/ editor’s letter /
RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION
S
lowly but surely, society is healing. With vaccination rates high and infection rates generally remaining low, the lessons learned from the last 20 months of COVID-19 pandemic are being put into practice. The increasing appreciation for the role that the cleaning and maintenance industry plays has been one of the biggest positives to take from such a difficult time. While the focus was understandably initially on cleaning and infection control and prevention, the importance of the full range of facility maintenance services is better understood than it was before the world entered into a health crisis that will have long-lasting, likely permanent, effects. As always, within this issue, we try to provide expert insight for the industry. Focusing on our key themes of office and commercial facilities and restoration, we spoke to experts in their field about where cleaning and maintenance is at right now, in late 2021, and where things may go from here. In our cover story we chat to Gavin Bajin, National Director in Canada of ServiceMaster Clean, about how the company has shifted its focus during the pandemic, the renewed challenges of facilitating a clean office environment, and the importance of communication, education, and innovation moving forward. Yiannis Boutsalis of Impact Cleaning Services is our Expert Q&A for the issue, with whom we dive into discussion about why restoration services are arguably more important than they’ve ever been, and how their role may be better recognized as we head out the other side of the pandemic. In a world where communication and certification have become key assets, we look at how Manulife Investment Management is leading the way by accrediting its Montreal office buildings, and there are contributions from other industry experts on best practices and infection control. As ever, we also catch up with ISSA Canada after a year that has included the excellent virtual 2021 ISSA Show Canada in June and the in-person ISSA Show North America in mid-November. We also hope everyone enjoyed the virtual REMI Show in June, and remind you that if you missed any of the excellent sessions on offer, you can still get caught up on the REMI Network website. In a world that has become more aware and more diligent when it comes to cleaning and maintenance, we look forward to continuing to bring you insight, analysis, and updates from across Canada. The progress being made on all fronts signposts the way to a brighter future, and we thank frontline staff, facility managers, cleaning and maintenance leaders, and the entire industry for their stellar and brave work in the face of adversity. Stay well.
Editor Tom Nightingale tomn@mediaedge.ca Publisher
Chuck Nervick chuckn@mediaedge.ca
Senior Designer
Graphic Designer
Production Manager
Annette Carlucci Thuy Huynh Rachel Selbie rachels@mediaedge.ca
Sales Chuck Nervick chuckn@mediaedge.ca
Contributing Writers
Afshin Cangarlu David L. Smith Stephen Epp Tanja Nowotny
circulation@mediaedge.ca
Circulation
Facility Cleaning & Maintenance is published four times a year by:
2001 Sheppard Ave E, Suite 500 North York, ON M2J 4Z8
President
Kevin Brown kevinb@mediaedge.ca
Senior Vice-President
Chuck Nervick
chuckn@mediaedge.ca
Director and Group Publisher
Sean Foley
seanf@mediaedge.ca Copyright 2021 Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40063056 ISSN 1712-140X Circulation ext. 234 Subscription Rates: Canada: 1 year, $50*, 2 years, $80*, US $75 International $100, Single Copy Sales: Canada: $12* * Plus applicable taxes Requests for permission to reprint any portion of this magazine should be sent to the Editor, Tom Nightingale FORMERLY KNOWN AS
TOM NIGHTINGALE tomn@mediaedge.ca bit.ly/FCM-FB /CleaningMaint 6 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / FALL 2021
bit.ly/FCM-LinkedIn
