June/July 2018

The pan-European magazine for the professional cleaning sector

JUNE/JULY 2018

SPECIAL REPORT

TECHNOLOGY

CASE STUDY

European Cleaning & Hygiene Award winners Starts page 14

Hygiene in food preparation

Better sales operations

Award winning Tokyo Airport

Page 35

Page 61

Page 32

12,484 visitors

0 empty dispensers

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Tork, an Essity brand

CONTENTS

June/July 2018 | Vol.26, No.3

BUSINESS

SPECIAL REPORTS

51 Brexit drives away workers

25 Dosing - still necessary?

Skilled European workers have been leaving the UK in droves due to Brexit, says Hartley Milner.

As chemicals become safer, do we still need dosing systems?

32 How to be the world’s best A case study from Tokyo’s Haneda airport, voted the world’s cleanest.

35 Food for thought Why it is vital that kitchen and food prep areas are properly cleaned.

03 News

42 Interclean Amsterdam review A look back at the new products launched at Europe’s biggest exhibition.

14 ECH Award winners for 2017

53 Safer window cleaning How is the latest equipment making a hazardous job safer?

20 European reports

57 Staying ahead of the rag trade How can wipes producers convince industrial customers to ditch rags?

64 Product review

61 A more modern approach A report on the concerns of supply chain companies has interesting findings.

Criterion Publishing Ltd PO Box 299, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 1FP UK T +44 (0)1494 791222 F +44 (0)1494 792223 info@europeancleaningjournal.com www. europeancleaningjournal.com Subscriptions UK - £60 / Continental Europe - £70 / International - £80

Editor Michelle Marshall Features Writer Ann Laffeaty Advertisement director Chris Godman Advertisement sales executive Yankita Rae

Circulation Marie Payne

Italy, Spain & Switzerland Fabio Potesta Mediapoint & Communications Corte Lambruschini, Corso Buenos Aires, 8 V0 Piano, Interno 7 16129 Genova, Italy T +39 010 570 4948 F +39 010 553 0088 info@mediapointsrl.it www. mediapointsrl.it

European Cleaning Journal is published six times a year by Criterion Publishing Ltd. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in European Cleaning, Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Copyright for all material published in European Cleaning remains with Criterion Publishing Ltd and its agents.

ISSN 0968-901X ©Criterion Publishing 2018

NEWS & EVENTS

Latest News & Events from ECJ

Kärcher’s KIRA B50 wins Amsterdam Innovation Award 2018

The winner of the 2018 Amsterdam Innovation Award - announced on the opening day of Interclean Amsterdam in May - is the KIRA B50 autonomous floor cleaning machine from Kärcher.

The jury said this first robotic machine from Kärcher represents a significant step forward in the technology for the cleaning sector and overcomes some of the difficulties and limitations associated with similar machines already available.

Size and design is what make this machine much more attractive to a wider range of applications. So far, robotic scrubber dryers have been most suitable for extremely large areas - the KIRA B50 is suitable for areas under 1,000 square metres.

Also the fact that KIRA B50 can take itself to a docking station to charge the battery as well as fill and empty tanks, means that the level of human intervention is minimal - and that is what true autonomous cleaning is.

Michelle Marshall, chairman of the jury and editor of ECJ said: “The jury was extremely impressed with this, Kärcher’s first autonomous cleaning

machine. We feel the company is making real progress in bringing robotics to the professional cleaning sector in a more realistic and viable way.

“We look forward to seeing how Kärcher now takes this technology forward in other machines and applications.”

The KIRA B50 was winner in the Machines, Accessories and Components category.

Other category winners were: Powr-Mop Lite from SYR in Equipment/Tools for Cleaning, Care and Safety; Vermop’s SystemONE in E-Cleaning; and the Tork Paper Circle from Essity in Management, Training Solutions and Related Products.

The winner of the Visitor’s Choice Award 2018, which was voted for online by Interclean Amsterdam visitors, was Tork Paper Circle from Essity.

The jury was made up of ECJ’s Michelle Marshall, Pierre Deschamps of Batiment Entretien, Dick van Zomeren of Service Management, Sanitary Maintenance’s Rob Geissler, industry expert Ton van der Riet, Reinhard Knittler from ReinigungsMarkt, industry expert Cor van der Velden, and Antonio Borreda from Revista Limpiezas.

Le gagnant du Prix de l’Innovation Amsterdam 2018, qui a été annoncé le premier jour du salon Interclean d’Amsterdam, est la KIRA B50, la nouvelle machine autonome de nettoyage de planchers proposée par Kärcher.

The closing date for the 2018 European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards is fast approaching.

Hosted by ECJ, these are the only pan-European awards for the industry. Entries must be submitted by July 20.

The 2018 winners will be announced in Berlin on November 15. Keep up to date with latest news at www.echawards.com

EVENTS September 27-30

March 19-21 2019

FIDEN Congress 2018

The Cleaning Show

Venice, Italy www.fiden.org

London, UK cleaningshow.co.uk

October 5-6

April 10-12 2019

Budapest Cleaning Show

Interclean Istanbul

Budapest, Hungary budapestcleaningshow.hu/en/

Istanbul, Turkey www.intercleanshow.com

October 10-11

April 16-18 2019

Forum Pulire

Europropre

Milan, Italy www.afidampservizi.com

Paris, France www.europropre.com

October 16-18

May 21-23 2019

Chistodrom

Pulire

Moscow, Russia en.chistodrom.com

Verona, Italy www.pulire-it.com

October 29-November 1

September 24-27 2019

ISSA North America

CMS

Dallas, USA www.issa.com

Berlin, Germany www.cms-berlin.com

November 15

November 18-21 2019

European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards

ISSA North America

Berlin, Germany www.echawards.com

Las Vegas, USA www.issa.com

To have your event included in Events, contact ECJ via email at: michelle@europeancleaningjournal.com

Der Gewinner des Amsterdam Innovation Award 2018, der am Eröffnungstag der Interclean Amsterdam bekanntgegeben wurde, ist die autonome Bodenreinigungsmaschine KIRA B50 von Kärcher.

Il prodotto vincitore del riconoscimento 2018 Amsterdam Innovation Award – annunciato il giorno di apertura della Interclean Amsterdam – è la macchina lavapavimenti autonoma KIRA B50 prodotta dalla Kärcher.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 3

NEWS Health boss labels hospital hygiene audit results as ‘pretty scary’

Concerns have been raised over poor hand hygiene in some of the UK’s acute hospitals which could be contributing to an increase in infections.

Five wards across the Oxford University Hospitals NHS

Foundation Trust scored poorly in a recent hand hygiene audit.

The trust has also recorded a total of 72 cases of Clostridium difficile infections over the past year - 19 more than the previous year and three above the limit

Au Royaume-Uni, des préoccupations ont été exprimées sur la piètre hygiène des mains qui est pratiquée dans certains hôpitaux spécialisés et sur le risque d’infection qui pourrait s’ensuivre. 647

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 4

set by Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

Members of the Oxford University Hospitals board have expressed fears that the results could indicate a much wider problem.

“It always strikes me that hand hygiene is pretty basic and fundamental, especially at a hospital,” said OUH nonexecutive director Geoffrey Salt.

“It looks pretty scary.”

The Trust - which runs the John Radcliffe Hospital and the Churchill Hospitals - recently held a series of events to focus on the importance of hand hygiene.

Speaking at the meeting OUH medical director Dr Tony Berendt said he was “disappointed”

In einigen britischen Akutkrankenhäusern wurden Bedenken über mangelnde Handhygiene, die möglicherweise zu einer Zunahme der Infektionen beitragen könnte, geäußert.

with the number of C.difficile cases and admitted that work was needed to improve hand hygiene throughout the Trust.

And he added that it was often the World Health Organisation’s fifth “moment of hand hygiene” where healthcare workers failed to follow hygiene guidelines.

“The problem occurs when you’re in and around the immediate patient environment and you don’t decontaminate, touching the bed or the table next to the bed that the patient has been handling,” he said.

Members agreed that there was a need to focus on good hand hygiene as an important step in minimising infection rates.

Sono state espresse preoccupazioni a riguardo della scarsissima igiene delle mani in alcuni degli ospedali per acuti nel Regno Unito che potrebbe contribuire a un aumento delle infezioni.

NEWS UK wipes ban?

Atalian and Servest merge in global strategy International facilities management providers Atalian and Servest have merged to form Atalian Servest, now one of the world’s largest FM outsourcing companies.

The new organisation has a turnover of €3 billion, employs more than 125,000 people worldwide and operates in 33 countries across four continents. The merger follows the formation of a joint venture between the two in 2016.

Servest is headquartered and operates in the UK while Atalian has its headquarters in France and operates in Europe, the US, south-east Asia and Africa. They offer a full range of facilities services including cleaning,

catering, security, building services, energy management and compliance, front of house, landscaping, waste management and pest control to clients in the private and public sectors.

Through its partnership with global ICT services specialist Getronics Atalian Servest will also focus on developing its technology-led workspace solutions including tools focused on workspace management, managed cloud, unified communications and applications. This will enable the company to operate in the workplace technology market and provide a FM and mobile technology offering.

“Our two organisations are very

• Les prestataires internationaux de facility management Atalian et Servest ont fusionné pour former Atalian Servest, devenue ainsi l’une des plus grandes entreprises d’externalisation de multi-services.

• Les lingettes humides pourraient être interdites au RoyaumeUni dans la foulée de l’examen par le gouvernement du problème des déchets en matière plastique.

complementary with like-minded business approaches based on an entrepreneurial strategy where organic and acquisitive growth are of equal importance,” said Matthieu de Baynast, group ceo at Atalian. “The merger will enable businesses to have more choice when looking for a global FM partner.”

Rob Legge, chairman UK and USA at Servest, added: “At a time when the Brexit deal is creating headlines about the UK’s exit from Europe, this is a genuine story of UK and European harmony and collaboration.

Many of our multinational or global clients are looking for a more standardised service delivery across geographies.”

• Die internationalen Facility Management-Anbieter Atalian und Servest haben unter dem Namen Atalian Servest fusioniert, und es ist jetzt eines der weltweit größten FM-OutsourcingUnternehmen.

• In Großbritannien könnten Feuchttücher verboten werden, während die dortige Regierung das Problem des Plastikabfalls angeht.

Wet wipes could be outlawed in the UK as the government plans to address the issue of plastic waste.

Single-use wet wipes, commonly used by consumers for cleaning sticky fingers and removing eye make-up, are said to be behind 93 per cent of blockages in the country’s sewers. The government claims its plan to eliminate plastic waste “includes single-use products like wet wipes”.

The UK’s Department of the Environment (Defra) is working with industry to support the development of alternatives. Global sales of wet wipes are forecast to reach $20 billion by 2021.

• I fornitori di facilities management internazionali Atalian e Servest hanno fatto una fusione per creare la Atalian Servest, una delle maggiori imprese mondiali di FM. • Nel Regno Unito le salviettine umidificate potrebbero essere bandite mentre il governo affronta il problema dei rifiuti plastici.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 5

EUROPEAN CLEANING & HYGIENE AWARDS 2018 European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards - entries close on July 20 Will they be calling out your name at this year’s European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards, set to take place in Berlin on November 15? The closing date is fast approaching so submit your entries by July 20.

The European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards is the first panEuropean awards programme for the cleaning sector and was launched by European Cleaning Journal (ECJ). The awards celebrate excellence across all parts of the sector and are now in their third year.

The professional cleaning sector employs millions of people across Europe and plays an essential role in health, wellbeing, image and perception.

Amongst this workforce are examples of innovation, excellence and leadership worth celebrating, and these awards are the best way to show your colleagues, customers and stakeholders that you are an industry-leading company.

Success stories The European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards recognise individual success stories, outstanding team efforts and novel approaches towards raising the standards within the professional cleaning industry across Europe.

Submissions are welcomed from building service contractors, distributors, facilities managers, manufacturers and individuals.

There are 11 categories designed to recognise success and reward excellence in the cleaning and hygiene sectors.

They are: • Best Use of Smart Technological Solutions by Service Providers • Commitment to and Investment in Training.

Sponsored by Greenspeed • Excellence in Client and Contractor Partnerships.

Sponsored by Igefa

• Distributors - Excellence in Added Value Initiatives.

Sponsored by Lucart • Sustainability - Best Practice.

Sponsored by Werner & Mertz • Workforce - Commitment to Diversity • Initiative Raising the Profile of the Professional Cleaning Sector • Technological Innovation of the Year • Leader of the Year.

Sponsored by Truvox Int’l • Rising Star Award • Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sponsored by Ceris Burns Int’l

Easy entry on website Other sponsors are RAI Amsterdam, Kenter, Clean Machines 24 and Vectair Systems. The silver sponsor is Lucart.

Media partners are Tomorrow’s Cleaning in the UK, GSA in Italy, Services in France and Reinigungs Markt in Germany The entry form and further information can be found on the Award website: www. echawards.com and entries should be submitted by July 20.

The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the five-

La date limite pour l’inscription aux Prix européens de propreté et d’hygiène 2018 approche rapidement. Des entreprises de tous types actives dans le secteur de la propreté sont conviées au programme ECJ, dont les gagnants seront annoncés en novembre à Berlin.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 6

star Hotel Palace Berlin on November 15.

Michelle Marshall, editor of ECJ said: “The European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards are now in their third year, and they are ever increasingly sought after.

We’re delighted to be taking the awards to Berlin this year for what we’re sure will be another fantastic event. The awards are open to businesses from across Europe so if you think you can demonstrate excellence in any of the categories, we’d encourage you to enter.”

Discussing what makes an entry award winning Marshall explains: “Firstly, choose wisely; think about your strengths and achievements that you are most proud of and match that with the categories that best fit. Give yourself enough time to gather all the evidence you need to help the judges understand why your

Die Nominierungsfrist für die European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2018 rückt schnell näher. Unternehmen aller Arten, die in der Reinigungsbranche tätig sind, sind zur Teilnahme am ECJ-Programm eingeladen, dessen Gewinner im November in Berlin bekanntgegeben werden.

entry should be shortlisted.

“Remember to keep it simple and focused,” she adds. “If the project is too big, consider splitting it up so that your entry can do it justice. Ensure you have sufficient supporting evidence to make it count. Facts, statistics and testimonials are key.”

Tips for your entry And to help you with your entry, there’s even a Hot Tips booklet that can be downloaded from the website.

For full details and to download an entry form visit www.echawards. com. Or email: awards@ europeancleaningjournal.com You can also follow the awards on Twitter @ECH_Awards and #ECHAwards18.

•The website and entry forms are available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

• La data della scadenza per le iscrizioni al 2018 European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards si sta rapidamente avvicinando.

Le attività di tutti i generi che operano nel settore delle pulizie professionali sono invitate a prendere parte al programma di ECJ. I vincitori verranno annunciati a novembre a Berlino.

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NEWS Forum Pulire October summit in Milan has four themes The 2018 Forum Pulire, organised by Italian cleaning trade association Afidamp in partnership with ISSA, will take place from October 10-11 in Milan, Italy.

The theme for this year: Ethics and Environment, Health and Prevention, Beauty, Innovation and Technology. Integrate and Compare Different Experiences to Build a New Model of Social Inspiration Together.

“We thought about four themes of the present to shape happiness in the future” said Toni D’Andrea, ceo Afidamp Servizi who added: “The event was born with the desire to be a container of knowledge on issues of great relevance from which all the players in

the supply chain can benefit effectively, from the world of producers and distributors to users and end customers”.

Natural resources The programme will open on Wednesday October 10 with the workshop Ethics and Environment. The discussion will be on how the extreme exploitation of natural resources

Le Forum Pulire 2018, organisé par l’organisation italienne de la propreté Afidamp en collaboration avec ISSA, aura lieu les 10 et 11 octobre à Milan.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 8

is not just dangerous for the delicate balance of ecosystems on a local and global scale, but it also requires urgent, collective action.

The afternoon workshop on Health and Prevention will deal with ageing society, demographic increase and the return of old-fashioned illnesses considered eradicated until not so long ago. Starting from the assumption that health is an essential right for individuals and society and that prevention means putting conscious, effective practices into place that help in protecting us from diseases we will identify new methods and new tools required by the health care system.

On the second day the opening

Das Forum Pulire 2018, vom italienischen Fachverband der Vertragsreinigungsbranche Afidamp in Partnerschaft mit ISSA organisiert, wird vom 10. bis 11. Oktober in Mailand stattfinden.

theme will be Beauty - an opportunity to consider how to share it so that our wealth and its value will inspire us in looking for and building new forms of beauty; this is what we will bequeath to future generation.

The final session will tackle Innovation and Technology. This will be a look at how innovation does not just have to do with our devices, and today’s new technologies will increase our understanding of what is happening and will help us rethink many of our actions and many of our behaviours.

Forum Pulire takes place at the Unicredit Pavilion in Milan from October 10-11. For details: www.forumpulire.it

Il Forum Pulire 2018, organizzato dall’associazione italiana del settore delle pulizie professionali Afidamp in collaborazione con ISSA, si terrà dal 10 all’11 di ottobre a Milano.

NEWS Grasp Sense could help improve hospital hygiene Improving hygiene in healthcare could be a by-product of a new system that has been developed specifically for use in the robotics industry.

Grasp Sense is designed to teach robots how to grasp and hold objects without crushing them. But its developers claim the technology could also be used in hospitals to reveal the most frequently-touched surfaces in a bid to improve cleaning outcomes.

“Robots need to know exactly the object’s three-dimensional structure, material and weight distribution,” said Grasp Sense developer Jukka Häkkinen from the University of Helsinki.

“Humans have the ability of intuitive grasp. Our goal is to transfer human skills to robots.”

Grasping and touching objects has until now posed a significant challenge in robot development and has prohibited the use of robots in areas such as logistics and healthcare. With the aid of thermal and depth cameras, however, Grasp Sense can be used to measure the heat

• Un nouveau système mis au point pour son usage par l’industrie robotique pourrait avoir des retombées positives au niveau de l’hygiène des établissements de santé.

• Pour la sixième année d’affilée, le prestataire de multiservices ISS a obtenu la notation maximum sur la liste mondiale de l’IAOP des 100 premières entreprises de l’externalisation.

signature left behind on the surface of objects as a result of human touch.

According to Häkkinen, this technology could be used to create models for hospital hygiene via cameras installed on hospital ceilings. These thermal cameras would expose the most touch-intensive surfaces which in turn would make it easier for staff to keep them clean.

And Grasp Sense technology could also be adapted in the future to design products that are comfortable and ergonomic to hold.

• Die Verbesserung der Hygiene im Gesundheitswesen könnte ein Nebenprodukt eines neuen Systems sein, das speziell für den Einsatz in der Robotikbranche entwickelt wurde.

• Im sechsten Jahr in Folge hat das globale FacilityManagement-Unternehmen ISS die bestmögliche Bewertung in der Liste der IAOP Global Outsourcing Top 100 erzielt.

Superstar ISS For the sixth year in a row, global facility services company ISS has achieved the highest possible rating on the IAOP Global Outsourcing Top 100 list.

Every year, the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) releases a ranking of global outsourcing companies across all industries.

Once again ISS received five stars and achieved the status of Super Star of the Global Outsourcing 100 - recognising the company has consistently ranked in the top for more than five years and attained a star in each category.

Its score was 7.33 out of eight, compared with the 4.81 average.

• Il miglioramento dell’igiene nell’ambito dei servizi sanitari potrebbe essere un effetto collaterale di un nuovo sistema che è stato sviluppato specificatamente per essere utilizzato nel settore della robotica.

• Per il sesto anno consecutivo, l’impresa mondiale di facility management ISS ha ottenuto la posizione più alta nella lista IAOP Global Outsourcing Top 100.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 9

See you in Amsterdam 12-15 May 2020

Visit Interclean Istanbul on 10-12 April 2019

NEWS ‘Electronic bidding prevents businesses from winning contracts’ In Spain, the contract cleaning association Aspel has claimed that the use of electronic bidding by national airport operator AENA to obtain new contracts is preventing top businesses from tendering for contracts in Spanish airports.

President Juan Díez de los Ríos says this form of negotiating contracts goes against EU directives and contravenes the Public Sector Contracts Act. He said: “AENA is ignoring recommendations from Brussels and the limits they have put in place on this type of bidding.”

It is estimated AENA has managed to reduce its supplier costs by 20 per cent thanks to electronic bidding, a procedure whose main objective, according

to the president of Aspel “is to reduce the price as much as possible, therefore leading to there being fewer businesses participating in the majority of bidding opportunities”.

Fewer bidders Díez de los Ríos stressed that “electronic bidding has reduced the number of bidders to a minimum, and that is proof the prices are not attractive enough”.

He added: “In the latest round of bidding, only two or three businesses took part, and a few of the invitations to tender did not result in any contract, as in the case of the Gran Canaria and Lanzarote airports. Where there used to be eight or 10 businesses there is now one, or even none.”

Brain to work with Tennant Brain Corp, a US-based AI company specialising in the development of self-driving technology for robots, has established a relationship with cleaning solutions specialist Tennant Company through its North American headquarters.

Brain’s proprietary AI robotic technology software platform, BrainOS, automates commercial equipment, including floor care machines. This means Tennant will introduce autonomous cleaning machines, initially to its customers in North America and then in global markets.

The first Tennant product powered by the BrainOS AI robotic technology will be its T7 Micro-Rider scrubber dryer.

“By incorporating Brain’s operating system into our commercial cleaning line of products, we can offer the advanced technology and innovation that customers value in Tennant products,” commented Chris

Killingstad, president and ceo of Tennant Company.

