African Cleaning Review JulAug'17 issue

PROMOTING PROFESSIONAL HYGIENE AND CLEANING

July/August 2017 | R55.00 (incl. VAT)

ISSA/CleantexPulire partnership announcement Cleaning Africa’s largest shopping mall CleantexPulire 2017 show review FMs driving sustainability in cleaning

contents JULY/AUGUST 2017 VOL 18 NO. 4 Cover story Huge cleaning power and light as a sugar stick: this is Granuline, the brand new, granulate-based product family from Wetrok that is set to revolutionise the cleaning market completely. These products are said to be the very first cleaning products that achieve better cleaning results than traditional liquid cleaning products. All that is required is cold water for the product to perform, and in record time.

For more information contact Prime Cleaning Suppliers at: 021 551 4570

Announcement

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Industry News

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ISSA joins CleantexPulire to expand African market value

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Global Handwashing Day 2017 theme announced Engen Chemicals secures exclusivity for Thai cleaning product Consolidation in Africa and Middle Eastern regions for Nilfisk Congress of World Federation of Building Service Contractors held in Berlin Emerging contractor workshops IEHA members vote to merge with ISSA High-pressure clean for Chevron refinery UNGER Stingray acclaimed for outstanding product design

Editorial

Tapping the power of change – Truvox International

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Educational

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Feature

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Laundry Review

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Advertorial

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FM Review

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People and Events

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New Products

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An overview of the recent CleantexPulire 2017 exhibition and educational seminars Demise of mop-and-bucket cleaning system – Goscor Cleaning Equipment

SA delegation visit Italian cleaning show Inaugural AGM for PBEH Wetrok introduce Granuline Ultrasonic cleaning for the food industry High-specification fall-protection harness

All editorial contributions can be sent to the editor who reserves the right to publish editorial based on the strength of its content. No articles or photographs may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publishers.

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in African Cleaning Review, e-squared publications and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright of all material published in African Cleaning Review remains with e-squared publications and its agents.

Sept/Oct issue: • Healthcare hygiene • High-pressure cleaning equipment Nov/Dec issue: • Hospitality housekeeping • Paper products

REMINDER

Review

New innovation prepares high-traffic washrooms to process crowds Seven no-cost actions for FMs to drive sustainability

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Hotel operations management – outsourcing hotel laundry?

China Laundry Expo 2017 – the 18th edition

@AfricanCleanRev Publishing Editor: Johann van Vuuren +27 (0) 11 238 7848 or +27 (0) 72 611 1959 Email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Advertising: +27 (0) 11 238 7848 or +27 (0) 72 611 1959 Email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Administration and Accounts: Nandé Jacobs Email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za

Planned features for 2017

Myths about handwashing and hand drying Greenwashing still alive and well Cleaning Africa’s largest shopping centre

African Cleaning Review is aimed at end users, contractors and suppliers of products and services to Africa’s Cleaning, Hygiene, Maintenance, Laundry, Pest Control and Facility Management Services industries. It is published every other month by: e-squared publications.

Tel: +27 (0) 11 238 7848 or +27 (0) 72 611 1959 Fax: +27 (0) 86 672 4794 PO Box 1976, Halfway House, 1685, South Africa Email: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za Website: www.africancleaningreview.co.za

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Media Partner

African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

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from the editor

announcement

ISSA joins CleantexPulire to expand African market value On June 2, 2017 organisers of the CleantexPulire exhibition, e-squared publications (E2) and ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association,

New show partnership and new floor-care distributor for African cleaning sector This issue of African Cleaning Review formally announces the partnership agreement between the worldwide cleaning association (ISSA) and CleantexPulire in going forward to create a more robust regional and international exhibition, seminar and workshop programme. With more than 7 000 members, including distributors, manufacturers, building service contractors and associated service contractors, ISSA is regarded as the leading trade association for the cleaning industry worldwide.

The recent CleantexPulire exhibition held in June was a huge success, attracting a multinational audience over the three days. In this issue we reveal some of the event statistics, review what transpired at the show and educational seminars and also provide an overview of the exhibitors’ stands, many of which showcased their products and services for the first time.

African Cleaning Review also visited Africa’s largest shopping centre in order to ascertain what it takes to clean a facility of this magnitude, and even during a major renovation phase.

In addition, take note of the latest industry development in that Truvox International has announced the appointment of a new South African agent. In doing so Truvox will, by means of a vertical channel strategy, introduce their complete range of floor-care solutions to the South African market.

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announced a joint-ownership agreement to collaboratively administer and promote future events. The agreement aims to reinforce and enhance this established African cleaning and hygiene showcase, elevating it to the next level as well as to expand the association’s local member benefits.

Pictured at the CleantexPulire 2017 ribbon-cutting ceremony are show partners, Toni D’Andrea (Pulire), Dianna Steinbach (ISSA) and Johann van Vuuren (CleantexPulire).

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leantexPulire events bring together contract cleaners, distributors, facility, healthcare, retail and food service managers as well as other professionals within the cleaning, hygiene, hospitality, property maintenance and government sectors. The partners say this new relationship will add a more robust regional and international seminar and workshop programme, networking opportunities, and new product and business solutions for the market, thereby reflecting the same ethos demonstrated worldwide by ISSA. “We are quite excited to develop

more local benefits for our members, starting with greater involvement in the region’s major exhibition,” said John Barrett, ISSA Executive Director.

“We see this as the first of many investments we hope to make in the African cleaning industry as part of our mission to raise professionalism, increase business success and change the way the world views cleaning.”

ISSA has a current network of members throughout Africa via direct membership or alliances with groups such as the National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA) and the Contract Cleaners Association of Ghana (CCAG).

announcement “By building on an already established and successful brand, this amalgamation will add a new and exciting dimension to the African professional cleaning and hygiene sector showcase,” said exhibition director Johann van Vuuren. “We will be able to make use of ISSA’s vast experience and international network to bolster industry investment opportunities in South Africa as the gateway to the rest of Africa.”

“It is our mutual vision to exponentially grow the local industry sector and to continually introduce internationally renowned brands, quality education and the latest technology to this ever-evolving and solutions-driven market,” added van Vuuren.

Currently in its 18th year of publication, the African Cleaning Review magazine, e-newsletters and interactive website, will continue to play a prominent supporting role as the official media partner for CleantexPulire events.

As an indication of ISSA’s future commitment to the African professional

cleaning sector, the worldwide cleaning association was represented at the recent CleantexPulire exhibition and seminars by the ISSA Director of Europe, Middle East, Africa and Oceania, Dianna Steinbach, and ISSA European Council Chairman, Michel de Bruin.

johann@africancleaningreview.co.za. www.facebook.com/cleantexpulire, www.twitter.com/#cleantexpulire.

About ISSA With more than 7 000 members, including distributors, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, building service contractors, inhouse service providers, and associated service

About CleantexPulire

members, ISSA is the leading trade association

Established in 1998 the CleantexPulire trade

for the cleaning industry worldwide. The

exhibition is owned and organised by e-squared

association is committed to helping its members

publications, publishers of African Cleaning

change the way the world views cleaning by

Review. The exhibition is regarded as Africa’s

providing the business tools needed to promote

foremost and dedicated event for the professional

cleaning as an investment in human health, the

cleaning, hygiene and related industry sectors.

environment, and an improved bottom line.

It is a biennial business platform where industry

For more information on ISSA and its EMEA

trends, cost-effective technology and solutions

region benefits, visit www.issa.com or email

offer outcomes of improved business practices

emea@issa.com.

in an environment where rising operational costs, increased competition and the need for higher

For more information visit: www.issa.com,

productivity all play a decisive role in operational

follow ISSA on social media at

efficiency.

www.facebook.com/issaworldwide and www.twitter.com/issaworldwide, or join the

For more information visit: www.cleantex.co.za

discussion on ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning

or www.africancleaningreview.co.za

Industry Association LinkedIn group at

or contact Johann van Vuuren at:

www.issa.com/linkedin.

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+27 16 341 6396

co.za info@tissuepaper.

African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

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industry news Global Handwashing Day 2017 theme announced

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ts official: October 15 is Global Handwashing Day, a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing. Every year, Global Handwashing Day is celebrated around the world with events, campaigns, and handwashing programmes.

Prior to each Global Handwashing Day, the Global Handwashing Partnership selects a theme that will inspire celebrants and encourage handwashing with soap beyond October 15. This

year’s theme is ‘Our Hands, Our Future’, reminding us that handwashing protects our own health, but also allows us to build our own futures, as well as those of our communities, and the world.

Thinking of the future, we strive for continued health, well-being, and productivity for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Handwashing is an affordable, effective way to achieve these goals. For example, handwashing with soap could prevent many of the 272 million yearly schooldays lost to diarrhoeal disease, and 50 percent of the infections acquired in healthcare settings.

Handwashing with soap has the power to improve access to education for children, protect the health of patients and communities, and reduce inequities.

