DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE HYGIENE INFORMATION
www.incleanmag.com.au
July / August 2021
EDITOR’S LETTER
INCLEAN is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd on behalf of ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. 41 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037 Australia MANAGING DIRECTOR: Simon Grover PUBLISHER: Simon Cooper MANAGING EDITOR Claire Hibbit Email: chibbit@intermedia.com.au Phone: 02 8586 6140 NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER: Samantha Ewart Email: sewart@intermedia.com.au Phone: 02 8586 6106 PRODUCTION MANAGER: Jacqui Cooper PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Natasha Jara GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Alyssa Coundouris Print Post Approved Publication No. PP: 255003/09765 AUSTRALIAN SUBSCRIPTION RATE 12 months (6 issues) - $66 (inc. GST) To subscribe call 1800 651 422 subscriptions@intermedia.com.au
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Editor’s letter
S
upply chains and procurement processes have been tested like never before during COVID-19. Research from the Capgemini Research Institute reports that more than 80 per cent of organisations’ supply chains have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic has led to companies prioritising supply chain resilience, with 66 per cent of respondents stating their supply chain strategy will need to change significantly in order to adapt to life after COVID-19. There is growing awareness, too, that supply chains need to be more flexible and agile so they can react and adapt quickly to potential disruption. In this issue, we speak to those in the industry who are finetuning their approaches to ensure a prosperous future. Superior carpet care in commercial buildings has also come strongly into focus during COVID-19, and cleaners are being advised to value their services and insist on high standards if they want to create lasting business success. Read why the importance of carpet care professionals has never been higher on page 44. In addition, we look at the challenge of succession planning. Family businesses account for 70 per cent of all businesses in Australia and employ half of the country’s workforce. The cleaning industry has a high concentration of family business owners, and it employs an ever-growing number of people. They form an integral part of the economy and their unique dynamic means that many family business owners hope to pass their business onto the next generation. Despite this however, research shows that only 40 per cent of established family businesses survive the transition to the second generation. Past that point, 13 per cent will survive to a third generation and only 3 per cent to a fourth generation and beyond. In this edition, we outline some practical tips for you to consider in planning your succession. Happy reading,
Claire Hibbit Managing Editor
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www.incleanmag.com.au 3
IN THIS ISSUE JULY / AUGUST 2021
ISSUE #4 VOLUME 34
Regulars
03 Editor’s letter 12 Industry news 16 Cover story 52 Opinion 62 Products
62
36
10 Features
08 Reducing virus transmission pathways Tips to help break the chain of infection. 10 Office cleaning - a new normal Key areas of consideration in office settings. 26 The robotics revolution The rise of autonomous technology in the post-pandemic marketplace.
32
32 Delivering the goods How cleaning companies are seeking a supply chain edge. 36 Advanced restrooms deliver hygiene and more Five benefits of smart restroom solutions. 38 Paper chase How innovative suppliers responded to the pandemic. 44 Rolling out the red-carpet treatment Superior carpet care to create lasting business success. 4 INCLEAN July / August 2021
54
What’s on 2021 ISSA Pulire
7-9 September 2021 Italy’s professional cleaning exhibition will be held in Verona. www.pulire-it.com/it
Wed 15 - Thu 16 September 2021 Clean NZ Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland, New Zealand Newmarket Room,
15-16 September 2021
Clean NZ is New Zealand’s only dedicated trade event for the cleaning industry. www.cleannzexpo.co.nz
MOST CLICKED www.incleanmag.com.au
ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo 12-13 October 2021 The cleaning industry’s premier trade event will be held at ICC Sydney. www.issacleaninghygieneexpo.com
Total Facilities
12-13 October 2021 The FM event will coincide with the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo at ICC Sydney. www.totalfacilities.com.au
Industry urges student visa working hours to be extended
ServiceFM announces board members
Cleaning company leaders warn of staff exodus following changes to worker visa laws.
ServiceFM announces new board as company completes multi-year business transformation.
Retail group pays $630,000 in penalties over COVID-related products
OCS NZ establishes advisory group
Retail group admits to breaching consumer law over promotion of pandemic-related products, including hand sanitiser and face masks.
Global experts form new advisory group for facilities management services company.
Thank Your Cleaner Day 20 October 2021
Asaleo Care shareholders accept Essity’s takeover offer
Softbank Robotics, GERMii launch AI-powered cleaning robot
A New Zealand-based social initiative for the cleaning industry. www.thankyourcleanerday.com
Asaleo Care shareholders vote in favour of Essity’s agreement to acquire remaining 63.8 per cent of shares.
SoftBank Robotics partners with Australian company to create automated commercial floorcare cleaning and disinfection solution.
2022
Interclean Amsterdam
10 May 2022 – 13 May 2022 Europe’s leading exhibition for the professional cleaning sector.
2023 CMS
19-22 September 2023 Industry conference and trade fair will take place in Berlin. www.cms-berlin.de
6 INCLEAN July / August 2021
ON THE COVER The award winner LeoBots, from Singapore-based robotics company Lions International, is a family of four specialised floor cleaning robots. Each of them are made to perform a specific task so as to achieve maximum efficiency in its cleaning operation. Read more about the range, available from Central Cleaning Supplies, on page 16.
Introducing
i-drive
Next level cleaning productivity
No more waiting for your floor scrubber to recharge! Unique benefits of the i-drive The first ride on floor scrubber with interchangeable i-power batteries. Save purchasing additional scrubbers for large sites you can use your i-drive 24/7. On board i-mop lite small space scrubber for cleaning edges, smaller detail areas, washrooms. Easily removed via the on board ramp. No need for any manual mopping.
Request A Demo! Get in touch for more information or to request a demonstration onsite.
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Email Hello@i-teamanz.com | Phone 1800 861 030 | www.i-teamanz.com
SPONSORED
Reducing virus transmission pathways this winter season
I
n order to protect facilities as we move into the winter season we need to work together to reduce the spread of viruses. Pathways of infection may include person to person contact, touching contaminated surfaces and breathing in airborne droplets (produced when infected people cough, sneeze, or breathe). With 2 easy steps: hand washing and disinfection of high touch surfaces, building service contractors and facility managers can work together to reduce virus transmission pathways and assist in breaking the chain of infection.
Prioritise hand hygiene Hands are one of the main routes for personal infection and the spread of pathogens. Thus, regular hand washing procedures and the use of hand sanitiser are key to limiting exposure. You may also use an alcohol hand rub in addition to hand washing as an extra precaution in case 8 INCLEAN July / August 2021
any virus is still on your hands. Alcohol can kill the germs on your hands but it cannot clean them. If your hands are soiled, you must perform a full hand wash.
Disinfect high touch surfaces High-touch surfaces such as keyboards, desks, door handles, table-tops, light switches and taps may become contaminated directly with bodily fluids or indirectly with hands not properly washed. As an example, studies show that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), can remain on surfaces for up to several days, including 48 hours on stainless steel and 72 hours on plastic*. This highlights the importance of routine disinfection of high touch surfaces to assist in preventing the risk of transmitting viruses. Commonly touched surfaces should be put on a cleaning schedule to ensure they are disinfected frequently throughout the day.
SPONSORED For added assurance when considering which product to use for disinfecting of high touch surfaces it is preferable to use disinfectants that are listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) for legal supply in Australia. Look for products listed to kill viruses including, H1N1 (Influenza) Rhinovirus (common cold), Norovirus & Rotavirus (Gastroenteritis) and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Also look for a one-step disinfectant with a shorter contact time. The shorter the contact time – 30 seconds or less – the better for inactivating viruses. Also ensure you choose hospital grade disinfectants (such as Oxivir® Excel Wipes from Diversey with a 15-30 second kill time) which are rapidly becoming the new normal in disinfection. Cleaning and disinfecting in one step will accomplish your goal without sacrificing performance and a short contact time helps ensure the product is used in compliance. Look for a product range that offers solutions in wipe, concentrate and ready-to-use formats to meet a variety of needs. Not all product forms are appropriate for all situations. Having flexibility in how the product is applied is important.
The best products are gentle on skin and surfaces while tough on pathogens. Products with technologies like Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP) are markedly safer for people and surfaces while still being tough on pathogens. These disinfectants are also more efficient than the existing slower Quat-based (quaternary ammonium compounds) products, or those formulated on Hypochlorite (Chlorine) or Peracetic acid. AHP achieves the balance of maximising potency while minimising toxicity, breaking down into water and oxygen just minutes after use. To reduce pathways for the spread of viruses this winter season building service contractors and facility managers should pick a disinfectant that is fast-acting, effective and less likely to cause irritation and surface damage. If you have questions about any aspect of Diversey Australia’s hygiene programs, services, products or infection prevention visit our website at diversey. com.au or call 1800 647 779 to speak to our friendly Customer Service to and find out more. *Contact Kerry.bear@diversey.com for supporting data. ■
“
To reduce pathways for the spread of viruses this winter season building service contractors and facility managers should pick a disinfectant that is fast-acting, effective, and less likely to cause irritation and surface damage.
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-19 virus ID
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*
- H1N1 - Rotavirus - Rhinovirus - Norovirus - Poliovirus
All logos and trademarks are owned by or licensed to Diversey, Inc. © 2021 Diversey, Inc. All Rights Reserved. These materials are provided for general information purposes only and do not replace each user’s responsibility to assess the operational, legal and other requirements applicable to each facility. *Under dirty conditions.
www.incleanmag.com.au 9
SPONSORED
Office cleaning - a new normal
A
s Australian businesses are returning to the office many workers are spending morning to evening back at their desks. However, some employees tend to focus on projects and deadlines while ignoring the upkeep of their workspaces. One survey revealed that one in 10 office workers cleans their desk just once a month, and nearly one in 10 admit their workstation never gets disinfected. Considering the current COVID-19 world we live in, this will need to change. In an office setting, cleanliness plays a key role in keeping employees healthy and leads to a more productive workforce. A clean and hygienic office also creates an appealing environment for staff and visiting clients and shapes a company’s brand image. With these facts in mind, BSCs responsible for cleaning commercial offices should focus on several key approaches to keep these spaces clean.
It starts with hands Four out of every five common infections, such as cold and flu viruses, are spread by hands. Therefore, increased hand hygiene has enormous potential to improve overall office hygiene and reduce staff absences. In addition, clean hands spread fewer germs onto high-touch surfaces like desks and doorknobs. Hand hygiene has never been so important and clean hands help keep surfaces cleaner. The percentage of 10 INCLEAN July / August 2021
alcohol in hand sanitiser is key to its effectiveness. An alcohol content of 60% is the minimum recommendation from the TGA. However, sanitisers that have more than 70% alcohol content ensure a faster kill rate. Be purposeful about positioning sanitiser dispensers around the office in entrances, hallways, board rooms and common areas. Look for hybrid dispensers with both an automatic and a manual option to provide uninterrupted hand hygiene, like the unique Intellicare system from Diversey. For restrooms, BSCs should regularly refill a hand soap product that cleans hands and leaves a pleasant scent in the washroom for future users, an extra sign of cleanliness.
Protecting high touch areas Inside an office, numerous high-touch surfaces, as well as hard-surface and carpet floors, inevitably attract germs and stains. It is crucial to maintain these areas to promote a hygienic and clean workplace: Promote proper management of high-touch surfaces and implement a schedule to ensure regular cleaning of all high-touch surfaces. Employees constantly touch their desks, answer phones, use keyboards and turn doorknobs to go from room to room. At the same time, pathogens move from surface to surface by a simple touch. This makes it important to clean and disinfect frequently these high touch surfaces. To handle these surfaces, seek
SPONSORED
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In an office setting, cleanliness plays a key role in keeping employees healthy and leads to a more productive workforce.
”
out versatile, non-toxic disinfectant wipes that deliver fast-acting, broad spectrum disinfection with enhanced cleaning power. For COVID-19, look for disinfectants that are legally supplied in Australia and listed in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Products with a shorter contact time - one minute or less – are ideal. Technologies like Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide (AHP), are markedly safer and more efficient than the existing slower Quat-based (quaternary ammonium compounds) products, or those formulated on Hypochlorite or Peracetic acid. Ensure products not only kill viruses, bacteria and fungi, but are gentle on surfaces and safe for staff and guests. AHP achieves the balance of maximising potency while minimising toxicity, breaking down into water and oxygen just minutes after use.
Carpet care for first impressions Office floors with carpet become dirty quickly. Employees’ track in debris and water from outdoors, and those who eat lunch in the office may spill or drop food. BSCs should integrate the floor-cleaning plan into a larger strategic cleaning plan, and look for the most effective products
to match their office’s needs. For carpet, find a general-purpose cleaner that takes care of tough stains without re-soiling the carpet. Diversey’s TASKI Procarpet range allows you to control all carpet cleaning activities and select the application that best fits their needs. Utilising interim cleaning will help to extend the time between deep cleaning activities keeping carpets looking better for longer without extended dry times. Vacuum consistently, and consider a versatile vacuum cleaner with the ability to both minimise noise and energy consumption such as the TASKI Aero range.
Cohesive office cleaning Regardless of the size of the office space they oversee, BSCs must have a comprehensive and cohesive cleaning plan in place. Understanding a cleaner, healthier office is a more productive office and cleaning properly and consistently ultimately benefits the company’s bottom line. Diversey’s facility management solutions save time and increase profits while creating greater value for your customers. Contact your Diversey Representative on 1800 647 779 to find out more. ■
Announcing the TASKI PROCARPET 30 Carpet Extraction & Encapsulation
Lower Total Cost of Ownership Control all your carpet cleaning activities simply by selecting the application that best fits your needs.
Interim cleaning will help extend the time between deep cleaning activities,
keeping carpets looking better longer without extended dry times.