BrainOS is the foundation of Brain’s platform technology. It is a proprietary operating system that integrates with off-theshelf hardware and sensors to provide a cost-effective ‘brain’ for robots. It plays the same role as Android OS plays for smartphones, but also includes computer vision and AI libraries that provide advanced selfdriving capabilities for cluttered and dynamic indoor and outdoor environments.

To read every edition of ECJ on your mobile device, download the new ECJ app now at the App Store. Available for iOS or Android

• L’association espagnole de la propreté ASPEL affirme que l’emploi de la soumission électronique a empêché des entreprises de soumissionner pour des contrats aux aéroports.

• L’association professionnelle de la propreté ISSA et l’organe professionnel italien Afidamp FAB ont conclu un partenariat devant leur permettre à chacun de mettre en œuvre leur stratégie d’expansion internationale.

• Brain Corp, un spécialiste américain de la robotique, a établi une relation d’affaires avec Tennant Company, spécialiste des équipements de propreté.

ISSA and Afidamp are partners Cleaning industry association ISSA and Italian trade body Afidamp FAB have formed a partnership designed to enable both to implement their international expansion strategy.

Under the joint project ISSA and Afidamp will co-own the existing Pulire family of events, both exhibitions and educational events. They have also announced their intention to develop new options across the worldwide cleaning industry.

“ISSA’s goal is to increasingly help our members where they need it, globally, with an expanded set of go-to-market options,” said ISSA executive director John Barrett.

“Afidamp FAB’s existing network of Pulire exhibitions and executive forum events on multiple continents complement ISSA’s growing initiatives and events in complementary countries.” As part of the agreement, all ISSA members will receive a discount to exhibit

• Laut dem spanischen Vertragsreinigungsverband ASPEL hindert der Einsatz von elektronischen Ausschreibungen Firmen daran, Angebote für Verträge auf Flughäfen abzugeben.

• Der Verband der Reinigungsbranche ISSA und der Verband italienischer Reinigungsgerätehersteller Afidamp FAB sind eine Partnerschaft eingegangen, die beiden die Umsetzung ihrer internationalen Expansionsstrategien ermöglichen soll.

• In den USA hat Brain Corp, Spezialist für Robotertechnik, eine Geschäftsbeziehung mit der auf Reinigungslösungen spezialisierten Tennant Company gestartet.

at the Pulire Verona exhibition in May 2019 and all Afidamp FAB members will become members of ISSA. The partnership also plans to develop new projects, such as an expanded series of forum executive summits on multiple continents. The first of the expanded forum events will take place later this year, the Pulire America Forum, in Brazil from August 9-10, produced with local partner FACOP (Fundação de Asseio e Conservação do Estado do Paraná).

Also under development is a new industry education and certification offering specifically for the Italian market.

Afidamp executive director Toni d’Andrea said: “Our goal is to open a dialogue among countries to coordinate actions, share experiences, and strengthen the importance of cleaning as an absolute social value. Afidamp and ISSA working together will further this mission.”

• L’associazione spagnola degli appalti di pulizia ASPEL afferma che l’utilizzo delle offerte elettroniche non permette alle imprese di presentare le loro offerte negli aeroporti.

• L’associazione italiana del settore delle pulizie professionali ISSA e l’associazione di categoria italiana Afidamp FAB hanno formato una partnership creata per permettere ad entrambe le associazioni di metter in atto la loro strategia di espansione internazionale.

• Negli Stati Uniti d’America, l’azienda specializzata nella tecnologia robotica Brain Corp ha stabilito una collaborazione con l’azienda specializzata in soluzioni di pulizia Tennant Company.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 11

NEWS EXTRA Robotic cleaning machines - raising the bar on safety Robotics is currently the hot topic of the professional cleaning sector but robots are not a new phenomenon. In Janaury 2018 the first safety standard specifically targeting robotic floor treatment machines came into effect. Michael Gamtofte, vp global compliance at Nilfisk, writes for ECJ. These days, robotics is the talk of the town in the professional cleaning industry. But robots are not a new phenomenon. They have worked alongside people in factories and warehouses for decades. The Robotic Industries Association estimates that more than 250,000 industrial robots had been installed in the US alone by end of 2017.

As technology is advancing, we are beginning to see a greater diversity of sophisticated robotics systems in the workplace. Autonomous cleaning is one example.

“Now, in addition to traditional industrial robots we have professional service robots, collaborative robots that work side by side with workers, and mobile autonomous robots in a wide range of industries and enterprises”, explains Vladimir Murashow, senior scientist and a member of Center for Occupational Robotics Research. (Source: www. safetyandhealthmagazine. com/articles/16789-robots-inthe-workplace).

Autonomy advancements increase safety requirements While traditional industrial robots often perform monotonous tasks in unobstructed environments such as an assembly line, new self-operating cleaning machines are designed to operate in much more complex environments –

with people, obstacles, and changing conditions.

Naturally this raises the stakes when it comes to safety.

“Robots working collaboratively with humans present a new workplace risk profile that is not yet well understood,” explained director John Howard when the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced the launch of their Center for Occupational Robotics Research in 2017.

“Not only is this a new field for safety and health professionals, little government guidance or policy exists regarding the safe integration of robots into the workplace”, says John Howard.

New safety standard has come into effect However, according to Michael Gamtofte, vp global compliance at floor care machinery specialist Nilfisk, this is beginning to change, and in January 2018 the first safety standard specifically targeting robotic floor treatment machines came into effect. It has been developed by the American National Standards Institute and the Canadian Standards Association.

“With the new standard, all robotic floor care machines sold in the US and Canada need to live up to both the basic safety requirements of a floor care machine and a standard that specifically regulates the robotic part of the machine if they want their products to be certified,” explains Gamtofte.

According to the American National Standards Institute,

Facts about the new safety standard • The safety standard has been developed by the American National Standards Institute and the Canadian Standards Association.

• It came into effect on January 2018, meaning that all suppliers looking for a third-party certification of their autonomous machines will have to live up to the safety requirements.

• In most markets, equipment manufacturers are legally obliged to ensure that

Later this year ECJ will publish a supplement called ‘Cleaning in the Digital World’. For more details contact Chris Godman: chris@europeancleaningjournal.com

La robotique est devenue un sujet chaud parmi les professionnels de la propreté, mais les robots ne sont pas un phénomène nouveau. En janvier 2018, la première norme de sécurité dédiée aux machines robotiques de traitement des plancher a pris effet.

Michael Gamtofte, vice-président chargé de la conformité mondiale chez Nilfisk, écrit pour ECJ.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 12

a third party certification “provides unique credibility” and is an independent verdict – or stamp – that the product is safe. In some markets, such as the US, employers are legally obliged to only use third-party certified equipment at their facilities. Failing to comply can lead to product recall, market withdrawal or fines.

According to Michael Gamtofte, the new safety standard for robotic floor treatment machines will create more transparency, especially for customers who want to protect both their employees and bystanders from potential injuries.

“If a machine is thirdparty certified according to harmonised standards, the machine is presumed to be safe. That certification offers reassurance that your facilities are safe once you start implementing autonomous solutions in your cleaning operation”, he explains.

Robotik ist derzeit ein heißes Thema in der professionellen Reinigungsbranche, doch Roboter sind kein neues Phänomen. Im Januar 2018 trat die erste Sicherheitsnorm speziell für robotische Bodenreinigungsmaschinen in Kraft. Michael Gamtofte, VP Global Compliance bei Nilfisk, schreibt für das ECJ.

their machines are thirdparty certified.

• In some markets, such as the US, employers are legally obliged to only use thirdparty certified equipment at their facilities.

• As of now, the safety standard applies to the US and Canada, but experts say that a similar standard is being developed for the European markets.

Focus on safe operation The new safety requirements for robotic floor treatment machines focus on features such as: • Parking brakes • Max speed • Stopping distance • Obstacle detection • Abrupt surface fall detection • Critical zone detection • Obstacle avoidance • Machine start audio signal.

Or put it more simply, the new safety standard ensures that the certified autonomous cleaning machine will operate safely in areas with a combination of people, obstacles, drop-offs and other obstructions.

Torben Lund Andersen,svp for connected autonomous solutions at Nilfisk, confirms that the Nilfisk Liberty A50 autonomous scrubber dryer complies with the new safety standard.

“Nilfisk Liberty A50, which is the first autonomous solution on the market from Nilfisk, already bears the cETLus Mark.

In addition, it is expected to be certified against the new safety standard during summer 2018 when the testing laboratories are formally accredited by the US Occupational Safety and Health Agency”.

More information on the new safety standard can be accessed at: www.csagroup.org.

La robotica è l’argomento caldo del momento del settore del cleaning professionale ma i robot non sono un fenomeno nuovo. Nel gennaio del 2018, sono entrare in funzione le prime macchine robotiche per il trattamento dei pavimenti con gli standard di sicurezza specificatamente mirati. Michael Gamtofte, vice presidente per la conformità globale della Nilfisk ne parla a ECJ.

The new Origo 2 The most innovative cleaning trolley we’ve ever built Achieve perfect cleaning results faster, safer, cleaner, smarter, greener and with more flexibility.

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EUROPEAN CLEANING & HYGIENE AWARDS

Challenge, and be challenged Exactly what it is that makes an inspirational leader? A commitment to the success of the business is a given, however a true leader will also have other qualities that inspire the respect and loyalty of his team. The 2017 winner of the Inspirational Leader of the Year award was Jan-Hein Hemke, managing director of Facilicom Cleaning Services in the UK.

“Jan-Hein would be the first to say Facilicom’s achievements are not all due to his leadership, but he certainly sets the tone, and even his deflection of any praise tells you a lot about his leadership style.” That’s according to Jeroen van der Brugge, organisational development manager for Facilicom Group who nominated Hemke.

Facilicom Group was founded in the Netherlands and has a UK branch called Facilicom Cleaning Services. Hemke moved from his home in the Netherlands to head up the UK operation. Jeroen van der Brugge continued: “In the past year alone he has overseen a review of Facilicom’s operations to ensure that the client comes first – essential for a financially sustainable business that wants to attract and retain clients. This has meant introducing a policy of asking ‘why’ on a regular basis so colleagues are able to get to know their clients’ needs.

“Jan-Hein is not afraid to challenge, or

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 14

be challenged, but also knows when to leave people to solve their own issues, offering the benefit of his experience, but not dictating solutions. There are not many in leadership positions with the confidence to do that.”

One of Hemke’s passions is to develop his colleagues across the group and he regularly acts as a mentor. And when major decisions are to be made he discusses them with his management team and encourages open feedback. “He is open, direct, and pushes everyone to get most out of each situation,” added van der Brugge.

And Hemke’s successful leadership is not only demonstrated through personal involvement with his team. In the year to April 2017 Facilicom Cleaning Services reported a growth of 17 per cent on the previous year and a doubling in net profit. He is a strong supporter of the Living Wage and takes part in the leadership group of the Living Wage Foundation. Sustainability is a key focus for him too, and he ensures the company assesses its performance on an annual basis. In fact Facilicom has neutralcarbonzone accreditation for all its head office operations and is a net carbon emitter.

How would Jan-Hein Hemke himself describe his style of leadership? “I would say my style is inclusive. I am Dutch so I come from a different culture to that where I work in the UK. In the Netherlands management is based around consensus.

What I found difficult to adjust to in the UK is that the managing director makes a decision and it is often not questioned. In the Netherlands we always ask ‘why has that decision been made?’

“Discussion on an equal basis is much

more valuable. Of course the final decision is down to me but I always find discussion makes that decision stronger.”

Hemke believes his role has two key elements. “Firstly, my job is to paint the dot on the horizon – which is where we want to go. Then it is to enable my team to get there. And to develop them to the level where they want to go. I very much see myself as an enabler.”

He also believes he is responsible for taking care of the culture of the company, to set the tone of interaction with customers and with staff. And he feels he has been allowed the flexibility by HQ to stamp his own style of leadership on the UK operation. “I enjoy a great deal of freedom and there is real trust there.”

As Facilicom in the UK has grown and employed more people, one of the key challenges has been to maintain the ‘family’ culture which Hemke believes is so crucial to its success. “Distance does become an issue – by that I mean distance between the people – as we have more layers in terms of management etc.

“I really do not see any difference between me and any of my colleagues, at whatever level they are. I do understand, of course, that other people in the business may not always feel that way.”

Lisa Sheppard, Facilicom’s director of development concludes: “Jan Hein has always been honest, direct, interested and measured in his responses. In business he rarely fires from the hip, but takes the time to make a more rounded decision, and as such, leads by example. When major decisions are to be made, he discusses with the management team and encourages open feedback

EUROPEAN CLEANING & HYGIENE AWARDS

Technology brings efficiency The University of Wolverhampton in the UK teamed up with technology solutions partner SmartTask in 2015 to develop and implement an advanced employee scheduling and remote workforce management solution to gain effective visibility and control across its campus operations and estate management. The project won the 2017 award for Best Use of Technology in a Cleaning Programme.

The advanced software solution at the University of Wolverhampton covers all reception desk, security, caretaking and cleaning teams to provide rota planning, proof of attendance, performance reporting and electronic auditing. It is being used across three main campuses which deliver over 500 undergraduate and postgraduate courses to around 20,000 students.

With a diverse range of teams spread across those three campuses, the University’s central facilities function faced a host of challenges in terms of administration and management. And ongoing cost pressures and budget constraints meant it was necessary to maximise the performance of available resources at all times to achieve the highest levels of productivity possible.

“The long-term objective was to implement a workforce management solution that would help deliver value for money services on behalf of the faculties and departments, while improving standards for students”, explained Sandy Shaw, campus

operations manager, estates and facilities.

The University selected SmartTask, the employee scheduling and mobile workforce management solution, to overcome the scheduling difficulties it faced for its communications rota. “We developed SmartTask to provide cleaning operations with the tools they need to performance manage staff and improve employee accountability,” said Paul Ridden, ceo of SmartTask. “While trialling the software, however, it quickly became clear the system could support a wide range of applications that would provide effective visibility and control across campus.”

Following the initial pilot scheme, the University rolled out SmartTask to help support static- and demand-based resourcing. Proof of attendance monitoring is also enabling the central team to track any missed shifts with KPI analysis for employee performance management.

Meanwhile integrated inspections, incident reporting and smart forms are simplifying and streamlining auditing processes, risk assessments and compliance checks. This is not only reducing administrative time and effort in terms of storage, retrieval and reporting of information, but also allowing the central team to quickly identify and respond to problem areas.

The University is also using the Intelligent Rostering capabilities to schedule the 19-strong team, using a workflow algorithm to identify suitable staff based on availability, holidays, historical shift patterns and exact job requirements.

Rosters are either via email or through the MySmartTask app, which staff can download to their personal smartphones.

The team of 25 in-house day cleaners

is issued with NFC-enabled smartphones at the beginning of each shift, scanning start and end times using personal log-in cards to confirm attendance. This helps to quickly identify any missed shifts, so alternative arrangements can be made, while providing an accurate record of working hours for operational reporting and payroll.

Using the smartphones to access SmartTask, cleaners can then view an electronic list of their work schedule. RFID tags have been installed at 380 toilet facilities across three campuses. Cleaners simply have to scan the smartphone over the tags at each location to register the completion of work.

Meanwhile, supervisors are using electronic forms via SmartTask to undertake work audits and a number of checks.

This includes chemical checks at all store rooms in line with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations.

“SmartTask is helping us take control of our remote teams, making sure they are operating safely in accordance with our precise operational requirements,” continued Sandy Shaw. “As a result we are delivering higher levels of compliant service by making the most of our workforce, while streamlining administrative and management processes to target cost, time and resource efficiencies.

“The flexibility of SmartTask, combined with the ongoing support of the team, has enabled us to implement a phased roll-out in-line with resource, time and funding availability within the facilities team. We are committed to continual improvement of the delivery of service and standards to our students and staff at the University of Wolverhampton. Without the support and benefit of SmartTask I simply could not have achieved that,” Shaw concluded.

And the SmartTask project at the University of Wolverhampton is already moving forward, explained Paul Ridden. “The next step is to create a customer portal that will provide stakeholders within the University with online access to relevant operational information. It will communicate key performance data against agreed SLAs, which will help provide both reassurance and peace of mind that the operation is working successfully and delivering value for money.

“The University will also shortly be adopting an updated version of the Intelligent Rostering system that offers an enhanced monthly overview to better display work schedules,” Ridden continued. “This will support the roll-out of the rota tool and replace an existing manual process. Which will further simplify the planning, as well as integrate the recording of staff absences and holiday requests into a single system.”

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 15

EUROPEAN CLEANING & HYGIENE AWARDS

Definition of partnership Founded in 1992 and based in Dublin, Ireland, Derrycourt Cleaning Specialists was declared the winner in the Excellence in Client/Contractor Partnerships category at the 2017 European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards. It won the award for its work with FBD insurance company.

Family-owned Derrycourt operates according to a set of core values: family ethos; exceeding expectations; sustainable performance; urgency; respect; development; and customer focus. Bid manager Susan Spillane told ECJ about the company’s ethos when it comes to client relationships. “We understand that each of our client’s sites is individual and has specific requirements that we must respect and implement as if we were implementing them in our own home.

“We find that open communication and transparent dealings works best for us as an approach for these relationships.

Understanding our clients’ needs and providing them with the services they require as required is also essential.”

How does the company define the word ‘partnership’ when relating to the clients it provides services for? Spillane explained: “Partnership means working together.

It’s ensuring communication flows both ways and that our clients keep us updated on any changes in their organisation or practices that may impact our services. We have noticed an increased focus on both the environment and on health and safety from our clients.”

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 16

For FBD, one of Ireland’s leading insurance companies, Derrycourt provides services at the head office in Dublin, the support centre in Mullingar and at 32 other regional offices throughout Ireland. The two companies have worked together since 2011 – at the time the contract was awarded FBD stressed that a key element for them would be the seamless transition from the previous service provider to Derrycourt and that the mobilisation of the contract would be done within a month of contract award.

With a systematic approach this objective was achieved, with a seamless provision of service and minimum disruption to FBD. After that initial period Derrycourt maintained its regular and open communication channel with FBD and took on additional tasks such as the scheduling of IT cleans, supply of consumables for all 14 branches, nationwide window cleaning service (weekly and monthly services) and the provision of a tea-towel collection service, again nationwide.

In 2015 FBD had a very challenging year as Derek Ivory, manager for facilities and procurement explained. “Because of the challenges we were facing FBD evolved a simple strategy, called ‘return to profitability’. That meant that every cost, man hour, managed service arrangement and supply had to be challenged. So we engaged with Derrycourt to look at the cleaning and related disciplines.

“Derrycourt put its customer first,” continued Ivory, “and provided FBD with an ‘a la carte’ menu of cost reduction options with the consequences spelled out. It gave FBD the opportunity to identify what was important to our internal and external

customers and made the hard decisions as pain-free and straightforward as possible.”

Ivory concluded: “In the final analysis the savings that were generated helped FBD meet our cost saving targets. A key element of that was Derrycourt’s engagement with the marketplace to find better value for FBD than we could find ourselves.”

In 2017 FBD appointed a new procurement team with two objectives in mind – to review existing services with an eye on savings, and to look at the potential for engaging with key suppliers to consolidate the large number of small contracts/small service providers it had in place. Derrycourt presented a solution for merging existing services at FBD (landscaping, waste management, water systems, washroom supplies, pest control, feminine hygiene, plan management) under its remit.

Working with the majority of the current service providers, Derrycourt was able to utilise its buying power with third party suppliers to give FBD considerable savings in their outlay. Some changes in the contracted hours were put in place but the quality of service has not been sacrificed.

“Quality partnership is based on a genuine understanding of customer needs,” Derek Ivory told ECJ. “The right service at the right price is fundamental, however exceeding the customer’s expectations brings the relationship to a new level.”

He continued: “Derrycourt has delivered a consistent, problem solving approach to the contract management and, when called, Derrycourt is always there. One of the key deliverables was the introduction of standards and the commitment to continuous improvement.”

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UPDATE: UK Waving a banner for improvement The NHS is to review the national specifications for cleanliness, reports Lynn Webster from the UK. We have all heard many reports and opinions both positive and negative of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Within the estates and facilities arena there is considerable disparity from those with excellent patient experience; protected life cycle costs; minimal backlogs in maintenance and with estimated costs of €27.82 per square metre to the other extreme of poor patient experiences; ignored life cycle costs with huge backlogs in maintenance costs of €2,635 per square metre. These extremes give rise to, at one end, a fully motivated workforce to those at the other with a reactive workforce and high turnover.

Although sometimes thought to progress with the speed of a tortoise, steps are gingerly being made to move forward and demonstrate some clear improvements in the service.

NHS Improvements (NHSI), has within its remit both the Carter Report (review of efficiency in the NHS) and the Naylor report (examining how the NHS can make the best use of its estate) and hold a responsibility for best practice. It has embarked on a major project to review the National Specifications of Cleanliness and Healthcare Cleanliness Manual.

This is not before time when we consider the last full review and update was in 2007, some 11 years ago. There has been some activity with a review of PAS 5748 three years ago; and a review of the Cleanliness Manual five years ago.

Neither of these activities had the massive challenges nor the weight attributed to this which will sit within legislation and the Le Service national de santé britannique va revoir les Spécifications nationales de propreté et le Manuel de propreté des établissements de santé, dont la dernière révision a été effectuée il y a onze ans. Lynn Webster en rend compte.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 20

Health and Social Care Act. The new document will not only cover the acute sector but is intended to incorporate mental health, community, general practice and other social groups. Many had managed to adopt some of the previous document but with major adjustments in interpretation.

