning. But if cleaning remains an afterthought then no amount of industry effort to determine fit-for-purpose standards can be justified. Standards that remain unused can only serve to indicate once again that cleaning is all too often swept under the dusty rug.
A seguito della recente introduzione del contributo per l’apprendistato (Apprenticeship Levy) nel Regno Unito, la corrispondente di ECJ Lynn Webster prende in esame l’impatto dell’apprendistato sul settore del cleaning professionale.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 13
UPDATE: DENMARK
UPDATE: FRANCE
Another summer of litter shaming?
A glance at a region...
Should we rely on civil service employees to clean up after us? ECJ reporter Lotte Printz takes a look at summer littering in Denmark.
Christian Bouzols, ECJ’s French correspondent, reports on the Rhônes-Alpes region cleaning sector, which accounts for around one-tenth of the total.
Summer is here. And hopefully temperatures and lots of sunny spells allow us to spend time outdoors, enjoying a can of beer by a stream of city lake or barbecuing in public parks. But who’s going to clean up? If we look at one of these areas after a hot day in Denmark, civil service employees are. The problem of litter-strewn urban areas has become so widespread that ordinary citizens and celebrities alike have taken matters into their own hands, publicly voicing their indignation and taking a swipe at the “sinners”. Last year a celebrity weatherman who lives in Copenhagen was taking his kids out for an ice cream and found grass areas covered in litter because people hadn’t bothered to pick up and discard their waste in one of the several litter bins the local authorities had placed at intervals of 50 metres max. “Ugh!”, he wrote on Facebook where he also posted photos of the mess and hauled not only the litterbugs but also their parents over the coals. “You’ve got to wonder why people throw litter and walk away without thinking about how disgusting it is and that other people will be using the place afterwards. It’s old-fashioned, I know, but it lies in the upbringing. Respect for nature, urban areas and other people is something your parents should teach you.” His post was seen by more than 500,000 people and shared 4,000 times. A few days later he wrote another post: “I’ll be damned…” when the same place had been cleared up two days in a row. The Copenhagen weatherman has not reported
With a turnover of about €1.3 billion in 2015 and 53,500 employees, the cleaning companies of the Rhônes-Alpes region in southern France account for about a tenth of the economic weight of the French cleaning sector (€13 million turnover and 485,000 workers). The 2,200 cleaning companies of the region (13,800 for the whole of France) are distributed among a small number of large groups of 100 or more employees (five per cent of companies and 51 per cent of employment), a much larger number of SMEs (27 per cent of companies and 38 per cent of employment) and a great number of micro enterprises of between one and nine workers (68 per cent of businesses, accounting for 11 per cent of the workforce). Cleaning jobs are undergoing rapid changes, due in particular to the growing use of robotic solutions. But the sector continues to suffer from a rather poor image. To face this situation, the cleaning sector is turning to tasks related to sustainable development, to diversifying its activities and to creating new services aiming to make best use of the presence of cleaners within the premises of client companies. These services could be the management of mail, the moving of materials, logistical tasks, the internal displacement of equipment, stock management, the preparation of meeting rooms, the care of green spaces, the technical maintenance of premises, etc. Thanks to policies of this kind turnovers have been increasing by two to three per cent a year and employment
L’été favorise la vie en plein air, et par conséquent la multiplication de détritus. Notre correspondante au Danemark, Lotte Printz, se demande si nous devions uniquement compter sur des employés de la fonction publique pour nettoyer les détritus que nous négligeons d’emporter.
anything disgusting so far this year. So perhaps his dressingdown had an effect? Trying to change attitudes through this kind of people power is catching on. In Denmark’s second city, Aarhus, which also happens to be European Capital of Culture in 2017 – thus hoping to make a great impression on the outside world – many feel littering has worsened and is a big embarrassment to the city. “In Aarhus we don’t recycle garbage – we toss it on the pavement,” it says on one Instagram profile called #thecityofgarbage. A young local businessman set up the Facebook page Skrald i Aarhus (litter in Aarhus) where he’s posting pictures of litterstrewn streets that he walks. “When I buy a coffee to go, I buy it knowing that it’s my responsibility to get rid of the cup in an orderly way. I don’t get it that it should be the municipality’s responsibility. As a matter of fact, I don’t think it raises people’s awareness of litter that municipality employees pick it up,” he says. The municipalities in Denmark provide litter bins and manpower to clear up public places and Aarhus spends 30 million Danish Kroner annually on scattered litter and the like. Some reckon 10 of those could be saved if people didn’t just leave litter lying around for others to pick up. And once the municipality left all the litter lying on the streets for a whole weekend, visually exposing citizens to their own mess. This summer could reveal whether we are actually learning from these verbal and visual attacks and have improved our ability not to miss the litter bins.
Es wird Sommer, wir verbringen mehr Zeit im Freien – und damit einher geht mehr Abfall. Lotte Printz, die ECJ-Reporterin in Dänemark, fragt, ob wir uns einfach auf den kommunalen Reinigungsdienst verlassen sollten, um hinter uns sauber zu machen.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 14
L’estate porta con sè la vita all’aria aperta e quindi un aumento della quantità di rifiuti. La corrispondente di ECJ dalla Danimarca Lotte Printz , chiede se dovremmo semplicemente contare sui dipendenti pubblici perchè puliscano la nostra sporcizia.
Notre correspondant Christian Bouzols présente un aperçu du secteur de la propreté de la région RhônesAlpes, qui accueille environ le dixième du secteur national.
by two per cent. Among its attempts to diversify, the cleaning sector is giving much importance to the management of waste. In doing so it is availing itself of a new regulation which came into effect in July 2016, requiring all services companies that produce more than 1,100 litres of waste a week to sort them. The French cleaning federation (Fédération des entreprises de la propreté - FEP) has produced a tool called Smart Tri (Smart Sorting) enabling its members to inform their clients of their regulatory obligations in terms of waste management, to produce an audit of the waste production/management activities of client companies, and to prepare estimates for the performance of the relevant services. “As far as we’re concerned this is clearly a business tool that allows us to give more value to our trade in the eyes of clients and to grow our turnover,” says Vincent Fisher, president of FEP for the Rhône-Alpes region. Efforts by the cleaning trade to modernise itself at the human level and to rank among the most appealing activities have still not managed to change some negative views that cling to the trades that are linked to the cleaning sector. “I really love my branch of business! It’s an area where the human factor still plays a fundamental role, but which doesn’t project the image that it deserves!” muses Vincent Fischer. It’s a sector where profit margins are small but where minimum wages exceed the official minimum wage (SMIC) by 2.7 per cent and where a premium is paid at the end of the year.
Korrespondent Christian Bouzols vermittelt einen Überblick über die Rhône-Alpes-Region im Süden Frankreichs, die ein Zehntel der französischen Reinigungsbranche ausmacht.
Il corrispondente francese Christian Bouzols fa una panoramica sulla regione Rhônes-Alpes nel sud della Francia, che rappresenta un decimo del settore del cleaning della nazione.
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UPDATE: GERMANY Current state of the market ECJ reporter Alexandra Lachner takes a look at current trends in the German cleaning sector. The building services sector in Germany is developing steadily: both the number of cleaning hours and sales figures are showing a slight increase and there are a rising number of employment contracts subject to social security contributions in both full- and part-time work. Over 600,000 people (as at 2014) are employed and the annual turnover in 2016 was around €17 billion. So far, so good. But how does the future look? Christine Sudhop is deputy general manager of contract cleaning association BIV and foresees many challenges in the future. “The fact is in the major sectors of maintenance and window/façade cleaning, the market is already saturated; new areas for cleaning are of course always emerging but cleaning is often undertaken less frequently in order to cut costs.” It’s clear specialised small companies have a powerful presence in the markets. “A relatively new area, for example, is the cleaning of photovoltaic installations. Some companies in the sector are moving towards customised services for specific manufacturing sectors,” reports Sudhop. Secondly, service providers are increasingly focused on continually expanding their portfolio by taking in cleaning-related services such as the maintenance of green spaces and winter services, thus offering a true full service package. “So it is hardly surprising that the top 10 facility management firms include five companies which originally came from the cleaning sector. Any lack of expertise is remedied through acquisitions or mergers.” A completely different but equally interesting opportunity might be provided by the private À l’approche du congrès WFBSC à Berlin, Alexandra Lachner, notre correspondante en Allemagne, s’est entretenue avec l’Association allemande de la propreté, BIV, sur l’évolution et les défis du marché.
household sector, where an evaluation of market potential is more difficult. “We are experiencing a high level of competition here from illegal work. It is of course true that expectations are changing: work-life balance, women going out to work, declining presence of extended family as a result of relocation, for example – all this leads to a greater need for professional help in the house.” Trust can be a key success factor, as can reliability, since when a company has a regular booking, a temporary replacement can always be arranged if a particular cleaner is absent. “There is scope here for extension into the sphere of social services, for example where the care of the elderly is concerned, since the appropriate level of quality can in this case only be provided by professionally trained staff.” Against the background of this market development, how is digitalisation – a central theme at this year’s WFBSC Congress in Berlin – to be seen? “Digitalisation is as impossible to stop as the steam engine was. And it offers great opportunities for knowledge transfer and building automation, as our colleagues already recognise.” Digitalisation also brings with it the possibility of automation through robotics, a sensitive issue for labour intensive sectors. Labour market developments and demographics must however also be considered. “Contrary to many gloomy forecasts, I can also foresee the real possibility of digitalisation and automation in certain sectors freeing up workers for employment in other areas,” declares Sudhop. “We are already experiencing today a glaring lack of trained staff which can perhaps at least partially be remedied in this way – there is room here for new approaches and directions.”
Der WFBSC-Kongress in Berlin rückt näher, und unsere deutsche Reporterin Alexandra Lachner führte ein Gespräch mit dem deutschen Vertragsreinigungsverband BIV über die Entwicklungen und Herausforderungen der Reinigungsbranche.
Mentre si avvicina il congresso WFBSC che si terrà a Berlino, la corrispondente tedesca Alexandra Lachner è a colloquio con l’associazione degli appaltatori di servizi di pulizia tedeschi BIV sull’argomento degli sviluppi e delle sfide del settore.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 17
UPDATE: ITALY
UPDATE: NETHERLANDS
America is not so far from Italy...
Nature provides solutions
Italian correspondent Anna Garbagna reports on a seminar organised by Afidamp recently.
Will cleaning still be necessary in the near future? Some of the people present at the VSR (Association of Cleaning Research) event on biomimicry at the end of 2016 in the Netherlands asked themselves the same question. Nature provides solutions which means that cleaning may no longer be entirely necessary. Jacco Vonhof, its chairman, writes for ECJ.
Expanding a market is always interesting and the USA is an area of great interest for every sector. The important factor is to know regulations, habits and trading priorities. So, to help cleaning companies to orient themselves, Afidamp organised the conference ‘Doing Business with the USA: How to Access the American Market as Suppliers’. As highlighted by Toni D’Andrea, Afidamp Servizi’s ceo, in the cleaning sector, the fall of Italian imports into the USA from 2004 to 2016 (from 30 per cent to four per cent) has brought to light the need to recover market share and visibility. Paolo Ceresa, US business advisor at the American Chamber of Commerce in Italy, gave an overview of the characteristics of the American market which tends not to be homogeneous. He explained how it is possible to successfully tackle this market today - it is necessary to assess the different distribution channels, choose more distributors/importers for the different geographical areas, carefully assess the offering and adapt it to the market, and pay maximum attention to service and after-sale assistance. The time is right as there are incentives for anyone who decides to invest in the USA. Andrea Rosa, the contact for SelectUSA in Italy at the American Consulate in Milan, said the USA is among the global leaders according to a number of indexes (loyalty indexes for direct investments, attractiveness for venture capital and private equity and for global competitiveness). For Italy and also in general, it is an important Anna Garbagna, notre reporter en Italie, rend compte d’une conférence récentemment organisée par l’association professionnelle Afidamp pour ses adhérents. Ces travaux étaient consacrés au thème «faire des affaires avec les USA».
market, with over 325 million consumers and free trade agreements with nations that represent hundreds of millions more consumers. Rosa pointed out many positive factors that can activate commercial relationships in the USA: from the presence of an excellent framework for companies who wish to do business, to the current industrial rebirth and the energy revolution which provides energy at ultra competitive prices. But it is necessary to invest in innovation, quality and safety and to focus on relationships between companies because the strength of the production chain can make the difference. In this regard ICE, a public agency which supports the presence of Italian companies abroad, has already planned some important activities with Afidamp to smooth the entry of cleaning companies.
Environment highlight All this was explained in a more comprehensive way during the recent Pulire show in Verona. Pulire also highlighted the environment, with ecosustainability and the circular economy, ecolabel certification and the value of recycled plastic. Furthermore, during the celebration of 25 years since the creation of the ecological quality certification Ecolabel EU, the Italian branch Ecolabel Italia of the Committee for Ecolabel and Ecoaudit and Ispra - in cooperation with Afidamp - organised some activities to consolidate the certification. The Ecolabel EU scheme was also presented, with a special focus on an update of ecological criteria that concern the cleaning sector
Die italienische Reporterin Anna Garbagna berichtet über eine vor kurzem stattgefundene Konferenz, die vom Industrieverband Afidamp für seine Mitglieder organisiert wurde. Die Konferenz stand unter dem Thema „Geschäfte mit den USA tätigen“.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 18
La corrispondente italiana Anna Garbagna ci informa su una conferenza organizzata di recente per i suoi membri dall’associazione di categoria Afidamp. Il tema è stato “fare business con gli Stati Uniti”.
Biomimicry involves imitating nature to solve human problems. It is not unheard of in the cleaning sector. Façade coatings have already been developed, based on lotus leaves, with the result that rain and dirt easily slide off. “Put a lotus leaf under a microscope, and you will see that the leaf has a structure with many small water-repellent lumps,” explains the expert invited by VSR to talk about biomimicry to its members. “The water, and even dirt, which lands on the leaf, consequently transforms into thicker droplets and rolls off the leaf. That way, the leaf despite the muddy pool of water where the plant grows - remains clean. And that is important because the plant needs sunlight for photosynthesis.” This water and dirt-repellent technology, whose roots are in nature, is already applied in coatings to façades. Thanks to nature, it was possible to understand that water actually adheres more easily to a smooth façade. Coatings with the lotus leaf structure stay cleaner. In the same way, the ventilation system in a termite mound was the inspiration behind the construction of an apartment complex. Air conditioning is not necessary in this building. And you no longer need to dye textiles if you mimic the feathers of a peacock. A peacock doesn’t Jacco Vonhof, président de l’Association néeerlandaise de la recherche en propreté (VSR), invoquant une récente manifestation consacrée à la biomimétique, pose comme possible que le jour vienne où le nettoyage ne sera plus nécessaire.
actually have any colour. We see its colours thanks to the layers on the feathers which all reflect light differently. Researchers have also made crisp bags from prawn shells, based on the carapace of a beetle. The use of this kind of technology from nature is important, since our presence on earth has an enormous impact. In order to preserve the earth, we will need to move to a circular system. Biomimicry can help in this respect. Nature is a research lab where 38 billion years of research has already taken place. And there appear to be a remarkable number of solutions for cleaning and hygiene. For example, it seems that organisms can barely grip the skin of sharks. The structure of shark skin already mimics the outer hulls of boats. And red seaweed prevents bacteria from grouping together and becoming harmful. Very useful in hospitals. Will cleaning no longer be necessary then in the near future? I advise cleaning companies to think differently. Other than selling cleaning hours, you can agree to a certain output with customers. A clean façade for example. That way, cleaning companies remain the experts. • The Association of Cleaning Research (VSR) is the independent platform, and knowledge and research institute for professional cleaning in the Netherlands.
Jacco Vonhof, Vorsitzender der niederländischen Vereniging Schoonmaak Research (VSR), einer unabhängigen Forschungsorganisation für die professionelle Reinigungsindustrie, fragt, ob zukünftig eine Reinigung überhaupt erforderlich sein wird – nach dem Besuch einer Veranstaltung zu Biomimetik.
Jacco Vonhof, presidente dell’associazione olandese di ricerca Dutch Association of Cleaning Research (VSR), chiede se pulire sarà veramente necessario in futuro, a seguito di un recente evento di biomimetica.
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HYGIENE IN FOOD PREPARATION
Food hygiene for a new age As an increasing number of diners take to the streets or the fast food counter for sustenance, we look at the cleaning and hygiene challenges faced by today’s fast food vendors and street food sellers.