It has an important role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals – contributing to zero hunger, good health,

quality education, reduced inequalities, and more. On Global Handwashing Day, efforts to promote the benefits and practise handwashing with soap and fostering access to and improving hygiene facilities, will help us work towards a future where that potential is realised.

This October 15th, whether you are celebrating at school, in a healthcare facility, or with your community, let’s wash our hands and invest in a better future! Stay tuned for more resources from the Global Handwashing Partnership, including an updated Planner’s Guide, social media toolkit, and planning calls.

To stay up-to-date regarding Global Handwashing Day plans, follow Global Handwashing Day on Twitter or visit: www.globalhandwashing.org

Engen Chemicals secures exclusivity for Thai cleaning product

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ngen and PTT, the National Oil Company of Thailand, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Engen’s exclusive rights to the X-PURGE product.

At the signing ceremony in Cape Town, Engen was awarded the sole distribution rights for X-PURGE in South Africa.

Dr Emma Mokoena, Engen Manager: Chemicals & Special Products, says the company is excited about bringing the new product to its customers. “As the leading producer and marketer of a wide range of fuels, lubricants and oil-based products in South Africa, we are very proud to add X-PURGE

to our portfolio. In addition to our polymer resin, X-PURGE is now added to our portfolio.”

X-PURGE is an FDA-approved purging material formulated specifically to clean all primary plastic machines when changing colour, resin or simply removing black spots or contaminants. “In a nutshell, it saves time by helping to reduce machine downtime and maximise productivity,” adds Mokoena. X-PURGE has been designed for cleaning various types of plastic machines, including: injection-moulding, blow-moulding, sheet-casting, and profile-extrusion machines, as well as single-screw

and twin extruders. Some of the benefits of X-PURGE include: • Reducing of waste during material or colour-changing process • Minimising defects in finished products • Reducing machine downtime • Protecting machines from rust and dust during shutdown periods; and • Preventing burnt polymer during the start-up period “This is the first offering of this type of product by Engen. Other traditional methods of purging and similar products are costly in terms of time, the amount of defects and downtime period,” says Mokoena.

Promote your company in The Source of Workplace Hygiene Solutions!

Reach your target market cost-effectively by advertising in African Cleaning Review. The direct link to end-users, building service contractors, FM service providers and key institutional sectors.

Contact us for more information regarding cost-effective advertising options: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za | www.africancleaningreview.co.za

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African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

industry news Consolidation in Africa and Middle Eastern regions for Nilfisk

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ilfisk has announced it will move to consolidate its African and Middle Eastern operations under the leadership of Gavin Herold, previous General Manager for South Africa. This forms part of a broader strategic endeavour to grow international markets by capitalising on the proximity and expertise of hub regions such as South Africa. It also provides a platform for servicing global accounts more efficiently. Nilfisk currently has a footprint across 15 countries within the Middle East and Africa region.

Anders Morup, the current Sales Director for the Middle East will, as part of this region, report to Herold and continue to manage the Dubai

office. He also takes responsibility for northern Africa. Dustin McDermott rejoins Nilfisk as Area Manager for sub-Saharan Africa. McDermott has extensive experience in the cleaning industry both in South Africa and abroad, having worked for Nilfisk previously.

The announcement coincides with the release of Nilfisk’s first quarter results which show total net sales of 269 million Euros. The solid growth in organic revenue has been driven in part by strong performance in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), with 6 percent organic growth reported.

“The move to centralise management within the Middle East and Africa represents a significant

Gavin Herold opportunity for us to drive growth through leveraging our existing resources and synergies, in line with Accelerate+”, says Herold.

For the full report on Nilfisk’s first quarter results visit: www.nilfisk.com

Congress of World Federation of Building Service Contractors held in Berlin

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his year the world’s leading conference for the cleaning sector is being held in Berlin for the first time. It will run parallel with the international trade show for the cleaning sector, CMS Berlin 2017, from 19 to 22 September. The World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC) congress will bring all the major decisionmakers from every continent together in the German capital to address the subject of ‘Cleaning in a Digital World – Processes, People, Technology’.

In addition to the papers being presented by prominent speakers, from 18 to 20 September, the programme will also feature some captivating panel discussions and

numerous networking events.

The topics to be presented by the participants in this conference include the digitisation of business and society, its importance for commercial cleaning, and its impact on this sector, as well as the challenges that the industry will face in the future. The programme will focus on the effects on people, staff and customers alike, as well as automation. European Union (EU) Commissioner Günther Oettinger will officially open the WFBSC Congress. The WFBSC programme includes popular sightseeing tours of some of Berlin’s main attractions.

Registration for the 22nd WFBSC Congress is available via: www.wfbsc2017.berlin

Emerging contractor workshops

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he National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA) Gauteng branch recently facilitated two very successful emerging-cleaning-contractor workshops at Cleaning Africa Services’ offices and at the CleantexPulire 2017 exhibition. The workshops were led by cleaning-industry stalwart and former Services SETA Cleaning Chamber Manager Richard Gordon-Brown.

Pictured here are some of the delegates.

For more information about future NCCA emerging-contractor workshops e-mail Sandy Deale at: gauteng@ncca.co.za

African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

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industry news IEHA members vote to merge with ISSA

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SSA, the worldwide cleaning association, and IEHA (International Executive Housekeepers Association) recently announced that IEHA members voted to approve the resolution for the two associations to merge. The merger voted on and approved by IEHA, a 3 500-plus professional member organisation of management level individuals who direct housekeeping programmes in commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities, took effect on 1 July 2017.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this merger and the benefits, resources, and power it will bring to our membership,” says IEHA President Michael Patterson. “Drawing on ISSA’s resources, we will be able to grow our membership and provide wider options for educational programmes.”

Under the terms of the agreement, IEHA members will have access to global ISSA membership and benefits, including expanded educational opportunities, market exposure, networking opportunities, business tools and data, and other industry information.

“ISSA’s mission is to change the way the world views cleaning in all sectors of the industry,” says ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “The merger of ISSA and IEHA is yet another move toward creating one strong, unified industry.”

The IEHA was founded in 1930 in New York City as a professional member organisation for people employed at management level in facility housekeeping. These executive housekeepers supervise staff ranging from a few to several hundred and manage budgets from a few thousand dollars to millions.

IEHA provides members with an array of channels through which they can achieve personal and professional growth, including leadership opportunities, educational materials and certifications; an employment referral service; a technical question hotline; networking opportunities; and an annual convention.

For more information about the IEHA, visit www.ieha.org

High-pressure clean for Chevron refinery

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arlier this year Chevron’s refinery in Milnerton, Cape Town, underwent its annual shutdown, during which all critical path production equipment was maintained. Highpressure industrial cleaning of the plant and equipment was conducted using equipment supplied by Total Blasting, a water-jetting-solutions company.

The refinery’s annual shutdown for routine cleaning, maintenance and necessary mechanical repairs, took place over four weeks. Total Blasting Director, Bradley Storer, remarks, “Our client, who was commissioned to oversee the industrial cleaning of the Chevron refinery plant and equipment, needed reliable rental pumps for the job, because the bandwidth of their own equipment would not suffice for the scope of such a project.”

Equipment supplied to the project by Total Blasting to clean heat exchangers, pipe lines and process tanks included the T3 and T4 Series units, operating at 1 000 bar and at 50-100 litres per minute and 2 800 bar at 19 litres per minute, respectively.

Both the T3 and T4 Series units are suitable for the most demanding of applications and for single- or twin-gun operations. Most common applications

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African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

include cleaning, descaling, coating removal, pipe cleaning, marine growth removal, floor cleaning and heatexchange cleaning.

Units come complete with a starter panel including a Murphy control panel, push-button start and emergency stop, and the inlet water filtration system comes with dual filtration on 2 800 bar unit being a 1 micron cartridge with a 50 micron bag filter.

“Of paramount importance for a project of this size is both the supply and quality of equipment, which in this case, included high-pressure pumps and associated tooling. It is essential that all equipment supplied runs without any breakdown to ensure maximum uptime during this short window for maintenance,” remarks Storer.

“Supplying equipment to the Chevron refinery maintenance project affirms our commitment to the industry and in supporting our valued client who is a supplier of choice for their highquality equipment and service to the petrochemical sector, with a specific focus on plant shutdowns,” concludes Storer.

Total Blasting boasts more than three decades’ experience in

Both the T3 and T4 Series units are suitable for the most demanding of applications and for single or twingun operations.

supplying equipment to demanding industrial cleaning projects and offers expert advice on all aspects related to industrial cleaning and surface preparation, in particular, Ultra High Pressure (UHP) water-blasting services and solutions. Water jetting is a rapidly growing technology used in the industrial cleaning and surface preparation industry. Total Blasting carries a wide range of water-jetting pumps and accessories to maximise any water-jetting application, backed by expertise and solid, global partnerships.

industry news UNGER Stingray acclaimed for outstanding product design

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he indoor cleaning system, UNGER Stingray, has received the internationally celebrated Red Dot Design Award. The expert jury selected the innovative product as the winner in the ‘Product Design’ category from more than 5 500 entrants.