Substantial impacts in cleaning have been made over the last decade without changing the standard. This review will cover major innovations, technology and new methodologies in cleaning; It will be designed to provide a safe clean environment, easily understandable without ambiguity or failures in application. It will be illustrated by shared best practices and suitable case studies becoming a ‘fluid’ document for easy electronic access and updates that will not just sit on a shelf.

The various work streams involved with the review are covering Safe Standards; Methodology; Risk Categories; Training and Education; Cleaning Responsibilities; Co-Dependencies; Technology and Audit.

There has been full engagement with wide ranging input from all stakeholders with a challenging deadline of the beginning of June 2018 when the draft will be circulated for comment.

The NHS then has an extremely tight, fast return timetable for all comments from all stakeholders in just two weeks. This will include over 200 NHS Trusts, suppliers, agencies and associations and other interested parties with a final document completed for circulation for the beginning of July.

Implementation is, however, unlikely to be as quick.

Der staatliche Gesundheitsdienst Großbritanniens (NHS) wird die Staatlichen Spezifikationen für Sauberkeit und den Leitfaden für Sauberkeit im Gesundheitswesen überprüfen – 11 Jahre nach der letzten Überprüfung. Lynn Webster berichtet aus Großbritannien.

Il servizio sanitario nazionale (National Health Service) riesaminerà il manuale delle specifiche di pulizia “National Specifications of Cleanliness and Healthcare Cleanliness Manual” 11 anni dopo la precedente revisione. Dal Regno Unito ce ne parla la corrispondente Lynn Webster

UPDATE: FRANCE Last French manufacturer French reporter Christian Bouzols takes a look at Eurosteam, the only remaining French machine producer serving the contract cleaning sector.

Based at Houlme, a locality outside Rouen in Normandy, the Eurosteam company is the only remaining French manufacturer working for the contract cleaning sector.

Taken over a year ago by industrialists Jean-Claude Chastant and Mohamed Lastri, it continues to grow and thrive 40 years after its foundation. Eurosteam is the last French SME to produce industrial cleaning machines and sells them to professional clients such as distributors, wholesalers and resellers of cleaning and hygiene products who themselves supply cleaning contractors.

Located in the centre of Houlme, a few kilometres from Rouen, the factory breathes the labour of the craftsman, but in an industrial mode. If much of the work is done manually, that’s because Eurosteam is committed to achieving products with the highest possible levels of strength, durability and performance. Says a worker at the factory: “You can turn a Eurosteam vacuum cleaner in any which way you want, and you can jump on it, but you won’t break it!

You just need to touch its body to realise that in this place we’re not ashamed of programmed obsolescence!”

Designed also for export, vacuum cleaners made at Houlme handle both fine and heavy dust, debris and chimney sweeping residues. Their injection/extraction vacuum cleaners can deal with every kind of carpeting, hard surfaces and furniture. Their brushes overcome the resistance

of any steps and risers. This is also true of multipurpose cleaning machines manufactured by Eurosteam. They’re in use at airports, stadiums, schools and motorway restaurants. “There’s surely a reason why you’ll find our machines also in railway stations, hospital, company premises,” says Florence Donval, head of marketing and key account manager.

Eurosteam supplies a wide range of special purpose products, some of which are quite astonishing, such as one machine which can wash a hospital patient with maximum comfort. Florence Donval continues: “We’ve got a development unit for all novel products and also have a plastics and polymer workshop and a rotational moulding workshop to give our products the highest levels of strength and corrosion resistance.” That should be enough to impress even champion manufacturers like Kärcher, Nilfisk and Diversey.

Very well positioned on the French market, Eurosteam is now working hard to reach the export markets, to the extent that today half its turnover is achieved in Europe, Russia, the USA, Canada, North and South Africa, the Middle East and Australia. Its presence has also become more noticeable at international cleaning exhibitions, such as at Interclean Amsterdam in May. Founded 40 years ago at nearby Darnétal, Eurosteam has relocated by a few kilometres but remains a quite unique company.

The closing date for entries to the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2018 is July 20.

Submit your entry now at echawards.com Christian Bouzols en France contemple la société Eurosteam, le seul fabricant d’équipements de propreté professionnelle à subsister dans le pays.

In Frankreich wirft Christian Bouzols einen näheren Blick auf Eurosteam, den einzigen verbliebenen französischen Hersteller, der für die Vertragsreinigungsbranche arbeitet.

In Francia, il corrispondente Christian Bouzols osserva nello specifico Eurosteam, l’unico produttore francese rimasto che lavora per il settore delle pulizie professionali.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 21

UPDATE: NETHERLANDS

UPDATE: ITALY

Innovations in the spotlight

Afidamp and ISSA go global

Earlier this year, Dutch cleaning association VSR launched the pilot HotspotCleanLab, an online platform bringing together supply and demand in the area of cleaning sector innovation. Jacco Vonhof reports for ECJ.

Italian correspondent Anna Garbagna brings news of the partnership between ISSA and AfidampFAB.

Early this year we introduced the pilot project HotspotCleanLab, in collaboration with two enterprising cleaning professionals.

This is an online platform that brings together supply and demand in the field of cleaning sector innovation. Cleaning professionals who have thought up an innovation (or already developed one) can draw attention to their idea or product via hotspotcleanlab.nl.

Then cleaning companies, facilities managers and purchasers can add their thoughts on them, naturally in the hope these innovations will solve one of their problems. Such as a drone that can clean solar panels or a trolley with a UV light that can kill bacteria as it moves along the aisle of an aircraft. Visitors to the site can rate these kinds of ideas in the form of a review.

Give innovation a chance Our goal is to give innovations a chance and introduce the users of cleaning services to cleaning innovations. This will help us all clean better together. It is also important to us this reflects positively on the image of the cleaning sector. The microfibre cloth was the last true innovation it has been said. Yet this platform shows how inventive our field can be.

Furthermore, it is important for us as an association to investigate new ways of reaching out to our supporters and carrying them with us. I see it as eminently our task, as the VSR Association for Cleaning Sous le nom de HotspotCleanLab, l’association néerlandaise de la propreté VSR a lancé une plateforme pilote en ligne destinée à confronter l’offre et la demande en innovations dans le secteur de la propreté.

Research, to be both literally and figuratively a platform for new technologies, products and solutions. VSR and HotspotCleanLab are facilitating this pilot from a belief that pooling our expertise will lead to a better offering from the sector and a better image.

‘And what about the competition?’ you might be thinking.

They can see all these new ideas too, which they can then put in place for their clients in their own way. Indeed, we are seeing some degree of reluctance to share innovations. To my mind, this is the old thinking. We are living in a sharing economy.

Clients and potential clients really do notice who is out in front, which lends those players an air of professionalism and expertise. This means it is in fact a way of standing out from other providers.

That is why we believe in bringing innovations together, sharing them with our community and improving their implementation. In this way, we can all contribute towards better contracts and cleaning improves for everyone. For the staff who enjoy their work more, the cleaning company and their clients who are better able to adopt innovations, and for the end users who enjoy a clean and pleasant environment.

We will shortly be evaluating whether to continue with HotspotCleanLab. But regardless of the outcome, VSR will remain a leader, following new developments and - even better - initiating them.

Zu Beginn des Jahres startete der niederländische Reinigungsverband VSR das Pilotprojekt HotspotCleanLab. Dabei handelt es sich um eine Online-Plattform, die Angebot und Nachfrage im Bereich der Innovation in der Reinigungsbranche zusammenführt.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 22

All’inizio di quest’anno, l’associazione olandese delle pulizie professionali VSR ha lanciato la piattaforma sperimentale HotspotCleanLab, una piattaforma online che raggruppa offerta e domanda nel settore dell’innovazione del settore delle pulizie professionali.

ISSA, the international association for the professional cleaning sector and AfidampFAB, the Italian national cleaning association representing manufacturers of cleaning products and equipment, have announced a new partnership intended to jointly develop a number of marketing opportunities at global level for their associates and for the sector in general.

With a view to expansion both associations will become co-owners of the Pulire family of events, which includes exhibitions as well as training platforms, and they will develop new options to facilitate relations between members and to share knowledge in the sector across the world.

In addition all ISSA members will receive a discount to exhibit at the Pulire exhibition in Verona in 2019 and all AfidampFAB’s members will become ISSA’s members, gaining access to a range of benefits.

Another objective is the development of the existing Forum Pulire congress concept - which has until now taken place only in Milan - in a number of continents. The first, Forum Pulire America, will take place in Brazil from August 9-10, in cooperation with the local partner FACOP (Fundação de Asseio e Conservação do Estado do Paraná).

Among the many initiatives, a new offer of training and certification for the sector is also under development. This is aimed at the Italian market.

“Over the last 15 years Afidamp has created an international platform, Pulire, to respond to the interest of the professional cleaning sector towards many developing countries,” declared Afidamp Servizi’s Dans son rapport d’Italie, Anna Garbagna parle du partenariat qui vient d’être noué entre l’association nationale de la propreté Afidamp et l’organisation internationale ISSA.

Toni d’Andrea. “Our purpose is to open a dialogue among those countries in order to coordinate actions, qualify contacts, share experiences and reinforce the importance of cleaning as an absolute social value. Afidamp and ISSA will continue with this mission with new global and more ambitious projects.”

This partnership will enhance ISSA’s presence in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia, enriching it with events and activities resulting from agreements recently made in Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America and South Africa.

There is much more news - at the recent Interclean Amsterdam exhibition the new manual published by Afidamp: ‘SelfPropelled Ride-On Machines for Professional Cleaning, Scrubber Dryers and Sweepers: all the Relevant Information for the Best and Correct Use’ was presented for the first time.

Afidamp, in accordance with its main mission (spreading the knowledge of methods and techniques to give appropriate solution to cleaning issues, hygiene and environmental sanitisation), has produced the handbook thanks to contributions from the sector’s global leading manufacturers and distributors.

The main aim is to give operatives the relevant information required to better use machines.

The manual analyses the characteristics of ride-on machines, how they operate and their maintenance, with specific reference to current legislation and operator safety. It represents a valuable tool in achieving certification to use machines in compliance with the requirements of the ‘consolidated text’ on safety at work.

Anna Garbagna berichtet aus Italien über eine neue globale Partnerschaft zwischen dem italienischen Reinigungsverband Afidamp und der internationalen Organisation ISSA.

Dall’Italia la corrispondente Anna Garbagna ci informa sulla nuova partnership globale fra l’associazione mondiale dell’industria della pulizia professionale ISSA e l’associazione di categoria italiana Afidamp

UPDATE: DENMARK

UPDATE: GERMANY Cleaning goes digital

An honourable cleaning job

German correspondent Alexandra Lachner speaks to engineering association VDMA about robotics.

They are all smiles, the two women in charge of cleaning the altarpiece in Aarhus Cathedral, Denmark. To them, removing 11 years’ dust is an honourable job. ECJ’s Lotte Printz reports.

“Things are happening in the world of robotics at the moment – many of our members are making substantial investments in order to bring good products on to the market. The demand for driverless cleaning machines is increasing all the time.” This is the view from Dr Frederik King, manager of the cleaning systems branch of the VDMA (German Mechanical and Plant Engineering Association).

The VDMA cleaning systems branch represents over 40 members and is thus well placed to assess current trends and challenges in the cleaning sector.

The key issue in his view at the moment is the digitalisation of the cleaning industry on the basis of driverless cleaning machines.

Market demand for this is evidenced, for example, by the Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) invitation to tender for Berlin’s main railway station.

Following a cleaning robot race, during which participating firms had to compete to clean a surface of 200 square metres, one manufacturer was awarded a two-year contract for the delivery and further development of cleaning robots. There are plans to carry out future floor cleaning with cleaning robots in other places too – German Railways is responsible for more than 5,400 railway stations in total.

“Robots do of course require a greater initial investment than traditional machines. However, depending on surfaces and circumstances, this will be recouped over the life cycle of the product. To begin with, the greatest need is for robots which can cope with geometrically simple, large surfaces”, explains King.

Even though cleaning at present takes place mainly at times when there are no members of the general public around, manufacturers are nevertheNotre correspondante en Allemagne Alexandra Lachner s’entretient avec le Dr Federik King au siège de l’association d’ingénierie VDMA de l’avenir des machines robotiques de nettoyage.

less committing themselves to compliance with international safety standards to pave the way for interaction with people.

When encountering unforeseen obstacles, the cleaning robot must be able to react and find another way. “There is already a North American standard for these machines. A proposal has already been submitted to an IEC working group for a new work item on developing this standard further at international level”, says Dr King.

Rental and leasing In addition to safety aspects, further developments relating to automation may in future also be included: the machines are intended at a later date to be able not only to charge themselves automatically but also to empty the waste water and fill up with fresh water and cleaning fluid.

In addition to robotics, further trends point towards the sharing economy and cleaning on demand. “As far as rental/leasing is concerned, we are already noticing a very high growth rate in our after-sales working group and this is clearly an issue for the future”, declares Dr King. “Cleaning on demand is being advocated by many manufacturers – an estimate is made, for instance, of the number of people in a particular place, as a basis for determining the specific time to despatch the cleaning robot.”

In Dr King’s view, it is difficult to assess exactly when to expect the use of cleaning robots linked to digitalised working processes to become widespread. “Even with all the advantages that innovations such as this bring with them, it is highly unlikely that entire stocks of machinery are going to be replaced overnight. It will probably take several years before this scenario becomes commonplace.”

Die Deutschland-Korrespondentin Alexandra Lachner führt ein Gespräch mit Dr. Frederik King vom Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (VDMA) über die Zukunft robotischer Reinigungsmaschinen.

La corrispondente tedesca Alexandra Lachner parla con il Dr Federik King dell’associazione per l’ingegneria VDMA del futuro delle macchine robotiche per le pulizie.

“I don’t think many of us actually love dusting in places where it is really filthy,” says the news reporter from Danish TV2 as she begins her report. “But these two women have a cleaning job that they’ve been looking forward to for a very long time.”

The fact that the news reporter is even present may say it all. This is no ordinary cleaning job. It happens only every 10th year and it is not carried out by just anybody.

The two cleaners are not even cleaners, but conservators from the National Museum in the capital city who have come all the way to Aarhus, Denmark’s second city, to clean one of its cathedral’s most precious jewels, its altarpiece from 1479. It was produced in Lübeck, one of the most veritable export centres for altarpieces of the day. Being 12 metres high and with its five wings, it is the largest altarpiece in Denmark.

A complete restoration was carried out by other museum staff between 1975 and 1980, and since then all that has been needed is a good ‘dusting’.

“That restoration is a job really well done,” says Conny Hansen who is the more experienced of the two conservators. “And I don’t think much has to be done with it for the next 70 years or so… as long as we dust it regularly,” she adds, meaning approximately every 10th year, although this time 11 years has passed as the cathedral was busy throughout 2017 when Aarhus was the European Capital of Culture.

If this is not done, the dirty areas can attract microorganisms and the colours may then degrade. The altarpiece is dusted annually from the ground, but Notre correspondante au Danemark Lotte Printz visite la cathédrale d’Aarhus, dont le précieux autel, qui remonte à 1479, n’est nettoyé que tous les dix ans.

once a decade they must go all in.

Equipped with vacuum cleaners on their back and small brushes, the two women climb a scaffold to dust the altarpiece properly.

The whole cleaning process, including putting up the scaffolds, takes about a week. But the two women have been talking about this task for well over a year.

“I’ve even posted things on Facebook about it,” says Johanne Bornemann Mogensen with a huge smile. It’s her first time doing the job and her older colleague is passing on important knowledge and techniques. Next time it’ll be done will be in 2028 and then she herself may be in charge. Which she won’t mind one bit.

“Aarhus Cathedral’s altarpiece is one of the most important altarpieces from the Middle Ages in Denmark, so it’s an honourable job being allowed dusting it,” she says.

Even though she’s done it before, her older and more experienced colleague is no less enthusiastic.

True enthusiasm “It’s the cream of conservation projects to be allowed to preserve this altarpiece. It makes us so happy. We are a chosen few who are permitted to get this close,” says Conny Hansen.

Watching the two women work and seeing how thrilled they are makes the beholder happy too.

And, I’m sorry to say, the two ‘cleaners’ seem to smile a lot more than any other ordinary cleaner I’ve come across. What would it take for the cleaning industry to learn from these women’s enthusiasm, I dare ask?

Could their high spirits be adapted in more ordinary cleaning in any way? To everybody’s benefit?

Lotte Printz, die ECJKorrespondentin in Dänemark, berichtet aus dem Dom zu Aarhus, dessen kostbarer Altar aus dem Jahr 1479 nur einmal alle 10 Jahre gereinigt wird.

Dalla Danimarca, la corrispondente di ECJ Lotte Printz ci parla della Aarhus Cathedral, il cui prezioso altare del 1479 viene pulito solamente una volta ogni dieci anni.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 23

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CHEMICAL DISPENSING

Dosing - still necessary?

As today’s chemical cleaning products become less hazardous, is there still a need to invest in a dosing system asks Ann Laffeaty?

“Customers want to glean more actionable information from the dispenser such as chemical inventory levels, usage patterns, alarms and productivity rates.”

Detergents and disinfectants are becoming safer all the time. New legislation combined with a growing focus on safety and sustainability has led to chemical manufacturers seeking to develop less hazardous, more user-friendly formulations. These products are also being supplied in ever-more ergonomic packaging which makes them easier to dispense while minimising the risk to the user.

At the same time dosing systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated and offer a widening range of features and functions. But since fewer risks are associated with chemical dispensing, are these systems still worth the investment?

Absolutely, says Hydro Systems Europe’s global product manager Matt Hayas.

“Even today’s safer chemicals need to be diluted accurately in order for them to work properly and control costs,” he said. “Dispensing systems are more accurate and produce less waste than portable systems.”

Manually mixing products into mop buckets or spray bottles offers a less consistent method of delivery, he says.

“Chemicals need to be mixed in the same way each time in order to accomplish the same cleaning results.”

According to Hayas, dosing systems help to minimise waste by ensuring the chemicals and water are used in exactly the right proportions. “These systems can also reduce the amount of product packaging that ends up in landfills,” he said. “And dispensing systems maximise productivity and prevent over-consumption too. The fact that today’s chemical products are generally super-concentrated means their end-use cost is dramatically reduced when used in conjunction with dispensing equipment. In fact, a good system can reduce a company’s cleaning costs by up to 30 per cent by accurately diluting the proper amount of chemical.”

A manual chemical refill of using the ‘glug-glug’ method can take up to 20 minutes, he claims. “Dispensing systems require a fraction of that time.”

He says the industry is growing and that the adoption of chemical dispensing systems is increasing globally every year. “This is because such systems have evolved to become more accurate and user-friendly due to customer and industry demand,” he said. “The growth in the world’s population, the development of sanitation and a societal demand for cleanliness have all contributed to this demand. Other factors that come into play include today’s increasingly stringent regulations and a mission on the part of businesses to find new ways of working more efficiently.”

All business can benefit But some environments have higher adoption rates than others, he adds. “In the laundry sector for instance, chemical dispensers are used nearly 100 per cent of the time while we see more manual methods being used for applications such as drain dosing,” said Hayas.

“However from an end-user perspective, all commercial businesses can benefit from using chemical dispensers including hospitals, schools, universities, hotels, restaurants, office buildings, and even industrial facilities.”

Hydro Systems’ products include the Evodose unit which can dilute up to four products at a time. It offers a choice of high or low flow and has a lockable cabinet system with bottle or pouch options plus a remote activation gun.

Distribution group Jangro’s ceo Joanne Gilliard supports Hayas’ view that the chemical dosing industry still has a vital role to play. “There are three main reasons why facilities opt for them: health and safety, accurate consumption and sustainability,” she said.

“Exposure to hazardous chemicals is just one risk that chemical dosing systems can reduce. They lessen the chance of potential respiratory problems and skin irritations from neat chemicals as well as reducing the risk of slips or falls resulting from spillages.

Continued page 26

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 25

CHEMICAL DISPENSING Dosing - still necessary? (continued) “A wall-mounted dosing system also offers the correct volume of concentrate at the push of a button. Diluting concentrated cleaning chemicals on site to prepare solutions for spray bottles or buckets cuts out many of the environmental impacts that are inherent in the supply and use of ready-to-use products. This can help businesses reach their sustainability goals as well as potentially saving them money.”

She adds there has been a great deal of innovation in the sector over recent years.

“There are various chemical concentrate dosing options now available that can increase in sophistication as the business grows and its requirements change,” she said. “These new types of system are providing competition for those costly, bulky chemical dosing systems which are becoming less attractive to customers.”

According to Gilliard, making the right choice is important if buyers are to reap the full financial benefits and environmental advantages of a chemical dosing system. “The economics of investing in expensive dosing equipment must be carefully analysed before purchasing and the benefits weighed against the potential return on investment,” she said. “After all, chemical dosing systems do not come cheap - even if these are operated under lease from the manufacturer.”

Dosing systems are particularly necessary in water or wastewater treatments or for any water system that could potentially stimulate legionella bacteria growth, she says. “They can be particularly advantageous for the leisure industry, for example to keep swimming pools clean and hygienic,” said Gilliard.

Accurate and reliable Jangro’s Enviro Concentrates range of products are measured out using dosing caps which are described as an economical, entry-level way of moving away from ready-to-use sprays.

“A great deal of progress has been achieved over the years in making chemical dosing systems more accurate and reliable,” said Gilliard. “Manufacturers are constantly refining designs to make dosing technology more sophisticated and offer higher levels of sustainability plus a greater return on investment.”

