The pan-European magazine for the professional cleaning sector
JUNE/JULY 2013
SPECIAL REPORT
BUSINESS
ANALYSIS
International congress for Berlin show See the news pages
Hygiene in food preparation
Telecom scams trade
Window cleaning
Page 25
Page 48
Page 61
Available every day: fresh floors, gently cleaned. Everyday cleaning in the retail business needs to be quick and simple. Kärcher provides solutions for your daily cleaning needs with low costs and spotless results in less time. Because the first impression counts. As does the second, and every one after that. After all, it’s not enough to know what the customer wants – you also have to be able to provide it. Quality, low prices, professional consultation and service from one source. The Kärcher System. Always fresh. Kärcher eco!efficiency – achieve more with less.
www.kaercher.com
CONTENTS
June/July 2013 | Vol.21, No.3
COVER STORY
SPECIAL REPORTS 25 A quick fix in the kitchen
22 Rubbermaid A new range of products
Cleaning and hygiene should never be compromised in the kitchen but speed and efficiency are essential in such a high-pressure environment.
BUSINESS 48 Growth in furtive telecom scams trade Hartley Milner reports on how telecom scams are an increasing threat to business.
36 Cleaning industry makes real progress A look at the Austrian cleaning sector as part of our European series.
39 The alternative to ‘glug glug’ Free pouring of cleaning chemicals is still widespread in the industry, but it can pose various challenges. ECJ looks at some other solutions.
03 News
43 True value of technology 12 European reports
What is the true value of information technology in the cleaning industry and what convinces customers to buy, asks Ann Laffeaty.
51 Reducing wiper consumption
47 Business news
We ask wiper producers how latest systems encourage less consumption.
57 Of material importance 64 Product review
Why selecting the right squeegee is crucial for a successful scrubbing job.
61 The sky’s the limit How are window cleaning systems being adapted to keep up with trends?
Criterion Publishing Ltd PO Box 299, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 1FP UK T +44 (0)1494 791222 F +44 (0)1494 792223 info@europeancleaningjournal.com www. europeancleaningjournal.com Subscriptions UK - £60 / Continental Europe - £70 / International - £80
Editor Michelle Marshall Features Writer Ann Laffeaty Advertisements Director Chris Goodman Advertisement Sales Carole Dawson Circulation Marie Payne
Italy, Spain & Switzerland Fabio Potesta Mediapoint & Communications Corte Lambruschini, Corso Buenons Aires, 8 V0 Piano, Interno 7 16129 Genova, Italy T +39 010 570 4948 F +39 010 553 0088 info@mediapointsrl.it www. mediapointsrl.it
European Cleaning Journal is published six times a year by Criterion Publishing Ltd. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in European Cleaning, Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents can accept no responsibility for the varacity of claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright for all material published in European Cleaning remains with Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents.
Germany Reinhard Knittler Knittler Medien, Mittlerer Hubweg 5, D-72227 Egenhausen, Germany T +49 7453/9385 787 F +49 7453/9385 797 info@knittler.de www.knittler.de ISSN 0968-901X ©Criterion Publishing 2013
NEWS & EVENTS
Latest News & Events from ECJ
CMS Berlin organisers to host international congress at show
Americo acquires strategic assets and brands of Glit/Microtron After the recent closure of the Glit/Microtron floor pad manufacturing plant in Georgia, USA, Americo has acquired the strategic assets of the company. The purchase included equipment and inventory as well as formulations for all products produced in the Glit/ Microtron facility. Americo also secured the rights to the Glit name along with registered trademarks including the
The organisers of the CMS cleaning exhibition in Berlin this September will host an international conference there for the first time. The theme Sustainable Competitiveness in the Cleaning Sector. The event will run over two days of the exhibition September 25 and 26 - with speakers from around the world presenting papers. One of the industry associations compiling the programme is the German cleaning systems organisation VDMA. Its president Markus Asch explained: “The focus will be on different markets. Major challenges and global trends will be discussed as well as concepts and solutions for the tasks the cleaning sector has to fulfil. “It is important for us to give delegates high-level first-hand information to take home.” Also taking part in the programme is Hans Simons, president of the
European Federation of Cleaning Industries. He said: “The schedule covers job market and energy issues, the relationship to facility management, disinfection and hygiene. It will also address the global development of the cleaning industry along with the image, positioning and development potential of its players.” Speakers will include Dr Adonai Arruda of Higi Serv Holdings in Brazil, Dr JPS Bakshi of India, Simon Chen from ICE in China, Toni D’Andrea of Afidamp Servizi in Italy, Pro Dr med Petra Gastmeier from the Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine in Berlin, Dr Ilham Kadri from Diversey in the USA, Yri Rabitschew of Primex in Russia, Giampaolo Ruffo of Comac in Italy, and Christian Storinggaard of Ecolab in Switzerland. Delegate fee is 400 euros. Visit www.cms-berlin.com
Visit the ECJ website regularly to keep up to date with latest industry news, read authoritative comment and exclusive blogs from industry experts: www.europeancleaningjournal.com • Les organisateurs du salon allemand de la propreté CMS, qui se tiendra en septembre à Berlin, ont prévu de tenir une conférence internationale au cours de cette manifestation. • Quelques semaines à peine après l’annonce par Continental Commercial Products qu’il allait fermer son usine de tampons de nettoyage Glit/Microtron en Georgie, aux États-Unis, Americo a repris les actifs stratégiques de cette société.
Buckaroo and Jackeroo brands. Lenny Shutzberg, chief executive officer of Americo Manufacturing Company said: “We are looking forward to the expansion of our product line with the addition of certain Glit formulations that have been highly regarded within the industry for a very long time. “With the re-introduction of select Glit products Americo will expand its offering.” www.americomfg.com
EVENTS June 30-July 2
May 6-9 2014
Cleantex Pulire
ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam
Johannesburg, South Africa www.cleantex.co.za
Amsterdam, Netherlands www.issainterclean.com
September 24-27
September 18-20 2014
CMS
Pulire Asia Pacific
Berlin, Germany www.cms-berlin.com
Bangkok, Thailand www.pulire-asiapacific.com
October 15-16
November 4-7 2014
Ausclean Pulire
ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America
Sydney, Australia www.auscleanexpo.com.au
Orlando, USA www.issainterclean.com
November 13-15
February 25-27 2015
ExpoClean Moscow
ISSA/INTERCLEAN Latin America
Moscow, Russia www.expoclean.ru
Mexico City, Mexico www.issainterclean.com
November 18-21
March 10-12 2015
ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America
The Cleaning Show
Las Vegas, USA www.issainterclean.com
London, UK www.cleaningshow.co.uk
December 5-7
April 22-24 2015
Clean India Pulire
ISSA/INTERCLEAN CEE
Mumbai, India www.cleanindiapulire.com
Warsaw, Poland www.issainterclean.com
March 19-20 2014
October 20-23 2015
Forum Pulire
ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America
Milan, Italy www.forumpulire.it
Las Vegas, USA www.issainterclean.com
April 6-9 2014
October 25-28 2016
WFBSC Congress
ISSA/INTERCLEAN North America
New York City, USA www.wfbsc2014.com
Chicago, USA www.issainterclean.com
To have your event included in Events, contact ECJ on +44 (0)1494 791222 or via email at michelle@europeancleaningjournal.com
•Im Rahmen der Internationalen Fachmesse für Reinigungssysteme, Gebäudemanagement und Dienstleistungen CMS, die im kommenden September in Berlin stattfindet, veranstalten die Organisatoren eine internationale Konferenz. • Wenige Wochen nachdem Continental Commercial Products die Schließung der Fertigungsanlage für Glit/MicrotronBodenpads in Georgia, USA, bekannt gab, hat Americo die strategischen Aktivposten des Unternehmens erworben.
• Gli organizzatori della mostra del cleaning tedesco CMS di Berlino che si terrà a settembre, organizzeranno una conferenza internazionale che avrà luogo durante l’evento. • Poche settimane dopo l’annuncio da parte della Continental Commercial Products che annunciava la chiusura dello stabilimento di produzione di tamponi per pavimenti Glit/Microtron in Georgia, USA, la Americo ha acquisito i beni patrimoniali strategici dell’azienda.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 3
NEWS ISS named number one outsourcing company by professionals Global facility services provider ISS has been named number one on the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) annual ranking of the world’s best outsourcing companies. The company has been on the list for several years, reaching the number two position last year. This is the first time, however, it has achieved the number one spot.
Vote of confidence “We are very proud and deeply honoured that IAOP has recognised ISS as the world’s best outsourcing company,” said Jeff Gravenhorst, ISS Group ceo. He continued: “We take the
thought leadership, IAOP and chairman of the judges’ panel. “Being named on The Global Outsourcing 100 is a great achievement, particularly given the strong competition, and we are proud to recognise ISS for their excellence.”
Right partners
ranking as a vote of confidence in ISS and our global platform from which we integrate and self-deliver a complete set of facility services such as catering, cleaning, security, property and support services across
L’Association internationale des professionnels de l’externalisation a classé ISS, le spécialiste mondial du facility management, au premier rang de sa liste annuelle des meilleurs prestataires de services externalisés.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 4
the globe.” “As applicants continually raise the bar and as the outsourcing industry continues to grow and mature in many markets, competition is tougher,” said Jag Dalal, managing director of
ISS, den Anbieter für Facility Services, nimmt in der alljährlich von der International Association of Outsourcing Professionals veröffentlichten Liste der weltbesten Outsourcing-Dienstleister den ersten Platz ein.
“As 2013 begins to see moderate growth in the economy, choosing the right outsourcing partners will be more important than ever,” said IAOP chairman Michael Corbett. “The Global Outsourcing 100 and the World’s Best Outsourcing Advisors lists help companies easily identify partners that will help them emerge as leaders.”
L’associazione internazionale dei professionisti dell’outsoursing (International Association of Outsourcing Professionals) ha messo al primo posto nella sua lista annuale dei migliori fornitori di servizi di outsourcing mondiale l’azienda specializzata in servizi ISS.
NEWS & EVENTS ISSA/INTERCLEAN welcomes visitors from 55 countries The ISSA/INTERCLEAN Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) exhibition took place in Warsaw recently and attracted over 3,700 visitors - say the organisers. The international visitor attendance was 2.5 per cent up on last year - visitors came from 55 countries. Exhibitors from 26 countries were represented. Networking opportunities, seminars, demonstrations and many social events added extra interest to the show.
“These three days have been a great opportunity for doing business and exhibitors from as far apart as South Africa and the United Kingdom, all agreed that this was a really worthwhile show.” The next ISSA/INTERCLEAN CEE will take place from April 22-24 2015. www.issainterclean.com
de Bruin now sole shareholder at MGS International Microfibre cleaning systems specialist MGS International has announced that director Michel de Bruin has acquired the shares of joint owner Rene Buijs. This now makes him the sole owner of the company in the Netherlands. Commenting on the move de Bruin said: “The company has a great future ahead of it.
I would like to wholeheartedly thank Rene for his dedication and what he has achieved since he joined us in 1991. He has contributed greatly to the organisation we are today, growing from a warehouse/ importer to a leading producer and developer of innovative cleaning products and systems of international calibre.”
Next show 2015 “The stable numbers and the many positive reactions of the exhibitors make us confident of our upcoming event in Warsaw in 2015,” said Rob den Hertog, manager for ISSA/INTERCLEAN at Amsterdam RAI. Keith Baker, director of European services at ISSA echoed these sentiments. “ISSA/INTERCLEAN has once again proven to be a truly international brand, attracting business people from around the world. • Le récent salon ISSA/ INTERCLEAN pour l’Europe du Centre et de l’Est, qui s’est tenu à Varsovie, a attiré plus de 3700 visiteurs de 55 pays. • MGS International, un spécialiste des systèmes de nettoyage à microfibres, a annoncé que son directeur Michel de Bruin était devenu l’unique propriétaire de la société.
• Die ISSA/INTERCLEAN Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) fand kürzlich in Warschau statt und zog über 3700 Besucher aus 55 Ländern an. • Der Spezialist für Mikrofaserreinigungssysteme MGS International hat bekannt gegeben, dass Geschäftsführer Michel de Bruin nun der alleinige Eigentümer des Unternehmens ist. • L’esibizione ISSA/INTERCLEAN Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) si è tenuta di recente a Varsavia ed ha attratto più di 3.700 visitatori provenienti da 55 nazioni. • La MGS International, specializzata in sistemi di pulizia con la microfibra, ha annunciato che il direttore Michel de Bruin è ora l’unico proprietario dell’azienda.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 5
NEWS German cleaning associations discuss market conditions ahead of CMS
• Left to right are Dieter Kuhnert, Markus Asch, Dr Christian Göke, Frank Vancraeyveld and Wolfgang Rogall
Germany’s leading cleaning associations gathered in Berlin recently to discuss current market conditions and look ahead to the industry exhibition CMS, which takes place in the city from September 25-26. Dr Christian Göke, chief operating officer at Messe Berlin - where CMS will take place - said he is expecting around 350 exhibitors from over 20 countries, and more than 15,000 visitors. And for the first time the International CMS Congress will take place, with the theme Sustainable Competitiveness in the Cleaning Sector. President of the BIV contract cleaning association Dieter Kuhnert went on to give his views on the sector. “This is a year that promises to be particularly exciting for the building cleaning trade. Our forthcoming wage negotiations, for example, represent an aspect that is fundamental to the workings of our organisation. “We are confident they will come to a successful conclusion by the time CMS begins because we wish to continue to provide our companies, a workforce of close to 590,000 employees, and naturally our customers, with a sense of security in the shape of acceptable tariffs.” Kuhnert continued: “The number of people including active entrepreneurs employed in the building cleaning trade in 2010, figures for which were only recently released in April, was 587,485. In 2010 the number of companies, counting only those with a minimum turnover of 17,500 euros, was 17,059. Their combined turnover equalled 12,433,299,000 euros.
“Consequently the building cleaning trade has recovered from the interim decline in business that 2009, the year of the recession, brought with it. Based on data received for 2011 and 2012 we can safely assume that during that period the number of existing companies increased yet again, by eight per cent, with figures reaching around 20,100 in 2012. Turnover rose by around 3.3 per cent in 2011 and 2.6 per cent in 2012. “Lastly, the number of employees, for which figures are available only for 2011, fell slightly by 0.5 per cent and at that time equalled 584,000. That figure should be regarded as purely relative, as in recent years the number of employees in jobs requiring social insurance has risen throughout. In 2010, at the last count, they had reached 10 per cent, the logical result of which has been an overall drop in employees.”
Some uncertainties Markus Asch, president of cleaning machine manufacturers’ association VDMA spoke about the latest results for this part of the sector. “For German manufacturers of cleaning machinery 2012 was in most respects an encouraging year, while the start of 2013 revealed some difficulties, with a number of uncertainties, and not just in economic terms, although the overriding trend is positive. “By and large currency fluctuations in relation to the dollar are still as expected. On average the prices of raw materials have risen sharply and, combined with the continuing depressed state
Les associations du secteur allemand de la propreté se sont réunies récemment à Berlin pour faire le point du marché en général, et du salon CMS qui se tiendra dans cette même ville en septembre.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 6
of the world economy, this presents a challenge to German manufacturers.” Asch continued: “The overall economic situation is a complex one and its negative effects are apparent in the reduced volumes being achieved by the cleaning machinery sector, especially with regard to European exports. Developments have remained fairly stable in Northern Europe but the situation in Southern Europe, in particular as a result of the debt crisis, continues to give cause for concern.
More investment “Growth in Eastern Europe and Asia is expected to be at a low level. Consequently the German cleaning machinery industry is, at the present time, adopting a wait-and-see attitude.” Asch went on to examine the global picture. “Statistics released by Euroconstruct, however, indicate that there will be increased investment in commercial buildings again from 2014 onwards, with a correspondingly positive impact on the cleaning machinery industry. There will be continued positive development in the BRIC countries in 2014, with major sporting events taking place in Brazil (Football World Cup 2014 and the 2016 Olympics) and Russia (Winter Olympics 2014 and the Football World Cup in 2018) that will give an additional impetus in the commercial buildings sector, and hotels in particular. In the next stage this will also have a positive effect on sales by the manufacturers of machinery. “Another welcome piece of news is that, according to the
Deutsche Reinigungsverbände trafen sich vor kurzem in Berlin, um die Marktlage zu diskutieren. Außerdem warfen sie einen vorausschauenden Blick auf die im September in Berlin stattfindende CMS.
IMF, there will be an increase in GDP in the eurozone in 2014, with above-average growth in Germany. The countries currently affected by the euro crisis can expect a change for the better, beginning in 2014, which should also help to stimulate consumption.” He then focused on the German manufacturing industry. “In general, for 2013 as a whole the industry association within the VDMA is expecting steady growth of between one and three per cent. VDMA represents some 40 suppliers of cleaning systems, making up approximately 90 per cent of the German market.
Customers economise “Last year the cleaning machinery industry accounted for a volume of domestic business amounting to some 920 million euros, and had a workforce of around 5,000 people. Exports accounted for about 70 per cent of its sales. German manufacturers have a 20 per cent share of the world market, and roughly 48 per cent of the European market.” Finally Frank Vancraeyveld, divisional chairman and member of the board of the IHO - which represents the chemicals industry - presented his viewpoint. ”This year’s CMS is taking place against the background of a difficult economic situation. In the building cleaning sector the market for cleaning and care products continues to report a stagnation or even a slight decline in sales. “The cost situation is forcing customers to economise on the amount of chemicals used and to reduce cleaning intervals, and the effects continue to be felt. In the public sector in particular there are many instances of a decline in the levels of hygiene, accompanied by a reduction in values.” He explained that this part of the industry employs around 5,000 people and generates sales of around 800 million euros annually. For more information about the CMS Berlin exhibition visit www.cms-berlin.com
Le associazioni del settore del cleaning tedesco si sono riunite di recente a Berlino per riesaminare il mercato e in attesa dell’esibizione CMS che si terrà a nella stessa Berlino a settembre.
NEWS Spanish cleaning sector crisis
UK associations propose merger
The Professional Association of Cleaning Companies (ASPEL) in Spain has warned of just how serious the situation is in the cleaning sector there - with more than 16,400 jobs having been lost since 2011. The industry has also seen a substantial reduction in the volume of business in the private and public sectors and this trend is set to continue. President Juan Díez de los Ríos presented an analysis of the most recent official data for the cleaning sector confirming the trend towards the fragmentation of companies and a reduction in their profits.
A steering group has been established to progress a proposed merger which brings together: the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM), the professional body for facilities management; Asset Skills, the skills body representing facilities management, property, housing, cleaning and parking; the Facilities Management Association (FMA), the trade association for the facilities management sector; and the Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA), the trade association for the cleaning and support services industry.