Want to know more? Contact our friendly Customer Service Team today! Diversey.com.au 1800AUST 547 779 or aucustserv@diversey.com. R 164850 All logos and trademarks are owned by or licensed to Diversey, Inc. © 2021 Diversey, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
www.incleanmag.com.au 11
INDUSTRY NEWS
ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo welcomes new sponsors The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo has welcomed a number of leading brands as gold and silver sponsors. Hosted by ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo is the industry’s leading trade event. This year, the show will take place at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney on the 12-13 October 2021. Gold sponsor of the event is Victory Innovations, a leading manufacturer of cordless patented electrostatic spraying equipment for disinfecting surfaces. Tony D’Antonio, managing director, Australia and New Zealand, said it is important for Victory Innovations to be involved in the 2021 ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo to bring its worldwide patented technology to the Australia and New Zealand markets. “This is also a major opportunity to increase the Victory Innovations brand and product recognition nationally and build on the number of our authorised distribution partners to get this technology into the hands of end users to protect the Australian and New Zealand public at large, as well as keeping the economies open by protecting them from reinfecting and ‘stopping the spread’ of COVID-19 and other viruses,” said D’Antonio. The event has also welcomed silver sponsors; ACCO Brands Australia, Airhygiene Training, Rubbedin and Tennant Australia. ACCO Brands Australia is a leading manufacturer and distributor of cleaning chemicals, janitorial supplies, and general office products to the retail and commercial sector. “Sponsoring the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo allows ACCO Brands to seek valuable feedback on the industry, expand its cleaning and janitorial knowledge, and reinforce its commitment to the commercial and retail sectors,” said Ben Antecki, brand manager, ACCO Brands. 12 INCLEAN July / August 2021
Airhygiene Training is a boutique RTO (registered training organisation) providing quality teaching of air-conditioning hygiene. “Sharing ideas and knowledge can only be good for the industry, and that’s why we’re proud to attach our name to the Expo and align ourselves with ISSA’s work,” said David Jones, lead trainer and director, Airhygiene Training. Rubbedin is an Australian-owned company that manufactures cleaning and surface protection solutions for domestic and commercial use. “The Expo presents the perfect opportunity to launch and educate users about our new range of disinfectants and sanitisers,” said Bronwen Russell, product marketing coordinator, Rubbedin. Tennant Company is a leading manufacturer of indoor and outdoor environmental cleaning solutions. “The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo is a highly anticipated show in 2021 and an important one for the industry, and this is the first time in two years that the industry will be able to get together since COVID-19,” said Markus Haefeli, General Manager, Tennant Australia & NZ. “Even though we had many challenges thrown at us in 2020, Tennant Australia – as the market leader in this country – continues to support the industry by developing new technologies, solutions, and brands (AMR, HEPA, IPC),” Haefeli added. This year the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo will also coincide with facilities management event, Total Facilities, which will also take place on 11-13 October at the ICC Sydney. For more information, or to register for the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, visit: https://issacleaninghygieneexpo.com
Cleanstar donates protective face shields in response to COVID crisis in India Cleanstar in partnership with the Kerala Hindu Society Melbourne and DHL have donated 50,000 protective face shields in response to the ongoing COVID-19 public health response in India. In May, Cleanstar representatives, along with members of the local Kerala Hindu community, were joined by Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ros Spence, at DHL headquarters in Melbourne to see off the shipment. Lisa Michalson, director of Cleanstar, said her and her team were eager to help those in need after seeing the devastation in India from the COVID pandemic. “One our team member’s husband is part of an organisation within the local Kerala Hindu Community, so they got together and contacted their local hospital in India and asked them what they are looking for. The hospital asked for 50,000 face shields and we were happy to oblige,” Michalson said. In conjunction with DHL, the masks were sent directly via airfreight. “We feel so lucky in Australia that COVID hasn’t hit us like the rest of the world and our hearts bleed for India, so it was a no-brainer to donate these face shields to the hospital. “The community is most grateful to us and we are simply happy that we can do something good from them from so far away. We congratulate all those involved for coming together for such a worthy cause.” Based in Melbourne, Cleanstar is a leading Australian brand of cleaning machinery, parts, and accessories. Cleanstar is a wholesaler of commercial and domestic vacuum cleaner bags, filters, spare parts, and equipment, for both domestic and commercial sectors, with an extensive portfolio of products and brands.
www.incleanmag.com.au 13
INDUSTRY NEWS
Central Cleaning Supplies secures five new retail sites Central Cleaning Supplies is expanding its network of retail outlets after securing five new sites. The new sites will take Central Cleaning Supplies total number of outlets to 13 nationwide as well as three distribution centres. Central Cleaning Supplies, one of the largest distributors of cleaning materials, chemicals, and equipment, is headquartered in West Footscray, Victoria. New Central Cleaning Supplies outlets to open include Cannonvale, located in the Whitsunday region, Queensland, and South Australia, which will be the first outlet for the state. Three sites will also open in Victoria, including one in Ballarat, regional Victoria. “We are really excited to have secured five more outlets for Central Cleaning Supplies. Our growing footprint of outlets provides greater coverage and convenience for our customers,” said Joe Camilleri, managing director of Central Cleaning Supplies.
“Our new stores will provide further assistance for our customers who can go in-store and speak to our staff, view our extensive product range, as well be given equipment demonstrations.” Central Cleaning Supplies has been in operation for more than 30 years and provides an extensive range of products and services catering for the professional, commercial, industrial, and domestic cleaning industry. “Central Cleaning Supplies is a trusted industry brand for many cleaning companies. Our customers can buy our products from our retail sites, online, or direct via our sales and customer service division. “At Central Cleaning Supplies, we also provide customers on-site training and technical seminars, such as safety training, chemical handling, as well as new product and equipment training. “More sites and team members on the ground around Australia means we can continue to provide more value, service and innovative products to our customers.”
Central Cleaning Supplies’ new store in Cannonvale, located in the Whitsunday region
Whiteley appoints new industrial sales manager Whiteley has appointed Ivan Obreza to its industrial division. Based in Sydney, Obreza has a wealth of industry experience and will be responsible for all industrial distribution customers in NSW and Tasmania. Starting his career as a registered nurse, Obreza has held several senior business and clinical advisory positions. He has brought cleaning and infection control expertise to those working in healthcare, mining, farming, food production, education, childcare, hospitality, and retail. Obreza has also been active with the Australasian College of Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) as a member. “Whiteley is a leading global innovator in cleaning and disinfection and has been a
14 INCLEAN July / August 2021
trusted supplier to the industry for over 85 years,” Obreza said. “This role gives me the opportunity to assist our valuable distribution partners deliver their own growth plans while simultaneously providing customers with quality products and cleaning solutions.” “At Whiteley, our solutions basket and infection prevention expertise is the differentiator,” he said. Kathryn Bran, Asia Pacific sales manager of Whiteley said, “We are delighted to welcome Ivan into the Whiteley family. His experience and industry knowledge adds depth to our already successful Industrial team. We look forward to seeing Ivan adding further value to our customer base.”
INDUSTRY NEWS
First integrated chemical capsule system launched for i-mop floor scrubber i-team ANZ is pleased to announce the launch of the another first; the i-dose system for the i-mop xl floor scrubber. i-dose is the first known chemical capsule system specifically designed for use in floor scrubbing equipment. i-dose allows operators to safely and accurately dose exactly the right amount of chemical into their i-mop and is made entirely from eco-friendly ingredients. “We often receive requests from for recommendation on the best cleaning detergent to be used in the i-mop. While we continue to advocate chemical free cleaning due to the tremendous cleaning power of the i-mop, there are applications where an effective chemical detergent is required,” said i-team ANZ. “The i-dose gives i-mop users a simple, cost effective eco-friendly chemical solution while ensuring chemical is never overused, an issue which is typically the largest cause of floorcare maintenance issues.” i-dose is hailed as an ideal solution to improve safety, cost control and cleaning results in sites without onsite automated chemical dispensing equipment. i-dose is available from all authorised i-team ANZ i-partners.
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www.incleanmag.com.au 15
INDUSTRY NEWS
Polivac to release Auto Terminator Plus Carpet Extractor Machine Polivac is set to launch its latest carpet extractor machine, the Auto Terminator Plus. According to the company, the product’s release is in response to the enhanced cleaning standards and increased level of frequency witnessed by the carpet cleaning industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Carpet cleaning companies need to make a thoughtful decision and invest in machines that deliver productivity and provide a competitive edge. Understanding this, Polivac has designed the new Auto Terminator Plus,” the company said. The carpet extractor machine incorporates features to optimise resource utilisation and reduce downtime. The machine is current undergoing testing and is set to the released to the market in the next few months. “Carpet cleaners find it challenging to clean large areas as they must empty the dirt water tank and refill the solution tank frequently. Understanding this difficulty, Polivac has equipped the new Auto Terminator Plus with an auto fill/ auto empty facility which improves the productivity and reduces the downtime thus helps to speed up cleaning of large areas.” The machine is also furnished with a dirt collecting basket which collects larger particles and filters dirt water, hence makes it easier & faster for the cleaners to clean the conventional filter screens in the machine. The Auto terminator Plus has a compact body that, according to Polivac, makes it easier to maneuver the machine through small areas and it easily fits into the back of most of the station wagons. The Auto terminator Plus has been manufactured and designed at the company’s Melbourne-based facility. “All Polivac products are Australian made. We truly believe Australian made products can lead the world in quality and innovation.”
Clorox Australia launches Disinfecting Bio Stain & Odor Remover Clorox Australia has introduced Clorox Disinfecting Bio Stain & Odor Remover, a one-step product that cleans, disinfects, and deodorises surfaces and can be used for accidents involving the toughest bio soils such as blood, faeces, vomit and urine on both hard and soft surfaces. Clorox Disinfecting Bio Stain & Odor Remover is effective against a range of bio soils including blood, vomit, urine, faeces, sweat and body oils, and is ideal for use in hightraffic locations such as schools, offices, athletic facilities, restaurants and bars, hotels, veterinary and pet care facilities, healthcare and long-term care facilities, and other public areas. Bio messes like blood, faeces and vomit can contain a variety of pathogens, and as people move throughout the environment, they interact with different surfaces and move germs from surface to surface. The impact can be tremendous and not just on public health, but on reputation, as well. Clorox Disinfecting Bio Stain & Odor Remover delivers strong cleaning performance and broad surface compatibility. Its scientific formulation harnesses the stainlifting power of surfactants to break down bio soils and eliminate stains and odours better than enzymes and kill pathogens in as little as 30 seconds. It is TGA ARTG listed to kill 19 microorganisms commonly found in bio messes like blood, faeces and vomit, including COVID-19‡, HIV-1, herpes simplex virus, influenza A virus, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses, norovirus, methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and more. The versatile, low-pH formula can be used on a wide variety of hard and soft surfaces and materials including floors, common plastics, tile, glazed porcelain, ceramic and enamel, grout, fabrics, upholstery, mattresses, carpet and more. ARTG listed soft surface sanitiser, killing 99.9 per cent of bacteria. Available in a pull top, and 3.78 litre refill. ‡
18 INCLEAN July / August 2021
SARS-CoV-2 on hard, nonporous surfaces
INDUSTRY NEWS
Service FM announces board members amid business transformation ServiceFM’s board has been announced, with Dr Mal Hemmerling and Jennifer Ma joining the organisation as it completes a multi-year business transformation. The business is a merging of the entities formerly operating under the banner of Academy Group Services – Academy Services, eSafe and UniversalFM. The board will be chaired by former Adelaide Grand Prix, Bob Jane Corporation and Sydney Olympics chief Dr Mal Hemmerling. He will be joined on the ServiceFM board by Glen Browne, ServiceFM founder and owner; Mauro Viola, ServiceFM revenue director; and Jennifer Ma, Chapman Capital Partners managing director.
“This is an exciting time for this company as we transform to suit the needs of our clients and the modern business environment,” Dr Hemmerling said. ServiceFM’s transformation to a facility services company has seen it become a fully digital integrated business via the upgrading of business systems, improved organisational capability and a companywide rebrand. The transformation has been a multi-year project. Services include asset management, commercial and corporate cleaning, commercial hospitality, electrical compliance, infection control, operational services, security & electrical Services, and workplace management. The company has a national footprint with offices in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
Solaris, Sorbent and Cottonsoft (NZ) businesses welcome new leaders Continuing Solaris Paper’s journey of development and enhancing business practices, July 2021 will see two new leaders join the Solaris, Sorbent and Cottonsoft (NZ) businesses. Kurt Hegvold has a long-standing pedigree in FMCG companies and most recently was CEO of SC Johnson for ANZ. Hegvold joins as CEO for ANZ and brings to the business a sound, strategic application to lead the development of the companies’ goals and aspirations. Hegvold will be joined by Jo Semidang who also comes from a strong background in working for prominent FMCG companies. Semidang will be Country Manager Australia. Sorbent, Solaris and Cottonsoft have as their strategic supply partner, Asia Pulp and Paper (APP)/ APP is one of the world’s largest pulp and paper companies with plants across the globe manufacturing paper and tissue products and still family owned from Indonesia. 20 INCLEAN July / August 2021
APP’s vertical integration and technology strengths will be invaluable in allowing our ANZ companies to move ahead of the curve in new production innovation. APP has a strong commitment to sustainable supply from its vast plantations where “Zero Deforestation” is practiced in the supply of virgin fibre for converting into the many tissue finished goods Solaris supplies to the B2B channel and Sorbent supplies to the retail markets of Australia, while Cottonsoft concentrates on the New Zealand market. This unity sees Solaris Paper as one of the top three paper product manufacturers in Australia and paused ready to grow its business base significantly alongside and synergistically with The Sorbent Paper Company. Both companies practice strong ethical and responsible supply practices, independently certified as sustainable by PEFC and a SEDEX member for ethical sourcing.
Australia’s largest range of Commercial & Domestic Vacuum Cleaners, Spare Parts, Accessories and Consumables
(03) 9460 5655 sales@cleanstar.com.au www.cleanstar.com.au
15 YEARS STRONG
INDUSTRY NEWS
Softbank Robotics, GERMii launch AI-powered cleaning robot SoftBank Robotics Singapore has announced the launch of a two-in-one automated commercial floorcare cleaning and disinfection solution in partnership with Australian pathogen mitigation company, GERMii. The partnership sees SoftBank Robotics Singapore combine the capabilities of its AI-powered flagship robot vacuum cleaner, Whiz, with GERMii’s ultraviolet-C (UV-C) technology. GERMii specialises in the application of proven UV-C sanitisation or sterilisation technology designed, engineered and locally manufactured in Australia. Whiz works autonomously, allowing cleaning staff to focus on other higher value tasks while removing the cleaning staff of laborious large-scale cleaning and delivers cleanliness consistency in floor cleaning standard. Kenichi Yoshida, chief business officer at SoftBank Robotics Corp, said the company is extremely proud to be collaborating with an Australian-born innovator. “Our flagship robot, Whiz, in partnership with GERMii, will help tackle the real risks Australians face every day in quarantine hotels and other high-risk areas. With a heightened focus on eliminating any transmission from quarantine hotels and international flights, we are committed to plugging this gap by eradicating pathogens directly at the source to save time and help cleaners focus on areas unreachable by machines.”
OCS NZ establishes advisory group A new advisory group – featuring some of New Zealand’s most prominent business people – is set to support one of the country’s largest facilities management services companies to tackle key issues facing New Zealand business, including employee wellbeing. Established by OCS New Zealand, the group includes Sir Bill English, Rob Fyfe, Francois Barton, Mike Burrell, and Jo Wills, who all bring a wealth of local and international knowledge and expertise. Gareth Marriott, OCS ANZ managing director, said one of the greatest challenges the business and the global workforce is facing is employee wellbeing. “Across the globe, we can see that people are simply running on empty which is impacting their personal and work lives, and that’s particularly prevalent for essential workers. “As a business, we know we don’t have all the answers, but we also know we need to make employee wellbeing a priority if we want our workforce and our customers to thrive. That’s one of the areas where we need to draw on the expertise of our group to come up with fresh solutions with real impact.” Rob Fyfe, accustomed to working with and transforming some of the world’s commercial giants, said the group provides a formidable strategic force for OCS. 22 INCLEAN July / August 2021
“The group combines political and commercial acumen, expertise in health, safety and workplace wellbeing, in-depth sustainable business insights, and decades of strategic advisory experience and global connectedness,” said Fyfe. Marriott said the challenges of the last 14 months showed him the benefits of being able to draw on expert advice across some critical areas and to help the business and its workforce to grow and thrive, he needed to be looking outside the business. The group will meet four times a year to ensure clear strategic objectives are set and met for the business as well as tackling key themes.
A winning partnership! Floor scrubbers – sweepers – vacuum cleaners This partnership includes a range of highly efficient walk-behind and ride-on machines, so you can start your floorcare maintenance and in-depth cleaning program now. Revolutionary cleaning Comac machines revolutionise small-area cleaning, replacing traditional cleaning techniques such as mopping. The value of time Thanks to forward-thinking technical solutions, Comac machines provide value over time, even if used heavily during their life cycle. Far-reaching Whatever your indoor or outdoor floor cleaning needs, there is a Comac machine that’s right for the job. As a global supplier to cleaning professionals, you can rely on Comac.
