INCLEAN November-December 2023

DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE HYGIENE INFORMATION

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November / December 2023

NEXT GENERATION CLEANING

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EDITOR’S LETTER

INCLEAN is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd on behalf of ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association.

41 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037 Australia MANAGING DIRECTOR: Simon Grover PUBLISHER: Simon Cooper MANAGING EDITOR Claire Hibbit Email: chibbit@incleanmag.com.au Phone: 02 8586 6140 NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER: Samantha Ewart Email: sewart@incleanmag.com.au Phone: 02 8586 6106 PRODUCTION MANAGER: Jacqui Cooper ART DIRECTOR: Chris Papaspiros Print Post Approved Publication No. PP: 255003/09765 AUSTRALIAN SUBSCRIPTION RATE 12 months (6 issues) - $66 (inc. GST) To subscribe call 1800 651 422 subscriptions@intermedia.com.au

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Editor’s letter

fter more than four years, the highly anticipated ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo finally made its return to Melbourne earlier this month.

The event, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, provided attendees with two days of education, networking, and business building, and featured more than 100 local and international exhibitors.

The expo, the only show in the southern hemisphere dedicated to the cleaning and hygiene industry, also featured an extensive education program, with more more than 40 industry thought leaders taking part in speaker sessions and panel discussions.

Alongside the speaker theatre the event ran four workshops, which were all well attended and received highly positive feedback.

Innovation was also celebrated at the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, with the winners of this year’s INCLEAN Excellence Awards announced during the event.

Read our wrap-up of the 2023 ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, as well as more about the innovative products and services that took out the top spots in their respective categories in our exclusive coverage from page 26.

Also in this issue, we look at the top technology trends that should be on your radar for 2024, and share highlights from RapidClean’s annual conference held in Fiji.

Finally, we would like to wish all our valued readers, contributors, advertisers, and associate partners a happy holiday season! We would also like to thank you for your ongoing support.

If you have a news story that you would like us to cover, please get in touch at info@incleanmag.com.au.

Happy reading,

Claire Hibbit Managing Editor

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The Intermedia Group takes its corporate and social responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities.

As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers.

This magazine has been printed on paper produced from sustainably sourced wood and pulp fibre and is accredited under PEFC chain of custody.

PEFC certified wood and paper products come from environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests.

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What’s on 2024 ISSA Pavilion China Clean Expo 26-29 March 2024 The flagship exhibition returns to Shanghai in 2024 www.chinacleanexpo.com

Interclean Amsterdam 14- 17 May 2024 Leading manufacturers and industry professionals to gather in Amsterdam www.intercleanshow.com/amsterdam

MOST CLICKED www.incleanmag.co.nz

ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo 11-12 September 2024 Australia’s premier trade event for the cleaning and hygiene industry will be held at ICC Sydney www.issacleaninghygieneexpo.com

CleanNZ Expo 6-7 November 2024 Clean NZ Expo will take place at the Te Pae

Bidvest acquires Consolidated Property Services

Acquisition set to double the group’s facilities management footprint in Australia.

Former senior public servant to head Covid-19 inquiry

Inquiry will examine issues including vaccination and PPE preparedness, public health messaging, and financial support for businesses.

Godfreys launches new brand campaign ‘Feel Free’ Godfreys launches next iteration of ambitious repositioning strategy with refreshed brand campaign.

Safe Work releases report on national work health and safety statistics

Report reveals national snapshot of work health and safety in Australia.

Office cleanliness boosts employee satisfaction, research finds Study reveals link between clean, well-functioning workplace and employee satisfaction.

Aged care reform a key ethical challenge

Major reform of aged care sector ranked among top ethical challenges for 2024.

Christchurch Convention Centre in Christchurch www.cleannzexpo.co.nz

ISSA Show North America 18-21 November 2024 The premier tradeshow exclusively for the cleaning and facility management industry returns to Las Vegas www.issashow.com

6 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

ON THE COVER

Kärcher takes cleaning to the next level with intuitively designed cleaning solutions that provide premium performance and maximum efficiency.

