African Cleaning Review NovDec '16 issue

PROMOTING PROFESSIONAL HYGIENE AND CLEANING

November/December 2016 | R50.00 (incl. VAT)

Interview – NCCA National Chairman Sustainable cleaning Saving water at commercial laundries Air care throughout a facility

contents NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 Vol 17 No. 6

New era of intelligent cleaning Nilfisk’s Horizon Program is a strategic, long-term programme of multiple product launches, the first to be released in 2017. These new products will provide the full spectrum of autonomous capabilities, so customers can experience selfoperating, driverless cleaning options that meet their every need.

Opinion

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Industry News

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Interview with NCCA National Chairman Patrick Makhubela

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@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 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.

Acquisition strengthens Nilfisk’s southern African footprint World’s cleanest airlines Sealed Air to spin-off from Diversey Care and related hygiene business Walmart pushes suppliers to eliminate hazardous chemicals from products Launch of the Stop the Mop™ campaign SC Johnson re-enters industrial and institutional cleaning market Planned features for 2017 GBCSA announces appointment of new CEO Huge vacuum cleans outdoor air Jan/Feb issue incorporating ACR Buyer’s Guide 2017: DOL engages contract cleaning stakeholders to • Matting solutions • Hand hygiene review minimum wage March/April issue: • Washroom cleaning and hygiene • Food processing hygiene Washroom Update 10 Selecting the best hand dryer for your business May/June issue: • CleantexPulire 2017 exhibition preview and catalogue Features • Retail facility maintenance Sustainable cleaning Jul/Aug issue: 12 • Exploring the ‘green’ sentiment • CleantexPulire 2017 exhibition review • Training is key to adopting green cleaning 14 • Hard flooring maintenance practices Air Care Sept/Oct issue: 26 • Streamlining odour control fragrances • Healthcare hygiene • High pressure cleaning equipment throughout a facility Nov/Dec issue: Advertorial • Hospitality housekeeping • Paper products Nilfisk 5 Blendwell Chemicals 15 Hako 16 Goscor Cleaning Equipment 19 2017 ACR Buyer’s Guide Initial Hygiene – Prolitec 27 28 Craison Update your details and renew your advertising

Reminder

Educational

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Laundry Review

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FM Review

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New Products

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People and Events

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Selecting chemical resistant gloves A guide to commercial laundries and water conservation measures FM service provider Servest unveils two UK acquisitions within a week UK Business success: Masterclass with Kenton Fine

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African Cleaning Review is aimed at end users, contractors and suppliers of products and services to Africa’s Cleaning, Hygiene, Maintenance, 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

Announcement

CleantexPulire 2017 dates: 12-14 June 2017 Contact info@cleantex.co.za to book your stand now!

Hygienic pipe brush for food and beverage sector New purifier fan technology launched in South Africa Washrooms as smart as the rest of your building Prime celebrates anniversary and new cleaning academy Numatic golf day – a charitable event

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African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

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from the editor

opinion

Interview with Patrick Makhubela The National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA) elected Patrick Makhubela,

Reflection and embracing the positive This year has been a tumultuous year to say the least. Reflecting on 2016, the industry and the concept of outsourcing was placed under considerable pressure, especially at institutions of higher learning across the country. Students and outsourced workers marched together in solidarity to denounce the cost of tertiary education and so-called exploitation caused by outsourcing − the process of contracting workers through private companies − instead of employing those workers directly. According to trade unions, outsourcing has allowed for the systemic manipulation of workers at universities, while absolving those institutions of responsibility for that very exploitation.

Hopefully the New Year will bring normality to the volatility and economic impact, as various stakeholders engage in order to resolve this highly contentious issue, which also resulted in considerable damage to facilities across the country.

On the positive side, this issue takes a closer look at how outsourcing success can be achieved with sustained growth, which results in the creation of additional employment.

The race towards the development of intelligent and technologically advanced cleaning systems received another boost with Nilfisk’s announcement that it has now also developed self-operating, driverless cleaning technology. It is said to enable customers to deploy robotic cleaning systems that operate with accuracy and precision.

Considering this is the final issue for the year, we at African Cleaning Review want to thank you for your continued support and wish you a safe and pleasant December holiday period. We look forward to sharing all the industry news, developments, and of course, the build-up to CleantexPulire 2017 with you during the coming year.

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CEO of Neledzi Cleaning Services, as the Association’s National Chairman during its 2016 AGM. It was also the first time that a new chairman has been elected to this position during the past ten years. In an exclusive interview with African Cleaning Review, Patrick had this to say regarding his background and his views for the future of professional cleaning and the industry body.

History and background I joined the professional cleaning industry from the hospitality industry in 1995 to create a joint venture cleaning operation called Setsebi Cleaning Services. It was a subsidiary of Bidvest at the time, focusing on black empowerment, and employed just over 400 cleaners. However, I soon realised the industry’s potential and after three and a half years I took another leap of faith and started my own company, Neledzi Cleaning Services. It was a daunting experience but during December 1998 I secured my first contract and employed a single cleaner.

I was convinced that my company, based on the principles of offering a personalised cleaning service, could make a difference in the market. One of the advantages of a small, individually owned start-up was that I was able to go the extra mile for my clients because red tape did not exist and decisions could be made on the fly. I was certain that my new venture would enable me to build and maintain relationships with clients on a much faster basis than within the corporate environment and this drove me forward.

I regard the cleaning industry as an essential industry to operate in as it has a profound impact on the health of people that occupy various buildings on a daily basis. Neledzi Cleaning Services offered the ideal opportunity to make a difference in society.

Contrary to belief, there are no shortcuts in cleaning. In order to succeed and grow you have to be innovative. Different tools and different methods offer diverse cleaning results, especially within a healthcare environment where cross-contamination should be averted at all costs. This has been a core mantra in my business and the result is that today the company employs just under 1 400 cleaners, offering value-added services such as pest control, hygiene services, specialised cleaning such as high-access cleaning and pre-cleaning to retail, commercial and industrial facilities.

NCCA’s role in growing the professional cleaning sector There are many roles that the NCCA can play in the industry. We need to commit to professionalise and promote cleaning as a science. We must elevate the people who perform cleaning tasks to a level where they can boast an actual qualification which will instil a sense of pride and achievement.

The establishment of a professional body will play a critical role in creating a database of cleaning professionals in order to track their career path, personal development and skill levels. The biggest problem at the moment is that the majority of cleaners are unable to offer certified proof of their achievements, qualifications and experience. The most important issue is to get our workers

opinion Most importantly, we must unify the industry associations; all the stakeholders must be involved in a national conference to explore the best way to consolidate all the associations involved in cleaning, thereby creating a single national industry voice. skilled and upskilled to a recognised profession. It will lead to paving the way for a career path for cleaners from where they can eventually grow into management positions.

Is the industry growing?

The industry is growing; albeit at a slow pace. New buildings and malls are being completed and need to be cleaned, thereby adding to the cleaning staff pool. What is of concern, though, is the threat to outsourcing − mainly driven by the #OutsourcingMustFall campaign that actively promotes the insourcing of various facility management services, including cleaning. For instance, the University of South Africa (UNISA) recently announced a decision to insource 70 percent of previously outsourced workers. This situation creates a huge challenge for the industry and it is unclear at this stage how these facilities will fund insourcing, considering the state of the economy, but also the impact it will have on cleaning standards, staff training and advancement.

The reason why this is happening is mainly due to political pressure. It is not their core business and many do not understand the intricacies of professional cleaning, therefore it will now cost them more in employing management, purchasing cleaning equipment, cleaning material, uniforms, leave replacement, HR, etc. The cost of insourcing will be huge compared to outsourcing services.

Other challenges facing the contract cleaning sector The first challenge is to eradicate socalled ‘fly-by-night’ cleaning contractors by levelling the playing field with the implementation of compliance audits throughout the country. NCCA membership renewal will be subject to annual compliance audits and those companies found not to be compliant will not be issued with a new NCCA

membership certificate. This important and necessary measure will ensure that cleaners are remunerated in accordance with legislation, contributions are paid over to the provident fund and other statutory requirements are met across the board. One of my main drives will be to ensure that compliance audits are rolled out nationally without delay, in every region, not just in Gauteng as is currently the case.

Also we need to level out the disparity in basic wages across the country. It is a huge challenge and will eventually result in the establishment of a national bargaining council that will offer more control and benefits for members and cleaners.

Another challenge is that we need to grow and reach more areas, and in order to do so, we will need to establish additional NCCA branches. I believe we have not performed at the expected level of the organisation, as a collective. There are a lot of challenges but we must cross-examine all these challenges to see how we can make it work. Most importantly, we must unify the industry associations, all the stakeholders must be involved in a national conference to explore the best way to consolidate all the associations involved in cleaning, thereby creating a single national industry voice. Other advantages of a single industry body are the implementation of proper industry standards and progression in aspiring for the highest professional level in order to establish a benchmark against similar industries wordwide.

The national minimum wage The proposed implementation of a national minimum wage should not immediately impact on NCCA members as our industry wage rate is, for instance, already higher than the hospitality minimum wage rate. It may have an impact on next year’s wage negotiations − we are expecting a 7,6

Patrick Makhubela NCCA National Chairman

percent increase, however the unions that have been pushing for a minimum wage must be mindful of current unemployment figures in order not to exacerbate the situation.

Your role in professionalising the industry?

Indeed, as national chairman, I would like to plant the ‘professional industry’ seed and witness its growth and development. In addition, we must continue to align ourselves with the ISSA in order to keep track of global developments and to drive our aspirations to become a highly developed industry in South Africa.

Locally, we need to work closely with academics to further develop the science of cleaning and principles of management in order to further bolster professionalism in the cleaning industry.

I would like to drive negotiations to set up a national bargaining council as the benefit to the industry will be huge. The issue of compliance will be handled by the bargaining council, the responsibility of decent work will move into the bargaining council and the professional body will also integrate narrowly, all to the benefit of the cleaners.

It will also remove unneccessary challenges, stabilise the industry, eliminate unscrupulous operators that are a serious threat to the augmented professionalism this industry strives to achieve.

African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

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industry news Acquisition strengthens Nilfisk’s Southern African footprint

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ilfisk recently announced the acquisition of Industroclean Cape. The Cape Town based cleaning equipment and consumables company has been a dealer and committed Nilfisk South Africa partner for a number of years.

In 2014, Nilfisk acquired the Johannesburg-based Industroclean operation, merging with Wap to form Nilfisk South Africa. The acquisition of Industroclean Cape represents an important step in implementing the company’s growth strategy, which aims to streamline business efficiencies and strengthen Nilfisk’s footprint in Southern Africa. This also forms an integral part of the global Accelerate+ strategy.

Founded in 1986, Industroclean Cape has been family run for the past 30 years, incorporating both sales and service functions. The strength of the existing relationship means that

Nilfisk can now fully capitalise on the prevailing synergies between the two businesses, as well as significantly expand a direct presence in the South African market.

The outgoing owners leave behind a strong management team that is well positioned to ensure that the operation continues to generate value for customers. “We have full confidence in the current team and their ability to ensure that we remain a trusted partner to our customers. The integration provides them with greater accessibility to Nilfisk, allowing us to capitalise on our shared resources to further improve the quality of service and operations in the region,” says Gavin Herold, General Manager for Nilfisk South Africa.

