HEALTHY opportunities

Post-pandemic, the OP industry is looking at a newly educated market for health and well-being –

by Bruce Ackland

Over the past couple of years, few categories have taken on as much prominence in the workplace as health and well-being.

It’s an area that has been completely re-examined and emboldened by a variety of factors, the most significant among these being the COVID-19 pandemic, greater awareness of mental health and a renewed belief in the old adage that a company’s most valuable resource is its people.

One of the new phrases that has entered the category is the ‘homification of the office’. It’s a way of making people feel mentally and physically comfortable in the office environment after the work-from-home (WFH) times of COVID.

Indeed, there is a whole science behind building a better and more productive

VENDOR SPECIAL Special Issue

workplace. Patty Olinger, Executive Director at the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, a division of international cleaning association ISSA, explains: “It’s not just the layout, but also how we look at indoor air quality, cleanability of surfaces, touchless technologies, etc.

“These types of issues are extremely important as we build resilience against the ongoing COVID-19 challenges but, crucially, against any and all potentially infectious diseases we might face now and in the future.”

David Centrella, President of ODP Business Solutions, adds: “Office workers have been in control of their well-being for the past two years [during the WFH period]. As such, providing them with products and solutions which focus on well-being in the workplace supports their changing needs and helps them feel more secure back in the office.”

For organisations, the main motivation from a management perspective is lowering the risk of infection among employees, says Jonathan Weiss, Commercial Director B2B at Reckitt in Europe, Australia and New Zealand: “This leads to a more productive workforce and a better-performing business.

“Four out of five employees would go to work even if they are sick, which is why it’s imperative to invest in cleaning and hygiene products and protocols to break the chain of infection. Providing a clean work environment can also help to attract and retain top talent.”

The Right Balance

So how do you create the best working environment – in the office, at home or a hybrid bit of both? What are the key components?

First, you have to remember that not everyone performs their best in the same setting; it can be task-dependent too, meaning workplaces which offer different types of surroundings are more likely to get the maximum out of employees. It further helps each member of the team to feel valued as productivity is linked closely to staff morale.

ODP Business Solutions offers a wide range of products, services and recommendations to assist companies in providing a comfortable work setting with a focus on sustainability and efficiency. In addition, the B2B reseller conducts site surveys to give insights and suggestions on how to establish a clean and comfortable space.

Olinger adds: “It is not about how pretty a place looks or how great it smells, but making sure we clean, sanitise and disinfect correctly. When we use the correct tools and train our staff to use them appropriately, we not only have a more hygienic workplace, but we can also save time, resources and support environmental sustainability programmes.” solution. Items like disinfecting wipes and hand sanitisers should be customised, based on the client’s desires, wants and habits.

“If dealers don’t include well-being items, they risk missing out on providing their customers with a comprehensive solution, in the process losing revenue. Margins are also best when staying on top of new trends.”

ISG is working with its members in a variety of ways to ensure they are making the most of the post-pandemic potential. The group has organised a multitude of training webinars in conjunction with its direct manufacturers, with the purpose of highlighting new products that are part of the solution to provide better workplace wellness.

The best margins for dealers which operate specifically in the cleaning and hygiene sector can vary depending on several factors, says Reckitt’s Weiss, including the type of products they are selling and the size of their customer base. “Some potential areas where dealers may be able to achieve higher margins include private label, niche items, high-quality services or online sales. It all depends on competition, cost and demand.”

He adds: “There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but there are several ways dealers can sell ‘workplace wellness’ and promote the products and services they offer. Strategies include highlighting the benefits of products and services, offering bundled solutions and building trust and credibility.”

Best Foot Forward

Opportunities in the dealer community are manifold, but independents have to be on the front foot to service the post-pandemic office. As Frank Hoard, Director of the Facility Supply Channel at Independent Suppliers Group (ISG), explains: “Dealers should include workplace well-being products as part of any

Vendors, of course, can also provide valuable assistance. In the UK, for instance, new distributor portal GOJO.co.uk hosts a wealth of resources resellers can access. In the US, GOJO.com provides market-specific resources, while the PURELL Well-Being Center offers hand and surface hygiene best practices, posters/fact sheets as well as product placement suggestions.

Sustainability Focus

Sustainability has become a vital consideration in this category as workers demand that the products they use are part of the circular economy. With the heightened recognition of climate change millennials and Gen Z in particular bring to the workplace, businesses are feeling the pressure to demonstrate an awareness of sustainability through the fit-out and furnishing of their offices.