IN THIS ISSUE NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023

ISSUE #6 VOLUME 36

Regulars

05 Editor’s letter 12 Industry news 16 Cover story 66 Opinion 67 Products

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Features

26 ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo An exclusive wrap up of the industry’s premier trade event 32 INCLEAN Excellence Awards Highlights from this year’s INCLEAN Excellence Awards 40 T he top tech trends to watch in 2024 Technology topics that should be on the radar for industry leaders – next year and beyond 46 Retail innovations worth checking out How technology and product trends are impacting retail environments 50 Room for improvement Maintaining infection and hygiene controls in hotel venues 54 The rise and rise of Rapid The Rapid Group reports another year of sales success 58 Dry, dehumidify, and disinfect water-soaked facilities Six steps to safely and efficiently remove water damage in buildings 60 Why leadership has the biggest impact on customer experience Key areas where leaders can make a difference to the customer experience

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46 www.incleanmag.com.au 7

SPONSORED

Leading the charge Tennant Company has a strong enterprise strategy focused on growth, performance, and people in 2024. Here, CEO and President Dave Huml talks supply chain resilience post-pandemic, local market opportunities, and the company’s innovation roadmap for 2024.

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SPONSORED

HOW WAS 2023 FOR TENNANT?

The first two quarters of 2023 delivered record results for Tennant Company and our teams globally remain acutely focused on the work we need to do to continue our recovery from the supply chain shortages and price inflation challenges of the past two years.

Our backlog is returning to typical levels across much of the organization, and our supply chain is stabilising, which means we’re serving more of our customers with the lead times and service levels they expect. However, there is still work to do to return all business areas to pre-pandemic operating conditions.

We’re continuing to lead the industry in robotics, with more than $170 million in AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) sales and more than 6,500 units deployed globally since 2000. With the launch of the T16AMR, serving customers in industrial spaces, we have a more complete portfolio of AMR solutions.

We’ve also unveiled our new sustainability framework, ‘Thriving People, Healthy Planet,’ which builds on our strong capabilities for continuous improvement.

Lastly, we’re seeing market interest in new products at mid-tier price points based on platforms we’re leveraging from acquired businesses in Italy and China. These allow us to reach more customers with the Tennant experience and profitably compete at lower price points for lighter-duty applications.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN PRIORITIES FOR TENNANT IN 2024?

Tennant Company has a strong enterprise strategy focused on growth, performance, and our people starting in 2024. We see opportunities in each geography where we operate, and we have a mix of solutions that will allow us to serve more customers with the right combination of products and services.

Within our own four walls, our priority is a transformative project to modernise our business processes to make it easier for our customers worldwide to do business with us and have a consistent, seamless, and high-quality experience in every interaction with Tennant.

As we grow and transform the way we do business, we’re excited about the growth opportunities we’ll be able to provide for our employees as an industry-leading global company.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO BE THE BIG INDUSTRY TRENDS OF 2024?

We know that labour shortages and wage inflation continue to be the single biggest issues that most of our customers are focused on managing, so globally, we believe that the market will continue to prioritize solutions that help businesses manage cleaning tasks more efficiently to allow their employees to focus on higher value-added work.

Solutions like autonomous cleaning machines and cost-effective mechanised cleaning for small spaces will be key to helping customers manage their labor efficiency. We’re also confident that we’ll continue to see more interest in technology related to sustainable solutions, including electrification of equipment and lithium-ion battery technology that will allow customers in larger spaces to migrate away from internal combustion engines in cleaning equipment without sacrificing the performance or reliability they’ve come to rely on from Tennant.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MAIN CHALLENGES THE MARKET IS FACING IN 2024?

Labour will undoubtedly continue to be a challenge throughout the market. The pandemic changed how many employees think about work and how they prioritise their careers and personal responsibilities and opportunities. At the same time, we’re continuing to see macroeconomic volatility in a global climate of uncertainty and change.

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As we grow and transform the way we do business, we’re excited about the growth opportunities we’ll be able to provide for our employees as an industry-leading global company.

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WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU SEE FOR THE CLEANING INDUSTRY IN 2024?

First, there is a greater awareness of and appreciation for the importance of cleaning our public spaces. Second, technology is advancing at an exciting pace, giving us more powerful ways to help our customers manage their labor and equipment intelligently.

Mid-tier price point products will help budgetconstrained customers maintain clean spaces with automated equipment they can operate affordably.

Last, and importantly, in addition to the health of the people in their care, our customers are also focusing more on ways to positively impact the health of our planet. As an industry, we have an opportunity to make real strides in how we think about sustainability in our industry.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY LEARNINGS HAS THE COMPANY TAKEN FROM THE PAST 12 MONTHS?

At Tennant, we’ve worked to integrate some key learnings from the last year to have better supply chain resiliency, including becoming more active with our suppliers and maintaining strong links that will help us identify potential issues earlier in the event of future supply chain disruption.

WHAT ROLE WILL TECHNOLOGY PLAY FOR TENNANT IN 2024?