In terms of the number of workers in the cleaning sector, according to the National Classification of Economic Activities (CNAE 8121) in one year (from 2011 to 2012) the sector has lost 16,416 jobs, although the number of cleaning companies has risen by 401, many of them being small and the product of self-employment. In parallel with this, according to data from the Administrative Contracting Consultative Board, the number of companies registered for entering into contracts with the public sector has risen by three per cent.
• L’Association des entreprises de propreté en Espagne (ASPEL) a souligné toute la gravité de la crise affectant le secteur espagnol de la propreté, qui a perdu 16 400 emplois depuis 2011. • Le British Institute of Facilities Management, l’organisation Asset Skills, la Facilities Management Association, et la Cleaning and Support Services Association ont convenu en principe de créer un organisme unique destiné à représenter les services de facility management et d’appui au Royaume-Uni.
• Der spanische Fachverband der Reinigungsunternehmen ASPEL hat vor der sehr ernsten Situation gewarnt, in der sich die Reinigungsbranche des Landes befindet: Seit 2011 gingen mehr als 16.400 Stellen verloren. • Das British Institute of Facilities Management, Asset Skills, die Facilities Management Association und die Cleaning and Support Services Association haben dem Konzept einer Fusionierung zugestimmt, um Facility-Management und Support-Services aus einer Hand bieten zu können.
The group will address how these and other organisations could come together into this single body to meet the needs of the industry.
Explore relationships Peter Goodliffe, chair of the CSSA, said: “CSSA welcomes the opportunity to explore closer working relationships with BIFM and FMA and sees this development as a logical step forward in coordinating the activities of membership bodies across the sector which builds on our recent decision to explore the potential for merger with Asset Skills.”
• In Spagna, l’Associazione Professionale di Imprese di Pulizie (ASPEL) ha informato della serietà della situazione del settore del cleaning nella nazione. Più di 16.400 posti di lavoro sono stati persi dal 2011. • L’istituto British Institute of Facilities Management, Asset Skills, l’associazione Facilities Management Association e l’associazione Cleaning and Support Services Association hanno accettato il concetto di formare un unico corpo per rappresentare la gestione delle strutture e i servizi di supporto.
NEWS Quest to find Britain’s cleanest city starts with call for entries Entries are now open for the Clean Britain Awards 2014, the competition that recognises the efforts of local authorities in achieving high standards of cleanliness and environmental quality. The government’s waste and resources minister Lord de Mauley spoke at the official launch last month. “Local environment quality is an issue that is of utmost importance to local communities, and those that work tirelessly to help keep our local streets and amenities clean and pleasant are often overlooked.” The Chartered Institution of
Wastes Management (CIWM) runs the Clean Britain Awards, having taken it over from the British Cleaning Council (BCC) in 2012. “In 2011/12, local authorities spent over 820 million euros on street cleansing and this major contribution to keeping our public spaces clean and attractive deserves recognition,” said CIWM chief executive Steve Lee. “Research has shown that people are genuinely concerned about issues such as litter and graffiti and that their perceptions of safety and wellbeing are affected by
• Un appel de candidatures a été lancé pour les Prix “Clean Britain” 2014 sous l’égide des municipalités du RoyaumeUni. La date finale de remise de candidatures tombe le 6 septembre. • À la suite de la reprise, en mars 2012, de Contico Manufacturing Ltd par Robert Scott & Sons, le directeur commercial Vernon Holmes a décidé de quitter la société.
the cleanliness of their local area. Through these awards we want to raise the profile of the excellent services being provided by many councils, and encourage communities
and local organisations to get involved too.” Closing date for applications is September 6. For details visit the website: www. cleanbritainawards.co.uk
Vernon Holmes leaves Contico Following the acquisition in March 2012 of Contico Manufacturing by Robert Scott & Sons, commercial director Vernon Holmes has decided to leave the company. A familiar face throughout the industry, Holmes has been with Contico for 38 years. “I
• Britische Gemeinden und Städte können sich jetzt für die Clean Britain Awards 2014 bewerben. Annahmeschluss für Anmeldungen ist der 6. September. • Nach der Akquisition von Contico Manufacturing Ltd durch Robert Scott & Sons im März 2012 hat sich der Commercial Director Vernon Holmes entschieden, das Unternehmen zu verlassen.
leave Contico on June 30 after 38 fantastic years with the company,” said Holmes. “Over the past 15 months I have done my best to professionally pass over the Contico business to the directors of Robert Scott and the time is now right for me to move on to new opportunities.”
• Sono ora aperte le iscrizioni per le città e i paesi del Regno Unito per partecipare al concorso Clean Britain Awards 2014. La data di chiusura per la presentazione delle domande è il 6 settembre. • In seguito all’acquisizione della Contico Manufacturing Ltd da parte della Robert Scott & Sons avvenuta a marzo del 2012, il direttore commerciale Vernon Holmes ha deciso di lasciare l’azienda.
NEWS Hospitals spying on staff in struggle to meet hand wash targets
Eulen and Dussmann sign agreement covering 35 countries
With hand washing rates said to be astoundingly low among healthcare workers - and costs related to hospital-acquired infections soaring - some hospitals in the US have resorted to extreme methods to encourage better hygiene by their doctors and nurses. When healthcare workers at Long Island, New York’s North Shore University Hospital enter an intensive care room for example, a motion sensor is triggered. A camera is then turned on and its video footage sent to a centre in India where workers watch to ensure proper hand hygiene is taking place. According to the New York Times studies show that rates of hand washing in hospital staff prior to any type of patient interaction are as low as 30 per cent without some form of encouragement.
Building services companies Grupo Eulen of Spain and Dussmann Group of Germany have signed a cooperation agreement for the joint provision of integrated facility management services in 35 countries. The agreement provides companies with global activities the opportunity to organise their facility management operations in an international master agreement and to benefit from the combined service of both companies. Service coverage extends across Europe, to North and South America and to Asia. Key markets such as Spain, Germany, Italy, USA, Mexico, UAE and China are included. “Eulen’s international coverage complements ours perfectly. Together, we can offer multinational companies
Sensor badges The reasons for noncompliance are many. Philip Liang, who founded General Sensing, which provides sensor badges to hospital workers that track their hand washing, says an overburdened mind might be a chief reason. “Nurses have to remember hundreds - thousands - of procedures,” he told the New York Times. “It’s really easy to forget the basic tasks. You’re really concentrating on what’s difficult, not on what’s simple.” Liang’s product knows when a healthcare worker has neglected to wash his or her hands. A badge vibrates when the worker approaches a patient’s bed, reminding them to scrub up. Studies have also found that doctors, more than nurses or any other workers, are most resistant to washing their hands. The reason, according to the studies, seems to be a resistance to authority. To root out non-compliance and avoid losing Medicare
funding under new federal rules that punish hospitals where preventable diseases are transmitted, hospitals have begun instituting an array of hand washing encouragement techniques in addition to hightech surveillance. They are training hand washing coaches, hiring monitors who dress like hospital personnel and secretly watch for hand washing compliance, and giving out coupons for things like pizza and coffee to those who meet certain levels of compliance.
Similar cultures “We are both family enterprises with similar corporate culture and values and we are consistently oriented on the needs of specific sectors and individual clients.” Juan Jordano, corporate managing director of the Eulen Group added: “Clients will benefit from the comprehensive scope of international FM know-how and services that Dussman and Eulen pool in this agreement. Our two companies complement each other perfectly both in terms of service range and geographical presence.”
Golden Broom winners named
Red card system Dr Brian Koll of Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan trains compliance coaches. One of the techniques he uses, he borrowed from football. When one worker notices another has not washed his hands, they can be given a red card by their colleagues. Koll’s hospital also has its workers wearing pins that read things like ‘Ask me if I’ve washed my hands,’ ‘Got gel,’ and ‘Hand hygiene first’ and Koll said patients’ families are not shy about asking doctors about their cleanliness.
Visit the ECJ website to keep up-to-date with industry news and blogs from the sector’s experts
• Certains hôpitaux utisent aujourd’hui des caméras de surviellance et des capteurs d’intensité lumineuse pour inciter le personnel médical et infirmier à pratiquer une meilleure hygiène des mains. • Les sociétés de services d’immeuble Grupo Eulen en Espagne et Dussmann Group en Allemagne ont signé un accord de coopération prévoyant la prestation conjointe de services d’immeuble intégrés dans 35 pays. • Une balayeuse proposée par Kärcher et un système de désinfection sans contact commercialisé par Sanoserv ont été nommés gagnants des Prix de l’Innovation Golden Broom, présentés à l’occasion du salon ISSA/INTERCLEAN Europe du Centre et de l’Est.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 10
integrated services from one source in self-delivery and with the same high quality standards”, commented Dirk Brouwers, chief executive officer of the Dussmann Group.
• Sanoserv wins a Golden Broom award
A sweeper from Kärcher and notouch disinfection system from Sanoserv have been named winners of the Golden Broom Innovation Awards, which were presented during the ISSA/ INTERCLEAN Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) in Warsaw recently. The KM 105/100 R from Kärcher is a compact ride-on sweeper featuring an automatic filter cleaning device and the
• Einige Krankenhäuser setzen jetzt Überwachungskameras und Sensoren ein, um eine bessere Handhygiene unter Ärzten und Pflegepersonal zu fördern. • Die Gebäudetechnikunternehmen Grupo Eulen, Spanien, und Dussmann Group, Deutschland, haben eine Kooperationsvereinbarung geschlossen, mit der beide Dienstleister ihr Serviceangebot für integriertes FacilityManagement in 35 Ländern bündeln. • Eine Kehrmaschine von Kärcher und ein berührungsloses Desinfektionssystem von Sanoserv wurden im Rahmen der kürzlich stattgefundenen ISSA/iNTERCLEAN Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) mit den Golden Broom Innovation Awards ausgezeichnet.
Kärcher Intelligent Key system. There is a new main broom concept and selfadjusting pressure. The latest generation of Sanoserv no-touch disinfection solutions combine the effect of both spraying devices and disinfectants. The oxidizing disinfectant claims to destroy 99.99 per cent of all hazardous germs and bacteria without posing a threat to humans, animals or plants. “The products and technologies entered for this year’s Golden Broom competition showed innovative use of technology, solutions for everyday problems and services to more effectively fulfil customer needs,” said the jury. “It was a difficult task to elect the eventual winners from such an array of diverse and innovative products.”
• Alcuni ospedali stanno ora utilizzando le videocamere di sorveglianza e i sensori per incoraggiare una migliore igiene delle mani fra i medici e il personale infermieristico. • Le imprese di servizi Grupo Eulen in Spagna e Dussmann Group in Germania hanno siglato un accordo di collaborazione per la fornitura congiunta di servizi integrati di gestione delle strutture in 35 nazioni. • Una spazzatrice della Kärcher e un sistema di disinfezione no-touch della Sanoserv sono stati nominati vincitori del premio Golden Broom Innovation Awards consegnato durante l’evento ISSA/iNTERCLEAN Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) che si è tenuto di recente.
UPDATE: GERMANY Occupational hazards ECJ’s correspondent in Germany Thomas SchulteMarxloh reports on occupational health statistics. In 2009 occupational disability caused an estimated loss of 1.3 million man-years which means a gross loss of 75 billion euros, taking into account that all employees create value with their work. Good news first: occupational safety is increasing in Germany. The numbers of fatal and nonfatal occupational accidents (in 1993: 1,867; in 2009: 622) and commuting accidents have been going down over the years. However after a continuous decrease in recent years, the number of occupational diseases is climbing again. Conditions in the contract cleaning business can be tough and dangerous. Cleaners must operate in difficult working conditions: they have to carry heavy equipment and work with vibrating cleaning machines; they work in areas contaminated with oil, filth, grease, etc; they suffer from glaring or dim light, loud noise, low or high temperatures, draughts, a moist or wet environment; they have to deal with hazardous or microbiologically contaminated materials, vapour, gases or fumes. Workers in the contract cleaning industry are mainly affected by falling accidents and skin irritations but they also suffer from painful backs or necks very often. Apart from physical stress, the accelerated, global world means psychological stress too. Workers have to deal with strict operational rules, monotonous work, increasing job requirements, time pressure, multitasking demands and interruptions in the work flow. They are asked to do work they are not qualified for, confronted with new duties, asked to try new procedures, always working at the limit and aware that minor Dans son reportage de l’Allemagne, notre correspondant Thomas Schulte-Marxloh examine le problème des handicaps du travail qui peuvent résulter du rude travail des nettoyeurs.
mistakes may mean severe losses. According to research by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) a ‘good job’ includes the following: a guaranteed salary and a secure workplace as well as pleasing work; executives should have respectful manners and provide for health protection of their employees by adequately designed workplaces; workmates should support each other. Work should have a ‘meaning’, something to be proud of and not boring. But there is a difference between a varied job and permanent changes that can have a rather stressful effect on both executives and employees. They are challenged by new process technologies, new computer software, new machinery or equipment, new or significantly changed products, materials or services, restructuring measures, job releases, more freelancers, part-timers and trainees, new managers or executives. Also a gap between agreed and actual work time is stressful for the worker. The BAuA recently published the ‘Stressreport Deutschland 2012’ which points at a correlation between technical and organisational changes, higher job requirements and an increase in stress. The report also refers to studies which prove that actually no one can ‘get used’ to but rather accumulates stress. In the end, stress can be the trigger for accidents or wrong decisions affecting business, human resources, health, family and social life. Luckily, the BAuA research also advises how to reduce stress: by good organisation, consistency and - actually – friendliness.
In seinem Bericht aus Deutschland untersucht ECJ-Korrespondent Thomas Schulte-Marxloh das Thema Berufsunfähigkeit, das in direktem Zusammenhang mit den schweren Aufgaben steht, die vom Reinigungspersonal ausgeführt werden.
Dalla Germania, il corrispondente di ECJ Thomas Schulte-Marxloh prende in esame il problema della disabilità occupazionale che è strettamente legato alle mansioni pesanti eseguite dagli addetti alle pulizie.
UPDATE: DENMARK Invisible cleaners ECJ Scandinavian correspondent, Petra Sjouwerman examines the results of a recent Danish research project amongst immigrant cleaners. Improvement of the psychosocial working environment among immigrants and migrant workers in cleaning jobs is possible, according to Danish researchers from the National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NRCWE) in Copenhagen. This is the result of a small-scale research project in a school not far from the Danish capital. The Danish researchers carried out a small project amongst 14 cleaners with different ethnic backgrounds, who work at a primary school with pupils from six to 16 year years. Before the start of the research project, the participating cleaners expressed that they experienced strained social relationships with their colleagues, poor communication combined with a lack of social recognition and the feeling of being ’invisible’ at work. In Denmark cleaners are mainly women from established immigrant communities, but the number of labour migrants from new EU countries like Bulgaria and Romania is rapidly increasing. Previous studies have drawn attention to the low position of immigrants in the cleaning industry and their higher risk of injury at work. The researchers offered the cleaners two courses. A workrelated Danish course, targeted to immigrants and a course in cleaning techniques. Furthermore, as cleaners often work alone, collaboration between colleagues was promoted through socialising and team building. To make the cleaners more visible in the school, pictures and names of the operatives involved were put up in each classroom. The Danish researchers distributed cameras to the participating cleaners, who were asked to make a photo diary of their working day. In addition Notre correspondante en Scandinavie, Petra Sjouwerman, examine les résultats d’un récent projet de recherche sur les nettoyeurs immigrants au Danemark.
the researchers interviewed the cleaners and observed them in their daily activities, their cooperation and communication with each other and with the teachers and pupils. The three interventions – Danish language course, cleaning techniques course and focus on collaboration – clearly improved the relationship between the cleaners. It appeared that the social division in the team was based on ethnicity and a lack of inclusion of cleaners from the new EU countries. According to the researchers it is exactly that social division between the cleaners, combined with their marginal position in the workplace, that amplifies their experience of a poor psychosocial working environment. That is why it is important to focus on ameliorating social relationships in the workplace, according to the researchers. This interesting research project is part of a larger, state financed initiative on immigrants working in the cleaning industry, and particularly their higher risk of work injuries compared to their Danish colleagues. It has appeared difficult to incorporate new preventive measures in the entire team, because cleaners work alone or in small groups. Language difficulties can also influence communication about risk management and about how to prevent accidents. According to the NRCWE cleaners in general have an increased risk of attrition and illnesses and a higher incidence of hospital treatments for musculoskeletal and cardiovascular disorders than most other occupational groups. Furthermore, workers in the cleaning industry retire earlier from the labour market than employees in other industries.
Unsere SkandinavienKorrespondentin Petra Sjouwerman betrachtet die Ergebnisse eines Forschungsprojekts, das kürzlich in Dänemark unter eingewandertem Reinigungspersonal durchgeführt wurde.
Il corrispondente scandinavo Petra Sjouwerman prende in esame i risultati di un recente progetto di ricerca danese fra gli immigrati addetti ai lavori di pulizia.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 13
UPDATE: NETHERLANDS Quality marks and codes ECJ’s correspondent in the Netherlands Nico Lemmens takes a look at the plethora of quality marks and responsible conduct codes flooding the Dutch cleaning market. The Dutch facility services sector is flooded with quality marks and codes of responsible conduct. The Code of Responsible Market Conduct in the Dutch cleaning industry has been made part of the recent so-called Social Agreement between the Dutch trades unions and the umbrella employers’ associations. The code is considered to serve as an example for tendering in general. The sectors of catering, security and temping are considering the introduction of similar codes of conduct. The Dutch association for cleaning intermediaries is developing a certificate, mainly consisting of elements of responsible market conduct. The largest association of purchasers NEVI (more than 6,000 members) has developed its own code of conduct for its members. It contains ‘best practices’ for ethical purchasing dilemmas. Cornerstones are respectability, open competition, professionalism, objectivity and sustainability. The largest association for facility management FMN and the Dutch Green Building Council have developed a code of conduct for ‘sustainable end users’, trying to encourage sustainable behaviour. Back to the cleaning sector. There the Dutch association of cleaning companies OSB
introduced a quality mark. All of its members were to obtain the mark not later than January 1 2013. When it became clear that many of them were not going to meet that deadline, a transitional arrangement was made: not later than May 1 2013 member companies were to have made a definitive commitment to obtain the quality mark. The outcome is that no less than 150 member companies have not made that commitment.
Quality focus In OSB’s board meeting at the end of May they were due to be suspended from membership and nominated for expulsion during the December general meeting of OSB members. Beforehand the expectation was that 75 member companies were going to be expelled. With these 150 expulsions the association’s market share will decrease from 80 to 60 per cent. The reverse side of the coin is that 179 cleaning companies have shown their interest in becoming an OSB member. Chairman Hans Simons expects his organisation’s market share to recover to 70 or 75 per cent by the end of 2014. His association is willing to pay the price of this loss of market share and will stay focused on quality instead of quantity.
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Notre correspondant aux Pays-Bas Nico Lemmens rend compte des codes de conduite et des marques de qualité que diverses associations professionnelles ont décidé d’introduire.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 14
Der niederländische ECJ-Korrespondent Nico Lemmens berichtet über eine Reihe von Verhaltenskodizes und Qualitätszeichen, die von verschiedenen Fachverbänden eingeführt werden.