“We are absolutely delighted to have won this important and globally recognised award”, said Jochen Wagener, Senior Director of Marketing & Sales at UNGER. “The award pays tribute to the groundbreaking design quality of UNGER Stingray. The product was designed in such a way that it guarantees optimal performance and simple operation. This in turn allows us to provide building cleaners with considerable added value in their daily work. Thanks to UNGER Stingray, they are now able to clean larger glass surfaces in a shorter period of time.”

The indoor cleaning system allows pros to complete their work 25 percent faster than if they used a spray bottle and a cloth. What’s more, UNGER Stingray also uses up to 39 percent less cleaning agent. Cleaning staff can thus clean up to 150 square metres of glass surfaces with just one pouch of Stingray 3M Scotchgard glass cleaner.

UNGER Stingray has already received numerous awards, including the ISSA and The Cleaning Show Innovation Award, as recognition of these innovative advantages.

For more information visit: www.ungerglobal.com

African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

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editorial Truvox

Tapping the power of change We know, from experience across many countries, that financial pressures only serve to increase the importance of efficiency and professionalism in cleaning. As their margins have shrunk, contractors can benefit by sourcing equipment directly from the manufacturer.

Gordon McVean

Steve Braham Truvox International is no newcomer to the South African cleaning industry, but having observed significant changes across the sector, it’s time for a fresh impetus to innovation and efficiency, says Gordon McVean, International Sales and Marketing Director.

For more than 15 years, Truvox cleaning machines have been at work across South Africa. Over that time, we’ve observed significant change in the country’s cleaning industry. The growth of the cleaning sector, and the increasing professionalism of this essential service, along with a shift to outsourced cleaning and expectations of ever-higher standards of cleanliness are among the most notable trends.

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African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

These and other changes have created a demand for specialised machines that deliver consistently high results and reliability.

Consolidation within the market and the direct relationships with machine manufacturers facilitated by exhibitions like ISSA/Interclean have also changed the terms of trade. It spells the end of old loyalties and clients’ dependence on a single provider of machines, chemicals and cleaning services.

Despite the market’s growth in recent years, the country faces challenging economic conditions.

But we know, from experience across many countries, that financial pressures only serve to increase the importance of efficiency and professionalism in cleaning. As their margins have shrunk, contractors can benefit by sourcing equipment directly from the manufacturer.

At Truvox International, we believe we can provide a competitive solution for client and contractor alike, while playing a supporting role in the sector’s ongoing development.

While the Truvox name is known to many, the capabilities behind it may not be fully appreciated. Truvox International is part of the Tacony Corporation, and one of four brands within its Commercial Floorcare Division – alongside Power-Flite, Tornado and CFR. Manufacturing takes place in the US and UK, with partner facilities in Italy, India and China.

Headquartered in Southampton, England, Truvox International exports machines to more than 60 countries. In South Africa we have marketed our products via equipment importers, who have tended to specialise in a limited number of machines and models. While we have loyal and committed users, contractors and in-house cleaning teams are only aware of a small selection of our products.

A distinctive strength of the Truvox marque is the comprehensive choice of floor-cleaning solutions we provide. From scrubber dryers and rotary polishers to vacuums, carpet extraction cleaning through to Cimex three-brush technology, we are now marketing our entire range to the South African market.

We recognise that this vertical channel strategy, which we have pursued with success in other territories, also depends on local knowledge. Which is why we have recently appointed Steve Braham as the Truvox International’s agent for South Africa. By harnessing Steve’s profound experience, local insights and strong relationships with clients across the sector, Truvox can play its full part in the development of a more efficient and professional cleaning industry.

There are a variety of challenges and demands that we can help our South African clients meet.

Continue on page 10 >>

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editorial Truvox We know that responsible consumption of water and chemicals is also higher on the agenda of South African specifiers. Truvox has championed cylindrical brush technology in its flagship Multiwash scrubber dryers, highly regarded for their frugal usage of these resources, while achieving impressive cleaning results.

The need to hone efficiency is ever present and, as already mentioned, imperative when times are hard and budgets are squeezed. This is not simply a matter of selecting the cleaning method, or machine, with the highest output.

We advise clients to take a holistic approach, beginning with measurement of the floor space to be maintained, but taking all cost and quality factors into account, including the time taken to complete the cleaning cycle and the labour component. As pay rates recover and rise, labour costs will become even more significant in budget planning.

Even in more mature economies, over-reliance on manual cleaning methods persists. The potential for raising both the efficiency and effectiveness through mechanisation – provided the right specification is chosen – are often not fully understood. Clients may also be inclined to defer replacing machines, as well as outdated manual methods, especially in distressed times. But this false economy should not be underestimated. The cost of servicing

and downtime with ageing equipment needs to be considered, as well as productivity.

For example, we can point to the labour and time savings made by a client responsible for a large office block who replaced a mixed fleet of tub vacuums with a Valet Wide Area Vac. This released several night-time cleaning staff to carry out progressive deep cleans in its place.

There are other aspects of efficiency.

Europe’s eco regulations are driving improvement in energy efficiency.

So the new Truvox VTVe tub vac, for example, has an A energy rating for its economical use of electricity.

We know that responsible consumption of water and chemicals is also higher on the agenda of South African specifiers. Truvox has championed cylindrical brush technology in its flagship Multiwash scrubber dryers, highly regarded for their frugal usage of these resources, while achieving impressive cleaning results.

Most markets have seen a dramatic shift to more compact and cordless,

battery-powered cleaning machines.

From the Multiwash to our Valet vacs, Truvox is in the vanguard of this charge, which facilitates daytime cleaning.

Innovation continues apace. The Valet Battery Upright vacuum is an industry first and innovation award winner. Showcased at the ISSA Interclean Show in Amsterdam last year, the product had an enthusiastic reception from several major South African companies. Manufactured in Missouri, USA, this lightweight but high-performing machine is powered by a lithium ion battery with a run time of 50 minutes.

Mindful of the particular needs of contract-cleaning companies, we designed the Orbis eco range of rotaries around their priorities for robust and reliable day-to-day polishing and burnishing in a streamlined, competitive package.

Hence our confidence that in an industry striving for higher standards and cost effectiveness, Truvox can support the efforts of clients across South Africa.

For more information visit: www.truvox.com

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African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

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educational

Myths about handwashing and hand drying Most of us know just how important handwashing is in protecting our health and we all agree that one of the goals in the professional cleaning industry is to encourage everyone to wash their hands properly and frequently.

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owever, according to Stephen Ashkin, the ‘father of Green Cleaning’ who is helping foster sustainability within the professional cleaning industry, there are a few myths about handwashing that we need to be aware of.

Myth: Always wash with hot water.

Most of us think hot water helps kill germs and bacteria on our hands. But the reality is, the water would have to be scalding hot to make that happen.

In fact, hot water may work against us.

Water that is too hot may cause us to remove our hands too quickly to wash properly. Further, researchers in Florida found that there is statistically little difference whether hands are washed in hot or cold water.

Myth: Always use antibacterial soap when washing hands.

Myth: Using hand towels is the best way to dry hands.

During 2007, a study of Triclosan, which was used in hand soap and is now banned in the US, did not significantly reduce the number of bacteria on hands. Since then other studies have come to similar conclusions about many other antibacterial hand soaps.

This is true and for a variety of reasons.

First, correctly using a hand towel to dry hands takes about 10 seconds.

Studies indicate it can take as long as 45 seconds for some electric hand dryers to remove moisture from hands thoroughly, far too long for most people to wait. In addition some studies indicate that hand dryers can spread microbes to nearby surfaces, increasing the chances of cross-contamination.

“Handwashing is like everything else,” says Ashkin, President of The Ashkin Group, a consulting firm specialising in greening the cleaning industry, and CEO of Sustainability Dashboard Tools. “If you’re going to do it, and I hope you do, you have to do it correctly.”

Myth: You don’t have to dry your hands after washing.

Some people wash their hands, shake them off, and then fly out the door. Drying hands helps remove any remaining microbes on hands plus it is easier for pathogens to collect on hands that are wet.

New waterless technology makes for easy vehicle cleaning Car Wonder

Waterless, liquid car wax • Ideal for showroom cleaning.

• Protects the cleaned surface by depositing a thin layer of wax on the surface.

Directions for use: • For use on vehicles that are covered with fine dust – not thick grit.

• Apply product through a trigger spray (mist setting) for maximum coverage on surface to be cleaned.

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African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

• Ensure sufficient amount of product is applied before cleaning with a microfibre cloth. If insufficient product is applied there is a likelihood that the dust particles will not be encapsulated by the silicone and scratching of the surface may occur.

• Use a clean, colour-coded microfibre cloth on application to remove surface dirt and to clean the surface.

• Approximately 10 minutes after application, use another clean, colour-coded microfibre cloth to buff the surface to a brilliant shine.

Tyreshine White

A water-based, silicone dressing • Regular application extends enhanced appearance of tyre walls.