Tennant has a strong innovation roadmap and some exciting plans for 2024. As a company with a strong history of innovation, technology is always part of our strategic conversation. Our technology www.incleanmag.com.au 9

SPONSORED

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will continue to deliver value to our customers, especially in new areas like connected autonomy. Internally, we’ll also be leveraging technology like connected machines and AI to improve efficiency and scalability in how we operate.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING LEADERS TODAY? Establishing and maintaining a clear focus on our highest-priority opportunities has always been a critical leadership challenge and continues to be very important.

Our leadership team is working to balance near-term agility to capitalize on opportunities that arise without sacrificing steady progress toward our long-term objectives. To maintain this balance, we need consistent, effective communication – which is often a challenge in a world where we’re all inundated with many messages and potential distractions.

WHAT IS YOUR LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY?

I subscribe to a servant leadership model. In my day-to-day interactions, I’m constantly reminded of the value of having great people around me. It’s also important to develop and communicate clear and compelling objectives, empower, and support the team, identify, and mitigate risks, remove obstacles, demonstrate intellectual curiosity and 10 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

Earlier this year, Tennant introduced our new sustainability framework, ‘Thriving People, Healthy Planet,’ and committed to reaching net zero by 2040 as a company. Our framework focuses on embedding sustainable thinking in every aspect of how we do business as a company.

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embrace continuous learning, recognise and celebrate the wins, and learn quickly from missteps or shortfalls – and adjust course quickly. Much of leadership is about listening and learning.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER LEADERS IN THE CLEANING INDUSTRY?

The cleaning industry is uniquely positioned to raise our profile and become a catalyst for positive change in our world. The value of keeping shared spaces clean for society has never been higher, especially in the post-pandemic era.

At Tennant Company, we believe there is dignity in ALL work, and the cleaning industry has the potential to improve the lives of millions by providing gateway jobs and careers. We have the opportunity to lead the charge for sustainability. With every shared space being cleaned, we can

impact the use of water, electricity, and chemicals through innovative products and technologies.

WHAT ARE SOME OF TENNANT’S SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENTS THE COMPANY HAS MADE FOR 2024 IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND, AS WELL AS GLOBALLY, AS PART OF ITS MISSION FOR ‘CREATING A CLEANER, HEALTHIER WORLD’?

Earlier this year, Tennant introduced our new sustainability framework, ‘Thriving People, Healthy Planet,’ and committed to reaching net zero by 2040 as a company.

Our framework focuses on embedding sustainable thinking in every aspect of how we do business as a company.

This opens opportunities to rethink our approach to sustainability in product design and other customer-facing areas, allowing for enhanced thinking and innovation.

We believe that we have significant and exciting ways to help our customers make progress towards their sustainability goals through and alongside the work we’re doing within Tennant – including our customers in ANZ. Regarding our sustainability framework, each objective we announce, including our Net Zero commitment, has rigorous KPIs that we’ll use to measure progress. We publish our sustainability reports annually and frequently discuss our performance indicators in public forums like our published quarterly business results. ■ For more infomration, visit: https://au.tennantco.com

DELIVERING CLEAN Every Time

INDUSTRY NEWS

Whiteley Corporation celebrates 90 years of business at Export Conference Whiteley has celebrated 90 years in business at the company’s fifth biannual export conference in Sydney.

The three-day Export Conference brought delegates together from Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, Switzerland, and Malaysia to discuss business opportunities for Whiteley products in the international marketplace. The conference also allowed delegates to tour Whiteley’s key Sydney facilities.

The Export meeting was led by Whiteley’s vice president of international sales, Greg Pobjoy. Pobjoy focused on building and strengthening export customer relationships, product training, education, and team building.

The meeting was also held alongside Whiteley’s 90-year celebration dinner. The gala dinner was held at Curzon Hall in Marsfield. More than 100 guests were in attendance from key industry bodies, export customers, researchers, academics, and customers.

12 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

Associate Professor Greg Whiteley said: “The 90th gala dinner was fabulous for us and our family, I wanted to express my personal gratitude to everyone who joined us to celebrate 90 years of Whiteley.

Not many companies get to 90 years of age, but we are one of those rare breeds, and we look forward to the next 90 years from here.”

“On the night we did not have time to canvas all of the on-going work in which our team are engaged but there is much more to follow over the next couple of years.”

As Australia’s largest manufacturer of sterilants, disinfectants and professional cleaning technologies, Whiteley has been in operation since 1933. With its manufacturing facility located at Tomago, Whiteley Corporation is a proud advocate for conducting business in the Hunter Region.