The acquisition provides Nilfisk South Africa with a consolidated platform that will allow it to leverage resources on a national basis, driving a more harmonised offering that will enhance

World’s cleanest airlines

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ssues such as on-time performance, value, hygiene and customer service are all important factors when it comes to selecting an airline. The recent Skytrax World Airline Awards lifts the lid on the world’s cleanest airlines.

When the world’s cleanest airlines were ranked for 2016, Cathay Pacific was named the airline with the world’s cleanest aircraft cabins, improving from its previous fourth position in 2015. The second position went to EVA Air, while ANA All Nippon Airways had to be content with third position on the rankings. Also interesting to note was that of the top ten cleanest airlines, nine were Asian.

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African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

Gavin Herold its ability to deliver product and service excellence. The acquisition will add 22 employees to the existing 177 in the Nilfisk South Africa team.

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

The world’s top ten cleanest airlines: 1. Cathay Pacific 2. EVA Air 3. ANA All Nippon Airways 4. Japan Airlines 5. Hainan Airlines 6. Korean Air 7. Singapore Airlines 8. Asiana Airlines 9. Garuda Indonesia 10. Qatar Airways

advertorial Nilfisk

Nilfisk launch intelligent and connected cleaning development programme During October 2016, Nilfisk announced The Horizon Program, a pioneering global programme that will deliver the most intelligent and technologically advanced cleaning solutions in the industry. Working with Carnegie Robotics, LLC, the leading provider of advanced robotics sensors and software, Nilfisk’s Horizon Program is a strategic, long-term programme of multiple product launches, the first to be released in 2017. These new products will provide the full spectrum of autonomous capabilities, so customers can experience self-operating, driverless cleaning options that meet their every need.

sophisticated technology that will completely redefine how we look at productivity and total cost of ownership. Our view of the future is one that makes incredible strides in cleaning technology,” says Jonas Persson, President and CEO of Nilfisk.

The Horizon Program focuses on bringing state-of-the-art, autonomous cleaning technologies to the market, enabling customers to deploy unmanned floor cleaning with accuracy and precision.

“With Nilfisk and Carnegie Robotics, we are combining a century of cleaning expertise with machine vision and autonomous technologies proven to work safely in unstructured environments such as military operations, agriculture and mining. From the beginning, our partnership has focused on thorough, intensive research and exhaustive, rigorous testing to develop the most sophisticated, highest functioning autonomous cleaning products the industry has seen to date,” said Steve DiAntonio, President and CEO of Carnegie Robotics.

In its 110-year history, Nilfisk has blazed the trail at every turn, bringing ingenuity together with practical applications to serve customers and their business objectives. The programme is dedicated to developing intelligent and connected cleaning products, giving customers greater control and more flexibility, and fundamentally changing the way they clean. The Horizon Program will set the standard and lead the way for all intelligent equipment going forward in the commercial cleaning industry.

“With The Horizon Program, our sights are set on bringing about fundamental change in cleaning. Consistent with our history, Nilfisk is continuously responding to the changing needs of markets and customers with innovative products and solutions. With The Horizon Program we are setting a course for a long-term, strategic programme of autonomous and connected cleaning solutions and putting forth the most

Nilfisk’s work with Carnegie Robotics is like no other partnership in the industry. This team brings together the highest levels of expertise in robotics and commercial cleaning to design and develop state-of-the-art autonomous cleaning solutions.

The first product to launch in 2017 in select markets will feature an optionally manned scrubber/dryer − one that can be, at the customer’s choice, autonomously or manually operated.

It will include highly refined features designed to increase productivity. Its design promises reliability and safety, and the product is very easy to use. With only three buttons, there is minimal training required to operate it. Nilfisk showcased this first product in The Horizon Program at the ISSA Trade show in Chicago during October this year. Availability in South Africa will be announced in due course.

For more information visit: www.nilfisk.co.za African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

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industry news Sealed Air to spin-off from Diversey Care and related hygiene business

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ealed Air has revealed its plan to pursue a spin-off from its Diversey Care division and the food hygiene and cleaning business within its Food Care division (together, New Diversey). The remaining Sealed Air business (New Sealed Air) will continue as an independent public company.

Upon the completion of the spinoff, New Sealed Air will continue to be a leading provider of food, product and medical packaging solutions, with a high-margin and technologically advanced business focused on profitable growth and strong cash flow globally. New Sealed Air will continue delivering leading knowledge-based solutions for waste reduction, resource conservation and product security, all of which deliver unique and measurable value to customers and the planet.

New Diversey, to be led by Dr Ilham Kadri, President of Diversey Care, will be a pure-play, high-growth hygiene and cleaning solutions company. With an integrated product offering comprised of floor care machines, tools, chemicals

and services. New Diversey is a pioneer in the hygiene industry through digital innovation and is well-positioned to profitably gain share on a global basis.

“Diversey Care is a market leader thanks to its pioneering approach in the development of innovative solutions that create value for customers, including the Internet of Clean™, Intellibot® robotics, unmatched plantbased biodegradable chemistries and AHP® disinfection technologies,” said Jerome A. Peribere, Sealed Air’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Ilham and her management team have been instrumental in transforming and positioning Diversey Care for sustainable and profitable growth.”

The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2017, subject to final approval by Sealed Air’s Board of Directors, as well as satisfaction of customary conditions, including the effectiveness of appropriate filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Board has made no final decision

regarding a spin-off from New Diversey, and there can be no assurance that the Board’s plan will result in the commencement or consummation of any such spin-off.

Separately, Sealed Air announced that its Diversey Care division has reached a mutual agreement with SC Johnson & Son (SCJ) to end the existing business relating to Sealed Air’s distribution of SCJ-branded products to the professional market under the existing brand licence agreement (BLA).

The companies agreed that the BLA will expire on May 2, 2017, with the exception of Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Czech Republic and Poland, where the BLA expires on January 1, 2017. Both companies are committed to maintaining a continuous supply of SCJ-branded products to customers under the BLA. New Diversey will be well positioned to expand its relationships with existing partners, develop new partnerships and grow its own brands into new channels in the US and globally.

Walmart pushes suppliers to eliminate hazardous chemicals from products

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almart Stores announced that it was pushing suppliers to remove or restrict the use of eight hazardous chemicals from products including household cleaning, personal care and beauty items. The retailer named the chemicals including formaldehyde, a carcinogen found in wood products and building materials, in the wake of pressure from consumers who are increasingly becoming conscious of what goes into their food and household items.

Chemicals targeted by Walmart for removal include butylparaben,

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African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

used as a preservative in cosmetics, and triclosan, used in toothpaste for treating plaque. P&G, a major supplier to Walmart, uses parabens within safe limits set by scientific and regulatory agencies and their presence is disclosed on labels, according to the company website.

It also said it had eliminated triclosan from more than 99 percent of the products where it was used and had an exit plan for the few remaining.

Another supplier, Colgate-Palmolive, has defended the use of triclosan, stating the US Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory

bodies have confirmed it was safe for use in toothpaste. During 2013 Walmart committed to increase transparency about ingredients in products it sells, advance safer formulations and attain the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice certification for its private brand products. Walmart’s policy also requires that the use of any priority chemical must be disclosed on its packaging starting 2018, EDF said.

The retailer also said it would work with suppliers to encourage them to disclose ingredients in all markets where they operate, not just the United States.

industry news Launch of the Stop the Mop™ campaign

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aivac, the US-based manufacturers of the No-Touch® and Omniflex™ professional cleaning systems, announced the launch of the Stop the Mop™ campaign, an educational drive to inform the public about the inferior cleaning of mops and the existence of healthier, more effective floor care methods. “The Stop the Mop campaign aims to be a turning point, reversing the potentially negative impact of inferior floor care on public health,” commented Kaivac.

The StoptheMop.com website showcases ghastly but true facts about mops and the contaminants they can spread. Stop the Mop solutions were also on display at this year’s ISSA/Interclean tradeshow held in Chicago during October. “Our team at Kaivac has been developing innovative and effective floor care systems for almost 20 years,” said Kaivac VP of Marketing, Tom Morrison.

“Today, even though we have access to effective and affordable technology that removes 99.9 percent of targeted bacteria, the vast majority of professional cleaners still use mops − an old, some would say medieval method, that only removes about 50 percent of targeted bacteria.

That is why we launched this campaign.”

Morrison adds that at a time when infectious diseases have the power to close down facilities, public washrooms can be transmission points for Norovirus, Shigella, and Hepatitis A, “the Stop the Mop campaign aims to be a turning point,

reversing the potentially negative impact of inferior floor care on public health.”

The Stop the Mop website states the case against mops, using data from scientific studies conducted by Charles Gerba, PhD, Jay Glasel, PhD, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at the University of Massachusetts, and Kaivac’s own research.

Facility managers, professional cleaning contractors and other interested parties can follow this campaign at: www.stopthemop.com, www. facebook.com/Kaivac and www.twitter.com/Kaivac.

African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

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industry news SC Johnson re-enters industrial and institutional cleaning market

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C Johnson, manufacturer of trusted household products like Glade®, Raid®, Pledge® and OFF!®, announced during October 2016 that it is returning to the industrial and institutional (I&I) cleaning business.

“This is the right time to re-enter the I&I business,” said Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson.

“Our purchase of the Deb Group and STERIS Applied Infection Control and the recent move to bring back our SC Johnson branded products from Sealed Air/Diversey Care to the new SC Johnson Professional business gives us a lot of momentum to re-enter this space in a big way.”

SC Johnson operated in the I&I business from the 1930s and until it spun off its professional business in the late 1990s.

“We’re bringing great innovation in our new products and attention to quality and service to the industry,”

said Johnson at the recent ISSA/ Interclean exhibition held in Chicago where the company introduced the new innovative SC Johnson Professional line.

SC Johnson acquired the Deb Group in 2015 and STERIS Applied Infection Control in 2016. SC Johnson also announced that it would be ending its existing brand licence agreement with

Sealed Air Corporation. Sealed Air will no longer be responsible for distributing SC Johnson branded products to the professional market. This agreement will expire in most countries on 2 May 2017. The 130-year-old company, which generates $10 billion in sales, employs approximately 13 000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world.

GBCSA announces appointment of new CEO

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he Green Building Council of SA (GBCSA) announced, during October, the appointment of sustainability expert Dorah Modise (née Nteo) as its Chief Executive Officer.

Modise will officially take the reins as CEO from February 2017.

Founded in 2007, as part of a larger network of Green Building Councils globally, the GBCSA champions the application of green building principles and practices in SA’s property sector, seeking to inspire a built environment in which people and planet thrive.

Modise’s skill set and 17 years’ experience in the sustainability sector make her an exceptional match for the organisation.

Currently serving as the Strategic Executive Director of City Sustainability at the City of Tshwane, she holds an MBA from the University of Pretoria’s

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Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and a Master’s degree in Environment and Development from the University of Sussex in the UK, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Environmental Diplomacy from the University of Geneva, Switzerland and a degree in Environmental Health from the Tshwane University of Technology.

Prior to her role of transforming Tshwane into the greenest and most sustainable city on the African continent, Modise was Chief Policy Advisor for Sustainable Development at the SA Department of Environmental Affairs, where she spearheaded South Africa’s engagements in global sustainable development negotiations and the environment sector green economy response including the establishment and management of the national green fund.