• Preserves the lifespan of tyre walls.

Directions for use: • Ensure the tyre wall surface is clean and free of oil and grease.

• Apply sparingly with a clean sponge/cloth to tyre wall surface for quick drying time.

African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

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feature retail cleaning

Cleaning Africa’s largest shopping centre The Menlyn Park super regional shopping centre, regarded as the largest shopping centre on the African continent, is situated just off the N1 highway in Pretoria, South Africa’s capital. The facility recently completed a R2,5 billion expansion and refurbishment project, adding a total of 50 000 square metres and 144 stores to the city’s premier shopping centre established in 1979. African Cleaning Review spoke to Menlyn Park’s cleaning services provider, Neledzi Cleaning Services and the centre’s facility manager, Charles Starbuck, in order to get a clearer perspective of what it takes to keep this mammoth and bustling facility clean, safe and appealing to the public.

Simon Nkuna and Gary Easton.

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eledzi commenced with the provision of cleaning services at Menlyn Park shopping centre on 1 March 2013.

“Initially we employed just under 100 staff, however, following the renovations we had to employ an additional 33 staff members to cope with cleaning the additional areas and washrooms”, says Simon Nkuna, Neledzi Cleaning Services Business Development Director.

Cleaning a retail facility of this magnitude obviously has its challenges, the constant flow of visitors makes it a daunting task, especially over weekends and during school holidays, and considering that a shopping frenzy like Black Friday can attract up to 155 000 pairs of feet on a single day.

The scope of the job includes cleaning of the common areas and excludes the shops and shop fronts. Detailed cleaning

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African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

is normally done after 21h00 when there are fewer people in the shopping centre.

Once the food court closes, the full night shift cleaning team moves in and starts with the deep cleaning of floors, washrooms and problem areas. “During this time we are able to utilise cleaning machines, even ride-on scrubber dryers, to clean the area effectively within the available timeframe”, adds Simon.

During the day, cleaning is mainly limited to general maintenance at escalators, the balustrades, lifts, washrooms and the parking areas.

Washroom consumables are purchased by the facility, however, the responsibility remains with Neledzi to ensure that washrooms are manned by cleaning staff who also have to ensure that dispensers are adequately stocked and when they occur, leakages and damages are reported to the maintenance staff. “Washroom

consumables are kept in the Neledzi storeroom and controlled by us in order to provide the facility with monthly reports on consumption”, adds Neledzi’s Site Operations Manager, Gary Easton.

Detailed and/or high-access cleaning is normally scheduled to take place at least twice a year and specialist teams are normally deployed to perform these extraordinary tasks.

Cleaning during a construction and renovation phase provides its own challenges to cleaning service providers.

“I think that it is the most challenging time to try and clean effectively during this period. We experienced similar challenges during 2008/2009 at the Eastgate Mall, however, we still managed to win the Golden Service Award for the cleanest shopping centre in 2009. It is something that we get accustomed to and with the correct planning, communication, assistance and understanding from the client, certain areas can be prioritised according to specific needs,” says Simon.

People are loyal to shopping centres and will frequently visit these facilities, even during renovations. The task of the contract cleaner is to ensure that their visit remains pleasant and that the occurance of slip-and-fall incidents because of dust on smooth tile surfaces are avoided. “Training forms a crucial aspect of cleaning and even more so during the renovation period. Health and safety issues become paramount and, to this end, we employed and trained an additional 16 people as dust controllers in order to minimise the impact of ongoing construction,” says Gary.

feature retail cleaning

trained for three days before becoming an active member of staff. Issues such as colour-coding, use of chemicals and equipment and different cleaning techniques form part of the training programme to ensure cleaners are prepared for the challenges presented within a retail environment.

Simon regards the support and product knowledge provided by Neledzi’s suppliers as paramount.

“Without them we would not be able to perform at the required standard, they are flexible, supportive and in regular contact with us to help solve our cleaning problems,” concludes Simon.

Another special attention area at Menlyn Park is the cleanliness of the car parks that can accommodate 8 000 vehicles. As the main access routes to the shopping mall lead directly from the parkade, it is critical that dirt is not tracked in by the more that 17 516 863 feet that enter the facility on an annual basis.

“The Tennant M20 ride-on scrubber/ sweeper machines allow us to clean the car parks effectively during the evenings. We use in excess of 500 litres of fuel in order to scrub and sweep the parking area on a monthly basis,” says Simon.

Neledzi prides itself on high standards of service. “Firstly, our cleaners must be friendly, smile, greet and have the ability to interact positively with people and our training programme is structured to this superior requirement.

Involvement from management is also

crucial and therefore my managers, team leaders and I make a point of walking the shopping centre on a regular basis to monitor standards and manage challenges. Daily meetings with the client ensure that he is kept up to date with developments, standards are maintained and any particular areas that need special attention are addressed,” comments Simon.

Cleaners at the Menlyn Park shopping centre are meticulously dressed in a beige uniform bearing the company logo, appropriate footwear and a name badge. Washroom area cleaners are required to wear personal protection gear such as masks and gloves when cleaning urinals and toilet bowls.

Staff training relevant to the facility’s needs is obviously important. Training by training providers takes place onsite on an ongoing basis, new interns are

African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

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feature retail cleaning

The client perspective In order to obtain a client’s perspective regarding cleaning activities and expectations at Menlyn Park shopping centre, African Cleaning Review spoke to the facility manager, Charles Starbuck, who manages the 173 701 square metre gross lettable area centre with 444 retailers.

The facility fact sheet says it all Classification: Super regional shopping centre Centre GLA: 173 701 m2 Total number of retailers: 444 Annual footcount: 17 516 863 Number of parking bays: 8 000 Back service passages: ± 20 km

T

he biggest expectation and challenge with cleaning a shopping centre of this size, is that you need to create and maintain the impression that the facility is clean by overcoming various challenges and by getting it 100 percent spot on. It is vital that our clients, visitors and tenants should always have the comfort that the shopping centre is kept clean at all times.

In practice, 80 to 90 percent of cleaning is performed by the night-shift cleaners, and if you are able to get that right, you are good. The day-shift cleaning process is purely maintenance, cleaning up a spill here and a mess there, maintaining the food court, washrooms, walkways, etc. However, an area that is regarded critical is the parking area, which must be kept clean.

If the parking area is dirty then it can be taken for granted that the first 50-100 metres at the entrances to the facility will be dirty, because of tracked-in dirt.

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African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

“You can imagine the impact this will have, especially on a day like a Black Friday when about 160 000 feet parade through this centre from the close to 8 000 parking bays,” emphasises Charles.

“What is important to realise is that, if you arrive first thing in the morning and the facility is dirty, you start the day on the backfoot as far as cleaning is concerned. The reality is, the night-shift cleaners left and between say 07h00 and 09h00 it is impossible to then clean all areas effectively in order to meet service level agreement standards,” adds Charles.

Another cleaning challenge is presented during construction or renovation phases. It is important to understand on a day-to-day basis exactly what work will take place, where as well as which portion of the work will be performed during the night shift. With this information in hand, it is then possible to plan and implement a cut-off time for work done in order to allow for proper cleaning to take place prior to the opening of the centre at 09h00 the next morning.

It is very important for the cleaning contractor to understand the changing dynamics of renovation or construction.

For instance, it will make no sense to clean the reception area if the tiles will be lifted later that day, rather clean elsewhere and return to reception once the tiles have been lifted. Issues such as this have to be correctly managed by the contractor during daytime and the evenings in order not to duplicate work schedules. For a facility manager it is crucial that contractors be managed properly in order to plan around each scenario to ensure optimum workflow.

Charles Starbuck

In this environment, the mess that is created by the building contractor consists mainly of a lot of dry dust, not mud as one would find on a typical construction site. The result is that the fine dust travels, covering large areas which then have to be cleaned as a matter of urgency and with special machinery and tools to ensure tiles do not become slippery, which can lead to slip-and-fall incidents.

In order to maintain quality standards in washrooms and offer shopping centre clients the best experience, Menlyn Park prefers to purchase consumables direct from suppliers. Dispensers for instance are installed in the centre management offices for a trial period of between three and four months prior to making the decision to install it in the centre’s other washrooms.

“We are always on the lookout for new innovations which will add value to our washrooms. It is important though to find the sweet spot between quality and cost,” comments Charles. Vandalism and abuse are unfortunately a reality in public washrooms and therefore it makes sense for facility managers to have a product that will appeal to the eye but simultaneously be robust enough not to have to be replaced within four months. Washrooms are all about first impressions in order to deliver the message of clean or not.

Contract cleaners play a valuable role in preventing vandalism in washrooms as they are expected to be the eyes and ears of the facility, to identify problem areas including leaking urinals, broken taps or non-functioning dispensers and report this to centre management to address with other service providers.

In practice, 80 to 90 percent of cleaning is performed by the night-shift cleaners, and if you are able to get that right, you are good.

The day-shift cleaning process is purely maintenance, cleaning up a spill here and a mess there, maintaining the food court, washrooms, walkways, etc.