Moving forward, Whiteley Corporation will continue to be a proud export ambassador for the Hunter Region. The company will look to explore new export markets and strengthen the export relationships that currently exist.

WUDA-1200

Wet Umbrella Dryer Australia 1200 Long Unique Design Features: Intelligent design with innovative features. Wet Umbrella Dryer Australia is the first of it’s kind locally manufactured and available to the Australian market.

• Proudly manufactured in Australia from locally sourced materials.

• 100% Eco Friendly and sustainable with no plastic bags required.

• All panels are full recyclable, made from HDPE (type2).

• HDPE has high impact strength and is very hard to crack under pressure.

This guarantees years of reliable service in a tough commercial environment.

• Cleverly designed side ventilation allows microfibre pads to dry when not in use.

• Fully washable and replaceable high quality microfibre pads.

• No wet floors with purposely built in splash guard.

• The use of rubber and foam ensures durability and minimal chance of injury.

• Steel handles allow for ease of mobility, doubling up as reinforcement panels ensuring added rigidity and durability.

• Innovative design allows for easy flat packed delivery via standard courier services Australia wide.

• WUDA -1200 is the first product of it’s kind to fit golf and oversized umbrellas.

• Theft preventing locking tabs.

• 5 year warranty.

• Buy Back and Upcycling initiative.

• Minimal wait times for shipping and never out of stock.

• Comprehensive after sales support, quick repairs and supply of spare parts.

When you purchase WUDA -1200, you’re helping support Australian Industries, local innovators and manufacturing.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

MotorScrubber Australia launches SHOCK at ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo MotorScrubber has launched SHOCK to the cleaning world at the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo in Melbourne.

Boasting the lowest profile oscillating scrubbing head in the world, combined with ground-breaking cleaning performance and unbeatable usability, SHOCK is set to revolutionise the way cleaning teams tackle edges, corners, stairs, baseboards, and beneath obstacles.

Lightweight or heavyweight, SHOCK is customisable, ready to take on any cleaning challenge with the addition of a seismic weight kit.

SHOCK’s patented soft glide wheels protect walls, floors, and surfaces, ensuring precision cleaning in the tightest of spaces. And with the addition of its quick-change pad system, users can transition between cleaning areas in seconds.

Lucas Paris, managing director of MotorScrubber Australia, was joined by colleagues from the company’s UK headquarters to deliver demonstrations throughout the show.

14 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

Break the chain of infection with Rubbermaid Disposable Microfibre The average virus has a diameter of between 20 and 400 nanometres, making it difficult to see even under a microscope. Microbes like the novel coronavirus, despite their minuscule size, pose significant health threats.

Disposable microfiber cloths play a crucial role in the fight against infectious diseases.

Pathogenic microbes, like COVID19, spread person-to-person and potentially animal-to-person. Some microbes spread airborne, others through vector contact, where a carrier releases viral particles in bodily fluids, including invisible water vapor during speech. Microbes also spread through contaminated surfaces, raising concerns for businesses as saliva droplets can cause infection when touched and then the face.

Eliminating pathogenic microbes wherever possible is essential for reducing the risk of infectious disease.

Newly developed deep cleaning procedures attempt to reduce this risk by carefully cleaning high-touch surfaces and protecting staff from unnecessary exposure to microbes.

Microfiber, crafted from fine synthetic filaments, surpasses

traditional cotton in capturing and removing microbes due to its superior absorbency. Unlike cotton, which displaces microbes without substantial remediation and retains larger pathogens, microfiber provides a more proficient solution for comprehensive microbe removal.

HYGEN Disposable Microfibre represents the highest standard of cleanliness, removing 99.99 per cent of all common tested viruses with water alone. Unlike cloths sprayed with cleaning solution that may kill but not remove microbes, HYGEN eliminates this risk, ensuring surfaces remain free of potential pathogens, particularly crucial in hospital settings to prevent infection.

Rubbermaid Commercial Products remains dedicated to deliver a higher level of clean and excellence, leading the way in infection control and equipping industries with products for a cleaner and safer environment.

HYGEN Disposable Microfibre serves as a remarkable testament on how cutting-edge technology can revolutionise infection prevention and elevate cleaning standards to new heights of effectiveness and efficiency.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Office cleanliness boosts employee satisfaction, research finds In a recent study by Tork, an Essity brand, 86 per cent of surveyed office employees emphasised the importance of cleanliness in their work environment.