Il corrispondente olandese Nico Lemmens ci informa su una serie di codici di condotta e marchi di qualità che sono stati introdotti dalle varie associazioni di categoria.
UPDATE: FRANCE Snapshot of the industry A survey has been conducted by the French cleaning association into the state of the industry, reports Christian Bouzols, ECJ correspondent. The Fédération des Entreprises de Propreté - the French contract cleaning association - has published a survey showing the major developments taking place in the French cleaning sector. The purpose of the study was to identify the main factors that are bringing changes to the industry, such as new regulations, customer expectations, and new pressures on work practices. The picture that emerges is that the sector is undergoing major changes. The first finding is that more than 50 per cent of the workforce are employed by fewer that one per cent of the companies. This distribution has been fairly stable for a number of years. During the 1990s and 2000s, the industry went through a wave of mergers. Although this development towards greater concentration has slowed down, it still continues to mark the cleaning market scene today, with the major companies continuing to see their turnovers grow. Thus between 2003 and 2011, the turnover of the 10 largest cleaning companies grew from 3 billion to 4.5 billion euros, which equates to a 48 per cent increase over the period. This change towards greater concentration, which was mainly due to the major groups practising a policy of taking over small and medium enterprises, has led to the belief that SMEs in the cleaning sector were in trouble and that their very existence was in peril. However what the survey shows is that in 2012, cleaning SMEs not only still existed, but were displaying a certain energy that seemed to be lacking in the big groups. It turns out that this movement of acquisition and La Fédération des entreprises de propreté a récemment publié une étude dégageant les principales évolutions du secteur français de la propreté, rapporte Christian Bouzols, notre correspondant en France.
concentration is being fed by the continued creation of dynamic companies in the sector. Even if one excludes sole traders, whose real activities and the duration of these activities are quite unpredictable, the sector gives birth to 2,600 new businesses each year. This dynamism is partly explainable by the fact that barriers to entry are low, in terms of both qualifications and investment.
Profit margins For a long time now, profit margins in the cleaning industry have been considered low, but they’ve fallen markedly since 2008. This situation is becoming quite worrying for the financial health, and even for the very survival, of many cleaning contractors.
Economic crisis About half of cleaning companies have seen a reduction in the demand for their services and about 30 per cent of them have had to face contract cancellations and the reopening of competition by their corporate clients. Over a quarter of all companies have had to lower their prices. In order to compensate, they’ve had to increase their productivity and trim their profits even more. It’s clear the cleaning sector’s vitality depends to a great extent on the health of the national economy. The current crisis has increased the number of company failures and reduced company creation (not counting sole traders). The lacklustre economic environment also means that there are fewer surfaces to clean, and that therefore the potential market for cleaning companies has been reduced.
Der französische Vertragsreinigungsverband FEP hat kürzlich eine Studie veröffentlicht, aus der die wichtigsten Entwicklungen in der Reinigungsbranche des Landes hervorgehen, schreibt ECJ-Korrespondent Christian Bouzols.
Il corrispondente di ECJ Christian Bouzols ci informa che l’associazione del cleaning professionale francese FEP ha pubblicato di recente un sondaggio che mostra gli sviluppi più importanti che stanno avendo luogo nel settore francese delle pulizie professionali.
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UPDATE: RUSSIA In 2009, the Russian cleaning market reached one billion dollars in volume. Based on figures from marketing research done by the DISCOVER Research Group, between 2010 and 2012, that volume practically doubled. Growth in the market is due to increased demand for cleaning services in adjacent areas, as well as an increase in demand for different types of chemical cleaning. An important component is the growth in the number of serviceable properties due to an increase in retail space. Today in Russia there are over 1,000 cleaning companies. In Moscow and St Petersburg alone, there are roughly 350 firms, 10 of the largest are actively expanding regionally. According to analysts there are five major players in the cleaning market. In terms of value, 25 per cent of the market is
held by those companies. The top five Russian cleaning companies are listed as: Facilicom Group (brand Chistyi Svet), Ronova Group,Cristanval Cleaning, OMS Cleaning and CleanStar Group The market itself can be divided into four main sectors according to the type of space serviced: office, retail, service and industrial. One of the most promising and growing sectors is industrial cleaning. In recent years retail cleaning as a sector has significantly increased and has reached roughly 30 per cent of the overall volume of the market. The majority of clients are owners of office, retail and industrial real estate. The percentage of income among cleaning companies from services provided to these clients is 60 per cent, while the percentage of overall demand for professional cleaning services nears 80
De l’avis d’Oleg Popov, correspondant en Russie d’ECJ et dirigeant de la société de propreté Cristanval, le marché russe des services de propreté professionnels s’est élevé à près de 1,55 milliards d’euros en 2012.
Healthy growth continues Russian reporter Oleg Popov from Cristanval cleaning company reviews latest sector statistics. per cent. 2012 was marked by several important events which will impact the market in coming years. First, bidding ended for services during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games. Secondly, bidding was held for cleaning and waste removal services for the 146 Moscow Metropolitan stations. We will discuss these events in more detail in the next edition of ECJ. During the last year, the need for the creation of a regulatory framework has increased, while personnel issues have worsened. In the cleaning market the tendency
Unser Russland-Korrespondent, der bei der Reinigungsfirma Cristanval tätige Oleg Popov, teilt mit, dass der russische Markt für professionelle Reinigungsdienste 2012 einen Wert von fast 1,55 Milliarden Euro erreichte.
remains towards the technological improvement of services and the introduction of a wider spectrum of more specialised work. For larger cleaning companies, an interesting prospect remains the development of related sectors: building engineering, maintenance, landscaping, and provision of temporary staff. Between 2013 and 2015 stable, significant growth in the market can be expected, as much as 30-40 per cent a year. At the same time cleaning has the potential to break through into new sectors such as city utilities systems and medical institutions.
A detta di Oleg Popov dell’impresa di pulizie Cristanval in Russia e corrispondente di ECJ, il mercato russo dei servizi di cleaning professionale ha raggiunto quasi 1,55 miliardi di euro nel 2012.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 17
UPDATE: POLAND Quality marks and codes A board member of the Polish Cleaning Industry Chamber (PIGC) has been appointed to take part in a high level advisory group to the European Commission’s work. Correspondent for ECJ Marek Kowalski reports. Due to the involvement of the board of Polish Cleaning Industry Chamber (PIGC), supported by the leaders of the Polish Confederation of Private Employers Lewiatan, Krzysztof Poznański – a board member of PIGC - was appointed to take part in a high level advisory group to the European Commission’s work. The initiative is the result of the Commission’s activities aimed at improving the European production and services competitiveness
in relation to the USA and Asia. In order to improve employees’ working conditions, specially in the production sector, the Commission is going to work on a report whose goal is to define the obstacles slowing the development of business services in Europe. The study is going to include recommendations on how to lift the barriers and improve the conditions for the development of services recognising that the
Un membre de la Chambre polonaise de commerce et d’industrie de la propreté a été nommé pour faire partie d’un groupe consultatif de haut niveau auprès de la Commission européenne.
key factor in boosting production is creating well-functioning, effective services commonly referred to as outsourcing. According to the definition specified by the Commission, the services include the traditionally labelled facility management services such as cleaning, catering, security, technical and advisory services, designing or business process outsourcing.
Challenges presented The Polish representative in this group of experts on services from the EU is the only Eastern Europe representative, except for a Romanian member, being one of two cleaning industry voices. We hope that due to our representative’s work in the advisory group our problems can be properly articulated - the necessity of enhancing employment flexibility, the restric-
Ein Mitglied des Vorstands der polnischen Handwerkskammer des Reinigungsgewerbes (PIGC) wurde als Teilnehmer an einer Beratungsgruppe auf höchster Ebene der Europäischen Kommission ernannt.
tions of the public tender legislation, the constantly changing laws on hiring the handicapped, free flow of services within the EU and many other challenges the cleaning industry is struggling with. He will also suggest options which are the best solutions from our industry’s point of view. For the last five years Krzysztof Poznański has been the board president of ISS Facility Services and vice-president of the Polish Cleaning Industry Chamber. He graduated from Warsaw University’s Faculty of Management and received the MBA diploma from the University of Illinois. In his career he has focused on catering, cinema, security and facility management services. During the 22 years of his career he has worked with such companies as PepsiCo, Multikino, G4S and Cushman & Wakefield.
Un membro del consiglio di amministrazione della camera di commercio polacca (Polish Cleaning Industry Chamber - PIGC) è stato scelto per fare parte di un gruppo di consulenza ad alto livello della Commissione Europea.
UPDATE: ITALY The proportion of companies with a turnover of under one million euros is 50.7 per cent compared with 53.9 per cent in 2010, while 11.8 per cent have turnover between one and 1.5 million euros, 16.7 per cent between 1.5 and 2.5 million and 20.8 per cent have over 2.5 million euros. This emerged from a survey carried out by AfidampCOM whose aim was to analyse the Italian market for the distribution of machines, products and equipment for professional cleaning. The scenario that arises from the survey highlights the presence of a large number of small companies, mainly family run, alongside a few large groups which determine the market trend. This characteristic is also supported by the average size of the workforce: the average number of employees is between five and 10, rising to more than 20
for large companies. The research carried out last year highlights that sales mostly take place in the provinces and regions near the headquarters of the company. This concentration of sales is confirmed in terms of the number of customers as well as in terms of the type of products being sold. It appears there is not typically any one type of product which determines the sales total - it is generally made up from the sale of various goods. Furthermore, it emerges that most companies are family run (63 per cent). Pre- and after-sales services and maintenance are the most important services being offered and they represent the pride and joy of Italian distribution. Particular attention must be paid to the rental market which is becoming more and more significant: in fact 41 per cent
AfidampCOM, l’organisation professionnelle de la propreté italienne, a publié une enquête analysant le marché de la distribution de machines et autres produits de nettoyage professionnels dans ce pays. Anna Garbagna en rend compte.
More training focus Anna Garbagna analyses the results of a recent survey into the Italian distribution sector. of companies being interviewed replied that rental makes up 15 per cent of total sales. This is an indicator of a turning point in history and of a preference towards a convenient practice for the client who can obtain the best possible service for the required length of time without the obligation to purchase. As far as the reference markets are concerned, the figures from the previous year are confirmed, ie, the main clients are cleaning companies and industries in general. The share of HoReCa has increased by about seven percentage points, and among the sale channels, the traditional sales
Der Verband der italienischen Reinigungsindustrie AfidampCOM hat eine Umfrage veröffentlicht, mit der der Markt für den Vertrieb von Maschinen und anderen Produkten für die professionelle Reinigung analysiert wird. Ein Bericht von Anna Garbagna.
network is the most used despite the fact that more and more companies are using the internet (24 per cent). Last but not least, particular attention is being paid to training, especially technical and commercial. Comparing the number of collaborators with the nature of courses that took place, it emerged that companies with more than 10 employees organise courses in both areas, while companies with fewer than 10 employees focus on technical/operative courses. This is a sign that both refresher and basic training must be more and more the foundation for this work.
L’organizzazione italiana per il settore del cleaning AfidampCOM ha pubblicato un sondaggio che analizza il mercato della distribuzione di macchine e altri prodotti per il cleaning professionale. Anna Garbagna ci informa.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 19
UPDATE: UK Future of industry shows The ECJ UK correspondent looks back at the recent Cleaning Show and contemplates the future for industry exhibitions. The Cleaning Show has come and gone, reported enthusiastically by the cleaning media, totally ignored elsewhere. The show was small which superficially could be put down to the economic slowdown and the much touted triple dip recession. We say ‘superficially’ since there are considerably more factors to be taken into account. There were benefits for new and smaller companies in terms of less competition although the presence of large companies usually brings heavier footfall. There was no Britain’s Cleanest City contest awards, which used to be part of the show for many years and which attracted nationwide publicity. Major companies failed to show. Why? Was it the economic situation so widely reported? This ought to have been a reason for attendance rather than non attendance. Since time immemorial bad news has sold. Farm workers always reported disaster with glee. Hurray, the ricks fell over, the cows are in the corn and the plough’s stuck in the mud. Such events bring drama into our humdrum existence. How disappointing a headline, reading “Small earthquake in Chile, not many dead.”
London more attractive? It is now said that the industry’s large manufacturers are going to concentrate on ISSA/INTERCLEAN in Amsterdam and perhaps one or two other European shows. It has also been announced that The Cleaning Show will move to London in 2015, from its previous venue at the NEC in Birmingham. While the words ‘increased costs’ flash alarmingly in the mind, there is no doubt that London is where it is at. If The Cleaning Show Le correspondant d’ECJ au Royaume-Uni fait le point du récent Cleaning Show et s’interroge sur l’avenir des salons professionnels en général.
deserves and wishes to be at the top table in the list of must-attend events, London is a better draw. Attractive though Birmingham is to some, London tempts foreign visitors.
Industry support There is sadly another factor. When the NEC opened the enthusiasm and helpfulness of the staff helped to ensure a successful show in a venue with top class facilities. Whether it is the plethora of shows or simply that familiarity has bred not so much contempt as disinterest - the catering and the whole ambience from price to staff helpfulness has deteriorated alarmingly in my opinion. While the organisers have much to do to make The Cleaning Show honey pot attractive to exhibitors and attendees alike, the show depends on the support of the whole industry to make it work.
End in sight for shows? Or is it the case that shows have had their day as a means of selling and promoting sales and interest in the cleaning industry itself? It requires the venue providers, the show organisers, the exhibitors and visitors to make the event the success it should be. In other words, as was said in another context, “chiefly yourselves”. In these days of instant communication and a seismic change in buying habits could it be that the whole attraction of the exhibition has gone or is going? Weyhill Fair, Strawberry Fair and the massive Royal Agricultural Show - all major events in the UK - have gone. Is The Cleaning Show to follow? Not if the whole industry wants, supports it and gets what it needs from it.
Der britische ECJ-Korrespondent wirft einen Blick zurück auf die vor kurzem stattgefundene Cleaning Show und macht sich Gedanken über die Zukunft von Fachmesse im Allgemeinen.
Il corrispondente del Regno Unito di ECJ rivede la recente esibizione del settore delle pulizie Cleaning Show e si chiede quale sarà in generale il futuro delle fiere di settore.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 21
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HYGIENE IN FOOD PREPARATION
A quick fix in the kitchen Cleaning and hygiene should never be compromised in a food preparation area. But it can be hard to maintain scrupulous standards in a kitchen where staff are habitually rushed off their feet. We ask companies what systems they offer that combine high hygiene levels with speed and efficiency for optimum food preparation cleaning.
“If somebody spills a substance on the food counter such as oil, syrup or meat juices, it needs to be cleaned up quickly to avoid contamination and to prevent the surface from being out of action for any length of time.”
Speed is of the essence when preparing food for hungry customers. But it is even more important that high levels of hygiene are maintained. So any system used for cleaning in a food preparation environment – whether it is a machine, a chemical solution, a hand soap or a wipe - should be both easy to use and quick to take effect. But kitchen cleaning falls into two distinct camps. On the one hand there are steam cleaning systems, disinfection programmes, scrubber dryer machines and other specialist systems designed for carrying out a thorough deep clean when the area is not in use. But the kitchen is a messy place and spills of oil, grease and organic substances will need to be cleaned away from surfaces on the spot, while greasy spills on the floor should also be removed before they can become a slipping hazard for staff. This means that kitchen workers must have immediate access to wipes, detergents and mops to enable them to remove any unexpected spills which could become a health or safety issue. For this reason, cleaning products for a ‘quick fix’ should be located in strategic positions to make them easy to find in a crisis says Amelia Baker, product and segment manager of Tork manufacturer SCA. “If somebody spills a substance on the food counter such as oil, syrup or meat juices, it needs to be cleaned up quickly to avoid contamination and to prevent the surface from being out of action for any length of time,” she said. “Wiper rolls are often left on kitchen work surfaces for this purpose but the reality is that many will go missing – either because they have rolled on to the floor or moved from one surface to another and then lost. If a lockable dispenser is provided in a location where everyone can see it, less time is wasted looking for a wiper when one is needed.” According to Baker a good kitchen cleaning regime should involve a daily clean-down combined with repeated
surface wiping during the course of the day. “However, any risk of crosscontamination must be avoided and if that means sacrificing speed, then so be it,” she said. “Time-loss can be avoided by having the right tools for the job at hand. It is also crucial that suitable products are made available and that dispensers are kept replenished at all times since this allows valuable time to be spent on cleaning rather than on refilling.” The latest time-saving product in the Tork range is the Tork Reflex Single-Sheet Centrefeed system, formerly the Reflex system from Lotus Professional says Baker. “This enables a single sheet of wiper to be pulled out quickly whenever it is needed.” The wipes are available in a portable dispenser as well as in a wallmounted version.
Strategic positions For rapid surface cleaning, Tork also offers a plastic bucket containing low-lint cloths that can be filled with any surface cleaning solution. “This product then soaks into the wipers and provides cloths that are ready to use,” said Baker. The company also makes colour coded cloths to allow staff to segregate cleaning tasks by colour, plus an alcohol hand gel. However, Baker recommends hand washing with soap and water wherever possible. She claims that the company’s Tork Foam Soaps – available in an antibacterial version for food preparation areas - are quick to lather and housed in a dispenser that is particularly easy to use for when speed is of the essence. Hagleitner also recommends the use of pre-prepared wipes in the kitchen. “These guarantee a simple and secure method of cleaning without the risk of inaccurate dosing,” said Christina Schwaiger, Hagleitner kitchen and laundry hygiene product manager. “They also leave surfaces ready to use again immediately afterwards.” Hagleitner’s Hup system is said Continued page 26
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 25
HYGIENE IN FOOD PREPARATION A quick fix in the kitchen (continued)
“High standards of hygiene are absolutely essential in the kitchen and these should not be compromised by a hasty clean. When a quick fix is required, the working process need not be disturbed since staff can quickly clean surfaces.”
to combine hygiene with speed and efficiency. It comprises moist wipers in a box with a reclosable lid to protect the wipes from drying out or becoming contaminated before use. “The 90 large wipes can easily be taken out of the box one by one and each is capable of cleaning an area of between four and six square metres,” said Schwaiger. She agrees that kitchen staff need to be able to clean floors and surfaces both quickly and efficiently. “However, high standards of hygiene are absolutely essential in the kitchen and these should not be compromised by a hasty clean,” she said. “When a quick fix is required, the working process need not be disturbed since staff can quickly clean surfaces. Hand cleaning is also important so staff should take any opportunity to wash their hands where possible.” She adds that thorough cleaning can be carried out speedily when the right product is used. But application specialist at Hako Klaus Serfezi disagrees. “A good result is not achieved by quick cleaning, but by thorough cleaning,” he said. “This is true for all hygiene-sensitive areas whether in the food industry, hospitals or nursing homes.” He claims an automatic scrubber dryer Aussi occupés soient-ils, les personnels de cuisine comprennent entièrement qu’ils ne peuvent transiger sur la pratique d’un bon régime de nettoyage. Ainsi, tous les produits chimiques, tissus d’essuyage et systèmes et équipements utilisés dans un environnement de préparation alimentaire doivent être particulièrement rapides et efficaces. Nous interrogeons des entreprises sur les systèmes qu’elles proposent afin d’associer un degré d’hygiène élevé et à de la rapidité et une fficacité optimale.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 26
can significantly reduce cleaning times when compared with manual methods. “As a rule kitchen staff don’t have time for cleaning on top of their food preparation work, and this is why kitchens are equipped with extrusive safety tiles to eliminate any slip hazard,” he said. According to Serfezi, manual cleaning with a mop will not achieve a satisfactory result on safety tiles. “The standard procedure would be to use a scrubber and a high pressure cleaner, though this would not be possible during a busy daily routine,” he said. “Quick in-between cleaning is only possible when employing an automatic scrubber dryer.“ Hako offers machines with antibacterial tanks for use in hygiene-sensitive food preparation areas. Hako-AntiBac is claimed to protect the inner surface of the tank from bacteria, fungus and spore growth while also reducing unpleasant smells.