Many companies have also set environmental, social and governance goals and, in pursuit of these, are focusing more on sustainability. Paul Eatock, Managing Director of UK-based office design and commercial fit-out specialists Eatock Design & Build, says: “While design and functionality remain priorities, there is huge swaying power in products made with sustainability in mind. This means sourcing items made from recycled materials which boast low-carbon production or can be recycled at their end of life. Dealers that do not offer those products are likely to lose their competitive edge.”

Martina Heiland, PR Manager at Durable, highlights the necessity to customise: “Workplace equipment needs to reflect flexibility and individuality. A sense of well-being is achieved when workplaces can be adjusted to the individual requirements of employees. Tables, chairs and monitors, for instance, should all display maximum flexibility to accommodate employees.”

In addition to these ergonomic products, Heiland also refers to lighting as an important consideration, again with personal preference in mind. “With our LUCTRA brand, we offer a luminaire portfolio which can be modified to each user thanks to variants in brightness and light colour. The light not only complies with the specified standards, but the latest technology also ensures energy-efficient and comfortable illumination of the entire work area.”

Renz’s Schubert has already alluded to the importance of indoor air quality. This indeed is a sub-category which continues to gain greater importance and is set to outlast any pandemic-related product peaks. Fellowes Brands has been a trendsetter in this area with its AeraMax air purifiers aimed at a wide variety of settings – the office space and education establishments included.

ISG’s Hoard concurs, adding: “Cleaning professionals and end users are seeking more sustainable disinfectants and cleaners to help keep their facilities healthy. Products that contain the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safer Choice and Design for Environment certified ingredients are being used to sustain a ‘green’ solution to cleaning.”

Key Products

There are some key sub-categories under the health and well-being umbrella. Among the most prominent are undoubtedly ergonomics and air quality alongside items that promote positive mental health.

As Marion Schubert, Marketing Officer at German vendor Renz, summarises: “Dealers should concentrate on offering high-quality and ergonomic office equipment. In addition, they can promote devices that help check indoor air quality. An example of this is our AIR2COLOR CO2 traffic light which notifies staff when it is time to open windows.

“When it comes to well-being equipment with mental health in mind, meanwhile, products such as yoga mats, sound bowls and fragrance lamps will become ever more important in the future.”

The company started its journey into this space about 11 years ago with personal air purifiers, entering the commercial segment two years later. By the time COVID-19 happened, it had amassed a huge amount of expertise in a category it continues to feel passionate about and comprehensively develops.

As Hoard says: “Air purification plays an important role in the office environment, there’s no question. Workers want to be assured that the everyday air they breathe is being filtered properly.

Another organisation that has expanded beyond its traditional product portfolio is office furniture supplier Special T. Creative Director Scott Althauser explains: “Our offering for private desks, tables and desking systems, plus the accessories needed to fully support a healthy and clean workplace, is wide-ranging. We also now provide air purification units, clear plexiglass privacy screens to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria, and tables/desks that are affordable and socially distant.”

Keen To Be Clean

While some products have not lasted the test of post-pandemic times particularly well, many definitely have. Sanitisers, for instance, will remain essential in a workplace newly educated about keeping clean, with recent figures showing 80% of infections are spread through contaminated surfaces.

According to a report by the Centre for Economic and Business Research, poor office hygiene is costing the UK £13.7 billion ($16.7 billion) alone on wasted productivity.

For its part in advanced office sanitisation, GOJO Industries has finetuned its PURELL Surface Sanitising and Disinfecting Wipes to not just quickly eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and viruses of concern, but to earn the EPA’s lowest allowable toxicity rating (Category IV). It means users don’t need gloves or handwashing and there’s no need to rinse surfaces after use.

Workplace cleanliness is a topic close to the heart of Jim Arbogast PhD, VP of Hygiene Sciences and Public Health Advancements at GOJO: “Organisations must maintain a clean workplace and provide easy access to quality hygiene products and supplies. Low-toxicity disinfectant wipes or spray should be near shared spaces so employees can always disinfect their own area before and/or after use,” he explains.

“Dispensers with effective alcohol-based hand sanitisers are critical in settings like conference rooms, breakrooms and cafeterias, and high-traffic areas such as lobbies, elevators and restrooms.”

Health and wellness in the office was a focus point before COVID-19. Now the category has become the bedrock of the modern workplace – wherever it happens to be. It presents ample opportunities for employers to look after the bodies and minds of their staff and unlimited potential for resellers selling into this space.