According to the report, this data underscores the role of hygiene in enhancing employee satisfaction and the need for facility leaders to adopt topgrade hygiene products and solutions.

Other key findings from the study revealed the importance of clean restrooms in workplace facilities.

85 per cent of employees believe that the state of workplace restrooms reflects the overall hygiene of the building 67 per cent of employees are more prone to voice concerns about restroom conditions than any other part of the office

Restroom complaints account for more than 45 per cent of office building complaints.

Tork’s study also found that even though facility managers rank cleaning quality as their top concern, they allocate only around 18 per cent of their time toward enhancing cleaning efficiency and standards.

The study indicates that by prioritising efficient restroom maintenance, facility managers can greatly decrease grievances from office employees.

The report suggested that streamlining restroom upkeep will allow for additional cleaning time in other spaces, leading to a tidier office environment, increased employee contentment, and enhanced job satisfaction.

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COVER STORY

The next generation of floor cleaning Kärcher takes cleaning to the next level with intuitively designed cleaning solutions that provide premium performance and maximum efficiency KIRA B 50: A COST EFFECTIVE, SUSTAINABLE CLEANING SOLUTION Kärcher’s KIRA B 50 has proven to be a gamechanger in the cleaning industry. As we move forward into the future, it’s no surprise that technology is advancing and transforming every aspect of our lives.

KIRA is an autonomous cleaning robot that has been designed to make professional cleaning easier, faster, and more efficient with the fully autonomous floor cleaner providing an efficient and effective cleaning solution suitable for medium-sized and large areas.

According to Hartmut Jenner, CEO of Kärcher, the KIRA B 50 cleaning robot is a testament to Kärcher’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

“The robot has exceeded our expectations in terms of cleaning efficiency, and we are thrilled to see the positive impact it is having on our customers and the environment.”

Once started, KIRA B 50 cleans a predefined area completely independently without manual intervention. The robot is equipped with roller brush technology and with a pre-sweeping function designed for coarse dirt and heavy soiling on uneven floors.

One of the standout features of KIRA B 50 is its fleet management system. With the dedicated web portal, cleaning professionals can effortlessly manage their entire fleet of KIRA robots from anywhere, at any time.

16 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

This innovative feature allows for convenient monitoring of machine data, providing real-time insights into each robot’s performance, location, and cleaning progress.

Whether you have a single machine or a full fleet of cleaning robots, KIRA B 50’s fleet management system ensures that you have everything under control at all times.

Another innovative feature is the large touch display, making it easy to operate and maintain. The display provides intuitive operation, simple maintenance, and straightforward servicing.

KIRA B 50’s optional docking station allows the robot to automatically fill the freshwater tank, drain and rinse the waste water tank as well as providing an optimum charge to the lithium-ion battery depending on the scheduled cleaning task. If there is another cleaning route scheduled, the KIRA B 50

saves time by only charging the battery to the level required and will only complete the full charge of the battery once all cleaning routes have been completed.

KEY BENEFITS

• Rapid and simple set-up: The device’s initial set-up is completed in just three steps.

• Pathfinder: The robot uses the “FCPP” (Floor Coverage Path Planning) program to independently calculate the most efficient cleaning route – even for complex floor plans.

• Docking station: Once the robot has been activated by the operator, it is able to work autonomously for a whole shift.

• Cost efficiency: KIRA B 50 does it all and in a fraction of the time it would take a human to do it. This means that while KIRA B 50 is cleaning floor areas, your cleaning team can focus on more complex cleaning tasks.

• Safety: During cleaning operation, precision sensor technology ensures the greatest degree of safety for people, objects, and the machine itself.

• Fleet management: KIRA B 50 is connected to Kärcher Fleet – a telematics system for the organisation and management of cleaning machines. With GPS and mobile communications, cleaning contractors know where their devices are being deployed, what service was performed and when, plus their current status.

COVER STORY KÄRCHER B 50 W SCRUBBER DRYER: INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY, REDUCED CONSUMPTION BACKED

BY STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY

Innovative character meets robust operation, the Kärcher B 50 W combines proven quality with technical sophistication.

The B 50 W is no ordinary scrubber dryer. It has been revolutionized and is paving the way into the future of cleaning. With its high-end technology features, this powerhouse is making it easier, faster, and more cost-efficient than ever before.

One of the standout features of the B 50 W is its smartphone app, Machine Connect. This advanced app provides access to a wide range of functions that are designed to optimize your cleaning experience.