Dorah Modise “The GBCSA has seen significant growth since its inception in 2007 and is geared to grow substantially in the years to come. This is mainly due to the increasing significance of the property sector in the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions and the overwhelming balance sheet benefits brought about by efficiency savings,” says incoming CEO, Dorah Modise.

industry news Huge vacuum cleans outdoor air

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utch inventors unveiled what they called the world’s first giant outside air vacuum cleaner − a large purifying system intended to filter out tiny toxic particles from the air surrounding a machine.

“It’s a large industrial filter measuring about eight metres in length and manufactured of steel that can be positioned on top of buildings and it operates like a big vacuum cleaner,” said Henk Boersen, a spokesperson for the Envinity Group that unveiled the system in Amsterdam.

The system is said to be able to suck in air from a 300-metre radius − and from up to seven kilometres upwards. It can treat some 800 000 cubic metres of air an hour, filtering out 100 percent of fine particles and 95 percent of ultra-fine

particles, the company said, referring to tests carried out by the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) on its prototype.

“A large column of air will pass through the filter and come out clear,” Boersen told AFP, speaking on the sidelines of a major two-day offshore energy conference in Amsterdam.

Fine particles are caused by emissions from burning wood and other fuels as well as industrial combustion, and have “adverse effects on health,” according to the European Environment Agency.

About 90 percent of EU residents are exposed to levels of such particles − which can be carcinogenic − above those recommended by the World Health Organization.

As for ultra-fine particles, they are

Pictured at the Offshore Energy 2016 Exhibition and Conference in Amsterdam are the Envinity Group’s Managing Partners Peter van Wees, Simon van der Burg and Tim Petter.

released by emissions from vehicles and aeroplanes, according to Envinity, and can “damage the nervous system, including brain cells, and also cause infections.”

According to Boersen, governments, businesses and airports have already shown interest in the project.

DOL engages contract cleaning stakeholders to review minimum wage

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uring October the Department of Labour (DOL) started a series of national public hearings in order to review the conditions of employment and minimum wage in the contract cleaning sector.

A series of workshops will provide the opportunity to source input from industry stakeholders. The current sectoral determination that governs conditions of employment and minimum wages in the contract cleaning sector comes to an end on 30 November 2016. The new minimum wage in the sector is expected to kick in on 1 December 2016.

The public hearings will run parallel to site visits by DOL officials to contract cleaning establishments and those that utilise contract cleaning services.

In terms of the current sectoral determination, contract cleaning workers in Area A should earn a

minimum wage of R18,01 per hour (2015/16: R16,98).

Area A includes metropolitan councils: City of Cape Town, Greater East Rand Metro, City of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. It also includes local councils: Emfuleni, Merafong, Mogale City, Metsimaholo, Randfontein, Stellenbosch and Westonaria.

Area B includes KwaZulu-Natal excluding any area covered by a bargaining council. The bargaining council determines the rates per hour. Area C includes the rest of South Africa, and the rate per hour of R16,41 (2015/16: R15,47) is applicable.

The public consultations will end on 11 November 2016 at Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. When reviewing conditions of employment and minimum wage, the Employment Conditions Commission (ECC) considers the following factors:

• T he size of the contract cleaning operations; • The ability of employers to carry on their business successfully; • The cost of living; • The alleviation of poverty; • Conditions of employment; • Wage differentials and inequality; • The likely impact of any proposed condition of employment on current employment or the creation of employment; • The possible impact of any proposed conditions of employment on the health, safety or welfare of employees; and • Any other relevant information.

The Employment Conditions Commission is a body that advises the Minister of Labour on the minimum wage review for ‘vulnerable sectors’ whose wage is governed by sectoral determination.

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African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

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washroom update

Selecting the best hand dryer for your business Clean, properly washed hands are imperative for good hygiene practice, but did you know that moist or damp hands are much more likely to spread germs than dry ones? Cannon Hygiene offers a perspective on the importance of making the correct decision when selecting a hand dryer that best combats the spread of germs.

proven track record in hygiene products and services, knows that drying hands is also a personal choice for every individual. For example, if accessibility is a key issue, choosing a dryer that has dual sensors that enables the user to insert hands from the top or the side is a clear advantage.

When you consider that most illnesses are spread by dirty hands, then a touch-free dryer, that starts and stops automatically when hands are inserted or placed underneath is an essential feature. No more grappling with on/off buttons with soggy hands!

Warm air or fast air?

Cannon Air Jet

Clean, dry hands are the best way to stop germs Washing hands with warm water and soap or an alcohol solution dramatically reduces the threat of germs, but unless they are quickly and efficiently dried, the risk of bacteria remains. In fact, damp hands spread a 1 000 times more bacteria than dry hands*. This is why fast and efficient hand dryers that get the job done quickly are so vital for controlling germs and bacteria. It’s no good if people walk away from the dryer with damp hands because the dryer was old, noisy and took too long to dry!

How to select the correct hand dryer Hand dryers offer a fast, effective solution but it’s important to select the right dryer for your business. Each business has different requirements and Cannon Hygiene, thanks to its

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African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

All dryers use air, but when it comes to drying quickly, it’s the speed of the air that is actually the critical part. That’s why it’s important to look for terms like ‘high velocity’ because it means the airflow is sufficient enough to dry hands, without excessive amounts of energy also being used to heat the air. These high-velocity dryers are therefore much more energy efficient; they minimise hand-drying time which is good news for users and great news for businesses.

Available space Every washroom is different and for many businesses space is a key issue when it comes to installing a hand dryer.

It makes sense to choose a compact design that can be easily installed into limited spaces without compromising on the performance of the product.

The Cannon Air Rapide, for example, is compact enough to be flexibly used in tight spaces, yet it still dries hands in under 13 seconds: perfect for busy washrooms.

If speed is of the essence, it’s worth considering a high velocity air dryer, like the Cannon Air Jet that uses a 650W motor to dry hands in just 10 seconds.

Cost efficient, energy efficient Cannon appreciates that whilst businesses want a fast hand dryer, they also have concerns about the energy consumption and associated cost. So, if speed is of the essence, it’s worth considering a high velocity air dryer, like the Cannon Air Jet that uses a 650W motor to dry hands in just 10 seconds. Businesses can rest assured that they are providing a fast, effective hand drying service whilst keeping their energy consumption in check.

For those organisations where energy efficiency is paramount, it’s good to know that hands can still be dried quickly with hands under a hand dryer that uses just 900W, helping companies do their bit for the environment whilst keeping tabs on cost at the same time (Cannon Eco Dryer).

For more information visit: cannonhygiene.com * Patrick, D.R., Findon, G. & Miller, T.E. (1997).

Residual moisture determines the level of touch-contact associated bacterial transfer following hand washing. Epidemiology & Infection, 119, (3), 319-325.

African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

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feature sustainable cleaning

Exploring the ‘green’ sentiment Companies worldwide have been proclaiming their ‘green’ credentials over the past few years and the cleaning and hygiene sector has been no exception. However, do customers actually care about ‘greenness?’ This article previously published by the European Cleaning Journal offers various international perspectives on the ‘green’ issue especially within the professional cleaning/facility maintenance sector.

T

he attitude towards ‘green’ and ‘sustainable’ companies is changing all the time. In the past, many people considered the environmentally friendly brigade to be nothing more than worthy, tree-hugging cranks. But over the years it has become second nature for us to recycle and reuse wherever we can in order to aid the environment while also avoiding waste and saving money.

Many cleaning manufacturers have been coming up with products that use less energy, fewer chemicals, less water and fewer hazardous elements.

They are, therefore, positioning their products as being sustainable or ‘green’. But how far does the sustainability of a product actually convince a customer to buy?

Diversey Care global marketing director Irina Klemps says her company’s customers make their buying decisions based on a combination of factors, and not sustainability alone. “Quality is key,” she says. “If a product does not perform it will not be purchased, and that goes for a green product as well as a standard one. The price is attached to the value of a product and a higher sustainable profile will not justify a higher price: other features such as the safety of cleaning staff might be valued more highly.

“We also offer our customers consulting services about sustainability to enable them to calculate their sustainability savings when migrating from one product to another or for their total site.”

According to Klemps, the majority of customers are unwilling to pay extra for a sustainable offer, though she

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adds that some countries and regions value green cleaning more than others.

“Some are driven by legal obligations and others by the public and the media,” she said. “Examples are the Nordic region which has a very distinct approach to not incorporating dyes or perfumes in their products and in using the Nordic Swan to certify chemicals.”

The hospitality sector tends to be particularly interested in sustainability, says Klemps. “This is because its end users – the hotel guests − are also interested in that topic,” she said.

As an example, she quotes the Accor hotel group, one of Diversey Care’s customers. “The group is aiming to ensure that a large percentage of its bought-in products and services comes with high sustainability claims in order to increase its environmental profile,” said Klemps.

The company’s range includes cleaning agents made from natural ingredients plus hardwearing floor polishes and maintainers that contain no solvents.

According to James it is hard to say how many of his company’s customers buy Bio-Productions’ products because of their perceived greenness. “We like to think customers buy our products because they work well and offer good value for money,” he said. “A cleaning agent can be as green as you like, but if it doesn’t work you will only buy it once.”

Increasing demand

expensive part of any cleaning

Klemps believes that green products will become of even greater interest to customers in future. “Demand is increasing even though the perception of what is green or sustainable is not equal across country borders,” she said. “Currently we cannot detect one specific trend, but overall we find that our customers like to be more sustainable. The future will show exactly what this means for our industry.”

Bio-Productions’ ethos is to ensure all cleaning and maintenance products it produces are as safe to use as possible.

“To this end we invariably end up with formulations that are less harmful to the operator/consumer and consequently less damaging to the environment,” said managing director Mike James.

Efficacy is of paramount importance in the cleaning industry. When you consider that labour is still the most operation it makes little sense to keep buying products that require more energy.

Efficacy is of paramount importance in the cleaning industry, says James.

“When you consider that labour is still the most expensive part of any cleaning operation it makes little sense to keep buying products that require more energy − and the responsible use of energy is an important part of being green,” he adds. “If a product is weak you will require more energy to achieve the desired result, be it physical or from an electric motor or heater.

feature sustainable cleaning

However, if a product contains a great deal of energy it will invariably do the job − even with cold water.”

When asked whether customers are becoming bored with the idea of sustainability, he responds: “I’m not sure that ‘bored’ is the term, but maybe they are fed up with being charged more for green and being conned by some.”

According to James, interest in green products is higher in the public sector.

“Without doubt there is more interest in being green and sustainable from people who seem to be spending other people’s money, while those at the front line − who can see the benefits or failures of products and policies − are more able to make informed decisions on what’s good and what’s not.”

He adds that in the face of continued recession, cash will remain king. “If a product offers value for money it will inevitably sell.” However, he feels there will continue to be a place for sustainable products in the future.

“We believe that in this age of litigation there will be more concern over the adverse reactions operatives will have when using certain chemicals and products,” he says.

“Therefore we will continue in our target of protecting the consumer − and that way we can also help protect the environment.”