Ready-prepared meals have become a big part of our lives. Instead of picking up fresh ingredients and creating a dish from scratch, a growing number of us are heading instead for a street food cart or a burger joint when we are hungry. And fast food is not a new phenomenon. Street stalls that served noodles round-the-clock were common in second century China according to a Han Dynasty text, while outdoor vendors in medieval Europe sold ready-made pies, pasties, flans, waffles and pancakes. The development of trawler fishing in 19th century Britain led to the introduction of fish and chips. And White Castle pioneered the takeaway hamburger in the US when the chain opened its first fast food restaurant in 1921. In recent years the takeaway has evolved into an entirely new phenomenon. The ease of international travel has given us more sophisticated tastes and made us increasingly willing to sample exotic dishes from overseas. Enter the street food stall: now a familiar sight in Europe’s towns and cities. Here you can buy anything from frittatas to falafels and rogan josh to raclette and eat it on the hoof. Meanwhile our town centres are filled with takeaway curry houses, Chinese, pizza places and kebab shops. For customers the takeaway experience is markedly different from that of the restaurant diner. Most dining-in customers will be happy chat to their companions for 30 minutes or more while awaiting their food, which will probably be prepared well out of sight in the kitchen. The takeaway customer, on the other hand, may have to queue - perhaps outside in the cold. They will probably be standing up and impatient to be served. And where the food preparation area is open to view their eyes will inevitably be drawn to the person preparing their meal. This produces huge cleaning and hygiene challenges on the part of the staff. Preparing meals quickly and in full view of
the customer places more pressure on the server to get things right. And there are plenty of other challenges to contend with according to Dr Schnell Chemie’s marketing executive Franz Felbermeir. “Staff on street food stalls have to provide meals in a small space and in a limited amount of time while also having contact with money,” he said. “This increases the risk of contamination with dirt, bacteria and infectious diseases. “It can also be hard to ensure that a consistent product quality is delivered while coping with challenges such as justin-time delivery and sufficient time spent heating the product. And where food is being prepared more quickly than usual and for higher numbers of customers, there will be little time available for cleaning and disinfection tasks.” Fast food restaurants have their own issues, he says. “Here there will be a large number of guests which means the staff are again rushed,” he said. “Cleaning here will need to be carried out quickly and efficiently with as little chemical exposure time as possible.”
Enough space According to Felbermeir the first food safety requirement in this type of environment is ensuring there is sufficient storage space for prepared foods in freezers and fridges. “All process steps should be analysed so that any risks and possible danger points are identified,” he added. “These could include outsourced storage for goods, such as in a freezer trailer for example. The team should also be able to professionally manage just-in-time delivery along with sufficient heating times.” Staff training is a crucial factor in any fast food environment according to Felbermeir. “All employees should be educated on issues such as using separate members of staff for food contact and handling money, and on reliable hygiene behaviour in general,” he said. All disinfection products need to be fast-acting, safe and easy to clean away, Continued page 24
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 23
HYGIENE IN FOOD PREPARATION Food hygiene for a new age (continued) he said. “It is also Important that a water supply is available so that surfaces can be rinsed clean of chemical products after use,” said Felbermeir. He believes ready-to-use chemicals are the ideal solution in the fast food sector. Dr Schnell Chemie offers a range of readyto-use products such as degreasing agent GastroFee; PeroFee a decalcifier, and disinfectant product Desifor S. For dishwashers in fast food premises, the company offers dishwasher blocks that can be used with a compact dosing system. “These eliminate the risk of incorrect dosage or any contamination since the bottles are sealed,” he said. Cleaning the floors of fast food kitchens requires a compact solution since space will be tight, according to managing director of Denis Rawlins James White. “Unfortunately most of these floors tend to be mopped by hand which increases the hygiene and slip risks,” he claims. “Mops fail to dislodge ingrained contamination and end up spreading it around, increasing the risk of falls by customers and staff. “In the fast food trade all cleaning systems need to be speedy – given the high-pressure environment – and also easy to use, particularly for casual staff who receive little or no training.” Denis Rawlins offers the OmniFlex Dispense and Vac, a compact machine that comes with a one-piece vacuum wand for brushing. “This has been expressly designed for the food service industry since it has a crush-proof vacuum hose that resists grease and trans fats,” he said.
Enough space Every centimetre counts on a street food stall according to SCA’s European marketing and communications manager Camilla Skaremyr Crook. ”Often there will not even be sufficient space for a sink with running water to provide adequate hand hygiene facilities,” she said. “Staff may also be required to switch between tasks which means they will need to perform hand hygiene extremely frequently.” A situation in which a single person both serves food and accepts payment can be particularly challenging, she said. “If possible staff should work in pairs and take Le fast-food est devenu une tendance dans les années 60 et 70 lorsque les burger et poulets rôtis ont traversé l’Atlantique pour la première fois. Mais aujourd’hui la nourriture de rue est en passe de prendre la relève avec des plats provenant de toute la planète et proposés dans presque chaque ville. Préparer et servir des plats dans une cuisine de fastfood ou une échoppe de rue présente toutes sortes de difficultés. Quels sont les produits et systèmes d’hygiène du marché pour les situations de ce type ?
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 24
turns at serving and handling money.” Where staff are switching from one role to another they will need to wash their hands repeatedly, says Skaremyr Crook. “Frequent hand hygiene in combination with exposure to wind and weather will result in a high risk of sore and chapped hands,” she said. “Plans therefore need to be in place for maintaining the skin health of employees. This could include the provision of lotions, for example.” Hand hygiene becomes a real challenge on stalls where running water is not available, she said. “Alcohol hand sanitisers will help to improve hygiene in this type of
Where fast food is being prepared in an area that is visible to customers, gloves are often worn to provide reassurance that hygiene is important. However gloves may become contaminated. situation, though they are less useful for removing oil, grease and other foodstuffs.” A fast food restaurant will face similar pressures in terms of having to deliver hot food quickly according to Skaremyr Crook. “Smaller fast food restaurants may not have space for a wash station behind the counter which means the staff may be required to head for the kitchen or washroom to wash their hands – something that takes time,” she said. “Since the pressure will be on to deliver food quickly there may be a temptation for some to neglect their hand hygiene. “Staff may be handling both food and money, too, so a plan needs to be in place for allowing employees to maintain good hand hygiene while avoiding the need for overly frequent hand washing.” Where fast food is being prepared in an area that is visible to customers, gloves are often worn to provide reassurance that hygiene is important, she says. “However gloves may become contaminated when worn for extended periods since the Fast Food entwickelte sich in den 60er und 70er Jahren zu einem Trend, als Hamburger und Fried Chicken zum ersten Mal den Atlantik überquerten. Jetzt jedoch setzt sich Street Food durch, das dazu beiträgt, dass exotische Gerichte aus aller Welt in praktisch jeder Stadt serviert werden. Das Kochen in und Servieren aus einer Fast Food-Küche oder einem Straßenverkaufsstand ist mit vielen Herausforderungen verbunden. Welche Arten von Hygieneprodukten und -systemen werden am Markt angeboten?
bacteria on the hands will proliferate in the warm humid environment,” she said. “This can be a real hygiene problem.” She recommends that a hand sanitiser dispenser be placed behind the counter as a supplement to hand washing. “An effective sanitiser will take up little space and can help to prevent the spread of germs in situations where no water is available,” she said. The Tork Alcohol Gel Hand Sanitiser comes in a 400 ml pump bottle that can be placed on a food stall counter. There is also a 47 ml pocket size version for close-athand needs. And all staff should be trained in the correct use of gloves and sanitisers, says Skaremyr Crook. Mild, unscented soaps that are gentle on the skin should be provided to prevent frequently-washed hands becoming chapped and dry, she adds. The company offers Tork Extra Mild Liquid Soap which comes in a mini dispenser for areas where space is limited. Also available is Tork Reflex Portable Single Sheet Centrefeed, a food contact-approved wiper that comes in a compact freestanding dispenser. “This can be used for wiping away water, oil, fat and food remains as well as for hand drying,” she said. Takeaway outlets and street food stalls are subject to strict hygiene regulations like any other food provider. They have an obligation to supply meals that can be safely consumed by the customer, despite the challenges they face. And the market is growing, according to Dr Schnell Chemie’s Franz Felbermeir. “People are travelling more extensively and today’s street food stalls offer dishes that tend to be more creative and individual than traditional restaurants,” he said. ”Meanwhile an increasing number of food stall concessions are appearing at large events such as festivals. “It seems clear that many more of us today are preferring to enjoy our food outside our own home or office environment.” Skaremyr Crook is more pragmatic about the sector. “The food stall industry is projected to grow by around one per cent between 2015-2020,” she said. “This means it is still only a limited part of the food preparation sector.” Il Fast Food è diventato una moda fra gli anni ‘60 e gli anni ‘70 quando gli hamburger e il pollo fritto hanno attraversato per la prima volta l’Atlantico. Ma il nuovo Cibo da Strada sta prendendo il sopravvento con piatti esotici che provengono da tutto il mondo e che vengono serviti praticamente in ogni città. Sono molte le sfide associate a cuocere e servire il cibo da una cucina di fast food o da una bancarella di strada. Quindi, che tipo di prodotti per l’igiene e quali sistemi sono disponibili sul mercato?
PRODUCTS: HYGIENE IN FOOD PREPARATION
• Le DD System de la société E Cosi est un système à mousse détergeantedésinfectante qui vient avec l’équipement de moussage approprié. • Notrax propose le système de paillassonnage anti-fatigue 566 Superflow XT, à déploiement dans des zones de préparation d’aliments. • Brosserie Thomas a lancé une nouvelle gamme de raclettes longues qui répondent aux exigences HACCP.
• Bei DD System von E Cosi handelt es sich um ein Schaumsystem für Wasch- und Desinfektionsmittel, das einschließlich der geeigneten Schaumgeräte angeboten wird. • Notrax bietet das AntiErmüdungsmattensystem 566 Superflow XT, das für den Einsatz in lebensmittelverarbeitenden Bereichen geeignet ist. • Neu von Brosserie Thomas ist eine Produktfamilie mit langen Abziehern, die die HACCP-Anforderungen erfüllen. • DD System della E Cosi è un sistema detergente/disinfettante in schiuma fornito con l’attrezzatura erogatrice di schiuma apposita. • La Notrax propone il sistema di tappeti antifatica 566 Superflow XT adatti per le aree di preparazione alimentare. • La novità della Brosserie Thomas è una linea di tergivetri lunghi conformi ai requisiti HACCP.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 26
Versatile E Cosi says its DD System is a versatile cleaning solution for food industry applications. This ecologically sound method involves the combined use of a detergent (Tac Clean) and disinfectant (Oxygena) with the appropriate foaming equipment, a multi-pressure stainless steel mobile sprayer with a pump.
It acts against bacteria, fungi and viruses says E Cosi, even at low temperatures. www.ecosi.it
Matting solution The 566 Superflow XT is a durable anti-fatigue matting solution for use in food preparation areas. Developed by Notrax it is lightweight and reversible for easy cleaning and long product life.
Thanks to the 8.5 mm thick SBR based rubber material compound, the matting can be used as protection for both flooring and any parts of heavy equipment that may be used around it. 566 Superflow XT is grease and oil resistant and features raised studs to provide grip, aeration, and to prevent the mat from shifting. The drainage holes allow any liquids to drain through the mat whilst the studs ensure it maintains its anti-slip properties. Three standard sizes are available. www.notrax.eu
Long squeegee Tac Clean is a sodium hydroxide based detergent with a chemical composition rich in surfactants and sequestering agents. And Oxygena (MSD) is a foam-free stabilised peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxidebased disinfectant.
In line with demand from cleaning professionals, Brosserie Thomas developed a range of long squeegees that comply with HACCP requirements. They can be used for the removal of liquids from large surfaces quickly and easily. www.brosseriethomas.com
PRODUCTS: HYGIENE IN FOOD PREPARATION
Organised tools
dual retention system - including antimicrobial resin - secures brush filaments into position preventing them from falling onto production machinery during cleaning. After use cleaning tools should be rinsed and air-dried in a suitable location. For that Hillbrush has developed antimicrobial shadow boards. Each product in the range has an individual ‘shadow’ image printed directly onto the board in the required colour. www.hillbrush.com
records of the number and species of captured filth flies assists with hygiene and sanitation planning. It has developed an Easy Count capture board which is used in its Insect Light Traps to provide data on the number and species of filth flies caught, making it easier to locate the source of the fly infestation and target it at source. www.b-one.com
Brushware
Control flies Effective hygiene in food preparation areas, says Hillbrush, begins with the correct tools in an organised workplace. Its Resin Set DRS brushware comes in up to 12 colours to support workplace segregation and the prevention of cross-contamination. The brushes are produced using FDA/EU approved materials and a
Brandenburg says in the future catching or killing pests will no longer be sufficient - pest control will include tracking activity and investigating the causes of changes in the pest population. This is an area the company has been researching for several years as keeping
Specialising in hygienic brush ware is Falconbrush. All the raw materials used in the production of its tools meet European regulations and brushes come in up to six vibrant colours for easy colour-coding. www.falconbrush.com
• Hillbrush se spécialise dans les brosses de type DRS à double système de rétention, qu’elle propose en 10 coloris. • Brandenburg, un spécialiste de la maîtrise des insectes, a placé un tableau de capture « comptage aisé » dans ses pièges lumineux à insectes. • Les brosses hygiéniques Falconbrush sont proposées dans un maximum de six coloris pour faciliter le codage couleur. • Hillbrush ist auf Resin Set DRSBürsten (Dual Retention System) spezialisiert, die in bis zu 10 Farben erhältlich sind. • Brandenburg, der Spezialist für Fliegenbekämpfung, hat eine Fangtafel mit einfacher Zählung bei seinen Insektenlichtfallen eingeführt. • Die hygienischen Bürsten von Falconbrush sind in bis zu sechs Farben erhältlich, was eine einfache Farbkodierung ermöglicht. • La Hillbrush è specializzata nel sistema di spazzole Resin Set Dual Retention System (DRS) disponibili in 10 colori. • La Brandenburg, specializzata in disinfestazione, ha introdotto un pannello sulle sue trappole Insect Light Traps per il conteggio rapido degli insetti volanti catturati. • Le spazzole igieniche della Falconbrush sono disponibili in sei colori per la facile codifica in base al colore.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 27
PRODUCTS: HYGIENE IN FOOD PREPARATION
• L’aspirateur à vapeur Kärcher SGV 8/5 satisfait aux strictes exigences d’hygiène des applications alimentaires. • Visant des applications dans le secteur alimentaire, Kaivac a réalisé le système de nettoyage de planchers OmniFlex Dispense-and-Vac. • Birchmeier aligne une gamme complète d’équipements à mousse dont les capacités vont de 1,5 et 5 litres à 20, 50 et 100 litres. • Der Kärcher Dampfsauger SGV 8/5 erfüllt strenge Anforderungen von lebensmittelverarbeitenden Anwendungen. • Das Bodenreinigungssystem OmniFlex Dispense-and-Vac von Kaivac ist für den Einsatz in der Gastronomie geeignet. • Birchmeier bietet eine umfassende Produktfamilie mit Schaumgeräten von 1,25 und 5 Liter über 20 und 50 bis 100 Liter Kapazität.
• L’aspirapolvere a vapore Kärcher SGV 8/5 è conforme ai rigorosi requisiti di igiene necessari nelle applicazioni di preparazione di alimenti. • Il sistema di pulizia dei pavimenti OmniFlex Dispense-and-Vac prodotto dalla Kaivac è adatto alle applicazioni di servizi alimentari. • La Birchmeier propone una linea completa di attrezzature per schiuma che vanno da 20, 50 e 100 litri di capienza fino a 1,25 e cinque litri.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 28
Steam vac The Kärcher SGV 8/5 steam vacuum cleaner has been specifically designed to meet strict hygiene requirements in the food processing industry. One of its key features is an automatic self-cleaning action that prevents the formation of germs inside the machine on completion of work.
This model uses hot steam to remove fats and oils, limescale or soap residues and eliminate the breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Steam is discharged from the floor nozzle under a continuous high pressure of eight bar. For particularly stubborn dirt,
a dose of 0.5 to three per cent detergent is added to cold water. After each use hoses, pumps and pipes can be automatically flushed to remove deposits and prevent germ formation. www.karcher.com
Hygienic floors OmniFlex Dispense-and-Vac is designed to clean floors hygienically and safely, says its manufacturer Kaivac. Just apply fresh cleaning solution to the floor, spread and lightly brush into grout lines, and then completely vacuum away all soils and liquid, leaving floors
clean and completely dry, says Kaivac. The system can be used for daily cleaning and degreasing in areas such as food service establishments. www.kaivac-emea.com
Foam clean Foam cleaning is popular in the food processing sector and Birchmeier offers a wide range of foaming equipment. The InduMatic 20, 50 or 100 litre models, for example, are made of stainless steel and provide good adhesive foam on horizontal and vertical surfaces. There are also 1.25 or five litre foamers. The Foam-Matic line is resistant to alkaline or acidic products and works with no connection to compressed air. www.birchmeier.com
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HYGIENE IN FOOD PREPARATION
Polished prep areas In an industry where hygiene is paramount to the welfare of customers and the reputation of organisations, applying the correct cleaning products and methods is of the utmost importance. Daniel Marr, group head of marketing at chemical manufacturer and distributor Airedale Chemical, provides the company’s top tips for pristine food and drink preparation areas.
and beverage industry as it does not linger on surfaces, and so does not affect the taste or content of food and drink products.