Hand hygiene key Kärcher category manager Gilles Troff agrees with Serfezi that there is usually no time for thorough kitchen cleaning during food service hours. “From my experience, spills in most kitchens are not cleaned up - they are pushed down the drain with a squeegee,” he said. “But thoroughness should always be the priority in any place where food is prepared.” Like Serfezi, Troff advocates the use of a compact scrubber dryer to keep kitchen floors dry and slip-free. He claims Karcher’s own BR 40/10 C model works well since it is both small and manoeuvrable and can be used for scrubbing, vacuuming up water and polishing. “Mechanical floor cleaning with a fast, deep action such as roller brush scrubber dryers are useful, but only after work,” he adds. “Normally during the cooking operation there is no time for cleaning.” Hand hygiene is key to any kitchen hygiene regime according to Gojo European marketing manager Suzanne De Maine. “By using the right formulations and systems, hand hygiene can be both quick and thorough for employees,” she said. Auch wenn Küchenpersonal extrem beschäftigt ist, ist doch allen bewusst, dass es keinen Kompromiss für ein gutes Reinigungsregime gibt. Das bedeutet, dass alle in einer Umgebungen zur Verarbeitung von Lebensmitteln eingesetzten Reinigungschemikalien, Wischtücher, Systeme und Maschinen besonders schnell und effizient sein müssen. Wir befragen Unternehmen danach, welche Systeme zur Küchenreinigung sie anbieten, die ein hohes Maß an Hygiene mit Schnelligkeit und optimaler Effizienz kombinieren.
“It becomes second nature and not a chore if dispensers containing formulations that are pleasant to use and provide protection for the skin - while also providing the required antibacterial protection - are sited at key locations.” Gojo offers touch-free dispensers, an antibacterial foam soap and a mild foam hand wash plus Purell Advanced Hygienic Hand Rub for when speed is of the essence. Operations director at kitchen deep cleaning company KGB Cleaning and Support Services Tony O’Shea says staff need the right tools and training to enable them to clean up spills quickly. “Health and safety is a big concern and any spill, especially on the floor, can cause a significant hazard for those working in a kitchen,” he said. “Staff need to be supported by managers and cleaning teams who can advise them on the right methods to ensure that any health hazards are removed quickly and efficiently.” Hygiene is also a major concern, he adds. “Issues surrounding food are rarely out of the headlines and the negative publicity that accompanies a scathing hygiene inspection or food poisoning outbreak can have a devastating effect on any catering business – from a Michelinstarred restaurant to a corner café – as well as causing great discomfort and distress for those made ill,” he said.
Experienced cleaning “An experienced contract cleaning company is a great ally for any food preparation business since it will help staff to comply with relevant legislation and ensure that hygiene and safety standards are up to scratch.” He says staff training and the right equipment are both important in providing kitchen staff with the tools to deal with spills that need to be cleaned up there and then. “This should be complemented by management and reporting procedures so that your specialist cleaning team can follow up swiftly and check that the cleaning has been carried out properly and then rectify any problems,” he said. Il personale che lavora nelle cucine può essere estremamente oberato di lavoro ma capisce perfettamente che un regime rigido di pulizia non deve mai avere compromessi. Quindi qualsiasi prodotto chimico, panno per le pulizie, sistema e macchina usata per le pulizie degli ambienti di preparazione di alimenti dovrebbe essere particolarmente veloce ed efficiente. Chiediamo alle imprese che sistemi offrono per abbinare alti livelli di igiene a velocità e efficienza ottimale per la pulizia delle cucine.
PRODUCTS: FOOD HYGIENE
Alkaline foam
Kenosan is the new alkaline foam cleaner from CID Lines, boasting strong adhesion power and deep cleaning action at very low dilution. The manufacturer says that even in the most challenging applications, Kenosan can be used at a dilution rate of between one and 1.5 per cent, saving up to 50 per cent of product per square metre it says. The product is also safe for the environment thanks to the use of vegetable based-surfactants enabling high biodegradability. It has also been tested on different surfaces and proven to be non corrosive.
Cleaning action is improved by the extended contact time thanks to the sticky foam that stays attached to the surface this saves on labour, water and energy says CID Lines. The foam becomes brown when it is incorporated with the dirt, it can then be rinsed away. www.cidlines.com
Proof of hygiene HACCP International is an accredited certification body that operates a specific certification scheme to endorse equipment, chemicals, materials and ser-
Next edition of ECJ will be September register for your copy vices used by the food industry. It says the selection of poorly designed or unhygienic cleaning equipment and materials is a risk to one of the most important HACCP prerequisite controls, with some potentially very serious and credible outcomes including cross contamination or physical contamination of food from the equipment itself. Products submitted for certification are evaluated by an expert team of food scientists and technologists who assess materials and specifications; toxicity; contamination risks; ease of cleaning; operating instructions; consequences of error in use or misuse; batch and process controls; food safety claims; packaging and labelling; positive contribution to food safety. www.haccp-international.com
• Kenosan est un nettoyant à mousse proposé par CID Lines qui combine une forte adhésion à une action nettoyante en profondeur. • HACCP International est un organisme de certification accrédité gérant un régime d’agrémentation de produits pour le secteur alimentaire.
• Kenosan ist ein alkalischer Schaumreiniger von CID Lines, der starke Haftung und gründliche Reinigung kombiniert. • HACCP International ist eine akkreditierte Zertifizierungsstelle, die ein Programm betreibt, mit dem Produkte, die für den Einsatz in der Nahrungsmittelindustrie gedacht sind, zugelassen werden.
• Kenosan è un detergente alcalino in schiuma prodotto dalla CID Lines che abbina una forte aderenza e un’azione di pulizia a fondo. • HACCP International è un sistema di certificazione accreditato che opera uno schema per certificare i prodotti utilizzati dal settore alimentare.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 27
PRODUCTS: FOOD HYGIENE
• SalveSafe est une gamme de nettoyants désinfectants mise au point par Salveco pour les aires de préparation alimentaire. • Dans son assortiment de produits pour le lavage des mains, Rubbermaid propose des distributeurs manuels et automatiques et des savons. • PA, un spécialiste des accessoires pour appareils de nettoyage haute pression, a développé une gamme pour l’industrie alimentaire. • Die Produktreihe SalveSafe mit desinfizierenden Reinigungsmitteln von Salveco wurde für Bereiche konzipiert, in denen Lebensmittel zubereitet werden. • Im Rahmen seiner Handwaschsysteme bietet Rubbermaid manuelle und automatische Spender sowie Seifen. • PA, der Spezialist für Zubehör für Hochdruckreiniger, hat eine Produktreihe für die nahrungsmittelverarbeitende Industrie entwickelt. • La linea di detergenti disinfettanti SalveSafe della Salveco è stata sviluppata per le aree di preparazione alimentare. • Fra i suoi sistemi per il lavaggio delle mani, la Rubbermaid propone dispenser manuali e automatici e saponi. • La PA, specializzata in accessori per il lavaggio ad alta pressione, ha sviluppato una gamma per l’industria alimentare.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 28
Safe disinfection The SalveSafe line of disinfectant cleaners for food preparation areas from Salveco is based on lactic acid. This, the company says, means they come with as little health or environmental risk as possible - while still being as efficient as other cleaners. The formulas are of 100 per cent natural origin and do not carry toxic ingredients. The products themselves do not present any risk phases nor any eco-toxicity says Salveco. They
are 100 per cent biodegradable on the whole formula within 28 days. The company intends to make this technology available to manufacturers and distributors under their own brands. www.salveco.com
Specific needs According to Rubbermaid its hand hygiene products meet the specific needs of food preparation areas by preserving the skin from potential irritations related to frequent washing or for sensitive skin. Among its systems are the manual FLex and automatic AutoFoam dispensers. These are used in conjunction with the company’s lotion and foam soaps with antibacterial agents. They are enriched with Shea butter and vitamin E; boast effective degreasing and cleansing; are dye- and fragrance-free; and biodegradable.
Rubbermaid’s alcohol-free Plus hand rub contains 0.1 per cent benzalkonium chloride and is also enriched with Shea butter and vitamin E. www.rubbermaidwashroom.eu
Accessories PA, which specialises in high pressure accessories, has developed a range of products for the food industry. These are made in different grades of stainless steel and plastic material in accordance with various requirements for foam, detergents and chemicals. The line includes guns, colour coded lances and ball-type quick couplers. PA also offers the RB65 washdown gun in brass or stainless steel and the RB35 plastic lightweight gun. www.pa-etl.it
PRODUCTS: FOOD HYGIENE
Tackling biofilms According to Realco, detection of bacterial biofilms on production equipment and in kitchens is a significant challenge for the food and catering industries. Biofilms are havens for bacteria, and the protective biofilm layer is resistant to traditional cleaning and disinfection methods it says. Therefore the company developed the patented Biofilm Detection Kit that can differentiate the biofilm’s organic matrix from other organic matter that might be present on the surface. The biofilm is instantly stained. Realco has also developed some cleaning solutions for tackling biofilm, as they are resistant to traditional methods. Biorem and Detoxzym are enzyme-based solutions whose action targets the organic polymers that make up biofilms. www.realco.be
Pest friendly
tures advertising space. www.b-one.com
Mobile foam
Specialising in eco-friendly pest management and hygiene products for use in food preparation and dining areas is Brandenburg. The company’s Genus range of Insect Light Traps (ILTs) boasts fast fly catch precisely where it is needed within food preparation areas. Genus Cobra uses proprietary advanced technology to deliver fast fly catch to the back-of-house applications such as food processing plants, kitchens and supermarkets. Combining fly catch with the opportunity to promote brand messages to diners is the Genus Eclipse BrandLite, which fea-
CT Chierici Tito produces guns, lances and filters for nebulisation and spraying of chemical products and detergents. Applications include food industry. Currently the company is expanding its low pressure foaming line with both the LS1 - a venturi suction system with tank included to connect directly on the tap pressure - and the LS2 foam lance which is used in conjunction with a standard tank sprayer. www.chiericitito.it
• Realco a réalisé le kit de détection Biofilm pour l’industrie alimentaire. Ce dispositif détecte la présence de biofilms bactériens sur des équipements. • Brandenburg propose des produits éco-conviviaux pour la lutte contre les parasites dans les aires de gestion alimentaire. • CT Chierci Tito fabrique des pistolets, lances et filtres pour l’application par pulvérisation de produits chimiques de nettoyage. •Realco hat das Biofilm Detection Kit für die nahrungsmittelverarbeitende Industrie entwickelt, das zur Erkennung von bakteriellen Biofilmen auf Geräten konzipiert ist. • Brandenburg produziert umweltfreundliche Schädlingsmanagement- und Hygieneprodukte zum Einsatz in Bereichen zur Nahrungszubereitung. • CT Chierci Tito produziert Spritzpistolen, Lanzen und Filter zum Sprühen von Reinigungschemikalien. • La Realco ha sviluppato il suo kit Biofilm Detection Kit per l’industria alimentare e progettato per rivelare la presenza di biofilm batterici sulle attrezzature. • La Brandenburg produce prodotti ecologici per igiene e disinfestazione adatti per essere usati nelle aree di preparazione alimentare. • La CT Chierci Tito produce pistole, lance e filtri per nebulizzazione di detergenti chimici.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 29
PRODUCTS: FOOD HYGIENE
• Le tissu de nettoyage longue durée et en couleur Tork proposé par SCA permet à l’agent de nettoyage de passer aisément d’un produit à l’autre quand il exécute différentes tâches de nettoyage. • Le robot de nettoyage Neovision Jetty de conduits d’air et d’évents de cuisine est proposé en deux modèles nouveaux. • Suma Combi est un nouveau détergent pour machines à laver la vaisselle comportant un adjuvant de rinçage. • Hill Brush Company est un spécialiste des brosses et raclettes hygiéniques convenant pour le nettoyge d’environnements alimentaires. • D’un rendement élevé et polyvalent, le tissu d’essuyage Lavette Super de Chicopee est conçu pour un usage dans des cuisines professionnelles. • Cleaning Block Grill est une méthode écologique pour le nettoyage de grils, proposée par Polydros. • Pour le nettoyage d’aires de préparation alimentaire, Birchemeier a mis au point l’unité mobile à moussage Foam-Matic.
• Das Tork Coloured Long Lasting Cleaning Cloth von SCA ermöglicht es dem Reinigungspersonal, schnell zwischen Produkten für verschiedene Aufgaben zu wechseln. • Bei Jetty handelt es sich um einen Reinigungsroboter von Neovision zur Reinigung von Luftschächten und Röhren in Küchen, der in zwei neuen Modellen erhältlich ist. • Suma Combi ist ein neues Waschmittel für Geschirrspüler von Diversey mit integrierter Spülhilfe. • Hill Brush Company ist auf hygienische Bürsten und Abzieher spezialisiert; beide sind für den Einsatz in Umgebungen zur Verarbeitung von Lebensmitteln geeignet. • Cleaning Block Grill ist eine umweltbewusste Reinigungsmethode für Grillpfannen und Grillroste von Polydros. • Zur Reinigung in Bereichen, in denen Lebensmittel zubereitet werden, hat Birchmeier das mobile Schaumgerät Foam-Matic entwickelt.
• Il panno Tork Coloured Long Lasting Cleaning Cloth prodotto dalla SCA permette agli addetti alle pulizie di passare facilmente da un prodotto all’altro per i diversi tipi di lavoro. • Il robot Jetty della Neovision per la pulizia delle condutture d’aria e le bocchette di ventilazione delle cucine è disponibile in due nuovi modelli. • Suma Combi è un nuovo detergente per lavastoviglie prodotto dalla Diversey con brillantante incorporato. • La Hill Brush Company è specializzata in spazzole igieniche e raschietti, entrambi adatti per uso negli ambienti alimentari. • I panni Lavette Super della Chicopee sono state progettate per le cucine professionali, uso pesante e multi uso. • Cleaning Block Grill è un metodo di pulizia ecologico per piastre e griglie prodotto dalla Polydros. • Per la pulizia delle aree di preparazione alimentare la Birchmeier ha sviluppato l’unità mobile erogatrice di schiuma Foam-Matic.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 30
Coloured cloths Tork Coloured Long Lasting Cleaning Cloths from SCA are designed to allow cleaners to easily switch between products for various cleaning tasks. Available in red, blue, green and yellow, the cloths will not tear in use and are sufficiently low linting for most environments. Food contact-approved by independent testing institute ISEGA the cloths are 30 by 38 cm in size and come in compact packs of 40.
