C&M INDUSTRY NEWS
CHSA calls for priority testing for cleaning product suppliers THE Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association
individuals produce, pack and distribute the
(CHSA) has written to the Health Secretary,
products being used by cleaning operatives
concluded: “We are
Matt Hancock MP, asking that employees of
working in hospitals, care homes, schools
delighted cleaning has
manufacturers and distributors of cleaning and
and other essential locations, including
been acknowledged
hygiene products be eligible for priority testing
offices being prepared to get the economy
as an essential service
for the Coronavirus
moving again. The products include
and those who work in
Anyone over the age of five who exhibits
essential items such as clinical waste sacks,
the industry - cleaners,
symptoms of COVID-19 is now able to secure
gowns, aprons, gloves, masks, hard surface
and the distributors
a test for Coronavirus. Essential workers in
sanitisers and hand sanitisers, non-woven
and manufacturers of
England, Scotland and Northern Ireland
wipes, tissue, and other related products.
the products they use - are starting to get the
can apply for priority testing through the
Without priority testing, manufacturers and
recognition they deserve. We ask you to build
government’s website. These tests are
distributors may be affected by employees
on this recognition and specify employees of
prioritised over those made available to the
unknowingly infecting colleagues. The
manufacturers and distributors of cleaning and
wider public through the NHS.
consequence could be an impact on the
hygiene products as eligible for priority testing
ability of the companies to manufacture and
for the coronavirus.”
distribute the essential products.”
WWW.CHSA.CO.UK
In his letter to Matt Hancock, Lorcan Mekitarian, chair of the CHSA, said: “These
Mekitarian
FM leaders call for strategic partnerships and performance-based contracts to drive innovation successful innovation programmes, there is a certain amount of scepticism and uncertainty when it comes to technology adoption. FM leaders need to ensure they get the advice and support they need, working collaboratively alongside trusted partners to develop the right innovation strategies.” The research shows that FM leaders are enthusiastic about the introduction of cobotics into commercial cleaning. Cobots THE majority of FM leaders across the EMEA
The majority of FM leaders believe that future
are collaborative robots which work alongside
region believe that technology suppliers should
innovation strategies need to be more holistic
cleaning teams and undertake repetitive and
offer performance-based contracts in order to
in their approach, with 76% stating that it is as
time-consuming tasks such as vacuuming, freeing
improve the success rate of innovation projects
important to evolve their business model as it is
up staff to focus on other tasks such as the deep
within FM and commercial cleaning.
to innovate with technology.
cleaning and sanitisation of hard surfaces which is critical in the fight against COVID-19.
New research from SoftBank Robotics
According to the survey, FM leaders want
EMEA reveals that 89% of supply side and
suppliers to offer procurement models which
78% of demand side FM leaders think that
make new technologies more accessible and
innovation depends on a lot more than simply
performance-based contracts are positive for
affordable, and minimise their financial risk.
having access to the very latest and most
the cleaning industry. More than half (57%)
70% of FM leaders state that a leasing model
impactful technologies - it’s about developing
of FM leaders would like to see performance-
that reduces their financial risk would make the
the business models, processes, skills, and
based fees, 46% would like gain-share models
adoption of new cleaning technologies more
understanding within the organisation to
and 44% would like some level of commercial
attractive. This figure rises to 73% within supply
integrate new technologies in an effective and
and operational risk-sharing when entering into
side organisations.
sustainable way. It’s crucial that FM leaders,
a contract with a cleaning technology provider.
Nils van der Zijl, VP sales and marketing,
Van der Zijl concluded: “Successful
whether on the demand or supply side, find
SoftBank Robotics EMEA, said: “There is clearly
strategic technology partners that can help
paper, The Cobotic Evolution in Cleaning. It
a real appetite for partnership models within
them to implement the wider operational and
highlights the need for a new approach to
FM and cleaning, where technology providers
cultural changes that are so critical to delivering
innovation within commercial cleaning, with
work closely with facility management service
innovation and real commercial impact.”
81% of FM leaders reporting that their innovation
providers and businesses to deliver innovation,
projects have failed to deliver on expected
with shared goals, risks and rewards. It’s
white paper, The Cobotic Evolution in Cleaning,
outcomes over the past two years. 66% state that
understandable that in an industry that has
available from the SoftBank Robotics website.
innovation in cleaning is long overdue.
experienced significant challenges in delivering
WWW.MEETWHIZ.COM
The research is presented in a new white
8 JUNE 2020
The full research findings can be found in the
WWW.CLEANINGMAG.COM