Consider the environment While it is vital to ensure all bacteria in your equipment and facilities are eradicated, this can have an adverse on the environment. Some harsher chemicals, when washed away, can go on to kill off the micro-organisms in our streams and waterways as well as the creatures at the very bottom of the food chain. Whilst PAA is a strong disinfectant it will not affect the micro-environment and is harmless as it breaks down into biodegradable base elements of acid, hydrogen and water. So once rinsed away it is not a threat to organisms in our rivers. This makes it an ideal solution for processes such as bottling plants.
Protect your equipment Choose the right product for your needs There are many cleaning products on the market, all with their own merits and qualities. But it is important to select the right chemicals for your needs. Bleach may have been the obvious choice to cover all cleaning requirements at one point, but there is now an increasingly greater variety of products on the market. One of the most popular choices for the food and beverage industry is peracetic acid, also known as PAA. Its versatility is one of the reasons it is emerging as one of the top choices for maintaining impeccable standards of hygiene in food preparation and circulation cleaning. A huge benefit is it rinses away completely and at low levels leaves no residue whatsoever, making it ideal for the food Dans les aires de préparation alimentaire, l’hygiène joue un rôle capital pour le bien-être des clients et la réputation de l’organisation. C’est pourquoi il est crucial d’appliquer les produits et les méthodes de nettoyage qui conviennent.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 32
Some cleaning products - while effective in disinfecting facilities and equipment - can be so strong that they can cause damage. Ideally equipment should be corrosion-resistant to allow thorough and rigorous cleansing without fear of damage. However there are some products that are effective and non-corrosive, such as peracetic acid, which provide strong disinfecting and biocidal cleaning without causing damage to metal surfaces.
Keep up with increasing legislation The food and drink sector is governed by a raft of laws and guidelines which are ever-changing and updating. Regulations protecting the environment, foods standards, European legislation and recommendation from the Food Standards Agency in the UK for example, all have influence over how food and drink preparation areas must operate and be treated. It is imporIn lebensmittelverarbeitenden Bereichen ist Hygiene von überragender Bedeutung für das Wohlergehen der Kunden und den guten Ruf der Organisationen. Darum ist es äußerst wichtig, die richtigen Reinigungsprodukte und -verfahren einzusetzen.
tant to keep abreast of these changes to not only operate within the correct laws, but also to provide the highest standards in hygiene for your customers and end users.
Safeguard the welfare of your operatives The number one priority in any business is to ensure the health and safety of its employees. Within the food and beverage industry, the potential risks and hazards to staff are greater than many other sectors. Providing the correct protection against the chemicals and equipment used is imperative. Many of the cleaning products used in industrial settings such as abattoirs, food manufacturing plants and breweries are a much greater strength than those used domestically, and as such should be treated appropriately. Whilst bleach is viewed as a mild irritant to the skin some newer, more sophisticated products have the potential to be more harmful. Understanding the labelling of hazardous chemicals is also essential to ensure the correct treatment and handling procedures are followed, and thus the potential for accidents and injuries is reduced. www.airedalechemical.com.
The closing date for entries to the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2017 is July 20. There are 10 categories so submit your entry now. Visit the website at www.echawards.com Nelle aree di preparazione alimentare, l’igiene è fondamentale per il benessere dei clienti e per la reputazione delle organizzazioni. Questo è il motivo per cui utilizzare i prodotti e i metodi di pulizia adatti è della massima importanza.
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CASE STUDY SOUTH KOREA
Changing attitudes to waste With a staggering 10 million inhabitants Seoul in South Korea is one of Asia’s biggest cities. Yet the city succeeded in reducing the total volume of waste from the mid 90s. By doing so the citizens of Seoul became more aware of garbage, littering and were included in keeping Seoul clean. Bobbie van der List reports exclusively for ECJ.
Walk through the streets of Seoul and you’ll notice how clean it is. Like its neighbour Japan, littering is not in their genes, therefore prevention is the key of maintaining clean public spaces. Despite the millions of people using public transport daily, it is surprising to see how clean the stations, tracks and trains are. And the same can be said about the city’s parks and other public places. The basis for Seoul’s cleaning mentality was created mid-1990s when the government realised that issues with household waste were getting out of hand. Not only did the household waste collection system cause issues on the streets and to the environment, people simply didn’t obey the rules because, frankly, there weren’t any rules to follow. At least that was the opinion of the metropolitan government of Seoul city at the time. The biggest impact of changing regulations regarding the way people need to separate their household waste and the way private companies must collect and process it thereafter, meant that the total volume of household waste decreased by 40 per cent up to 2015, in comparison to the year 1995. If we compare Seoul’s effort to prevent production of waste, the South Korean capital scores extraordinarily well in an international context. Yong-Chil Seo, professor of environmental engineering at Yonsei University in Seoul, says the city scores especially well in comparison to cities in other high developed nations. “The average score of OECD-countries is 2.2 kilos household waste per person per day. In Seoul we are below one kilo, it’s good, and we should continue this effort.”
Cleaning became part of life Everywhere you can see that keeping the city clean is imprinted into the mindset of Seoul citizens today. Many companies therefore take great pride in ensuring goods are recycled and preventing unnecessary waste to be produced and consumed.
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 34
But how did Seoul city reach this point, where citizens seem to be very much concerned with keeping the city clean, as this is not something that comes naturally? Gye-dong Choi, team leader of the recycling department of Seoul metropolitan government, explains how they achieved today’s cleaning consciousness. “We introduced a volumebased collection fee system halfway through the 90s. The idea was to create a cleaner society and simultaneously introducing a fairer payment system, where the polluter pays for the rubbish he or she produces.” The payment lies in the fact that citizens of Seoul had to buy prepaid rubbish bags. Professor Seo says this was gradually called ‘pay-as-you-throw’ by Seoul citizens. “The Ministry of Environment introduced the payment system, meaning they had to buy specially designed plastic waste bags for each different category of waste. It meant they had to properly sort waste.” Consequently people became more aware of separating their rubbish at source. For a rubbish bags of 20 litres people had to pay around 39 cents. For large waste such as sofas, refrigerators, PCs and other large items, people must pay between €2 and €20, depending on the size of the waste. Interestingly it led to citizens over-thinking the way they dealt with their waste. Most notably, reusing rubbish started to be a financially viable alternative to throwing it away, as this was going to be an expensive habit. Professor Seo explains how his own habits fundamentally changed after the introduction of the ‘pay-as-you-throw’system. “I decreased the waste I produced by nearly 50 per cent,” he says proudly. For the Seoul city government, it meant extra money – €96 million – that they used for processing the household waste. But old habits die hard, also when it comes to people’s cleaning behaviour. When the government introduced the system, mid-90s, it didn’t lead to cleaner
CASE STUDY SOUTH KOREA streets - in fact, the opposite happened. “At first there was non-compliance, people used wrong rubbish bags, illegal dumping of waste happened, as well as burning of waste. Illegal dumping was very problematic and a big issue at the end of the 90s’, says professor Seo. In response to these issues the government came up with several tools to make the streets of Seoul clean again. In each district an ‘honorary citizen monitor’ was appointed, otherwise referred to as waste managers. They received training from the city government so they could assist people in their neighbourhoods who were confused with the new system, and teach them how to properly separate their waste. It was a great success, says Choi: “People became much more aware of their cleaning habits, or lack thereof. But the introduction of fining people also helped. People who were littering received fines, and the people who notified the appropriate authorities received 80 per cent of that fine.”
Old habits die hard Interestingly businesses like restaurants and shops became much more conscious in how to deal with their waste and how to keep their streets clean. In fact the introduction of fines had the biggest impact on private businesses. Much of the daily waste is being recycled. Just to give an idea: in 2015 6,501 tons of waste was recycled each day, which is about 68 per cent of the total volume. In that same year about 2,218 tons was burned in five incineration plants, built around Seoul city. The remaining 718 tons of waste went to landfill. Choi explains how a Resource Circulation Act must ensure people are becoming more aware of keeping the city clean, and tackling some of the environmental issues relating to processing household waste. There are several challenges to overcome. Choi: “We need many more incineration plants which turn waste into useful energy. But the issue is many densely populated areas don’t like to see this type of plants in their area, which is what we call a ‘not in my back yard’ principle.” Meanwhile local municipalities in Seoul are working hard to convince citizens of the use of decreasing the total volume of waste in their houses and in the streets of Seoul. Professor Seo: “In the beginning Avec ses 10 millions d’habitants, Séoul est l’une des plus grandes villes d’Asie. Bobbie van der List, correspondant d’ECJ, rend compte des résultats obtenus par cette ville pour réduire son volume de déchets et assurer sa propreté.
Currently private companies are responsible for dealing with the collection and processing of waste in Seoul city, whereas the city government is responsible for keeping the streets and public places clean. Recyclables are being collected between once and twice a week. Collecting waste largely depends on one’s living situation. For instance large apartment complexes tend to have one central location where rubbish can be separated. Depending on the local volume of waste a company comes to collect either twice a week, or every day. Companies are flexible in their approach. Jae Young Kim, professor in waste
management at Seoul National University, foresees problems for small-scale houses and condominiums, in not so populated areas, when it comes to the way waste is collected. Contrary to how rubbish is collected on large apartment complexes, there are no containers and rubbish bags available where different waste streams can be separated. “In practice rubbish is now often placed in one bag and the private companies responsible for collecting and processing it need to separate it. This not only takes a lot of their time, the value of the potentially recyclable rubbish is wasted.” In response to this issue the government has introduced the Recycling Station Project. Citizens of Seoul go to these large-scale recycling stations where they can separate their waste with the help of so-called rubbish managers. A study found that in 2010 57.2 per cent of the waste that people planned to throw away could be reused. Currently 112 recycling stations are operational. The city government says that it has helped to reduce the total volume of waste in those areas by 20 per cent. More importantly it has led to a decrease of polluting rubbish collection points spread across the city, thereby keeping the city cleaner.
Seoul ist mit 10 Millionen Einwohnern eine der größten Städte Asiens. In seinem Bericht beschreibt ECJ-Korrespondent Bobbie van der List, wie es der Stadt gelungen ist, die Gesamtabfallmenge zu reduzieren und die Stadt sauber zu halten.
Seoul è una delle città più grandi dell’Asia con i suoi 10 milioni di abitanti. Il corrispondente di ECJ Bobbie van der List ci parla di come la città sia riuscita con successo a ridurre il suo volume totale di rifiuti e a mantenere pulita l’intero centro urbano.
there was not enough knowledge and consciousness among people what recyclable waste was, and how you had to recycle and clean it. To increase urgency and involve people the city government started training programmes for citizens to teach them. How we can sort waste inside our houses, how we recognise waste that can be recycled, these simple questions.” At the same time the city government, together with the national government, demanded manufacturers provide information about the possibility to recycle their packaging on labels.
Collection of waste
June/July 2017 | ECJ | 35
CHEMICAL DISPENSING
Safe and accurate Do customers understand the advantages of a chemical dosing system? Or do many still prefer the ‘glug glug’ method of dosing chemicals? Writing exclusively for ECJ, dispensing solutions specialist Brightwell Dispensers explains how modern systems offer cost, efficiency and safety benefits.
Dispensing systems provide safe and accurate dosing that manages cost-in-use and minimises waste and their popularity will increase in the coming years.
Until the 1970s – 1980s, facilities used pre-diluted, ready-to-use cleaning solutions such as spray bottles. As the chemical arrived pre-mixed, this was a convenient way of using cleaning chemicals. However this convenience came with a price. They were expensive, required more storage space and were harmful to the environment due to the amount of waste from the packaging and transport. With the introduction of greener and more environmentally friendly cleaning solutions, it has become evident that in the professional cleaning and hygiene sector the use of chemical concentrates is the preferred choice. By choosing to dilute chemical concentrates at the point of use and sourcing water on-site, transport costs and in turn carbon emissions are reduced. In addition accurate dosing minimises chemical wastage and provides cost-in-use benefits. The popularity of chemical concentrates paved the way for accurate dispensing and dilution systems that are fast becoming the norm in the cleaning and hygiene industry. Chemical dispensing systems have been helping businesses such as hotels, care homes, hospitals and the leisure sector keep their premises clean for over 30 years. Here we explore the advantages of chemical dosing systems and how this is the way forward for the cleaning and hygiene industry.
What is a chemical dispensing system? A chemical dispensing system is an equipment that dispenses or dilutes chemical at the point of use, by the end user. The most simplistic method would be the use of a pelican pump, whereby a pump is screwed to the neck of a chemical container. The more sophisticated solution is a venturi based dilution system, which ensures that chemical concentrates are diluted at their intended ratio for each specific cleaning task, resulting in controlled dilution. Today’s market offers a variety of chemical dispensing systems
and the choice of which one to use will always depend on the business need.
Why are businesses using chemical dispensing systems? The popularity of chemical dispensing systems has increased over the years thanks to their environmental, safety, accuracy and cost saving benefits. In this article we explore the advantages of why businesses choose chemical dispensing systems.
Environmental The use of chemical concentrates in conjunction with chemical dosing systems is the better solution for the environment. It reduces excess waste as bottles that are used to refill with on-site diluted chemical are re-usable. For example one two-litre container of chemical concentrate could be the equivalent of 75+ spray bottles depending on the selected dilution ratio. And using less packaging means fewer deliveries. Fewer deliveries lowers the amount of fuel, making a positive impact on the carbon footprint and reduces transport costs.
Safety Modern dispensing systems are designed to ensure the safety of staff by eliminating direct contact of the operative with the chemical concentrate. When compared to the manual dilution, also known as the ‘glug-glug’ method, chemical dispensing systems increase user safety as the handling and management of chemicals is done in a way that protects the user from exposure to chemicals. Additionally, there are many options on the market to store chemicals in a protective cabinet which creates a safer working environment, minimises the likelihood of tampering with the chemical and helps to reduces spillage and potential injuries.
Accuracy Diluting chemicals where the user dilutes the chemical by manually pouring chemical into a bottle or other container Continued page 38
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CHEMICAL DISPENSING Safe and accurate (continued) how much chemical is dosed and the cost per dose. Smarter dispensing solutions and technical innovations will drive the cleaning and hygiene industry forward. The monitoring, controlling and operation of chemical dosing systems is very likely to be done through electronic gadgets we all carry around every day. This will mean that real-time data monitoring, data capture, usage reports and data analysis are likely to become very important features for future product ranges.
The future looks bright
before adding water sounds straightforward. However getting the dose wrong can have many negative implications for businesses. If the final cleaning solution is too diluted, surfaces do not get cleaned properly. This can result in unhappy users and inefficiencies, as the cleaning has to be carried out again. In sensitive environments such as hospitals, this can increase the risk of illness and spread bacteria, a serious consequence. There is also the risk of using too much chemical. Have you ever walked into a bar and noticed how sticky the floors are? Not a great impression to make on your customers. With the self-pouring of chemicals operatives cannot accurately determine the right amount to use, which may result in inaccuracies. Accurate dosing of concentrates results in cost control and one of the greatest advantages of chemical dilution systems is their accurate dosing property. With a correctly pre-set dilution ratio, a chemical dilution system will dispense chemical in a precise, reliable and consistent way. As the cleaning performance predominantly depends on how precisely the chemical concentrates are diluted, chemical proportioners are increasingly becoming the norm for business.
Cost-in-use As businesses are constantly looking into ways to reduce and correctly Les clients apprécient-ils l’intérêt d’un système de dosage chimique ? Ou sont-ils encore nombreux à préférer la méthode « glou-glou » de dosage de produits chimiques ? Nous interrogeons plusieurs entreprises du secteur et sondons aussi à des fabricants sur ce qu’ils ont entrepris pour persuader les clients que les systèmes de dosage présentent des avantages en termes de coût, de rendement et de sécurité.
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forecast cleaning cost, the use of chemical concentrates in conjunction with a chemical dosing system gives many cost-saving benefits. Dispensing and dilution systems control the consumption of chemicals, monitor and report on usage to deliver an accurate ROI for businesses. Traditionally companies shipped bulk cleaning products in large drums made up of large volumes of water. To reduce shipping costs associated with heavy freight loads, transporting chemicals in a concentrated form are now almost the standard for most businesses. Additionally, using a chemical dispenser means you can dispense the chemical straight away at the touch of a button, saving time and taking out the guesswork of manually pouring chemical. The potential of less stock holding space and avoidance of misdosing also make these systems more financially attractive. Chemical dosing systems are cost-effective solutions that give businesses more control of their chemical usage costs.