A wide range perfect for:
To learn more please contact our Godfreys team today. Call 1800 815 270 or email corporate@godfreys.com.au
SPONSORED
Update your LinkedIn profile and professional headshots with the onsite photographer at this year’s ISSA Cleaning and Hygiene Expo. Spots will be limited so attendees will need to book fast!
Network. Learn. Grow
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Why this year’s ISSA Cleaning and Hygiene Expo is not be missed!
SSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, is putting the cleaning industry on centre stage on the 12-13 October, with the annual ISSA Cleaning and Hygiene Expo. “It has been two years since the last show and feedback from the market is that there is excitement with the return of live events, and the industry is enthusiastic to once again come together,” says Lauren Micallef, Oceania Manager ISSA. The two-day, free to attend event will be held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Darling Harbour, Sydney. “This is the second year that the ISSA Expo will take place at the ICC and after the extremely positive feedback in 2018 we are thrilled to return to this world class venue. “2019 saw the show experience its largest number of attendees to date and was a success for both exhibitors and visitors. With year-onyear attendee growth we are keen to keep the momentum progressing. “2020 was a unique year, that placed a spotlight on the cleaning industry. The world became highly aware of the important role we play in maintaining and supporting public health and safety,” says Stuart Nicol, ISSA Advisory Council Chair. “The expo is a chance to showcase the progress the industry has made and the technologies we’ve developed to overcome the challenges of COVID-19,” says Tony Gorgovski, BIC Services CEO. The show floor is almost sold out with limited spots available and over 70 exhibitors keen to showcase their latest products, services, solutions and innovations to the market. “It’s all about discovery! With more than 3000 attendees the expo provides visitors a unique place to connect in-person, as well as
the opportunity to survey the market and experience first-hand the latest industry offerings for your business,” says Josh Hastings, Tennant Company Marketing Manager – ANZ. In addition, this year marks the largest number of sponsors for the event to date, with companies getting behind the industry and supporting the expo.
EDUCATION PROGRAM The education program will kick-start with Michael O’Loughlin, former champion Sydney Swans, Australian Rules footballer as well as advocate and mentor in the Indigenous community. He will be joined by Rohan Tobler who has been part of the Redfern Water Authority, worked for the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence and in 2013 was selected as one of top eleven emerging leaders. Both play a vital role in ARA Indigenous Services. During their session they will be digging deep and discussing Indigenous programs. Attendees will walk away with a greater understanding of what they truly need to consider when implementing these programs to market. The education stream will continue with a variety of topics which are designed to provide you with knowledge and necassary tools to grow your business, develop your staff, and remain up-to-date with evolving industry trends. “It has never been more important for businesses and professionals to remain nimble, relevant, and informed,” says Kathryn Groening, ISSA Education and Training Specialist.
Networking Events // INCLEAN Excellence Awards In 2021 ISSA INCLEAN Excellence Awards will provide businesses with a unique opportunity to showcase their products and services, reward colleagues and celebrate the success and achievements of the cleaning industry. Awards finalists will be able to showcase their products in the Innovation Zone and the winners will be announced and presented their awards during the networking drinks on the show floor at 4pm Tuesday 12th October 2021.
24 INCLEAN July / August 2021
Celebrate the success and conclusion of the ISSA Cleaning and Hygiene Expo at the ISSA networking drinks on the show floor. Drinks and canapes will take place from 4pm on Wednesday 13th October 2021. The ISSA Cleaning and Hygiene Expo is the only show for the cleaning industry in Australia and is not to be missed.
To register, visit: www.issacleaninghygieneexpo.com
SPONSORED
Double the value In addition, this year the ISSA Cleaning and Hygiene Expo will coincide with facilities management event Total Facilities, which will take place on 11-13th October 2021. Attendees for both shows will have complimentary access to each exhibition and show-floor education. This is an important event for the facilities management sector and will allow procurement and facility managers as well as building service contractors the opportunity to attend two key events during the same week at the same location, maximising their visit. “There is a strong relationship between the cleaning and the facility’s industry” added Nicol. “This is a great opportunity to further bring theses market segments together, enabling both groups to see first-hand the products and service that can be integrated into both fields.”
“We have been listening to visitor feedback from past events and have increased the number of panel discussions in 2021.” Hot topics include infection prevention, the aged care sector, indigenous outcomes, technological advancements, occupational health and safety, social enterprise, supply chain and procurement, and business management to name a few. “There will be a subject for everyone with so many experts and industry thought leaders partaking in this year’s education program. Don’t miss this chance to invite your team to this freeto-attend event, where they can broaden their knowledge and understanding of the cleaning and hygiene market” added Groening.
WORKSHOPS Accord is delighted to be partnering with ISSA to deliver the Packaging Challenge. The packaging space in Australia is a buzz. There are National Packaging Targets. A National Plastics Plan. And states and territories have their eyes firmly fixed on ‘problematic plastic packaging.
“While the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly shone a spotlight on the importance of cleaning and hygiene, the sustainability of the product packaging our sector uses is another opportunity for our industry to stand out as an example of proactive and responsible product stewardship,” says Bronwyn Capanna, Accord Executive Director. “The Packaging Challenge is a sector-specific deep-dive into this highly topical sustainability issue for the cleaning and hygiene products industry. In the context of the current landscape, attendees will gain unique insights into this sector’s current packaging use and learn from experts across the packaging supply chain on innovations for circularity. 2020 presented opportunities and complications for the way businesses marketed and utilised their spend. Companies had to look at new and innovative ways to grow their business, reach their audience and connect with customers. Digital marketing experienced a dramatic increase, with LinkedIn formulating a key tool for promoting thought leadership. However, as a company are you optimising LinkedIn to its full potential? Are you aware of the ‘tricks of the trade’ to keep your brand and content top of mind with your customers? Sean Matthews, Banksia Consulting Group and Michelle Raymond, Good Trading Co, a LinkedIn Pages Specialist will address these issues and present ways you can boost your reputation and revenue. During this interactive session they will explore employee advocacy programs and runs through techniques on how to boost performance. Sales, management, business owners and procurement teams looking to differentiate themselves and elevate their businesses would benefit from the workshop with Susan Crane, Susan Crane Consulting. Participants will gain an understanding of quality management systems with a focus on how to differentiate themselves from their competitors, understand their cost to serve and delve into tighter procurement and tender practices.
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It has been two years since the last show and feedback from the market is that there is excitement with the return of live- events, and the industry is enthusiastic to once again come together - Lauren Micallef, Oceania Manager ISSA.
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To register for the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, visit: www.issacleaninghygieneexpo.com ■ www.incleanmag.com.au 25
TECHNOLOGY
26 INCLEAN July / August 2021
TECHNOLOGY
The robotics revolution
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The rise of autonomous technology in the post-pandemic marketplace.
n the wake of the global pandemic, cleaning contractors have ramped up their adoption of robotic floor scrubbers and other autonomous solutions. Autonomous cleaning machines are helping mitigate the threat of outbreaks such as COVID-19 by delivering a consistent, efficient, and importantly, a measurable clean. Brain Corp, an artificial intelligence (AI) software company, announced record growth in 2020, achieving more than a 300 per cent increase in robotic deployments last year, while also generating an estimated 3.3 million hours in productivity for end customers. As of January 2021, the company and its partners had deployed more than 14,500 BrainOS-powered robots, representing the world’s largest robotic fleet operating in public indoor spaces (retail and grocery stores, airports, schools and healthcare facilities). “Given the rapid adoption rates and strong value proposition, robotic solutions are clearly becoming the new commercial cleaning standard,” says Dr Eugene Izhikevich, CEO of Brain Corp. “In today’s changing world, businesses are rethinking their automation strategies, bringing robots out from behind locked areas and into public spaces where they bring a new level of process automation.” Joe Camilleri, managing director of Central Cleaning Supplies, says there has been heightened demand for autonomous machines due to the increased scope of cleaning as a result of the pandemic. Central Cleaning Supplies’ LionsBot range includes: LeoScrub, LeoMop, LeoVac, LeoPull and LeoRay. Benefits of Central Cleaning Supplies’
LionsBot range include its ease of deployment, scheduling cleaning tasks, effective monitoring, improved productivity and can work 24/7. “We are seeing an increased demand in market to undertake touch point cleaning. We are definitely seeing a significant uptake,” says Camilleri. He says cleaning robots can perform many simple and repetitive tasks, allowing the cleaning team to focus more on cleaning duties that are complex for autonomous machines to perform. “Robotics help to assist cleaners speed up cleaning tasks while delivering greater efficiency and cleaning consistency. By having robots performing repetitive floor cleaning tasks, this allows the cleaners to focus more on complex duties such as touch point cleaning.” Natalie Moussa, marketing manager – Pacific, Nilfisk, says the company has witnessed an upsurge in autonomous machine usage in the last 12 months, especially in markets heavily impacted by the pandemic. “COVID-19 has driven home the benefits of autonomous machines, and not just because of the greater cleaning coverage and consistency leading to risk reduction. “As cleaning teams gained more tasks to keep up with hygiene requirements for COVID-19, autonomous technology has been able to step in to fill the gap and ensure all tasks are completed to schedule.” Faizan Sheikh, CEO and co-founder, AvidBots, says AvidBots, in partnership with Conquest Equipment, has seen a 100 per cent demand increase for its Neo fully autonomous floor scrubbing robot since the pandemic reached North America in March of 2020. www.incleanmag.com.au 27
TECHNOLOGY
In particular, AvidBots has seen increased requests for robotic cleaning solutions from airports, warehousing and logistics centres, manufacturing facilities, schools, and retail. “We anticipate demand will continue to remain high once the crisis has passed, as society will continue to demand a much higher level and frequency of cleaning and disinfection than before, and businesses will be required to retain higher and more frequent cleaning protocols,” explains Sheikh.
RESPONDING TO HEIGHTENED CLEANING DEMANDS According to Heidi Tran, product manager ANZ, Tennant Company, COVID-19 has impacted how people view ‘clean’ and what that could look like. “The increasing demand for businesses to implement a robust and stringent cleaning program from a health and safety perspective is important for customers, employees, and employers across all industries. “Businesses need to meet people’s new expectations of clean. It’s at the heart of restoring confidence in daily living. The traditional, manual approaches are no longer enough to meet people’s new expectations of clean. “We are seeing a rapid and increased interest around our autonomous solutions across several key verticals; however, it should be noted that autonomous cleaning machines are not for everyone.
Tennant Company
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Given the rapid adoption rates and strong value proposition, robotic solutions are clearly becoming the new commercial cleaning standard.
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“Understanding the site, the type of application and customer expectation is the first step in the process of deciding whether a robotic scrubbing solution is right for a business, then there is a set of criteria the site will need to meet for that autonomous solution to be successful.” Tennant currently offers two robotic scrubber models in Australia and New Zealand; the T7AMR and the T380AMR. More than 5000 Tennant AMRs have now been shipped globally. In pandemic times, the T7AMR is helping businesses address labour challenges, drive efficiencies, and maintain a high standard of cleaning across multiple healthcare sites in New South Wales and South Australia. Since deployment, flagship hospitals have successfully reallocated hundreds of employee hours per site by utilising T7AMRs achieving more than 90 per cent usage in autonomous mode across day and night shift – giving employees opportunity to focus on other higher value tasks, like high-touch cleaning and sanitisation.
CONSISTENT, SAFE, AND MEASURABLE FLOOR CLEANING
AvidBots
28 INCLEAN July / August 2021
“The rise of the robot in the workplace allows cleaning teams to get more out of their jobs and contributes to better employee retention and higher-level tasks performed by humans.” says Keegan Hendricks, national AMR technical assistance (TAC) specialist, Tennant Company. “Robots are largely intended to prevent accidents at the workplace because they replace tasks traditionally performed by humans. In autonomous mode the machine can brake three times faster than a human can when in manual mode. “This in turn reduces the number of potential incidents due to human error. Night-time cleaning crews may get tired or lose focus, which can lead to accidents or damaged equipment, structures or products.”
Solaris Paper Pty Ltd. 8 Basalt Road, Pemulwuy NSW 2145, Australia 1300 832 883 | www.solarispaper.com.au
TECHNOLOGY
LeoBots range available from Central Cleaning Supplies
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Businesses need to meet people’s new expectations of clean - it’s at the heart of restoring confidence in daily living. The traditional, manual approaches are no longer enough to meet people’s new expectations of clean. - Heidi Tran, Tennant Australia & New Zealand
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30 INCLEAN July / August 2021
According to Hendricks, autonomous cleaning machines are designed to be reliable and consistent in addition to being designed with built-in safety features. Achieving touch-dry floors through optimal water pick-up when scrubbing, even in tight turns, minimises the risk of slip-and-fall injuries. Another benefit is consistent and measurable floor cleaning. With integrated data capture technology, the machines can deliver proof-ofclean via real time performance and utilisation tracking - cleaning can be verified by operations staff as being completed and done correctly. Autonomous solutions also provide metrics and data on each cleaning operation. The metrics provided can then be used to optimise the cleaning operation over a period of time. “In the wake of the pandemic the importance of regular and consistent cleaning and disinfection has come “out of the shadows” and organisations across many industries are now focusing extra attention on their cleaning operations,” explains Sheikh. “What this means for cleaning teams is that they’re often stretched thin with limited resources (both people and equipment) to meet the increased cleaning demand. “By deploying an autonomous floor scrubbing solution an organisation can reallocate the labour that would have been tasked with floor cleaning to business-critical or value-add tasks. “With autonomous floor scrubbers, floorcare has gone from a cost center to a revenue generating activity.”
CO-BOT COLLABORATION “Autonomous machines are what we at Nilfisk like to call co-bots,” says Moussa. “That is, they work alongside cleaning teams to improve the team’s productivity, and job satisfaction while reducing risk to staff safety.” “This is because with autonomous machines, cleaning teams can focus more time and effort on expertly completing tasks that require a human touch, while the co-bot works on the time consuming and repetitive task of cleaning floors. “The cleaning team can take pride in completing an ever-increasing workload, ensuring output that is more thorough, and completed within the tight timeframes expected of them so they can meet their KPIs even when emergency tasks pop up.” With an autonomous cleaning solution maintaining the floor space, often the largest area that needs to be cleaned regularly in any facility, cleaning teams have more time to disinfect other areas and surfaces. Once deployed and working alongside the cleaning team, co-bots will tackle the timeconsuming task of floor cleaning letting the team focus their efforts on higher value tasks such as cleaning restrooms, break rooms, conference rooms and lunchrooms. More time can be spent on tasks that require human dexterity to complete. Hendricks says like the AMRs, autonomous machines should be considered as a tool to help and support current cleaning teams.