There will always be a need to dose chemical concentrates in a safe, À mesure que les produits chimiques deviennent plus sûrs et que leur conditionnement devient plus convivial, a-t-on encore besoin de systèmes de dosage chimique ? Quels sont leurs avantages et leur mise de fonds est-elle justifiée ?

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 26

accurate and reliable way according to Brightwell Dispensers’ marketing manager Nicole Mathes.

“The effectiveness of cleaning routines begins with preparing cleaning chemicals at point-of-use,” she said. “When the user manually pours the chemical into water to dilute it, the risk of overdosing or underdosing is high. This can result in either chemical wastage or inefficient cleaning.

The use of chemical dispensers on the other hand ensures an accurate chemical dose every time.”

More popular now She says the popularity of chemical dosing systems has increased over recent years. “This is due to their cost-saving, cost-controlling, environmental, safety and accuracy benefits,” she says.

“Dispensing systems help businesses to control their chemical consumption while also monitoring usage to deliver an accurate return on investment. And by accurately dosing the correct amount of chemical they allow businesses to better forecast their cleaning costs.”

In fact dosing systems have become the standard in the cleaning and hygiene industry, according to Mathes. “These systems are being used across a wide range of industries including the hospitality sector, healthcare and manufacturing sites.”

Brightwell Dispensers offers the Eco Range of proportioners and manual dosing systems. These include the Ecomulti which allows users to dilute up to four chemicals from one dispenser.

“Talking to many businesses it has become evident that the traditional manual ‘glug-glug’ method is increasingly being replaced by chemical dosing and dilution systems,” she said.

But what will tomorrow’s dosing systems look like? Will they become more sophisticated than ever, or will they simplify the whole process and bring chemical dispensing back down to basics?

Hydro Systems Europe’s global product manager Matt Hayas believes that some customers will seek increasingly sophisticated systems that provide more than just a diluted chemical. “Such systems will need to be more active and capable of interacting with building systems to provide the user with information that makes their daily tasks simpler and more Chemische Produkte werden sicherer und ihre Verpackungen werden benutzerfreundlicher – besteht also weiterhin ein Bedarf für ein Chemikaliendosiersystem? Welche Anforderungen werden erfüllt, und lohnen sich die Anschaffungskosten?

efficient,” he said.

“Customers want to glean more actionable information from the dispenser such as chemical inventory levels, usage patterns, alarms and productivity rates. To achieve this, dispensers will need to measure more data and be connected remotely to make the data more actionable and useful to customers and end users.”

But he says there will continue to be customers who place a high value on basic systems that simply carry out the task required – to dilute the chemical properly.

“Both types of systems will continue to have a place in the cleaning industry,” he said. “Regardless of the complexity and capabilities of the dispenser, all of them should be easy to use and ideally require minimal time for installation, maintenance and training.”

Brightwell Dispensers’ Nicole Mathes believes that systems will become increasingly sophisticated. “The technology is continuously evolving and demand for smart dispensing systems that provide real-time data is increasing,” she said.

“Sensors that measure refill status and product consumption and send this information via a web application to the facility manager are great tools to monitor usage and costs.

Smart solutions “The trend to develop smart dispensing solutions will increase and new smart systems will give the users and facility managers more detailed information about chemical usage, refill cycles, cleaning routines and much more.”

But Jangro’s Joanne Gilliard believes the dosing industry will take two distinct paths in the future. “The first will undoubtedly see the rise of upgraded smarter chemical dosing systems that use technology to track data, control, monitor, and operate systems remotely using everyday gadgets such as smartphones,” she said.

“The second path will see the exact opposite taking place with an increasing number of non-technical solutions arriving on to the market. These are still highly innovative but are easy to use and understand which is especially important in our industry which relies on migrant labour.

“But ultimately, both paths will lead to accurate dosing and will be developed with sustainability in mind.”

Con i prodotti chimici che diventano più sicuri e le loro confezioni che diventano sempre più facili da usare, c’è ancora la necessità di usare un sistema di dosaggio delle sostanze chimiche? Quali requisiti soddisfano e l’esborso iniziale è giustificato?

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PRODUCTS: CHEMICAL DISPENSING

Secure dosing Seko has updated its Sekure series of dosing equipment, with new 2.5 litre versions and a new design. Designed with ease of installation and use in mind, the range comprises the SekureMax chemical cabinet and SekureDose all-in-one lockable dosing station.

SekureDose offers built-in dosing and chemical containment in a single unit. Available in formats to dose into buckets, bottles or sinks, it does not

require a water supply. Features include a lock-out mechanism to avoid over-consumption and a stroke regulator to manage six dosing settings. The entire system

is designed to be compatible with the widest range of chemicals, available with different seal types to ensure uninterrupted use.

Meanwhile SekureMax can be extended out from a single dispensing point to a multi-point chemical station without the need for tools. It comes as a partial flatpack unit that snaps locked when ready for installation.

Both systems can be fixed to a wall using the wall mounts provided with the units. www.seko.com

Concentrates Diversey has focused on developing dispensing and dosing systems for super concentrated cleaning products thanks to their sustainability benefits.

The company offers a number of solutions: SmartDose, QuattroSelect, J-Flex, Smart Mix Pro and Snap N’ Dose Pro. Between them these systems, it says, offer flexibility to choose efficient and sustainable super concentrated products for workplaces

of any size.

Each platform can be used with a range of concentrated products for spray bottles, buckets and scrubber dryers. www.diversey.com • Seko propose la série Sekure actualisée de systèmes de dosage chimique en version de 2,5 litres.

• Diversey Care propose différents systèmes de dosage, notamment les SmartDose, QuattroSelect, J-Flex, Smart Mix Pro et Snap ‘N’ Dose Pro.

• Seko bietet die aktualisierte Sekure Series mit Chemikaliendosiersystemen in 2,5-Liter-Ausführungen.

• Diversey Care bietet verschiedene Dosiersysteme einschließlich SmartDose, QuattroSelect, J-Flex, Smart Mix Pro und Snap ‘N’ Dose Pro.

• La Seko propone la gamma aggiornata di sistemi di dosaggio di detergenti chimici Sekure Series in versioni da 2,5 litri.

• La Diversey Care offre numerosi sistemi di dosaggio e fra questi: SmartDose, QuattroSelect, J-Flex, Smart Mix Pro e Snap ‘N’ Dose Pro.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 28

PRODUCTS: CHEMICAL DISPENSING Four in one Hydro System’s AccuMax 4P dilution dispenser for cleaning products is an all-in-one system consisting of four chemical cabinets in one unit. The simplicity

of the connection – any of the ports can be selected to deliver either high or low flow from the one device - makes it perfect for a wide range of applications says the company. And the patented AccuPro Pressure Regulation Technology evens out variable water pressure.

Other features include low

maintenance, user-friendly design, lockable cabinet and multiple branding options. Configured straight from the box, it can be operational within 15 minutes. hydrosystemseurope.com

Large foamers The CLEANLine range is being expanded by Solo with the introduction of two larger foaming sprayers - the 309-FA and 309-FB models. These feature the patented foam adjustment varioFOAM. Depending on the foaming agent used or the particular application, the varioFOAM wheel can be used to adjust foam quality and humidity without the user coming into contact

with the cleaning agent - it can be operated with gloves.

With a volume of nine litres the two new sprayers are designed for use on larger surfaces. In addition to the 50cm spray tube made of non-corrosive plastic material, a long delivery hose also ensures a long reach. The base is sturdy and a wheel set with handle tube is available as an accessory. www.solo.global

Next edition of ECJ September. Visit the website for latest news

Smarter New from PortionPac is an updated line of pre-measured detergents, the single Pac brand pouch. These solutions have been verified to be OSHA HazCom Hazard Free and Green Seal certified where possible. www.portionpaccorp.com

• Le distributeur de dilutions AccuMax 4P de Hydro System comporte quatre armoires chimiques dans un seul ensemble.

• La gamme CleanLine de la société Solo a été enrichie de deux pulvérisateurs moussants de plus grande taille.

• PortionPac a relancé sa gamme de concentrés maximum et prémesurés de détergent.

• Das Verdünnungsgerät AccuMax 4P von Hydro System bietet vier Chemikalienfächer in einer Einheit.

• Die Produktreihe CleanLine von Solo wurde um zwei größere Sprühgeräte erweitert.

• PortionPac hat seine Produktreihe mit vordosierten, hochkonzentrierten Reinigungsmitteln wiedereingeführt.

• Il dispenser per le diluizioni AccuMax 4P della Hydro System è dotato di quattro comparti per i prodotti chimici in una unica unità.

• La gamma CleanLine della Solo è stata ampliata con l’aggiunta di due erogatori di schiuma spray di dimensioni più grandi.

• La PortionPac ha rinnovato la sua gamma di detergenti predosati e ultra concentrati.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 29

CHEMICAL DISPENSING

Coping with the pressure Good water pressure and a consistent water flow are fundamental to the efficient operation of any chemical dispenser. A potential problem with the water supply is one of the most common concerns voiced by laundry owners prior to the installation of a chemical dispensing system. Matt Hayas, global product manager for Hydro Systems, writes for ECJ.

Water pressure can be influenced by many factors. Low pressure can occur typically at different times of the day and similarly due to variable peaks reflecting seasonal demand. Low flow rates and low pressure have a range of contributory causes that can be a result of geography, the aftermath of periods of extreme weather conditions; as well as those arising from more strategic issues, such as the longterm consequences of insufficient water company investment in infrastructure and reservoirs. These broader factors impact on and amplify the more localised problems of laundries, where water pressure can vary from building to building - and even from one area to another.

Low or varying water pressure can affect the performance of the eductor or venturi in your dispensers with a significant impact on their accuracy.

Without the means to regulate pressure you will have to deal with the issue of inconsistent dilution rates. Quite apart from the inconvenience of downtime, there is the additional impact on your Pour fonctionner efficacement, un doseur de produits chimiques doit obligatoirement bénéficier d’une bonne pression d’eau et d’un débit régulier. Toute variation par rapport à cette exigence affectera la performance et la précision.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 30

bottom line from rewashing to be considered; also the extra costs incurred from overdosing of chemicals and the negative impact on your reputation.

To manage variable water pressure, you should look for a dispensing system with a component to regulate the pressure. This eliminates dilution variance by controlling the amount of water allowed into the unit.

With a regulated water pressure system, you will get even greater accuracy over the long term because the exact same bar pressure is assured on every cycle.

The simplest and most common way to address this is fitting a pressure regulator or integrated flow control washer.

There is also technology which can act as a restrictor of flow. This solution is available already built in to dispensing units and can maintain the water pressure at two bars - but with the clear proviso the pressure is above this in the first place.

You will know if you have low pressure from your everyday observations: a good indicator is a machine that will only fill at a certain speed. Attempting to install a chemical dispenser with an operational requirement of at least two bars of pressure will simply confirm this if you are in any doubt.

Going with the flow If a laundry is situated on the top floor of a building this can also contribute to pressure problems. There’s a number of solutions. Installing a booster system with a tank is one highly effective remedy.

Another key remedy relies on the skill of the installer and involves altering the timing of the machines. For example, if you have five industrial washing machines running at the same time, this simultaneous demand for water can result Guter Wasserdruck und ein gleichmäßiger Wasserfluss sind von grundlegender Bedeutung für den effizienten Betrieb eines Chemikalienspenders.

Schwankungen können sich nachteilig auf die Leistung auswirken und einen erheblichen Effekt auf die Genauigkeit haben.

in a drop in pressure.

If your laundry is in a hard water area it will be self-evident. If you aren’t using a water softener any potential issues with the performance of your chemical dispensers will be overshadowed by the tell-tale scale deposits in your washing machines and in other equipment.

Attempting to clean out these deposits without sufficient knowledge and expertise can be a risk.

Hard choices Another challenge laundry facilities may face is the overuse of water. Without a proper chemical dispensing system in place, the impact to these other cost drivers can be significant. Most facilities have the potential to conserve and recycle more resources but don’t have the proper equipment installed to help manage and reduce use. Chemical dispensing systems are able to help your commitment to the environment by reducing rewash rates; and by measuring water and chemical consumed in the dosing process. A green laundry programme is an attractive option.

Green products and services have a very specific appeal to customers and send a strong sustainable message.

It is crucial you control the long-term costs of your laundry when margins are tight. All laundry environments; whether they are large or small, industrial or on-premise (OPL), can make gains in efficiency if water pressure and other common water issues are placed firmly under control in the chemical dispensing process. These efficiencies offer significant financial gains; while also delivering positive kudos to your reputation through quality assurance and a reduction in your impact on the environment.

Una buona pressione e un flusso costante di acqua sono fondamentali per il funzionamento efficiente di qualunque dispenser di prodotti chimici. Le variazioni possono pregiudicare il rendimento con un notevole impatto sull’accuratezza.

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AIRPORT CLEANING

How to be the world’s best A Japanese airport recently hit the headlines when a staff member was pictured dusting off pieces of luggage on a baggage carousel.

This is just one example of how dedicated Japanese people are to maintaining their environment and keeping it clean. ECJ correspondent Bobbie van der List visited the cleanest airport in the world – Haneda in Tokyo - to find out what their secret is.

In most public places thorough cleaning is the norm. Staff have a very detailed routine that leads them to clean every single object, every day.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 32

The video of a female staff member of an unknown airline company at an unknown Japanese airport dusting off and cleaning bags and suitcases went viral. It offered a shocking contrast to the videos we are otherwise familiar with when it comes to luggage handlers at airports: throwing suitcases around and being rather careless with people’s belongings. This is not to say that all airports disrespect travellers’ belongings, but the international response to this video seems to show how much we desire the way the Japanese care for our luggage when we entrust strangers with our suitcases.

The woman dusting off is not known to us, and after some research we were still left wondering who this lady was who seemed so dedicated to keeping her customers’ luggage clean, or returning it cleaner than its original state. Purely the fact that such a video went viral illustrates how far apart the western perception of cleaning and the eastern understanding stand apart, as such the video didn’t raise a single Japanese eyebrow.

In most public places, for instance metro stations, thorough cleaning is the norm. If you visit a random train station in Tokyo, or any other city for that matter, cleaning staff have a thorough routine that leads them to clean every object: from the handle of the escalator to the shields separating the track from the platform. Places that have probably not been touched by human hands still have to be cleaned daily.

In past features about Japan’s cleaning spirit we already touched upon the thoroughness and importance of taking care of your environment – which is called ‘sojisuru’ – and we also looked into the school system, where every youngster is given the responsibility to clean their classroom at the earliest age possible.

I am always positively surprised when entering a Japanese washroom in either one of the two big airports of Tokyo – Haneda Airport and Narita Airport, as I can see the commitment to maintaining their

cleanliness in an extraordinary fashion. As I tried to illustrate in an earlier washroom feature, airports are generally held to the highest cleaning standards in Japan.

To really investigate how well a Japanese airport is maintained we decided to visit the cleanest airport in the world: Haneda Airport in Japan’s capital Tokyo. This year Haneda Airport won the award for cleanest airport in the world, the ceremony took place in March and of course led to cheerful faces among cleaning staff at the airport.

Global award winner Skytrax is the organiser of the World Airport Awards which began in 1999 when Skytrax launched its first global airport customer satisfaction survey. In 2000 the survey attracted a worldwide completion of 1.02 million users, which has since grown annually, with the 20172018 survey achieving 13.73 million eligible entries.

The focus is to deliver a customer survey and airport awards process that is independent, impartial and global, and this spirit remains crucial to all aspects in the present day. There is no entry fee or any type of payment by an airport to be included in the survey or awards, with the survey and awards process fully funded by Skytrax.

A central directive of the survey is for customers to make their own, personal choices as to which airport they consider to be the best, underlining the brand as the Passengers’ Choice Awards.

Having said that, we were very curious to learn what went through the cleaners’ mind when they found out they were awarded with this honour. ECJ met with Noriko Sato, a spokesperson of Haneda Airport.

Why do you think you received this prestigious award?

“Haneda Airport received its fifth World’s Cleanest Airport award from Skytrax in 2018. We were delighted to receive the award and it has motivated us to continue trying to win more. In

AIRPORT CLEANING managing and operating the international terminal, we at TIAT place great emphasis on customer satisfaction. This award reflects the quality of the cleaning work, which is continually monitored internally by the contractor and assessed in numerical values by external specialists every year. Where areas attract a low numeric score, the cleaning contractor introduces changes to the methods used or, if necessary, changes worker shifts or adds more team members, etc. in an ongoing PDCA cycle to bring about improvements.”

How big is the team of cleaners at Haneda? What kind of training do they get before they can start to work as cleaning staff at Haneda airport?

“Management and cleaning staff are involved in the maintenance, management and cleaning of Haneda International Terminal 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Approximately 10 management staff (six per day) and 200 cleaning staff (120 per day) are engaged in the cleaning of the international terminal and multistorey car park. This does not include the cleaning of external glass panels, etc where special skills are required. That work is done by specialist contractors who are hired to carry out this work on a regular basis by the management staff.

Tuition and training vital “Cleaning staff are given one-onone tuition and training in each of the contractor companies on general cleaning skills and procedures. They also attend courses given by former cabin attendants on the level of hospitality and politeness extended by airline staff to foster an awareness of customer satisfaction among airport users. The purpose of this is to encourage a level of behaviour among cleaning staff that leaves a favourable impression.”

What are the cleaning products they use for cleaning?

“No special cleaning equipment is used. However, in our drive to provide an environment that is comfortable at any hour of the day, we have a help desk in the maintenance and management centre which operates 24 hours a day to handle

Le mois dernier est paru dans la presse japonaise l’image d’un employé d’aéroport s’employant à épousseter des valises sur un carrousel à bagages.

Cette image qui a fait parler d’elle n’est qu’un exemple de la passion des Japonais pour la propreté de leur environnement. Notre correspondant Bobbie van der List s’est rendu à l’aéroport le plus propre du monde, celui de Haneda à Tokyo, pour comprendre leur secret .

customer and staff reports of dirty or malfunctioning facilities. When a report is received, someone from management contacts the cleaners who are responsible for that area by mobile phone or radio with instructions to dispatch staff, and the situation is remedied within approximately 10 minutes.”

What is the cleaning routine of the cleaners? Could you perhaps tell us more about that?

“Cleaning staff work in three shifts a day, 24 hours a day, 365 days a week and there is a lot of cleaning, mopping, polishing, rubbish collection and other routine work to do in each location.

Consequently it is difficult to provide individual explanations. In the cleaning of toilets, for example, specifications stipulate the number of inspection patrols, simple cleans and replacement of toilet tissue per day based on congestion and frequency of use, and the intervals between regular cleans, wipe downs and garbage collections each day.

“However, smell as well as cleanliness is also considered. During this cleaning, different coloured towels are used for each cleaning location. Towels for toilet bowls and urinals and those used for wash basins are distinguished by colour to prevent the transfer of smells (bacteria) and, as a result, stop the toilet interiors from becoming smelly.”

Haneda airport is expected to grow over the next few years. How will this impact the cleaning operations of your staff? Do you need to hire more people? Or do you think robots can help with this development?

“With a 10 per cent increase in passenger traffic each year, it is certainly difficult to sustain the quality of cleaning.

Even if we can achieve this by simply increasing the number of cleaning staff, smoking rooms and toilets are often occupied and it is difficult to get the opportunity and time to clean and, as a result, this means that it is difficult for the quality of cleaning to improve in proportion to the number of personnel employed.

“Therefore, we schedule thorough cleaning around flight times and peak passenger crowding periods, and post advance notices to obtain time to carry out cleaning. When we were unable to obtain sufficient time for cleaning when toilets are congested, we introduced a new approach on a trial basis. Sensors were installed in toilet cubicles to detect when they are occupied and, using IoT technology, to tell users when a cubicle is available (digital displays such as, ‘the next cubicle is available’ direct users to empty cubicles) and to decentralise toilet use. Consequently we have been able to obtain time for cleaning and, with a visual representation of hours when most cubicles are empty, incorporate this function for use in scheduling cleaning times and shift work.”

In general, one could argue that flying in Japan must be an eye-opening experience for travellers, as three Japanese airports made it to the top 10 list of Skytrax’ cleanest airports in the world survey: Tokyo Haneda (1), Centrair Nagoya (2) and Tokyo Narita (6).

Letzten Monat sorgte ein japanischer Flughafen für Schlagzeilen, als ein Mitarbeiter beim Abstauben der Gepäckstücke auf dem Gepäckförderband fotografiert wurde. Dies ist nur ein Beispiel dafür, mit welcher Hingebung sich Japaner der Erhaltung ihrer Umwelt und ihrer Reinhaltung widmen. ECJ-Korrespondent Bobbie van der List besuchte den saubersten Flughafen der Welt – Haneda in Tokio –, um ihr Geheimnis in Erfahrung zu bringen.

Il mese scorso, un aeroporto giapponese ha fatto notizia quando un dipendente è stato fotografato mentre spolverava dei bagagli sul nastro di consegna delle valigie. Questo è soltanto un esempio di come i giapponesi siano dediti a preservare il loro ambiente e a mantenerlo pulito. Il corrispondente di ECJ, Bobbie van der List, visita l’aeroporto Haneda a Tokyo, il più pulito al mondo, per scoprire quali sia il loro segreto.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 33

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FOOD HYGIENE

Food for thought A look at the importance of cleaning in kitchens, how cleaning should be carried out and how often. Plus ways in which food hygiene awareness can be r aised among employees, to ensure they take a proactive approach to personal hygiene and daily cleaning.