We live in a digital world People love data. With more modern technology continuously enhancing products, it’s not surprising we can now even keep an eye on how much chemical we use with dispensers. Joining the internet of things, dispensers are now capable of reporting how many times they are used, Verstehen Kunden die Vorteile eines Chemikaliendosiersystems? Oder bevorzugen viele noch immer das Verfahren der „schussweisen“ Dosierung von Chemikalien? Wir befragen einige in diesem Bereich tätige Unternehmen und erfahren auch, was Hersteller unternehmen, um die Kunden von den Kosten-, Effizienz- und Sicherheitsvorteilen der Dosiersysteme zu überzeugen.
Talking to many businesses it has become evident over the past few years that the traditional manual ‘glug-glug’ method is increasingly replaced by modern, high performing chemical dosing and dilution systems. Businesses understand the benefits of these systems and due to their advantages, they have revolutionised the cleaning and hygiene industry. The major benefits of dosing systems over manual dilution are directly related to the accurate, safe dispensing of chemicals and cost-inuse benefits. Someone who has never seen one of these systems may initially think it looks complicated. However any doubts go once people see how easy they are to use, maintain and on how accurately the chemical usage is controlled. Chemical dispensers are a one-stop cleaning station in that everything you need is in one place. The dispenser is mounted on the wall, making it easy to find and manage. At the push of a button, your chemical is ready to use. If the user is using multiple chemicals, dispensers often come with clear, colour-coded signage that shows which chemical to use for each application. Overall, it is common practice for companies to use a chemical dispensing system. Which type they use is down to their business requirements and there are many products to choose from on the market. Dispensing systems provide safe and accurate dosing that manages cost-in-use and minimises waste and their popularity will increase in the coming years. www.brightwell.co.uk I clienti comprendono pienamente i vantaggi di un sistema di dosaggio di prodotti chimici? Oppure molti di loro preferiscono ancora il metodo di dosaggio dei prodotti “a occhio”? Lo chiediamo a numerose imprese del settore e scopriamo inoltre cosa fanno per persuadere i clienti che i loro sistemi di dosaggio hanno benefici in termini di costo, rendimento e sicurezza.
PRODUCTS: CHEMICAL DISPENSING Many systems
to six units of concentrated detergent - each 2.6-litre multiFILL cartridge provides up to 1,300 litres of ready-to-use solution. Bottles, buckets or cleaning machines can be filled up. Operation is designed to be easy thanks to the clear touchscreen display, while the closed system means employees do not need to have any contact with detergent. www.hagleitner.com
Multifunctional SEKO offers chemical dilution and dispensing stations, surface cleaning, foaming systems and automated dosing management solutions that are suitable across a variety of applications. Its low-pressure systems, for example, provide long contact time ensuring effective deep cleaning. The ProTwin and ProTwin Foam systems are popular with large food preparation areas, retail, institutional and healthcare markets. Featuring an ergonomic design that is HACCP compliant ProTwin automatically mixes and dispenses concentrated chemicals through its spray gun which features an adjustable spray pattern delivering high levels of wet foam. The central dial selector makes switching between rinse and sanitise functions easy even with wet gloves. The ProTwin optional kit boasts optimum dry foam performance, making cleaning high level vertical or difficult surfaces easy. The powerful jet provides foam at up to four metres in height. www.seko.com
Most precise? Hagleitner says the key feature of its new integral 2GO chemical dispensing system is its precise dosing of detergent which is then mixed with the necessary quantity of water. The precisely adjustable dosing - thanks to the specially developed magnetic dosing pump - means no product waste and the concentration level can be set by authorised personnel according to individual needs. The system accommodates up
trated cleaning products due to their sustainability benefits. The company offers a number of solutions: SmartDose, QuattroSelect, J-Flex, Smart Mix Pro and Snap N’ Dose Pro. Between them these systems, it says, offer flexibility to choose efficient and sustainable super concentrated products for workplaces of any size. Each platform can be used with a range of concentrated products for spray bottles, buckets and scrubber dryers. www.diversey.com
Enter now for the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards www.echawards.com
Birchmeier’s Vario-Matic 1.25 PE is a multifunctional foam gun with integrated dosing function. It can be used for acidic and alkaline foaming agents. Its key feature, says the company, is the newly designed mixing head with non-return valve and four different mixing ratio settings of 1.5, 2.5, five and 10 per cent, or just water. The nozzle produces foam with a fan-like stream (rotatable horizontal or vertical) or as a jet. Thanks to the integrated dosing system the foaming agent is automatically added to the water stream in the pre-set concentration - no changing of nozzle is needed. www.birchmeier.com
Consistent Latest launches from Brightwell Dispensers include dishwash dosing systems, a drain dosing system and additions to the ECO range of chemical proportioners. For dishwash dosing the new Quantura line boasts precise and consistent dosing solutions for a wide variety of commercial dishwasher applications including single-tank, conveyor, door/ hood and glass dishwashers.
Concentrates Diversey Care has focused on developing dispensing and dosing systems for super concen-
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 proportioner that can dilute up to five chemicals from one unit. www.brightwell.co.uk
• Les systèmes de dilution et distribution ProTwin et ProTwin Foam de Seko sont destinés au nettoyage de grandes superficies. • Hagleitner a mis au point le système de dosage chimique intégral 2GO, caractérisé par une grande précision de dosage. • Birchmeier propose le VarioMatic 1.25 PE, un pistolet à mousse multifonctionnel à doseur intégré. • Diversey Care propose différents systèmes de dosage, notamment les SmartDose, QuattroSelect, J-Flex, Smart Mix Pro et Snap ‘N’ Dose Pro. • Brightwell Dispensers expose ses systèmes de dosage pour le lavage de la vaisselle et ses proportionneurs chimiques.
• Die Verdünnungs- und Spendersysteme ProTwin und ProTwin Foam von Seko wurden zur Reinigung großer Bereiche entwickelt. • Hagleitner hat das integrierte Chemikaliendosiersystem 2GO entwickelt, das nach eigenen Angaben äußert präzise arbeitet. • Birchmeier bietet die multifunktionale Schaumpistole Vario-Matic 1.25 PE mit integrierter Dosierfunktion. • Diversey Care bietet verschiedene Dosiersysteme einschließlich SmartDose, QuattroSelect, J-Flex, Smart Mix Pro und Snap ‘N’ Dose Pro. • Brightwell Dispensers präsentiert seine Dosiersysteme für Geschirrspüler, und Portionierungssystem für Chemikalien.
• I sistemi di diluizione e dosaggio ProTwin e ProTwin Foam della Seko sono progettati per tutte le applicazioni di pulizia per grandi aree. • La Hagleitner ha sviluppato il sistema di dosaggio di prodotti chimici integrato 2GO e che afferma essere altamente accurato. • La Birchmeier propone VarioMatic 1.25 PE, un erogatore multifunzionale di schiuma con funzione di dosaggio integrata. • La Diversey Care offre numerosi sistemi di dosaggio e fra questi: SmartDose, QuattroSelect, J-Flex, Smart Mix Pro e Snap ‘N’ Dose Pro. • La Brightwell Dispensers espone i suoi sistemi di dosaggio per lavastoviglie e sistemi di proporzionamento dei prodotti chimici.
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PRODUCTS: CHEMICAL DISPENSING
• Les pulvérisateurs chimiques Solo 305 et 307 sont munis de cuves en matière plastique de haute résistance aux impacts. • Le Quick & Easy de Green Care Professional est un système de dosage mobile comportant une tête mélangeuse de mousse et cinq cartouches de nettoyant concentré. • PortionPac propose des produits chimiques contrôlés par portions, ces produits étant conditionnés dans des sachets en plastique d’usage commode.
• Bei Cleanline 305 und 307 von Solo handelt es sich um Sprühgeräte für Chemikalien, die über äußerst schlagfeste Kunststoffbehälter verfügen. • Bei Quick & Easy von Green Care Professional handelt es sich um ein mobiles Dosierungssystem, das einen „Schaumsprüh“Kopf und fünf Kartuschen mit Reinigungsmittelkonzentrat umfasst. • PortionPac bietet portionsgerechte Chemikalien in benutzerfreundlichen Plastikbeuteln. • Gli spruzzatori di prodotti chimici Cleanline 305 e 307 della Solo sono dotati di contenitori in plastica resistenti agli urti. • Gli spruzzatori di prodotti chimici Cleanline 305 e 307 della Solo sono dotati di contenitori in plastica resistenti agli urti. • La PortionPac propone prodotti chimici già dosati nella giusta quantità in sacchetti di plastica facili da usare.
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Stout sprayers According to Solo, its CleanLine 305 and 307 chemical sprayers are among the most robust available, with their high impact resistant plastic construction. The containers are made of translucent, UV-resistant polyethylene with a wall thickness up to seven mm. They can withstand falls from medium
height and be transported in the back of a van, while still being lightweight says Solo. The A-models with their FKM seals are particularly suitable for use with acetic solutions in the lower ph-range while the B-models with their EPDM-
seals are suitable for disinfectants as well as alkaline and alcoholic cleaners. www.solo.global
Automatic Quick & Easy by green care Professional is a mobile and automatic dosing system that needs no installation, no maintenance and no instructions. Consisting of one foam head and a selection of five sustainable concentrates, its easy plugand-play system allows the operator to foam spray every surface quickly and safely. Dilution happens directly and automatically while spraying and the handy water cartridge can
be filled anywhere - saving on trips to central dosing systems. Product spillage or accidental contact with detergents are prevented via the lock-and-keysystem of each concentrate. www.wmprof.com
Pre-measured
From PortionPac Chemical Corporation comes a range of pre-measured detergents packaged in the company’s single Pac brand pouch. The system offers a full line of products for cleaning and disinfection. There is no measuring involved - simply fill containers to the right level with water, open the pouch and pour. www.portionpaccorp.com
PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT
Internal talent spotting Morna Metzger of Metzger Search & Selection discusses why it’s important for larger companies to tap into employees’ hidden talents or acumen and help to develop them.
Most people have talents and abilities apart from those revealed in their everyday employment. There’s the office manager who plays in a band at the weekends, or the advertising account executive who is a prize winning cross-country runner in their spare time. More directly related to the working environment, especially in larger more established organisations, there are those who have trained for a manual job and then gradually developed other skills either through study, observation or experience. Through these routes they acquire valuable people skills, understanding and a talent for analysis and problem-solving that are suitable for a management role. We also should not disregard that a number of cleaning operatives are migrants who may have qualifications and experience that was not taken into account when they initially started working. Employees like this are also prime candidates for professional development. Unless the managerial team is perceptive enough to recognise an individual’s developing abilities and suggest an appropriate course of action, the person will carry on in their manual role, without their potential being harnessed and developed. They may find an external activity that fulfils some of their aspirations and utilises their capabilities, or even leave the organisation to train for a ‘desk job’ somewhere else, like a competitor company. These talented people hiding in plain sight are likely to know enough about some of your customers to be able to introduce them to other suppliers and competitors. More importantly this is the
kind of skills drain that could be much regretted by a company. The loss of years of experience for example or a natural, raw talent has been missed and is now leaving the fold. Such employees take their customer knowledge with them, as well as the tips and tricks learned to help them work more efficiently. This is why it is so important for managers to look at their staff with better eyes, acknowledge what talents they really possess and how they can apply and develop them. In uncertain times, with economic upheavals, making the most of your internal manpower and resources becomes a practical tool for business survival. Talented employees are not always easy to find, and if there are individuals in an organisation who can understand the business in different contexts and breadths, then surely this is an attribute to harness and foster.
Don’t just throw money at it When it comes to retaining talented staff, merely offering wage increases may not be enough. Even if the member of your cleaning team has not yet reached the point of actively planning to leave to seek a managerial job, they may well know their own potential to progress in another direction, with another company or on their own. The first move should be to look at your own organisation and determine whether there are any gaps in the sales and management structure waiting to be filled, or whether there are likely to be any gaps occurring in the near future through retirement or other means. If gaps are likely, plan how you might re-structure the organisation through appropriate promotions and training be able to place your aspiring manager. Culturally, continuous professional development in the cleaning industry has had its limitations for employees doing manual work. There is a fear about making significant investments in staff who could then leave. This is sometimes circumvented by signing an agreement that the
employee has to pay back the training costs if they choose to leave the company before a specified period.
Education and training However never underestimate the value of training your employees, especially those with the potential to progress in other useful roles in the company. If you have such a person on board, it’s always worth looking at their records to establish what educational or trade qualifications they already have. It helps to inform what further complementary training they would need to become proficient in business, sales or management and send their careers on a different and hopefully, mutually beneficial trajectory. Colleges of further education can usually offer advice on appropriate courses, as can trade associations and professional institutes. Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs), are usually obtained through a part-time course at college; if you think your employee has potential for a sales or business development role, the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (www.ismm.co.uk) would be a useful place to start to create a study plan appropriate to the professional development sought. Other institutions, such as the Open University, offer the flexibility that may be required to participate in higher education. It is all achievable providing there is a budget to pay for the courses, and of course some VRQs are eligible for funding from the Skills Funding Agency. With background research done, decide how you want to approach the subject with your employee and arrange an informal interview. Explain that you have been impressed by their abilities, that you think they have the potential for a management role, given some training, and ask their views on this, explaining that the company would pay all or most of the costs of appropriate training. Explain the role in management or sales that you envisage for them and give some idea of how their earnings might improve, initially when Continued page 42
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PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT Internal talent spotting (continued) they accept taking on a course of study and then when they have a qualification and are ready to train further on the job. Encourage them to ask more about the prospects of what you are offering.
Help the transition It can be tough when an employee makes the move from a manual role to a management role. Sitting at the desk comes with new challenges that they wouldn’t have dealt with before. There may be certain internal cultural changes that need to be managed as far as the new promotee is concerned. Encourage asking questions: when you’re working in a new environment you need to learn so many things from where the stationery cupboard is to whether there is a preferred dress code! Internal candidates might have picked up some of this corporate intelligence already but La plupart des gens possèdent des talents et des aptitudes autres que ceux qui se manifestent dans leur emploi de tous les jours. Cependant, le potentiel des salariés de grandes entreprises ne sera jamais valorisé si la direction n’a pas la perception nécessaire pour apprécier leurs perspectives de développement personnel et pour proposer des voix d’action appropriées.
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it’s unlikely that they will know it all, so they should feel comfortable about asking questions when they first arrive in their new role. Allow for learning about office dynamics: offices have different dynamics to working in the field or the shop floor. How does the hierarchy work – formal and informal? What are the personalities like? How does your boss like to work? How do you like to work now that you have been exposed to the team and the office culture? Start relationship building: becoming integrated in the team through professional relationship building will be vital to successful transition. Knowing how to relate to and collaborate with your colleagues, whether above or below in the hierarchy, ensures the new joiner does not inadvertently become an outsider. If joining a sales team this becomes even more important when dealing with clients on the outside. Die meisten Menschen verfügen über weitere Talente und Fähigkeiten, die nicht in ihrer täglichen Arbeit zum Ausdruck kommen. Wenn die Führungskräfte in größeren Unternehmen nicht aufmerksam genug sind, um die verborgenen Fähigkeiten von Mitarbeitern zu erkennen und eine angemessene Vorgehensweise vorschlagen, wird ihr Potenzial möglicherweise nie nutzbar gemacht oder entwickelt.
Mutual satisfaction Your employees represent the company brand when they are out on the job as well as from the office. Training and development for cleaning staff beyond the tools and skills of the manual aspects are not often considered. However in any business safeguarding one’s assets is good practice, and that should include the continued professional development of talented staff. Investing in this way helps to keep standards high and you retain skills as well as acquire new ones, all in the same package. Investing in professional development also sends the message to your employees they are a valued member of the team. This isn’t always the way in the cleaning industry but new thinking and appreciation of the hidden treasures in your employees’ talents can change culture and practice. Don’t let those treasures go to waste. Molte persone hanno dei talenti e delle abilità oltre a quelle che vengono rivelate durante il loro lavoro di tutti i giorni. A meno che il team manageriale delle imprese più grandi sia abbastanza perspicace nel riconoscere le abilità che un individuo sviluppa e suggerisca un piano di azione appropriato, il loro potenziale probabilmente non verrà mai sfruttato o sviluppato.
WIPES & CLOTHS
Man-made imitates nature Why do manufacturers spend so much time, energy and money on developing man-made cloths and wipers that look and behave like their natural counterparts? ECJ poses this question to wiper companies.