Daily operations meetings with centre management ensure that the facility manager is made aware of problem areas such blocked pipes, broken mirrors and staff shortages. Service providers are evaluated monthly at Service Level Agreement (SLA) meetings based on pre-identified performance areas. Scorecards are kept as a standard monthly rolling process of evaluation, which is discussed with the site manager to ensure the cleaning contractor is perfectly aware of the situation at the time.

When looking for a cleaning contractor, Menlyn Park normally identify the specific service required as well as the equipment needed to provide the service adequately.

Expectations include that cleaners should be presentable and therefore centre management prefer to have a say in determining the cleaners’ uniform. Cleaners should be able to communicate with customers and have a fair understanding of the facility in order to direct customers.

When it comes to health and safety, cleaners are trained with other service providers in terms of security and emergency evacuation procedures. “When it comes to cleaning a shopping centre such as Menlyn Park, your onsite and dedicated management aspect remains critical. My personal point of view is that cleaners only contribute 20 percent to the overall success of managing the facility, whereas the site manager contributes 80 percent to the success of cleaning the facility. If your onsite management gets it wrong, it all implodes and that will definitely be to the detriment of any retail facility,� concludes Charles.

African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

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laundry review

Hotel operations management – outsourcing hotel laundry?

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f you are considering shutting down your hotels’ onsite laundry to rather outsource this amenity to a hotel laundry service provider, you may be skeptical about what an offsite service provider can offer and whether they’ll be able to match the high standards you set for your hospitality facility.

Questions are raised: Are their machines equipped to leave your highquality sheets and towels as soft as expected by guests? Are they as green as they say? How can you be sure they are not mixing your linens in with materials from other facilities? With your frequently asked questions – and cautious skepticism in mind – here’s an overview as presented by Crown Linen of what an outsourced-hotel-laundry service actually will do.

From start to finish In order to provide a complete picture of what an outsourced-laundry service entails, let’s walk through the laundry process from start to finish, from pickup to delivery.

This is assuming a facility has taken all of the necessary preliminary steps, including: comparing commercial laundry service costs to the costs of an on-property laundry, gathering quotes, taking plant tours, selecting a trusted, eco-friendly provider and clarifying contract terms. Once that has been attended to its time to kick off the outsourcing partnership.

Staff training Hotel staff are key to the success of a relationship with a hotel laundry service provider, and the right service will include training as a crucial step in its onboarding process. At least one representative from the laundry service briefs hotel staff on elements such as how best to sort linens according to the laundry service provider’s processes, how to prepare for pickup and how to weigh laundry correctly before it leaves the facility.

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African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

Laundry pickup With fully trained staff in place at the hotel, the laundry service is ready to start picking up dirty linens at an agreed-upon time. In general, clean linens will be delivered back within 24 hours.

Weight tracking and check-in Once linens arrive from hotels, they are weighed, and that weight is recorded and tracked at various points along the laundry process.

Linens are also checked in to a central computer system that tracks and monitors, among other things, the property of origin. The high-tech system, along with checks by the service provider’s staff, ensures that linens from different properties are never mixed.

best energy-efficient machines use up to four times less water than a conventional washer.

Drying: To prevent the type of over-drying that can waste energy and damage fibres, commercial dryers feature built-in sensors.

Ironing: Linens are loaded by hand into large-scale ironers, where they are dried and folded.

Folding: Materials that are not ironed are processed into machines for folding, sorting and stacking.

Weight tracking and checkout Linens are weighed onsite one final time before being loaded onto trucks for delivery to the hotel. Damaged or stained materials that need a special wash are bagged and weighed separately.

Sorting

Drive savings

Linens are sorted by hand according to size and type. Hand sorting ensures that any non-linen items that have inadvertently been collected by housekeeping – clothing, glassware, stuffed animals, etc. are separated and set aside.

In a nutshell, that’s the hands-on process for a large, eco-friendly hotel-laundry service provider. Most importantly, and underlying everything they do, a commercial laundry service drives savings in terms of cost, energy, resources, labour and space. Take hotel laundry off your plate so you can do what you do best - provide the best possible hotel guest satisfaction, advises Crown Linen.

Energy efficient washing > drying > ironing > folding For hotel laundry service providers, energy efficiency isn’t just good for the environment; it’s good for business.

Their high-tech, large-scale commercial laundry machines can process linens using less water, energy and manpower than the machines found at onsite hotel laundry facilities. In addition, they also have technology in place to protect fibres and materials and to prolong the lifecycle of hard-working hotel linens.

Washing: After sorting, linens are whisked away to be washed. The

Crown Linen is the leading laundry provider for Florida’s major hospitality hubs. The company is a full-service commercial laundry partner for some of the most upscale and respected hotels, resorts and spas across the state. Crown Linen makes it possible for hotels to provide superior linens for their guests, distinguishing themselves in the areas of comfort, luxury, and indulgence. For more information or to download the Why Outsource Guide visit: www.crownlinen.net

laundry review

China Laundry Expo 2017 The 18th China International Laundry Industry Exhibition (China Laundry Expo) 2017 will be held from 26-28 September 2017 at the China International Exhibition Center, Beijing.

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hina Laundry Expo 2017 is expected to cover an area of 15 000m² with 750 stands.

The event presents the latest and most advanced technology, machines, apparatus and chemicals for laundry and dry-cleaning. In addition, products for leather maintenance, laundry franchising, rental service, design and construction of laundry premises will be showcased.

On 25 September, the day before the show opens the China Laundry Association plans to organise the World Laundry Forum Summit together with CINET, the international umbrella association for professional textile care. During the morning programme industry experts from

all over the world will present the latest developments and industry innovations.

Summit topics will include: • The industrial revolution in textile services • Textiles: higher quality, longer lifetime, more functionality, including electric devices • Hygiene in healthcare and the food industry • Professional service in professional cleaning • Retail business models in advanced PTC; innovation of services.

For more information please visit: http://www.laundryexpo.cn/EN/main

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review CleantexPulire 2017

African professional cleaning showcase opens doors to multinational audience This issue of African Cleaning Review revisits the biennial showcase for the professional cleaning and hygiene industry, CleantexPulire, that took place over three days at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, South Africa from 12-14 June.

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African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

review CleantexPulire 2017

The 11th edition of the show opened on a Monday, more than a month earlier than the 2015 event, to avoid the coldest period of the year, and was packed with the latest and best technology as showcased by 46 exhibitors. Interestingly enough, these exhibitors represented a total of 114 brands, which says a lot for the local industry considering the current economic climate and the fact that, at many European shows, each one of these brands is likely to have its own stand. The exhibition attracted 2 969 visitors of which 85 percent had purchasing authority and, apart from South Africans, the exhibition attracted visitors from Belgium, Botswana, Denmark, DRC, Italy, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Seychelles, Spain, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In total, 13 percent of the visitors visited the show on multiple days and all nine South African provinces were well represented.

CleantexPulire is the only professional cleaning and hygiene event on the African continent and therefore serves as the trade exhibition where cleaning professionals can network, compare equipment, techniques and systems in order to make educated decisions as to the best option to steer their companies in a more cost-effective and profitable direction. The professional cleaning business is rapidly changing and margins are continuously scrutinised by end-users, therefore it is critical that operators remain competitive whilst showing a willingness to adapt and implement new technology in order to maintain a competitive edge.

Apart from the large range of floor-care equipment on display this year, many other professional cleaning sectors including dispensing systems, waste management, paper products, automotive-cleaning systems, cleaning tools, laundry chemicals and technology, parts washers, food-processing-cleaning systems, green cleaning, high-pressure cleaning, training modules and workforce-management solutions were well represented.

Cleaning-industry associations including the National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA), BEECA Cleaning Association and the South African Textile Services Association (SATSA) were represented and hosted members and emerging members on the Association cluster stands.

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review CleantexPulire 2017

On day one, Michel de Bruin, CEO of Greenspeed BV and ISSA Chairman of the European Board addressed visitors on the topic ‘Wellbeing meets cleaning – How to increase the image of the cleaning industry’, motivating show visitors to make a difference in their working environment on a daily basis.

The NCCA, in collaboration with the Siyaya Skills Institute, presented an emerging contractors information session followed by Siyaya’s overview of the importance of training and up-skilling a cleaning-industry workforce. An NCCA compliance auditor covered aspects of the annual compliance audits, which members are subject to in order to retain NCCA membership.

One of the show highlights was the African launch of a revolutionary, new, no-touch cleaning concept that is expected to see the ultimate demise of the mop-and-bucket system, as we know it. The range consists of the Kaivac 2150, designed for large cleaning capacity applications including schools, universities, airports, convention centres, warehouses and healthcare facilities. The Kaivac 1250 is designed specifically for smaller facilities, while the Kaivac 1750 combines high capacity and compact size for added value.