From FAQ videos and an overview of cleaning parameters to machine authorizations and available cleaning resources, Machine Connect opens a world of possibilities and ensures that you have all the information you need at your fingertips.

But that’s not all - the B 50 W is packed with innovative features that are guaranteed to impress even the most discerning users. The contactless detergent dosing system, DOSE, ensures precise and effortless dosing of cleaning agents, saving you time and ensuring consistent cleaning results. With the newly redesigned automatic dirty water tank rinsing system, cleaning the machine is a breeze, allowing you to focus on what matters most - achieving spotless surfaces.

The B 50 W combines proven quality with technical sophistication, delivering outstanding cleaning results that will exceed your expectations. Embrace the future of cleaning with the B 50 W and experience the effortless power of innovation in every cleaning task.

KEY BENEFITS

• Efficiency: The B 50 W ensures unparalleled efficiency and sustainability. Simply lower the squeegee (by lever) and brush head (by foot pedal) manually, and watch the machine start automatically, saving you valuable time and energy.

• Cost-effectiveness: With the die-cast aluminium squeegee and optimized airflow, the B 50 W ensures the best suction results, even on uneven surfaces.

By enabling power savings for the turbine, it not only saves you time but also saves you money.

• Intuitive operation: The B 50 W connects to the smartphone app Machine Connect via a digital interface. This enhanced functionality allows you to access machine information, adjust critical cleaning parameters, and allows the operator to utilize the Kärcher’s Intelligent Key system known as KIK. Keep track of important data such as remaining runtime, battery status, error messages, and gain access to helpful videos and practical information.

• Flexible deployment planning: Opt for the optional quick charger, which shortens the charging time to just two hours. This feature ensures flexible deployment planning, allowing you to optimize your cleaning schedule. Furthermore, the improved drying result achieved by the flowoptimised squeegee means that the B 50 W delivers exceptional drying results with every type of cleaning task.

• Reduced consumption: By utilizing the speeddependent dosing of water and detergents, the B 50 W minimises consumption by up to 50 per cent. ■

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Innovative character meets robust operation; the B 50 W combines proven quality with technical sophistication.

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Find out more at karcher.com.au or call Kärcher on 1800 675 714 for a free site survey today. www.incleanmag.com.au 17

INDUSTRY NEWS

Pacvac debuts new era of products at ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo Australian company Pacvac has been working hand in hand with their customers; a network of professional cleaners since 1978 to continue improving product development.

Through continued innovation the company has developed the next generation of backpack vacuums and harnesses, which debuted at the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo in Melbourne this month.

Pacvac’s new Ecoharness is a more comfortable, supportive, and tailored fitting product made using at least 50 per cent recycled post-consumer polyester (rPet), otherwise known as recycled plastic water bottles.

Anita Bubb, head of product at Pacvac, believes this harness will be helpful to professional cleaners, as it includes a height adjustability system allowing its wearer to choose from three height settings, along with load bearing straps, extra thick padding, a breathable mesh harness and a thoughtful cord holder to keep cords tidy.

“What makes this product development so exciting is that it’s actually about the individual using the product. We’ve really invested in prioritising the user’s comfort and support with a harness that fits them like a glove,” Bubb said.

Attendants who visited the Pacvac stand had the opportunity to demo the new Superpro go and Velo go backpack vacuum machines.

The Superpro go will come standard with the Ecoharness from January 2024, and both these new products feature a boost mode; a highly requested feature from our customers which offers a satisfying instant surge of suction power to tackle extra-demanding cleaning tasks.

“The new Velo was also on display at the show this year; small and mighty it’s everything you love about Velo’s compact, lightweight style with the power of 240V at your fingertips

as an 18m corded machine.”

18 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

Study shows on-the-job training increases retention The value of on-the-job training should not be underestimated, according to a University of Auckland study.

Using Australian data, the study found that over-educated and overskilled employees are less likely to quit if training is available.

The study, detailed in the paper ‘Educational job mismatch, job satisfaction, on-the-job training, and employee quit behaviour: A dynamic analytical approach’, is the first to test the impact of on-the-job training and job satisfaction among jobmismatched employees.

Using unit record data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, the researchers found that overeducation alone, or accompanied by skill under-utilisation, in combination with lower job satisfaction, increases incidences of people resigning from roles.

However, on-the-job training decreases the likelihood of overeducated, over-skilled workers quitting, says study co-author and professor of economics, Sholeh Maani.

Another key finding is that overeducated and over-skilled employees may stay with their present employers if they otherwise have high overall job satisfaction.