In the cleaning industry we are constantly hearing about new types of wipers, microfibres and non-woven cloths that are said to have “the look and feel of a textile”. These may be likened to cotton cloths, dusters or chamois leathers and are claimed to offer similar levels of absorbency and efficacy as their natural counterparts. It seems ironic that so much R&D energy is going towards creating products that resemble natural alternatives as closely as possible. And it begs the question: why not simply use the originals? People feel comfortable with textiles – and this means there is an ongoing demand for products that replicate them according to SCA’s global non-woven materials development director Lars Fingal. “Worn-out clothes have traditionally been used for wiping,” he said. “We only began coming up with alternatives to rags in the 1970s. “Textiles are what people relate to, and imitating them has been going on for years. For example polyester was developed in the clothing industry as an alternative to silk and rayon has been created to replace cotton.” However he says the use of natural
products alone is neither viable nor sustainable. “Silk is rare and expensive while the production of cotton requires a great deal of space,” he said. “If there weren’t any man-made alternatives to cotton its cultivation would potentially take up all the land we have. So we need alternatives.” Most Tork non-woven products are designed to imitate textiles while offering key advantages over their natural counterparts, according to Fingal. For example, Tork Kitchen Cleaning Cloth is said to have a cotton feel and a bulky consistency to enable it to protect the hands against heat, while Tork Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloth is claimed to reduce solvent use by up to 41 per cent compared with traditional rags. “A major advantage of man-made products is the fact that they have actually been designed for wiping,” he said. “A textile will sometimes be effective, sometimes not. But all non-wovens are fit for purpose and of a consistent quality while containing none of the buttons or zips that you might find in a rag.
Less storage “Non-woven wipers also require less storage because they are either packed flat or in rolls whereas textiles tend to be supplied in a big bag or box. This takes up space and the ragbag may not be close at hand when the operative needs it. Manmade wipers, on the other hand, can be supplied in wall-mounted or freestanding dispensers and located close to where people use them.” He says non-wovens also offer hygiene benefits over textiles. “You can wipe a surface and then throw the wiper away whereas you will need to reuse a textile several times,” he said. Besides all these advantages, many customers still feel emotionally attached to traditional textiles, he says. “For this reason we try to give them what they want. For example we deliberately colour our Tork Industrial Cleaning Cloths grey to resemble the rags and laundered cloths
that are regularly used in heavy industry.” Manager of Vileda Professional’s science and training centre Dr Jochen Wirsching agrees that people tend to prefer textiles because they are used to them. “A cloth needs to be able to fit comfortably into the human hand,” he said. “Our hands are flexible tools that can carry out a variety of tasks such as cleaning large tabletops, window frames, nooks and crannies. For this reason, any cloth we use needs to have the drapability of a classic textile.”
Outdated He claims that traditional textiles are somewhat outdated. “They dry out more slowly and break down more rapidly during laundering,” said Wirsching. “They also have a poorer cleaning performance and tend to leave watermarks behind. Textiles have provided us with many positives but this is what innovation is all about: creating superior solutions.” Vileda makes a range of cloths that can actually be placed in the textiles category, according to Wirsching. “Textiles as we know them cover a wide field,” he said. “They can be soft and dense or stiff and meshed. “The vast majority of Vileda Professional’s wiping products are durable and launderable and we use all three of the main textile manufacturing technologies: weaving, knitting and non-woven production. So our man-made products are basically textiles.” Vileda’s products are made from microfibre, cotton and PVAmicro which is an ultra-absorbent foam/gel-coated material. These cloths are said to be capable of removing bacteria and spores from surfaces as well as general cleaning. “Combining these characteristics in one cloth is a truly time-consuming and expensive development process,” said Wirsching. “For some of our products the post-treatment of the material is more expensive than the base textile.” Products include microfibre non-woContinued page 44
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WIPES & CLOTHS Man-made imitates nature (continued) vens such as NanoTech micro and QuickStar micro. “While these are not as thick as a classical cotton cloth they are extremely dense in their structure,” said Wirsching. “This enables them to remove bacteria and spores while also leaving a streakfree finish. “Our PVAmicro has a base material of microfibre which is then covered by an ultra-absorbent PVA gel. Making this is a complex procedure and the result is a cleaning cloth designed for sensitive surfaces that still has the feel of a textile.” Managing director of Ecotech Europe Paul Brownhill agrees that customers tend to be sentimentally attached to natural products. “Textiles have been used for cleaning for more than 200 years,” he said. “The main features of a textile are bulk, strength and absorbency so it is important to be able to emulate these qualities in a manufactured cleaning cloth.”
demand for natural-looking products. “We are also seeing a trend for environmentally-responsible cloths while in some areas – such as in the food service and hygiene sectors - it is important cloths look good as well as perform well,” he said. All microfibre products have the look and feel of textiles according to Greenspeed product manager Bert Lagarde. The company makes microfibre mops and cloths for cleaning and dusting plus microfibre non-woven cloths.
Attached to textiles?
Time-consuming Making such products can be timeconsuming and expensive, he adds. “This is because man-made wipes and cloths need to be fit for use in different applications and capable of performing according to certain criteria,” he said. “The feel, performance and look of a product are all fundamental to whether or not it will suitable for use.” Ecotech Europe products with textile qualities include microfibre cloths made from a polyester and polyamide mix that are said to be able to withstand more than 500 machine washes. The company also offers EnvirowipePlus cleaning cloths made from viscose and polyester that can be machine-washed up to 15 times. Like other manufacturers, Brownhill claims that man-made products offer benefits over their natural counterparts. “Traditional cloths such as cotton dishcloths, dusters and so on are not as hygienic as non-wovens,” he said. “Manufactured cloths have been designed for specific tasks so they outperform cotton cloths. For instance how many times have you polished your shoes with a yellow duster and left fibres behind on your shoes as a result?” However he believes there is growing
“A microfibre is simply a very thin, synthetic fibre that is 100 times finer than a human hair,” said Lagarde. “But only microfibres are treated with a unique splitting process that provides extraordinary cleaning results.” He concedes that making a cloth-like product is both time-consuming and expensive. “The difficulty lies in testing the different compositions of the fibre since the product has to work while also being easy to handle,” he said. “For example a 100 per cent microfibre mop would only be suitable for dry dusting since if it were used for damp cleaning it would be too heavy to move across the floor.”
Les fabricants de tissus et d’essuyeurs ont mis au point des produits étonnants ayant l’allure et le toucher de la soie, du cotou et du daim. Il est ironique de constater que les travaux les plus récents de R&D en la matière visent à produire des articles qui soient aussi proches que possible de l’alternative textile. Ainsi, cet investissement en vaut-il la peine, vu que les utilisateurs ont toutes les raisons de s’en tenir à une lingette en coton ou à un essuie-tout en daim véritable ?
Hersteller von Tüchern und Wischtüchern präsentieren erstaunliche Produkte, die aussehen und sich anfühlen wie Schappeseide, Baumwolle und Chamois. Ist es aber nicht ironisch, dass das höchste Ziel der Forschung und Entwicklung bei Wischtüchern die Herstellung eines Produktes ist, das der textilen Alternative so nah wie möglich kommt? Warum lohnen sich diese Investitionen, und warum sollten wir stattdessen nicht einfach ein Baumwolltuch oder ein Stück Chamois verwenden?
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Most Greenspeed microfibres are made from 70 per cent polyester and 30 per cent polyamide. According to Lagarde it is the testing process – plus the fact that each product is fit for purpose - that makes man-made products superior to their textile counterparts. Other qualities that make them more effective include an exceptionally long life even with frequent washing, and the ability to clean using a minimal amount of water and cleaning agents, he says. “People in the cleaning sector tend to require soft, high quality cloths that are easy to handle and that give good results,” says Lagarde. “And every application needs a product with a different composition to provide a perfect cleaning result. We don’t manufacture products and then try to find out where they might be useful: we develop products that solve a problem.” So will end-users remain sentimentally attached to the notion of a textile product going forward? Or will they embrace manmade alternatives? Vileda’s Dr Jochen Wirsching believes customers are increasingly switching on to products that perform better than textiles. “Performance, hygiene results and productivity are the factors that count most in the cleaning sector,” he said. “Customers also want cloths that can be laundered successfully and that effectively release chemicals on to the wiping surface rather than retain them within the cloth. These factors – as well as practical benefits such as foldability and stackability – all count for more than having a ‘naturallooking’ product.” And SCA’s Lars Fingal also predicts that functionality will win out at the end of the day. “The time it takes to perform a task is becoming more of an issue than whether or not the cleaning or wiping product used to execute it has textile-like properties,” he said. “As a result we are already seeing a trend in some companies towards putting efficiency and hygiene first. But for now we will continue to try to simulate nature with our products – though in a more efficient way.” I produttori di panni e strofinacci stanno elaborando dei prodotti incredibili che sia al tatto che a livello visuale sembrano di seta, cotone e camoscio. Ma non è ironico che il fatto più nuovo della ricerca e sviluppo sia creare un prodotto che sia il più simile possibile all’alternativa tessile? Cosa rende l’investimento fattibile e perchè le persone non dovrebbero semplicemente utilizzare invece un panno in cotone o camoscio?
PRODUCTS: WIPES & CLOTHS
Colour-coded
Holchem’s range of Hyperwipes is a colour-coded line of lint free wipes designed for the food, beverage, dairy and hospitality sectors. Non-woven and non-abrasive, they offer high absorbency and boast equal wet and dry strength. Available in centrefeed and large folded formats, Hyperwipes are food safe. The centrefeed product can be dispensed from the Holchem centrefeed roll dispenser system to control cost in use. www.holchem.co.uk
Report on digital solutions - page 51
Private label Athea Laboratories and Packaging is a turn-key private label manufacturer of canister and flow pack wet wipes. Services provided include full laboratory R&D, custom blending, duplication blending, and production of over 400 formulations. www.athea.com
Low-lint Harrison Wipes has launched the Easi-Wipes Steadfast range of low-lint wipes for industry. These, it says, offer an allround cleaning alternative to traditional rags and guarantee
greater consistency. Their size is uniform, as is the consistency and quality. The wipes are used with the Interfold Refillable Dispenser Box, which is made from polyflute plastic and designed to be durable, splash-proof, recyclable and easy to transport around the workplace thanks to its built-in carry handle. Housing the wipes in the box protects them from the external environment and reduces the risk of contamination while reduce waste. www.harrisonwipes.co.uk
• Proposées par Holchem, les Hyperwipes sont des lingettes non pelucheuses à codage couleur. • Athea Laboratories est un fabricant de lingettes humides conditionnées en cuves ou en rouleaux, et commercialisées sous marque privée. • La gamme Easi-Wipes Steadfast de lingettes en non-tissé a été lancée par Harrison Wipdes, aux côtés de la boîte distributrice rechargeable Interfold. • Bei Hyperwipes handelt es sich um farbcodierte fusselfreie Wischtücher von Holchem. • Athea Laboratories ist ein Handelsmarkenhersteller von Feuchttüchern in Dosen und Schlauchbeutelverpackungen. • Harrison Wipes hat die Produktreihe Easi-Wipes Steadfast mit Vlieswischtüchern zusammen mit der nachfüllbaren Spenderbox Interfold vorgestellt. • Hyperwipes sono dei panni codificati in base al colore che non lasciano pelucchi prodotti dalla Holchem. • La Athea Laboratories è una produttrice private label di contenitori e confezioni di salviette umidificate. • La gamma di salviettine non tessuto Easi-Wipes Steadfast è stata lanciata dalla Harrison Wipes, insieme al dispenser Interfold Refillable Dispenser Box.
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PRODUCTS: WIPES & CLOTHS
Patented tech Tork says a patented manufacturing technology is making Tork cleaning cloths more effective. Tork exelCLEAN cloths have a uniform construction that makes them perform far better than rags, it claims. The cloths are made using a combination of pulp fibres and endless filament fibres. This creates a structure that offers high absorbency and superior strength. And because Tork cloths are deliv-
Tork Industrial Cleaning Cloth and Tork Industrial Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloth. All four are available in wall-mounted dispensers as well as in portable boxes with a reinforced handle and a large opening. www.sca.com ered in a compressed format they save up to 26 per cent of storage space compared with rags. Industrial products with exelCLEAN are Tork Cleaning Cloth, Tork Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloth,
Better wiping New from Ramon Hygiene Products is a line of improved cleaning and disinfecting wipes. These are branded under the
existing Optima range and the new Paltech range. Optima wipes are designed for cleaning and disinfecting within food manufacturing and food service environments. Designed to kill food-borne micro-organisms in 60 seconds, they are alcohol, quat and PHMB free for disinfection. Paltech wipes are for use in industrial environments and features products that are suitable for use on hard surfaces along with others that are safe on
THERE IS ALWAYS A RED ONE JUST FOR YOU. skin for the removal of uncured silicone, paint, grime and other tough substances. Both are available in variety of packaging and quantities to suit every need and conform to all upcoming legislation changes to the Biocidal Products Regulation. www.ramonhygiene.co.uk • SCA a introduit les tissus Tork exelCLEAN qui sont fabriqués en fibres de pulpe de bois et en fils de filament continus. • Ramon Hygiene Products aligne les essuie-tout Optima pour applications alimentaires, et les essuie-tout Paltech pour environnements industriels.
FOR INSTANCE, BYTE II!
THE NEW COMPACT SCRUBBER DRIER
Agility, manoeuvrability and perfect drying. The GO GREEN and AQUA SAVER functions increase the autonomy of eco friendly job.
• Neu von SCA sind Tork exelCLEAN Tücher, die aus Papierfasern und Endlosfilamentfasern hergestellt werden. • Ramon Hygiene Products bietet Optima Wischtücher für den Einsatz in Lebensmittelanwendungen und Paltech Wischtücher für industrielle Umgebungen.
• La novità della SCA sono i panni Tork exelCLEAN prodotti utilizzando fibre di polpa e fibre a bava continua. • La Ramon Hygiene Products propone i panni Optima per le applicazioni alimentari e i panni Paltech per gli ambienti industriali.
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SELF-CLEANING SURFACES
Self-cleaning touch points How can frequently-touched surfaces such as washroom door handles be kept clean and germfree at all times? The answer is to cover them with a self-cleaning “skin” according to NanoTouch Materials. Ann Laffeaty talks to the founders of the company behind this technology.
Sir Isaac Newton allegedly discovered the secret of gravity while under an apple tree. The structure of DNA was worked out by two men – Crick and Watson – when in a pub in Cambridge. So when self-cleaning surfaces become the go-to solution in future years we may well look back on the place where they first began – in a Mexican restaurant in the US state of Virginia. Mark Sisson and Dennis Hackemeyer, a pair of entrepreneurs who had been introduced to each other by friends, were glancing idly around the premises while having lunch back in 2012. “We made some interesting observations,” said Sisson. “A young mother was wiping her table with a disinfectant wipe and then cleaning her toddler’s hands with a sanitiser. Meanwhile a waitress nearby was cleaning tables using what looked like a dirty dish cloth. “We also watched a customer who was entering the restaurant sneeze into his hand just before opening the door. And when we visited the washroom we saw the floor was littered with paper towels, presumably discarded by people who had used them to touch the door handle.” The two men were business associates who had been carrying out research into substrates and materials related to specialist printing processes. Their work in this field had introduced them to germkilling technology based on embedding toxins in materials. “It turned out that this approach to using toxins wasn’t what we ended up pursuing, but it got us thinking,” said Sisson. A computer science graduate from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Sisson had been running his own advertising agency for some years. Hackemeyer was an economics graduate who had served for two years in the United States Marine Corps. This had involved training in the Nuclear-BiologicalChemical section – an interlude that provided an ideal background for the work the two men went on to carry out in the
field of self-cleaning surfaces. So, back to that lunch. The men came to some important conclusions after observing the practices of the waiting staff and their fellow diners. “First we realised that people are concerned about ‘clean’ for a good reason,” said Sisson. “But cleaning isn’t enough. You have to deliver a feeling of safety and security by making ‘clean’ visible. And the entire environment doesn’t have to be sterile: delivering a visibly clean surface exactly when and where it is needed is the ultimate goal...a rifle shot approach, if you like.” Any surface that is likely to be touched by people – or where personal items may be put down – needs to be kept clean, says Sisson. So the two men embarked on a quest to deliver clean surfaces in those frequently-touched areas. They spent years working with specialists in the fields of materials science, nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing before developing their range of NanoSeptic skins. These are said to be capable of killing bacteria, viruses and fungi on an ongoing basis without the use of chemicals, diluted poisons or heavy metals. Made from a durable polyestercoated fabric, they have an adhesive backing that is said to adhere to most surfaces and leave virtually no residue behind when removed.
Powered by light So how do they work? “They are powered by light and use mineral nanocrystals to create an oxidation reaction that is stronger than bleach,” said Sisson. “This means that the surface continually oxidises organic contaminants. “They also have the ability to work 24/7 since the oxidation reaction is powered by any visible light. This includes incandescent, fluorescent and LED light while the nanocrystals generate a strong static effect at a microscopic scale to trap organic contaminants even in the absence of light.” Continued page 50
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TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY
LOG-IN WITH PASSWORD
PERSONALIZED WORK ZONE PROGRAMS
CRUISE CONTROL
SUSTAINABLE CLEANING
SEVERE CLEANING
REAR VIEW CAMERA
ANTI-COLLISION SYSTEM
VIDEO TUTORIALS
SELF-CLEANING SURFACES Self-cleaning touch points (continued) Before the first Nano Septic products were launched on to the market, extensive studies were carried out in order to verify that they actually worked. “Our products went through a ninemonth vetting process by a board of university scientists,” said Sisson. “All testing took place at an FDA/EPA-compliant independent laboratory using a variety of protocols including the JIS 2801 test for antimicrobial efficacy. “Meanwhile our overseas distributors have conducted their own tests in order to satisfy specific regulatory requirements. Organisations that have independently verified our efficacy overseas include the Korea Research Institute and the King Abdul Aziz Research Hospital in Saudi Arabia.” In Saudi Arabia testing was carried out against a strain of the Coronavirus that has been the cause of the MERS outbreak. A million of the virus cells were introduced on to a Nano-Septic surface during the tests. These were wiped out in under 30 minutes.