Luke Rutterford, technical manager at Rentokil Specialist Hygiene and Dr Peter Barratt, technical manager for Initial Washroom Hygiene write for ECJ.

Managing a facility with high footfall can be hectic - and keeping the food preparation and dining areas sparkling clean is sometimes easier said than done.

The food and service industries must meet strict hygiene regulations in order to reduce the risk of contamination in their premises. As facilities managers are aware, maintaining high levels of hygiene is essential to prevent situations that could compromise the safety of customers and staff. Previous hygiene scandals in the media have shown the undesirable effects of hygiene lapses on profitability, as well as the long-term reputation of a business. This year scandal-hit food manufacturer 2 Sisters reported €43 billion in losses in 2017, amid a chicken hygiene crisis.

Managing a facility with high footfall can be hectic - and keeping the food preparation and dining areas sparkling clean is sometimes easier said than done.

In such a busy environment, how can facilities managers look to ensure they keep food preparation areas clean and hygienic, preventing the spread of germs and unwanted illnesses?

The battle against germs Communal areas can provide the perfect breeding and distribution ground for bacteria and other germs if they are not cleaned with the necessary frequency and care. It may go without saying, but a daily cleaning routine is crucial. Ensuring employees on your premises remain up to scratch with daily cleaning procedures, and honour the cleaning itinerary, is the first step to a clean kitchen.

It is essential cleaning is carried out both proactively and reactively in food preparation areas. Proactive cleaning involves routine disinfection of shared contact points in communal areas. Reactive cleaning occurs as necessary, such as during an outbreak of illness or when a known infection is presented by an employee or customer who has visited your premises.

For example Norovirus, one of the most commonly spread illnesses, can cause sickness, stomach pain and aching limbs.

An individual can become infected after encountering only a few viral particles. If

staff or customers become ill, or report back with symptoms of illness, a deep clean is recommended and they should stay away from work for 48 hours after symptoms have ceased, in order to prevent recontamination.

The simplest way to prevent spread of infection in the first place is to stay on top of daily and weekly schedules for cleaning.

Implementing timetables will ensure the cleaning is carried out on time and helps guarantee areas are not missed. A fortnightly, in-depth, top-to-bottom clean is also recommended in common ‘hot spots’ where pathogens are likely to be found – such as around grills, coffee machines, sinks and washrooms.

Between cleans, multipurpose biocidal cleaners can help keep treated areas contamination-free.

Going that extra mile In addition to this, a thorough deep clean should be carried out on a regular basis – ideally twice a year and by a professional cleaning company. The best time for a deep clean is during quieter trading times when disruption to your facility can be minimised; the period before the summer rush begins would be a good time to organise this.

Grease and oil particles can coat the floors and food preparation surfaces in the kitchen of your premises – as well as the nooks and crannies that are harder to access. Routine cleaning alone will not suffice as a preventative method against deposits of dirt, dust and grease in hardto-reach areas. These can easily accumulate on less accessible surfaces such as walls, ceilings, lights and appliance fittings − providing the perfect environment for germs to multiply.

Grease, carbon and condensation can also form in ventilation ducts in your kitchen. If allowed to build up, air flow can be restricted, causing foul smells and temperature control issues. Even more concerning is the increased risk of bacterial and fungal development in the vent.

Continued page 36

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 35

FOOD HYGIENE Food for thought (continued) This could put your facility at risk of breaching the The Food Safety Act 1990.

Protecting your assets As well as helping to prevent the buildup or spread of pathogens, or in order to ensure you are compliant with health and safety regulations, a deep clean can be an important precaution to protect your assets and avoid unwanted costs down the line.

Maintaining high standards of cleanliness can improve the life span of your equipment.

For example, vent blockages in your kitchen may reduce output, increase costs through greater power usage and damage often expensive equipment. Overall, the benefits of specialist deep cleaning can therefore significantly outweigh any costs incurred.

Targeting vents could also help to protect the safety of visitors to your premises by reducing the risk of a fire. A deep clean removes residual carbon and oil, which can sometimes be responsible for causing fires.

A tailored solution Each facility is different and requires a different course of action. A consultation should be undertaken that analyses several factors to determine the required frequency of in-house deep cleaning as well as how specialist disinfection should be implemented to enhance everyday infection control measures. If you are unsure of how regularly a premise requires cleaning, it is best to consult a professional who is trained to understand latest legislation requirements and how to achieve excellent hygiene standards.

Hand-ling personal hygiene Most bacteria and 80 per cent of viruses are transmissible through touch so the extremely simple step of effective hand washing after visiting the washroom and before preparing food will help prevent employee illness and cross contamination.

Promoting good hand hygiene amongst your employees can have a noticeable impact on your business’s hygiene standards.

This can be achieved through these four simple steps: 1. Wet your hands using clean, running water – preferably warm water – and apply

Nous contemplons l’importance du nettoyage en profondeur de cuisines et la fréquence requise pour ce type de nettoyage. Nous examinons également les moyens de sensibiliser les employés à l’hygiène alimentaire afin qu’ils prennent les devants face aux exigences d’hygiène personnelle et de nettoyage quotidien.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 36

soap, if possible using a no-touch dispenser to avoid washroom cross contamination.

2. Rub soap all over your hands, covering the front, back, fingers, thumbs and nails.

This helps to remove the maximum number of bacteria and viruses.

3. Rinse your hands again with clean running water. The entire hand washing process should take around 20-30 seconds – that’s about the time it takes to sing happy birthday twice.

4. Dry your hands thoroughly. Damp hands spread 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands, so the door handle of the washroom is likely to become contaminated if hand drying is missed.

5. Sanitise your hands. Alcohol-free hand sanitisers should be available in catering environments, as they provide an effective, long-lasting barrier to protect against microorganisms.

Minimising touch points The layout of your washrooms can also have a direct impact on overall hygiene levels in your entire premises. Limiting the number of touch points in communal areas, for example, by reducing the number of handles in your washroom, can help to prevent the spread of germs to the kitchen.

No-touch products such as taps, soap dispensers, hand dryers and sanitary bins are available, and can dramatically reduce cross-contamination.

You can also consider an odour-killing air purifier that helps to eradicate airborne bacteria. Given the vast number of surfaces and objects vulnerable to cross-contamination in cafés, it is critical that managers enforce these practices so that staff and customers are protected and their reputation remains intact.

Combining specialist deep cleaning and the latest cleaning technologies, with a willingness among staff to meticulously follow hygienic procedures, you can keep your food preparation areas sparkling, and prevent the spread of harmful germs in any facility. As a result, you’ll not only be honouring legislative requirements, but guaranteeing happier, healthier staff and visitors. www.rentokil-hygiene.co.uk

Wir werfen einen Blick auf die Bedeutung der Grundreinigung in Küchen, wie eine Grundreinigung durchgeführt werden sollte und wie oft. Außerdem erfahren wir, wie das Bewusstsein für die Lebensmittelhygiene unter Mitarbeitern gesteigert werden kann, um sicherzustellen, dass sie aktiv an der persönlichen Hygiene und täglichen Reinigung mitwirken.

Prendiamo in esame l’importanza della pulizia a fondo nelle cucine, come deve essere effettuata la pulizia a fondo e con che frequenza. Scopriamo inoltre i sistemi con cui aumentare la consapevolezza fra i dipendenti a riguardo dell’igiene degli alimenti per assicurare che gli stessi assumano un approccio proattivo verso l’igiene personale e la pulizia giornaliera

PRODUCTS: FOOD HYGIENE

Street food The summer months bring a rise in the number of food stalls appearing on our streets but new research from Tork manufacturer Essity reveals nearly a third of

us refrain from using them due to hygiene concerns. In fact a study involving more than 15,000 people in 16 countries showed hygiene worries have led 32 per cent of us to avoid buying food from a street stall.

Essity offers a range of products designed to improve hygiene in these situations. For general wip-

ing applications the Tork Reflex Portable Single Sheet Centrefeed comes in a freestanding dispenser that protects the roll before use. This avoids the problem of product contamination or spoilage – something that can occur when loose rolls are left on the counter.

Wall-mounted soap and hand towel dispensers free up valuable surface space and are easy to locate, unlike freestanding units which could become misplaced.

The wall-mounted Tork Liquid Soap Dispenser comes in a mini version for use in small spaces and contains 500 doses of soap to ensure a continuous supply during busy periods. There is also a mini version of the Tork Xpress hand towel dispenser. www.tork.co.uk/streetfood

Connected JVD has equipped its soap dispensers with dedicated sensors that alert cleaning teams about consumables levels in real time. Called Hygiaconnect, this

solution means cleaners only need to attend to dispensers when there is a need, and it also avoids product shortages. www.jvd.fr

Self-drying Rifraxsan is a ready-to-use selfdrying biocide from E Cosi that is suitable for use on every washable surface at risk of contamination. It controls bacteria, fungi and viruses and can be used for daily cleaning of equipment and worktops or for disinfection of all surfaces.

The formulation features bactericide, fungicide and virucide. www.ecosi.it

• Pour l’hygiène des échoppes de rue, Essity propose des distributeurs autonomes à essuie-mains et des distributeurs muraux de savon et serviettes.

• JVD munit actuellement ses distributeurs de savon en capteurs spéciaux Hygiaconnect informant les équipes de nettoyage des niveaux de consommable.

• Rifraxsan est un biocide auto-séchant pour usage sur surfaces lavables, développé par E Cosi.

• Für die Hygiene an Street Food-Ständen bietet Essity einen freistehenden Wischtuchspender sowie Seifen- und Handtucheinheiten zur Befestigung an der Wand.

• JVD rüstet seine Seifenspender jetzt mit Hygiaconnect aus – speziellen Sensoren, mit denen Reinigungsteams auf die Füllstände von Verbrauchsgütern aufmerksam gemacht werden.

• Rifraxsan ist ein Desinfektions-und Reinigungsmittel mit Selbsttrocknungseffekt für abwaschbare Oberflächen, das von E Cosi entwickelt wurde.

• Per l’igiene dei chioschi di cibo da strada la Essity propone un dispenser da appoggio di salviettine e delle unità montate a parete di sapone e asciugamani.

• La JVD sta equipaggiando i suoi dispenser di sapone con Hygiaconnect, dei sensori specifici per allertare le squadre delle pulizie sui livelli dei prodotti di consumo.

• Rifraxsan, sviluppato dalla E Cosi, è un biocida auto asciugante adatto per le superifici lavabili.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 37

PRODUCTS: FOOD HYGIENE

• Berk International propose des solutions d’essuyage intelligentes, y compris les lingettes Chef’s Select Food Service.

• Brosserie Thomas est un spécialiste des brosses hygiéniques.

• OspreyDeepclean est un spécialiste de la technologie de la vapeur sèche pour le nettoyage d’aires de préparation et de production alimentaires.

• Berk International verspricht intelligente Wischlösungen, einschließlich Chef’s Select Food Service Towels für die Gastronomie.

• Brosserie Thomas ist auf hygienische Bürsten spezialisiert.

• OspreyDeepclean ist auf Trockendampftechnologie für die Reinigung in lebensmittelverarbeitenden und -herstellenden Bereichen spezialisiert.

• La Berk International offre soluzioni intelligenti per pulire e fra queste le salviette Chef’s Select Foodservice Towels.

• La Brosserie Thomas è specializzata in spazzole igieniche • La OspreyDeepclean è specializzata nella tecnologia del vapore secco, per la pulizia nelle aree di preparazione e produzione di alimenti.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 38

Wiper solutions Offering wiping solutions for the restaurant, food service and hospitality sectors is Berk International.

Chef’s Select food service towels, for example, are designed for general wiping, cleaning and degreasing of counters, ovens, fryers, prep areas and dishes. They come in a variety of colours with matching boxes to avoid cross contamination, including antimicrobial green.

ChemWipe is a disposable bucket wiper dispensing system allowing users to add their own chemical to create a custom, pre-moistened wipe for heavyduty cleaning, degreasing and

surface prep. CutnDry TAD towels, meanwhile, are suitable for hand and face drying, wiping, cleaning and prep work. Onepull dispensers decrease waste consumption. www.berkwiper.com

Dry vapour

HACCP brushes Professional brushes and cleaning tools from Brosserie Thomas are HACCP compliant and can be autoclaved from -60°C to 140°C. Brushware features a polypropylene non porous frame dyed with food colouring without heavy metals, tightly packed PBT bristles for chemical resistance and is secured with stainless staple wire.

Squeegees and brushes are supplied individually wrapped and free of markings on the surface. Colour coding has been enhanced this year with the addition of a black range. www.brosseriethomas.com

Dry steam vapour delivered at up to nine bar pressure is effective in food preparation areas requiring the highest hygiene standards - says specialist OspreyDeepclean. The technology uses very little water and no harsh chemicals to saponify dirt, grease and grime. They are then removed using microfibre or an in-built vacuum system.

For use within fast food industry and small/medium food production areas are Osprey’s Robby 3000 and Robby 6000 steam only machines. Both are portable, simple to operate and come with accessories. www.ospreydc.com

PRODUCTS: FOOD HYGIENE

All natural The line of washroom, floor and kitchen products from Delphis Eco are made using all-natural products and are sustainable in use in that they contain no caustic abrasives. And everything is packaged using 100 per cent HDPE recycled plastic.

Formulations are phosphate free and contain no or very little VOCs, says the company. All are plant-based, ecological and readily biodegradable.

For the kitchen Delphis Eco produces dishwasher liquid, foaming oven cleaner and cabinet glass wash. There are refill bottles for many solutions, as well as a foaming trigger head. www.delphiseco.com

up to two bar. A sloped housing at the top of the dispenser prevents foreign objects being placed on it and ensures water or chemicals do not gather on the unit.

There is a long operating lever for dispensing of hand hygiene products using the elbow. And the dispenser is compatible with all one-litre Euro bottle standard products, allowing users to choose products from different suppliers. www.ophardt.com

For floors For floor cleaning in food preparation areas Kaivac has developed the OmniFlex Dispense-and-Vac compact portable system.

It can be purchased complete or a Dispense-and-Vac system can be created by adding an OmniFlex Wet Vacuum to the trolley. A crush-proof vacuum hose comes as standard, which is grease resistant, and there is also a one-piece vac wand.

The operator opens the tap, dispenses fresh cleaning solution to the floor, spreads it with Kaivac‘s Ergo spreader and finishes by vacuuming the dissolved soils away. Floors are left dry and ready to use. www.kaivac-emea.com

Food specific Ophardt’s HACCP ingo-man dispensers for soap and disinfectant have been developed specifically to comply with food safety standards. All equipment is food-grade with hygienic stainless steel housing, operating lever and outlet cover.

The dispenser and dosing pump are suitable for autoclaving up to 134°C and pressures • Les produits de nettoyage de cuisine Delphis Eco sont tous fabriqués à partir de produits naturels.

• Ophardt propose le distributeur de savon et désinfectant Ingo-man, qui est conforme aux normes HACCP. • Pour le nettoyage des sols dans les aires de préparation alimentaire, Kaivac produit le OmniFlex Dispense-and-Vac. • Küchenreinigungsprodukte von Delphis Eco werden vollständig aus natürlichen Produkten hergestellt.

• Ophardt bietet den Spender Ingo-man für Seife und Desinfektionsmittel, der HACCPRichtlinien entspricht.

• Kaivac produziert OmniFlex Dispense-andVac zur Bodenreinigung in lebensmittelverarbeitenden Bereichen.

• I detergenti per le cucine della Delphis Eco sono prodotti interamente con ingredienti naturali.

• La Ophardt propone i dispenser di sapone e disinfettante Ingoman conformi alle norme HACCP. • La Kaivac produce OmniFlex Dispense-and-Vac per il lavaggio dei pavimenti nelle aree di preparazione di alimenti.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 39

PRODUCTS: FOOD HYGIENE

• D’après la société qui le produit, SOS Hygiene Technologies, le Système à Eau Ozonée (OWS) exerce un effet biocide sur toute surface de contact sans l’aide de produits chimiques.

• Pour l’inspection et le nettoyage de gaines et de tuyaux, le JettyRobot est maintenant proposé dans une version de plus petite taille.

• Laut SOS Hygiene Technologies kann das ozonisierte Wassersystem (OWS) auf allen Kontaktoberflächen ohne zusätzliche Chemikalien eine biozide Wirkung entfalten.

• Zur Inspektion und Reinigung von Luftkanälen und Rohren ist JettyRobot jetzt in einer kleineren Ausführung erhältlich.

• La SOS Hygiene Technologies afferma che il sistema di acqua ozonata (OWS), è in grado di applicare biocidi su tutte le superfici di contatto senza prodotti chimici.

• Per l’ispezione e la pulizia di condutture e tubature, l’articolo JettyRobot è ora disponibile in una versione più ridotta.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 40

Ozonated According to SOS Hygiene Technologies its ozonated water system (OWS) uses ozone based advanced oxidation processes to deliver an effective biocidal kill on all contact surfaces in food preparation areas, without the need for harsh chemicals.

It can be used to wash down food contact surfaces and equipment and as the final disinfection of clean in place (CIP) cycles, bottle rinsing, sanitising and low to high care transfer tunnels. And SOS claims it is highly effective against all common microorganisms found in food preparation areas.

The OWS creates no product taint and leaves no chemical residue; it generates ozonated water in-situ so it is not stored and does not require diluting or handling. The unit is typically installed in the roof void above production areas, requiring only a cold water supply and electricity to operate. Each one

is installed with safety sensors as standard. www.soshygiene.com

Remember to submit your entry to the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2018

by July 20. Visit the website at echawards.com.

The winners will be announced in Berlin on November 15

Small ducts The JettyRobot - which is used for inspection, cleaning and maintenance of round, square and rectangular ducts and pipes - is now available in a

smaller version called the Jetty Robot S. The unit can be used in HVAC, kitchen and industrial exhausts and also for the maintenance of pipes for product transportation or any other types of pipes. The robot centres and stabilises in the duct or pipe, which allows it to use high pressure cleaning methods and to pass through vertical sections in any direction.

The preferred method of cleaning is dry ice blasting however the JettyRobot S can deliver other cleaning methods including walnut shell blasting, high pressure water jetting or soda blasting. www.jettyrobot.com

THE WORLD’S FIRST TRIPLE ACTION URINAL SCREEN

*Protected Design WITH DUAL FRAGRANCE AND ENZYME PROTECTION

TRIPLE ACTION SCREEN

CLEVER DESIGN FEATURES

P-Screen® is the World’s first triple action screen, offering 60 days fragrance and both dual fragrance and enzyme protection. The active central core in the urinal screen is not only designed to reduce bacteria, but also provides a secondary fragrance in the screen.

P-Screen® offers effective splash back protection with both the bristles and bubbles in the design.

P-Screen® is VOC exempt, fully recyclable & available

ACTIVE CENTRAL CORE

LASTS UP TO 60 DAYS

in 3 fragrances; Citrus Mango, Linen Breeze and Marine Musk.

For optimal 30 day urinal hygiene, why not try Wee-Screen® with its deep bubble design and ease of use, it makes the perfect addition to any washroom.

Launching Summer 2018 EMEA HEAD OFFICE Vectair Systems Ltd, The Trident Centre Armstrong Road, Basingstoke Hampshire, United Kingdom, RG24 8NU Tel: +44 (0) 1256 319500 emea.info@vectairsystems.com

www.vectairsystems.com

NORTH AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS Vectair Systems Inc. 2095 Spicer Cove Covington Way Distribution Center Memphis, TN 38134, USA Tel: 901 373 7818 info@vectairsystems.com

INTERCLEAN REVIEW

• Greenspeed a lancé une gamme de produits de nettoyage probiotiques.

• Le premier produit du stand Kärcher était l’autolaveuse autonome KIRA, gagnante du Prix de l’Innovation au salon Interclean d’Amsterdam.

• La société Deb, un spécialiste de soins professionnels de la peau et qui fait maintenant partie de SC Johnson Professional, a lancé quatre nouveaux produits.

• Eine Reihe von probiotischen Reinigungsprodukten wurde von Greenspeed vorgestellt.

• Im Mittelpunkt am Stand von Kärcher war die autonome Scheuersaugmaschine KIRA, die auch mit dem Amsterdam Innovation Award bei der Interclean ausgezeichnet wurde.

• Deb, jetzt ein Teil von SC Johnson Professional, ist auf Produkte zur Hautpflege nach der Arbeit spezialisiert und stellte vier neue Produkte vor.

• La Greenspeed ha lanciato una gamma di prodotti di pulizia probiotici.

• Il prodotto di spicco sullo stand della Kärcher è stata la lavasciuga pavimenti autonoma KIRA che ha anche vinto il riconoscimento Amsterdam Innovation Award alla Interclean.

• La Deb, specializzata in prodotti professionali per la cura della pelle, ha lanciato quattro nuovi prodotti e fa ora parte della SC Johnson Professional.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 42

Probiotic clean Making its debut at Interclean was the line of probiotic cleaners from Greenspeed.

The probiotic products consist of benign micro-organisms of organic origin. These ‘good’ bacteria battle organic dirt and the odours. Once the products have been used, they re-enter the environment where they actively contribute to water purification and maintain a natural microbial balance.

Greenspeed says its probiotics remove organic grime from deep down in the surface for a lifelong clean result. The bacteria are capable of absorbing odour molecules and can also remove substances that the bad bacteria can turn into foul odours. And they are safe to use, with no hazard symbols. www.greenspeed.eu

Winning robot The star of Kärcher’s stand was the KIRA (Kärcher Intelligent Robotic Applications) B50 scrubber dryer which has been designed to operate economically even on small surfaces.