Hako’s regional manager for western Europe, Clemens Douglas, says sustainability is a key criterion for the company when preparing tenders for major service providers and large retail chains. “Our experience has shown that growing numbers of customers – depending on the product segment and customer group – are

basing their purchasing decision on exactly that point,” he says. He adds that quality and reliability are other key considerations. “However, for many customers our capability to provide a reliable service is even more important than the price of the technology.”

According to Douglas, the company has seen an increase in demand for green products and services. “People’s interest in machines and cleaning solutions that are both environmentally compatible and economically efficient is very high,” he says. “Many efficiencyincreasing measures have a direct and positive effect on environmental protection and the preservation of resources, for example, in reducing the consumption of water and cleaning agents for scrubber dryers. “Economic efficiency and sustainability will remain important criteria when it comes to choosing a machine supplier.”

Kärcher’s environmental matters public relations officer, Linda Schroedter, says most of her company’s products incorporate green features. “Sustainability guides our thinking at Kärcher and we set great store by economic efficiency and environmental protection.”

She estimates that approximately a third of the company’s building service contractor customers in Germany choose Kärcher products because of their sustainability features.

“Sustainability is becoming more and more important, but price is still the decisive factor for 95 percent of building service buyers.”

Schroedter adds that it is still necessary to make both building service contractors and end customers aware that green cleaning is not only

good for the environment but also saves time, detergents and other resources.

The contract cleaning sector is, in fact, showing an increasing interest in sustainability. This is because it is becoming more common for contract cleaners to share − or pay for – the energy element of the cleaning process.

“While there is a great interest in green products and services, the industry is not yet pursuing them.”

However, she adds that the contract cleaning sector is, in fact, showing an increasing interest in sustainability.

“This is because it is becoming more common for contract cleaners to share − or pay for – the energy element of the cleaning process,” says Schroedter.

“Also in the tendering procedure, some big companies explicitly ask building service contractors to use sustainable cleaning machines so they can use the resultant energy savings to market themselves as a sustainable company.

“More clients will understand the benefits of green cleaning and this will eventually change attitudes towards resource-saving cleaning.”

African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

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feature sustainable cleaning

Case study: Training is key to adopting green cleaning practices As the world continues to debate whether or not climate change is a reality, businesses throughout South Africa are considering ‘green’ options at their facilities. While some use eco-friendly status as a badge to promote a good image, others are intent on actually making a difference in the way they impact the environment.

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ithin the construction industry, for example, many companies are focusing on green building principles, ensuring that materials used are environmentally friendly and that buildings are designed to promote natural airflow, less electricity usage and increased incorporation of greenery. The question is, what happens after these buildings are occupied? Do those that occupy the space maintain green principles?

Are green cleaning methods used, is printing limited, is pollution thwarted?

If not – can the building still maintain a green status?

The key to achieving ‘going green’ is training (educating people how to be more green) and viability (is it affordable for companies to choose a less harmful path?). According to Shawn Andrews, Managing Director of BanoBrite, companies are still sceptical about the green movement.

“We developed a ‘green challenge’ and approached a number of lodges and hotels, challenging them to change their cleaning footprint to a completely green solution,” confirms Andrews.

“However, our methodology was met with much scepticism, from price concerns to indifferent attitudes.”

With a little persistence, Andrews found a business that was ready to

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take up the challenge: Valley Lodge and Spa in Magaliesburg. “Being a green hotel, for example, means more than not washing towels daily. Valley Lodge took up the task of greening the business, and initiated the process of converting the entire establishment from chemical to green cleaning. It will be the first lodge in South Africa to adopt a 100 percent green cleaning policy,” said Andrews.

BanoBrite, which sources its bioenzymes from local manufacturer, Green Worx Cleaning Solutions, confirms that with acceptance change can commence. The first step in revolutionising the cleaning process was to determine the number of products used in each department (laundry, kitchen and housekeeping) and where they would be replaced with the BanoBrite/Green Worx range of products.

“To ensure a smooth change over in each department, it was decided to convert each department individually.

This meant that adequate training was provided, and that the integrity of the green methodologies was maintained,” confirms Andrews.

According to Rosina Banda, HOD: Laundry at Valley Lodge, and Tholiwe Khanye, Room Division Manager, “The results have been phenomenal. The

laundry has come out cleaner and stains have been removed in the first wash. Towels appear to be fluffier and get softer with each wash cycle. You would think we had bought new linen.”

In response to cost concerns, Andrews confirms that product usage was reduced by 30 percent in the first two weeks of the changeover.

In addition, one all-purpose cleaner replaced up to four chemical cleaning products, making it even more costeffective. The kitchen is now more sanitary, with the use of non-toxic cleaning products, and the sewage plant was treated with a sewage activator, which eliminated the waste and chemical build-up that had been exacerbated over time.

“Valley lodge is now 100 percent green; no chemicals are being used on the property, their costs have decreased by 40 percent, and continue to drop,” concludes Andrews. “This is the example that all businesses aspiring to go green should follow – start where you can, and then go all in!”

Green Worx Cleaning Solutions supplies innovative, environmentally responsible, biotechnology products based on the use of natural microbes and enzymes. For more information visit: www.green-worxcs.co.za

advertorial Blendwell Chemicals

Green cleaning that packs a punch

The days of weak environmentally friendly cleaning products that don’t clean appropriately belongs to the past.

“Advances in cleaning technology allow us to manufacture cleaning products using materials which are sourced from renewable and sustainable resources. Our products are readily biodegradable, non-toxic and easy to use and most importantly kind to people and the environment,” says Blendwell Chemicals MD Judy Sunasky.

Blendwell Chemicals introduced a range of Enviroblend environmentally friendly products in a sachet format that is packaged in 30 sachets per box. The sachet format facilitates easy transportation and effective portion control. Correct portion control means cleaning service providers are in control of costs and product usage.

Each sachet is dilutable in up to 10 litres of water, making the product ideal for cleaning professionals operating in various facilities. In addition, the Enviroblend sachets are manufactured from recyclable material that is another plus for the environment.

A range of Enviroblend products is now available and can be ordered directly from the Blendwell Chemicals online shop.

Judy Sunasky Blendwell Chemicals MD

For more information or to place an order visit: www.blendwell.co.za

African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

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advertorial Hako

Scrubber innovations for high degree of cleanliness Hako-AntiBac® machines combined with Silent Kit features are ideal to optimise thorough cleaning in hygiene-sensitive areas Flexible and thorough in use The Scrubmaster B70 CL and B90 CL are perfect for use in all areas where special attention is placed on absolute hygiene conditions or cleaning in accordance with the HACCP concept. In addition to hospitals, this also applies to frail care facilities and canteens.

Silent Kit, quiet as a whisper Scrubmaster machines are constructed in such a way that they offer active sound insulation for deployment in sound-sensitive areas. The silent button can be activated to reduce the already low 63 dBA sound emissions even further.

Hako-AntiBac® offers a clear advantage An additional feature offered by the B70 CL and B90 CL range is the AntiBac® solution/recovery water tank. It reduces bacteria and fungus development in the tanks by up to 99.9 percent (tested in accordance with JIS Z 2801 / ISO 22196).

Additional features No pre-sweeping: The integrated dirt collection system gathers dirt in an easy-to-empty drawer.

Practical accessories: The Scrubmaster machines can be fitted with an optional mop holder and handy tool net.

Silent Kit: The Silent Kit reduces the engine speed as necessary, and renders the already low-noise machines even quieter at the push of a button.

Single-button operation: The green Scrubmaster button can be used to start all the working procedures.

Optimal ergonomics: Provides a height-adjustable speed control, full view of the front and foam-padded handlebar.

Hako-DaytimeCleaning Hako-DaytimeCleaning shortens charging cycles and increases machine operating times. As a result, the Scrubmaster B70 CL DTC, with its new quickcharge technology, provides considerably longer periods of operation.

Innovations ensure high levels of cleanliness

Hako-AquaForce® Hako-AquaForce® is a space-saving, stationary system for cleaning without chemicals. It removes all minerals from tap water. The demineralised water loosens dirt better and reduces the risks of resoiling – for lower operating costs and less environmental pollution.

Hako-AntiBac® The antibacterial tank coating, Hako-AntiBac®, ensures considerably better hygienic conditions in the tank and reduces the development of smells as well as the consumption and costs of disinfectants to clean the tanks. Installed as a standard measure for the Scrubmaster B70 CL and B90 CL.

Hako-Chemical on Demand By applying the Hako-Chemical on Demand feature, cleaning agents are only implemented when actually needed. In the case of low-level soiling, cleaning can be completed economically and ecologically without any need for cleaning agents.

CONTACT US: HAKO: Wouter Niemann 060 972 1429, 011 571 0200 PLATCHEM: Mike Lodder 082 600 5789, Craig van der Merwe 082 872 5211, 011 452 4910

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African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

17

educational

Selecting chemical-resistant gloves Because cleaning professionals work with different chemicals, knowing how to select the right chemical resistant glove for the task at hand is crucially important. Often cleaning staff and their employers are under the impression that work gloves are all the same. Nothing could be further from the truth says Impact Products, a leading manufacturer of work gloves and other safety products for the professional cleaning industry.

Facts to consider when selecting chemical-resistant gloves: • B e aware of the types of chemicals and chemical ingredients you are working with; • Review the chemical’s Safety Data Sheet to establish what ingredients may be potentially harmful; • Chemical-resistant gloves are generally made of latex, nitrile, neoprene and PVC; use a ‘chemical resistance chart’ provided by some glove manufacturers to determine which glove will work best with which chemical ingredients; • Consider the dexterity of the glove; this refers to how easy the glove is to work with; • Look for gloves that are puncture and snag resistant; a snag can catch on an object and cause the glove to tear; • Determine the needed length of the glove; long-sleeve gloves are designed to fit over the hand up to the elbow and are often recommended when working with chemicals;

• T o select the right size glove; measure in inches around the palm of your hand. If you are right-handed, measure your right hand. If you are left-handed, measure your left hand. Typically gloves are available in small, medium, large and extra-large sizes; • Become familiar with key terms when selecting chemical-resistant gloves such as permeation, the rate at which a chemical passes through the glove; breakthrough, the time from contact with a chemical to its detection of the chemical inside the glove; degradation, when the glove’s properties change due to chemical contact; • OSHA’s Standard 29 CFR provides employers with guidelines for appropriate hand protection; and • Test-drive the glove.

Impact Products is a manufacturer and supplier of branded and private label non-chemical commercial cleaning, maintenance, safety, and related products.

The company’s offering encompasses a full suite of cleaning products including floor care products, waste receptacles, washroom accessories, gloves,

“Some distributors or manufacturers will provide samples of their gloves,” says Vicky Adams, Category Manager for Safety, Gloves, and Foodservice products for Impact Products. “Wear the gloves.

Make sure they are as comfortable as they are protective.”

and safety products. Markets served by the company include commercial cleaning, industrial services, healthcare, government, schools, office buildings, hospitality, and foodservice.

For more information visit: www.impact-products.com

Why is G-cide™ superior to conventional sanitising solutions?

G-cide™ is a pH-neutral, stabilised-glutaraldehyde solution. The easy-to-use nature of G-cide™ products means that no specialised training is required for staff that use the product on a daily basis. G-cide™ products operate optimally at room temperature, thereby eliminating the need to utilise the heat of steam to sanitise equipment, thus offering the added benefit of saving costs of having to pre-heat water!