Also from Tork is a wide range of other wiping and cleaning products designed for use on surfaces and hands in the food preparation sector. These are available in Tork dispensers in a white and turquoise or red and smoke housing to suit any environment. www.sca-tork.com
For air vents The Jetty robot for cleaning of air conditioning ducting, industrial and kitchen air vents is now available in two new models says manufacturer Neovision. Customers can now choose the number of traction units they have according to application. The Jetty range includes three, four and the original six leg trig model and offers an entry level model at a competitive price. The robot centres and stabilises in the duct or pipe then delivers a pressurised stream of dry ice - it detaches contamination from the inner surface and this is then carried away by the airflow within the ducting. There is no need for chemical agents and no secondary clean-up is required. It is also
unnecessary to take down ducting for cleaning because Jetty is inserted directly into the duct and the operator has full control via the HD camera, remote controls and custom-built software. www.jettyrobot.com
For chefs
Built-in rinse Suma Combi is a new professional machine dishwashing detergent with built-in rinse aid to clean, rinse and dry kitchen ware. Developed by Diversey, this solution has been designed to simplify the dishwashing process, save space in the kitchen and reduce packaging waste. Because separate rinse aid is no longer necessary, Suma Combi also eliminates the risk of running out of the essential drying agent and ensures users have better visibility and control over costs - the company says. www.diversey.com/sumacombi
Safe equipment For use within food and beverage processing areas the Hill Brush Company (HBC) offers colour coded cleaning and safety
The Lavette Super wipe has been designed for use by chefs in professional kitchens. Made by Chicopee it boasts optimum hygiene, cleaning power, strength and durability. The heavy duty, multi-purpose wipe uses a unique open structure to allow for dirt pick-up and absorption. It dries quickly to prevent bacterial growth, while the large size makes it effective in industrial environments. www.chicopee-europe.com
Block for grills For cleaning of griddles and grills Polydros claims the Cleaning Block Grill is an easy and ecological system. Manufactured from glass treated at high temperatures, Cleaning Block Grill cleans without chemicals and polishes iron and steel surfaces. www.polydros.es/cleaningblock
Mobile foaming
equipment - including brushes - under the Salmon Hygiene Technology brand. Its range also includes the Ultra Hygienic Single Blade Squeegee, available with either a 300, 400, 500, 600 or 700 mm blade. The squeegee comes in a variety of sizes, nine colours and a selection of long and short handles. There are no gaps in which moisture and bacteria could become trapped, says HBC, resulting in an optimum hygienic finish. There is an option to enhance the blade squeegee with an anti-microbial additive which renders it immune to 99 per cent of bacterial contamination. www.hillbrush.com
For use in food areas Birchmeier has developed the mobile foaming and chemical resistant FoamMatic spraying system in either 1.25 or five litre sizes. The company says the large pressure tank volume and the hand pump enable fast and mobile foaming, without a compressed air connection, while the foam nozzle can be turned to work vertically or horizontally. The cleaning foam has a long contact time and the chemical resistance of some models allows for different foaming agents. For larger applications there is the stainless steel Indu-Matic range in 20, 50 or 100 litres. www.birchmeier.com
PRODUCTS: FOOD HYGIENE
• 3M affirme que son nouveau système de nettoyage de gril ScotchBrite Quick Clean assure le nettoyage rapide et facile de ces ustensiles. • Brosserie Thomas se spécialise dans les outils de nettoyage et les brosses pour aires où l’hygiène est prioritaire. • Pour le nettoyage mécanisé de surfaces dures de petites dimensions, Kärcher propose l’autolaveuses BR 30/4 qui constitue une méthode originale par rapport aux méthodes manuelles. • Laut eigenen Angaben von 3M reinigt das neue Scotch-Brite Quick Clean Griddle Cleaning System flache Grillpfannen schnell und einfach. • Brosserie Thomas ist auf Reinigungswerkzeuge und Bürsten in verschiedenen Farben zum Einsatz in Bereichen, in denen Hygiene besonders wichtig ist, spezialisiert. • Zur mechanischen Reinigung kleiner harter Oberflächen gibt es die Scheuersaugmaschine Kärcher BR 30/4 als Alternative zur manuellen Reinigung. • La 3M afferma che il suo nuovo sistema Scotch-Brite Quick Clean Griddle Cleaning System pulisce la piastre piatte facilmente e velocemente. • La Brosserie Thomas è specializzata attrezzi e spazzole per pulizia codificate in base al colore per uso in aree dove l’igiene è di massima importanza. • Per la pulizia meccanizzata di superfici dure di piccole dimensioni c’è la lavasciuga pavimenti Kärcher BR 30/4, valida alternativa ai metodi manuali.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 32
Time saving 3M’s new Scotch-Brite Quick Clean Griddle Cleaning System aims to tackle one of the toughest cleaning jobs in the commercial kitchen - dirty griddles. Said to clean in half the time of traditional griddle cleaning products, the Scotch-Brite system incorporates a powerful non-toxic liquid cleaner that lifts and loosens carbonised food from the hot griddle surface. Food soil can then be scoured and polished away using HACCP approved 3M Scotch-Brite Hand Pads. The time taken is typically between three and five minutes. When the liquid cleaner is poured onto the hot griddle (150-170°C) it immediately begins to lift and loosen stubborn burnt-on food and grease from the griddle plate. For scouring and polishing the Scotch-Brite Multi-Purpose Pad Holder features a 30 cm handle to reduce the risk of burning and
enable users to safely reach the back of a hot griddle. Each 3M Scotch-Brite Quick Clean Griddle Cleaning System contains a 750 ml bottle of cleaning liquid complete with dosing cap; one pack of 3M Scotch-Brite 450 Hand Pads (six per pack); and a Scotch-Brite Multi-Purpose Pad Holder. www.3M.eu/griddlekit
Colour coded
Offering a range of colour coded cleaning equipment and hygiene brushes for use in the food industry is Brosserie Thomas. Its latest product is a water fed brush with telescopic handle - water flows from the base of the fibres and across the entire
brush head, dirt is flushed from the brush fibres and much less water is used. The rubber around the brush edge avoids scratching. www.brosseriethomas.com
Mechanical clean For cleaning areas of around 20 square metres and more, which are often cleaned with a mop and bucket, Kärcher offers a machine alternative in the form of the BR 30/4 scrubber dryer. The contact pressure of the roller brush is 10 times higher than that exerted with a mop during manual cleaning, says the company, which means grouting and fine stoneware tiles can be cleaned almost without effort. The machine sprays water, scrubs and recovers the cleaning solution in a single pass. There is a low profile brush head to enable cleaning under furniture and it weighs 11 kg. www.karcher.com
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PRODUCTS: FOOD HYGIENE
• Les paillassons Notrax sont destinés aux aires de préparation alimentaire afin d’y maintenir l’hygiène et de prévenir les glissades, les chutes et la fatigue. • BioCote a lancé un service de test bactériologique pour aider les organisations à suivre et à contrôler la présence de bactéries sur des surfaces. • L’appareil distributeur mural de tissus d’essuyage Brightwell peut s’utiliser pour des types de papier très différents. • Notrax-Matten wurden für Bereiche konzipiert, in denen Lebensmittel zubereitet werden, um Hygiene zu wahren und gleichzeitig Ausrutschen, Stürze und Ermüdung zu verhindern. • BioCote hat einen Bakterientestservice vorgestellt, der Organisationen bei der Überwachung und Überprüfung der Menge der Bakterien auf Oberflächen helfen soll. • Brightwell bietet einen Feuchttuchspender, der an der Wand befestigt und mit vielen verschiedenen Tucharten bestückt werden kann. • Lo zerbino Notrax è progettato per le aree di preparazione alimentare per mantenere l’igiene prevenendo scivolate, cadute e affaticamento. • La BioCote ha lanciato dei servizi per effettuare dei test per aiutare le organizzazioni a monitorare e controllare i livelli di batteri presenti sulle superfici. • Il dispenser di panni umidi montato a parete della Brightwell può essere usato con numerosi tipi diversi di panni.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 34
Prevents slips
Anti-slip matting provides good grip in wet and oily environments - mats are designed with drainage holes and raised studs to ensure instant evacuation of water or oil. Notrax food area mats are also made with MicroStop antimicrobial rubber formulations specifically for the food industry, which inhibit the growth of microorganisms and bacteria. www.notrax.com
Bacteria testing Notrax matting from Superior Manufacturing Group is designed for food areas to maintain hygiene while preventing slips and falls and reduce fatigue during hours of standing. Kitchen floors must often be smooth to facilitate cleaning and disinfecting. But the presence of water, oils, animal fats, blood, flour, and various biological waste makes them dangerous as employees often handle hot, heavy and sharp objects.
Antimicrobial solutions specialist BioCote has launched a bacteria testing service to help organisations check and monitor levels of bacteria and other microbes in environments where hygiene is important. The bacterial testing and analysis service aims to help organisations minimise this risk by understanding levels of bacterial contamination. The service is confidential and
involves BioCote visiting the organisation’s premises to take samples, which are analysed in the laboratory and translated into a report to present the findings and highlight problems. www.biocote.com
Hand wipes The wall mounted wet wipe dispenser from Brightwell incorporates a pop-and-grab spring lid that ensures wipes are kept fresh, hygienic and available for quick sanitising. The unit can be used with many different types of wipes, although Brightwell can lock dispensers to certain ones if required. It is designed to complement soap and paper dispensers from the Modular line. www.brightwell.co.uk
SC1500 – The STANDard in Stand-On Scrubbers
• Increased productivity to lower your cost to clean Just step up and start cleaning. You reach more in less time saving money • Superior cleaning performance Two brush pressures, 75 minutes cleaning per tank and 3.5 hours battery running time give you high performance • Enhanced cleaning flexibility Easy handling even for beginners, small footprint and silent operation makes SC1500 a flexible choice * SC1500 will be launched in July
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COUNTRY FOCUS: AUSTRIA
Cleaning industry makes real progress Georg Lintner of the Austrian professional cleaning association writes exclusively for ECJ about the professional cleaning sector in Austria as part of our series focusing on the major countries of Europe. In the Austrian cleaning sector there are currently 8,100 companies, employing a total of 52,000 people. The proportion of female employees is high, at 85 per cent and there is a distinct preference for workers who are over 45. Otherwise, employees range from 15 to 65. Manual workers account for 90 per cent of sector employees, with clerical staff making up the remaining 10 per cent. The industry in Austria is still enjoying growth, despite the economic difficulties facing most European countries. In 2005 against 2000 it was 66 per cent; in 2008 against 2005, 75 per cent; and 2013 against 2008, 50 per cent. Contracts are often outsourced to third parties in the field of house cleaning and maintenance services. Where memorial, façade and external building cleaning are concerned, however, outsourcing occurs only in the case of specialist cleaning. The greatest opportunities for growth are considered to be in the health and care sectors.
Three largest There are three large companies in the contract cleaning market - ISS Facility Services, Simacek and Dussmann-Service. Together they account for around 30 per cent of market share. The largest challenge facing cleaning companies currently is finding motivated workers – there is a significant skills shortage in the sector. To counteract this there has been massive expansion of training schemes in recent years, and there is now a recognised standard for cleaning training schemes. Another positive development has been the Austria-wide standardisation of requirements for final apprenticeship examination and master craftsman’s diploma. This issues of sick leave, maternity Dans notre article le plus récent sur le secteur de la propreté de pays d’Europe, nous jetons un coup d’œil sur l’Autriche. Nous examinons les caractéristiques du secteur de la propreté dans ce pays et les défis qu’il a dû relever ces dernières années.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 36
rights and parental leave are also very challenging ones for employers. However relations between cleaning workers and their employers are generally very good because of the opportunities for staff from a migrant background to engage in German courses of more than four hours.
Collective agreement A new collective framework agreement was also finalised this year after more than 20 years of negotiation, and that includes much improved regulations covering the whole of Austria. Despite the significant progress made by the industry in recent years, cleaning is
The largest challenge facing cleaning companies currently is finding motivated workers - there is a significant skills shortage in the sector. To counteract this there has been massive expansion of training. still in principle a necessary evil in the eyes of many clients – its image and profile are still a long way from where they should be. There is much room for improvement in terms of results-oriented cleaning and also daytime cleaning. Clients do have a very positive attitude towards paying a fair price for the services they receive when all the staff are properly trained. But there is still a great tendency to opt for the lowest tender both in the public and private sectors. Im neuesten Teil unserer Artikelserie, in der wir die Reinigungsbranche verschiedener europäischer Länder untersuchen, betrachtet das ECJ Österreich. Wir untersuchen die besonderen Merkmale der österreichischen Reinigungsbranche und die Herausforderungen, mit denen sie in den letzten
Initiatives by the industry association and cleaning companies have resulted in a number of successful public relations and advertising campaigns in the mission to improve the image of cleaning. Still the regulatory environment presents real obstacles, along with the issue of company taxation. Companies are also now expected to react proactively to the increasing awareness of environmental issues – the ‘greening’ of the industry.
Cutting costs The cleaning business can also not escape the fact that both public and private clients are being forced to economise, in which case it is not always possible to provide the best service. In these cases, the service has to be adapted accordingly. Through the Commercial Cleaning Academy of the Viennese Monument, Facade, and Commercial Cleaners association, a European training centre for cleaning workers is currently being established in Austria. For details visit the website: www. gebaeudereinigungsakademie.at
The next edition of ECJ will be September, featuring a special preview of the CMS cleaning exhibition in Berlin and the accompanying international congress. Make sure you reserve your copy - see the form inside the back cover or visit the website at www.europeancleaning journal.com
Jahren konfrontiert wurde. Nell’ultima delle serie che esaminano il settore del cleaning delle diverse nazioni europee, ECJ prende in esame l’ Austria. Esaminiamo le caratteristiche particolari dell’industria della nazione e le sfide che ha dovuto affrontare negli ultimi anni.
World’s Leading Exhibition and Educational Conference for the Cleaning and Maintenance Industry 𰀌𰀜𰀯𰆫𰀗𰀡𰀣𰀜𰀯𰆫𰀃𰀫𰀪𰀲𰀡𰀪𰀰𰀥𰀫𰀪𰆫𰀃𰀡𰀪𰀰𰀡𰀮𰄌𰆫𰀌𰀜𰀯𰆫𰀗𰀡𰀣𰀜𰀯𰄌𰆫𰀎𰀗𰆫𰄑𰆫𰀖𰀔𰀁 Meet with more than 650 exhibitors, attend more than 40 educational sessions, and much more. “We bring back new business alliances, new products, and new ideas that we can’t find locally.” —José Haliwa, Inversiones Hor 119, C.A., Venezuela
18.19.20.21 NOV Organised by:
In association with:
2013 𰀌𰀁𰀔𰆫𰀗𰀅𰀇𰀁𰀔𰆫𰄑𰆫𰀖𰀔𰀁
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CHEMICAL DISPENSING
The alternative to ‘glug glug’ Free pouring chemical, often referred to as ‘glug glug’, from a concentrate to create a readyto-use solution is not an unusual practice. However, it does pose several challenges in addition to the obvious safety issues. These challenges include the financial impact of using too much chemical, poor cleaning results from using incorrect amounts or wrong products, and missed sustainability opportunities due to additional packaging waste and related C02 impacts during transportation. Writing for ECJ Nick Burchell, senior marketing manager, communications, Ecolab Institutional Europe, examines the alternatives.
Using too much product poses a double impact because it puts pressure on cleaning budgets and adds additional cost to the business.
There have been many attempts in the market to overcome the challenges of dispensing using various methods of dosage control, but there are few solutions that can effectively address all the challenges. It is true; developing ready-to-use solutions from concentrated products calibrated for local conditions is the best approach to achieve excellent results in the safest manner. It is also the most economical for buyers and delivers greater impact from a sustainability perspective. In this article, we uncover the benefits of opting for a dispensing system using super-concentrated products. Safety first! Ensuring safety in the workplace is one of the leading forces in business and effective cleaning is highly integrated with safety. If you have ever witnessed an operator decanting aggressive acid bathroom cleaner from a 10 litre container into a trigger spray bottle, you notice a few things. Even if they are using a funnel, it is rarely the case there are no spills and, if they are not wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), these spills will likely come in contact with the skin or lay in wait for someone to slip and fall. Risks and hazards are two different thing - a hazard is something that has the potential to cause harm. For example, based on the CIP classification, an oven cleaning chemical or bleach has the potential to cause harm if splashed onto the skin or into the eyes; they would therefore likely be identified as ‘hazardous’. On the other hand, a washing-up liquid or hand soap would not be identified as ‘hazardous’ since they do not have the same potential to cause harm. A risk is the likelihood of harm being done - in the examples above, harm only occurs when the ‘hazardous’ substances comes into contact with the skin or eyes, so the greater the chance of this happening, the greater the risk. When a cleaning team is using too little, too much or the wrong product, results suffer, and this can reflect poorly on the
brand. Customers vote with their feet and knowing that hygiene ranks very highly in all customer settings for satisfaction, the impact from sustained poor hygiene can directly affect business growth and damage a brand. Using too much product poses a double impact because it also puts pressure on cleaning budgets and adds additional cost to the business, so efficiency is important. Another area in which free pour can have a negative impact is sustainability. This mainly occurs on two levels; additional packaging material and transportation. The sustainability credentials of free pour chemicals versus lock and key dispensed solutions are typically less because free pour products often contain more water and less active ingredients, so they need a higher dose per end user container to offer a result first time. The more a business needs to use, the more packaging required.
Environmental impact Packaging for free pour chemicals is often basic, typically five or 10 litre containers and, versus superconcentrates, they have a higher percentage of plastic, paper and cardboard. With transport costs rising, the cost of carrying a higher volume increases and so does the environmental impact. After examining the challenges associated with free pour products, it is the dispensing systems that begin to offer some solutions. Dispensing technologies have been on the market for some time. Ecolab has a long history of breakthrough innovation. For example, Ecolab pioneered solids and dispensing technologies in warewashing and then expanded this platform to a variety of other markets and applications including building cleaning and housekeeping. Through working closely with customers at their locations, a range of systems have been developed that suit many different environments. Products are dispensed through Continued page 40
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CHEMICAL DISPENSING The alternative to ‘glug glug’ (continued) equipment designed to ensure accuracy and consistent results, while helping reduce the chance of misuse. This offers huge safety benefits through reducing the risk of a product that has the potential to cause harm. The safety benefits are increased further by using products with packaging that eliminates contact with the concentrate. Exact dosing ensures only the correct amount of product is used, which offers enormous cost benefits. It enables the job to be done right first time, which in turn helps control spend and ultimately protect the brand. The environmental benefits are also very real and tangible. Dispensing in conjunction with concentrates permits the use of less packaging per use compared with free pour or ready-touse alternatives, a benefit that produces Quels sont les avantages économiques de l’installation d’un système de dosage de produits chimiques par opposition au dosage manuel ? Les économies du dosage piloté l’emporteront-elles sur la mise de fonds initiale ? ECJ s’enquière sur les systèmes de distribution pilotée les plus récents.
June/July 2013 | ECJ | 40
less waste. Choosing a concentrate also helps reduce CO2 emissions released into the environment as they are easier to transport, so the overall efficiency of dispensed concentrated cleaning products makes them ideal for customers seeking to reduce their environmental impact. One example of this is Ecolab’s Oasis Pro 40 Premium – one two-litre pouch of superconcentrated glass and multipurpose cleaner makes up to 400 ready-to-use bottles, which are screen printed and designed to be used time after time. Interestingly, an empty pouch constitutes only 26g of plastic waste verses the equivalent of a staggering 26kg of readyto-use bottles. If one standard truck was full of Oasis Pro Premium pouches, the equivalent in ready-to-use products would require 105 trucks. Dispensing systems often have no Welche wirtschaftlichen Vorteile ergeben sich aus der Montage eines Spendersystems für Chemikalien anstelle der herkömmlichen „Pi-malDaumen“-Dosiermethode? Können Einsparungen durch die kontrollierte Dosierung jemals wirklich die ursprüngliche Investition aufwiegen? Das ECJ informiert über die neuesten Spendersysteme zur Kostenkontrolle auf dem Markt.
additional cost to the customer. Although Ecolab owns its dispensing equipment, the company provides it to most customers at no cost. With regular service delivered personally by Ecolab territory managers, not only are systems kept in tip top condition, but teams are regularly trained to ensure that correct procedures are followed. In summary, dispensing systems, in conjunction with super-concentrated products, offer greater safety, better results and efficiency at a lower cost with provable sustainable credentials. To ensure that customers select the right solution, it should be done at the unit level by an expert, because dispensing is just part of the overall cleaning regime and having that expertise on hand to help set up the most effective solution is paramount to overall success. Quali sono i benefici economici dell’istallazione di un sistema di dispenser di prodotti chimici nei confronti dell’uso di metodi tradizionali di dosaggio? Può il risparmio scaturito dal dosaggio controllato realmente superare l’investimento iniziale? ECJ indaga sui sistemi di dispenser con controllo dei costi più nuovi sul mercato.
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SOFTWARE AND IT
True value of technology Technology has become a daily part of all our lives. Gone are the days when we had to leaf through endless filing cabinets or library shelves in order to find any information we needed. We no longer have to consult maps or manually collate data, either, or even add up columns of figures with a pencil – a computer does it all. But what is the true value of technology in the cleaning industry? Do high-tech software systems offer real efficiency advantages over manual methods, or is their key role to impress customers with their cutting-edge technology? Ann Laffeaty asks software companies about the factors that convince customers to buy.
“The technology we use improves productivity, job reporting and the service we offer to clients.”