Commenting on Kaivac’s decision to enter the African market at this point in time, Kaivac International Business Manager, Marc Ferguson, highlighted that the local contract cleaning industry is similar to that in Europe and Russia, for example, where the latest trend is also towards more automated, ultra-hygienic equipment and processes. “We will also utilise local distributor Goscor Cleaning Equipment’s footprint as a springboard into the rest of Africa,” he revealed.

One of the attractions of the show was the free-to-attend, high-level, educational seminars on the second day, featuring local and international speakers. The audience had an opportunity to gain fruitful insight of highly topical subjects as presented by local and international experts including: • The evolution of fragrances • How to convince end-users that cleaning is worth paying for • A school green-cleaning project in Abu Dhabi • An overview of the benefits of skills development in the cleaning sector, and • Working at height safety Opening speaker Paul Wonnacott, Managing Director & President, Vectair Systems, captivated visitors. His comprehensive audiovisual presentation on the evolution of fragrances highlighted its history and impact created by the use thereof across multiple industry sectors in the modern era.

Dianna Steinbach, ISSA Director of Europe, Middle East, Africa & Oceania, in her presentation detailed the vital importance of professional cleaners and proposed that the title should be changed to ‘Public Health Defenders’ because of the essential daily role each cleaner plays within their respective working environments to create and maintain a healthy and pleasant workspace.

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African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

review CleantexPulire 2017

Several meetings and educational seminars took place at CleantexPulire this year and added a different perspective on the industry. The NCCA Gauteng branch held their branch meeting at the show and the Professional Body for Environment Hygiene (PBEH) heralded their inaugural AGM on the final day of the show where the newly elected PBEH board members were introduced to the audience.

Another first for CleantexPulire was Russian exhibitor Abrasive Technologies, who introduced their broad range of abrasive products to the South African market. Turkey’s Bayersan also exhibited in South Africa for the first time, offering the market a variety of cleaning equipment ranging from professional janitorial trolleys to window-washing poles and more. Both these companies were excited at the prospect of appointing a South African distributor in the near future.

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review CleantexPulire 2017

The general sentiment from exhibitors (more than 85 percent) has been incredibly positive with many praising the quality of the visitors and the increase in international visitors, many from other African countries.

Prior to the opening of this year’s event, organisers of the CleantexPulire exhibition, e-squared publications (E2) and ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, announced a joint-ownership agreement to collaboratively administer and promote future events. The agreement aims to reinforce and enhance this established African cleaning and hygiene showcase, elevating it to the next level as well as to expand the association’s local member benefits.

CleantexPulire events bring together contract cleaners, distributors, facility, healthcare, retail and food-service managers as well as other professionals within the cleaning, hygiene, hospitality, property maintenance and government sectors.

According to the partners, this new relationship will add a more robust regional and international seminar and workshop programme, networking opportunities, and new product and business solutions for the market, thereby reflecting the same ethos demonstrated worldwide by ISSA.

The next CleantexPulire exhibition is scheduled to take place in June 2019. For more information about what happened at the show visit www.cleantex.co.za or follow the show on Facebook.

Sponsors

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African Cleaning Review July/August 2017

advertorial Goscor Cleaning Equipment

Demise of mop-and-bucket cleaning system A revolutionary, new cleaning concept that will see the demise of the mop-and-bucket system has been introduced to the South African market by Goscor Cleaning Equipment (GCE).

The Kaivac No-Touch Cleaning® system has been proven to be 60 times more efficient in removing bacteria from grout lines than mopping, which is more than likely to spread contamination, as opposed to removing it.

“This unique system will revolutionise the entire cleaning industry. It is basically saying let’s get rid of mops, because they simply transfer the dirt.

It focuses on dirt not as grime, but as potentially harmful contaminants. How do we ensure we remove all bacteria so that the contamination does not multiply? The Kaivac equipment is all designed around that concept,” says GCE General Manager, Greg Venter.

The introduction of Kaivac into the local market is part of GCE’s underlying philosophy of providing the latest technology to ensure its customers benefit from the lowest total cost of ownership.

Kaivac International Business Manager, Marc Ferguson, adds that this makes the company’s

products a natural fit with GCE’s existing portfolio.

“Clearly GCE is an expert in the industrial and commercial cleaning environment. Our products are really complementary,” Ferguson stresses. The range consists of the Kaivac 2150, designed for large-capacity cleaning applications such as high schools, universities, airports, convention centres, factories, warehouses, sport stadia, and even large hospitals.

The Kaivac 1250 is designed specifically for smaller facilities, while the Kaivac 1750 combines high capacity and compact size for added value. It

includes innovative features such as a removable ‘black box’ engine compartment for rapid repair and exchange.

The range combines automatic chemical metering and injection with an indoor pressure washer and a powerful wet vacuum. “The result is a fully integrated cleaning system that allows workers to hygienically clean contaminated surfaces without any danger to their own health and safety. The end result is not only improved cleaning, but also reduced labour, chemical and equipment costs, and much higher productivity,” Ferguson explains.

Marc Ferguson – Kaivac.

GCE will also introduce Kaivac’s OmniFlex range. This includes the OmniFlex™ SUV™ for hard-surface floor-cleaning needs, the OmniFlex Dispense-and-Vac system for the heaviest soil and grease conditions, and the OmniFlex AutoVac™ automated floor-cleaning machine.

“OmniFlex™ is a modular system with a ‘plugand-play’ capability, which means end users can add and subtract accessories, ultimately creating the best platform possible for their specific cleaning needs,” Ferguson elaborates.

Commenting on Kaivac’s decision to enter the African market, Ferguson highlights that the contract cleaning industry here is similar to that in Europe and Russia, for example, where the latest trend is also towards more automated, ultrahygienic equipment and processes. “We will also use GCE as a springboard into the rest of Africa,” he reveals.

Explaining what makes Kaivac unique, Ferguson says all of its systems are predicated on a scientific approach to cleaning. “All of our machines have validated outcomes, where everything is measured. The cleaning industry, in fact, is poor at such end-result measurement and validation. It needs better technology for improved results, and we have the systems that can deliver that,” he concludes.

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facilities management review

New innovation prepares high-traffic washrooms to process crowds Large crowds can cause big trouble at overcrowded or dirty washrooms at venues like airports or stadiums.

Global hygiene brand Tork has therefore developed a new kind of hand-wiping system – Tork PeakServeTM – specifically tailored for high-traffic areas. It features a new type of paper towel and combines unprecedented capacity with a unique way of dispensing towels, fast and without interruption. This will allow facility managers to serve 250 percent more guests between refills.

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arge crowds put substantial stress on washrooms and the equipment installed. Refills such as soap and paper run out fast.

Cleaners have a hard time keeping up with cleaning needs or even accessing washrooms during heavy traffic flows.

New research also shows that dirty and overcrowded washrooms are the biggest issues for guests at hightraffic venues such as sport stadiums – more than violence and long entry lines. Guests simply don’t want to be delayed in a washroom, let alone a dirty one. Yet, over 70 percent have had a bad washroom experience, and a quarter of guests have avoided washrooms altogether.

Tork PeakServeTM combines a number of features that make hightraffic washrooms better prepared to handle large crowds. The key to this is a new and patented type of paper towel.

• New and better dispensing: Each bundle of towels is in fact a continuous unit of paper. This creates a continuous flow that can serve large crowds fast – without interruption, tabbing or jamming dispensers. The continuous flow is always maintained as bundles also connect with each other in a unique way. Tork PeakServeTM also feeds towels from the top of

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the stack, not the bottom, which generates smooth one-at-a-time dispensing that requires very low pull force.

• Highest capacity on the market: The new towels are compressed in production, twice as much as regular towels. This gives Tork PeakServeTM higher capacity than any other system, thus preventing dispensers from running out unexpectedly. A single dispenser can serve over 1 000 guests between refills – 600 more than existing dispensers.

• More flexible refills: Tork PeakServeTM can be refilled twice as fast and topped up anytime. Thus, cleaners get more time to focus on important cleaning tasks during heavy traffic flows, without fear of empty dispensers, and can instead perform refills during less hectic periods. In other words, they get more flexibility to focus on the most important thing at the most appropriate time.

It is a challenge for facility managers to maintain good traffic flow and avoid washroom hold-ups in high-traffic areas with large visitor numbers.

With the fast dispensing of Tork PeakServeTM, visitors can obtain a towel in 3 seconds – compared to 10 seconds dry time for jet air dryers.

facilities management review Quick facts about Tork PeakServeTM: • Highest capacity on the market – can fit 2 132 towels in a single dispenser.

• Can serve over 1 000 guests between refills – 600 more than existing dispensers.

• Serves a towel in 3 seconds – compared to at least 10 seconds dry time for jet air dryers.

• One-at-a-time dispensing with a continuous flow of paper towels – without interruption.

• Can be refilled twice as fast and extra towels can be topped up anytime.

• Possible to store twice as many towels per cubic metre thanks to highly compressed bundles.

Research insights about high-traffic washrooms: • 71 percent of visitors have bad experiences from time to time at high-traffic washrooms. 28 percent say they often (or always) have a bad experience.