G-cide™ technology is a patented and registered biosecurity disinfectant undergirding the dynamic G-cide™ range, specifically aimed at the healthcare, food hygiene, retail, and hospitality business sectors. Hand care and sanitation are also key sectors that benefit from using G-cide™ technology. It is a breakthrough in anti-microbial, anti-viral and anti-fungal disinfection with no microbial resistance.

G-cide™ − the power to kill gently

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African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

advertorial GCE

Innovative nanotechnology for effective floor cleaning Goscor Cleaning Equipment (GCE), part of the Goscor Group of Companies, released a new generation compact walk-behind scrubber from the wellknown Tennant cleaning equipment range. The T300, which introduces enhanced operator ergonomics and exclusive nanotechnology is set to meet the cleaning needs of a diverse range of environments.

According to GCE General Manager, Greg Venter, the new T300 range is the first to include the next generation of successful, sustainable cleaning technology, known as ec-H2O NanoClean.

“Like the original ec-H2O, ec-H2O NanoClean technology electrically converts water into an innovative cleaning solution that cleans effectively, saves money and reduces environmental impact compared to daily floor cleaning chemicals,” he added. “This converted water is created by an onboard e-cell that generates millions of microscopic bubbles – nanobubbles – per millilitre of solution. These nanobubbles then promote the cleaning efficacy of the solution,” said Venter.

The T300 and T300e walk-behind scrubbers offer a selection of multiple machine configurations to optimise cleaning performance across many hard surface conditions. Configurations include single disk, orbital, dual disk and dual cylindrical options. The T300 includes an integrated LCD touchscreen that provides simplified operation, as well as programmable zone settings, supervisor lock-out capabilities and onboard/on-demand videos to take the guess work out of the cleaning process.

Another key feature that differentiates the T300 range is the improved and convenient hygienic tank, which allows for easy access when cleaning to help reduce mould, bacteria and other contaminants that can grow in enclosed tanks. The magnetic head allow pads and brushes to be changed quickly with minimal operator effort.

According to Venter, this new range from Tennant combines high performance, lower operating costs, operator ease-of-use and innovative features to help protect health and safety. “This customisable and flexible cleaning solution is ideal for multiple applications across the retail, hospitality, facilities management and other commercial environments”.

With a dealer network in the SADC regions, Goscor Cleaning Equipment focuses on complete cleaning solutions, moving away from the traditional supply of cleaning equipment and detergents. Their solutions cover various industries and applications, backed by service excellence and readily available spares.

African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

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laundry review A guide to commercial laundries and water conservation measures

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ommercial laundries use vast amounts of water with varying degrees of efficiency and should therefore consider and implement water conservation strategies. South Africa is experiencing the effects of a serious drought which is set to continue following the lowest rainfall year ever recorded‚ and amidst scientific predictions that there is no guarantee there will be sufficient rain during the coming season. Dams across the country are at their lowest levels in years‚ standing at 53 percent nationwide.

The water-saving potential of a commercial laundry can be easily calculated, and this article by the Alliance for Water Safety takes a closer look at water-saving potential and type of analysis and assessments needed.

Introduction Commercial, institutional and industrial (CII) laundry facilities clean large quantities of fabrics in a wide range of varieties and uses. Some are on-site facilities dedicated to washing fabrics used at the location; these are often referred to as an ‘on-premises laundry’ (OPL). OPLs are typically found in hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, universities, etc. Centralised contract laundries that launder fabrics from other businesses (such as uniforms, restaurant table cloths, bed linens, etc.) are usually referred to as ‘industrial laundries’.

In either case, both types of facility use vast amounts of water at varying degrees of efficiency. The potential for water conservation exists in almost all facilities and should be part of every utility’s CII water conservation strategy.

Water and wastewater costs represent more than 50 percent of the total operating costs in the typical commercial laundry. The managers of these facilities are likely to be very

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interested in participating in any water conservation strategy deemed cost effective. Keep in mind that the quality of their service is paramount to the success of their business: all water conservation measures must maintain the effectiveness of cleaning the fabrics.

Commercial laundries deal with fabrics that are soiled beyond the level of typical residential clothes in both: (1) variety of dirt, grime, stains, food, chemicals, bacteria, grease, biological hazards; and (2) the concentration of these substances embedded in the fabric. You can’t compare the water use of residential clothes washers with commercial laundering equipment.

Water is the universal solvent, and there are practical limits to the reduction of water quantity and the ability to clean fabrics. The greatest water conservation opportunities often exist in the various methods of reusing or recycling water from the machines. The extent of a laundry’s ability to recycle water usually lies in the facility’s ability to filter, clarify and sanitise the effluent water from the washing machines.

While industrial laundries often use in-house staff to manage the total operations and maintenance of the washers, OPLs often rely on contractual service firms to: (1) supply the detergents and chemicals; (2) maintain the equipment; and (3) determine the wash formulas, whose components include the chemical recipe, type of cycle, duration of each cycle, water temperature, amount of water, and when each of these ought to occur for each wash classification and size of wash load.

Water utilities seeking to improve water efficiency must garner the cooperation of both the business owner and the chemical supplier and service contractor to achieve success. In some cases, these service providers own the washers and lease them to the business.

Washer-extractor Small- to medium-sized laundries mostly rely on equipment referred to as washer-extractors. These look and operate somewhat similarly to a residential front-loading clothes washer, except washer-extractors are 3 to 30 times larger. The name ‘washer-extractor’ is derived from the high-speed spin cycles used between wash and rinse cycles to extract the water and detergent from clothes using centrifugal force. The largest models are huge, allowing workers to easily stand up inside the wash drum for service and maintenance. The fabrics are washed in batches, similar to a residential washer.

Washer-extractor efficiency is usually measured in litres per kilogram of fabric, as opposed to residential machines that measure efficiency in litres per cubic meter of capacity. The typical washerextractors require 11.3 to 15.1 litres of water per kilogram of fabric cleaned. The most efficient machines have built-in water recycling capabilities; storing the rinse water from the previous load to supply wash water in the subsequent load, using less than 4.6 litres per kilogram of fabric.

For washer-extractors without built-in recycling features, there are auxiliary recycling systems available that can be attached to washer-extractors to filter and sanitise the rinse water to be reused or the wash water supply.

These systems vary in quality, size and efficiency. Many OPLs are installed in relatively small spaces, where the washers, dryers, chemical storage, and folding/stacking/sorting benches fill most of the available space. The space does not always accommodate additional recycling equipment and related water storage tanks. Recycling the water requires adjustment in chemicals and detergents used in the wash and rinse water to maintain the

laundry review The greatest water conservation opportunities often exist in the various methods of reusing or recycling water from the machines. The extent of a laundry’s ability to recycle water usually lies in the facility’s ability to filter, clarify and sanitise the effluent water from the washing machines. quality of the washing process. This requires the chemical supply contractor to be involved in planning any such retrofits.

Tunnel washers Tunnel washers (sometimes called ‘continuous batch washers’) are very different to washer-extractors: long chambers 2.4m x 2.4m x 9.1m and larger constructed with a series of compartments, called ‘pockets’, through which a large internal auger (similar in shape to a large corkscrew) slowly turns to pull the laundry through the different pockets. The first few pockets mix detergent and chemicals (bleach, sanitisers, degreasers, etc.) in the water for fabric to soak and wash. Augers move the fabric to subsequent pockets, dedicated to rinse functions. Water moves in a counter-flow direction to the laundry and is therefore used several times before being sent to the drain. At the end of the tunnel the washed fabric is removed automatically in the form of a large cake, mechanically compressed before being fed into the line of dryers.

Water consumption rates typically found in these washers are approximately 3.6 litres per kilogram of wash, or about two-thirds that of the typical washerextractors.

These units are very expensive and are only used in the largest OPLs; most often they are found in industrial laundries with very high production rates. Tunnel washers are inherently

water-efficient and are highly automated to maximize the throughput of the laundry. The high cost of water and wastewater has induced many industrial laundries to build water filtering and treatment facilities on the premises.

There are no known pre-packaged systems available to improve water efficiency at these industrial laundries.

Any improvements require a sitespecific, engineered system.

Summary In general, 3.4 litres of water used per kilogram of clothes is considered a ‘good’ water efficiency standard for commercial laundries; though this is not always achievable for heavily soiled fabrics. As a reference: one set of queen- size bed sheets weighs about 1.3 kilograms; requiring 22.2 litres of water to wash and rinse. Water conservation measures should not impair the cleaning or sanitation goals of the laundry operation. Recycling rinse water for the wash cycle is always recommended, except in very rare situations where health codes prohibit such use in specialised situations.

Further water recycling requires special equipment to filter, sanitise, treat, and store the water; this equipment is expensive to install and maintain. The cost effectiveness of such measures is calculated on a case-bycase basis. Ozonation and membrane technologies offer exciting opportunities to advance clothes-washing efficiencies

far better than 3.4 litres per kilogram.

Both of these systems allow for greater reuse of the water, and can also reduce chemical and energy costs of the laundry. These technologies are already proven effective in some applications, and are advancing rapidly. Water utilities embarking on commercial laundry water conservation programmes should investigate local resources for these technologies, and promote such systems as appropriate.

In some laundries, water efficiency can be improved to less than 2.5 litres per kilogram.

The water savings potential of a commercial laundry can be easily calculated, as in the following example: • Site data: hotel, 500 rooms, 70 percent average occupancy • Daily average of bed linens: 350 sets x 1.36 kg = 476 kg • Daily average towel sets: 350 sets x 0.79 kg = 276.5 kg • Pre-existing efficiency: 11.7 L/0.45 kg = 26 L/kg • Proposed efficiency: 6.8 L/0.45 kg = 15.1 L/kg • Efficiency differential: 26 – 15.1 = 10.9 L/kg savings

Annual savings: (476 + 276.5) x 364 days x 10.9 = 2,977.1m3 There are many variables affecting laundry use in hotels, such as occupancy rates, bed sizes, towel sizes and quantities placed in rooms, laundry operational practices, business versus resort type business. The above example is only a simplified version of the type of analysis needed to truly assess and project water savings potential.

For more information regarding laundry facility water efficiency visit: www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org

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

African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

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facilities management review

FM service provider Servest unveils two UK acquisitions within a week Servest has acquired building services contractor, Arthur McKay, as part of its growth and diversification strategy. The contractor, with offices throughout the UK, was identified as a good strategic fit for Servest’s existing services division.

A

rthur McKay, founded in 1958, delivers services ranging from mechanical and electrical to networks and FM services. The acquisition will help Servest expand and develop its technical expertise, in addition to extending its geographical reach. Arthur McKay’s customer base is varied across multiple private and public sectors. The company is currently on the top 50 FM companies list, and has a turnover of £125 million.

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The second Servest acquisition announced during the same week was that of Staffordshire-based Catering Academy. The deal will bolster Servest’s presence in educational catering as the £33m turnover company has been identified as a growth path to schools, universities and colleges. Together, the two deals have taken Servest’s UK turnover close to £500m, making it larger in size than its South African parent company.

Where did it all start for Servest and what led to the company also setting up business in the United Kingdom?

