Advancing autonomous, high-tech robotics Nilfisk

advanCing autonomous, high-teCh roBotiCs

Nilfisk is a major global supplier of professional, premium cleaning products for a broad range of manufacturing industries. A new strategic partnership with a leading Danish university is destined to keep the company at the forefront of robotic technology and sustainability, reports Philip Yorke.

With its headquarters in Denmark, Nilfisk operates sales companies in 45 countries worldwide. Together with a strong global distributor network, the company markets and services its products in more than 100 countries across five continents. Nilfisk is one of the world’s leading providers of professional cleaning equipment and services, with over 5,600 employees and an annual turnover of more than EUR 1.2 billion. Today Nilfisk is listed as a large cap company on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

Nilfisk was founded over 100 years ago and from the outset, based its philosophy on a clear and simple vision: to produce and market products of the highest possible quality worldwide. For over a century now, Nilfisk has done just that by adapting to the changing needs of global markets and its customer base with innovative products and solutions.

With an unrivalled, global sales force with proven sales channels, it has established strong customer relations and partnerships across the globe and continues to strive to be at the forefront of technological advancement in order to meet its future customer needs and challenges. Today Nilfisk’s key product lines include floor-care equipment, vacuum cleaners and high-pressure washers, as well as a wide range of domestic vacuum cleaners and high-pressure washers, all of which are designed to meet the specific demands of its clients worldwide.

Driving innovation through collaboration

Aalborg University is a major Danish university and Nilfisk has recently announced a new strategic partnership with them. Joint research, skill sharing and access to the top technology graduates

are the primary goals of its latest innovation collaboration.

The on-going scarcity of technological resources today forms the background for the new partnership between Nilfisk and Aalborg University. The partnership entails joint research and an innovation hub where Nilfisk will be hiring a number of specialists over the years ahead. In addition, there will be close collaboration between the technology specialists at Nilfisk and leading researchers from the Computer Science, Electronic Systems and Energy Systems departments at Aalborg.

Increasing demand for autonomous products

Nilfisk estimates that up to 10 percent of the company’s global revenue will come from sales of autonomous products and solutions within the next five to seven years. This requires a significant investment in the right technology competences. The partnership with Aalborg University is yet another step on this journey for Nilfisk. The engineering departments at Aalborg University are recognised internationally for being among the best in Europe. The university has a strong international network and represents some of the leading researchers within the growing field of robotics.

Aalborg University has a proud tradition of cooperating with private companies. Governed by a clear strategy on integrating knowledge collaboration in both research and teaching, Aalborg University represents around half of all products entering global markets from Danish universities.

optimal hygiene for Wuhan

Following the outbreak of the Coronavirus in Wuhan, China, Nilfisk has agreed to donate a specialised range of high-tech cleaning products to the new Huoshenshan Hospital in China. Huoshenshan is a hospital that specialises in national health emergencies and was built in Wuhan over a period of just 10 days in response to the outbreak. The hospital is operated by the Chinese authorities and is designed to isolate and treat patients infected with the 2019-nCov Coronavirus.

The Nilfisk equipment arrived at the hospital on February 4th and is now being used by the T&RAIN Group, in order to clean the hospital following the building and construction work that took place. This will ensure that all facilities provide an optimal standard of hygiene for incoming patients, who began arriving this week, according to the China Daily newspaper.

Serdar Ülger, Group Senior Vice President of Nilfisk, who is responsible for sales in Asia and Pacific, said, “We are deeply saddened to see the current development of the Coronavirus in China and beyond. As a global company, with a strong presence in China, we want to act responsibly and support the communities in which we operate. In this case, we are putting our products to work at the much-needed Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan.”

Nilfisk offers a range of professional cleaning products designed specifically to clean hospitals across the world, including floor-cleaning machines, vacuum cleaners and high-pressure washers. Nilfisk has donated a range of these advanced cleaning solutions to Wuhan, and they will be used over the days ahead at the Huoshenshan Hospital before it is closed to prevent further spread of the virus.

eco-friendly flexibility

Recently Nilfisk launched ‘Ecoflex’ a new cleaning system that ensures that customers will use significantly less detergent and water. It will increase productivity as users maintain a faster one-pass cleaning schedule without compromising on the levels of cleanliness.

Companies will also save on training as Nilfisk’s Ecoflex is very easy to operate, thanks to its simple, one-touch control panel. Ecoflex will significantly reduce environmental impact wherever it is used, so that operators quickly learn what it really means to be green. Nilfisk Ecoflex ensures that companies make the most of their resources and allows them to develop a sustainable cleaning routine. The Ecoflex system operates so efficiently that it dramatically lowers the environmental impact of commercial cleaning.

Flexible and green cleaning with Ecoflex easily fits into any daily cleaning routine. Different areas, floor types and facilities require different cleaning. With the ability to easily select the right blend of brush pressure, water and detergent, it is possible to tackle any cleaning challenge. It is now possible to effortlessly switch between water-only cleaning, or to different cleaning intensities at the touch of a button. Default start-up mode is green, as well as being low-flow and detergent-free.

The latest Nilfisk Ecoflex System combines good business sense with an ecological conscience. Now Nilfisk customers have the option to clean with just water or with minimum detergent. n

For further details of Nilfisk’s latest innovative cleaning equipment and services visit: www.nilfisk.com