TECHNOLOGY
“These “co-bots” allow employees to focus on more complex, strategic cleaning. Autonomous scrubbers are an aid to already stressed staff and deliver a consistent and verifiable clean.” Tran says the machines can increase staff engagement by shifting unengaging tasks to robotic floor cleaners. “Cleaning staff can take on different responsibilities — from expanding their skillset to include robot training and management, to focusing on critical high-touch surface disinfection.” Autonomous cleaning machines can also help re-align staff priorities. With the rise of cleaning expectations due to COVID-19, it means a growing task list to be completed each shift. Site managers and cleaning staff are then left with the dilemma of for example whether they should clean the floor or focus on high touch surface area. Cleaning teams can now leave the floor scrubbing to the robots — freeing up more time for staff to focus on higher value tasks. However, Tran advises autonomous cleaning machines should not be a means to replace cleaning staff. “Implementing a robotic solution can help businesses increase their staff engagement and mitigate staff turnover. Not only can it help from a job satisfaction point of view, but also reduce maintenance cost due to equipment damage from operator error during manual operation. “We’ve seen facilities see AMR deployment as an opportunity to upskill their employees. The machine becomes an employee that is expected to perform, therefore by instilling an employee with the task of managing a fleet of machinery including robotics they are upskilling and cross skilling their teams. The operators become trainers to new employees when integrating the robot into their daily cleaning regimes.”
TIPS TO CONSIDER For those cleaning companies considering implementing autonomous machines, be sure to find a solution that meets your business’ needs. “Businesses need to first ask themselves what the motivation for autonomous machine deployment is, and whether their expectations are realistic,” advises Tran. “That’s why we developed an evaluation tool for businesses who are considering a robotic cleaning solution. “We want to make sure our customers are supported at each stage of their autonomous journey. The true value in robotic cleaning lies in how it allows businesses to change the way they clean — becoming more efficient and more strategic about current cleaning processes and how to allocate or reallocate resources is important.”
Nilfisk
Camilleri recommends looking for a supplier that offers comprehensive technical support, providing around the clock service and what else the robot can add value to your business, beyond its cleaning abilities. “For example, after completion of their cleaning tasks, our floor cleaning robots can be deployed to other areas to welcome customers or provide information via scanning of their QR code as an added benefit to the end user client.” Another tip? Nilfisk’s Moussa says to consider how easy the machine is to program and operate. “Make sure the machine you select is intuitive and easy to use by choosing a supplier that has expertise in cleaning machines.” Additionally, she suggests ensuring the machine is third-party certified. “While cleaning and efficiency are the key drivers of autonomous cleaning use, safety is a must have. If the machine is cleaning an area where people are likely to be present, such as public facilities, or areas with obstacles or dropoffs, be sure the machine you choose is thirdparty certified.” ■
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Robotics help to assist cleaners speed up cleaning tasks while delivering greater efficiency and cleaning consistency. By having robots performing repetitive floor cleaning tasks, this allows the cleaners to focus more on complex duties such as touch point cleaning. - Joe Camilleri, Central Cleaning Supplies
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www.incleanmag.com.au 31
PROCUREMENT
Delivering the goods
Supply chains and procurement processes have been tested like never before during COVID-19, but smart players in the cleaning industry are finetuning their approaches to ensure a prosperous future. Words Cameron Cooper
W
ith demand for cleaning and healthcare products skyrocketing during COVID-19, many companies have been seeking a procurement and supply chain edge. Bunzl Australasia is confident it has such an advantage. Offering a mix of carefully sourced and checked imports from China that complement other international and domestic products, the specialist distribution group has been able to keep delivering for customers at a time when many others have struggled because of border closures. The ability to use its national network of more than 50 warehouse and office facilities around Australia and two in New Zealand to manage deliveries in its key sectors – healthcare, cleaning and facility management, hospitality, retail and food processing – has also been crucial. “So, at any particular point in time we have been able to quickly transfer stock into and across our national footprint to any of our 16 distributions centres to best support our customers,” says Greg Crisp, sector manager – facility management Australia & New Zealand for Bunzl. “Our supply system was certainly put to the test in 2020 and definitely didn’t break down. We discovered better and smarter ways to support our customers at a most difficult time.”
REGIONAL BOOM PAYS OFF Despite predictions of doom and gloom as a result of the pandemic, some sectors are doing well and many companies have performed strongly as a result. 32 INCLEAN July / August 2021
After suffering a significant decline along with their customers in 2020, Alsco is one of those organisations that has bounced back this year. Alsco provides linen, workwear, commercial floor mats, industrial cleaners, first aid kits and washroom hygiene services to about 48,000 customers. It has gained from a hospitality sector that has thrived in regional areas such as the Hunter Valley in NSW and Far North Queensland as pandemic-weary holidaymakers have travelled to regional and rural areas. “We’ve enjoyed the benefits of that through our laundry services,” says Monique Welsh, divisional general manager at Alsco. “And our washroom division, Fresh & Clean, has been super busy with demand for things like sanitisers.” Welsh says government rules around wearing masks and maintaining hygiene standards has also driven demand, while Alsco’s Cleanroom Garments division has been flat out supplying pharmaceutical companies. Such demand has inevitably put pressure on Alsco’s supply chains, but the business has taken the opportunity to do things better and embrace sustainability. This has included setting up more formalised processes to assess suppliers and to conduct due diligence on them. “Suppliers have to meet strict guidelines around whether their products are sustainable and where they have been ethically sourced,” Welsh says. “We’ve changed a lot of supply partners, especially in the washroom division, and most products are now locally sourced from somewhere in Australia.”
PROCUREMENT
Some products, such as fabric, are still sourced from overseas because Alsco’s required volumes are too high for Australian manufacturers. “But wherever possible we’re looking at getting things locally.” As an example of its commitment to the community, Alsco is also partnering with some social enterprises who use workers that have been victims of domestic violence. “This has come through conversations due to COVID-19 and our new sustainability focus at Alsco,” Welsh says.
SUSTAINABILITY ON THE RADAR The focus in some sections of the cleaning industry on sustainability comes as no surprise to Kendall Benton-Collins, strategic communications manager at GECA, which runs Australia’s only not-for-profit multi-sector ecolabelling program. GECA has developed rigorous lifecycle-based ecolabel standards, following ISO 14024 principles and ISEAL frameworks, that their assurance providers independently assess. These include standards for cleaning products and cleaning services. Benton-Collins says while cleaning products are essential for healthy and appealing living and working conditions, they can also negatively impact human health and the environment. However, she adds that “not all cleaning products are created equal”, and GECA’s licensees “are doing amazing things”. “It’s absolutely possible to make and use cleaning products that are good for the environment!
But, importantly, being GECA certified means that you also have to prove that your products work as promised,” she says. “Lots of products may be fine for the environment, but they may not clean.” As more and more cleaning companies consider switching to ecofriendly products, Benton-Collins urges them to also be people-friendly at a time when Modern Slavery campaigns are targeting workplace conditions in manufacturing centres around the world. “There’s no point having an ecofriendly cleaning product that’s been made under poor working conditions. They should also be good for the health of the end user and be manufactured through a safe and healthy process for the workers.” As part of its sustainability pledge, Welsh says Alsco is “partnering with likeminded businesses who want to be sustainably successful like us”. “If you want the cheapest thing, that’s great, but who is to say that the product hasn’t been brought from an area or company that uses child labour or slavery or generates a lot of pollution. That’s not what we want to do.” The other imperative for Alsco during the pandemic has been to prioritise existing customers and those on the front line of the fight against COVID-19, rather than chasing quick profits from new fly-by-night clients. “We had lots of people calling us who we’d never heard of,” Welsh says. “We had to say, ‘Sorry, we must look after our regulars first’.” Essential service providers, government agencies and healthcare service providers and hospitals have also been prioritised.
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Our supply system was certainly put to the test in 2020 and definitely didn’t break down. We discovered better and smarter ways to support our customers at a most difficult time. - Greg Crisp, Bunzl
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LESSONS FROM DISRUPTION Research from the Capgemini Research Institute, called Fast Forward: Rethinking Supply Chain Resilience for a Post-COVID-19 World, reports that more than 80 per cent of organisations’ supply chains have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic has led to companies prioritising supply chain resilience, with 66 per cent of respondents stating that their supply chain strategy will need to change significantly in order to adapt to life after COVID-19. There is growing awareness, too, that supply chains need to be more flexible and agile so they can react and adapt quickly to potential disruption. In addition to agility, Crisp says Bunzl has put a premium on quality controls at a time when some companies are profiting from the sale of inferior products during a pandemic-related buying frenzy. Operating in 29 countries across four continents, it has a dedicated global procurement team, as well as Bunzl staff and assessors in the Chinese market who ensure compliance with ethical sourcing standards. “You take such a risk as an importer if you haven’t got teams who can check the authenticity and integrity of products,” Crisp says. To safeguard its reputation, Bunzl has been applying four principles when procuring products. www.incleanmag.com.au 33
PROCUREMENT
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There’s no point having an ecofriendly cleaning product that’s been made under poor working conditions. They should also be good for the health of the end user and be manufactured through a safe and healthy process for the workers. - Kendall Benton-Collins, GECA
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34 INCLEAN July / August 2021
First, its ethical supply chains can never be compromised. Second, it always questions and checks product documentation and certifications. Third, it is conscious of rooting out poor products that have been rejected and then repackaged. Fourth, it closely monitors the quality of polymers in products such as gloves which could compromise health standards. “We have been able to check products before they leave the shores to come to Australia. So we have been able to provide audit reports to our clients, especially in healthcare and government, that our product standards will not be compromised.” In meeting stringent quality assurance and quality controls during the pandemic, in addition to adhering to Therapeutic Goods Administration and HACCP international certifications, Crisp believes Bunzl’s scale has been an advantage. “And we’ve been conscious of not just grabbing anything for a quick sales win rather than sticking to our proven and compliant model.” Throughout the pandemic, Alsco has also learnt the importance of insisting on quality from suppliers and having the ability to pivot. Demand for digital thermometers from food manufacturers, for example, prompted the business to be flexible and provide this new product line to customers. With regard to other lessons for industry players, Welsh urges all companies to do their due diligence on suppliers to ensure they are reliable and ethical. Such checks include examining potential suppliers,
getting references, analysing their products and origin, ensuring they are ethically sourced and insisting on quality assurance systems. “That will make a difference in a time of crisis.”
FUTURE-PROOF YOUR BUSINESS At GECA, Benton-Collins says massive disruption of supply chains during COVID-19 – and the ensuing trauma for some companies and employers – has a possible silver lining in so much as companies are now more receptive to frameworks that can make supply chains more resilient. For instance, the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals promoting factors such as improving education, enhancing equality between the sexes, providing decent work and reducing inequality can deliver outcomes that are better for people and the environment. Likewise, Benton-Collins believes a commitment to the Circular Economy mantra of eliminating waste and the continual use of resources will have a big influence on the future of the cleaning industry. She believes more and more cleaning companies will also embrace independent certification such as GECA’s ecolabel. “They definitely see the environmental, social and monetary value in being more sustainable.”
FOCUS ON RESILIENCE Amid all the discussion of the importance of ‘resilient’ supply chains, the Capgemini report explains just what that looks like:
PROCUREMENT • enacting contingency planning that anticipates crises and runs simulations to improve crisis response • prioritising local and regional supplier bases and manufacturing footprints • focusing on sustainability across the supply chain to withstand environmental and regulatory disruptions • ensuring flexibility in production and decision-making, and displaying agility in shifting to new business models • emphasising data-sharing with partners and having full visibility of the supply network. Crisp is confident Bunzl is on the right path in terms of such criteria, adding that communication with clients about possible delivery delays and price fluctuations during COVID-19 has been crucial. Trust and agility are paramount, and Bunzl is focussed on being a strong supply partner at all times, as emphasised during the current global pandemic. “If a product is going to move in price we have to be able to justify and verify that, whether that price variation is up or down. We have to honour our commitments. That’s just good, ethical business.” ■
Sources Capgemini Research Institute, “Fast forward: Rethinking supply chain resilience for a post-COVID-19 world
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FEATURE
Advanced restrooms deliver hygiene and more Words Michael Slawson
Five benefits of smart restroom solutions that help facilities succeed.
I
n the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic, one thing is clear: Hygiene is king. And there seems to be little debate that today’s daunting demand for heightened hygiene will remain long after the pandemic itself has waned. For businesses, that means the ability to improve hygiene and protect the health and well-being of facility occupants is critical to their survival. This puts a great deal of pressure on facility managers and building service contractors (BSCs), who must identify cleaning and maintenance solutions that will lead to success. Fortunately, advanced smart restroom technologies are available that leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) to create data-driven facility management solutions. Some of these solutions monitor, analyse, and measure information that directly impact hygiene—and a great deal more. Five timely benefits of smart restroom solutions that can help facilities survive and succeed are: 1. Heightened hygiene 2. Improved sustainability 3. Enhanced user experience 4. Reduced staff burnout 5. Elevated confidence
HEIGHTENED HYGIENE Smart restroom solutions help improve hygiene for both restroom users and custodians. By monitoring supply levels and alerting custodians 36 INCLEAN July / August 2021
when levels are low, smart technologies help ensure soap, sanitiser, and towel dispensers are adequately stocked so users can properly wash, dry, and sanitise their hands. Custodians can spend more time cleaning and sanitising additional spaces because they aren’t constantly running in and out of restrooms to check supply levels. By ensuring touch points like doorknobs, faucet handles, and toilet paper dispensers are cleaned and sanitised regularly, smart solutions help reduce the number of germs on surfaces and protect restroom patrons. By guiding custodians to refill and sanitise only when necessary, these workers come in contact with fewer touch points, lessening their own exposure to germs.
IMPROVED SUSTAINABILITY Over the past two decades, information has become readily available about the harmful effects of a wide range of products on the environment while, simultaneously, concern has grown about the depletion of the earth’s natural resources. In response, many facilities have gone to great lengths to implement sustainable business practices. Smart restroom solutions can help facilities improve hygiene while simultaneously advancing sustainability. By implementing technology that alerts custodians to refill dispensers only when needed, facilities reduce product waste. And by monitoring flush valves and faucets to help
FEATURE
ensure these fixtures are operating optimally, facilities reduce their water usage.
ENHANCED USER EXPERIENCE Imagine a restroom with adequately stocked soap, sanitiser, toilet tissue, and paper towels; fully functioning sinks, toilets, and urinals; and clean and sanitised counters, handles, and floors. Such a clean, well-maintained, fully functioning restroom is critical to a positive user experience, and smart restroom solutions can help deliver that positive experience every time. Solutions with sensors and monitoring capabilities maintain a proper balance between product supply and demand so users don’t experience outages. They also help facilities quickly address water leaks, clogs, and faulty flush valves so restroom disruptions are minimised. Technologies that collect customer feedback and determine patron satisfaction levels help facility managers determine if the restroom is performing as it should be and can quickly alert custodians of an issue. Together, these smart systems can provide a healthier and elevated user experience.
REDUCED STAFF BURNOUT It’s quite likely that facility staff are feeling a bit burned out right now. Since news of the coronavirus pandemic first broke, facility managers, BSCs, and custodians have been investing an inordinate amount of time and effort to keep facilities clean and safe.
Some may be manually creating and updating cleaning and sanitizing checklists and keeping close tabs on cleaning staff to ensure tasks are completed. Others have seen their to-do list grow exponentially as they are cleaning more surfaces and doing so more frequently. The mental and physical toll is extreme. Smart restroom solutions, though, allow for smart cleaning. Checklists and task alerts are automated, performance is monitored, and results are measured, saving time, energy, and effort for all involved.
ELEVATED CONFIDENCE Smart solutions take a wide array of cleaning, sanitising, and maintenance tasks and create a systematic and methodical approach to organising, performing, monitoring, and measuring them. This streamlined, automated approach ensures everyone involved in facility maintenance has a clear understanding of tasks and expectations. As cleaning and maintenance tasks are completed, they can be monitored and measured in real-time. As a result, facility managers can be confident in the quality of work performed and, as a result, that the health and well-being of building occupants are protected.