The following abridged BizNews interview, (conducted prior to the recent acquisitions) by Alec Hogg with Servest Executive Chairman Kenton Fine offers an interesting and thought-provoking take on achieving multi-service business success in South Africa and the UK. Read the interview overleaf.

facilities management review

UK business success: Masterclass with Kenton Fine

By Alec Hogg

Kenton Fine is the London-based executive chairman and founder of Servest, a R10bn turnover, 45 000-employee, multinational group. In 1998, at the tender age of 29, Fine listed the company on the JSE – and four years later had to fight off a hostile takeover attack from Brian Joffe’s Bidvest, doing so by delisting with the help of African Merchant Bank. That temporarily blocked his global ambitions with the fledgling UK operation sold to pay down debt. But once the privately owned business had settled down, Fine relocated to London to have another tilt. Today that startup has a solid foothold in the UK market with annual turnover of £300m – contributing significantly to Servest’s R700m in annual operating profit. During a recent interview with BizNews’s Alec Hogg the full story emerges of a proudly South African 47-year-old who says he’ll never stop shooting for the stars.

Alec: I’m in Kensington, London with Kenton Fine, who I haven’t seen since the late 90s when you listed Servest on the JSE. If I recall, you weren’t even 30 at that stage.

Kenton: That’s right, Alec. I think I was the youngest CEO at the time, August 1998, so I was yet to turn 30. Yes, I think the last time we spoke was in 2002, which was the same year we de-listed off the JSE. Alec: Interesting story there as well – you started telling us all that you were going to be the next Brian Joffe, but the reason for delisting had something to do with Joffe as well.

Kenton: That’s right, yes. Well, at that stage we actually modelled ourselves on the fairly famous Rentokil Initial business and although the market in South Africa likened us to the Bidvest business, which was already involved in services.

Alec: Bidvest took a stake in your company?

Kenton: What happened was they took a stake in the business, unbeknown to us, and ultimately took a bigger stake in the business, which we soon realised.

The intention from their side was to try take the business out, and to integrate it entirely. Ultimately, it ended up in a fairly hostile situation. We had to think about our future and the way we wanted to protect our independence. Our future, going forward, was to put together an offer to the shareholders, a competing offer to the Bidvest offer, which our shareholders eventually backed. That resulted in a simultaneous leveraged buyout or management buy-in and a delisting off the JSE during 2002. In a way, I look back now and it was almost, I guess a liberating moment because it freed us up to really focus on the business out of the public eye.

Alec: What did you start off doing?

Kenton: I’m from Durban originally. At that stage, we had moved down to Cape Town after I had sold my first business, a waste management business, in the backend of 1996. I contemplated life and then eventually settled on the Servest model, creating a broad-based services organisation, based on the Rentokil Initial business, which at that stage had an 18-20 year track record of 20 per cent

compound annual growth and a very broad-based services model. It was the start of the facilities management services trend really. Businesses had been around offering single discipline services at that stage, and certainly, some business groups had acquired a number of services, but we wanted to create a focused services player, and that was our mantra.

Alec: Who supported you when you took Servest private again in 2002?

Kenton: AMB (African Merchant Bank), a private equity house took up around two-thirds of the equity in the business.

Four years later, we bought them out and sold to RMB Corvest and Safika, our empowerment shareholder, with a collective 50 percent. That relationship continued until KTH, who are our new BEE shareholders, acquired a 51 percent stake in the Group. It has been an incredibly successful run for the AMB guys and for the RMB Corvest guys.

They’re incredible partners for us as were Safika and now KTH. They are a very powerful outfit. We are very excited about the new relationship.

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facilities management review Alec: You are personally based in the UK at the moment. When did you decide to move?

Kenton: We had been involved in the UK since the late 90s, and post the delisting off the Stock Exchange, the leveraged buyout and so on. We were made an offer for our UK business and it was, I guess for the private equity backers after we delisted, a way to take some of the risk out of the transaction and take the easy money. So we sold the business, which knocked my ambitions back a little bit in terms of creating this global growth business.

Alec: How old were you when you decided you wanted a global business?

Kenton: Well, I guess at the inception of Servest, you know, shoot for the stars. I think the real ambition started then. In 2007, I said to my colleagues in SA, its gone well since the buyout.

We have now brought in RMB Corvest and so on. I’m going back to the UK to kick-start this global growth idea.

Except this time around I’m not going to travel once every month, which is what I did for many years. I became a loyal supporter of South African Airways – in economy class. I came across here and kick-started it directly, on the ground. I ended up acquiring a very small business. Rob Legge, he used to work with us previously and in fact, the business was a small element of our previous iteration in the UK – a small franchised, cleaning operation, which he had developed a bit. It was a bit small for us but I thought Rob and the team were great guys to back. So I took that business in 2007 from £14m in revenues to the business in the UK with £300m in revenues, employing 18,000 people.

We are a mid-sized player. We’re not a big PLC. Servest is a very credible competitor in the market place. We have won some incredible contracts, the likes of the BBC – we do their catering services throughout all their facilities in the UK. We also clean the Houses of Parliament. It’s quite a fascinating thing for a South African group to be doing these sorts of things. That was the reason for coming over. South Africa is still home, but the UK is a big market

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Houses of Parliament, London

worth around £120 billion a year, in our services facilities management space. I wanted to take some risks and let the Africa Group be run by highly competent colleagues and they’ve done an incredible job running it. I wanted to rebuild the UK Group, so in my current role as Group chairman, I work very closely with two CEOs, my co-founder Dennis Zietsman, who is still involved in the Group as deputy chairman and he still lives in SA. He’s planning to come over to the UK as well, in due course.

Alec: How big are you overall? £300 million here – your South African operation, how big is that?

Kenton: The South African business is bigger, in functional terms it employs around 25,000 permanent staff. I guess, in the year ahead, the Group’s total, including the Pound business, is probably R10bn revenue business with a total of 45,000 permanent employees.

In EBITDA terms we should do R700m or so, in the coming financial year.

Alec: Would you ever list again?

Kenton: Well, never say never, but the reality is we have significant access to capital, all forms of capital – equity capital and debt capital market – we have a bond programme market in South Africa, which is really a privately listed note. We’ve replicated that in the UK with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, one of the world’s pre-eminent semi-sovereign funds.

They’ve invested in a single note programme, a seven-year programme, so there’s significant power in the capital structure, to continue growing the Group. Quite frankly − being listed

− we don’t think so. Tradability in the stock we don’t really need. We are longterm holders as management, so it’s highly unlikely.

Alec: Tell us a bit about your background.

Kenton: I grew up in the City of Durban. I’m the youngest of three boys, who grew up in a scrap metal trading business. Destined to go into the family business and I did in fact, join after completing school – my school years at Kloof High School − in 1986. Two years of National Service – in that second year I did a part-time management diploma with Damelin. I then joined the family business in 1989, at the age of 20. It lasted three months because, I’m not sure if I was fired or if I left. I’m still trying to work it out ... but I think, in short – no, I wasn’t fired. I identified an opportunity.

I found two angel investors to back me and kicked off my waste management operation, which was really built on the back of the City of Durban privatising their seweragetank-emptying service. I saw it as an opportunity and I grabbed it with both hands and ran for it and grew that group over an eight-year period to a reasonably sized waste management operation, before selling it to a listed trade competitor, Enviroserv. I took a few months out and then started Servest.

Alec: People say, “Why have you left South Africa?”

Kenton: I haven’t left South Africa.

South Africa is very much home for us. I’ve demonstrated that by

facilities management review putting my money where my mouth is. I’ve emigrated from a Reserve Bank perspective because that just gives a South African flexibility with capital movement. But that only has to do with my business interests. I deploy a significant amount of my wealth in South Africa. I have a huge belief in it. I know the Rand is weak right now but I tend to take a long-term view. I am an optimist.

We have some issues in the country.

Let’s face facts. But we have many good and great people working hard at those issues.

Alec: Do you employ many South Africans in your UK operation?

Kenton: Interestingly, one of our senior guys is a South African and I happened to bring him across to the UK, with the previous business. Other than that, there are South Africans that operate here but not South Africans that we necessarily brought over. On the other hand, we have a couple of Brits working in our African business. Our chief operating officer is a Brit. He’s been in SA for many years. No, I think we have a pretty good access to a pool of talent here, in the UK, for people from all over.

Alec: Many South African businesses look at the UK, consider the Rand exchange rate to the Pound, and believe it’s impossible to fund a UK business from Johannesburg. Do you have to start raising funds in Britain, if you’re going to have a British business?

Kenton: I think the right thing to do is always try to match your capital structure within the country and the currency which you’re operating with, as closely as possible. Obviously, if you’re kicking-off you can’t. You need to write out some big cheques and there have simply been some big transactions of late like Brait acquiring big, hefty stakes in a couple of large UK businesses. I guess the way we did it was we deployed reasonable capital. But looking at it now, a modest amount actually, in relation to the capital structure and the size and the value, and so on of our UK business.

It’s just been, you acquire the stake, and you generate cash, use local borrowings, and grow it on that basis.

We have infused it with additional capital injections along the way because we’ve

been quite acquisitive here in the UK, so we have applied additional capital, provided from both the Group in SA and RMB Corvest, which continues to own a direct stake in the UK business. That was tactical and they have retained that stake.

Alec: It’s an incredible story, what does the future hold?

Kenton: People ask me this question often because clearly, if I wanted to sell my stake in the Group or if I wanted to sell the Group at some point in time, that would be a significant event for a lot of people who are shareholders. The reality is that you hear the term ‘serial entrepreneur’ and personally, I don’t like the term at all. Certainly, if anyone called me that, I would reject that notion.

Having said that, in fairness, we do a lot of deals within the Group, so maybe that was panned a little bit. For me it’s all longterm. This is only my second business and if I go back to my first business, waste management and from there we got involved in other services. It’s all about the focus, long-term goals, and God willing/health willing, I would love to still be doing this for decades to come.

There’s no ‘holy grail’ moment. There are ways of releasing capital along the way and taking dividends to ensure that you have the financial independence and all the things that are fairly typical for entrepreneurs, and for people to want to try to achieve. For me, Servest is a real purpose in life and I love the fact that I chose South Africa. We make a real difference. If you look at the impact we have on people’s lives in South Africa and in Africa, in particular, I’m just so passionate about the economy that I really don’t ever want to relinquish it. If you see the incoming parties/ shareholders like KTH, they’re passionate about deploying capital and working with us.

Alec: Often, we hear from South African business executives they struggle with the labour legislation.

What is your opinion on BEE and labour relations in South Africa?

Kenton: I’m by no means a socialist or anything like that, but there is fairness in life and I think that corporates have a responsibility in the markets we operate, to do the right thing. We absolutely embrace BEE in all aspects. Can we do

better? Of course, we can do a whole lot better than we’re currently doing but we’ve demonstrated by bringing in a partner who owns 51 per cent of our group, which we founded/created. We need to do more with our people within the group at senior level. We need to do even more with our supplier base, so for us this is all about embracing all of that. In terms of labour: invariably labour issues arise when people are perhaps not treated fairly. I know you do have pockets and you have different situations where the perception might be that legislation has gone overboard. It might be a bit of greed or whatever the case might be.