Cleaning is one of those professions that cannot be carried out virtually, and manual hard graft is often still required to sanitise floors, equipment and surfaces. But technology can certainly make the cleaner’s life easier. A growing number of companies are using technological aids to check on staff attendance, carry out site surveys, keep their accounts in check and ensure products are always in stock. But how do clients perceive such systems - as an impressive marker of a cutting-edge company, or as an effective method of boosting productivity? Julius Rutherfoord is a cleaning company that is committed to using technology and constantly looking to adopt new systems to improve productivity, job reporting, auditing and benchmarking procedures. The company’s employees sign in and out of each job via a short phone call to the company’s time and attendance system. “We have three ways to check who is making the call - voice identification software, caller ID to check where they’re calling from and a unique pin code they must enter,” said operations director James Bennett. The company’s CRM system also enables it to instantly access any communication between staff and clients. “This includes summaries of conversations, all emails, client meeting forms, client satisfaction calls, consumables used on site and details of any sub-contractor we use,” said Bennett. “Over time this builds into a unique customer profile for every client which helps us to build stronger, more transparent working relationships.” The company uses time and management software to allow it to schedule work, manage time and communicate directly with cleaning teams via mobile PDAs. “While on site our area managers and quality auditors use their PDAs to record a vast array of data about cleaning performance,” said Bennett. “With this information our head office can check whether we are accurately meeting
the requirements set out in the cleaning specification and we can then benchmark against other contracts.“ According to Bennett the company’s software systems have helped to gain several new clients. “They provide organisations with the confidence that we can manage contracts effectively and efficiently,” he said. The company takes client security seriously and uses passport and identity document scanning technology similar to that used at international airports. “We scan every passport and ID document to check its authenticity against an international database which holds details of passports and other forms of ID from over 200 countries,” said Bennett. “The scanner reads and instantly verifies the MRZ code and checks each document under both infra-red and ultra violet light, highlighting any irregularities.” Julius Rutherfoord has also centralised its distribution depot and can remotely monitor stock levels. “By combining this with software to optimise fuel consumption in vehicles, we can replenish stock in good time and in the most transport-efficient way,” said Bennett. “Our systems also enable us to respond to emergencies such as flooding within a client’s premises in the swiftest and greenest of ways. All our vehicles are tracked by GPS linked into our fleet software system. If there is an emergency that requires additional back-up at a site we can check online to see where our vehicles are and deploy the closest.” In Depth Managed Services - a provider of workplace cleaning solutions and soft services - is also committed to technology investment. “All our systems have created savings on back-office overheads plus the cost of stationery and postage,” said operations manager Suzanne Richardson. “Our strategy gives us a distinct advantage in terms of being at the forefront of cutting-edge technology within the industry. It also allows our area Continued page 45
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SOFTWARE AND IT True value of technology (continued) management team to spend more time on site with our cleaning teams and clients.” The company’s local area managers and senior managers use mobile android technology combined with web-based systems to send, receive and capture information including photographic evidence and client signatures. Vehicles are tracked for remote worker safety and to ensure efficient scheduling of window cleaning teams. “Quality audits by our area management teams are also completed using the PDA,” said Richardson. “The results are then transferred back to head office via our workwise web system and made available in real time for clients to view online via our client access system.” The company has also developed a ‘lone worker’ and health and safety attendance solution to proactively manage its remote workers. Hand-held PDAs are used for
sharing details of potential candidates in the web recruitment process and for recording details of site-specific training schemes. Invoicing is done electronically. Managing director of developer Business Performance Geoff Jones finds industry purchasers often fail to appreciate the true value of technology - until they have tried it. “Some seem to feel there is little incentive in doing things a better way,” he said. “Clients are busy which means they don’t always notice if an environment is not as clean as it should be.” “Our software’s value lies in offering FM service providers a tool that enables them to retain existing customers while attaining new business,” said Innovise’s ceo Graeme Hughes. “Careful listening enables us to evolve our products to ensure that our technology is relevant and user-specific.” The true value of software in the
Quel est le véritable intérêt d’un système logiciel pour le secteur de la propreté ? Son premier rôle consiste-t-il à persuader le client qu’on est à l’avant-garde d’une technologie de pointe ? Ou offre-t-il de réels avantages de rendement par rapport aux système d’information et de comptabilité manuels? Nous demandons à des sociétés de logiciel de nous dire quels sont les facteurs qui amènent leurs clients à acheteur leurs produits.
Was ist der wahre Wert eines Softwaresystems in der Reinigungsindustrie? Soll damit vor allem der Kunde überzeugt werden, dass Sie Spitzentechnologie einsetzen? Oder bietet es tatsächliche Effizienzvorteile gegenüber manuellen Berichts- und Abrechnungssystemen? Wir befragen Softwareunternehmen nach den wichtigsten Faktoren, die Kunden vom Kauf überzeugen.
industry is its sheer simplicity according to Feedback Data’s software technical sales consultant Hugh Mackie. “Customers like our system because it can save them a lot of money,” said Mackie. “It reassures them that staff are where they say they are and allows them to be proactive. If a client phones in to say they don’t have a sufficient number of cleaners on site, the customer can send extra people.” So, are customers dazzled by such cutting-edge technology? According to Julius Rutherfoord’s James Bennett, the real value of software systems in cleaning lies in the fact that there is “always a better way to do things”. “Technology alone does not clean floors, plan rotas or audit quality - but we ensure that it is in the hands of the people who do,” he said. “The technology we use improves productivity, job reporting and the service we offer to clients.” Qual è il valore reale di un sistema di software nel settore del cleaning? Il suo ruolo principale è quello di convicere il cliente che un’impresa è all’avangardia con la tecnologia più innovativa? Oppure offre vantaggi reali in termini di efficienza nei confronti di sistemi manuali di contabilità e resoconti? Chiediamo alle aziende di software quali sono i fattori chiave che convincono i loro clienti ad acquistare.
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PRODUCTS: SOFTWARE AND IT
• Avista propose des systèmes pour automatiser différents processus de la gestion de missions de nettoyage, en allant du profilage des contacts à l’information du client. • Le système Flex de la société Pancomp assure la gestion des présences et peut être activé à partir du téléphone portable du nettoyeur. • Templa CMS est un système modulaire de gestion des contrats pouvant être utilisé à partir d’appareils mobiles, et développé pour le secteur de la propreté. • Avista bietet Systeme, die alle Arten von Verfahren bei Reinigungsunternehmen automatisieren - von Vertragsprofilierung bis zu Kundenberichten. • Bei Flex von Pancomp handelt es sich um ein Zeit- und Anwesenheitsverwaltungssystem, das vom Reinigungspersonal über das eigene Mobiltelefon bedient werden kann. • Bei Templa CMS handelt es sich um ein modulares Vertragsverwaltungssystem mit mobiler Anwendung, das für die Reinigungsbranche entwickelt wurde. • La Avista propone sistemi che automatizzano tutti le tipologie di procedure delle imprese di pulizie, dall’analisi dei contratti alle relazioni effettuate dai clienti. • Flex della Pancomp è un sistema di gestione delle presenze e delle ore di lavoro che può essere utilizzato mediante il telefono cellulare degli addetti alle pulizie. • Templa CMS è un sistema modulare di gestione dei contratti con applicazione mobile sviluppato per il settore del cleaning.
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Real time INSTA 800 is a Nordic cleaning QA standard developed on the basis of ISO. It is a universally applicable specification to assess the quality of cleaning done in any premise disregarding of its sizing, content, location or destination. Avista Time, provider of next generation smart process apps, has implemented the INSTA 800 specification and automated every step of the process from contract profiling to customer reporting. It supplies a number of touch screen checklists, minimising the time needed for premise inspection. The inspection report can be accompanied with notes and photos. The supervisor can also make necessary corrections to the cleaning work by creating a work order out of the inspection results and distributing it to the team. He can then view and print aggregated reports for
the entire building, email them to the customer and track the progress of corrections online. www.avistatime.com
On the move Specialising in mobile time and attendance systems for contract cleaning companies is Pancomp International. Its latest innovation is in the area of employee work time tracking and is called Pancomp Flex - which can be used via the cleaner’s own mobile phone. The use of the time and workflow management software is completely online, which enables real time tracking and online reporting from wherever the management is based. Pancomp Flex is an operational software designed to reduce management time spent on manual checks on-site. Deviations between a plan and actual service can be set to cause an automatic alert, which enables a
quick and efficient response. Workers use their own mobile phone to log their working time, lunch, breaks etc via SMS. www.pancomp.com
Integrated Many small cleaning companies cannot invest in their own software so manage the different elements of their business with a combination of off-the-shelf software. To tackle this Templa has developed CMS, a modular contract management system with mobile application, designed for the cleaning industry. At its heart is the contract database where all the information needed to manage cleaning contracts is stored, and from which the operational modules access data in order to process day to day tasks. The software mirrors every element of a cleaning business. To reduce administration, it has an intelligent workflow system. www.templacms.co.uk
BUSINESS: NEWS New data protection rules at risk, warns chief watchdog New EU data protection rules could collapse because of ‘excessive lobbying’, foot-dragging by MEPs and entanglement in trade negotiations with the USA, Europe’s chief data protection watchdog has warned. “There is some concern about excessive lobbying and circulating messages that create wrong impressions,” said Peter Hustinx, the European data protection supervisor. The review process for the new rules had attracted “enormous attention from industry alleging that data protection rules are a hindrance to innovation”. Hustinx singled out the “right to be forgotten” – a proposal in the data protection regulation designed to protect individuals from having their data retained by internet operators – as a key target of lobbyists. “The Commission emphasis on the right to be forgotten has created an enormous feedback that nothing should be
forgotten, and it’s overstated,” Hustinx said. He said that it was important to “distinguish the proposal from the rhetoric”. Although the proposal “cannot be delivered in all its details in practice”, he said its emphasis on imposing time limits on the retention of data and stipulating when data should be erased would be welcome. Many of the provisions in the proposed regulation “make eminent sense” and could be achieved through stronger privacy by design, Hustinx said, adding that business interests from abroad and within Europe had overstated claims that implementing the rules would be too costly and stifle innovation. Hustinx also warned that a “coalition mixing transatlantic business interests” was seeking to join negotiation over the new data protection rules to attempts by the EU and the US to reach a comprehensive free trade agreement.
Poll reveals workplace stress cause Around half of workers across Europe (51 per cent) perceive that work-related stress is common in their workplace, according to a pan-European opinion poll conducted for the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). Female workers are more likely than male workers to say that work-related stress is common (54 per cent versus 49 per cent), as are workers aged 18-54 (53 per cent) compared with workers aged 55+ (44 per cent). The most common cause of work-related stress across Europe is perceived to be job
insecurity or job reorganisation (72 per cent) followed by hours worked or workload (66 per cent). Unacceptable behaviour such as bullying or harassment are perceived as a common cause of work-related stress by six in 10 workers (59 per cent). Fewer workers perceive a lack of support from colleagues or superiors (57 per cent), a lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities (52 per cent) or limited opportunity to manage work patterns (46 per cent) as common causes of workrelated stress.
• Affronter les problèmes causés par la diversité culturelle sur le lieu de travail peut avoir un impact sensible sur la sécurité et la santé au travail, affirrme l’Agence européenne pour la sécurité et l’hygiène du travail (EU-OSHA). • De nouvelles règles UE de protection des données pourraient échouer en raison d’un “excès de campagnes d’influence”, a averti le haut responsable communautaire de la protection des données. • Selon un nouveau sondage européen, l’insécurité devant le risque de perdre son emploi, ou devant les restructurations industrielles affectant l’emploi, constituent les causes le splus fréquentes du stress lié au travail.
Businesses must address cultural diversity, says European agency
Addressing cultural diversity in the workplace can greatly impact on occupational safety and health, says a new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). The report, ‘Diverse cultures at work: ensuring safety and health through leadership and participation’, reveals that there can be serious consequences resulting from a lack of awareness of cultural difference, but that it is possible for organisations to be more inclusive and use diversity to positive effect, as a resource for learning, change and renewal. Dr Christa Sedlatschek, director of EU-OSHA explained: “A precondition for business success is healthy and motivated employees, especially in times of growing pressure on market competition. Workers with a migration background have to face specific language and cultural challenges, which is also mirrored in higher accident and sick leave rates than
national workers.” Poor communication and misunderstanding may arise as a result of cultural differences and can result in tension and stress, reduced job satisfaction and higher staff turnover. An increased occupational safety and health risk may be present, in part because in a multicultural work team, individual perceptions of what is safe may vary. The report recommends that a constructive safety climate, which is shared by all those in a diverse workforce, needs to be established. The report applies cross-cultural theories to the workplace and demonstrates how leadership and worker participation are key to improving safety and health in culturally diverse workplaces. It recommends that managers adapt their leadership style, address language barriers, effectively train workers to overcome intercultural issues and nurture an inclusive working environment.
Visit the ECJ website regularly to keep up to date with latest industry news, read authoritative comment and exclusive blogs from industry experts: www.europeancleaningjournal.com
•Die Berücksichtigung der kulturellen Vielfalt am Arbeitsplatz kann sich erheblich auf den Arbeitsschutz auswirken, teilt die Europäische Agentur für Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz am Arbeitsplatz (EU-OSHA) mit. • Neue EU-Datenschutzbestimmungen könnten aufgrund von „exzessivem Lobbydruck“ scheitern, warnte der Europäische Datenschutzbeauftragte. • Eine neue europaweite Umfrage zeigt, dass Angst um den Arbeitsplatz oder Reorganisation des Arbeitsplatzes die häufigste Ursache von arbeitsbedingtem Stress ist.
• Affrontare le diversità culturali nei posti di lavoro può avere un forte impatto sulla sicurezza e salute occupazionale, come afferma l’agenzia europea per salute e sicurezza sul lavoro - European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). • Le nuove regole dell’UE per la protezione dei dati potrebbero fallire a causa di ‘ lobbying eccessivo’, ha avvertito l’ente principale di protezione dati europeo. • Un nuovo sondaggio europeo rivela che la precarietà del posto di lavoro o la riorganizzazione dei posti di lavoro sono le cause più comuni di stress occupazionale.
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BUSINESS: TELECOM SCAMS
Growth in furtive telecom scams trade Telecom scams are a growing threat to businesses, with criminals deploying ever more sneaky tools and tactics. Hartley Milner looks at some tricks of the fraudster’s furtive trade and how to avoid falling victim to them. The cold-caller’s patter went something like this… “Am I speaking to Mr Miller?” “Well, it’s Milner actually, but go on.” “This is Microsoft technical support here. Our data banks have identified validation issues with your internet account that need immediate investigation. “Unless these are resolved promptly, you will start to notice reduced performance of your internet and email services, culminating in the loss of your connection altogether.” Not a welcome prospect for the owner of a small communications business heavily reliant on staying online. “Oh, right, so what do I need to do now?” I responded, already smelling a fat rat but intrigued to know where this clearly carefully crafted script was going. “There is no cause for concern. We are here to help. We just require temporary access to your computer to remedy the problem. There is no charge for this service.” I was told to follow a link to a website where I should download software allowing remote access to my PC – and therefore I deduced free range over all the folders and files thereon. “Do it now,” I was commanded. “No thanks,” I said and hung up. Six months on and I am pleased to report I am still a fully functioning member of the online community. A quick call to my telecoms provider had anyway confirmed this was a known ruse by scammers to either pilfer data from my computer on the spot or later. My provider stressed it would only ask to remotely access my machine during a live troubleshooting session I had requested. Microsoft gave a similar assurance. But what if I had been taken in by the fraudster’s spiel, as millions of people are each year? “Had you unwisely clicked on that link, one of a number of nasty things would have happened,” said Jack Wraith, chief executive of the Telecommunications UK Fraud Forum (TUFF). “It may well have
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downloaded a piece of malicious malware such as a trojan, some sort of keylogger or an application which would make your machine look as though it had been taken over by a virus and was locked. “In the latter instance there would be details on the website you were directed to on how to have it unlocked. The catch is you will first have to transfer a sum of money from A to B. Even after you have followed this process you cannot be sure your computer is safe. Something unpleasant may still be lurking on it, enabling it to be attacked again at a later date.” In a variation of the disconnection con, someone posing as a phone company representative makes contact saying your account is in arrears or your line needs a digital upgrade. You’re then tricked into believing you have temporarily been cut off, leading you to think the call is genuine. In reality, the bluffer stays on the line with
Around a million people fall victim to online fraud each day. The global cybercrime economy is worth an estimated 342 billion euros a year. the mute button on, meaning you are unable to make any calls. Now you are asked for your bank details to pay for work that is not needed. Email scammers can be every bit as artful. The fraudulent message may be disguised as an official request for information and include a link to a fake website that appears almost identical to the official one, complete with logos, images and navigation menus. Once at the lookalike site, the user may be presented with a web form requesting information such as their credit card and banking details, home address and phone number. You may even be asked to login with your username and password. Or the email may have an information
request form attached to it. But beware! Simply opening the attachment may install a trojan on your PC that will steal your data. “What the internet has done is open a Pandora’s Box in terms of criminals who very quickly jump onto what is current and use it to defraud the public,” said Wraith. “They are aware that the average person – particularly the older generation – is not necessarily technically sound. “There is the fear element as well. People worry about how the caller got their phone number. Of course, all they do is randomly dial blocks of numbers and if someone answers they go through their script. This is a form of social engineering. They engineer information from their victim without them even knowing it. They will get your name and other information about you and then may go away or you hang up on them. “A couple of days later someone else from the same gang calls, claiming to represent an official organisation such as your utilities company. But now they have your basic information. You get a sense you are known to them and this builds trust. Then during the course of the conversation they may extract your address, credit card and bank details etc and you are hooked.” Phishing (fishing for information by phone or email) relies on a degree of naivety on the part of the victim, but tech-savvy cybercriminals mount far more covert operations, as a small UK retail business discovered to its cost. Staff at Rimmers Music only became aware they had come under attack after receiving a shock demand for an extra 7,000 euros in phone charges. Company secretary Kathy Tate said: “Our phone bill is normally between 8,200 and 9,400 euros a month, so you can imagine our dismay. Apparently, these people accessed the voicemail function of our telephone system when no one was in the office and then made premium rate calls to an island in the Pacific. “Our telephone provider said the hackers had dialled in and then fiddled with the voicemail PIN number. We have taken measures to stop this happening again, but there is apparently no guarantee we will not be targeted in the future.