Over recent years there have been a number of other products claimed by the manufacturers to be “self-cleaning” introduced on to the market. Earlier this year a company called Vioguard launched a computer keyboard that comes with its own self-cleaning case. Aimed at the healthcare sector, the keyboard can be sent back into its case at the touch of a
button where a type of ultra-violet light is said to kill 99.99 per cent of bacteria and pathogens within 90 seconds. Meanwhile a sports bag made by Paqsule is claimed to be able to sanitise gym clothes, again using ultra-violet light. The battery-powered duffel bag works by converting the oxygen inside the bag into activated oxygen while an ultra-violet light sanitises the items of clothing. Other companies offer more broadspectrum anti-microbial solutions to provide cleaner facilities. But the NanoTouch team takes issue with this approach. “By trying to kill all microbes, the good microorganisms in our environment are destroyed along with the bad,” said Hackemeyer. “Our goal isn’t to create a sterile world: it’s to create a cleaner, greener world.” And he adds that Nano-Septic surfaces offer further benefits to the customer. Besides delivering hygiene, they also reassure anyone using the facility that frequently-touched surfaces are constantly being sanitised. The germ-killing skins are branded with the Nano-Septic name so that people touching the surface knows they can do so safely. And this in turn enhances the image of the FM services provider, says Hackemeyer. “We originally developed these surfaces for hospitals since we felt their value would be to provide cleaner healthcare facilities,” he said. “However we quickly received enquiries from facility managers and commercial cleaners who saw our products as a way of improving the perception of their value. “Suddenly they were able to make ‘clean’ actually visible to their customers and tenants while also providing a truly cleaner environment.” And the surfaces can be used practically anywhere, he says. “I really can’t think of a facility where the employees and guests wouldn’t want cleaner touch points,” said Hackemeyer. “Whether you’re a physician wanting to improve the patient experience or a school seeking to positively influence the perception of parents, NanoSeptic surfaces help to deliver that value.” For more information, go to: www. nanotouchmaterials.com
Wie kann dafür gesorgt werden, dass häufig berührte Oberflächen, wie die Griffe von Waschraumtüren, jederzeit sauber und keimfrei sind? Die Antwort laut NanoTouch Materials: das Überziehen mit einer selbstreinigenden „Haut“. Ann Laffeaty unterhält sich mit den Gründern der Firma, die hinter dieser Technologie steht.
Come si possono mantenere pulite e senza germi le superfici che vengono toccate di frequente, per esempio le maniglie delle porte dei bagni? A quanto afferma la NanoTouch Materials, la risposta è quella di ricoprirle con una “pellicola” autopulente. Ann Laffeaty intervista le persone che hanno fondato l’azienda che sta dietro a questa tecnologia.
Specific sectors In 2015 NanoTouch Materials was awarded a three-year US$2 million research and development grant to enable the company to improve efficacy and durability; to conduct additional product development for specific industry sectors and to carry out market research to gauge consumer perception of selfcleaning surfaces. NanoSeptic skins are a world first according to creators Sisson and Hackemeyer. “We believe we are the only company on the market to be manufacturing this type of self-cleaning surface for use on facility touch points and portable applications,” said Hackemeyer. “We have seen attempts to create surfaces embedded with toxins such as Triclosan, which has now been banned by the EPA. However that approach involves killing germs using poisons. Part of our mission was to use technology in the place of toxins.” He admits that NanoSeptic surfaces share some technology with other products such as self-cleaning coatings for glass and building exteriors. “However the main aim of those applications is to
Comment faire pour que des surfaces fréquemment touchées, telles que les poignéees de porte de toilettes publiques, demeurent propres et exemptes de microbes en tout temps ? La réponse consiste à les garnir d’une « peau » auto-nettoyante, affirme NanoTouch Materials. Ann Laffeaty s’entretient avec le fondateur de l’entreprise qui a lancé cette technologie.
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minimise the quantity of pollution residue on building exteriors or to reduce the frequency of cleaning solar panels,” said Hackemeyer. “Our surfaces are designed to break down the organic contaminants that are deposited by human touch.” Most NanoSeptic surface surfaces will last up to 12 months though in particularly high traffic areas the skins might need to be replaced more frequently, typically every 30-90 days. The skins work best on flat, tubular and uniform surfaces and are currently available in the form of selfcleaning skins for door handles plus portable mats for use on counters, tray tables and bathroom vanity units.
Other product claims
DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
Digital world - are we ready? A whole world of digital solutions is opening up to the cleaning industry…. but does the industry actually want it? Ann Laffeaty finds out whether customers are embracing the new technological age - or doing their best to resist it. Digital solutions have become a big part of our everyday life. We are now using the web for everything from informationgathering and diagnostics to map-reading and online shopping. So it is a natural progression for professional companies to offer digital-based solutions as well. In the cleaning sector this can mean anything from time and attendance software and remote machine monitoring to connected washroom dispensers and smart invoice management. But how are these solutions being received by customers and end-users? Do cleaning companies actually want to be brought bang up to date with the latest technology, or would they rather continue as they always have? And how are solutions providers persuading their customers to try out new ways of working? Today’s businesses are increasingly acknowledging the benefits that technology can provide according to Diversey’s European marketing communications associate Liesbeth van Aalten. “They are looking for improved insights to help them make better decisions,” she said. “Using technology is part of this trend and we receive a great deal of positive feedback from customers who are adopting technology-driven solutions.” Diversey offers connected technology that enables customers to remotely monitor equipment, machines and operations through sensor-generated data. “This provides insights into operations, dosing, compliance and machine performance,” said van Aalten. She claims technological change is hap-
pening across most industries – and happening fast. “The next generation is growing up with a different mindset towards technology,” she said. “They have different expectations as to how people should be equipped to carry out their jobs. “We also see a direct relationship between the way individuals use technology in their personal lives and how they approach it in their working lives. Applying new technology at work is just part of the evolution.” According to van Aalten, being in line with digital trends can help businesses to attract the next generation of employees into the industry. “Change is inevitable and everyone needs to open themselves up to it - or risk being left behind,” she said. However she adds that change management and effective training are crucial when it comes to successfully incorporating new working practices. “There will always be those hesitant customers who wait for mainstream adoption before making a change,” she said. “Every company needs to find its own comfort level and take decisions that make business sense for them. But many customers are already adopting new technology while others are looking towards implementing technology-based solutions.” Easy-to-use portals, minimal training requirements and a high level of customer support will help to smooth the way for digital solutions according to CWSBoco’s team lead product manager Silke Zügel. The company’s SmartMate system records washroom dispenser fill levels, visitor traffic, reaction time and service requirements. Cleaners are informed via email or a push notifications when a dispenser needs refilling or when extra cleaning may be required. “Our customers are actively demanding this type of system and the changeover to digital solutions is being welcomed with open arms,” says Zügel. “Customers are aware of the immense support these types of systems can offer with regard to day-to-day facility management. They
allow operators to deploy cleaning staff more efficiently while the simplicity of our solutions means employees require hardly any training – this allows us to address any reservations companies may have about introducing new work practices.” The fact that digitalisation is already a familiar concept in most people’s personal lives makes it easier for customers to switch over to smarter workplace solutions, she says. “The majority of the population now uses a smartphone and the technological skills required to use a phone can easily be transferred.”
Streamline business According to Zügel, the best environment for convincing customers about the benefits of digital solutions is at a trade fair or via an on-site test. “Here we can demonstrate how the system works and clients can see for themselves how quickly they can become accustomed to the benefits,” she said. Contract cleaning company Julius Rutherfoord has streamlined its business with the aid of various digital solutions. These include biometric time and attendance monitoring, vehicle tracking software and electronic passport scanning to ensure all employees are legal. The company also uses a tablet-based app to manage sites, carry out training and conduct safety audits. Customers are rarely nervous about adopting new practices provided the company can demonstrate clear benefits according to operations director Chris Parkes. “In fact we have been able to increase client confidence in our service levels through improved transparency, feedback and real-time access to data,” he said. “We highlight our approach to technological change in all our contract bids, and we believe our passion for constant improvement through innovation has been a key reason behind some of our key contract wins.” While many of today’s customers recContinued page 52
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DIGITAL SOLUTIONS Digital world - are we ready? (continued)
ognise the opportunities that digital tools can offer, some are still nervous about buying the wrong technology according to SmartTask ceo Paul Ridden. “They are generally seeking a supplier that can help to remove the complexity associated with setting up technology and adopting new working practices,” he said. “They want the process to be made simple and hassle-free while also ensuring a return on their investment.”
Technical awareness He describes the typical cleaning industry customer as someone who is particularly knowledgeable about their own sector but who also has a degree of technical awareness. “At SmartTask we work with cleaning companies to help them choose the right option and create an affordable highvalue solution,” said Ridden. Designed for both static and mobile teams, SmartTask incorporates intelligent rostering, live monitoring, electronic forms, integrated proof of attendance and KPI reporting. It is both intuitive and easy-to-use according to Ridden. “The training of cleaning operatives is so simple that it can be achieved as part of the induction process,” he says. However he adds most SmartTask customers are up to speed with hew technology and are willing to embrace it in their working lives. “Companies that lag behind and are reluctant to embrace the latest working practices will find it more difficult to compete as more forward-thinking organisations reap the benefits of technology,” he said. Another company claiming its customers to be fairly techsavvy is StaffCheck. This digital firm offers a workforce management solution that allows staff to log in to their workplace via a mobile app. “Most of our clients see the benefits of the system very quickly,” said support and implementations manager Malene Salbol. “They understand how it will cut down on administration and provide a better overview of the workforce to ensure improved client retention. “I think most people are excited by the technological revolution as they see how it can relieve some of their workload and enable them to focus their energy on other business matters.” StaffCheck clients are very receptive to new practices, according to Salbol. “The only reservations to be voiced so far are from staff members who are not as technically aware as others and either don’t own a smartphone or are worried about mobile usage,” she said. “But in general our customers are increasingly moving towards a higher degree of mobile and tablet use.”
Online learning Jangro offers an e-learning platform that has been well received by staff according to operations director Joanne Gilliard. More than 1,800 cleaners have received certificates for completed courses and more than 800 others are in the pipeline. “Cleaners are embracing this new way of training since it takes no time away from the working day,” she said. The company offers a range of Learning Management Solution modules including health and safety, kitchen hygiene control, washroom cleaning, carpet care and floor care. “Since the LMS can be accessed on smartphones and computers, the majority of cleaners already have the hardware they need to log on to our digital training platform,” said Gilliard. “There is a misconception that our industry is behind the times when it comes to innovation. But when the digital solution in question fits the needs of the market you find that uptake quickly soars.”
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DIGITAL SOLUTIONS European marketing manager of Tork Solutions Anna Königson Koopmans also believes the market to be increasingly open to new ideas and systems. “More and more companies are entering the digital cleaning arena,” she said. “However there are still very few players who have moved beyond the development phase and can show real-life examples of customers using their solutions.” The company’s Tork EasyCube system uses digital facility management software to keep cleaners informed about washroom needs via their connected devices. The system is said to require only a minimal amount of training and according to Königson Koopmans, most Tork clients are technically astute and interested in digital solutions in any case. “In our experience it is the forward-thinking companies with
a clear idea of what they want to achieve who are prepared to implement new ways of working,” she said.
Le nettoyage numérique s’est inscrit dans la réalité car un nombre croissant d’entreprises proposent des solutions de haute technologie couvrant toute la gamme des services, de l’enregistrement des présences à la facturation, en passant par la gestion des stocks et l’audit. Néanmoins, on peut se demander si les entreprises de propreté sont majoritaires à vouloir adopter ces technologies de dernier cri, et si elles ne préféreraient pas s’en tenir aux méthodes de nettoyage traditionnelles
Die digitalgestützte Reinigung ist Wirklichkeit geworden: Eine zunehmende Anzahl Firmen bieten Hightech-Lösungen, die alles von Zeit und Anwesenheit bis Rechnungsverwaltung, Bestandskontrolle und Betriebsprüfung abdecken. Aber wollen die meisten Reinigungsunternehmen überhaupt auf den aller neuesten Stand dieser Technologie gebracht werden, oder würden sie lieber an ihren alten Methoden festhalten?
Behaviour changes However she admits changing people’s behaviour can be a challenge. “Creating a new industry takes time,” she said. “But as an increasing number of players enter the market and as digitalisation continues to drive development, we will find the speed of change will pick up more quickly.” Increasing competition and the high cost of labour will help to drive the change, says Königson Koopmans. “These factors will persuade many companies to consider new ways of working since it is the big step changes that will provide the largest leaps in terms of efficiency and quality improvement,” she said.
The company’s strategy for convincing customers is simple: go for those businesses that will gain most from the technology. “In our case it is the larger, more widespread facilities such as theme parks and leisure facilities that will reap the most rewards from data-driven cleaning,” she said. “These facilities tend to experience unpredictable visitor flows while also having a clear ambition to ensure that customer satisfaction and cleaning standards remain high.” And she agrees with other companies that digital solutions are the future. “Many industries are going through radical change due to digitalisation – just look at the camera film and video rental markets for examples,” she said. “Digital solutions are all around us and are changing our ways of working, and our way of life.” Il cleaning digitale è diventato una realtà in quanto un numero sempre maggiore di imprese offre soluzioni hightech che comprendono qualsiasi aspetto dagli orari e le presenze alla gestione delle fatture fino al controllo e alle verifiche del magazzino. Ma le imprese di pulizie vogliono veramente essere aggiornate e modernizzate con questa tecnologia, o preferirebbero utilizzare i loro vecchi metodi di pulizia?
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BUSINESS: WORKING HOURS
Working longer = more productive?
Long hours at the grindstone may turn our brains to mush but they can also leave us feeling all warm and virtuous and not a little sniffy about others who appear not to share our work ethic. But for all that, surveys show that we are labouring under an illusion if we believe we are necessarily any more productive, writes Hartley Milner. The French delight in their laid-back café culture, and are frequently lampooned for seemingly spending so much of the working day celebrating it. We are all familiar with the cliché… tables pitched out on sunny pavement patios where office workers gather to eke out their two-hour lunch breaks sipping pastis while animatedly putting the world to rights. And they work just 35 hours per week, have five weeks annual vacation and get 11 public holidays a year, don’t they? Well, as is frequently the case with these things, the facts debunk the myth. It is true France is the only EU state to
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legislate for a 35-hour week. But this is simply a threshold beyond which paid overtime or rest days kick in, and it applies only to blue-collar workers. Even so, more than 50 per cent of artisans put in overtime each year at rates fixed by collective agreement. The hours put in by white-collar workers are not clocked. Like professionals in the USA, most work until their tasks are done. But unlike in the USA, French professionals are compensated for the hours they work beyond 35 with rest days, which are negotiated on a company-bycompany basis. All together, the French put in on average around 40 hours a week. As for those lingering lunch breaks, most workers say they take little more than 45 minutes, nearly always spent at a café or restaurant. Going out for meals is a sacred ritual in France, so it is rare to find employees sitting at their computer screens working with one hand and eating a croque-monsieur with the other. France
tops the league for paid leave in the EU at 25 days a year, along with Sweden and Denmark. However it only comes mid-table for the number of paid public holidays, with Spain having the most at 14. The French feel they have achieved the right work-life balance after many years of campaigning for fairer labour laws. And recently they won a further concession when awarded the legal right to avoid checking work emails out-of-hours. For all this, our Gallic cousins still work far fewer hours than most other developed nations (1,473 per year on average) yet are just two places off making the productivity top 10. Compared to British workers, they are €2.92 an hour more productive while putting in 204 fewer hours per year. In the UK, almost four million employees labour for at least 48 hours a week… the longest in Europe. Managers and professional staff work the most hours, with one in 25 putting in 60-hour weeks, way over the 48 hours maximum set out in an EU working time directive. The average
BUSINESS: WORKING HOURS working week is now 43.6 hours against 40.3 hours for the rest of Europe. What’s more, last year in the UK more than five million people gave their employers €38.1 billion worth of free labour by doing unpaid overtime. And pressurised working is having a negative effect on motivation, turnover and absence levels within the workplace. The UK’s Mental Health Foundation reports that 40 per cent of mental healthrelated absence is linked to work-induced stress and anxiety. The average cost of absence was €675 per employee in 2016 and work-related stress is costing Britain 10.4 million working days every year. Despite Britain’s long-hours culture, output per hour worked is 22.2 per cent lower than that of the US, 22.7 per cent lower than in France and 26.7 per cent lower than in Germany, according to the latest figures from the ONS. Italy has seen no productivity growth since the turn of the millennium but still has a 10 per cent higher output. Britain now has a productivity gap of 16.6 per cent with the other six members of the G7 group of nations, the biggest margin since records began in the early 1990s.