“
Today’s daunting demand for heightened hygiene will remain long after the pandemic itself has waned.
”
Michael Slawson is vice president and general manager of connected solutions for GP PRO. This article first appeared in CMM and has been republished with permission. ■ www.incleanmag.com.au 37
PAPER & DISPENSING
Paper chase
The COVID-19 pandemic has put pressure on paper and dispenser supply chains like never before, but innovative Australian suppliers have responded on the back of smart strategies and great people. Words Cameron Cooper
38 INCLEAN July / August 2021
PAPER & DISPENSING
P
anic buying of toilet paper will be one of the enduring memories of COVID-19 – suddenly the everyday item became sexy, or at least appreciated. Behind the scenes of the supermarket and media circus, however, a serious side played out as paper distributors such as Solaris Paper and sister company, The Sorbent Paper Company, sought to fast-track the restocking of supermarket shelves and businesses alike. Part of a triumvirate of companies that includes The Sorbent Paper Company and Cottonsoft, Solaris Paper is an Australianoperated and managed company that distributes high-quality toilet and tissue products. Acting CEO, Steve Nicholson says during the pandemic the company has benefited from being part of a vertically integrated supply chain that draws from certified and sustainable plantation trees that can be turned into finished goods, rather than having to buy pulp on the open market. “This protected our supply over this period,” Nicholson says. At the core of Solaris Paper and The Sorbent Paper Company supply chain response are state-of-the art manufacturing facilities both in Australia - Pemulwuy in western Sydney and in Box Hill in Melbourne and throughout Asia. They have helped keep stocks of toilet paper rolling, as has an alliance with supply partner Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), a family-owned Indonesian business which is one of the world’s largest pulp and paper companies. “APP’s vertical integration and technology strengths are invaluable in allowing our Australian and New Zealand companies to move ahead of the curve in new production innovation,” Nicholson says. “It has a strong commitment to sustainable supply from its vast plantations, where ‘zero deforestation’ is practised in the supply of virgin fibre for converting into the many tissue-finished goods that Solaris supplies to business-to-business channels and which Sorbent supplies to the retail markets of Australia, while Cottonsoft concentrates on the New Zealand market.” The other winning factor for Solaris Paper during COVID-19 has been a great cohort of workers who put in long hours to maintain distribution channels. “Our team certainly works hard and we want to recognise their contribution to keeping Australia in toilet paper!” Nicholson adds.
DISPENSER SOLUTIONS EVOLVE In addition to tissue products such as toilet paper and commercial wipes, the pandemic has put the focus on dispenser systems for Australian commercial and private facilities in response to the need for ever-higher hygiene standards around paper and handhygiene products. www.incleanmag.com.au 39
PAPER & DISPENSING
Verla dispenser
Although there was an instinctive response within many healthcare and commercial facilities to switch to touch-free, automated dispensers of hand-hygiene products when COVID-19 first broke out, the market has since adapted according to specific needs. In releasing its Verla range of hand and body solutions, True Blue Chemicals has offered two easy-to-use dispensers that are cost-efficient and which require minimal maintenance. They were developed in partnership with a leading Dutch engineering company that makes dispensers. True Blue managing director Brad Macdougall says some of the innovation around dispensing in the hand-hygiene space has led to systems that are too expensive to buy and maintain for some users. “Our system in simplistic in its nature, which means we have an effective solution that’s costeffective and reliable,” he says. “There are some amazing dispensing systems on the market, but we just felt there was a gap in the mid-tier space, so we brought to market a proprietary and cost-effective dispensing system that is simple to use and which is ideal for our comprehensive range of Australian products.” While True Blue has not ruled out releasing its own automated dispensers, Macdougall says for now the priority is on “keeping things straightforward”. “Many customers and distributors that have onboarded that technology have experienced massive problems around reliability and breakdowns, so we’ve consciously chosen not to go down that path.” The Verla range of liquid, foam, gel and lotion products is designed for use in aged care, education, childcare, health and fitness, commercial property and hospitality facilities. Although a global shortage of thickening agents 40 INCLEAN July / August 2021
has proven a challenge, Macdougall says the market has responded positively to the products. “The long-term outlook for that range is very positive and we’ve sold it across markets from healthcare and hospitality to fitness ad leisure, education and commercial buildings. It really does cater to a broad range of business.” For its part, Solaris Paper has focused strongly on providing sophisticated paper-dispensing systems that lower overall product consumption, reduce waste and lower the number of product changeouts. While some of its competitors have moved to proprietary dispensers, Solaris Paper has designed its dispensers to fit the majority of products in the market. “We believe that flexibility is appreciated by our customers,” Nicholson says. Sustainability has also been on the agenda, with Solaris Paper having long been committed to the responsible sourcing of products and environmentally sound operations. “Sustainability is important for everyone’s future,” Nicholson says. “Maintaining the disciplines we put in place for sustainable and responsible supply today ensures that we can continue to provide our customers with highly sustainable products to our customers well into the future.” He adds that customers, too, are always looking for sustainable, economical solutions. Solaris Paper has sourced TAD (Through Air Drying) towel from the Sorbent Paper Company, which supplies the market-leading Handee supermarket kitchen towel. “The interlock weave of this technology creates a superior absorbency and strength that reduces the amount of towels needed for dry hands, therefore saving cost and the environment,” Nicholson says.
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Since COVID-19 there has been an increasing appetite for customers and businesses to ensure that their people are using products in the most effective manner. - Brad Macdougall, True Blue Chemicals
”
PAPER & DISPENSING
“
Maintaining the disciplines we put in place for sustainable and responsible supply today ensures that we can continue to provide our customers with highly sustainable products to our customers well into the future. - Steve Nicholson, Solaris Paper
”
DEMAND AND SUPPLY PRESSURES Despite inevitable challenges as a result of the pandemic, Solaris Paper has fared well during the past 12 months courtesy of its unwavering support for customers and a commitment to the reliable supply of paper and dispensing products. Nicholson says the business has had to deal with three key phases – first, the unprecedented demand for toilet paper and other washroom paper products; second, the dramatic rise in the use of hand sanitisers and paper hand towels as healthcare facilities, in particular, moved to frequent hand washing; and, third, welldocumented global shipping constraints that have affected all industries from motor vehicles to furniture and paper. As the use of sanitisers and hand soaps increased, Nicholson says it felt as though every local manufacturer – from gin distillers to chemical companies – began producing sanitisers. “So there is now an oversupply in the market.” Hygiene in washrooms, in particular, has been a critical issue in the past year, with Solaris Paper’s customers and other cleaning businesses needing to be agile to rise to the occasion. “We’ve all had to learn together how to prevent a pandemic spreading,” Nicholson says. “There was plenty of education provided by our health departments and the World Health Organisation. Hats off to them for flexing as they did.” At True Blue, Macdougall says demand across various product ranges has been “erratic”, especially given that his business covers the gamut from the booming healthcare sector to the embattled hospitality sector. “It’s certainly been up and down. Many industries are experiencing strong trade across different market sectors, but there are still a lot of businesses that are doing it tough and we are certainly not immune to that.” Solaris Paper
42 INCLEAN July / August 2021
Macdougall says after a period of panic buying for disinfectants and hand-hygiene products, demand has started to taper off a little. With an eye to long-term success, he says True Blue has been conscious of maintaining strong relationships with existing partners, rather than just pursuing new clients in the hope of making quick profits. “In the early stages of the pandemic, we were being inundated with enquiries and price didn’t seem to be an issue. But we made a decision early on to make sure we looked after our top-tier clients. There has been a lot of praise from our long-term distributor partners that we made that decision.”
POSITIVE MARKET OUTLOOK As the pandemic unfolds, True Blue believes its status as a privately owned, Australia-made supplier of chemical and hand-hygiene products will stand it in good stead. “We’re in a good position and we want to continue our focus on amazing partnerships, best-in-class products and incredible performance, which has always been at the forefront of our focus,” Macdougall says. He anticipates strong demand for True Blue products. “We have most of the major cities covered and we see lots of opportunities in the regions as well and we’re excited about that.” In addition to product innovation, Macdougall says True Blue will also concentrate on education and training packages for businesses in the cleaning and healthcare spaces, especially in relation to the use of chemicals. “Since COVID-19 there has been an increasing appetite for customers and businesses to ensure that their people are using products in the most effective manner.” Nicholson has no doubt that the future will be strong for Solaris Paper, with the leadership arriving later this month. The Livi brand remains the “rock and heart” of Solaris Paper and its distribution of wholesale tissue and hygiene products, including toilet paper, paper hand towel, facial tissues, commercial wipes and dispenser systems for Australian commercial and private facilities. “Livi is well-known around the world and is versatile, with a wide repertoire that meets the needs of all verticals, providing the right balance of cost-effectiveness and quality,” he says. The launch this year of Sorbent Professional – a premium range of products such as toilet paper, facial tissues and hand towels for the businesses to business market– adds another powerful arm to the business. “We felt that there was a need in the market to bring the comfort of home into this space – soft, strong and absorbent product,” Nicholson says. “We have reviewed the market leaders and bettered them. Touch and feel them for yourself!” ■
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FLOORCARE
Rolling out
the red-carpet treatment Superior carpet care in commercial buildings has come strongly into focus during COVID-19, and cleaners are being advised to value their services and insist on high standards if they want to create lasting business success.
Words Cameron Cooper
44 INCLEAN July / August 2021
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FLOORCARE
A
t a time when the importance of cleaners such as carpet-care professionals has never been higher, Pat Muller has some sage advice – do not under-value your services. Muller is a chemical product specialist and respected industry educator at Legend Brands, a provider of equipment, chemicals and expert training for professional cleaners in the United States. He often puts the following question to managers and cleaners: “If you went out tomorrow and doubled your prices, would you lose half your customers?” Most respond that while some “price-sensitive” customers could rebel, the majority of their clients would stay loyal. “I’m telling you that people will pay top dollar for topshelf service,” Muller says. His point is not to encourage cleaning businesses to indiscriminately impose dramatic price increases, but rather to help create a more sustainable and profitable enterprise that respects its work and offers customers a strong value proposition. The typical outcome from smarter price setting is that cleaners do far less work for a lot more money. With the COVID-19 pandemic underlining the magnitude of proper carpet care in commercial facilities – carpet is, after all, the biggest filter inside most buildings – Muller believes fostering trust is the key for all cleaning teams. “Your customers don’t hire you just to come in and clean their carpet,” he says. “They hire you because you know how to come in and do it correctly. But you need to develop that trust and respect so that price is never a discussion point.”
MARKET ON THE RISE A new market study from Global Industry Analysts, titled Carpets and Rugs – Global Market Trajectory & Analytics, predicts the international carpets and rugs market will reach US$38.8 billion by 2026. 46 INCLEAN July / August 2021
It suggests the market will be driven by new technologies aimed at improving durability and aesthetics amid strong demand for premium carpets from the commercial sector. The report It indicates there will be strong demand for tufted carpets because of their stainresistant nature and long life, while woven and nylon carpets will also experience growth in a COVID-19 world where cleaning efficacy is crucial. Godfreys, which has provided Australian consumers with a popular range of carpet-cleaning equipment and total cleaning solutions for almost 90 years, is determined to stay at the forefront of carpet-cleaning trends. Daniel Pisaniello, general manager of wholesale for Godfreys, says the pandemic has resulted in a change of mindset on carpet care, with customers calling for enhanced support and education. “Traditionally, our industry can be heavily focused on price. However, we have noticed customers looking more for the right products and advice, rather than price being the main point of focus.” Pisaniello is proud of how his team members, including the senior leadership team, have risen to the COVID-19 challenge. “We decided to think, act and behave differently,” he says. “This, in turn, has helped our team members provide clients with the best knowledge, support and advice on how to effectively clean and take care of their equipment.” With the pandemic putting a premium on hygiene, Pisaniello has no doubt that more commercial businesses are coming to understand the need for more regular carpet maintenance in their facilities. “A well-planned carpet-maintenance program lays out how you will clean and care for your carpet on an ongoing basis,” he says. “It will ensure your carpet continues to look its best and help you avoid costly problems down the road.” Tom Forman, business manager for Commercial Property Cleaning (CPC) in Underwood, Queensland, agrees cleaners need to school their employees and clients on the value of proper carpet care.
FLOORCARE “I cannot emphasise enough how regular maintenance services and education on how to perform services is the key to success with carpet cleaning,” he says. Forman says carpets are often designed to conceal how dirty they actually are, and regularly scheduled professional maintenance draws out impurities and particles which become embedded in the carpet and its fibres. “This aids in the longevity and appearance of the product in addition to removing traces of unwanted smells,” he says.
PRODUCT AND TECHNOLOGY TRENDS On the technology front, Pisaniello notes Godfreys is witnessing the development of better battery-operated vacuums that give consumers greater flexibility and convenience. “Over the past year, developments around technology and battery designs have allowed for improved runtimes without sacrificing air flow and performance,” he says. Digital LED screens are also appearing on various models to easily communicate battery life and key information to the operator, while sensors built into the roller brush of many models provide greater performance when cleaning different types of flooring. According to Pisaniello, orbital technology is being used more and more to clean carpets deeper and more effectively than some conventional methods. “Carpet shampooers and extraction units are also more readily available for all types of consumers, from large commercial units for industrial markets to smaller compact units for everyday households.”
Muller warns facility owners and cleaners alike about the choice of carpet fibres, explaining he is not a fan of some of the newer fibre technologies. He prefers quality nylon fibres that are widely considered to be more resilient than the newer generations of synthetic fibres and which bounce back from crushing and matting more quickly than any other synthetics. In terms of carpet-cleaning chemicals, Muller says the technology has improved and Legend Brands advocates a product such as Prochem’s Ultrapac Extreme with Nano technology, a powerful pre-spray for carpets that can also be used on tiles and grout in heavy food soil areas. To remove urine stains and smells, he recommends Un-Duz-It Unleashed by ProRestre OdorX, a solution that is sold by some distributors in Australia. Regardless of the technology or chemicals being used, Muller has clear advice for business owners or cleaning technicians. “Do your own real-world testing. Do not choose your professional cleaning products based on what someone else says or uses. You have to find what works best for you.”