BUSINESS: TELECOM SCAMS
“It’s very distressing because we had to pay the bulk of the bill or risk having our phones cut off and that would be disastrous for a small business like ours. We had no redress through our insurers and the police said there would be little likelihood of catching anyone for the crime, so they wouldn’t be investigating it.” Criminals also trawl the net with modems to detect the known signals given out when businesses have their own telephone exchange. If the exchange is on a default setting, hackers can figure out how to dial into it as an engineer would to carry out remote maintenance work. TUFF’s Jack Wraith said these high-tech tricksters take out phone numbers in parts of the world with less well-regulated telecom services. After hacking into a telephone system, they make premium rate calls to these centres where someone simply picks up the phone and then hangs up. “For every call made, the owner of the number will get a revenue of around six euros, or considerably more if the line is kept open,” said Wraith. “What they
do then is put on a recording, often of a ringtone so anyone who happens to call the target building thinks their call is still ringing out. “These fraudulent calls are difficult to detect. The problem for telecom providers is that on the network they look like normal traffic. And the current international payment system for calls almost encourages this type of fraud.” But you are just as likely to be scammed on your mobile phone, however smart you may think it is. You notice a missed call from a number you do not recognise but dial it back, only to be redirected to a premium rate service. Or you reply to a text worded as if from someone you know, even though the sender’s number is unfamiliar. And smart phones and portable tablet computers are increasingly hacked because of the vast amount of data they can now hold. Around a million people fall victim to online fraud each day. Telecom scams
contribute to a global cybercrime economy worth an estimated tip-of-the-iceberg 342 billion euros a year to the Asian and Russian Mafia gangs who largely control it. To avoid being scammed, remember: • Mistrust all cold-calls and unsolicited emails • Never click on a web link from an unknown caller or email source • Never give out sensitive information over the phone to someone you had not contacted in the first place or who is not known to you • Scrutinise emails for poor spelling and grammar and errors in any website address given • Always go to an official website • Critically, install anti-malware software on your PC, ensuring it comes from a legitimate source. “The authorities cannot prevent cybercrime by technology alone,” said Wraith. “We need the public to do what they can to protect themselves. And raising awareness of the issues is probably the most effective step we can take to counter this menace.”
Les canulars téléphoniques et autres font peser une menace croissante sur les entreprises, car leurs auteurs recourent à des ruses toujours plus sophistiquées. Le coût pour les victimes peut en être très élevé aux niveau de la confiance de la clientèle est du bénéfice. Hartley Milner examine certaines des arnaques téléphoniques les plus pratiquées et les moyens de s’en prémunir.
Telefonschwindel stellen in zunehmendem Maße eine Bedrohung für Unternehmen dar, denn Verbrecher setzen immer ausgeklügeltere Hilfsmittel und Taktiken ein, um ihren hinterhältigen Geschäften nachzugehen. Die Kosten, die die Opfer zu tragen haben, können verheerend sein, und zwar sowohl in Bezug auf den Schaden am Vertrauen der Kunden als auch die Auswirkung auf das Geschäftsergebnis. Hartley Milner erläutert die gängigsten Telefonschwindel, die die Runde machen, und wie sich Unternehmen davor schützen können, ihnen zum Opfer zu fallen.
Le truffe telefoniche e telematiche sono un pericolo sempre più in aumento per le imprese, con i criminali che utilizzano mezzi e tattiche sempre più sofisticati per mettere in atto il loro commercio disonesto. Il costo per le vittime può essere devastante in termini del danno che arrecano alla fiducia dei clienti e inoltre sull’impatto che hanno sul loro risultato finale. Hartley Milner prende in esame alcuni dei raggiri telefonici più comuni che girano e come le imprese possano difendersi per non cadere vittime di questi crimini.
Mobile phone scams
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WIPES AND CLOTHS
Reducing wiper consumption Wiper manufacturers obviously make more money the more products they sell. But ethical companies are developing systems all the time that prevent waste and limit the quantity of disposables that people use and throw away. We ask wiper manufacturers about their latest wiping systems that reduce both waste and over-consumption.
“A wiper should deliver high absorption capacity and provide the correct sheet size for any requirement, since reduced paper consumption saves both work and money besides being better for the environment.”
Disposable wipers and cloths are in widespread use in industry today. They have become an essential tool for cleaning, wiping and polishing and are used in a range of industries such as the food, healthcare, mechanical engineering and automotive sectors. But there are two key trends in business that have had a marked impact on today’s wipes market. On the one hand there is a continued need for businesses to cut costs in order to survive the tough economic climate. And on the other there is a growing desire among companies to be sustainable and reduce waste and over-consumption where possible. However, disposable products appear on the surface to be anything but sustainable since as their name suggests, they are designed to be thrown away after use. But disposables can be made to be more sustainable if their useful life is increased and if over-consumption is curtailed. And since this in turn helps to save money, wiper manufacturers that attempt to avoid waste and overconsumption are helping to fulfil two key customer demands. Reducing the consumption and cost in use of wiping products are among Metsä Tissue’s key aims according to UK and Ireland sales director Mark Dewick. The company’s Less is More concept focuses on minimising paper consumption while reducing hygiene risks by ensuring that the right product is used in the right environment. “A wiper should deliver high absorption capacity and provide the correct sheet size for any requirement, since reduced paper consumption saves both work and money besides being better for the environment,” says Dewick. “It also saves time spent on topping up dispensers and reduces the amount of administration and paperwork that needs to be carried out. And limiting consumption also helps to cut down on transport and storage requirements.” He says wiper dispensing systems play a major part in preventing waste and
over-consumption. “Traditional dispensers are often attached to a wall which is fine in an office, but not very productive in an industrial, production or operational environment,” he said. Katrin industrial products are available on floor stands to ensure that they are at hand wherever needed and the company offers hand towels in Katrin Easy Packs to discourage industrial staff from using specialist wipers to clean their hands. According to Dewick, customers looking for products that reduce waste and overconsumption should take into account the lifecycle of those products. “If you set about simply looking for the cheapest solution it can often be a costly mistake,” he said. “For example, waste issues may centre around blockage problems with old drains or vacuum toilets or with new watersaving devices. A recycled product that contains a large amount of glue can be far worse for drainage systems than a virgin fibre product, for example. And knowledge of the ‘environmental footprint’ of a recycled wiper versus a virgin fibre product is often taken out of context.” He adds that customers do not always appreciate the difference between cost and cost in use, particularly in the case of large corporate buyers looking for the lowest price per sheet. “However, some companies and institutions are definitely more interested in the cost in use argument,” he adds. “These include, for example, schools switching to academy status; hospital trusts taking on more autonomy, hotels seeking greener solutions and FM companies exploring new ways of doing business.” Greenspeed owner Michel de Bruin says concern for sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor for customers when choosing a wiping product. “We use training and customer support to heighten environmental awareness,” he said. The company’s Greenspeed Original Continued page 52
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WIPES AND CLOTHS Reducing wiper consumption (continued)
“It is important today to reduce consumption and waste, not only because of the enormous cost reductions you can achieve but also because it helps to save the world from negative impacts on nature.”
but typical usage areas for these cloths are applications requiring disposable wipers for hygiene reasons such as in food preparation environments,” said Wirsching. “Since the user can decide whether to launder or rinse the cloth instead of disposing of it immediately, this lowers both cost-in-use and the carbon footprint.” He says there are several reasons why consumption and waste both need to be reduced these days. “Natural resources are scarce and the environment is becoming increasingly polluted, while waves of raw material price increases are hitting everybody,” he said. “Customers are very interested in lowering their total cost in use and there is a clear trend, particularly at larger sites, that end-users are rejecting systems that generate high amounts of waste.”
Changing regulations microfibre cloth is claimed to avoid the waste issue associated with using a disposable wiper since it can be washed and reused more than 600 times. The cloth can also be folded three times, creating a total of 16 clean facets. “This means you can clean more than 600 sq m with one cloth,” said de Bruin. “It is important to reduce consumption and waste, not only because of the enormous cost reductions you can achieve but also because it helps to save the world from negative impacts on nature.” Vileda offers both microfibre products and ‘semi-disposable’ wipes that are designed to reduce waste and overconsumption. Scientific services customer development manager Dr Jochen Wirsching claims that the company’s microfibre cloths can be laundered more often than rival products - between 500 and1,000 times – while also consuming less electrical energy and water during laundering. “This is due to their lighter weight and lower liquid absorption properties,” he said. The ‘semi-disposable’ wipe options MicroRoll, Breazy and Quick ´n Dry – are claimed to offer prolonged durability compared with other disposables. “This might sound like a contradiction, Les fabricants de tissus d’essuyage gagnent de l’argent en maximisant le volume de leurs ventes, mais comme il se soucient de plus en plus de durabilité, certains d’entre eux visent à réduire toute surconsommation en proposant des systèmes de distribution plus intelligents, limitant la quantité de produits enlevée par les agents de nettoyage. Nous interrogeons certains entreprises à propos de leur systèmes d’essuyage les plus récents pour réduire le gaspillage et la surconsommation.
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PGI Nonwovens has made its own bid to reduce waste by developing a wiper that is claimed by the company to be both compostable and biodegradable. The Chicopee J-Cloth 3000 is said to achieve 95 per cent degradation after 12 weeks in an industrial composter. “For some time we have been aware of the changing regulations regarding landfill as well as the escalating costs of waste disposal,” said regional sales manager John Whalley. “We have also noticed a general move towards the use of microfibre cloths to cut down on waste. But microfibre products are not always feasible - for example, in environments where there are no laundry facilities. “So we wanted to introduce a product that would enable customers to dispose of their wipers either as green or food waste.” The Chicopee J-Cloth 3000 is a surface wiper aimed chiefly at the janitorial and food service sectors. It is available in five colours to suit colour coding regimes and is sold as a single shift product to be used for three to four hours at a time before being rinsed and composted. According to Whalley, customers are at last beginning to understand the importance of sustainability. “People are starting to look at how many consumables they are throwing away and are warming Die Hersteller von Wischtüchern verdienen Ihr Geld durch den gesteigerten Verkauf ihrer Produkte – aber mit dem zunehmendem Nachdruck auf Nachhaltigkeit sind immer mehr Hersteller darum bemüht, den Überkonsum durch den Einsatz besserer Spendersysteme zu verringern, die die Wischtücher schützen und die Entnahmemenge begrenzen. Wir befragen Unternehmen nach den neuesten Wischsystemen, die sowohl Abfall als auch Überkonsum verringern.
to the idea of a compostable cloth.” Tork manufacturer SCA recently carried out a series of site surveys that demonstrated high levels of waste in environments where wipers were used. “We went to food factories, catering kitchens and industrial premises and saw evidence everywhere that wipers were being wasted and over-consumed,” said product and segment manager Amelia Baker. “In factories, for instance, loose rolls were often left lying around on the work surface and in one case an oil can had spilled and a wiper roll had soaked up the mess which meant the entire roll had to be thrown away. “We also found loose wiper rolls on food preparation counters where the trailing end was left to become contaminated with bacteria. Where centrefeed rolls were in use, operatives would inevitably pull out long lengths of wiper at a time regardless of whether or not they would need all of it. “The same applied in workshops where the only wiping source was one giant roll on a centrally-placed floor stand. Staff would take more wiper than they needed to avoid having to return to the wiping source later.” The company’s Tork dispensers have been designed to address these problems, says Baker. Wall-mounted wiper dispensers for rolls, centrefeeds and individual sheets are tightly sealed to protect the wipers from spills or contamination before use. “A wall-mounted wiper dispenser in a compact units that can be situated in any bay or cubicle around the workshop enables all operatives to have access to a wiping source nearby,” said Baker. “This avoids the issue of staff having to make the long trek to a centrally-placed giant wiper roll.” She says that in today’s tough economic climate where sustainability remains top of the agenda it is important to offer systems that reduce waste and over-consumption. “This is good for the environment while also improving cost in use,” said Baker. “Though realistically, not every customer understands the cost-in-use argument: some only care about the price per case.” I produttori di panni guadagnano in base al numero di prodotti venduti, ma con l’enfasi crescente sulla sostenibilità, un numero sempre maggiore di loro si sta impegnando per ridurne l’uso esagerato utilizzando dei sistemi di dispenser più avanzati che proteggono i panni e limitano la quantità di prodotto che i dependenti possono prendere. Chiediamo alle imprese informazioni sui più nuovi sistemi di panni che riducono sia lo spreco sia l’uso esagerato.
PRODUCTS: WIPES & CLOTHS
• L’essuie-meuble Easy Trap de 3M peut piéger, selon son fabricant, six fois plus de crasse que les tissus de dépoussiérage traditionnels. • Rubbermaid a ajouté deux options basées sur la valeur à sa gamme de tissus en microfibres, les tissus professionels et les tissus standards en microfibres. • Les tissus à microfibres Optima Extra en rouleaux de Ramon Hygiène éliminent les frais de blanchissage. • Der 3M Easy Trap Duster fängt nach eigenen Angaben bis zu sechsmal so viel Schmutz ein wie herkömmliche Staubtücher. • Rubbermaid hat seine Produktreihe mit Mikrofaserwischtüchern um zwei neue wertorientierte Optionen erweitert. • Die auf Rollen verfügbaren EinwegMikrofaserwischtücher Optima Extra von Ramon Hygiene eliminieren Wäschereikosten. • La 3M afferma che il suo panno Easy Trap Duster raccoglie fino a sei volte più sporco dei panni per spolverare tradizionali. • La Rubbermaid ha aggiunto due nuove opzioni primo prezzo alla sua gamma di panni in microfibra, Professional Microfibre Cloths e Standard Microfibre Cloths. • I panni monouso in microfibra in rullo Optima Extra prodotti dalla Ramon Hygiene eliminano i costi di lavanderia.
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Easy trap
According to 3M, its Easy Trap Duster can trap and remove up to six times more dust, dirt, grit and hair than traditional mops and disposable dusting systems. It comprises a disposable nonwoven, three dimensional web made from 3M proprietary fibres which trap and hold the dust and dirt without creating drag. Double-sided for longer lasting use, the disposable web is easily attached to most cleaning tools and can be used on most horizontal surfaces and in wet environments. It also works with most high dusting tools. The Easy Trap Duster is available in perforated five- and eightinch width rolls and pop-up dispenser in both widths. bcs.enquiries.uk@mmm.com
Value based Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) has added two new value based options to its range of microfibre cleaning cloths. It says both its Professional Microfibre Cloths and Rubbermaid Standard Microfibre Cloths offer high performance and are long lasting - at an affordable price. They are also colour coded and conform to HACCP standards. Rubbermaid Professional Microfibre Cloths can be laundered up to 100 times with bleach or 300 times without bleach and are proven to remove 99.9 per cent of microbes. The Standard Microfibre Cloths meanwhile,
constitute the value range and can be laundered up to 40 times with bleach or 100 times without bleach. www.rubbermaid.eu
Good value According to Ramon Hygiene the Optima Extra range of disposable microfibre cloths on a roll represent good value for money when the costs for laundering are removed. The cloths are supplied 200 sheets per roll in colours blue, red, green and yellow to allow for colour coding. They can be used wet, dry or for best results says Ramon, use damp. The cloths can actually be laundered up to 10 times if required to get extra value - making them semi disposable. www.ramonhygiene.com
SQUEEGEES
Of material importance Brent Anderson of Midwest Rubber Europe explains why selecting a high quality squeegee for use on scrubber dryers is so crucial to a successful scrubbing job. He offers an overview of the different squeegee materials available and a guide to most suitable applications.
A poorly made, incorrectly chosen, or badly worn squeegee can cancel out the most successful scrubbing job.
Clean floors help to create pleasant indoor environments. People are happier and more productive when their facilities are clean. They are also safer and healthier. “One of the greatest workers compensation and liability exposures confronting many companies across the country is slip and fall incidents. A fall can result in the loss of a valued employee or the filing of a third party lawsuit. Many of these incidents can be prevented,” said the Loss Prevention Bulletin, Zurich North America. And new trends in the sector, such as daytime cleaning, increase the risk of slip and fall accidents for staff and customers.
• Linard combines tear resistance and durability; high durometer (hardness) helps reduce squeegee noise; often specified for front squeegees. • Urethanes are chemical resistant materials with long service life; they are well suited for use with organic and petroleum based oils. • Gum rubber is an inexpensive combination of natural material and fillers; it is usable on smooth, even indoor floors. • Red rubber is made of commodity grade gum and fillers, dyed red to resemble premium rubber products such as Linatex and Linard.
Scrubber dryers and squeegees
To function effectively in a floor squeegee, a material needs a particular set of characteristics: relatively high resilience, low modulus, high tear strength, and high resistance to wet abrasion. • Resilience allows rubber to absorb impact, then regain its original shape. • Modulus refers to the weight or mechanical force required to deform a material. • Tear strength indicates how well a squeegee can resist damage from foreign objects. • Wet abrasion measures how long a material lasts under constant rubbing. These factors vary by cleaning conditions, such as floor surfaces, soil types, and amount of soil; machine maintenance and operator skill also affect performance. To determine which materials are best suited for each application, Midwest Rubber Service & Supply Company tests them under controlled conditions at its dedicated facility near Shanghai. In side by side tests, taking careful measurements with calibrated instruments, researchers at the Midwest Rubber facility document the performance of floor squeegees. They evaluate multiple materials on a variety of surfaces, with different brands and models of scrubber
Every scrubber dryer applies a surfactant and medium, usually detergent and water, to the floor. It uses brushes or abrasive pads to loosen dirt and debris while skirts contain the solution to the working width of the machine, then removes the suspended soils and liquids with a vacuum. The last and most critical part in this system is the squeegee; it determines how much is removed from the floor and how much is left behind. A poorly made, incorrectly chosen, or badly worn squeegee can cancel out the most successful scrubbing job. A squeegee blade that fails to seal against the floor surface will leave behind water, soap, soils, oils, and more.
Squeegee types No single squeegee material is best for every cleaning application. Economy gum rubber is suitable for smooth, even floors with light traffic; premium natural rubber provides consistent performance and exceptional results on a broad range of conditions; polyurethanes are ideal for applications that require oil and chemical resistance. Here are the most common squeegee types: • Linatex is a high performing, long lasting material; resists tearing and edge wear in sliding and wet abrasion applications.
Physical properties
Continued page 58
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SQUEEGEES Of material importance (continued) dryers, and with diverse types and amounts of soil. Each time, they test for one or more of the characteristics listed above. For most applications, Linatex meets more of those criteria than any other material.
Advantages of Linatex Linatex is made with 95 per cent rubber, using a proprietary process that retains more of the inherent qualities of natural latex. By contrast, commodity grade gum rubber products contain fillers, from carbon black to silica to clay to chalk, that increase hardness and tensile strength but reduce flexibility. Floor squeegees made with lower quality rubber are sold for less than those made from Linatex. They also deliver lower performance, require more frequent adjustment, and wear out much sooner. Brent Anderson, de la société Midwest Rubber Europe, explique pourquoi le bon choix d’une raclette de qualité sur une autolaveuse joue un rôle capital pour un bon lavage. Dans un aperçu général des différents matériaux pour la fabrication de raclettes, il fournit des orientations sur les applications les plus appropriées.
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Despite its higher initial price, the total cost of ownership over time makes Linatex a more economical choice for many customers. A simple change in squeegee type can bring benefits to machine operators, building managers, businesses, and their customers. In fact, it can help meet the challenges facing our industry. Daytime Cleaning. A squeegee that leaves a clean, dry floor in one pass creates safer, healthier, more comfortable environments for employees, guests, and customers.