It’s very easy for us that have done well out of the country, to discard and not really take proper notice of people in our business. People who make it happen all day, every day. People who work 24 hours, odd hours, or weekends, making our clients happy and generating revenues. We need to do as much as we can. We have the same situation here in the UK with government in the UK recently announcing a new living wage, which is going to take our wage/salary costs up significantly over the next five years. Again, we’re engaging with our clients in that regard. I guess I have a more pragmatic view and we’re experts at managing labour.

Alec: What are you working on right now?

Kenton: Well, we are very acquisitive so at any one stage we have a number of acquisitions on the go. We concluded one a couple of weeks ago here in the UK. We also concluded one a couple of weeks ago in SA. There’s another one, which we should conclude soon in SA. Smaller, bolt-on type of acquisitions – nothing transformative in any significant way. Those are the types of things that keep us pretty involved. Otherwise, we’re growing our market share. We have quite a big focus on the public sector in the UK right now because they recently changed their framework structure and we’ve been accredited as one of the ten players under the Crown Commercial Service to bid on certain public sector contracts. So that’s a big one for us.

Visit www.biznews.com to read the full interview.

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feature air care

Streamlining odour control fragrances throughout a facility Unpleasant odours are generally associated with a lack of cleanliness and low hygiene standards, especially in washroom environments. Likewise a pleasant-smelling, deodorised facility is clearly identified as a sign of cleanliness and, most importantly, customer care. The challenge, however, is to obtain consistent control and use of fragrance units throughout a facility despite the fact that some areas are utilised more frequently.

A

lthough many facilities may discover there is not a one-sizefits-all solution for fragrances, it’s still wise to streamline products as much as possible. Using fewer scents equals fewer products on the shelf, which represents a lower cost to the facility. Also, sticking to a consistent, universal scent reduces suspicion about scents masking inadequate cleaning.

It’s best to streamline your odour control fragrances to one widely accepted fragrance. Just remember, you’ll never please everybody. Select something that complements the fragrance of the cleaning chemicals used on a daily basis. For example, if your floor cleaner contains a lemon fragrance, a citrus fragrance odour control product would probably complement it.

Despite offering several scents, Doreen Bessert, a custodial supervisor at Manitowoc County Department of Public Works, Wisconsin reduced the total number of odour control products available in her custodial closets.

Offering fewer options has simplified her purchasing duties each quarter.

“Not buying 10 different products from 10 different suppliers has really assisted in the purchasing process, which helps with the budget,” she says.

To scale back on odour control SKUs, first analyse which areas need it and then determine which types of

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products best fit each location. Today’s most popular choices seems to be light, neutral scents, such as cucumber, melon, rainforest and fresh linen. These moderate fragrances tend to appeal to both men and women.

“Different areas need different odour control methods,” Bessert says.

Typically, general office spaces don’t need odour control products. However, some facility managers like to add a background scent in public areas or entry lobbies. In these cases, an automatic aerosol dispenser with a light fragrance is a good choice.

These systems may not be enough for areas where there are occasional bursts of strong smells, such as canteens and break rooms. Some facilities choose a stronger scent that will mask temporary odours, but Bessert prefers odour absorbents.

“It’s a powder that we change out monthly,” she says. “It absorbs the strong smells of food and quickly eliminates them from the air so there is no scent.”

More potent odour control measures are necessary in washrooms and locker rooms, where absorbents aren’t strong or fast enough. In these areas, it’s a good idea to use toilet bowl hangers, which release enzymes into the water with each flush to aid in destroying odour-causing bacteria. Scented urinal screens perform a similar function in men’s washrooms.

Some facility managers like to add a background scent in public areas or entry lobbies. In these cases, an automatic aerosol dispenser with a light fragrance is a good choice.

For the room’s ambient air, install a passive air management system.

The latest non-aerosol systems that use fragrance-infused essential oils are an option.

feature air care On the other hand, premixed, premeasured aerosol systems that release the same amount of fragrance every time can be considered. Either way, stick to a single scent for all of the layers of product.

The more products you buy, the more you complicate things. Whatever odour control system you purchase, choose one that is easy to manage.

There are also some specialcase areas that may require more concentrated and heavier fragrances.

High-use washrooms in a sports stadium or industrial facility may need more dispensers to cope with the high traffic or limited airflow.

Facilities that follow these recommended guidelines and still experience odour issues may have a bigger problem on their hands.

“People don’t always look for the source of the odour, they simply try to cover it up,” Bessert says. “You need to find the source and eliminate it.”

In the washroom, bacteria-filled grout is very often the culprit. Over dispensing of a fragrance may mask the problem, but it won’t remedy it. Seek guidance from your distributor on getting to the root of the problem. If it is dirty grout, the sales professional will suggest methods and products to restore the grout and rid the floor of the odour-causing bacteria.”

Odour control products are designed to help facilities deal with temporary environmental issues, not replace cleaning efforts. Keep the facility clean, experts agree, and you’ll spend far less on fragrance sprays and gels.

Limit the amount of fragrance and ensure the washroom is clean.

A clean facility doesn’t really have an odour problem. And when you do use fragrance, make sure it isn’t overpowering.

Original article by freelance writer, Becky Mollenkamp, was previously published by Cleanlink.

advertorial Initial Hygiene

Innovative ambient-scenting technology to be launched in SA Initial Hygiene, a division of Rentokil Initial, recently announced that it would soon be able to offer a new highperformance odour neutralising system from Prolitec − the technology and market leader in commercial ambient scenting.

The system is designed specifically for commercial washrooms and other spaces with difficult to solve malodour problems.

The new hygiene system − named ‘Genie’ − is computer-controlled and derived from Prolitec’s large space ambient scenting systems, which are installed in nearly 100 000 locations in 83 countries. Prolitec is a technologyenabled air care services company that develops patented scent diffusion technologies to create perfectly scented environments.

“Genie is a game changer for hightraffic, high-pressure washrooms,”

said Robert Barnett, Prolitec’s VP of Global Sales. “It’s both efficient and cost-effective: a single Genie compact appliance can replace up to 10 traditional washroom air fresheners. Best of all, Genie is programmable to precisely match the size of the room, producing a scent effect which eliminates odours but is never overwhelming.”

Genie uses Prolitec’s patented AirQ™ technology to erase unwanted odours in much the same way as a premium headset cancels undesirable noise, Barnett explained. “Genie cancels the human perception of the bad odour and replaces it with a very pleasant, subtle scent.” It provides coverage of up to 425 cubic metres in interior spaces where ambient scenting is used for odour remediation.

As research amply illustrates, malodours can create negative impressions that undermine the

customer experience in any interior environment. For example, in a recent survey conducted by Prolitec at a casino, seven out of ten women said they felt bad odours in the washroom meant the casino’s restaurant also was not clean and five out of ten said they were unlikely to return as a result of those malodours.

By contrast, research has repeatedly shown that people in pleasantly scented environments are more likely to have positive brand associations with the products and services they encounter there. “Improved air quality in hightraffic washrooms results in a more pleasant, hygienic atmosphere and happier visitors,” said Richard Weening, Prolitec CEO. “Genie solves a difficult problem: odour issues. It is the perfect solution for high-traffic commercial washrooms and also smaller, back of house spaces,” Weening noted.

For more information visit: www.initial.co.za or www.prolitec.com

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advertorial Craison

Craison Integrated Facilities Management introduced breakthrough bio-enzyme urinal technology featuring a new BioDome© fragrance system. The super-sized urinal enzyme block now boasts an enhanced fragrance compared to most urinal mats and features longevity with ultra high compression technology.

Green cleaning technology: Bacterial cultures are uniquely cultivated from South African soils.

They metabolise urinal waste that causes odours more quickly, reproduce more quickly and last longer in drains and bottle traps.

Powerful fragrance system: Craison’s BioDome© unit contains an innovative fragrance system comparable to or even stronger than most urinal mats with unique infused technology.

Truly eliminates odours: A proprietary blend of bio-enzymes digests odour-causing bacteria and completely eliminates odours. Active ingredients de-scale and visually clean urinal surfaces while attacking and removing clogged waste compared to urinal mats that contain perfume only to mask urinal odours.

socio-economic improvement and sustainable environmental preservation.

Defining our brand: The Craison BioDome© is uniquely branded with our corporate logo and contact details for a priceless way of increasing Craison brand awareness and building our image. True to the individual Craison style, the BioDome© is also available in a spectacular high-end chrome finish.

Eco-friendly: BioDome© is environmentally friendly, biodegradable and has no PDB (paradichlorabenzene), a harmful substance used in deo blocks which was banned in most USA states in 2009.

Conventional deo blocks are known to actually cause blockages and don’t remove odours. Consider the huge carbon footprint of imported urinal products.

Waterless urinal system:

Lasts longer: BioDome© increases real value for money with industry leading total CFU bacterial count and packaged in super-sized 100g blocks. Ultra-High Compression Technology ensures BioDome© bio-enzyme blocks now last much longer than rival products.

Proudly South African: BioDome© bio-enzyme urinal blocks are manufactured in South Africa, thereby avoiding costly and fluctuating Rand/Dollar exchange rates and ever-increasing, expensive shipping charges.

Local manufacturing technology also creates jobs and assists with the trade deficit, while addressing key national priorities of

Waterless urinals are expensive, require complex plumbing, which often results in continuously leaking pipes, and their performance is questionable. Fact: floor and wall grouting around urinals contributes hugely to odours that can’t be effectively cleaned with chemicals. It requires treatment with deeppenetrating bacteria. The bio-enzyme liquid eliminates grouting odours and when utilised for floor care, the effluent water following mopping is poured into urinals, enabling the clean water supply to be turned off for massive cost saving. BioDome© is fitted in seconds and doesn’t alter plumbing. This two-punch combination is simply the ultimate bathroom odour elimination system.

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

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African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

new products Hygienic pipe brush for food and beverage sector In order to assist food and beverage producers to maintain the highest hygiene standards, Vikan has developed a new 90-mm diameter One-Piece Pipe Brush. The new brush features a handle and head moulded from a single section of high-quality polypropylene – a design innovation that helps users to reduce the risk of food safety issues. On the brush head, differentiated filament thicknesses improve cleaning efficacy, with firmer filaments at the tip of the head tackling dirt aggressively on first contact.

The One-Piece Pipe Brush is ideal for a wide range of food and beverage industry equipment, including meat mincers, wine industry tank outlets, other equipment with straight pipes, and any item where a rounded brush head can benefit cleaning.

Product features: • Hygienic one-piece construction • Firmer filaments at the tip of the brush head

• Optimised 90-mm head diameter • Easy-to-clean, hygienically designed hanging hole • Fully colour-coded for cleaning tool segregation • Fits all Vikan wall brackets “Food and water can become trapped in cleaning tool joints on traditional pipe brushes. When this happens, it can lead to microbial growth and the potential for cross-contamination. By eliminating this connection point via one-piece construction, we’ve eliminated a potential source of contaminant build-up both around the joint and within the brush head. The new brush also delivers improved cleaning efficacy, mainly due to firmer filaments at the end of the brush head, where most of the cleaning takes place,” says Deb Smith, Vikan’s Global Hygiene Specialist.

The One-Piece Pipe Brush will replace Vikan’s previous 90-mm diameter pipe brush and is now available in green, blue, red, white, yellow and black.