“Australia has a system in which the prevalence of government financial support for training, industry standards requirements and established training providers, facilitate on-the-job training,” says Dr Maani.

“As such, this study provides other countries with evidence for policy considerations from the Australian case in which on-the-job training receives widespread support and uptake.”

Over-education is prevalent across economies, and statistics from OECD countries classify 35.7 per cent of the workforce in qualification-mismatched jobs, says Dr Maani, who has been working on a series of papers in the areas of lifetime economic returns to education, and educational mismatch.

“There’s a relatively high percentage of people in both Australia and New Zealand who are in jobs where their credentials and years of education are above what is required, and this is why we’re undertaking research in this area.”

The results from Dr Maani’s study show that on-the-job training among employees who are in mismatched positions (over-education and skill underutilisation) leads to greater retention, and this helps to explain why job mismatches may no longer be predominantly temporary for some workers, says Professor Maani.

“You may not expect that when someone’s over-educated and overskilled that getting on-the-job training would put them on a path to more job satisfaction and reduce their likelihood of quitting, but we found that for those who had on-the-job training, it changed their trajectory, and in connection with job satisfaction, they were less likely to resign, and stayed longer at their jobs.”

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Circular economy legislation passes in a first for the ACT The ACT Government has passed legislation to support a new legal framework to create a circular economy in Canberra.

“We want Canberra to be a circular city where we value waste as a resource,” said Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel.

“These laws will support the establishment of a circular economy in the ACT, where waste is reduced and where the reuse and recovery of resources is maximised.

“These laws build on the work already undertaken to reduce the harm of plastic, and encourages renewable, reusable and non-toxic resources to be kept in use at their highest value.”

The new legislation will extend powers to ban other problematic, non-plastic products, following the ACT Government’s phase-out of certain single-use plastics.

“While single-use plastic presents a particular problem, this Legislation recognises that nonplastic products and non-single-use products can also be harmful to the environment and to human health,” said Minister Steel.

Minister Steel said, similar to the process for phasing-out single use plastics, when problematic or toxic non-plastic products are identified the Government will invite public submissions before making any decision to ban them.

The most significant part of the Act introduces new powers to introduce recyclable waste processing requirements.

Minister Steel said the initial intention would be to use this power to require recyclable material producing businesses to separate and recycle co-mingled recycled materials.

He said many businesses were already doing the right thing by the environment by recycling.

Consultation is also underway on draft regulations, including a proposed waste reduction requirement for food businesses to implement food waste reduction plans, and new processing requirements to separate food waste and ensure it is recycled.

20 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

Industry celebrates workforce on Thank Your Cleaner Day The cleaning industry has celebrated the role of professional cleaners on Thank Your Cleaner Day. The initiative was started in New Zealand by the Building Service Contractors Association of New Zealand (BSCNZ) and has since become a global event, supported by Kärcher.

Now in its ninth year, Thank Your Cleaner Day aims to raise the profile of the industry as well as celebrate the role of professional cleaners.

Sarah McBride, CEO of the BSCNZ, said the day champions the role cleaners play in keeping facilities and workplaces clean, safe, and hygienic.

“Thank Your Cleaner Day is an opportunity to engage with customers and give them the opportunity to recognise the hard work of commercial cleaners everywhere.

“We hope that commercial cleaners in New Zealand are thanked in some way shape or form on the day, and we would also thank Kärcher for their ongoing support,” said McBride.

“This day started in New Zealand and is now celebrated in many countries around the world. To all the commercial cleaners out there…. thank you!”

Lauren Micallef, Oceania manager of ISSA, said the day highlights and recognises the indispensable work conducted by cleaners across all industries.

“ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, recognises the hard work and commitment shown by all the essential cleaning professionals in our industry.

“Over the past few years, the cleaning industry has taken the lead in creating and maintaining a safe and healthy built environment and continues to maintain this focus.

“On Thank Your Cleaner Day, and every other day, I encourage all businesses to show their appreciation for the continuous hard work done by all cleaning staff.”

Hamish Matheson, region president – Oceania, Kärcher, said: “Thank Your Cleaner Day is a day where we recognise the cleaning industry for all their hard work and say thank you to the cleaners around us for everything they do. “ “It began in 2015 in New Zealand and over the years has grown to be celebrated worldwide. In 2023 we celebrate TYCD’s ninth year and what a way to celebrate with now over 49 countries worldwide who have jumped on board and begun celebrating this special day.

“Our vision for Thank Your Cleaner Day is simple, yet an essential day for us to recognise our cleaners for the hard work they do.”