The machine was declared the overall winner in the Amsterdam

cleaning of the flat pleated filter with the patented TACT system.

If the suction power begins to decrease, the air flow is suddenly reversed and the filter is blown. www.karcher.com

Power foam Innovation Awards.

KIRA completes its defined cleaning tasks autonomously and, when necessary, returns to its docking station to recharge the lithium-ion batteries. The initial mapping of the working area is completed quickly, after which the device is ready for use. Depending on the area, the user can specify so-called hygiene zones that are to be cleaned more intensively.

Also new is the batterypowered HV 1/1 Bp handheld vacuum cleaner. Available in three versions, with the right accessories for tradesmen, building service contractors and vehicle cleaning.

The lithium-ion battery provides a running time of 20 minutes - in eco!efficiency mode this increases to over 30 minutes. Full charging takes 60 minutes.

Kärcher has also expanded its range of safety vacuum cleaners with two new models in the M class. The new models NT 30/1 Tact Te M and NT 50/1 Tact Te M have been developed for users involved in the construction sector or in industrial operations with large volumes of fine dust.

A key feature of the new vacuum cleaners is the fully automatic, sensor-controlled

Occupational skin care specialist Deb was present at the show for the first time as part of the expanded SC Johnson Professional organisation. It launched four new products based on its foam technology.

OxyBAC is a fragrance and dye free power foam hand wash with a broad antimicrobial spectrum incorporating the active ingredient AHP - designed for the food industry and catering as well as workplaces.

For removal of stubborn contaminants such as oil, grease and general dirt Solopol GFX power foam works instantly and can be rinsed off without clogging drains.

Estesol FX is a mild power foam hand cleaner for removal of general industrial soiling while InstantFOAM Complete is a broad spectrum, alcohol-based hand disinfectant with fully virucidal action. www.debgroup.com

INTERCLEAN REVIEW

Sanitise handles

Straight cut

New from Bobson is a product that allows the squeamish to open and close public area doors with confidence.

The Mist Handle Sanitizer is designed to clean any door handle within five seconds after use. This is achieved with the aid of a fine sanitising mist that is emitted from a compact unit placed beneath the handle.

Said the company’s director of international marketing operations Alice Hsu: “It is very efficient because it only works if you turn the handle.”

The unit contains moving sensors which react to anyone opening or closing the door. This is said to ensure that the handle is clean for the next person. www.bobson.com.tw

Some new models were added to the SCI-Services (formerly known as Steiner System) papercut range. Best known for its Autocut dispenser with a patented straight cut, there is now a compact model for rolls up to 160mm - the Pico Cut. SCI says this is the smallest paper towel dispenser with a clean straight cut.

Also available is the Pico S which the company says is the smallest sensor dispenser on the market to hold a 200mm roll. All paper cut dispensers can be customised. www.sci-services.ch

Bright pads New from Wecoline is a range of floor pads for use with just water - Bright ’n Water. They are

suitable for stripping, cleaning and polishing.

Designed for use on polished concrete, terrazzo, natural stone, VCT and overlays the pads come in four colours and a variety of formats, including rectangular. Depending on the extent of the soiling and the type of floor, different colours are applied during the treatment.

The pads are used with water on an automatic scrubber. They can also be used dry on a high speed or ultra high speed single disc machine. When the pad’s colour has disappeared, it is time to replace it. wecoline.com

Next edition of ECJ - September

• Le désinfectant à vaporisation Mist Handle de Bobson nettoie toute poignée de porte et comporte des capteurs mobiles.

• Wecoline a développé une nouvelle gamme de tampons de nettoyage de sols, la Bright ‘n Water, ne travaillant qu’à l’eau.

• SCI-Services, qui était précédemment dénommée Steiner System, a lancé le distributeur compact Pico Cut de serviettes en papier coupées droites et nettes.

• Der Mist Handle Sanitiser von Bobson reinigt jeden Türgriff und umfasst Bewegungssensoren.

• Wecoline hat eine neue Produktfamilie mit Bodenpads entwickelt – Bright ‘n Water Pads für die Bodenpflege nur mit Wasser.

• SCI-Services, vormals bekannt als Steiner System, hat den kompakten Papierhandtuchspender Pico Cut, der einen sauberen geraden Schnitt bietet, vorgestellt.

• Mist Handle Sanitiser della Bobson pulisce qualsiasi maniglia delle porte ed è dotato di sensori di movimento.

• La Wecoline ha sviluppato la nuova linea di dischi per pavimenti Bright ‘n Water. I dischi di questa linea vengono utilizzati con sola acqua.

• La SCI-Services, precedentemente conosciuta come Steiner System, ha lanciato il dispenser compatto di asciugamani in carta Pico Cut a taglio netto e diritto.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 43

INTERCLEAN REVIEW

• Le stand Tork a attiré de nombreux visiteurs avec trois lancements de produit.

• Wetrok a présenté son robot de nettoyage Marvin, une autolaveuse travaillant en tandem avec l’opérateur humain.

• Der Stand von Tork zog mit der Vorstellung von drei neuen Produkten viele Besucher an.

• Wetrok stellte den Reinigungsroboter Marvin vor, eine Scheuersaugmaschine, die für die Zusammenarbeit mit dem menschlichen Bediener konzipiert wurde.

• Lo stand della Tork ha attratto numerosi visitatori con il lancio dei suoi 3 nuovi prodotti.

• La Wetrok ha lanciato il suo robot di pulizia Marvin, una lavasciuga pavimenti progettata per lavorare in tandem con l’operatore umano.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 44

Innovation trio Tork manufacturer Essity had three new launches on its stand.

Tork PeakServe Continuous Hand Towel, Tork EasyCube and Tork PaperCircle have all been developed to meet the demands of the most challenging of hightraffic environments.

Tork PeakServe is a hand towel system aimed at high-traffic environments such as stadiums, arenas, healthcare facilities and exhibition halls. It provides each washroom visitor with a towel in three seconds and caters for 250 per cent more guests between refills than conventional hand towel units.

Tork EasyCube is a facility management software that alerts cleaning staff via a smartphone or tablet when a dispenser needs refilling or when extra cleaning is required.

It is currently in use in more than 80 facilities globally including airports, retail complexes, offices, healthcare facilities and

amusement parks.

And Tork PaperCircle is a new hand towel recycling service in which used paper towels are taken away to Essity mills and recycled into products such as toilet paper and couch rolls. Pilot Tork PaperCircle schemes are currently in place in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands and will soon be extended to Sweden. It won two prizes in the Amsterdam Innovation Awards presented during the show. www.tork.co.uk

Six launches On the Wetrok stand there were six new products. Automatic Marvin is a small scrubber dryer

robot designed to work handin-hand with cleaning operatives. The Teach ’n’ Repeat function makes programming knowledge unnecessary.

Discomatic Bolero meanwhile, enables users to use two scrubber dryers in one combined model says Wetrok.

This flexibility is made possible by two interchangeable tank sizes (10 litres and 20 litres).

The company also debuted the Wetrok Tracking fleet management system.

Mepol HM is a new floor coating product than can practically restore worn-out floors to their original new condition - the company claims. It says extensive floor renovations can be postponed for years.

Also making its debut was the Wetrok Portavac backpack vacuum cleaner for small surfaces cleaning.

Finally, the Wetrok KeyCar is a lockable cleaning trolley with a flexible, customisable design. www.wetrok.com

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INTERCLEAN REVIEW Intelligent Diversey launched a number of new products at Interclean.

Among them was IntelliCare, a hybrid automatic hand care dispenser with both touchless and manual activation. The unit is compatible with Diversey liquid/gel and foam products and provides low content and battery alerts.

Part of the company’s Internet of Clean platform, IntelliCare can be connected to

smart devices to enable remote monitoring and there is an app offering advice, training and support materials.

Also debuting was the upgraded TASKI Swingobot 2000 hands-free robotic floor care machine with built-in sensors and on-board technologies. This new model boasts at least 25 per cent higher productivity over the previous Swingobot 1650.

This machine operates autonomously via sonar, 2D LIDAR, touch shield sensors and floor detector sensors that work in harmony with the robot’s computer software.

Also new in the TASKI range, the Aero tub vacuum range combines patented ultrasilent, whisper technology with advanced features. There are four models - the Aero 8 and Aero 15 categories which have eight and 15-litre tank capacities both offer a mid-class and a performance model. www.diversey.com

No touching Aimed at hygiene-sensitive areas is VDM’s new Touch Free System for flat mopping.

This allows the operator to unlock the used mop head from the frame and place it directly into a waste bucket without the use of hands. The system is hygienic since it avoids the need for cleaners to touch the dirty mop head. And the clamps allow the mop to be unlocked in three easy moves which makes the Touch Free System simple, intuitive and ergonomic.

Common problems with mops include the possibility of dirt spillage on the floor and the risk of germ inhalation when the mop is unlocked too close to the operator’s face. Both these issues are said to be avoided with the Touch Free System.

The pre-impregnated mops offer water and detergent savings and the fact no bending or stooping is required to unlock the mop speeds up cleaning and reduces the risk of injuries. www.vdm.it • Diversey a lancé une version actualisée de sa machine robotique TASKI Swingobot pour le soin des planchers.

• VDM a lancé un système de balayage humide mains libres à usage dans le secteur de la santé.

• Diversey hat eine überarbeitete Version der robotischen Bodenpflegemaschine TASKI Swingobot vorgestellt.

• VDM hat ein berührungsloses Moppsystem für den Einsatz im Gesundheitswesen vorgestellt.

• La Diversey ha lanciato una nuova versione della sua macchina robotica per il lavaggio dei pavimenti TASKI Swingobot.

• La VDM ha introdotto un sistema mop touch-free adatto per essere utilizzato negli ambienti sanitari.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 48

INTERCLEAN REVIEW Autonomous

and pad wear indicator or the new squeegee with a patented self-cleaning function. www.hako.com

New generation Hako presented its solution for autonomous cleaning at the show - Hi-ONE, a compact scrubber dryer. This new model, the company says, incorporates newly developed drive technology, special sensors and its in-house-developed navigation software.

Programming and operation are claimed to be intuitive and user-friendly - this can also be done via a smartphone app.

Also new at the show was the Scrubmaster B175 R compact ride-on scrubber dryer. There are two other models in this line - B75 R and B120 R - and all boast comfort-enhancing and efficiency-increasing features. For example the newly developed pre-sweep unit that enables the Scrubmaster B175 R to collect loose dirt prior to wet cleaning the floor. Or applications such as the brush

Kleen-Tex unveiled its next generation of rubber-rib and nylon carpet matting systems. It also demonstrated how a threestep matting system can help to reduce cleaning costs.

The company says its new Matrix Tile system helps to

remove moisture and grit through an interactive cleaning action. The matting incorporates more than 5,000 flexible rubber studs and 44 carpet inserts in each square metre.

The charcoal-coloured tiles are interchangeable to minimise wear and tear and are said to be easy to replace to minimise costs and extend the life of the system. Tiles can also be personalised with a logo mat insert.

Produced in 12mm and 18mm thicknesses, 100cm x 50cm

Matrix Tiles are available from stock and are said to be easy to maintain with a thorough daily vacuum. www.kleen-tex.eu

• Les visiteurs au stand Hako ont vu des démonstrations de l’autolaveuse autonome Hi-ONE. • Kleen-Tex expose sa gamme de paillassons nervurés en caoutchouc et de nylon de prochaine génération.

• Besucher am Stand von Hako sahen Live-Präsentationen der neuen autonomen Scheuersaugmaschine Hi-ONE. • Kleen-Tex enthüllt seine Produktreihe der nächsten Generation mit Gummirippen- und Nylonteppich-Mattensystemen.

• I visitatori dello stand della Hako hanno avuto la possibilità di vedere delle dimostrazioni dal vivo della sua lavasciuga pavimenti autonoma Hi-ONE. • La Kleen-Tex presenta per la prima volta le sue gamme di nuova generazione di zerbini in gomma e di sistemi di zerbini in moquette di nylon.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 49

INTERCLEAN REVIEW

• Avidbot est une entreprise de robotique qui est entrée dans le domaine des machines de nettoyage en lançant la Neo. • Le système d’essorage vertical Fregomatic de la société Sprimsol s’utilise pour des tissus et têtes de balayage humide.

• Avidbot ist ein Robotikunternehmen, das mit der Vorstellung des Neo den Markt für Reinigungsmaschinen betreten hat.

• Bei Fregomatic von Sprimsol handelt es sich um ein akkubetriebenes, vertikales Presse-/Klemmsystem, das für Mopps und Tücher konzipiert wurde.

• Avidbot è un’azienda robotica che ha indirizzato la sua attività verso le macchine da pulizia con il lancio del robot di pulizia dei pavimenti Neo. • Il sistema di strizzatoio verticale alimentato a batteria Fregomatic della Sprimsol è progettato per mop e panni.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 50

Smarter robot?

Neo manufacturer Avidbot claims to offer a unique approach to robot development.

“We are a robotics company that has moved into cleaning, which makes us different from other players in the market,” said sales director Andy Buck. “Most of them tend to be machine manufacturers which now offer robot solutions.

“We only offer one product and are responsible for all of it – both the cleaning technology and the robotics side.

“And our Neo robots have been on the market for around 18 months which makes them more mature then many other products on the market. We’ve learned a lot about what is really required of a robot.”

Robots tend to struggle in certain environments, said Buck.

“For example, in a shopping precinct where there are a lot of glass storefronts It is difficult for them to know where they

are,” he said. “A robot needs to ‘see’ its environment - and glass walls make this difficult.

So we use advanced sensors to overcome this problem.”

Crowds offer another major challenge to robots, he said.

“People are unpredictable and It is difficult for a robot to operate when there are crowds around,” he said. “We have therefore developed advanced algorithms to make it easier for them to work around people – and this makes daytime cleaning much more viable.” www.avidbots.com

Better wringing Sprimsol launched a range of automatic wringers for mops and other cleaning tools.

These include the Fregomatic vertical wringing system which is said to improve the wringing results of industrial mops, flat mops and cloths while also reducing the effort on the part

of the cleaner. Sprimsol claims that this can help reduce absenteeism and improve productivity at work.

Features of the Fregomatic include an intuitive control and a battery charge display.

The system is also said to be low maintenance and resistant to both water and steam.

Also on show was the Fregola automatic mop wringer which can be used in both professional and domestic environments.

Sprimsol’s automatic wringers feature a rechargeable battery which is said to have a long autonomy. www.sprimsol.com

BUSINESS: BREXIT

Brexit drives skilled workers from UK

Skilled European workers played a crucial role in lifting Britain out of its economic doldrums, contributing billions of pounds each year in much-needed tax revenues.

Since the Brexit vote, however, they have been leaving in droves. Hartley Milner looks at the impact of the exodus on one of the UK’s world-leading sectors.

Britain’s booming creative industries have more reason than most to fear the fallout from Brexit. The sector has grown three times faster than in the EU as a whole and has become heavily dependent on the right of free movement for the recruitment of talent.

New research shows that roughly two-thirds of EU nationals working in the marketing and creative industries are considering leaving the UK after Brexit in March 2019. The survey of designers, advertisers, marketers and other creatives was conducted by publishing company Centaur Media and received 2,086 responses. Issues of most concern were the rights of both EU and British citizens to live and work across the EU, free trade with member states and visa-free travel

within the region.

Meanwhile, the Creative Industries Federation (CIF) warned the UK could suffer a “disastrous skills shortage” after finding that 75 per cent of 250 creative businesses employ EU nationals. Of these, 66 per cent said there would not be enough British workers available to fill the places if their EU employees were to leave. Nearly 60 per cent also said they are currently facing skills shortages when recruiting new people.

Talent is biggest challenge “Securing talent is the biggest challenge facing the creative sector today and restricting immigration will make this even more difficult,” said John Kampfner, CIF’s chief executive. “EU workers currently contribute to the enormous success of Britain’s arts and creative industries, including filling skills gaps not being met by our own education system. Cutting immigration will damage the capacity of the sector to grow and thrive.”

For Spanish student Bonita Nevarro, Britain offered hope following the near collapse of her country’s economy.

Unemployment among people aged under 25 stood at 50 per cent when the creative arts graduate left university in 2010 – nearly three times the UK figure and the highest in the euro area. At that time, 68 per cent of young Spaniards said they would be willing to emigrate in search of work.

“Life had become very gloomy back home,” she said. “Lots of young people were coming out of education with no hope of finding employment. Members of my family were made redundant and I lost my part-time summer job as an assistant hotel manager at Cudillero. I had saved up some money, so moving to the UK not having a job to go to didn’t seem quite such a fearful prospect. And I knew my English was good enough to get work as a writer in my chosen career of publishing, hopefully full-time but I was prepared to accept freelance work until I could find something more permanent.”

Nevarro winged off her profile to several creative agencies in the London area, either in response to advertised vacancies or speculatively, and was able to fix up a Continued page 52

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 51

BUSINESS: BREXIT Brexit drives skilled workers from UK (continued)

The closing date for the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2018 is July 20. Submit your entry at www.echawards.com number of interviews to go to on arrival.

“I said in my application letters that I was willing to consider absolutely anything that would give me a start, and at any level,” she continued. “I had gained some work experience in publishing as a student and included my best material from this, along with testimonials from the people I worked with and my university tutors.

“Rather naively as it turned out I expected to fall into work pretty quickly but this was not the case and I had to take a temporary job as a tourist guide for a few months. I quite enjoyed showing groups of people the sights of London, despite the awful weather, and it gave me a chance to use my French and German as well as my English. But it was not really what I wanted to do.”

Nevarro’s break came when she was offered freelance writing shifts at a London publisher of specialist newspapers and magazines, which later took her on full-time. She increasingly took on extra responsibility, including helping with the management of publications, and went on to become account manager for one of the agency’s most prestigious clients. So now that her career has taken off, why is she preparing to return to Spain?

Back to a stronger economy She explained: “It has nothing to do with the British weather, though I won’t miss having to carry an umbrella around with me whenever I go out, for sure! There’s no place like home and that’s why I’m going back to Spain. I will be returning to a far stronger economy, which has started to recruit again. I’ve found a job in Madrid that will allow me to resume my career at a similar level to now. I’ve enjoyed my time in London. There’s so much going on here; the nightlife, arts scene, cosmopolitan feel to the city and I have made lots of new friends.

“But I have sensed British people

Autrefois, les travailleurs qualifiés d’Europe continentale jouaient un grand rôle pour l’économie du Royaume-Uni dont ils contribuaient des milliards au Trésor chaque année. Cependant, depuis le vote du Brexit, ils quittent le pays en grands nombres.

Hartley Milner examine les incidences de cet exode.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 52

are generally less welcoming towards immigrants on the streets since Brexit. It’s as though some people expected us all to pack up and go the same day as Britain delivered the leave vote and are wondering why we are still here. I was on a tube train with my brother who had come over for a visit when two Spanish tourists sitting opposite heard us talking and introduced themselves. As we chatted away, I became aware of three suited young men staring at us. Then as they left the train I heard one of them say ‘Roll on Brexit, it’ll be good to hear an English voice again.’ I glared at them but they just laughed. An Englishman sitting next to me said ‘take no notice, they’re ignorant.’ So it’s not everyone who feels like that.

“I’ve heard of other examples of illfeeling towards foreigners but this was the only time I have personally encountered anything quite so blatant since I arrived here.”

Nevarro said she knew that some EU nationals were leaving Britain because they found only temporary or menial work on low wages that did not match their skills level or qualifications. She said: “One question I have heard that people are still asked during job interviews is ‘how long are you expecting to stay in the UK?’ They get the feeling that some employers suspect they are only visiting for an extended vacation or applying for work just to entitle them to claim benefits.

“I understand immigration was at the heart of why the British people voted for Brexit. But workers from Europe have helped fill employment gaps across many business sectors, as well as public services such as the NHS. They have become fully integrated, raising families and even starting up businesses of their own over here. Britain has become their home. Now they no longer feel so secure or welcome, especially with the British government’s

Qualifizierte Arbeitnehmer aus Europa spielten eine ausschlaggebende Rolle dabei, Großbritannien aus der wirtschaftlichen Flaute zu heben und trugen jährlich Milliarden an dringend benötigten Steuereinnahmen bei. Seit der Brexit-Abstimmung verlassen sie jedoch das Land in Scharen.

Hartley Milner betrachtet die Auswirkungen der Abwanderung.

muddled statements on immigration.”

Nevarro’s employer Alex Keiber, managing director at Morgan-Wolff, said: “All the confusion around Brexit has done us no favours whatsoever. Of our creative staff of 45, more than 20 per cent are from continental Europe and the cultural diversity they provide is crucial for us as a number of our important clients are based on the continent. Many of our longer serving writers have backgrounds in journalism but with the decline of newspapers and magazines in the UK this pool has been drying up over the past few decades. On top of this, applications for university art and design courses have fallen and that too is beginning to feed through to the recruitment of creatives.

The majority of responses to our advertised vacancies are now from outside the UK.

Staying competitive “So, as with other agencies in our sector, we have come to rely on staff from the EU and elsewhere who do have the skills we need to stay competitive across our services, whether print, digital, web design or video. Regards the future, we have taken some comfort from the ‘settled status’ concession for EU immigrants already over here and those wanting to come after Brexit. But we all witnessed the fallout from the UK government’s shabby treatment of people from the Commonwealth who have lived and worked here for many years and this will not have inspired confidence among our European employees, or, for that matter, our clients in Europe.

“If migrant workers don’t feel welcome anymore you can’t blame them for leaving and going where they are appreciated, and this will leave us with skill shortages that could have serious implications for the UK’s position as a global leader in the creative industries.”