“
Traditionally, our industry can be heavily focused on price. However, we have noticed customers looking more for the right products and advice, rather than price being the main point of focus. - Daniel Pisaniello, Godfreys
”
TIPS FOR BEST PRACTICE Education and training are the starting points for great carpet care. CPC has rolled out an education initiative for its employees who deliver carpet-cleaning services. “Staff should be trained on how to treat initial and prolonged stains, and the nature of carpets and fibres, to deliver the best service and result for a client,” Forman says.
www.incleanmag.com.au 47
FLOORCARE Typically, Muller says cleaners rush from job to job and do not communicate with their clients. “But there’s some really important information you need on the history of the carpet, so slow down and ask those questions.” Forman agrees that when a cleaner initially goes to a site or meets a client, it is important to gather data on the floors’ surfaces just as a cleaner would for general cleaning spaces. This allows cleaners to put together an appropriate quote and maintenance schedule. While quality machinery is essential in the cleaning industry, he adds that it is equally important to clean your machinery after use. “Educating staff on how to clean machinery correctly is needed for equipment maintenance but also how to identify any spots or stains on carpets and how to best treat and remove them, from spot cleaning to a full carpet-cleaning service.” Likewise, maintenance and servicing is essential to allow equipment to function at its highest level. Over time an older machine, although seemingly running okay, will lose its power thrust and suction power. The power thrust is a major part of hot-water cleaning as it gets deep into the carpet and the suction needs to be strong to extract as much water as possible.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
With about 40 years’ experience in the industry, Muller is also an advocate of training, but believes simple cleaning methods can still get the job done because carpet fibres, whether they are wool or synthetic based, have not changed dramatically over the years. Spraying anti-microbial chemicals incorrectly and without educating the customer or your staff on proper dilution, application and warnings and cautions in buildings, he argues, is only likely to create a “new generation of chemophobic people”. “The main pitfall we see in commercial facilities is improper maintenance, which in turn leads to abrasive soil damage in traffic lanes, as well as such an extreme soil load your maintenance cleaning processes and chemicals cannot remove all of the deeply imbedded soils, spots and stains, doing long-term damage.” He says carpet needs to be vacuumed daily. “Everyone knows this – this is a well-known best practice, but nobody does it and everyone complains that their carpet looks terrible.” For cleaning businesses that are in discussions with new customers, Muller suggests asking a series of fundamental questions. 1. How old is the carpet? – he says some of today’s new synthetic fibres are as bad as the polyester fibres of old in their ability to stand up to foot traffic, and if a customer points to two-yearold carpet with major traffic damage then you know it is not a quality nylon. This will influence your cleaning regime. 2. Has this carpet ever been professionally cleaned? – this will provide some indication of how the carpet has been treated in the past. 3. Who cleaned it? – knowing which cleaning company has been engaged in the past, allows you to make an assessment on whether the customer hired the previous company based on price, or on having the job done correctly. 48 INCLEAN July / August 2021
For the last word on cleaning, Muller defers to the late Bob Bonwell, a well-known industry figure from Indianapolis in the US who started as a carpet cleaner and over the years built Advantage, a highly successful cleaning and restoration supply house. His motto was “You can’t outperform your knowledge”. With many cleaners yet to return to full-schedule cleaning because of current conditions, Muller suggests they invest in their cleaning skills and knowledge. On the business front, he urges cleaners to stop doing presentations to clients in which they find themselves apologising for the high price of their services. His advice? Give them the price and ask them when they want you to start. “It’s a confidence thing!” ■
Dirt file Godfreys’ Daniel Pisaniello believes steam cleaning is usually the best method of cleaning carpets as it can deodorise and sanitise fibres to fight odours and bacteria. “Dry cleaning is also effective in preparing carpet for foot traffic as quickly as possible,” he says. “Keeping your carpet clean and sanitising it regularly provides a preventative safeguard against dirt and germs. Using a quality carpet sanitiser will further prevent viruses and germs in any home or work environment.” Pisaniello lists some key questions to consider when developing a superior carpet-care program? • What type of carpet do I have? • Do I need to control allergens? • How often do I need to vacuum? • How large is the area I need to clean? • What noise level can I stand? • How much maintenance is required? Answering those questions accurately provides a platform to start successful cleaning.
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Demonstrating the value of clean through data
n the age of COVID-19, the true value of the cleaning industry has become crystal clear. Ongoing cleaning, disinfecting, and infection prevention best practices are now absolutely essential. Yet businesses that suffered financial losses or cutbacks due to COVID-19 restrictions are going to be looking for ways to save money and facility budgets are one area where they may turn. Therefore, it’s now even more important than it was before the pandemic for cleaning industry professionals to make a strong financial business case that cleaning should be considered a critical investment, rather than a cost. Achieving this relies on leveraging the right information and statistics.
THE BUSINESS CASE FOR CLEANING “Communicating the best business case for investing in proper cleaning right now requires you to connect the dots between your services or products and an organisation’s top pain points,” advises Dianna Steinbach, ISSA Vice President of Corporate Development, ISSA. “The power of your case comes from sharing the right data to catch decision makers’ attention and explain how you help solve their current issues.” Investing in a high-quality cleaning programme can deliver numerous benefits including reduced risk of virus transmission; improved occupant productivity, comfort and wellness; enhanced customer satisfaction; reduced liability; and ultimately, financial returns. ISSA has gathered global data to make it easier for cleaning professionals to demonstrate the true value of cleaning and disinfection, particularly in the COVID-19 stabilisation phase of the pandemic. For example, improved cleaning and basic hand hygiene measures can reduce viruses on a surface by more than 85 per cent, according to a study in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 2019. Moreover, research shows satisfaction with workplace cleanliness enhances employee productivity and the quality of work (Wageningen University & Research), while cleanliness reduces instances of 50 INCLEAN July / August 2021
absenteeism – a global issue that negatively impacts productivity and costs businesses billions of dollars each year. Cleanliness has also been found to influence customer perceptions and actions, with 79 per cent of EU citizens feeling less inclined to shop when the store’s environment is dirty (A.I.S.E). And when it comes to profitability, regular cleaning and maintenance increases a building’s lifetime value and preserves assets; with a maintenance plan in place, it is estimated a large facility could save over USD 40,000 on annual floor life-cycle costs (DPM Care).
ISSA VALUE OF CLEAN TOOLS Sharing the right data with decision makers is a good first step, but what makes the strongest case is relating that information back to their specific situation. That’s why ISSA created the ISSA Value of Clean® tools to help cleaning industry professionals create their own value calculations centred around improved occupant health and productivity, as well as lengthened asset preservation and more. In light of major changes to the industry following the COVID-19 crisis, ISSA has updated these valuable tools. As a result, companies will better understand how to invest in cleaning to protect the wellbeing of key stakeholders and enhance brand reputation and customer satisfaction through cleanliness. The ISSA Value of Clean tools include: • The ISSA Value of Clean Data Report includes valuable studies and data
compiled from a variety of sources, supporting the argument that investing in cleaning leads to bottom-line financial gain. • The ISSA Value of Clean Infographic is created for cleaning professionals to download, print, embed on a website or share on social media. • The ISSA Value of Clean Calculator can be used to customise a business case for customers and calculate the return on investment of proper cleaning. • The ISSA Power of Clean Video is an animated video free to share online or social media account. ISSA members can add this resource to their own presentations and videos. The ISSA Value of Clean tools are designed to provide the facts and figures needed to highlight the importance of cleaning for better occupant health, safer environments and an improved bottom line for facilities. “ISSA’s Value of Clean data and tools have been helping cleaning professionals and facility managers around the world protect their budgets for many years,” Steinbach says. “In response to the impact of COVID19, we’re very pleased to provide this updated data when our members, and their facility customers, need it most to justify the proper level of cleaning to protect occupant safety and health.” Companies can access these exclusive benefits and more when becoming an ISSA member. For more details, visit the website. ■
NEW DATA
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NEW DATA
OPINION
You’re burned out.
Now what?
How to reignite the passion you once had for your job in the cleaning industry.
R
egardless of whether you were doing well or struggling at work prior to the pandemic, it’s likely you or someone on your team is exhausted and burned out from the response to COVID-19. How do you reignite the fire after losing the passion you once had for your job and the cleaning industry? It may not be easy to reset your passion. You probably didn’t choose the cleaning industry in the first place— it likely chose you. In my lifetime, I have only met a small group of people like myself who wanted to be in the cleaning industry since childhood. I grew up in a small town where I spent my summer watching the garbage truck come through our neighborhood to pick up everything from bags of trash to sofas. Through the lens of a child, it was fascinating. I was impressed by how the workers moved with an energetic speed. They communicated well, and my goodness they were efficient, laughing and teasing each other as they hopped on and off the back of the truck while tossing bags of trash into the compactor. That team appeared to be so happy even though the work they performed was by no means easy or glorious. In many ways, watching their healthy teamwork inspired me to spend my entire career in the cleaning industry, and I will never regret it.
REASONS TO REIGNITE As we rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, I see so many people I know in the cleaning industry struggling to rise to the challenges. Let’s face it, even if your job was going well before COVID-19 hit, the last year has taken its toll on all of us. You may find yourself empty, tired, washed out, or just plain ready to do something else. This level of burnout is problematic and could worsen as millions of people in in our industry continue to work at an exhausting pace to meet the ongoing challenges. As you struggle to reignite your passion, try to find your “garbage truck” moment and remember the reasons that led you to the industry in the first place. 52 INCLEAN July / August 2021
Below, I offer my top reasons and methods for rekindling the fire. If you have been thinking of leaving the industry, perhaps these will change your mind. 1. Practice proper self-care – Work toward taking care of yourself, such as setting aside time for exercise, meditation, and/or hobbies. 2. Value your skills – Value yourself because nobody else is going to do it for you. Take care of yourself and acknowledge the worth of your time. 3. Reward yourself – Reward yourself for a job well done. Pick something non-work-related such as a movie, book, or daytrip. 4. Show gratitude – Thank yourself for doing what you do and thank others who help you achieve your goals. 5. Imagine your absence – Think about what the world would look like without us. It would be a big, stinky mess, with trash lying about, and no toilet paper in the bathroom stall. Your absence would be noticed. 6. Consider yourself a hero – Fact: The work done by cleaning workers saves lives. 7. Value the industry – People make the industry and people in the cleaning industry are awesome … you know who you are. 8. Know you’re part of a team –I would be terribly bored without all of you as my colleagues. We’re in this pandemic for the long haul, so we must find new ways to make workloads sustainable for ourselves and our team. Expectations are high. If we miss the mark, we are going to lose a group of people the world needs to have in the cleaning industry. In these unprecedented times, we don’t have to crumple from exhaustion. Remember how you got here and become the cleaning professional you once were. Tim Poskin is founder and systems integrator of ISSA’s Cleaning Change Solutions Consulting and serves as the executive director of the ISSA Workloading and Benchmarking Committee. ■
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We’re in this pandemic for the long haul, so we must find new ways to make workloads sustainable for ourselves and our team.
”
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OPINION
How to develop and implement correct financial controls So, you think your contracts are profitable? Here’s how to avoid making an unexpected loss with proper financial controls and reporting.
W
orking with a variety of cleaning companies operating in Australia and New Zealand gives us a lot of insight into the different approach each takes to financial control. It’s not uncommon for a small company to make nearly as much or more profit as a competitor double its size. It could be argued the main reason for this is that it is easier for small companies with fewer transactions to more closely monitor incoming costs and remember to invoice clients correctly. As companies grow, the ability to monitor costs becomes more difficult if their systems aren’t suited to this purpose. This results in more effort for the same, or less, profit.
SITE-BASED REPORTING A critical element for every cleaning company is to control costs by site. It’s the central point of cost allocation and income collection. Hence, the number one question we are asked by businesses we work with is always: “Can your system tell us profitability by site?” However, reporting by site is just one level of insight, and it is important to think about the other business layers such as: state, area manager, region and contract. A business typically reviews reports at these summary levels first before drilling down to individual sites to interrogate the finer detail. Having the ability to report by site and all business layers is a key requirement for any cleaning company that wants to control profits.
QUICK AND COST-EFFECTIVE REPORTS When reports are difficult to generate and take a long time to produce, people simply stop asking for them. Finance staff who must spend time in Excel to split costs out by site, simply do not perform an efficient reporting function. 54 INCLEAN July / August 2021
What’s more, manual intervention means errors in most cases and information becomes unreliable. A system that can deliver reporting quickly is a major advantage. It reduces administration wage costs and business owners can spend their time responding to problematic sites, rather than chasing accurate information.
WHAT IS YOUR REAL PROFIT? It’s not too hard to attribute direct expenses such as consumable invoices to sites. However, it becomes much harder to allocate hidden accrued wage liabilities such as annual leave, superannuation, payroll tax and work cover. These costs will vary each pay run, depending on the staff hours worked at each site. It may also vary by the category of staff working at the site. For example, if contract staff cover for shifts on a site, their hours will not accrue annual leave or superannuation, unlike a full- or parttime employee. Untangling the allocation of hours per fortnight is such a daunting task that most cleaning companies simply do not allocate these hidden costs to each site, and, as a result, do not see true profitability at a detailed level. Other costs that are difficult to allocate include area manager wages. Overall, the sites may be making a profit, but when you contribute the manager wages to the portfolio, it may be running at a loss. Each business needs a clear methodology of cost allocation, and an industry-specific system that supports it, without creating massive administration overhead. Only then will each site’s real profit be visible. To learn more improving the visibility of your site’s profits, visit teamsoftware.com/profitability. Mark Fermor is director of operations, APAC at TEAM Software. He can be reached at mark. fermor@teamsoftware.com. ■
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OPINION
Passing the baton: Practical tips for succession planning
F
amily businesses account for 70 per cent of all businesses in Australia and employ half of the country’s workforce. The cleaning industry has a high concentration of family business owners, and it employs an ever-growing number of people. These businesses not only support the families that established them, but also the families of those they employ and the families of the businesses that they support through their services. They form an integral part of the economy and their unique dynamic means that many family business owners hope to pass their business onto the next generation. Despite this however, research shows that only 40 per cent of established family businesses survive the transition to the second generation. Past that point, 13 per cent will survive to a third generation and only 3% to a fourth generation and beyond. Why is that the case? It might surprise you to know that only one in four family businesses formally consider their approach to succession. It’s no wonder then that so many fail. Succession can be an emotionally charged topic that is difficult for families to discuss. While it can be an awkward topic to bring up, the reality is that succession is one of the biggest risks to the ongoing viability of a family business. The proof is in the pudding! So what can be done about it? Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet or quick fix when it comes to succession. Every family is different and every transition is unique. However, by going through due process and tackling these issues head on, you can drastically increase the chance of a successful transition. 56 INCLEAN July / August 2021
By putting things on the table ahead of time and creating transparency amongst the family, you can minimise potential conflict down the track. Once the issues are all out in the open, it can also help relieve a lot of the pressure that family members may be feeling. With that in mind, the best thing that can be done in terms of succession is actually getting started. This article outlines some practical tips for you to consider in planning your succession.
START WITH THE END IN MIND As a starting point you need to understand where you’re going. What does success look like for your family and your business? What is your timeframe for getting there? Who do you want to be your successors? What do you want for your family and your business? You may wish to transition the management and ownership to some or all your children over a specific period. You may wish to transition the management of the business to your employees, separating the running of the business from its owners. You may want to build some of your wealth outside your business for your family who is not involved in the running of the business or you may wish to sell your business to capitalise on the hard work you have undertaken over the years. Whatever the vision that you have for your business and your family, it’s important to know and understand if this vision is shared with your successors and the family. Knowing exactly what you want can often be difficult and can take time, but the sooner you start thinking about it the clearer it will become.
KNOW WHERE YOU ARE IN THE JOURNEY The next step is to understand where you are in the journey and what obstacles and challenges you face. Have you made any progress to date? Are you ready for succession? Do your children want to take over the business? Do your future successors have the right skills and leadership capabilities? Do your successors have authority, credibility and your endorsement to make the business a success? To answer these questions, you need to understand the different perspectives and motivations of each individual that the succession impacts. The only way to gain this understanding is through communication. An advisor is a valuable resource in facilitating these discussions as they can look at your situation independently and taking the emotion out of the conversation. Advisors will help you get an understanding of where you, your business and your family stand so you can create alignment.