• 42 percent say bad washroom experiences also had a negative effect on their overall experience of the event.

• Almost 4 in 10 told a friend or family member about their bad washroom experience (and 4 percent even posted on social media about their experience).

• Dirty and overcrowded washrooms are the most common issues for visitors at events. The biggest reason is fear of dirty and unhygienic conditions (37%) but time is also a major issue. Being held up in the washroom and missing out on the event are the next most important reasons.

• A third (32%) of the guests avoiding the washrooms also limited their food and drink consumption to do so.

For additional information please contact: Kirsty Collard, Product & Sales Support Manager, kirsty.collard@essity.com.

About the study: The study was commissioned by SCA and carried out by IPSOS as an online survey with 3 000 respondents having visited a high-traffic venue (>100 people) in the past nine months. The survey was carried out in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Poland and Sweden in 2016.

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facilities management review

Seven no-cost actions for FMs to drive sustainability into the professional cleaning industry

By Stephen Ashkin

T

he professional cleaning industry has done a great job with green cleaning. Today over 30 percent of all cleaning products in the professional space are considered green, whereas green products account for only 3 percent in the consumer space. This is a testament to the efforts of the professional cleaning industry and the facility managers they serve who care deeply about protecting occupant health, protecting the building itself, reducing environmental impacts, and managing what seems to be an ever-declining budget for cleaning and maintenance.

Due to the success of the professional cleaning industry, today it is easy for facility managers to ask their local distributors for green cleaning products since they all stock them, and unlike just a few years ago the products perform well and are cost competitive compared with their traditional counterparts.

So whether a facility contracts with a cleaning service that provides all related cleaning products, or cleans with inhouse staff purchasing all products itself, or a combination where the cleaning is done by a cleaning service contractor but the facility still purchases some of the products such as hand soaps, paper products and plastic liners, there are easy and affordable strategies to further green your cleaning programme and encourage the cleaning industry to move in a more sustainable (and cost-effective) direction.

The following are 7 simple things you can ask to identify the true leaders in the cleaning industry.

1. Are they participating in ISSA’s Distributor Efficiency, Analytics & Learning (DEAL) programme?

ISSA is the leading trade association in the commercial cleaning industry.

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They launched a comprehensive programme to help their distribution members become more sustainable.

See www.issa.com/deal.

DEAL assists distributors to address issues of efficiency, cost controls and environmental reductions associated with the energy used for lighting, heating and cooling their warehouses; fuels for their delivery vehicles which account for 2 to 3 times the cost and environmental impacts compared to other uses of energy; waste and recycling; and other operational issues.

Simply asking your distributors about DEAL will send a clear message that these issues are important to you. Plus, as the product distributors reduce their spend on energy, water, transportation, waste/ recycling, etc., they will be more cost-effective suppliers to your building over the long term.

2. Is their building certified?

Many product distributors and cleaning-product manufacturers have gotten their buildings certified. Today there are a number of whole-building certification systems including LEED, BREEAM, Well, BIT, Green Building Council and others; as well as category-specific programmes such as the US EPA’s ENERGY STAR and SmartWay Transport programmes.

Plus those from organisations like BOMA (TOBY Award), Green Seal and others.

So when all things are equal relative to products and cost, ask the distributors if they participate in any of these programmes as it is a clear indication that they are trying to ‘walk the talk’.

3. How are they tracking the efficiency of their delivery vehicles?

As mentioned above, for a distribution company, the spend on fuel for their delivery vehicles is 2 to 3 times higher compared to their spend on energy.

This is a major difference compared to a commercial office building which typically does not track transportation issues, but focuses on their big spend – energy.

Some distributors do a much better job managing these costs than others. In addition to routing software, increasing the size of deliveries, reducing the frequency of deliveries, etc., there are other things that affect the cost of vehicle operations and environmental impacts. These include driver training, idling, vehicle maintenance, choice of vehicles, use of alternative fuels and a myriad of other issues.

With such a big expense, buying from a distributor that has a comprehensive programme to address their delivery costs can have a direct impact on the cost of the products they sell. Therefore ask them what they are doing to address this issue.

4. How are they tracking their energy consumption?

Presently, tracking energy is easy. While a warehouse may use much less energy per square foot compared to an office building, it nevertheless is still important.

Plus, with programmes like ENERGY STAR, the cost to participate is low and easy to do.

So ask the distributor what they are doing to better manage their energy consumption. Just asking sends a clear message that this issue is important.

And whether or not their consumption of energy is significant, wasting money affects the price of the products they sell.

facilities management review 5. How are they tracking their water consumption?

As with energy above, tracking water is easy. A warehouse may use very little water as many have no landscaping, minimal workers in the building and no food service or other activities, which can consume large amounts of water. While others wash vehicles on-site and conduct other activities that can be quite wasteful.

So ask the distributor what they are doing to better manage their water consumption. As with energy, simply asking sends a clear message that this issue is important. And whether or not their consumption of water is significant, wasting money affects the price of the products you buy.

6. What percentage of the cleaning products they sell is green certified?

Some distributors work hard to learn about green cleaning and help their customers. While others are order takers and will sell anything and

everything. Since all sales people have a good story to tell, simply understanding what they sell will help you assess how much they are really committed to green cleaning.

Since all products, both green and traditional, perform and are price competitive, it is recommended that you purchase from a distributor who demonstrates their commitment to green cleaning and reward them for their effort.

7. How are they tracking social equity?

While this is clearly the most challenging question to ask, it may in fact be the most important, especially considering personnel costs.

Some of the things a distributor can track include wages, training, volunteerism, philanthropy, and other things that make the company a good corporate/community citizen and supplier.

It may be difficult to measure one company being better than another,

but the reality is that while most companies are doing some things, most don’t track, manage nor report on them. So asking the question will encourage them to do so.

In the end, facility managers should keep in mind that the cleaning industry is here to serve you. While product cost and performance may be your highest priority, due to the competitive nature of the cleaning industry, your questions will stimulate their efforts and help drive them to become more sustainable enterprises which is better for you, them and our collective future.

Stephen P. Ashkin is Executive Director of the Green Cleaning Network a not-forprofit organisation dedicated to educating building owners and suppliers about Green Cleaning, and president of The Ashkin Group a consulting firm specialising in Greening the cleaning industry. He is considered the ‘father of Green Cleaning’ and is co-author of both The Business of Green Cleaning and Green Cleaning for Dummies.

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educational

Greenwashing still alive and well

By Daniel Daggett Environmentally friendly. Recyclable. Non-toxic. If you are purchasing a product or using a service that touts these claims, you would assume that you are supporting a responsible organisation. But what if those attributes were only being promoted to sell the product or service, and didn’t necessarily hold their weight under closer review? Greenwashing is more common than you may think.

A

2010 analysis of nearly 5 300 home and family products found that 95 percent made problematic green claims. With many consumers in search of environmentally friendly products, it’s worrying that many claims are exaggerated or completely unsupported. So how can consumers spot greenwashing during the purchasing process? And what safeguards are in place to prevent unscrupulous marketers from unfairly targeting consumers?

separated, or otherwise recovered from the waste stream through an established recycling programme for re-use or use in manufacturing or assembling another item.” And items that are only partially recyclable should clearly state which components can be recycled and which cannot.

Responsible organisations follow the appropriate guidelines and clearly define the specific environmental benefits of their product or service rather than using generic, potentially deceptive language.

The watchdog of greenwashing In the US, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) serves to maintain competition in the marketplace and protect consumers from fraudulent business practices. In 2012, in response to the rise of greenwashing, the FTC revised its guidelines on environmental claims to ensure that these are truthful, relevant and verifiable. During the purchase process, consumers should ask themselves three questions. Are the company’s claims accurate? Do the claims relate to the product? For instance, a leadfree claim for a cleaning product is irrelevant because these products shouldn’t ever contain lead. And finally, can the claims be scientifically proven with data?

The FTC’s guidelines help protect consumers from potentially vague, broad or misleading claims, such as recyclable, non-toxic, compostable, degradable, ‘free-of’ and more. For example, the FTC states that in order for a product to be truly recyclable, it must be able to “be collected,

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Third-party certifications With so many ‘green’ labels and claims floating around, some of which are manufacturer created, buyers are left wanting more credibility from companies. Sixty-five percent of consumers around the world agree or strongly agree that they would purchase more environmentally responsible products if the health and environmental claims made by companies were more believable.

Certifications are an answer to this issue, because they assure that a sustainable product meets a certain set of performance criteria. However, not all certifications are created equal.

Some certifications are industry led, and therefore not entirely independent.

The Global Ecolabelling Network is a non-profit network of 27 independent organisations representing more than 50 countries that seeks to establish a set of standards and framework for environmental certifications. In North America, members include UL Environment and Green Seal Inc.

For products that have reduced the impact on the environment, UL administers ECOLOGO Certification, a multi-attribute sustainable product certification, while products with low chemical emissions that contribute to better air quality are recognised with the GREENGUARD Certification. UL also provides Environmental Claim Validation (ECV), which evaluates product’s specific environmental attributes, such as recycled content and VOC content. For consumers, the ECV is especially important because it uses a science-backed method to validate specific claims that a company makes about their products. Recent research from UL further validates the importance of third-party certifications.