Shortest hours B2B comparison site Expert Market crunched GDP data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and found that of the 10 countries with the highest GDP, seven of those (Luxembourg, Norway, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden) also make the top 10 list for the shortest hours worked per employee. The top 10 most productive countries (GDP divided by hours worked) are: 1. Luxembourg: 1,643 average annual hours with €51.89 hourly productivity. 2. Norway: 1,427 average annual hours with €41.27 hourly productivity. 3. Australia: 1,664.2 average annual hours with €33.84 hourly productivity. 4. Switzerland: 1,568.2 average annual hours with €32.19 hourly productivity. 5. Netherlands: 1,425 average annual hours with €32.19 hourly productivity. 6. Germany: 1,371 average annual hours with €29.46 hourly productivity. 7. Denmark: 1,436 average annual hours
Les longues heures de travail peuvent fatiguer notre cerveau, mais elles peuvent aussi nous procurer des sensations de bien-être et des sentiments de vertu. Néanmoins, des études ont montré que nous nous berçons d’illusions si nous croyons qu’en travaillant davantage, nous serons nécessairement plus productifs, écrit Hartley Milner. 914
with €27.41 hourly productivity. 8. United States: 1,789 average annual hours with €26.86 hourly productivity. 9. Ireland: 1,821.26 average annual hours with €26.25 hourly productivity. 10. Sweden: 1,609 average annual hours with €25.64 hourly productivity. The UK is well off the chart, coming in at 16th in the world league of most productive nations, with 1,677 average annual hours worked and just €21.16 per hour productivity. Where once it was at roughly two per cent per annum, productivity now sits at virtually zero. So you could excuse the Brits for looking enviously across the Channel and asking “why can’t we, too, work sane hours while reaping the benefits of high productivity… what’s gone wrong?” Earlier this year, Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane cited the UK’s many mediocre and under-performing companies offsetting the impact of innovative enterprises and dragging down the general level of productivity. But according to Ann Francke, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, the blame rests squarely on the pressures managers are under. “Our recent research highlighted the fact that the average manager in the UK works an extra 29 days over the course of a year,” she said. “Over half of managers say their working hours have a bad effect on their stress levels, which is having a disastrous impact on the nation’s productivity. “Recent reforms announced by the government to transform attitudes of mental health in the workplace are a step in the right direction, but the reality is we all have a role to play in improving the wellbeing of the UK’s workforce. Tackling the ‘always on’ culture of constantly checking emails on smartphones and tablets out of office hours, for instance, is extremely important. “Good, skilled managers know that they need to switch off and allow their employees to do the same. Helping employees strike the necessary worklife balance must be a priority for both employers and the government in facing up to the challenge of improving workplace stress. Doing so will not only help improve the performance and
Nach langen Arbeitsstunden hat sich unser Hirn möglicherweise in Brei verwandelt, aber sie können uns auch ein wohliges und rechtschaffenes Gefühl vermitteln. Doch trotz allem zeigen Umfragen, dass wir einer Illusion erliegen, wenn wir glauben, dass wir zwangsläufig produktiver wären, schreibt Hartley Milner.
happiness of the UK’s workforce, it will also be crucial in closing the country’s chronic productivity gap.” So, with some of the strongest economies in the world also boasting the shortest average working hours, could working fewer hours raise the productivity of stragglers such as Britain?
Cutting hours Sweden, the world’s 10th most productive country, has just completed a two-year trial at a Gothenburg elderly people’s home, with mixed results. Staff saw their hours cut from eight to six a day for the same pay. And yes, early findings of the trial show that staff at Svartedalen nursing home felt happier and healthier, leading to reduced sick leave and absenteeism, and patient care improved. The big fly in the ointment was that the home was forced to hire 17 extra staff at a cost of €1.2 million. So the city has dropped plans to make the scheme permanent. “It’s associated with higher costs, absolutely,” said Daniel Bernmar, the local councillor responsible for elderly care and a leading advocate of a six-hour working day. “It’s far too expensive to carry out a general shortening of working hours within a reasonable time frame.” Elsewhere in Gothenburg, mechanics at Toyota service centres have worked sixhour days on full pay for nearly 15 years and have never looked back. Customers were unhappy with the long waiting times while technicians were stressed out and making mistakes. The 36 staff switched from a 7am-4pm day to working two sixhour shifts, starting at 6am and the other at noon, with fewer and shorter breaks. “Staff feel better, there is low turnover and it is easier to recruit new people,” said managing director Martin Banck. “They have a shorter travel time to work, there is more efficient use of the machines and lower capital costs…everyone is happy. Profits have risen by 25 per cent.” And Daniel Bernmar argues that the Gothenburg experiment still proved successful “from many points of view”, by creating extra jobs for nurses in the city, reducing sick pay costs and fuelling the global debate about work culture.
I lunghi orari di lavoro ci ridurranno anche il cervello in poltiglia ma ci possono anche far sentire cordiali e virtuosi. Ma, dopo tutto questo, i sondaggi rivelano che ci stiamo illudendo se crediamo di essere necessariamente più produttivi, come riferisce Hartley Milner.
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WINDOW CLEANING
International challenges Windows are cleaned all around the world. Yet each country has its own particularities, each market has its individual challenges and demands. An overview of window cleaning around the world from equipment specialist Unger, based in Germany. Germany National challenges- Window glass is not just window glass: In Germany, there are many different types of glass with different features and cleaning behaviour. For instance, single pane safety glass has different requirements in terms of care than laminated safety glass. “German professionals have to have precise knowledge of all technical properties and adapt their cleaning method and tools accordingly”, says Manfred Mihatsch of Unger Germany. Generally, many things have to be considered in Germany in terms of window cleaning. Regulations, standards and laws greatly affect the work of professionals. For instance, if the building in question is a listed building, the cleaning method has to be clarified with the insurance provider beforehand. When using work platforms, the deployment of barrier systems has to be applied for at the city council. And industrial clients often commission individual cleaning tasks separately. These bureaucratic processes complicate the work of Germany’s glass cleaning professionals and require good time management. Cleaning methods - Cleaning with pure water continues to be on the rise in Germany. For us, demonstration and training on this topic comprises more than half of the work in sales. Work with pure water is booming. This is also reflected in the large variety of applications. Pure water systems here in Germany are not only used for window cleaning, but also for façade cleaning. Use on photovoltaic systems is also established,
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as professionally cleaned systems produced considerably more electricity. Rules and regulations - In Germany a glass and building cleaning specialist is a state-recognised profession. The apprenticeship lasts three years and alternates between school and practical work phases. After successful completion of the journeyman’s examination, there are plenty of further professional paths and career options to choose from. “Journeymen can, for instance, go on to acquire their master craftsman diploma or can continue their educational training and acquire a further qualification as industrial climber,” explains Mihatsch. Germany fundamentally also differs from other European countries in terms of building architecture. Developers and architects are obligated by corresponding regulations and laws to design their buildings so that cleaning work can be performed without posing any risks or hazards. If windows cannot be cleaned from the floor, from the inside of the building or from ground floor extensions, corresponding facilities must be put into place.
United Kingdom National challenges - the UK is famous for its changing weather. This is a great challenge for British window cleaners, in particular in terms of the cleaning windows in residential buildings. “Professionals always have to be able to quickly adapt to changing weather conditions in terms of sun, clouds, rain and fog,” explains Matt Hodgkins of Unger UK. “This requires exact planning, lots of experience and a high degree of flexibility.” Window cleaning on commercial buildings also brings challenges. Many things have to be taken into consideration when organising schedules. This involves, for example, co-ordinating the viewing of a property, ensuring free access to the windows and safely securing the entire surroundings. “This is important. Because the health and safety of professional window cleaners as well as customers have the uppermost priority,” explains Hodgkins.
WINDOW CLEANING A further increasing challenge is also a result of the architecture of modern buildings, such as shopping centres. “The glass surfaces are often high are difficult to access”, explains Hodgkins. And older buildings, such as universities and schools have their own special characteristics when it comes to cleaning. Cleaning methods - Among British window cleaning professionals the classic squeegee and scraper method as well as cleaning with pure water is very popular. The selection of the method depends on the corresponding location. In larger cities where there may be difficulties in terms of access, windows are cleaned with traditional tools. In more rural areas on the other hand, pure water using waterfed poles is the method of choice. Rules and regulations - No special education is required in the UK to work as a window cleaner but training is essential and there are some great training courses. Scotland is an exception. A licence issued by the local council is required. Unlike Germany and many other European countries, the UK does not have a height restriction for working with waterfed poles. On the other hand there are restrictions pertaining to the use of ladders. To reach heights of more than four metres ladders may only be used for the purpose of securing access to windows. Use as a work platform is prohibited. “This is why UK window cleaners often use waterfed poles. They are perfect for reaching areas that are difficult to access, up to a height of 20 metres – safely from the ground”, says Hodgkins.
Italy National challenges - “The greatest challenge by far is that there is no window cleaning culture in Italy. Education as a window cleaner is not a state-recognised profession, nor is there an understanding of why windows need to be cleaned on a regular basis”, says Francesco Favole of Unger Italy. This makes the work of professionals even more difficult when residential, commercial and industrial buildings need to be cleaned following long periods of soil accumulation. The windows are often subjected to lime deposits and oxidation stains. Cleaning such seriously soiled windows requires special tools and special Les défis du lavage de vitres varient-ils d’un pays à l’autre ? Les fenêtres de certains pays présententil davantage de difficultés à nettoyer que celles d’autre pays, et des facteurs tels que le climat, la réglementation locale et les dispositions pour le lavage de vitres en hauteur impactent-ils les types de produits et systèmes utilisés dans différents pays ?
technical knowledge. “Windows can often only be accessed with costly aids”, explains Favole. Many customers therefore prefer to leave their windows dirty. A further key issue, particularly in the industrial sector, is the low quality of window frames and construction material. Colours quickly fade and soil the window with traces of lime. Cleaning methods - Italy is still a developing country in terms of pure water cleaning. Only a fraction of its window cleaning operations make use of pure water systems. 95 per cent of all professionals still work with washers, squeegees, spray and rags. Rules and regulations - Up until a few years ago, anyone could theoretically rent a lifting platform and clean windows at height. “This is no longer possible today. Now permits are required in order to use a lifting platform and to work at height”, explains Favole. There is a trend towards waterfed pole systems.
France National challenges - The greatest challenge among France’s window cleaning professionals is attaining free access to windows. Here windows are often at height. “And windows in France are often installed with window glazing. The outer surface of these windows can only be cleaned from the outside,” says Guillaume Ferradou of Unger France. Cleaning methods - The classic window cleaning methods with washer, squeegee and cloth continue to be the most widespread in France. Yet pure water cleaning is gaining ground. Rules and regulations - For safety reasons there are laws in place in France that govern working at height when it comes to window cleaning. And professionals require a special license to operate and work on lifting platforms.
Scandinavia National challenges - One of the greatest challenges for Scandinavian window cleaners is the architecture of modern buildings. “Buildings are becoming higher and higher. This of course makes access to windows even more difficult. Architects are no window cleaners,” says Henrik Thögersen of Unger Scandinavia. The climatic situation in northern Unterscheiden sich die Herausforderungen, mit denen Fensterreiniger konfrontiert werden, von Land zu Land? Stellt die Fensterreinigung in manchen Ländern eine größere Herausforderung dar als in anderen, und beeinflussen Faktoren wie Klima, örtliche Richtlinien und Vorschriften für das Arbeiten in der Höhe, welche Arten von Produkten und Systemen in verschiedenen Ländern eingesetzt werden?
countries provides for further difficulties. “We have long and cold winters in Sweden and Norway. During these periods, window cleaning often comes to a complete standstill,” explains Thögersen. Cleaning method - Pure water in Scandinavian countries has not played a role up to now. The main method is the traditional one of washer and scraper. Rules and regulations - As in many European countries, Scandinavia also has laws on working at height.
Asia-Pacific region National challenges - The Asia-Pacific region is very diverse. Each country has its own climate-based challenges. Window cleaning operations in Australia and New Zealand for instance, have to deal with problems pertaining to water hardness and fierce competition. Windows in Japan and Korea are often in the direct vicinity of electrical connections. This makes the use of waterfed poles difficult. These countries are also faced with extreme weather conditions - hot summers and long cold winters. This makes window cleaning additionally difficult. In the south-east Asian regions, windows are generally cleaned very rarely. Pure water systems often reach their limits in the face of such greatly soiled windows. Here, a conventional basic cleaning has to be performed first. Cleaning methods - Pure water systems have not yet greatly prevailed in the Asia-Pacific region. Whereas the demand for such systems is rising in Australia and New Zealand, pure water technology has hardly been established in the other countries, such as China and south-east Asia, if at all. Here windows are exclusively cleaned using conventional methods. Targeted training concepts are therefore needed in order to educate window cleaning companies about modern pure water systems. Rules and regulations - As different as the countries are, the governing national laws pertaining to window cleaning are just as diverse. For instance, some are concerned with the use of suspension systems. For instance, these are entirely forbidden in Singapore. And there are great regional differences in terms of legislation in Australia and New Zealand. www.ungerglobal.com Le sfide per il lavaggio delle finestre variano da nazione a nazione? Le finestre di alcune nazioni sono più difficili da pulire di quelle di altri stati, i fattori tipo il clima, le legislazioni locali e le pulizie di luoghi in posizioni elevate, hanno un impatto sui tipi di prodotti e sistemi usati nelle diverse nazioni?
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PRODUCTS: WINDOW CLEANING
• Moerman met au point de outils pour le lavage de vitres en privilégiant l’efficacité, les résultats, la sécurité et l’ergonomie. • Le dernier produit Varitech Systems est le kit de nettoyage interne de vitres et de surfaces de verre Dragonfly 4. • NeroQom a développé un produit d’entretien de revêtements à triple effet qui peut s’utiliser sur du verre.
• Moerman entwickelt Werkzeuge zur Fensterreinigung, und Effizienz, Ergebnisse, Sicherheit und Ergonomie sind bei der Entwicklung vorrangig. • Das neueste Produkt von Varitech Systems ist das Reinigungskit Dragonfly 4 zur Fenster- und Glasreinigung von innen. • NeroQom hat ein 3-in-1 Beschichtungspflegeprodukt entwickelt, das für Glas geeignet ist.
• La Moerman produce attrezzi per il lavaggio delle finestre tenendo in considerazione efficienza, risultati, sicurezza ed ergonomia. • Il prodotto più nuovo della Varitech Systems è il kit Dragonfly 4 per la pulizia delle finestre interne e dei vetri. • La NeroQom ha sviluppato un prodotto di manutenzione e rivestimento “tre in uno” che può essere utilizzato sul vetro.
Essential tools
Moerman says its window cleaning range contains all essential tools and accessories for the professional window cleaner. Under its EASE philosophy it boasts solutions that work Efficiently, offer Amazing results, while working in a Safe and Ergonomic way. Among the most recent launches are the Liquidator channel (said to eliminate detailing to almost zero), the Combinator one-pass combi tool, and the Excelerator handle with swivel movement. This handle is used with the F*LIQ microfibre sleeve and the Liquidator 2.0 channel to form an extremely fast squeegee. www.moermangroup.com
Internal glass
Renovation
The Dragonfly 4 internal window and glass cleaning kit has been added to Varitech’s Streamline range of high reach cleaning equipment. Reaching up to heights beyond 10 metres, it offers an alternative in areas where a ladder or other equipment is usually needed. The Dragonfly 4 uses no detergents or chemicals and can clean a multitude of surfaces. It consists of a compact battery and pump combination mounted in a backpack and controlled by a switch on one of the lightweight XR poles. www.varitechsystems.co.uk
According to NeroQom, many window cleaners do not know how to maintain the colour, gloss rate, hardness and coating thickness intact of aluminium frames and cladding. So it developed a three-in-one coating maintenance product NeroQom Coating Maintenance 2-130+++ 3 in 1. This is a water-based system with polishing solid components. The material is based on chemical nanotechnology – NMTT (NeroQom Molecular Tension Technology) and can be used for cleaning and protection in one step on coated surfaces, as well as polyplast, GRP and gelcoat. The protected surface, says NeroQom, can be cleaned much more easily. The company sells products, machines and additional material, and is looking for international cooperation with cleaning companies. www.neroqom.com
VAN-MOUNTED TANK SYSTEM
With SMARTANK ® water transportation has never been easier and safer. Tanks are baffled to restrict water movement in transit. These tanks offer safe, low centre of gravity van systems, while taking up minimal van space. Fitted with water filtration system and pumps, you can rest assured that all your cleaning tasks will be spotless.