Vikan develops, manufactures and markets professional cleaning equipment and systems that deliver high standards of hygiene together with great product choice and value for money.

For more information visit: www.vikan.com

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new products New purifier fan technology launched in South Africa Dyson recently launched new purifier fan technology, which is said to remove 99.95 percent of potentially harmful ultrafine pollutant particles, as small as PM0.1, from the air.

Air purifiers can help to capture pollution, bacteria and viruses, as well as pollen, allergens and odours. However, some existing purifiers are inefficient, forcing air through their filters, allowing potentially harmful, ultrafine particles to escape back into the room.

The Dyson Pure Cool™ purifier fan uses a Dyson 360° Glass HEPA filter. This technology captures particles as small as PM0.1 – trapping them in the filter, and projecting cleaner, purified air around the room evenly and quietly.

“There is more to air than meets the eye. Dyson engineers focused on capturing ultrafine particles as small as 0.1 microns. The Dyson unique 360° Glass HEPA filter is made of 1.1 square metres of constructed borosilicate microfibres, pleated 254 times; it means it can capture 99.95 percent of particles,” says James Dyson.

Using powerful Air Multiplier™ technology and an energy-efficient DC motor, the Dyson Pure Cool™ purifier fan draws in air via a mixed flow impeller. The air is passed through a 360° Glass HEPA filter, before cleaner air is passed through the amplifier loop at a high velocity and directed over an airfoil-shaped ramp. This way, a long-range stream of smooth air is released, purifying the air you breathe.

For more information visit: www.dyson.co.uk

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new products Washrooms as smart as the rest of your building Kimberly-Clark Professional* is harnessing the machine-to-machine connectivity of the Internet of Things to introduce a smart washroom management system called Onvation Technology.

The system provides up-to-the-minute monitoring of washroom conditions from any device or location, 24 hours a day.

“Buildings today are smarter than ever with sensors and software managing everything from lighting and security to HVAC systems and more,” said Terry Sanchez, Marketing and Sales leader, Kimberly-Clark Professional*, North America. “However, the washroom, which is one of the top three areas of tenant complaints, has been largely overlooked − until now.”

problems before they become complaints. It can assist to: • Cut costs and expenses • Reduce waste and boost sustainability • Optimise labour • Enhance tenant satisfaction In addition to signaling whether dispensers are empty or full, Onvation Technology provides actionable data; analytics and insights that can help building managers better manage their businesses by gaining control of the washroom.

360° Virtual reality experience It was introduced at the ISSA/Interclean North America 2016 exhibition, via a 360° virtual reality experience through reality goggles where visitors were able to experience Onvation Technology first-hand.

The Onvation difference Onvation Technology is a patentprotected system that delivers realtime data and alerts enabling building managers to identify and fix washroom

• R eal-time data is sent to the cloud over a secure network.

• Automatic text messages alert building managers to product and battery levels, usage, jams and overall traffic.

• Remote confirmation is delivered when an issue has been resolved.

The system enables building managers to reallocate resources to enhance productivity. “Rather than treating all washrooms equally, managers can assign staff to the areas that actually need service,” Sanchez said.

The system can also be used to make informed decisions about budgeting, planning and scheduling, so building managers can be proactive rather than reactive.

How it works: • C onnected sensors are embedded into proprietary towel, tissue, soap dispensers and door counters.

For more information about Onvation Technology visit: www.kcprofessional.com/onvation

people and events Prime celebrates anniversary and new cleaning academy

Prime Cleaning Suppliers, a leading supplier of cleaning chemicals, equipment and paper products celebrated the company’s 20th anniversary on 14 September 2016 and also officially opened the Prime Wetrok cleaning academy that adjoins their current premises in Cape Town. Wetrok CEO Thomas Kyburz attended the function and is pictured here (left) presenting Prime Cleaning Suppliers MD Trevor Longmore with a traditional inscribed Swiss brass cowbell, which according to Swiss folklore depicts leadership, protection and prosperity. Wetrok’s head office is located in Zurich and the company is renowned for Swiss quality floor care equipment and products, which Wetrok distributes to more than 40 countries around the world.

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people and events Numatic golf day – a charitable event The annual Numatic golf day took place at Randpark Golf Club on 14 October. This year’s event theme was ‘50 Shades of Green’ where golfers donned lime green shirts. Importantly, the golf day for Numatic distributors and clients raised funds for a notable cause by means of a raffle, a hilarious game at the Numatic wet hole and a competition to outdo the Randpark Golf Club Pro lady golfer. According to Numatic’s Janine Botha a total amount of R9 400 was raised for the Midrand SPCA on the day.

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African Cleaning Review November/December 2016

r Absorbents – Oil/Chemicals r Access Equipment/Ladders r Air Cleaning Equipment/Air Duct Cleaning r Air Filters r Air Fresheners r Air Purifiers r Anti-Stain Treatments r Aprons – Cloth/Disposable/Plastic r Baby Changing Stations r Bactericides r Barrier Creams & Cleaners r Biological & Enzyme Products r Bird Repellent r Bleaches r Blind Cleaning Equipment r Buckets/Wringers r Caps & Hats r Carpet Cleaners r Carpet Cleaning Systems r Carpet Detergents r Car Valet Products/Services r Car/Truck Wash Systems r Catering Equipment Cleaning r Catering Hygiene Products r Ceiling & Wall Cleaning Equipment r Chemical Dilution & Dispensing Systems r Chemical Raw Materials r Chewing Gum Removal r Cleaning Agents/Chemicals r Cleaning Equipment/Cleaning Equipment Hire r Cleaning Services/Specialists r Cloths & Dusters r Compactors/Compactor Bags & Tubing r Computer & Cleanroom Cleaning r Curtain Cleaning r Customised Cleaning Solutions r Descalers & Degreasers r Detergents r Dishwashers r Dishwasher Dispensing Equipment r Disinfectants & Sanitisers r Dispensers r Dosing Equipment r Drain & Grease-Trap Maintenance r Drain Cleaning Chemicals r Drain Cleaning Equipment r Dryers – Tumble/Clothes r Dry Ice Cleaning Equipment & Services r Duct Cleaning r Dust Control &/or Logo Mats r Dust/Litter Bins r Dustpans & Dusters r Escalator Cleaners r Fabric Softeners r Facade Cleaners r Facial Tissue r Facilities Management r Floor Pads r Floor Polishers r Floor Scarifiers r Fragrance Units r Glass Cleaning Chemicals r Glass & Aluminium Restoration r Glass Washers r Gloves – Disposable/ Plastic/Rubber/Latex r Graffiti Removal Products r Green Cleaning/Products r Guest Amenities/Hospitality r HACCP Cleaning Specialists r Hand Cleansers & Protectors r Hand Dryers (Air) r Hard Floor Treatments r Hazard Material – Disposal/Control/ Emergency Spill Response/Clean-up r High Pressure Cleaners r Housekeeping – Carts r Humidifiers r Hygiene Audits r Hygiene &/or Cleaning Consultants r Hygiene Brushware r Hygiene Services r Industrial Chemicals r Industrial Cleaning Systems r Industrial Laundry Equipment/Dispensers r Insect Killing & Pest Control Equipment/Repellent

r Irons – Steam/Automatic r Laundry Bags/Bins r Laundry Design & Layout Consultants r Laundry & Dry Clean Consumables r Laundry Extractors/Technologies r Laundry Services r Laundry Suppliers r Liners – Dustbins r Lubricants r Maintenance Management Services r Matting r Microbiological Testing r Microfibre Products r Mopping & Flat Mopping Systems r Mops – Dish/Floor r Nappy & Incontinence Waste Disposal r Non-Electric Proportional Liquid Dispensers r Odour Control Services r On-Premise Laundry Systems r Paper & Wipes (Disposable) r Paper Towel Dispensers r Parts & Accessories – Floorcare & Laundry Equipment r Pest Control Services r Pesticides r Polishes r Presses – Trousers/Coats r Protective Clothing/Workwear r Public Safety & Signage r Refuse Disposal Equipment, Vehicles & Systems r Road Sweepers/Vacuum Trucks r Rust Removers r Sanitary Bins r Sanitary Bin Services r Sanitary Disposal r Scourers – Floor r Scrubber Dryers/Sweepers r Shoe Cleaning Equipment/ Supplies r Single Disc Floor Maintenance Machines r Soaps & Soap Dispensers r Solvents & Strippers r Speciality Own-Label Products r Sponge Wipes r Spray Extraction Cleaners r Squeegees, Brooms & Brushes r Steamers – Clothing r Steam Cleaners r Sterilisers r Surface Cleaning Pads & Cloths r Sweepers (Manual/Ride-On) r Telephone Cleaning r Terrazzo Floor Cleaning r Textile Testing r Time Attendance Management r Toilet Cleaners r Toiletries r Toilet Seat Sanitisers r Toilet Tissue r Towels/Disposable Towels r Training & Education – Development/ Recruitment/HACCP r Training Materials, Books, Software, Reports, Videos r Trolley Systems r Upholstery Cleaning r Urinal Dosing Systems r Urinal Gel Block/Pads r Vacuum Cleaners – Wet/Dry r Ventilators & Ventilation Systems, Kitchen Extraction Systems – Cleaning r Washing Machines r Washroom Accessories r Waste Disposal Systems r Waste Environmental Management r Watercoolers r Waterless Urinals/Toilets r Water Treatment Systems r Window Cleaning r Window Cleaning Equipment r Woven & Non-Woven Wipes r Other (Please specify): _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________

! any p om t c w! lis n o or s Reminder d a il en det Am

10 MAIN ENTRIES ONLY

PROMOTING PROFESSIONAL HYGIENE AND CLEANING

Buyer’s Guide

2017

Harness the power of this comprehensive reference manual containing products and services available within the cleaning and related industries.

Ensure that your company is listed in the next Buyer’s Guide – the only reference tool for companies and individuals requiring information about hygiene, cleaning, maintenance, pest control, laundry, dry cleaning and facility management services.

EMAIL TO: africancleaningreview@cleantex.co.za in order to secure your free copy entry in the African Cleaning Review 2017 Buyer’s Guide edition.

DEADLINE: No entries can be accepted after 7 December 2016 Please complete the form in BLOCK LETTERS Company name: ...................................................................................................

Head office address:............................................................................................. ..............................................................................................................................

Postal address: PO Box.........................................................................................

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Email: ...................................................................................................................

Website: ...............................................................................................................

Tel: ........................................................ Fax:........................................................

Twitter/FB/Other:.................................... .............................................................

Major Activity of company (e.g. chemicals, cleaning equipment, cleaning service, laundry equipment, insecticides): ......................................................... ............................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................

Brand/s Represented:..........................................................................................

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NB: Product Entries Tick in the appropriate block/s for services, products and equipment manufactured or distributed by your company. Please tick no more than 10 main products/services as additional entries can not be guaranteed.

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Gallagher Convention Centre • Midrand • Johannesburg • South Africa An ever increasing demand to meet international standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the workplace, linked with the constant need to upgrade cleaning systems across numerous industries is set to draw visitors from multiple industry sectors to further streamline their cleaning and hygiene processes.

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12 JUNE 2017

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14 JUNE 2017 An African perspective on professional cleaning and hygiene

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