WORK BACKWARDS Once you understand the vision for the future, and where you and your family are on the journey, you can then start to design a plan. The plan should address the challenges you are facing now and those you potentially will face along the way. It should take care of the three subsystems that make up a family business – the family, the business and the owners. It should support the business and the family, and it needs to set clear roles and responsibilities for how the plan should be executed.
OPINION MOVE FORWARD At the end of the day, you create a succession plan to move forward, to take action. The plan should detail the actions you will take. Including the steps involved with both the management and ownership succession. Importantly, businesses and families change over time, so a succession plan also needs to change. To support this, you will need to create a governance structure that ensures the plan is executed and evolves over time. These structures may include; • A family constitution (the rule book) • Regular and structured family meetings • Advisory boards • Strategic planning sessions for both the family and the business • Detailed and ongoing analysis of the situation and the strategy The process has many moving parts, many of which you will not know about or have the expertise in – and what you don’t know can hurt you. That’s why it’s important to get advice along the way. A family business advisor can help you with the process and ensure you are engaging with
the right advisors at the right time so your legal, tax, estate planning, training and development needs are taken care of.
THE GOAL At the end of the day, the goal should be to have a succession plan and a succession planning process that is transparent, understanding and creates alignment. It should create greater certainty for the future, collaboration and openness so that you can address issues or challenges before they arrive. The most effective plans; • Preserve and generate family wealth • Minimise disharmony between family members • Minimise the impact of tax • Encourage personal growth of family members • Fund retirement and family lifestyle • Bring clarity to where the business and the family are heading Remember, succession is a process and not an event. It takes time, and the more time you invest in it, the better.
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Businesses and families change over time, so a succession plan also needs to change.
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Andrew Ash is director, business advisory, HLB Mann Judd. ■
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OPINION
Nailing your profitable
pricing model
T
he pandemic provided challenges and opportunities. There is more to come as we move through the economic recovery cycle. There is a massive opportunity for businesses with a clear pricing strategy. A successful pricing strategy captures customers with different needs, at different price points. Thereby maximising profit and customer experience at the same time. The trouble is that there so much conflicting information out there. To make matters worse, there are many misconceptions and anecdotes out there. “Pricing is an art, not a science.” “Price at what the market can bear.” “You must beat your competitors’ price.” “My industry is ultra-price-sensitive, I must lower prices.” “If you raise your prices your existing customers will leave.” Whilst some of these anecdotes may be true, in rare cases, for most they lead to poor pricing decisions. There is no “one size fits all” every business is different. In fact, recent studies show people don’t buy on price, they buy on value. Price is only one part of the value equation. The reality is that people measure value based on, price, quality, speed, and service. This is true for business to consumer and business to business. We are all hardwired to look for value. This is where a value-based pricing model makes a world of difference. A pricing strategy that includes value-based pricing provides the most profitable outcomes. The focus on customer value also keeps your customers happy. The proof is in the pudding. A commercial cleaning client recently installed value-based pricing. We increased profit on new business by 100% and increased lead conversion by 10 per cent. 58 INCLEAN July / August 2021
The key is to have both a value-based pricing model and a clear pricing strategy. Let me break these two concepts down further for you:
VALUE-BASED PRICING MODEL Value-based pricing starts with your customer. First, you must understand what your customer truly values. Without this, you cannot have an effective valuebased pricing model. Earlier this week I asked a business owner what their customers value most, he said “a lower price”. On further investigation, he had a high rate of repeat business (over 80 per cent) and is not the cheapest. “If they only want a lower price, why then, do they keep coming back to you?” – the answer to this question is the value you bring your customers. The key is not price but value. Once you understand your customer value proposition you are 90 per cent there. I love to install psychology-based pricing models. I use three levels of service at different price points to appeal to human psychological biases. 1. A basic low-cost service at a low price. I call this the “stay out of jail” service. It’s basic, just enough to keep you out of trouble, but doesn’t have bells and whistles. This includes only one or two of the items your customers value. Some customers will want this and that is fine, maybe they’ll upgrade in the future, maybe not. They are still good customers with good profit. 2. A value package – this adds more of the things your customers’ value. You may add extra certainty, guarantees, services, reliability. These are things that add significant value to the customer without much extra cost to you. This package is loaded with customer value. Most customers buy this package, increasing your profitability.
OPINION 3. A super service “Elite” package – this has all the bells and whistles. It’s designed for those that only want the “best of the best” and are willing to pay for it. You may not sell many of these but they are highly profitable. Having options opens up a conversation about your customer’s needs. You can make an honest recommendation. You are less like to lose a customer over price because you are giving them options. If you only offer one price point it’s a take-itor-leave message. With three price points, the message is “we are here to fit your needs”. NOTE: It’s important to have a robust cost analysis model when developing your prices. This ensures you get the right profitability at each price point. This ensures you continue to turn a good profit even if the mix of services changes.
PRICING STRATEGY Oh no not another strategy – boring! Bear with me, I’m hoping that I can change your mind on this one. Your pricing strategy will help you align your marketing and sales processes. Your value message must be loud and clear. The idea is to talk about value not price.
That value needs to be front and center. The best way to show this is through a real story from earlier this week: I was analysing the pricing of 3 competitors for a client. All three had online pricing but each pricing strategy was very different. 1. One had a super low price with lots of add-ons (personally my initial reaction was this will cost me more in the end). 2. The second was a well-oiled website, pricing and extras were transparent, but there was also a lot of fine print. 3. The third was competitive on price, although a little pricier. It lacked information on extra costs. I called to find out... To my pleasant surprise, they had no extra costs! All three businesses focused on price rather than value. Business 3 had a “no extra costs” pricing strategy but it was not shown in the sales process. If there was a statement like “Best Value. Competitors charge extras... WE DON’T!” – I would have immediately clicked BUY NOW.
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Recent studies show people don’t buy on price; they buy on value. Price is only one part of the value equation.
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Brad Horan is director of Lucrature Business Profit Enhancement. He can be reached at bhoran@lucrature.com. www.lucrature.com ■
Join your local industry association within a global community!
With more than 10,500 members worldwide — including distributors, manufacturers, wholesalers, building service contractors, in-house service providers, residential cleaners and associated service members — ISSA is the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry. The association is committed to changing the way the world views cleaning by providing its members with the business tools they need to promote cleaning as an investment in human health, the environment and an improved bottom line.
Contact the ISSA Oceania Regional Office to find out more: issa.com/oceania oceania@issa.com 1800 621 872 Search ISSA Oceania
www.incleanmag.com.au 59
OPINION
The importance of
growth & resilience
F
in facilities management
acilities is evolving from a day-today operational support role to a more strategic need. Reacting with a solution to fix something that has broken is now moving to a more predictive environment. We are getting better at reviewing past data and forecasting future outcomes that can only further enhance safety and reduce on-going maintenance costs. Facilities has become more integral to how we conduct our businesses and lifestyles. As facilities integrates people with their workplace and processes, facility managers must ensure their built environments are functionally efficient, safe and comfortable. Increasingly technology is disrupting the status quo. There is growing demand to fit smarter building technology, moving away from the more traditional paper-based decisions. Upgrading to digital tools and analytic platforms, will result in our building operations becoming more efficient, adaptable and cheaper with less down time and interruptions to our daily activities. With so much change, facilities has evolved into a multi-skilled environment. Predominantly a male-dominated industry formed by electricians, carpenters, plumbers and many other trades and services, facilities attracts a variety of diverse backgrounds and cultures, skills and experiences, age and sex. Facilities incorporates hundreds of services including (to name but a few): • Administration and management roles, such as: HR, CSR, IT, legal • Financial, such as: operations, capital expense, procurement, CSR • Soft services, such as: cleaning, catering, security • Hard services, such as: trades, fire, mech/elec • Compliance, such as: WHS, legislation, risk, environmental. As a globally recognised profession with established national and global bodies, an FM Diploma and an ISO accreditation, facilities is on the up and a career option that should soon be included in our school curriculums. 60 INCLEAN July / August 2021
I have been fortunate to have gained heaps of experience in several industry sectors, mainly focused in operations and facilities management across Europe and Australasia. By asking questions of colleagues, peers and subject matter experts, I have not lost the desire to learn and continue my development. I encourage you all to be curious. As facilities has proven to be so resilient and moves from strength to strength, so can you as an individual. Get to know and understand your own strengths, learn at every opportunity and help others expand their knowledge. Ensure you and your team are regularly trained and updated on changing practices, regulations and legislations and ways to improve safety and compliance. Just as important, you have to acknowledge your own weaknesses: ask for help or training on the job, it’s not a sign of weakness. If you keep up with the evolution of all that is and will be facilities, you can only be setting yourself up with more career opportunities as your resilience and knowledge grows. I am a strong believer that COVID-19 has not finished with us yet. If liquid droplets from coughs and sneezes are common ways of transmitting viruses, then there may never be an end in sight - the common cold is part of being human. The virus will continue to mutate, we may forever be chasing our tails so just as with other viruses that have knocked us for six in the past. To look after our health and continue to grow, we need to ensure our ever-improving cleanliness and hygiene become a new way of life for us all. Growth equals resilience and living long and healthier lives. If I sparked something that you would like to discuss further, please connect through LinkedIn. Caroline Fitzwater is director of Caroline Fitzwater Consultancy (CFC) will be presenting at the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo in Sydney on October 12-13. ■
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As facilities integrates people with their workplace and processes, facility managers must ensure their built environments are functionally efficient, safe and comfortable.
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OPINION
The devil is in the detail A new national environmental risk register for chemicals offers benefits but only if sensibly designed and administered, writes Accord’s Craig Brock.
O
n 26 March, after a mostly uncontentious passage through the Federal Parliament, a law to establish a new national environmental risk register for industrial chemicals came into being. With bipartisan backing and in-principle support across industry, the new Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Act 2021 is now law, and will likely have future impacts for the cleaning and hygiene products industry. Whilst there is strong support for the goal of a nationally consistent legislative framework to manage environmental risks resulting from the use of industrial chemicals, there are still a range of concerns relating to key details for achieving this. And this is why Accord is now engaging with the Federal Environment Department to discuss their implementation proposals for the new Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) register. As the old saying goes, the devil is usually in the details. Wise words indeed when considering new government laws and regulations. Thankfully, via an earlier Senate Committee review of the legislation that was published on 11 March, many of the legitimate concerns raised by Accord and other industry bodies in detailed submissions were endorsed by senators across the political spectrum. For example, the Senate Committee acknowledged Accord’s call for an appropriate transition period for industry businesses: “Accord raised concerns about the timing of the implementation of the ICEMR Bill given the industry has been grappling with the recent changes involved in transitioning from NICNAS to AICIS, which was compounded by the challenges faced by industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has therefore asked for an appropriate transition period to be considered1.” And most importantly, the critical issue of proper consultation on fees levied from businesses to fund the IChEMS was accepted by the Senate Committee with the following recommendation: “The committee recommends that the Department … continue its engagement with industry stakeholders in the implementation of the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Bills, particularly with reference to the cost-recovery arrangements and the role of Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme.”
Taking forward industry’s best interests in this, Accord has been calling for proper focus within the IChEMS register on high-risk chemicals with established environmental concerns, as opposed to lower-risk chemicals of limited environmental consequence. This would mean a primary focus, for example, on chemicals that are subject to international treaty action, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). One other aspect requiring attention is how the IChEMS will interact with the complex AICIS regulations – ideally in a manner that avoids duplication, inefficiencies, and undue costs on businesses. These concerns will be core to Accord’s ongoing engagement with the Environment Department on their implementation details. Pleasingly, the Department has shown a strong willingness to consult and engage, and it is hoped a workable IChEMS that avoids cost and red tape imposts on the Australian hygiene products industry can be established. If you would like to know more about the new law and the environmental risk register, contact Craig Brock (cbrock@accord.asn.au). Details can also be found at the following weblink - https:// www.environment.gov.au/protection/chemicalsmanagement/national-standard. ■
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Whilst there is strong support for the goal of a nationally consistent legislative framework to manage environmental risks resulting from the use of industrial chemicals, there are still a range of concerns relating to key details for achieving this.
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Page 20, The Senate, Environment and Communications Legislation Committee Inquiry, Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management (Register) Bill 2020 [Provisions] and related bills 1
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Odaban E To remove putrid and “wet dog” odours from carpet has always been difficult due to the many different odour types. Odaban E has been specifically formulated and is one of the very few odour attackers available in the market that really attacks unpleasant odours to create a pleasant environment. Even rotting food, smoke, pet’s urine, and sewerage can be deodorised with Odaban E with only a pleasant fresh spicy aroma left behind.
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PRODUCTS
Provada Provada is a proudly Australian owned supplier of cleaning and hospitality supplies. Distributed by Manningham Corporation, Provada is a leading cleaning and hospitality wholesale supplier. Provada’s new premium, commercial, gold, and signature ranges have been used across Australia for many years. It has been working alongside clients nationwide and continues to expand its growing network of resellers and distributors. Manningham provides free delivery to local areas and a pick-up service at all branches. By constantly adding new products to its extensive range, Provada ensures customers have the right products for their specific needs. All Provada’s products meet Australian standards, so resellers and distributors can trust in the product they sell.
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Comac Antea 50 Battery Operated Floor Scrubber Antea is a sturdy walk-behind scrubbing machine that’s ideal for heavy duty and maintenance cleaning on floors up to 2200m². It’s packed with innovative design choices, features a die-cast aluminium frame, brush head and squeegee mount, and is compact enough to manoeuvre in tight spaces. This batteryoperated cleaner has a 50cm working width and a disc brush.
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PRODUCTS
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Makita Australia 1300 361 690 www.makita.com.au
i-land S i-mop trolley The i-land S is specially designed to help with transporting any i-mop floor scrubber over rough terrain. With large pneumatic tyres and a locking holder for the i-mop, the i-land S also has integrated tool holders to allow you to carry a microfibre mop or dusting tools, space for an onboard i-mop charger, and additional carrying capacity to other cleaning accessories. The i-land S is ideal for sites where i-mops are required to be transported between buildings.
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64 INCLEAN July / August 2021
PRODUCTS
Cleanstar’s washroom range Made in the Americas, Cleanstar’s extensive range of premium quality washroom products include antisplash urinals, blocks in tank toilet cleaners and fragrant deodorisers that are long lasting, non-para and septic safe.
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i-mop xl Deep Scrubbing Bracket The Deep Scrub Bracket is an optional accessory for the, designed to raise the suction squeegee of the i-mop off the floor for deep scrubbing, floor stripping, or floor buffing. The scrub bracket allows operators cleaners to use the i-mop with the vacuum motor off, with no contact between the squeegee and the floor. The Deep Scrub Bracket is available for the i-mop XL and XXL models. All i-mop XL & XXL models are suitable to be retrofitted with the Deep Scrub Bracket.
www.i-teamanz.com
Bonastre Pads Polish floors in three easy steps, only with water. No harsh chemicals, just a combination of unique pads impregnated with diamond particles, and water – that’s the secret of Bonastre Pads success in creating mirror finish floors, in just three easy steps Easy to use with most floor machines, simply attached the graded coloured pads and follow the easy steps to rejuvenate worn floors to a sparkling gloss shine. Environmentally friendly and available in many sizes. Onsite demonstration available.
Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 sales@centralcleaning.com.au www.centralcleaning.com.au
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Starbag Cleanstar offers the most comprehensive range of premium quality vacuum bags in Australia, with more than 300 different types of bags in stock and suitable for thousands of different vacuum cleaner brands and models. Cleanstar’s extensive range includes paper, synthetic and cloth reusable bags. It is important to use vacuum bags with your vacuum cleaner as bags contain the dust and does not allow the dust to get through to the motor, prolonging the life of the motor. Bags also offer extra filtration in your vacuum cleaner and work alongside the vacuum filters to offer the ultimate in filtration.