STREAMLINE ®ALSO OFFERS: WINDOW CLEANING PACKAGES
PRESSURE WASHER PACKAGES
SOFT CLEANING PACKAGES
Varitech Systems Ltd VaritechSystems @VaritechSystems @VaritechSystems June/July 2017 | ECJ | 60
STREAMLINE
CHEMICAL RESISTANT TUBING
Tubing matters Proper tubing selection is vital to maintaining regulatory and environmental compliance as well as effective, long-lasting product and equipment performance and consumer safety. Lily Lei, global marketing manager, process systems division at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, explains. The industrial and institutional (I&I) cleaning industry spans multiple dynamic markets and applications. From facility and building cleaning applications to dishwashing, warewashing and commercial laundry in hospitals, hotels, restaurants, food and beverage processing plants and more, the demand for I&I cleaning products is ever-expanding. In fact, the I&I chemical industry was valued at €34.9 billion in 2014 and is expected to grow to €45.8 billion by 2020, according to the Industrial Cleaning Market by Ingredient, by Application and by Product - Global Trends & Forecast to 2020 report by Research and Markets. That growth is driven largely by a few key factors, including the growing concerns about sanitary standards and consumer safety, as well as advancements in technology, along with a growing demand in developing Asia-Pacific countries such as China and India — among many others. Plus, outlying factors like an increase in global travel and commerce have an impact on the rising need for I&I cleaning products and solutions due to potential cross-contamination across borders. Among the fastest growing markets in the professional cleaning industry are hospitality, healthcare and food and beverage industries. The hospitality and recreation industry is far-reaching and includes restaurants, hotels, bars, cruise ships, gyms and more. It continues to be one of the largest and most dynamic industries because of the sheer volume of applications and environ-
ments or materials that require consistent, rigorous cleaning. Food utensils in restaurants, sheets in hotels, gym equipment in a recreational facility and drinking glasses in a bar, just to name a few, are all required to be routinely sanitised following a strict cleaning process. From hospitals and nursing homes to residential and respite hospice care, the healthcare industry also includes many facilities and applications, which all require stringent cleaning products and procedures to keep their environments sterile from bacteria and human contaminants. Healthcare is a very large industry globally and only continues to expand. According to Maps of the World, there are more than 69,000 healthcare facilities in China alone, followed by India (15,067), Vietnam (12,500) and Nigeria (11,588). The USA is also included in the top 10 global list for total number of healthcare facilities with more than 6,300, as reported by the American Hospital Association. The food and beverage (F&B) industry is also a large driver for change within the I&I cleaning industry. Growing incidences of food-borne illness have prompted the F&B industry to increase its standards and regulations in order to maintain hygiene and sanitation during manufacturing and end distribution. No matter which market, the core goal of the I&I industry is to provide a cleaner and safer environment for employees and end users. While the I&I industry has continued to experience steady growth over the last decade, it has not been without its challenges for manufacturers and end users. One of the biggest challenges is the increasing number of government and industry regulations related to safety and hygiene. These include strict sanitation standards that both fluid handling system manufacturers and end users must meet in order to remain compliant with industry regulatory bodies, government authorities and more. For instance, some of the world’s
largest markets for chemical cleaning products include North America, Western Europe, China and Japan. Each region has its own regulations that manufacturers and end users must meet, which depend upon market type, specific country standards and more. I&I cleaning is a heavily regulated industry, where stringent standards are put into place to protect consumer health and safety. Another challenge is an increase in the number of consumers with heightened awareness of and alarm about health and hygiene measures, which is continuing to increase public and regulatory scrutiny. Further, there is an ever-rising demand for cleaning products and solutions that are environmentally friendly. Understanding the volume of cleaning products employed around the globe, it is crucial the chemicals and fluid transfer system materials being used - and disposed of can easily be broken down or recycled so they are not harmful to the environment.
Today’s corrosive chemicals As a result of more stringent sanitation standards and regulations, the chemicals used in cleaning applications have in turn also become more aggressive to combat tough bacteria and viruses. Volatile acid cleaners are being used more often today than the previous chlorine-based chemicals. With an increase in chemical corrosiveness also comes concern about their impact on the environment and consumer health and safety, as well as increasing performance demands for cleaning equipment. While these critical fluids present a unique challenge for manufacturers — which must engineer fluid handling equipment that can withstand the chemicals’ harsh nature while also protecting consumer safety — they have also presented a challenge for end users looking to maintain the life of their cleaning equipment, where chemical corrosiveness can cause damage or failure in system components. To be effective in the highly regulated Continued page 62
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CHEMICAL RESISTANT TUBING Tubing matters (continued) industry of I&I cleaning and also maintain fluid handling equipment performance, system components must be resistant to the harsh chemicals found in various cleaners used during the sanitation process. This includes tubing that should meet specific performance criteria to ensure the system will function properly, remain compliant and achieve longer service life. Chemical compatibility and flexibility of tubing are two of the most important performance criteria to ensure optimisation of the sanitation equipment, as well as environmental and regulatory compliance.
Tubing must deliver durable performance in volatile cleaning environments where harsh chemicals are used - providing a combination of chemical resistance, clarity and flexibility. It must be virtually unaffected by acids, bases, ketones, salts and alcohols, which should be demonstrated by rigorous testing of physical and chemical-resistant properties. End users should also seek chemicalresistant tubing that is also plasticiserfree, eliminating fluid contamination as well as premature brittleness and cracking. And the tubing should have a smooth inner
ISSA/INTERCLEAN LAS VEGAS stand 1834
surface to provide better flow and inhibit particulate buildup, along with low sorption to minimise cross-contamination and maintain media purity.
Compliant For chemical transfer applications that have final products subject to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, users should utilise tubing that complies with the FDA Packaging and Food Contact Substance (FCS) Regulation. Where relevant, tubing should also comply with regulations set by the EU, including Regulation of Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). As the I&I industry evolves, the challenges of harsh chemicals and government regulations for manufacturers and end users will evolve as well. Flexible tubing solutions will need to deliver peak performance while being regulationcompliant across all fluid transfer systems. One effective course of action manufacturers and end users can take to ensure cleanliness, safety and regulatory compliance in chemical transfer applications is to evaluate and specify appropriate fluid handling system tubing solutions. www.processsystems.saintgobain.com
Dans le nettoyage chimique des établissements industriels et collectifs, il est indispensable d’utiliser les tubulures qui conviennent afin de respecter les exigences réglementaires et environnementales, ainsi que pour assurer la bonne performance des produits et équipements, et garantir la sécurité de l’utilisateur.
Bei der industriellen und institutionellen chemischen Reinigung ist die richtige Auswahl von Schläuchen nicht nur entscheidend für die Einhaltung von rechtlichen und Umweltschutzauflagen sondern auch für die wirksame Produktund Geräteleistung sowie die Benutzersicherheit.
Nel settore delle pulizie industriali e in appalto, una accurata selezione di tubi è vitale per mantenere la conformità regolamentare e ambientale e allo stesso tempo ottenere un rendimento efficace dei prodotti e delle attrezzature, e inoltre la sicurezza dell’operatore.
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NEW PRODUCT REVIEW
Tackles rust Water, energy and maintenance solutions provider NCH Europe has added a rust converter to its suite of rust management products. Chelade, a chelating agent that eliminates the need for scraping and sand-blasting, offers a safer alternative to acid-based rust treatment products. NCH Europe says that Chelade stops rust in its tracks. It can be painted directly onto surfaces without pre-treatment as it encapsulates and dissolves rust, converting it into a heavy-duty primer. This means rusty surfaces require less preparation time. After applying Chelade, maintenance engineers can paint directly onto the surface. www.ncheurope.com
Hybrid hand care IntelliCare from Diversey Care is a hand care system incorporating a hybrid automatic dispenser that allows for both no-touch
vices to enable remote monitoring of key processes. www.diversey.com
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Chemical free and manual activation. It’s compatible with the company’s liquid/gel and foam products and provides low content and battery alerts. The dispenser shifts from notouch to manual mode to deliver hand care product once battery power is depleted. The tamperproof, collapsible bottle refills are designed to prevent product contamination and empty completely to reduce waste. IntelliCare is part of Diversey Care’s Internet of Clean platform, which connects machines, dispensers, sensors, beacons and other smart de-
Workplace supplies provider Lyreco has launched the Bioforce line of biotechnology cleaning products, developed in partnership with InnuScience. The range includes a multisurface cleaner, a descaler, a floor cleaning degreaser, a fabric and carpet cleaner, a food safe kitchen cleaner and a general kitchen cleaner degreaser. www.lyreco.co.uk
• NCH Europe a lancé le produit Chelade pour l’élimination de rouille et la prévention de la corrosion. • Intellicare est le système hybride de Diversey Care pour la distribution de produits de lavage des mains à activation à la fois manuelle et sans contact. • Lyreco a développé, en partenariat avec InnuScience, le Bioforce, un nettoyant de surface exempt de produits chimiques. • NCH Europe hat Chelade zum Entfernen von Rost und Schutz gegen zukünftige Korrosion vorgestellt. • Bei Intellicare handelt es sich um das gemischte HandpflegeSpendersystem von Diversey Care, das sowohl berührungslos als auch manuell aktiviert werden kann. • Lyreco hat in Partnerschaften mit InnuScience den chemikalienfreien Oberflächenreiniger Bioforce entwickelt. • La NCH Europe ha lanciato il prodotto Chelade per la rimozione della ruggine e per la protezione contro la corrosione futura. • Intellicare è il sistema di dispenser ibrido per i prodotti per la cura delle mani della Diversey Care che permette sia l’attivazione manuale che no-touch. • La Lyreco in collaborazione con la InnuScience ha sviluppato il detergente senza prodotti chimici per superfici Bioforce.
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NEW PRODUCT REVIEW
• Ayant lancé le Granuline, Wetrok aligne une gamme de trois produits de nettoyage sous forme de granules. • Savortex s’est associée à Intel pour lancer l’adDryer, un sèche-mains générateur de revenu pour le secteur des toilettes d’entreprise. • L’Enviropod est une poubelle de recyclage, conçue par Leafield Environmental, pour la collecte de couvercles de gobelets en matière plastique. • Klenzan a mis au point la gamme écologique Green’R de solutions de nettoyage de surface, conditionnées en sachets dosés. • DiBo a introduit le JMB-S, un appareil de nettoyage haute pression ultra compact. • Cleanology a lancé une lingette biotechnologique pour tablettes et smartphones, ainsi que des liquides de nettoyage dosés en sachets. • Haaga a développé la balayeuse manuelle compacte 355, la plus petite de sa gamme.
Granule-based New from Wetrok is a family of patented cleaning products based entirely on granules Granuline. All products in the range are packaged in single portion sticks. There are three water-free cleaners in the range - floor maintenance cleaner Granufloor, sanitary maintenance cleaner
can be used for internal marketing or as an additional revenue stream. Savortex says it can create an audience value of the estate based on the users of the building, for example gender, age and occupation. The company’s media buyers can then use this information to set and agree a cost per view rate that will be paid to the building owner each time someone uses an adDryer and sees an advert, thus creating revenue. Built on Intel technology, the adDryer also alerts cleaners to washroom needs based on actual footfall. www.savortex.com
Lid collector • Wetrok stellt Granuline vor und bietet damit eine Produktfamilie von drei Reinigungsprodukten, die ausschließlich auf Granulat basieren. • Savortex hat in Zusammenarbeit mit Intel den adDryer vorgestellt, ein Einkommen erzeugender Handtrockner für Waschräume in Firmen. • Der Recyclingbehälter Enviropod von Leafield Environmental wurde konzipiert, um die Deckel von Plastikbechern zu sammeln. • Klenzan hat die Produktreihe Green’R mit umweltfreundlichen Oberflächen-Reinigungslösungen entwickelt, die in vordosierten Portionsbeuteln erhältlich sind. • Neu im Angebot von DiBO ist der äußerst kompakte, anhängermontierte Hochdruckreiniger JMB-S. • Cleanology hat ein BiotechWischtuch für Tablets und Handys vorgestellt, das zusammen mit vorportionierten Reinigungslösungen in Portionsbeuteln erhältlich ist. • Haaga hat die kompakte manuelle Kehrmaschine 355, die kleinste in der Produktreihe, entwickelt.
• Con il lancio di Granuline, la Wetrok propone una linea di tre prodotti per le pulizie interamente a base di granuli. • La Savortex in collaborazione con la Intel ha lanciato adDryer, un asciugamani redditizio per il settore delle sale da toilette delle aziende. • Enviropod è un contenitore per la raccolta differenziata dei rifiuti progettato dalla Leafield Environmental per la raccolta di coperchi dei bicchieri di plastica. • La Klenzan ha sviluppato la gamma ecologica di soluzioni di pulizia delle superfici Green’R disponibile in bustine pre-dosate. • La novità della Dibo è la nuova idropulitrice ad alta pressione ultra compatta montata su carrello a rimorchio JMB-S. • La Cleanology ha lanciato un panno biotech per tablet e cellulari e inoltre delle soluzioni di pulizia in bustine pre-dosate. • La Haaga ha sviluppato la spazzatrice manuale compatta 355, la più piccola della sua linea.
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Granusan and the all-purpose cleaner Granusurf. The granules dissolve immediately in cold water and Wetrok claims there are significant savings to be had in terms of storage space. Granusan and Granusurf have good foaming properties, making them suitable for manual foam cleaning says Wetrok. Granufloor is suitable for use with scrubber dryers. One stick contains the right amount of cleaning agent for a bucket or for a 0.5 litre foam bottle. www.wetrok.com
Following the launch of Envirocup XL, a cup collection and recycling bin that can accommodate every size of disposable cup up to 103 mm in diameter, Leafield Environmental has developed the Enviropod to stand alongside it. Enviropod is a recycling bin specifically designed for the collection of plastic cup lids. The need for such a bin was highlighted by Simply Cups, the UK’s only collection and recycling service dedicated to turning paper cups into second-life materials. www.leafieldrecycle.com
Smart dryer
Pre-dosed
Hand dryer manufacturer Savortex has partnered with Intel to launch the adDryer, a smart and revenue share producing model for the corporate washroom sector. This IoT-enabled smart dryer has a digital screen that can deliver tailored, high-definition video messages to users, which
sanitiser remains effective for up to 28 days. www.klenzan.co.uk
Ultra-compact The newest addition to Dibo’s high pressure trailer line is the ultra-compact JMB-S. This will also be available as a ‘plus’ version, which is fitted with electronic gas control with automatic idling speed and level measurements, as well as a Track & Trace system. Standard features include digital display and joystick operation on the rear of the machine; optimum weight distribution; and choice of skid or fitted unit. www.dibo.com
Biotech wipes Cleanology has developed a biotech wipe for use on tablets and mobile phones, together with pre-portioned cleaning fluids and floor cleaner in sachets. Biotechnology uses enzymes to ‘eat’ bacteria. The molecules access hard-to-reach areas, and carry on working for days. The ‘tech wipe’ is a moist tissue impregnated with the biotechnology cleaning solution, while the cleaning solution sachets hold a pre-dosed amount of biotechnology agent which is added to water. www.cleanology.com
Small sweeper Green’R is the new range of ecofriendly pre-dosed concentrated surface cleaning products from Klenzan. These cleaners and sanitisers are designed for use on all routine cleaning jobs and where storage space is limited. Formulations come in predosed water-soluble sachets that dissolve in under 60 seconds. One small pack of 20 x 10 g sachets equates to 15 litres of cleaning solution. Once added to water, the Green’R surface
New from Haaga is an entry-level model in its manual sweepers range, the Haaga 355 - its smallest model with a width of 55 cm. Equipped with iSweep drive technology, the Haaga 355 is said to be maintenance-free. It boasts surface area coverage of up to 1,600 square metres per hour. There are three height settings on the push handle, and the angled waste container means better ground clearance on sloped surfaces. www.haaga-gmbh.de
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Cleaning Technology · Municipal Technology
All geared up. Scrubmaster B75 R Checkout areas, narrow aisles, display-islands – the new Scrubmaster B75 R can access all areas that could previously only be accessed by walk-behind scrubber-driers. This ride-on scrubber-drier – available with a working width of either 55 or 65 cm – is particularly compact and easy to manoeuvre. The machine’s area performance of up to 3,500 m² of cleaned floor space/h provides fast and efficient working – without disturbing any of your customers.
17- 012 9 - S C M _ B75 R - S B - M a r k t-11- E N
Hako – Cleanliness without compromise.
Scrubmaster B45
Scrubmaster B115 R
Scrubmaster B140 R
Scrubmaster B310 R CL
For more information, visit us at www.hako.com/scrubmaster