The organisation’s 2015 study polled more than 1 000 US consumers and found that when evaluating green claims, 93 percent of consumers noted a certification as one of their top three factors for choosing a product.

Sustainability: becoming nonnegotiable?

Over the years, sustainability has transformed from something that only a few people cared about to a soughtafter feature of products and services.

In fact, according to the 2014 Eco Pulse study by the Shelton Group, 70 percent of Americans are searching for greener products.

In addition to consumers, businesses are also stepping up their commitment to the planet. Many organisations are specifically interested in solutions that will make a measurable impact in the areas of public safety, waste, energy and water.

Many organisations are specifically interested in solutions that will make a measurable impact in the areas of public safety, waste, energy and water.

After all, sustainability has a positive impact on not just the environment, but society and the economy. A 2014 analysis of S&P 500 companies found that businesses that incorporate sustainable practices have an 18 percent higher ROI compared with non-sustainable competitors.

In some parts of the world, sustainability is simply viewed as an added benefit rather than a must-have.

However, more and more, industries and organisations are defining sustainability and green practices as requirements. For example, some state laws require products used in government buildings to carry thirdparty certifications, demonstrating their environmental performance. Additionally, the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v4 for Building Operations and Maintenance requires buildings pursuing LEED to use certified products and practice green cleaning, whereas this was previously considered an optional credit.

As sustainability continues to be a top-of-mind concern for businesses and consumers, thirdparty certifications and responsible marketing will become more important for curbing the practice of greenwashing and driving business success. UL’s 2015 survey found that nearly 60 percent of consumers would pay up to 10 percent more for a product with third-party certifications. If credibility is so valuable to buyers and lucrative to businesses, there’s no reason not to have your product or service vetted and certified by an independent organisation.

Daniel Daggett, Ph.D., is the Executive Director – Global Sustainability at Sealed Air, where he is responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies across the business.

For more information, visit https://sealedair.com

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people and events SA delegation visit Italian cleaning show A South African professional-cleaning-industry delegation visited the recent and 23rd edition of the international cleaning industry exhibition, Pulire, in Italy. The exhibition took place from 23 to 25 May in Verona and is regarded as a leading event in Europe, boasting a thirty-year history of providing a platform to showcase a complete range of cleaning equipment, chemicals and hygiene products and innovations to clean indoor and outdoor spaces.

The South African delegation hosted by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) is pictured here from left to right: Johann van Vuuren (African Cleaning Review), Toni D’Andrea (Pulire), Clive Damonze (Metserve Managed Solutions), Steve Braham (SWB Events), Dean Lancaster (Advanced Cleaning Services) and Riaan Meyer (The Specialists Cleaning).

The entrance to the Pulire show.

Inaugural AGM for PBEH

The inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Professional Body for Environmental Hygiene (PBEH) was held on 14 June 2017 at the recent CleantexPulire exhibition in Midrand. The PBEH board members are pictured here from left: Thami Makeleni, Felicity Kent (Manager), Yakshini Padayachee, Paul Roux, Mmabatho Skosana and Clive Damonze. Not present at the AGM were Busisiwe Motsoahae and Veronica Kweyi.

The PBEH projects to formulate minimum standards, which will contribute significantly to the standard of professional work performed in the cleaning industry. The PBEH strives to: • Award professional designations • Recognise professionalism within the cleaning industry • Achieve improved performance • Promote a sense of pride within the cleaning industry

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The PBEH is a non-statutory body, which recognises practitioners within the cleaning industry and is in the process of submitting an application to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) to be registered as a professional body for the cleaning industry.

A board comprising of industry representatives and specialists manage the Professional Body and membership is voluntary to all persons within the cleaning industry who want to be recognised for their knowledge and skills.

As a professional member, individuals are awarded a professional designation, namely: • Hygiene Operator (Cleaner) • Hygiene Controller (Team Leader) • Hygiene Practitioner (Supervisor) • Hygiene Specialist (Contracts Manager) • Hygiene Expert (Area Manager) The PBEH actively encourages individuals within the cleaning industry to get recognised as professionals by becoming members of the professional body.

For additional information email admin@pbeh.co.za or visit the website www.pbeh.co.za

new products Wetrok introduce Granuline

Huge cleaning power and light as a sugar stick: this is Granuline, the brand new, granulate-based product family from Wetrok that is set to revolutionise the cleaning market completely. These products are said to be the very first cleaning products that achieve better cleaning results than traditional liquid cleaning products. All that is required is cold water for the product to perform, and in record time.

Wetrok’s Granuline family consists

of three patent-protected granulate cleaners: Granufloor (floor-maintenance cleaner), Granusan (sanitary-maintenance cleaner) and Granusurf (all-purpose cleaner). All three products are packaged in handy, single-portion sticks that provide cleaners with three decisive advantages: • 100 percent dosing accuracy guaranteed • No need for heavy containers • The sticks take up hardly any storage space

Wetrok Granusan and Granusurf are both perfect products for manual foam cleaning. Because of the foam process, this method uses no more chemicals or water than needed. The result: gleaming, clean surfaces – and no spray particles in the air.

For more information contact Prime Cleaning Suppliers at: 021 551 4570.

Ultrasonic cleaning for the food industry

With more than 70 years of professional expertise and technical know-how in hygiene and disinfection, global chemical company Christeyns launched an innovative cleaning and disinfection system for the food industry based on ultrasonic technology, which will significantly shorten, improve and automate cleaning processes. Using cavitation, in combination with high temperatures and specific chemistry, dirt and grease are easily removed, and microorganisms and biofilms are eliminated.

The ultrasonic system can be incorporated into the production line, which allows cleaning and disinfection to be carried out quickly and automatically. It is, therefore, a

sustainable option, which saves time, energy, chemicals and water. The system is ideal for hard to clean, critical tools such as meat hooks, cheese moulds, ham moulds and mobile equipment.

The components to be cleaned are put through a water bath containing a cleaning agent. The ultrasonic transducers in the bath, create pressure waves in the liquid. This causes the formation of micro-bubbles, which implode in the water at a high frequency.

The micro jets attack the cell walls of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms at 100 m/s, causing disintegration. In this way, the Hygiene through Cavitation (HTC) system eliminates more than 95 percent of microorganisms present, including Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

The cleaning chemicals are very important to the overall success of the ultrasonic cleaning process, and are adapted according to the type of contamination, surface being cleaned, properties of the water and so forth.

Christeyns provides its customers with

tailor-made advice. In addition to good cleaning and disinfection properties, the chosen chemical substance must also be compatible with the material being cleaned. Materials suitable for ultrasonic cleaning include stainless steel, soft steel, aluminium, copper, brass and other alloys, wood, plastic, rubber and cloth.

One of the difficulties for abattoirs is the hygiene aspect of meat hooks.

These components demand a high level of personal and economic effort to clean, which does not always deliver the desired results.

The fact that the HTC system can be incorporated into the production line means that it can save a significant amount of time. In addition, cleaning is more efficient, fully automatic and uses less water and chemicals than manual cleaning.

The HTC technology is available in two standard models: the HTC 030 and 080, with capacities of 27 and 80 litres respectively. It is also possible to produce custom made designs, adjusted according to the customer’s needs.

For more information visit: www.christeyns.com

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new products High-specification fall-protection harness launched MSA Africa has launched its V-FORM safety harness for work-at-height applications.

The high-specification, competitively priced, fall-protection harness gives users comfort that they are selecting the best PPE that will not let them down when needed most, comments Nicolas Abry, Business Development Manager, Fall Protection, MEAIR, MSA Middle East FZE. The new harness carries a ten-year lifespan.

“We want to ensure that our safety solutions are available to as many users as possible, and therefore have developed a product that offers MSA’s standards at the best total cost of ownership,” elaborates Alastair Hogg, Director for Fall Protection Sales and Business Development, International.

The V-FORM harness is the first product available in the new V product range, named after the iconic V-Gard® safety helmet developed by MSA in 1962.

Additionally, the V-FORM harness

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makes outstanding work-at-height safety accessible to all by delivering MSA Safety’s market-leading standards at an exceptional price. Designed to be comfortable, light and easy to use, it combines simplicity with safety in a streamlined harness that can be fastened securely and released quickly. An intuitive design ensures correct fitting first time, every time.

The harness can be tailored to requirements, with either a three- or five-point adjustment. It features a highvisibility alert to show if the equipment has been used in a fall, and a sub-pelvic strap for even weight distribution. Certified to carry 140 kg, the new harness is extremely comfortable to wear and work in all day. A Velcro® cover protects the harness label, while end users can choose between Qwik-Fit or bayonet leg straps.

The V-FORM waist belt can be attached to a harness for work positioning. What is more, putting the harness on has been simplified by means of colour-contrasting thigh and torso straps.

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