Cleanstar 03 9460 5655 sales@cleanstar.com.au www.cleanstar.com.au
New cleaning products from Central Cleaning Supplies Central Cleaning Supplies has created three new cleaning products to help keep areas cleaner and fresher. Carpet Cleaner – a premium liquid detergent which contains fast-reacting cleaning agents for single-pass water extraction carpet cleaning and leaves a fresh fragrance. Grease Release – a superior foaming cleaner formulated for the removal of cooking fats, grease, and build up found in kitchens and on floors. Odour Eliminator – releases a pleasant fragrance that indulges the sense. Containing a blend of emulsified essential oils to mask odours and kill germs.
NEW S16 Battery Powered Ride-on Sweeper The S16 Battery Powered Ride-on Sweeper delivers more productivity and versatility with Tennant durability and safety all in a compact design. Designed for indoor and outdoor use across a variety of surfaces and debris types, the S16 provides excellent carpet cleaning results with proven performance on carpeted surfaces. Available Carpet Care (FiberShield) and HEPA filtration help maintain indoor air quality - ideal for large indoor spaces such as convention centres and airports. • Non-marking skirts prevent damage when sweeping on carpeted surfaces as well as protection barriers • MaxPro sweeping technology provides consistent main brush power regardless of surface and debris changes for smooth transitions between hard and soft floor surfaces. • Maximise productivity with a wider sweep path, large (high dump) powered hopper and automatic brush levelling • Convenient cleaning with a dry vacuum wand (standard) • Extend runtime and clean with reduced noise levels with Eco-Mode (standard).
Tennant Australia 1800 226 843 www.tennantco.com.au
66 INCLEAN July / August 2021
Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 sales@centralcleaning.com.au www.centralcleaning.com.au
PRODUCTS
TemplaCMS TemplaCMS from TEAM Software is contract management software specifically designed for cleaning companies. With integrated accounts and payroll, it meets the unique challenges of running a labour-intensive, site-based, multicontract service business. Easily communicate with your field-based workforce and share information with stakeholders to deliver the best possible service to your customers. TemplaCMS powers each business process through a central data base, so you only need to input contract data in one location, reducing administration time, avoiding duplication, and eliminating keying errors. Using the TemplaCMS standard reporting suite, you can budget and analyse each revenue and cost stream in your business.
TEAM Software +44(0) 370 626 0400 sales.emea@teamsoftware.com https://teamsoftware.com/incleanmagazine
Manufacturing Company
MULTI FLOOR CLEANING POWER SEBO PROFESSIONAL RANGE
PREMIUM BATTERIES FOR
FLOOR CLEANERS + Rugged Construction
+ XC2™ Formulation
+ SpeedCap® Venting + Diamond Plate Positive Locking System Technology®
Available from R & J Batteries stores and distributors / www.rjbatt.com.au/u-s-battery / 1300 769 282
sebo.com.au
POWERHEADS | CRB MACHINE | UPRIGHTS | BARRELS | POLISHER
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PRODUCTS
Florogen range Florogen concentrated alcohol-based air fresheners may be used as a space deodorant or as a surface deodorant for extremely long lasting 24-hour deodorisation. Florogen may be used in toilet areas, under sinks, behind desks and furniture and into waste bins after cleaning. Available in the pleasant perfumes of original, strawberry, lavender, and frangipani. Florogen has been proven to kill 99.9 per cent of bacteria. It is available in a 5 litre bottle and 500ml ready to use spray bottles.
Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 www.whiteley.com.au
Clorox Total 360 System The Clorox Total 360 Electrostatic Sprayer, paired with trusted Clorox disinfecting and sanitising solutions, provides superior surface coverage so facilities can do much more, much faster, for much less. Utilising innovative electrostatic spray technology allows Clorox disinfecting and sanitising solutions to reach surfaces outside the line of sight, covering what conventional trigger sprays may miss, including the sides, underside, and backside of surfaces. It works by using an electrode to introduce an attractive charge to the disinfecting or sanitising product and atomises the solution, using an air compressor to generate a quiet, but powerful liquid flow. • 0 minute re-entry time • Takes less time: up to 75 per cent faster † • Covers more: treat up to 1650 sqm/hour • Reduces cost: uses 65 per cent less solution† †
Compared to a trigger sprayer
Clorox Australia 1800 314 767 www.CloroxProfessional.com.au
NEW Sanitol Jade Sanitol Jade is a new addition to the Sanitol range, with a refreshing new fragrance. Sanitol is uniquely formulated to prevent the spread of harmful germs. Sanitol Jade’s rapidly acting formula kills 99.99 per cent of germs - protecting you against a range of potentially unsafe micro-organisms. It is an effective component of a hand and personal hygiene program and its scientifically advanced formula is gentle on most skin types. Sanitol Jade contains natural emollients to replenish the skin’s lipids leaving hands feeling soft, smooth, and revitalised. Its natural skin conditioners and light pleasant fragrance is ideal for all ages to use. Sanitol Jade is proudly Australian made in Whiteley’s manufacturing facility in the Hunter region of NSW. Sanitol Jade is available in 500ml pump bottles and 1 litre pods for use in Whiteley Dispensing Systems (automated or manual), and a 5 litre bottle.
Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 www.whiteley.com.au/product/sanitol-jade-antibacterial-hand-sanitiser 68 INCLEAN July / August 2021
PRODUCTS
Black is Green HEPA Dry Canister Vacuums Designed and built in Europe combining ergonomic design with the operator in mind, and innovative features as standard Tennant’s Canister vacuums come in V-CAN-12 (12L) and V-CAN-16 (16L) capacities, with 3-stage filtration, HEPA bag and added HEPA filtration cartridge (standard on V-CAN-12 model only) to help maintaining indoor air quality ideal for hospitals, offices, schools and HORECA. Featuring: • Superior suction and high-capacity bag ideal for commercial cleaning • Speed regulator with noise adjustment and a full bag indicator (V-CAN-16) • Ultra-quiet performance (63Dba) • Eco-Energy rated motor • Up to 55 per cent recycled plastic construction designed to promote sustainable cleaning programs • Detachable 12m power cable and integrated cable wrap with two parking positions for easy storage and use • Hard floor tool included • Telescopic wand (V-CAN-16)
Tennant 1800 226 843 www.tennantco.com.au
WIPE AWAY
SCENTED SPRAY & WIPE
SPRAY & WIPE DETERGENT
Wipe Away is a powerful, grease-cutting cleaner that rapidly attacks and removes soils from hard surfaces. It is designed for spray and wipe cleaning to cut through the toughest grease and oils without leaving any residues or films on the clean surface. The popular perfume leaves the area with a delightful spice in the air.
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Powerful, grease-cutting formula cuts through dirt & grime with ease Leaves no residues or films Very economical – makes up to 200 bottles!
Find out more today!
1800 301 302
Contact us:
www.agar.com.au
12-14 Cope Street, Preston VIC 3072
SWEET SPICE
The Chemistry of Cleaning
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PRODUCTS
Spitfire Advanced – Carpet & Upholstery Pre-spray
Flo-star Cleanstar’s premium brand of carpet extraction equipment and accessories, Flostar, offers a comprehensive range of tools and equipment for carpet cleaning machines including wands, upholstery tools, spinner tools, connectors, jets, and fittings.
Spitfire Advanced has been the recognized as one of the performance leaders in the professional carpet cleaner market over many years. Ingredients in the formula improves rinsing and increase drying speed – with less foam. Carpets stay cleaner longer as better rinsing means less sticky residue and less dirt in the carpet. Spitfire Advanced safely removes traffic lane soil yellowing without the alkalinity that could damage protective finishes, reduces fibre/dye fastness, and burn wool fibres. Spitfire Advanced gives exceptionally good cleaning performance on wool and wool blend carpets and fabrics.
Cleanstar 03 9460 5655 sales@cleanstar.com.au www.cleanstar.com.au
Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions Pty Ltd 1300 669 686 www.oateslaboratories.com.au
Aussie Heatwave – Sanitise with steam Australian Pumps’ portable engine drive steam cleaner provides serious high pressure steam capability with compact design and low entry point price. The Heatwave offers 4000 psi pressure and temperatures up to 130°c. • Honda GX390 13 hp electric start engine with 14-amp charge circuit. • 12-volt diesel fired burner • Spiralast coil with lifetime warranty • Heavy duty battery, waterproof battery case and stainless-steel frame with integrated handles Ideal for mobile cleaning contractors, schools and councils cleaning and sanitising amenities and graffiti removal.
Australian Pump Industries 02 8865 3500 aussiepumps.com.au 70 INCLEAN July / August 2021
PRODUCTS
Predator MK2 Introducing the Australian designed and built, Predator MK2 carpet extractor machine. Meticulously designed to deliver powerful performance and provide portability for large- or smallscale carpet cleaning, the Predator packs more punch than units twice its size. The heart of the Predator is a powerful 2000 psi max rated HYPRO pump, driven by 0.56kw (0.75 HP) Marathon motor. • Machine is spring-mounted on rubber seals vacuum motors deliver vibration-free, low-noise extraction power in a minimum profile body (2 x vacuum motors: 3 stage 1100W each). • ‘Euro-style’ fiberglass body (with 50L solution and 42L recovery tank) and aluminum frame which creates an ultra-strong and light weight machine, ensuring reduced risk and damage to furniture and fittings. • Versatile carpet extractor with adjustable pressure with thermostatically controlled heater element designed to maintain water temperature up to 70°C. • Optional items available: Booster box to increase vacuum power (2 x vacuum motors: 3 stage 1100W each), Upholstery tool, stair wand and auto fill/auto empty unit, Australian made 3 jet wand and 7.5m, 10m, 15m vacuum and solution hoses available.
Polivac International Contact nearest distributor www.polivac.com.au
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PRODUCTS
Z Water – Safe and chemical free cleaning
NEW Sabco Professional UltraClean Microfibre Disposable Flat Mop Pads
Z Water is a purified pH12.5 ionised alkaline water made with advance Japanese technology that is chemical free and requires no rinsing after use. It cleans, deodorizes, and sanitises at the same time. Using electrolysis, the Z Water generator produces 20 litres of Z water per hour.
Using disposable microfibre as a one-time use product means that each new mop provides consistent cleaning power through its recommended cleaning area. If you are cleaning a large area, make sure you know the maximum recommended square footage that your disposable mop is effective in cleaning before replacing it.
Z Water has no colour compounds, no odours, non-sticky and no foam up during use. Z Water is the perfect cleaning agent on areas that are sensitive to conventional cleaning chemicals, such as childcare centres, hospitals, F&B outlets, and theatre seats. Professional cleaners love Z Water as it cleans many surfaces. It’s safer and leaves no residue after cleaning. Surfaces cleaned with Z Water, being free of chemical residue, stay cleaner longer.
• Single use microfibre pads that are ideal for high-risk areas such as aged care, healthcare, BSC and food environments • Up to 20m2 coverage from each pad • Suitable for dry or damp mopping • Reduces the need for heavy buckets of water • Suitable for use with just water or with chemicals
Free demonstration available
Sabco Australia
Central Cleaning Supplies
www.sabco.com.au
1300 347 347 sales@centralcleaning.com.au www.centralcleaning.com.au
Adiatek Quartz Stand-On Auto Scrubbers The new generation, battery powered Adiatek Quartz Auto Scrubbers offer unbeatable cleaning performances and deliver the comfort of a ride on machine with unmatched manoeuvrability and visibility. The Quartz range come in three models, Quartz 50, 66, and 80. They provide a flexible and compact solution with cleaning widths from 508mm to 785mm, battery autonomy of up to four – five hours, and a working capacity up to 4710 m²/h. Like all Adiatek machines, the Quartz range is simple and cost effective to use and come with a two-year warranty. Free demonstration available.
Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 sales@centralcleaning.com.au www.centralcleaning.com.au 72 INCLEAN July / August 2021
PRODUCTS
Makita 18Vx2 Brushless Blower/Vacuum
Wipe Away
Clean up the Autumn leaves without the need for petrol or fumes!
Wipe Away is a powerful, grease-cutting cleaner, which rapidly attacks and removes soilage from hard surfaces. It is formulated for spray and wipe cleaning. It is designed to wipe off in one pass with no residues or ‘films’ being left on the surface. The popular perfume stays on the clean surface to let people know it has been cleaned.
• Easy to change setup between blowing and vacuuming • Powerful 234km/h air speed • Cruise control for long periods of use • Vacuum mulching with 50L capacity bag • Available as tool only or in a kit
Makita Australia 1300 361 690 www.makita.com.au
Agar Cleaning Systems (03) 9480 3000 www.agar.com.au
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Microfibre presents many cleaning benefits – it will lift and trap microbes, dirt, dust, grime and moisture. Cotton fibre by comparison, will smear dirt and particles, resulting in a dirty and wet surface. • Colour coded edging to match professional colour coding system. Lowering the risk of cross contamination • Twist pile microfibre designed to effectively remove microbes, dirt, dust, and grime • Made from bleachable yarn with unique antibacterial treatment for superior removal of bacteria during washing • Can be washed up to 500 times • Launderable up to 90°C
Sabco Australia www.sabco.com.au
CONTACT US FOR YOUR NEAREST STOCKIST (03) 9460 5655 sales@cleanstar.com.au www.cleanstar.com.au
15 YEARS STRONG www.incleanmag.com.au 73
PRODUCTS
Camill Electric Utility Vehicles Meet the fleet of Camill Electric Utility Vehicles. They are environmentally friendly and helps to minimise our carbon footprint. Noise levels are also greatly reduced during operation. What really sets this fleet apart is the extensiveness of the range, from transport vehicles, to sweepers, to garbage trucks and pressure washers. Each category also comprises of various models to fit different job requirements. No matter the job or the size, there’s bound to be a Camill Electric Utility Vehicle that can help make heavy work easy on your site. Free demonstration and custom branding available.
Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 sales@centralcleaning.com.au www.centralcleaning.com.au
Rosemor Escalator Cleaning Machine Introducing the most technologically advanced escalator cleaning system in the world… Rotomatic. With touch screen interface, 10 second ‘Rapid’ cleaning cycle and a revolutionary “self-cleaning” mode, it’s a new era for cleaning technology. • Two-stage energy efficient step drying • Large detergent tank capacity • New ultra-compact size
Vacspare 1300 722 886 sales@vacspare.com.au
Sorbent Professional Bringing the comfort of home to your business. Solaris Paper is excited to introduce the well-loved Australian icon of Sorbent into the B2B market as Sorbent Professional. The range is designed to be soft, strong, and absorbent including: • Toilet tissue rolls individually wrapped and jumbo toilet rolls, both with a lovely emboss. • Facial tissues with softness for sensitive noses; • TAD hand towel using Australian technology to create an interlock weave for improved absorbency; and • Matching dispensers, free on loan with the purchase of Sorbent Professional products. Kind on your sensitive bits and the environment with 100 per cent independently certified sustainable fibre. Perfect for those washrooms where they expect a little more.
Solaris Paper 1800 832 883 enquiries@solarispaper.com.au
74 INCLEAN July / August 2021
reception@airhygienetraining.com.au
www.airhygienetraining.com.au