Across the wider UK employment sector, the exit of EU citizens is at its highest level for a decade, with 130,000 leaving in the year to September, new figures show. Far more (220,000) arrived during the same period, but net EU migration – the difference between arrivals and departures – was 90,000, the lowest for five years.

I lavoratori europei specializzati hanno avuto un ruolo cruciale nel risollevare la Gran Bretagna dalla crisi economica, contribuendo a generare ogni anno miliardi in entrate fiscali estrememente necessarie.

Dal voto del Brexit però, questi lavoratori stanno andandosene in massa. Hartley Milner prende in esame l’impatto di questo esodo.

WINDOW CLEANING

Safer window cleaning Window cleaning is a risky business – one that often involves working at height and handling heavy equipment. Ann Laffeaty asks manufacturers how their products are helping to make the industry safer.

Window cleaning was once a task that was almost impossible to carry out without risking life and limb. Long ladders would be set up on areas of ground that might be stony or uneven. Window cleaners would then have to climb up and perch precariously at the top of the ladder, extending their limbs in an effort to reach into corners. One false step and they could be injured, paralysed – even killed if they were to fall from a great height.

The task is generally much safer today since ladders are only permitted below certain levels. Any higher and the windows must be cleaned from a cradle or via an abseil hoist. Or better still, they can be cleaned from the ground using waterfed poles.

However, even this task has the potential to cause injuries since poles can be heavy and cumbersome and cause stress to the back and the arms. Where water is being sprayed on to windows too, there is a risk of puddles creating a slipping hazard. This can become even more dangerous in winter when the water spills may freeze and create ice patches. So, has the safety of window cleaning really improved? Or are there simply a new set of dangers for operators to contend with?

The industry continues to pose any number of risks according to IPC’s sales and business development manager Adri-

ano Mariano. “This is because the practice often needs to be carried out at height and the ladders used may not offer the right balance,” he said. “The weight of the equipment is another issue, for sure.”

Manual equipment was once the only route to achieving a crystal clear finish on windows, he says. “Nowadays however, water-fed poles can bring effective results. Today’s window cleaning operations are safer than in the past because manufacturers are starting to build ergonomics and safety into their window cleaning equipment at the design stage - and these elements are viewed as priorities.”

Operating at height is still the most dangerous aspect of the job according to Mariano. “The specific requirements of cleaning solar panels are particularly risky,” he said. “This is due to their position, their inclination and their particular nature which means that not every tool can clean them effectively without scratching and ruining them. For this reason a purpose-designed cleaning system needs to be chosen.”

Improve on best practice IPC offers the Pure Water Cleaning System for outdoor cleaning incorporating water-fed poles that can reach 15-20 metres from the ground. For indoor cleaning the company offers the Cleano range of tools which allow the operator to work at heights of up to five metres without having to use a ladder or scaffold.

Customers are becoming increasingly conscious of the importance of product quality and safety, according to Mariano. And he adds that manufacturers in general are looking at innovative technology while also seeking to consolidate and improve on best practice.

“Ergonomics and safety are not just a trend, but a priority,” he said. “Simple details such as the quality of the grip on the pole can make all the difference between a sale and a rejection. A client-centric vision of business is certainly something we at IPC care about.”

The increasing number and size of glass

façades in today’s buildings are heightening the risk to operators according to TG hyLIFT’s managing director Andreas Grochowiak.

The company’s semi-automatic systems for cleaning windows, glass roofs, façades and claddings are designed to improve operator safety. These include the HyCleaner system which incorporates a semi-automatic rotating brush attached to the basket of an access platform.

“The operator is secured via a PSA inside the basket and he or she then controls all the movements of the access platform,” said Grochowiak. “This means there is no risk for the operator while carrying out the task.”

The company is working on new accessories which will help to further enhance operator safety. “I think high-rise window cleaning will move further towards this model in the future,” said Grochowiak.

Window cleaning is definitely safer than it used to be according to Ettore vicepresident Europe Niels Ysbrandy. However, he adds that emerging technologies do not always address the safety side of the operation at first.

“For example, if you were to use telescopic poles eight hours a day, five days a week you are still liable to suffer from muscle strains and injuries similar to those you would get from going up and down ladders every day,” he said. “You have to be trained to use long telescopic poles, and manufacturers need to work closely with end users to address this.”

Ladder risk Ettore aims to make window cleaning safer for the operator by reducing the weight of the poles and making them easier to control. “The pole shouldn’t flex too much as this makes it more difficult for the user to handle,” he said.

New from Ettore is the EZ1PRO+ which uses one-stage water filtration. This is designed for use in small-scale facilities and is said to be portable, compact and Continued page 54

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 53

WINDOW CLEANING Safer window cleaning (continued) easy to operate.

The use of ladders continues to pose the greatest risk to window cleaners according to Spinaclean marketing manager Kayley Sugars. “It is estimated that there are two million ladders in daily use across the UK alone,” she said. “So it is not surprising that ladders account for 40 per cent of the workplace accidents that are investigated by health and safety authorities.”

However, she believes the use of poles poses its own safety issues. “Water-fed poles are generally constructed of carbon fibre which is conductive,” she said. “This means window cleaners need to be constantly aware of overhead cables.”

Spinaclean’s SkyVac Reach pole is made from non-conductive glass fibre to prevent this problem. “We also offer a base Protector Pole for extra safety which has a double-skin glass fibre construction that is non-conductive at up to 1,000 volts,” she said.

The company’s own water-fed poles are ‘tubeless’ as a further safety measure, according to Sugars. “In general the tubes in water-fed pole systems are positioned outside the pole which can cause snagging on buildings and compromise the handling

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 54

of the pole,” she said. “The tubes on our SkyVac Reach poles are fed through the inside of the pole through a water channel inside the angle crank and then on to the jets in the brush head.“ Practices such as bending, stretching, cleaning overhead windows and using heavy tools all place a high degree of physical stress on the window cleaner according to Unger’s marketing communications specialist Stefan Kossmann.

Potential dangers “Cleaning at height always poses potential dangers, particularly when tackling today’s sophisticated façade architecture,” he said. “Ladders are often used in these types of situations – sometimes with negative consequences. In 2016 there were nearly 23,700 reportable accidents while working with ladders where almost one in 15 accidents ended in death. The risks arise due to uneven ground and also due to carelessness on the part of the operator.”

He adds that the window cleaner’s own technique can help to prevent injury when using water-fed poles. “It is important to avoid one-sided movements and to

generate a mix of strain and relief when working methodically for a long period of time,” he said. “The pole should be included in the movement of the entire body and be guided over the window.”

Legislation evolving Unger manufactures various window cleaning solutions developed with the safety of the operative in mind. These include the NLite Connect system which is a modular system of telescopic poles. Made from carbon fibre, the poles are said to be both strong and lightweight to enable window cleaners to keep control of the pole even at great heights and when reaching hard-to-access corners and angles.

According to Kossmann, window cleaning is generally becoming safer due to better products and evolving legislation.

“The new ladder standard DIN EN 131 has been in effect since January 2018 and this has led to the stability of ladders being improved and has resulted in enhanced safety for users,” he said. “Under the new legislation, any ladders longer than three metres need a wider base while multipurpose ladders must be equipped with an attached sliding ladder section.

WINDOW CLEANING

“Previously, working at heights of more than seven metres required the operator to stand on ladders around five metres up – something that is now inadmissible.

However, companies can continue to use their older ladder models so long as the safety of these has been proven by a risk assessment. But of course, water-fed pole systems allow operatives to safely reach working heights of up to 20 metres safely from the ground.”

Injuries still a problem Despite the advent of water-fed poles he says window cleaning injuries remain a major problem. “Around 40 per cent of all employees in the cleaning sector suffer from pains in the back and neck area,” he said. “This can lead to downtime which results in significant costs for companies Le lavage de vitres comporte souvent des risques pour un opérateur appelé à travailler en hauteur ou à porter un équipement lourd. Nous jetons un coup d’œil aux derniers produits du marché, tels que des perches plus légères, des outils plus ergonomiques, et des systèmes semi-automatiques assurant la sécurité du laveur de vitres et une meilleure protection contre les blessures.

– something that is increasingly becoming a key issue.

“Investing in the health of employees and in products that provide optimum ergonomics pays off in the long run since staff downtime is minimised and costs are reduced.”

So an increasing focus on health and safety, a growing awareness of the need to reduce downtime and the development of highly sophisticated window cleaning systems have all led to huge improvements in safety in the industry. But will window cleaning ever become completely risk-free?

The risks will certainly diminish over time says Spinaclean’s Kayley Sugars.

“Window cleaners are sensible people and are fully aware that if they fall off a ladder just once they will potentially become

incapable of supporting their family,” she said. “At the same time, the window cleaner’s customers will not want any accidents occurring on their property.

“So operatives will increasingly carry out the task using water-fed poles while customers will be impressed when the window cleaner turns up for the job prepared to work safety from the ground.”

IPC’s Adriano Mariano also believes that the emphasis on safety-consciousness will continue to increase. “However, there will always be people willing to opt for low-quality products to save money, or will take risks just to save time or because they have failed to consider the consequences,” he said. “So it is essential that we continue to raise awareness of the risks that these kind of practices involve.”

Die Fensterreinigung bringt häufig Risiken für den Arbeitnehmer, da die Reinigung in Höhe ausgeführt wird oder schwere Ausrüstung benutzt werden muss.

Wir betrachten die neuesten Produkte auf dem Markt, wie beispielsweise leichtere Stangen, ergonomischere Werkzeuge und halbautomatische Systeme, die konzipiert wurden, um das Fensterreinigen sicherer und weniger verletzungsanfällig zu machen.

La pulizia delle finestre presenta dei rischi per l’operatore che spesso pulisce finestre in posizioni alte oppure maneggia attrezzature pesanti. Prendiamo in visione i prodotti più nuovi sul mercato tipo pali più leggeri, attrezzi più ergonomici e sistemi semi automatici che sono stati progettati per mettere in sicurezza e meno soggetti a subire danni fisici gli addetti al lavaggio delle finestre.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 55

PRODUCTS: WINDOW CLEANING

• Parmi d’autres lancements, Moerman exposait la raclette EASE et la poignée Premium Snapper.

• TG hyLIFT propose des systèmes de nettoyage semi-automatiques et exempts de produits chimiques pour fenêtres et façades.

• La gamme Unger comprend des produits pour le lavage de vitres classique, ainsi que pour le lavage de vitres à l’eau pure et intérieur.

• Unter den neu vorgestellten Produkten von Moerman befindet sich der Abzieher EASE und der Griff Premium Snapper.

• TG hyLIFT bietet halbautomatische Reinigungssysteme für die Fensterund Fassadenreinigung ohne Chemikalien.

• Das Produktangebot von Unger umfasst Produkte für herkömmliche Fensterreinigung, Reinwasserreinigung und GlasInnenreinigung.

• Fra i nuovi prodotti lanciati dalla Moerman ci sono il raschietto EASE e il manico Premium Snapper.

• La TG hyLIFT propone sistemi semiautomatici per la pulizia di finestre e facciate senza prodotti chimici.

• La gamma della Unger include prodotti per il lavaggio classico delle finestre, ad acqua pura e per il lavaggio delle finestre negli interni.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 56

Ease of cleaning Moerman’s latest window cleaning innovation is the EASE squeegee. The company has also launched the new Premium Snapper handle with two Liquidator 2.0 channels (25 or 35cm) at the same price as they would be bought separately but with the chance for a professional window cleaner to win Moerman tools for life and exclusive content at its new website. www.moermantools.com

Semi-automatic hyCleaner is a semi-automatic cleaning system for glass and façades from TG hyLIFT. It says operation is very simple. Once the brush system is attached to the basket of an access platform, cleaning can begin.

The operator moves the basket to the top of the building.

While raising it the 1.6 metre wide cleaning brush is not yet

in contact with the façade but when it reaches the top the water supply is turned on. The brush, which is powered by high pressure water at 120-160 bar, starts turning immediately.

Only water is needed - no other cleaning agent is necessary - and the system can be used with any type of water. www.hycleaner.eu

Less effort According to Unger it develops window cleaning products offering speed, comfort and efficiency for the operator.

The ErgoTec Ninja Washer, for example, can be extended to a

length of 105cm which makes it particularly suitable for large shop windows. Thanks to the 180° pivoting function it can reach areas that are difficult to access and simplifies the task.

To increase washer performance and to minimise detailed work when cleaning window frames, the company designed the S-Channel Plus. With its curved outer edges the channel applies more pressure to the washer’s rubber edges which makes it glide with more force and more evenly along the window surface, removing much of the water.

So less water is left in the frames and work with a cloth reduced says Unger. www.ungerglobal.com

WIPES & CLOTHS

Staying ahead of the rag trade Rags are the go-to wiping solution in industry for tasks such as wiping greasy hands, cleaning dirty components and mopping up spills from the floor. So how do wipes and cloths manufacturers persuade industrial customers to ditch their rags in favour of their own products?

“From a global perspective there will always be a place for cheaper, lower quality products – and this means a certain market for rags will remain. But manufacturers and suppliers need to develop their offer to meet the needs of a more technology-focused industry.”

The traditional ragbag filled with mixed old clothing is still a common sight in industrial environments. Textile rags have long been the first port of call when an operative wants to clean components, hands or surfaces or mop up a spill from the floor.

Manufacturers of wipes and cloths are always quick to point out the many disadvantages of rags. They are not designed for wiping which means that some may not be fit for purpose, for example. They come in different sizes and some might be too small for practical wiping purposes.

And since they are basically pieces of old clothing, some rags incorporate zips and other fasteners which could cause damage to the wiping surface.

Switching to a purpose-designed product therefore seems to be a no-brainer.

But persuading industrial customers to lose their rag is not as easy as one might think, says European assortment director of Essity Lotta Sköld.

“Old habits are hard to break,” she says.

“Customers like rags because they are seen as inexpensive, disposable and ‘good enough’ for the job. And the fact that they consist of recycled clothing makes people feel that they are acting in a sustainable manner by using rags.”

She claims that many rags users are unaware of the impact that a wiping product can have on their production and service quality. “When a customer makes a complaint it is not always evident when that complaint has arisen from poor cleaning systems,” she said.

“Also, it is not easy for rag users to fully evaluate the real cost of a rag which includes storage, waste handling, overconsumption of chemicals plus time spent seeking the right product. So they tend to assume that rags are cheap and as a result, continue to use this outdated solution.”

Time, money and efficiency are the main arguments against using rags according to Sköld. “There are also performance and even sustainability arguments for using wipers in place of rags,” she said. “Studies

have shown that customers can save 3235 per cent of their cleaning time when using purpose-made products compared to rags - and time is money.

Less solvent used “Solvent consumption decreases by 40 per cent when using non-woven cloths instead of cotton rags, too, and costs associated with warehousing, transport and waste management are also reduced.

And tests indicate that cleaning a surface with purpose-made cloths requires 20-30 per cent less effort while also producing better results.”

Essity’s Tork Exelclean products use foam-spun technology to ease the task of industrial cleaning, according to Sköld.

They are said to be able to complete wiping and cleaning tasks more quickly while using less solvent and requiring less effort on the part of the operator when compared to rags.

But while cloths and wipes are becoming more sophisticated, rags themselves are evolving, she concedes. “While the old-fashioned ragbag is still present in markets such as heavy manufacturing and on shop floors, you can now buy rags in different colours and qualities or cut to specific sizes and supplied in easy-tocarry boxes,” she says.

Kimberly-Clark Professional’s manufacturing marketing manager Simon Justice says such changes in the rag market are fairly minor. “Rags are still essentially various pieces of textiles cut up and packed into boxes or bales,” he said.

However, he agrees with Sköld that old habits are the main driver behind the continued use of rags by many industrial customers. “Rag users have generally worked in the industry for years and may not be aware that there are alternatives on offer,” he said. “Companies don’t always realise that cloths or wipes provide an opportunity to improve efficiency and quality within their production environment.”

He claims that purpose-designed wipers deliver superior oil and grease Continued page 58

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 57

WIPES & CLOTHS Staying ahead of the rag trade (continued) removal; are more absorbent than rags and occupy up to 68 per cent less storage space. “They also reduce the waste disposal burden by up to 78 per cent and provide a clean and consistent cloth every time,” he said.

However, rags remain popular across all sectors, according to Justice. “This is particularly the case in the more traditional, ‘dirty’ industries such as heavy manufacturing,” he said. “But sectors such as aerospace and other process-critical environments where it is essential to protect the wiping surface are moving away from rags.”

Not a viable alternative Kimberly-Clark offers a range of engineered cloths under the WypAll brand. The WypAll X80 Cloth is designed for heavyduty rough surface wiping while WypAll* X60 cloths are said to suit a variety of light-duty tasks.

Rags are no longer a viable alternative to purpose-designed cloths and wipers according to Greenspeed’s product and logistics manager Bert Lagarde. “The only places you will still see these used is in environments such as print shops and car repair shops,” he said. “And even here an increasing number of customers are switching to disposables since they offer a higher performance and better quality.”

Microfibre cloths are becoming increasingly common across all sectors, he says.

“These offer a higher performance and provide a more satisfying alternative to old-fashioned ways of cleaning,” he said.

According to Lagarde it is a misconception that many customers are still using rags because of their short-term cost advantages. “The cleaning market is concerned about long-term savings and environmental impact and is increasingly looking towards a total concept,” he said.

“Companies are now choosing suppliers that they can rely on to advise them on all products and materials.” Greenspeed manufactures non-woven and disposable cloths for use in environments such as offices, kitchens, schools, factories and hospitals.

Les chiffons sont la première alternative aux essuyeurs industriels et leurs inconvénients, par exemple le fait qu’ils sont parfois souillés, non absorbants, à fixateurs ou non adaptés à leur usage, sont souvent soulignés par les fabricants de chiffons.

Cependant, les chiffons ont connu des évolutions.

Ils sont souvent coupés sur mesure et fournis dans des formats plus commodes. Que font donc les producteurs d’essuyeurs pour préserver les avantages de coût et de commodité de leurs produits?

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 58

Vileda’s business development director Joerg Dunkel claims to have perceived a decline in the use of rags over recent years. ”Nowadays cotton rags are becoming a little old-fashioned,” he said. “They used to be sold by the kilogram and were charged by weight. They would also come in a range of sizes.

“Today’s rag suppliers are working to improve this and you can now specify the size and thickness you want. But they still offer a lower performance than purposedesigned products and may leave fibres behind on the wiping surface.”

Demand for microfibre products has been growing steadily in industry, according to Dunkel. “Microfibre products can do anything a cotton rag can do in terms of mechanical cleaning but they provide a much better performance,” he said.

He adds that an increasing focus on performance and cost in use is driving industry today. “Tests we have carried out reveal that microfibre products remove the need for a second wiping step, and this saves time and improves cleaning efficiency,” he said.

Vileda’s latest product – Micron Solo – incorporates microfibres that have been split into 32 segments for higher absorbency and more effective cleaning results.

Micron Solo is said to pick up and retain 40 per cent more water than standard microfibre wipes and is aimed at hygienecritical healthcare facilities plus areas that have a high level of shiny surfaces such as chrome.

Rag use will reduce According to Dunkel, the move away from rags over the past 10 or 20 years has been a major trend in the market. However, he adds that some companies are reluctant to discard them altogether.

“This could be because they are focusing on the price per kilogram rather than on cost on use,” he said. “In manufacturing and in other dirty environments where lint is not an issue, rags are still being used for absorbing spills and mopping up oil and grease.”

However, he believes the changing

Die wichtigste Alternative zu industriellen Wischtüchern sind Lappen, und ihre Nachteile – die Tatsache, dass sie schmutzig, nichtabsorbierend oder unzweckmäßig sind oder Befestiger enthalten – werden häufig von den Herstellern von Wischtüchern hervorgehoben. Aber Lappen wurden weiterentwickelt, und einige sind jetzt zugeschnitten und werden in passenderen Formaten geliefert. Wie stellen die Hersteller von Wischtüchern sicher, dass ihre Produkte in Bezug auf Kosten, Bequemlichkeit usw. weiterhin zu bevorzugen sind?

face of industry will reduce the use of rags in future. “They will still be found in areas where cost per product is the focus, but they will become less appropriate in specialist industries such as healthcare, body shops and in micro-electronics,” he said. “There will also be a growing demand for products that are heat-resistant, chemical-resistant and that can be used for disinfection purposes.

“I feel that in 10 years time the rags market will decline and there will be more focus on the use of microfibre, tissue, paper and non-woven wipes.”

Greenspeed’s Bert Lagarde’s agrees that rags will become less relevant in future as people become more concerned about the desired cleaning result. “It is a question of educating customers about the advantages of using cloths and wipers,” he said.

“It will take some time and probably more innovation on the part of the manufacturers before they replace rags completely.

Maybe rags will never be completely replaced but there will certainly be a large decline in their usage.”

Kimberly-Clark’s Simon Justice holds a similar view. “Manufacturers are introducing more technology into their processes which means it is becoming essential to use an engineered cloth for cleaning critical parts,” he said. “Rags may contain contaminants from their previous use and introducing those contaminants into a critical manufacturing process can be costly.

“There will always be a demand for traditional rags in parts of the manufacturing sector. But the demand for rags will continue to decline as companies become aware that there are better alternatives that will help them to improve their process efficiency.”

And Essity’s Lotta Sköld concurs. “From a global perspective there will always be a place for cheaper, lower quality products – and this means a certain market for rags will remain,” she said. ”But manufacturers and suppliers need to develop their offer to meet the needs of a more technologyfocused industry and the development of robotics and Industry 4.0.”