Fewer adjustments Productivity. Materials that keep their shape under heavy use require fewer adjustments, allowing staff members to accomplish more cleaning in the same amount of time. Brent Anderson (Midwest Rubber Europe) erläutert, warum die Auswahl eines hochwertigen Abziehers zum Einsatz mit einer Scheuersaugmaschine von ausschlaggebender Bedeutung für eine gute Reinigung ist. Er bietet einen Überblick über die verschiedenen verfügbaren Abziehermaterialien und erläutert, für welche Anwendungen sie sich am besten eignen.
Sustainability. Longer lasting squeegees require less frequent replacement, which reduces waste; and natural rubber is a renewable resource with infinite potential.
The bottom line A floor squeegee represents a small fraction of the cost in any floor scrubber. It even costs less than other consumables, such as soap or brush heads. But it makes all the difference in how a floor looks and feels after the machine is put away. To find the right floor squeegee for each application, consider physical characteristics, performance, and total cost of ownership. Base buying decisions on research data rather than habit or initial price. Matching the material to the job will help you improve scrubber dryer performance, reduce long term costs, and increase customer satisfaction all at once. Brent Anderson di Midwest Rubber Europe spiega perchè scegliere un raschietto di alta qualità da usare sulle lavasciuga pavimenti sia così determinante per un lavoro di pulizia perfetto. Ci fa inoltre una panoramica sui raschietti prodotti in diversi materiali disponibili in commercio e fornisce una guida sulle applicazioni più adatte.
WINDOW CLEANING
The sky’s the limit They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and the window cleaning sector is certainly proving this to be true, using innovative materials, technology and designs to answer client needs. Jochen Wagener, head of marketing for Unger Europe, reveals how window cleaning systems are adapting and developing to keep pace with key market trends.
Professional window cleaners continue to embrace new methods and equipment – with water-fed poles emerging as a popular choice. They allow operatives to clean high buildings and windows safely from the ground.
The only way is up – if the continuing architectural trend for high-rise buildings is anything to go by. The majority of our most iconic buildings seem to prove the theory that size matters, in terms of height, that is. Whether we are talking about the Shard in London, the Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt, or the Torre de Cristal in Madrid, the fashion for high-rise, high-tech designs – featuring lots of glass and metal – doesn’t look like slowing down any time soon. Tall buildings, whether new or established, need regular, thorough and effective cleaning to ensure they present a professional face to customers and colleagues. For the highest heights, ‘robotic’ automatic window cleaning systems, operated by remote control and using chemical-free pure water, are gaining ground. However, if a more ‘James Bond’ approach is preferred, abseiling using traditional squeegees is also still widely used. Operatives can also regularly be seen cleaning high level windows from cradles, using small poles, brushes and again pure water. Professional window cleaners continue to embrace new methods and equipment – with water-fed poles emerging as another popular choice. These poles allow operatives to clean high buildings and windows safely from the ground, alleviating the need to work at height. For many years, window cleaners have had the choice of two types of pole system: telescopic or modular. However, telescopic poles can tend to flex as they are extended, with a subsequent loss of control. They also have some weight issues; for example, a six-section telescopic pole will always have six sections as they cannot be removed – so even if you only need to use four sections to clean to the height required, you are still carrying the weight of six. Modular systems, although better at extending without weakening rigidity, simply become too heavy as they are extended, and the extensions also add width to the poles
making them less easy to handle. They can also take a long time to construct or build up, which is a disadvantage in terms of making the best use of operatives’ time.
Manufacturing materials matter This presented the sector with a challenge: how do you create a waterfed pole system that will clean up to 65 feet/20 metres in height, but be both lightweight and easy to control? Along with engineering and design techniques, combining the best features of both telescopic and modular poles, using the right materials is crucial – and more and more options are emerging to provide specific solutions. Carbon fibre, fibreglass and aluminium are all materials that have brought choice and flexibility to the window cleaning sector, helping to create equipment that offers alternatives to suit the situation or building type. Carbon fibre in particular offers an amazing balance between strength, weight and rigidity. In comparison to steel it is stronger, more rigid, and yet it weighs considerably less. These ‘next generation’ carbon fibre poles provide a better balance between weight and rigidity. Because the poles are lighter they make the job of a cleaning operative that much easier and more comfortable, putting less of a strain on their bodies and enabling them to clean swiftly and efficiently. The fact that they are lighter also means that the operative is less likely to get tired as quickly, so they can clean a larger surface area than if using a conventional system. However, just because the poles are lightweight it doesn’t mean that they deliver less in terms of rigidity. Even when extensions are added to increase the length and reach of the system, the poles do not bend or become unwieldy. On the contrary rigidity, and therefore control, is maintained, allowing every corner and crevice to be cleaned thoroughly. As companies and organisations have become more environmentally aware, Continued page 62
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WINDOW CLEANING The sky’s the limit (continued)
As companies and organisations have become more environmentally aware, an increase in the use of solar panels has also brought challenges for the window cleaning sector. Solar panels are exposed to the weather and environmental influences 24/7, 365 days a year.
an increase in the use of solar panels has also brought challenges for the window cleaning sector. Installing solar panels represents a big investment in both time and money, so businesses need to ensure that they are kept in top condition to reap the expected rewards.
Chasing the sun The Renewable Energy Association (REA) says that solar power is the fastest growing energy technology in the world. The two main systems currently in use are: • Photovoltaic (PV) panels – these convert sunlight into electricity and are available in a variety of formats including cladding, roof tiles, and custom glazing. • Solar hot water systems – these absorb energy from the sun and transfer it, using heat exchangers, to heat water. A variety of collectors are available, which are commonly mounted on roofs in the same way as PV panels. No matter where a building is sited, solar panels are exposed to the weather and environmental influences 24/7, 365 days a year. Dust, dirt and other deposits not only look unsightly, they affect the performance of the panels. Traffic fumes and soot can build up quickly, especially on systems that are located near roads, railway stations or on industrial parks where there is a constant stream of trucks, Les techniques de nettoyage en hauteur s’améliorent constamment et les fabricants proposent régulièrement des équipements plus légers et maniables de portée étendue. ECJ examine les produits les plus récents pour le nettoyage de fenêtres en hauteur.
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vans and cars. The orientation of the panels is another factor to consider. Because you are looking to achieve maximum exposure to sunlight, panels should ideally be oriented to the south. When oriented in other directions, a build-up of plants or moss on the surface can result. The angle at which the panels are placed can also have an impact. It’s widely agreed that if the panels lay very flat, then there will be more deposits to deal with. A steeper angle will help, to a certain extent, but dirt may still have a tendency to collect in lower corners. And although rain removes some of the existing dirt, it also deposits new dirt on the surface. Soiling that is left on the panels stops sunlight from getting through, meaning that less energy is produced, in some cases resulting in a decrease in efficiency of 30 per cent. This is obviously not acceptable, so regular cleaning should be put in place to ensure you protect your investment. Water-fed poles have already established themselves as a popular choice with professional window cleaners, because they allow them to clean high buildings and windows safely from the ground, alleviating the need to work at height. These pole systems now also lend themselves perfectly to cleaning solar panels, dispensing with the need for ladders or cranes but still cleaning safely and efficiently to help boost solar output. Cleaning with chemicals also runs the risk of leaving a film on the panels that can prevent the sun’s rays from getting through, so the most effective way to clean is to use pure water. To get to this state the water is processed to remove the minerals and impurities that would otherwise dry and lead to spots and streaks.
museums and galleries that need safe ways to clean around precious exhibits; to manufacturing facilities incorporating roof skylights – indoor cleaning is becoming increasingly important. Demand is growing for easy-touse, flexible systems. Companies are looking for more efficient ways to keep their premises clean – and that means efficiencies in both time and money. Methods of cleaning high interior windows that dispense with the need for ladders, but still operate in a safe way, are becoming more popular. Telescopic pole systems are smaller and lighter, so they are more easily moved around buildings and between floors than bulky ladders, plus they get the job done quickly, without compromising quality. Systems that use pure water don’t need chemicals, saving both money and helping companies with their ‘green’ agendas; plus re-usable, washable pads mean less waste and more sustainability.
Continuous development
Cleaning techniques used on the outside of buildings are now helping to influence how interiors are maintained, and window cleaning equipment is adapting to fulfil a growing need for safe and effective ways to do an ‘inside job’. Many different businesses and organisations require indoor cleaning systems. From shopping centres, with their central, glass-clad atriums; to
Indoor window cleaning systems means that customers are now able to clean places that were previously out of reach, such as ceilings, escalators, conservatory roofs and elevators. Ordinarily, this would require specialist cleaning and logistics to arrange – increasing financial outlay because of the high cost of hiring equipment such as scissor lifts, and causing disruption to the working day because areas have to be closed off while cleaning takes place – but the latest systems provide a solution to these problems. Thanks to continuous product development and feedback from clients on their changing needs, great cleaning results are now the norm, and not difficult to achieve when compared to the more traditional glass cleaners and paper towels, used in years gone by. There’s no doubt that the professional window cleaning sector will continue to make progress, taking advantage of new technology and innovations in engineering and materials to produce even more adaptable window cleaning systems. Whether you need to clean inside, outside, or up on the roof, the 21st century window cleaning sector is rising to the challenges ahead, and providing imaginative solutions that deliver the required results.
Die Reinigungstechnologie für Hochhäuser wird ständig weiterentwickelt, und Hersteller erweitern das Angebot an Ausrüstung, das nicht nur einfacher zu handhaben und leichter ist sondern auch eine größere Reichweite bietet. Das ECJ betrachtet die neuesten Entwicklungen bei Fensterreinigungssystemen für Hochhäuser.
La tecnologia delle pulizie degli edifici a molti piani sta migliorando sempre di più e i produttori stanno mettendo sul mercato attrezzature più leggere e più facili da maneggiare e nel contempo che raggiungano posizioni molto più alte. ECJ prende in esame gli ultimi sviluppi nei sistemi di lavaggio delle finestre degli edifici molto alti.
Exterior techniques move inside
PRODUCTS: WINDOW CLEANING
Special rubber Intermop specialises in the production of window cleaning equipment and places a great deal of emphasis on its squeegee rubber. The company says there should be aggregation and air pockets on the surface of a quality squeegee rubber, and that the hot mould method is the best way to produce high quality squeegee rubbers. This
is how Intermop manufactures its squeegees. If the edge of the squeegee rubber is not cut properly it will leave traces of water behind - to tackle this Intermop uses a patented laser cutting system. www.intermop.com.tr
New for window
Floor squeegee specialist Moerman recently launched its Proclean window cleaning range, which encompasses window squeegees, window washers, telescopic handles, buckets, tools holders, scrapers and dusters. Squeegees feature the company’s natural Duraflex rubber, said to offer ‘finger dry’ wiping results. www.moerman.be
On and off HiFlo Control Complete is a simple on/off switch from Unger that allows operators to instantly control the flow of water when cleaning with water fed poles. The unit is attached to the base section of a pole
for easy access and water flow adjustment with one motion. To use, fit the HiFlo Control onto a pole using the nLite Clips or universal Velcro straps. Twist the yellow screw to unlock and remove the black lever, place the hose inside the HiFlo Control central channel, replace the lever and lock again with the yellow screw. To adjust or completely shut off the water supply, press the lever down to squeeze the hose or close it completely. To resume the flow, release the lever into its original position. The nLite Clips are optimised to suit 35mm diameter poles best. The Velcro straps will fit 20mm to 70mm diameter poles. www.ungerglobal.com • Intermop, un spécialiste des équipements pour le lavage des vitres, affirme que son caoutchouc pour raclettes produit des résultats rapides et sûrs. • La gamme Proclean de Moerman pour le lavage des vitres rassemble des raclettes, poignées téléscopiques et porte-outils. • Unger a introduit un commutateur de marche/arrêt désigné HiFlo Control sur ses perches alimentées qui permet à l’opérateur de régler le débit d’eau. • Intermop, der Spezialist für Fensterreinigungsausrüstung, teilt mit, dass sein Abzieherblatt schnelle und hochwertige Reinigungsergebnisse ermöglicht. • Die Reihe Proclean mit Fensterreinigungsprodukten von Moerman umfasst Abzieher, Teleskopgriffe und Werkzeughalter. • Unger hat seinen wasserführenden Stangen einen Ein/Aus-Schalter hinzugefügt, der es dem Bediener ermöglicht, den Wasserdurchlass zu steuern: HiFlo Control.
• La Intermop, specializzata in attrezzature per il lavaggio delle finestre, afferma che la gomma dei suoi tergivetro offre risultati di pulizia veloce e di alta qualità. • La gamma per il lavaggio delle finestre Proclean della Moerman include tergivetri, manici telescopici e porta-attrezzi. • La Unger ha introdotto HiFlo Control, un interruttore on/off per i suoi pali in modo da permettere all’operatore di controllare il flusso di acqua erogata.
NEW PRODUCT REVIEW
• Rubbermaid Commercial Products a lancé une nouvelle gamme de trois balayeuses mécaniques de niveau commercial. • Le nouvel aspirateur à fonction humide et sèche Nilfisk VL500 est proposé en versions de 35, 55 et 75 litres. • Lindhaus a introduit le LS50 Hybrid, un aspirateur-balai pour grandes superficies, alimenté par le secteur ou par batterie. • Ayant entrepris de migrer les produits de Lotus Professional, société qu’elle vient de reprendre, vers sa propre gamme de produits, SCA va rationnaliser les dénominations de tous les produits d’essuyage et de propreté Tork. • La gamme DMX de chariots de nettoyage multifonctionnels à protection antibactérienne Microban est la dernière venue de l’assortiment VDM. • RCP Containers a développé une nourrice légère et autonome de 5 litres, ne pesant que 130 g, pour le transport de produits dangereux.
• Neu von Rubbermaid Commercial Products ist eine Produktreihe mit drei gewerblichen mechanischen Kehrmaschinen. • Der neue Nass- und Trockensauger VL500 von Nilfisk ist erhältlich in 35-, 55- und 75-Liter-Ausführungen. • LS50 Hybrid ist der neue Staubsauger für große Flächen von Lindhaus mit Batterie- und Kabelbetrieb. • SCA migriert die Produkte der kürzlich erworbenen Produktreihe Lotus Professional in sein Angebot, und die Namen aller Tork Wischund Reinigungsprodukte werden geändert, um logischer zu sein. • Neu von VDM ist die Produktreihe DMX mit MultifunktionsReinigungswagen, die alle den antibakteriellen Schutz Microban aufweisen. • RCP Containers hat einen nur 130 Gramm wiegenden, freistehenden 5-Liter-Kanister zum Transport von gefährlichen Produkten entwickelt. • La novità della Rubbermaid Commercial Products è una gamma di tre spazzatrici meccaniche per uso commerciale. • Il nuovo aspirapolvere VL500 wet and dry della Nilfisk è disponibile nelle versioni da 35, 55 e 75 litri. • LS50 Hybrid è il nuovo aspirapolvere verticale per spazi molto larghi prodotto dalla Lindhaus che può essere alimentato sia a batteria che a elettricità. • Mentre la SCA incorpora nella sua gamma i prodotti dalla linea della Lotus Professional che ha di recente acquisito, i nomi di tutti i prodotti di pulizia e i panni Tork vengono cambiati per essere più coerenti. • La novità della VDM è la linea di carrelli di pulizia multifunzionali DMX tutti dotati di protezione antibatterica Microban. • La RCP Containers ha sviluppato una tanica a sè stante leggera che pesa solo 130 gr. e della capienza di cinque litri per il trasporto di prodotti pericolosi.
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First sweepers Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP) has launched its first ever range of mechanical sweepers, introducing three commercial-grade models suitable for use on hard floors, carpets and rugs.
makes operation fast. Individual wet and dry filters work simultaneously and each filter is specific for either a wet or dry application. And thanks to the dual action filtration the VL500 can be used in any environment without the need to change filters. www.nilfisk.com
Wide upright
The company says the new sweepers are an alternative to vacuuming in certain areas. They can pick up fluff, dust, grit, sand, spills, paper, threads and crumbs. All three are said to be easy to use and lightweight supplied with a long 101.6cm coated steel handle for cleaning into corners or under furniture The most versatile sweeper and especially suited to food service applications is the FG421588BLA which has a wide 19cm sweep path, two debris canisters with one-touch emptying doors, non-marking rubber blades. The Dual Action Sweeper FG421388BLA is best suited to use on hard floors or low pile carpets and also has a wide sweep path. The smaller size of the ultra-handy FG421288BLA model with its 16.5cm sweep path allows the user to clean into even tighter spots. www.rubbermaid.eu
The LS50 Hybrid wide area upright vacuum cleaner is the latest model from Lindhaus. This means it can be powered either by electricity via the cable or by the onboard battery. Dust bag capacity is 16 litres and cleaning capacity up to 1,500 square metres per hour. The dust bag tank is removable from the body frame. The LS50 Hybrid comes equipped with a full set of tools and the S Class Hepa filter is washable. Battery run time is one-and-a-half hours, with a recharging time of three hours. Weighing 55 kg this model is designed for easy transport, with the body frame turning to fold the machine. www.lindhaus.it
New name
Container first RPC Containers has developed what it claims to be the world’s first lightweight 130g UN approved free-standing five-litre jerrycan for the transportation of hazardous products. Traditionally UN approved containers in this size are transported as a combination pack of either two or four containers inside a cardboard carton. RPC has achieved a 130g freestanding version, produced in a special grade of polymer which provides rigidity along with high impact performance and resistance. www.rpc-rushden.co.uk
New trolleys
Wet and dry Available in 35, 55 and 75 litre versions is the new VL500 wet and dry vacuum cleaner from Nilfisk - which is suitable for use in many different applications. The Nilfisk Ergo Tipping system enables easy emptying of a completely filled container, as it transfers the weight of the contents as the container is lifted. Emptying the container without having to remove the motor head,
should be used. All Tork paper wiping products designed for mopping up spills will now incorporate Tork Wiping into their naming structure. All non-woven products developed for removing dirt and grease from objects and surfaces will now come under the Tork Cleaning category. There is one exception to the new naming structure as Tork incorporates Lotus Professional wiping products into its assortment. Tork Reflex Single Sheet Centrefeed will retain the Reflex name since it is well known. Tork packaging will also change. All product boxes will be colour coded to make them simpler to identify and there will be task-specific colours. www.sca-tork.com
As Tork manufacturer SCA migrates products from the newlyacquired Lotus Professional into its range, the names of all Tork wiping and cleaning products are being changed. The Object Wiping range has now been renamed the Tork Wiping and Cleaning range and new names have been introduced to focus on the why, the how and the where each product
DMX is the new range of multifunctional trolleys from VDM. Made of plastic and stainless steel, the components are designed to make the units light and easy to handle. The whole line is treated with Microban antibacterial protection which stays active throughout the life of the trolley. And in order to offer maximum flexibility there are two versions - two or three drawers with a capacity of 20 or 30 litres respectively. The drawers can be opened from both sides of the trolley and the entire unit can be closed with a single lock. www.vdm.it
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