Gli stracci sono l’alternativa principale ai panni industriali e i loro svantaggi - il fatto che alcuni siano sporchi o macchiati, non assorbenti, contengano sistemi di chiusura o non siano adatti per alcuni usi – sono spesso evidenziati dai produttori dei panni industriali di pulizia. Ma gli stracci si sono evoluti e alcuni di questi sono tagliati a misura e disponibili in formati più convenienti. Quindi, come fanno le aziende produttrici di panni a garantire che i loro prodotti siano ancora preferibili in termini di costo, convenienza ecc.?

PRODUCTS: WIPES & CLOTHS

Biobased cloths

And for absorbing large spills there are PROformance DRC general purpose disposable wipers. www.berkwiper.com

Private label New from Wecoline are biobased nonwoven cloths available in four colours. Made from a combination of just PLA and viscose they are designed for optimum sustainability.

PLA (short for Poly Lactic Acid) is an environment friendly material, made from organic resources such as sugars from food crops (corn, sugar beet, sugar cane) and wheat or cellulose. Poly lactic acid complies with the European industrial composting standard EN-13432.

Spun-bonded nonwovens, made from starch-based synthetics and produced according to this European standard, are biologically degradable. wecoline.com

Athea is a private label manufacturer. Its canister and flow pack wet wipes are said to be extensively tested for quality and performance.

The company claims to bring all components of a project together under one roof.

These include full laboratory R&D, custom blending, duplication blending, in-house graphic design, testing and the manufacture of more than 400 wet wipe formulations. www.athea.com

Industrial

Customised The ChemWipe disposable wiper and bucket dispensing system, says Berk International, allows users to add their own chemical to create a custom pre-moistened wipe.

Fitness Wipes, meanwhile, are formulated to clean and deodorise fitness equipment as the name suggests and come pre-moistened in Berk’s bucket dispenser or centre feed wall dispenser.

For light duty cleaning of sensitive glass surfaces - from test tubes to lenses to electronics - without scratching or leaving behind fibres the company has developed TechWipe. This is a lint free wipe which is inter folded and boxed for one-at-atime dispensing.

With the launch of its WypAll ForceMax Industrial cloths Kimberly-Clark Professional is offering an alternative to the traditional rags and laundered cloths used in plant and manufacturing settings.

Designed to remove the toughest, most ingrained, dirt across all types of surfaces WypAll ForceMax is made using Hydroknit technology which has been enhanced for this latest product development by blending recycled cotton fibres, cellulose and tear-resistant polypropylene.

Kimberly-Clark Professional claims this new wipe absorbs two times faster, and two times more than rags. The embossed cloth provides bulk and extra scrubbing power for tough cleaning tasks without tearing or falling apart. www.kcprofessional.co.uk/ hirewypall

Converter Specialising in the manufacture of wet wipes and wet toilet

tissue is Teknoweb Converting.

It has recently developed a new method to produce wet wipes at high speed with a particular focus on sanitary design called X3MSD. This new manufacturing expertise enables the company to guarantee more consistent distribution of cleaning agent at all stages of production. X3MSD is being used with Next, Futura and Exige ranges. www.teknowebconverting.com

Split microfibre Microsystem developed the Duotex range of products made from 100 per cent split microfibre which are claimed to attract dirt like a magnet when used dry, damp or wet.

Its Premium Knitted cloth is an all-round wipe that can be used on all types of surface. The Premium Twisted cloth, meanwhile, cleans without streaks or marks and is suitable for use on glass, mirrors, ceramic tiles, stainless steel etc.

New from Microsystem are Micro EasyOne disposable wipes available on a roll or in a packet. www.microsystemduotex.com

• La nouvelle gamme de tissus en non-tissés à base biologique de Wecoline est faite uniquement de PLA et de viscose.

•La gamme d’essuyeurs de Berk International s’étend sur tout l’éventail des qualités.

• Athea Laboratories est un fabricant de lingettes humides conditionnées en cuves ou en rouleaux • Kimberly-Clark Professional a présenté les tissus industriels WYPALL ForceMax • Teknoweb Converting est désormais en mesure de produire des lingettes humides à une grande cadence en mettant l’accent sur leurs propriétés sanitaires.

• Duotex est une solution de nettoyage à microfibre comprenant des tampons d’épongeage, un manche et un porte-tampon.

• Minini propose des lingettes en non-tissés en formats roulés, pliés, impregnés et comme produits de marque.

• Die neuen biobasierten Vliestücher von Wecoline werden nur aus PLA und Viskose hergestellt.

• Das Angebot an Wischtüchern von Berk International deckt alle Anforderungen von Premiumqualität bis zu preiswerten Produktfamilien ab.

• Athea Laboratories produziert Feuchttücher in Dosen und Schlauchbeutelverpackungen.

• Neu von Kimberly-Clark Professional sind WYPALL ForceMax Industrie-Wischtücher.

• Teknoweb Converting ist jetzt in der Lage, Feuchttücher sehr schnell und mit Betonung auf Hygienedesign zu produzieren.

• Duotex ist eine Mikrofaserreinigungslösung von Microsystem, die Mopps, Griffe und Mopphalter umfasst.

• Minini produziert Vlieswischtücher in Rollen- und Faltformat, imprägniert und mit Warenzeichen versehen

Ready for use Minini’s non-woven wipes are available in various sizes and grammages. Products include Nexwoven wipes for cleaning and sanitising which have been designed to release the right amount of chemical agent to reduce waste and improve results.

Nexwipes are multipurpose products that are delivered ready for use and protected in a practical dispensing bag. And the Nexsystem comprises sanitising wipes in a freestanding tower or in a convenient tube format.

Minini also offers Abranex abrasive cleaning and degreasing wipes for use by industrial and maintenance staff. www.minini.eu

• I nuovi panni in nontessuto a base biologica della Wecoline sono prodotti interamente con acido poliattico (PLA) e viscosa.

• La gamma di salviettine della Berk International soddisfa tutte le richieste, dai prodotti di alta qualità alle linee di prodotti primo prezzo.

• La Athea Laboratories produce salviette umidificate in pacchetto e in canestro.

• La novità della Kimberly-Clark Professional sono i panni WypAll ForceMax Industrial.

• La Teknoweb Converting è ora in grado di produrre salviettine umidificate a grande velocità con enfasi sul design igienico.

• Duotex è una soluzione di pulizia in microfibra prodotta dalla Microsystem che include mop, manici e strutture per mop • La Minini produce salviette non tessuto, in rotoli, piegate, umidificate e con i marchi.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 59

PRODUCTS: WIPES & CLOTHS Wipes to the test Tork Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloths complete routine tasks more quickly and efficiently than rags, says Essity.

Tests were carried out at Sweden’s Swerea Research Institute where some operatives were equipped with rags while others were given Tork Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloths.

The first test involved removing dried paint from a metal surface with the aid of solvents. Opera-

tives were given 10ml of solvent to help them remove the paint and invited to add more solvent

in increments of five millilitres where necessary.

When using Tork Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloths the task was found to take 117 seconds and require 33ml of solvent. When using mixed rags the job took 181 seconds – 35 per cent longer and required 40 per cent more solvent (56ml).

In a second test, operatives were asked to remove a mixture of asphalt and grease from a metal surface with the aid of a degreasing agent and then assess

the difficulty of the task on a scale of one to four. Tork cloths were considered to require between 20 and 31 per cent less effort than rags to achieve the same result. www.tork.co.uk/getdetailed

Next edition of ECJ September. Visit the website for latest news

Absorbent Madaline Dry Wipes can absorb up to five times their weight in liquids and withstand up to 300 wash cycles at temperatures from 30° to 60°C - says manufacturer Mogul. They are designed to provide scratch-free cleaning and are lint free.

Durell wipes are made from cross-lapped spunlace fabrics with a liquid absorption capacity of up to eight times their weight.

Durell can be printed or coloured and supplied in roll or folded sheet form.

Also developed by Mogul, QWick industrial wipes made from polypropylene microfibres boast high absorption and controlled rate of liquid distribution when dealing with oil and petroleum based spills. www.mogulsb.com • Essity considère que ses tissus de nettoyage Heavy-Duty Tork effectuent des tâches de routine mieux que des chiffons.

• Mogul affirme que ses lingettes sèches Madaline peuvent absorber cinq fois leur poids en liquides.

• Essity teilt mit, dass die Tork Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloths routinemäßige Aufgaben besser bewältigen als Lappen.

• Laut Angaben von Mogul können die Trockenwischtücher Madaline bis zum Fünffachen des eigenen Gewichts an Flüssigkeiten absorbieren.

• A quanto afferma la Essity, i suoi panni Tork Heavy-Duty Cleaning Cloths svolgono i lavori di routine meglio degli stracci.

• La Mogul afferma che i suoi panni asciutti Madaline sono in grado di assorbire liquidi fino a cinque volte il loro peso.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 60

DISTRIBUTOR CHALLENGES

A more modern approach A new report focusing on the concerns, preferences, hopes and ambitions of supply chain companies across multiple industries - including cleaning has thrown up some interesting findings. Paul Black, ceo of sales-i, reports for ECJ. The cleaning supplies industry is among the world’s most important markets.

Many other sectors depend on it, it contributes a great deal to global economies, and it has demonstrated an unusual degree of resilience in situations where other industries have been either damaged or rendered obsolete. And yet the industry is not without its own challenges. When it comes to sales, new barriers to success have emerged, and longstanding barriers loom larger than before.

‘Manufacturing, Distribution, and Wholesale in 2018 and Beyond’ offers an in-depth look at what frustrates supply chain companies across multiple key industries, including cleaning supplies.

Conducted by sales-i, the research surveyed 233 senior executives in an effort to discern their concerns, preferences, hopes and ambitions for the future.

Many of the findings were surprising; others served as confirmation of longstanding suspicions. In either case, they provide a clear window into what drives the sales strategies of cleaning supply businesses, what holds them back, and where they want to go in future.

The report identified four key danger areas for sales and business productivity in 2018 and beyond.

Skills shortages Skills shortages are a particularly complicated issue and not least because they’re endemic in a number of industries, a number of professions, and a number of countries – and have been for some time.

For some businesses, a lack of qualified, experienced employees is less of a chal-

lenge than a simple fact of life.

For those companies surveyed, skills shortages are having an especially strong impact in certain strategically important areas. Overall, 65 per cent of respondents are having difficulty finding the right talent to fill sales roles – with operations and logistics (27 per cent) and production and assembly (21 per cent) coming in at a very distant second and third.

Operations and production are often seen as the priority areas for hiring among cleaning supplies and services companies.

The research, however, suggests that cleaning businesses are becoming more aware of a growing skills shortage in sales – and that if they want to maximise their revenues and execute their commercial strategies, they need to make a sustained effort to hire the best salespeople.

It makes sense: when customer acquisition and retention levels are below expectations, the entire business suffers.

Production and logistics must also be a recruitment priority, of course, but without talented salespeople, a cleaning business has no orders to fulfil.

To combat these shortages, the industry should work on promoting itself to potential hires. That doesn’t just mean offering a generous salary and benefits package: it means talking up cleaning’s prospects, highlighting its recent growth, and illustrating why it’s a great industry to enter – and make a career in.

Customer relationships Strategic hiring may partially answer another pressing question for cleaning businesses: how to acquire and retain new customers. The research suggests 59 per cent of companies are struggling to identify and win new customers, 38 per cent are struggling to upsell and cross sell to existing customers, and 25 per cent feel their reps are underperforming.

On each of these points, targeted recruitment will go a long way – but it won’t go all the way. Knowing how to sell, and how to keep selling once you’ve closed the deal is an art form, but one that requires

a healthy degree of science. Adopting a data and technology driven approach will offer deeper insights into customers and prospects: their preferences, their behaviours, their likes, dislikes, and more.

Having these insights makes it easier to be proactive about delivering what customers want, addressing their most urgent concerns, and making those allimportant sales.

Technology and e-commerce Technology both empowers underperforming salespeople and bolsters high performers. And yet, many in the cleaning industry find it difficult to embrace technology. At 70 per cent, a majority of respondents see e-commerce as an opportunity for their businesses; 61 per cent say the same of automation and smart factories. But this leaves substantial minorities who are either uncertain or opposed towards these technological advancements.

On some level this is understandable.

A suspicion of e-commerce may seem irrational in 2018. But the growing influence of Amazon, with its cheaper supplies, faster delivery times, and one-click-ordering, has not been entirely positive for the industry, many more traditional cleaning businesses have struggled with it. And these traditional businesses find it hard to shake their time-honoured methods of working; they don’t call it technological ‘disruption’ for nothing.

But while Amazon may have added to commercial pressures for certain businesses, it has also made a digital sales channel a requirement, rather than something nice to have. Cleaning supply businesses can undoubtedly benefit.

Again, most businesses recognise this: 66 per cent are also using software systems for inventory management, 63 per cent are using them for administrative and reporting tasks, and 84 per cent are employing a handful of other sales and marketing tools.

Continued page 62

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 61

DISTRIBUTOR CHALLENGES A more modern approach (continued) It makes sense that sales is an area of particular focus: while there may be some suspicion of e-commerce, companies are using other types of customer-focused tech, including CRMs and business intelligence tools. By using these tools, supply companies can identify leads, follow them up, and move them down the funnel a lot quicker. This creates a more responsive and efficient team, and a more responsive and efficient business.

Technology, in short, isn’t a threat to cleaning businesses: it’s a way to survive, thrive, and drive performance.

Finally, there’s no getting away from the fact that the economy tends to impact the performance of cleaning supplies companies: some 98 per cent of survey respondents see it as crucial to their fortunes.

This is a particularly difficult challenge, and the one that the industry has the least influence over. After all, it can’t prevent recessions, industry downturns, or the general movements of the market. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean that cleaning companies are powerless.

If the industry can’t control the economy, it can control how it reacts to it – and here, there is often much work to be done.

Many businesses, fretful about unfavourable economic headwinds, are apt to slash their prices, continue offering the same old product lines, and hope that’ll do enough to entice new customers and retain existing ones. This is a mistake. Though it can make sense in an immediate, short-term sense, in the long run it perpetuates a race to the bottom mentality where those who can take the hit to their margins win out over those with the best offering.

Un récent rapport intitulé Manufacturing, Distribution and Wholesale in 2018 and Beyond (Fabrication, Distribution et Commerce de gros en 2018 et au-delà) donne un aperçu des problèmes auxquels sont confrontées les entreprises de la chaîne d’approvisionnement de différents secteurs, dont celui de la propreté. Au nombre de ces problèmes figurent le manque de compétences, les relations clients, le commerce électronique et l’économie.

Ein vor kurzem veröffentlichter Bericht mit dem Titel „Manufacturing, Distribution and Wholesale in 2018 and Beyond“ (Herstellung, Vertrieb und Großhandel 2018 und darüber hinaus) vermittelt einen Einblick in die Probleme, mit denen sich Unternehmen in der Lieferkette in verschiedenen Branchen, einschließlich Reinigung, konfrontiert sehen. Zu diesen Problemen zählen Fachkräftemangel, Kundenbeziehungen, E-Commerce und die Wirtschaftslage

What about the economy?

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 62

Instead of relying on these archaic tactics, distributors should respond to adverse market conditions by making strategic improvements to their products and services. That means improving customer engagement; it means creating loyalty programmes to keep longstanding accounts by their side; it means customising packages and innovating in product design to meet the specific needs of target customers. But it also means creating a sustainable, forward-thinking model for cleaning companies’ success.

In the coming years, this will be more important than ever before. The current environment is full of challenges, but it is also replete with opportunities – if the industry is willing to seize them.

It’s time to adopt a more contemporary strategy: one that brings technology to the forefront.

Un recente rapporto intitolato “Manufacturing, Distribution and Wholesale in 2018 and Beyond” (Produzione, Distribuzione e Ingrosso nel 2018 e Oltre) offre delle informazioni sui problemi che le imprese della catena di distribuzione devono affrontare nei diversi settori incluso quello delle pulizie professionali. Fra questi problemi ci sono la carenza di competenze, le relazioni con i clienti, l’ecommerce e l’economia.

NEW PRODUCT REVIEW

• Brightwell Dispensers a lancé le distributeur de savon et papier Myriad.

•Comme produit nouveau, Wetrok aligne le KeyCar, un chariot de nettoyage personnalisable qui peut se verrouiller avec une seule clé.

• Comme produits nouveaux, DiBO présente les nettoyeurs à eau froide haute pression ECN-L, PTL-M et PTL-L. • Les solutions de nettoyage à microfibres Allure de la société Wecovi portent sur des tissus, tampons-éponges et systèmes à chariot.

• Le Puracator est un nouvel équipement de nettoyage de tuyaux capables de les nettoyer, de les désinfecter et de les revêtir d’un inhibiteur de bactérie.

• Myriad ist der neue Seifen- und Papierspender von Brightwell Dispensers.

• Neu von Wetrok ist KeyCar, ein anpassbarer Reinigungswagen, der mit einem einzigen Schlüssel verriegelt werden kann.

• Neu von DiBO sind die Kaltwasser-Hochdruckreiniger ECN-L, PTL-M und PTL-L. • Die MikrofaserReinigungslösung Allure von Wecovi umfasst Tücher, Mopps und ein Reinigungswagensystem.

• Bei Puracator handelt es sich um eine neue Rohrreinigungslösung, bei der ein Gerät reinigt, desinfiziert und einen bakteriellen Hemmstoff aufträgt.

• Myriad è il nuovo dispenser di sapone e carta prodotto dalla Brightwell Dispensers.

• Il nuovo prodotto della Wetrok è KeyCar, un carrello di pulizia personalizzabile che si può chiudere con una singola chiave.

• I nuovi prodotti della DiBO sono le idropulitrici ad alta pressione e acqua fredda ECN-L, PTL-M e PTL-L. • La soluzione di pulizia in microfibra Aullure della Wecovi include panni, mop e sistemi di carrelli.

• Puracator è una nuova soluzione per la pulizia delle tubature che pulisce, disinfetta e riveste con un inibitore batterico, il tutto con un unico strumento.

June/July 2018 | ECJ | 64

Soap and paper Myriad is the new line of soap and paper dispensers from Brightwell Dispensers that comes with a number of branding and design options.

Customers can distribute the dispensers under their own name thanks to Brightwell’s internal branding facility. It is

completely neutral look that will make it almost invisible.

Available in small, medium and large sizes, the trolley can be configured according to individual needs with accessories including a wheeled box for dirty clothes, a time-saving dispensing system, or a holder for dust wipes. www.wetrok.com

Cold models

also offering own-labelling, a choice of window colours, front covers and finishes.

The units feature a modern and stylish look, and a smooth surface for easy cleaning.

Models include the 900ml soap dispenser with option to mix and match pumps and containers; hand towel dispenser; centrepull hand towel dispenser for use with perforated and non-perforated rolls; the autocut hand towel dispenser; jumbo toilet roll dispenser; waste bin; and Multiflex soap dispenser. www.brightwell.co.uk

DiBO has updated its cold water high pressure cleaners range with the introduction of three new models - the ECN-L, PTL-M and PTL-L. Designed to be powerful, versatile and user-friendly, the new machines feature a powder-coated steel frame, a guard in double-walled rotationally moulded polyethylene and a stainless steel cover plate.

The PTL-M has two large rear wheels and a supporting leg, the ECN-L and the PTL-L have four wheels and a braking system.

Safe trolley With the launch of Wetrok KeyCar, Wetrok says it is offering a cleaning trolley that combines safety with individual design.

Custom options are available not only for the interior but also for its exterior design.

Because it can be locked with a single key the trolley is safe from unauthorised individuals who may gain access to cleaning chemicals etc.

There is a choice of 20 exterior designs, or customers can have the logo custom printed. And if they prefer the trolley to blend into the background of a building, the KeyCar can also have a

All three models also have two built-in lance holders and a suspension bracket for holding the electric cable and hose. www.dibo.com

New microfibre Allure is the new microfibre cleaning system from Wecoline, comprising cloths, mops and a fully enclosed trolley. All cloths are anthracite in colour and come with trim in seven different colours for colour coding.

The cloth with scrubbing corner also provides time- and cost-savings, says Wecoline, as a separate scourer is no longer needed. An additional scrubbing layer has been stitched onto the corner of the microfibre cloth, with which stubborn dirt can be removed from hard surfaces.

The glass and metal cloth is available with red trim in the four basic colours, as well as the flat mop and the flat mop scrub of 45cm. The mops are anthracite grey too, with edging in four basic colours. Grey frames and handles complete the look.

The trolley features two lockable mop boxes for use with the pre-wet method and it can be modified as required. wecoline.com

Visit the ECJ website for the latest news

Pipes and drains Blocked or constricted drains can result in water spillage and unpleasant odours - one of the most common causes is the build-up of fats and deposits.

Puracator is a new system that can gain access to the pipework despite obstructions including ‘P’ traps, bends and ‘T’ pieces to deliver cleaning of the entire inner surface of the pipes.

Thanks to the specially designed Purascope, Puracator can deliver a pressured ‘ring’ of water at five bar which will both remove obstructions and remove surface contamination including any bio-film which may have formed on the inner surface of the pipework - without risking damage to the joints and fittings.

Cleaning is carried out along the length of the pipe and more importantly, over its entire inner surface. Saturated steam is then applied to the entire inner surface of the drain, making it hygienically clean. After cleaning any enzyme or biocide treatment can also be applied to the inner surface to inhibit future growth and extend the period between cleaning.

Applications include urinals, refrigerated cabinets and sink units. Two machine sizes are available. www.puracator.co.uk

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