INDUSTRY NEWS

Cirka Group enters catering market with acquisition of Libby Reid Catering Australian and UK cleaning company Cirka Group has acquired Libby Reid Catering Group.

This acquisition will see Cirka Group enter the catering market and expand its offering to the facilities and events management sectors.

Libby Reid Catering is based in Melbourne and has been providing exclusive catering to both private and corporate clients for more than 40 years.

The company is an accredited and official partner of the Victoria Racing Club and the Melbourne Cup Carnival and also services a range of corporate and event spaces, as well as providing home delivery services to the aged care sector.

“Libby Reid Catering is a highly-regarded name in the industry,” Matthew Bond, Cirka Group Executive Chairman, said.

“The tenure of their clients is a testament to the quality of their service delivery, and we’re excited to continue to grow the brand and focus on expanding into key segments.”

Cirka provides cleaning, waste management, pest control, hygiene, and porterage services to more than 80 clients across the commercial, aged care and health, venues & events and retail sectors in Australia and the UK.

The family-owned and operated company was founded in 1988 and has won multiple service excellence awards over the past 35 years.

“Libby Reid Catering has become known for delivering personalised and individual catering experiences to a broad range of clients,” Libby Reid, Libby Reid Catering Founder said.

“Cirka’s vision for creating and delivering outstanding experiences is an exciting point of alignment between the two brands.”

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Business Intelligence: Improve your decision-making process

T

he term Business Intelligence (BI) should by now conjure up images of colourful dashboards with pie graphs, bar charts and the famous line showing a rise along the X and Y axes.

It would surprise most that the term was first known to be used by Richard Millar in 1865 to describe how the banker Sir Henry Furnese made a lot of money by acting on information before his competitors. I doubt back then any of the ‘BI’ Henry had was projected on a computer screen!

Cleaning companies who look for BI software, quickly realise that no tool on the market can, in a plug-and-play style, deliver BI instantly. Then they quickly learn that the dashboard included in their finance system does not include any information from their proof-of-service software.

22 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

The reverse is also true. In some cases, companies set off on designing BI dashboards, only to realise at the end of the journey that the information they created is already broadly known in the business, but now it’s projected with colourful charts! In many cases, it’s a frustrating and costly project.

That is because BI in its true nature is concepts and methods that improve business decisionmaking by using fact-based support systems.

This means, long before you buy a “BI tool,” you need a clear understanding of the measures your business needs to improve its decision-making and how those decisions give you a competitive advantage.

A pilot knows the specific gauges he needs to keep a plane flying in the sky, so what information do you need to better operate your business?

SPONSORED

• Knowing which customers have invoices overdue more than 30 days • Knowing which sites this fortnight might be over budget on wages • Knowing which sites spend more on materials than is available in their budget • Knowing which sites are falling below their quality standards Once you know what information is needed, and what “Intelligent’’ information it provides your staff when it comes to decision-making, you can go looking for an actual BI tool.

It’s important to think outside of the existing systems in the business and the information that is used from these.

For example, if the company does not have a Time & Attendance solution, it’s still ‘Intelligent’ to know what the attendance compliance rate is across your workforce. That piece of information can provide a great advantage during a tender process and should not be excluded, just because you don’t know how to obtain it.

CENTRALISE THE SOURCES OF INFORMATION WHERE POSSIBLE

BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS

So to that point, what information do you need to give your company the Business Intelligence it needs? How time-sensitive is the information (i.e., when does it need to be updated and used)?

What information do your operations managers or sales managers need to be the best at their jobs? If your business does not have a clear bullet point list under these (and other) questions, then now you know where to start on your BI journey.

A simple step that I suggest to customers is to schedule workshops with each department in the organisation.

Each department needs to bring the reports they regularly use and a list of the reports they really need. Then, ask each to describe what Business Intelligence they receive from the reports. Examples of this might include:

Information can be found inside your business, but it can also come from external sources.

Financial performance will come from your accounting software, but the number of open cleaning tenders in the market at any given time might come from an external system.

We cannot control external sources, but it does make sense to centralise as much information as possible into one system. That is because linking a BI tool to multiple systems is complex and costs a lot more.

Many cleaning companies operate separate payroll, finance, and operational systems. This means staff costs are calculated in one system, whilst income and other expenses in another.

In this scenario, creating BI takes longer, and it is more prone to issues because the data from multiple sources can be complex to tie together.

Where multiple systems are required to perform business functions, be sure to structure the data in each to match the others. For example, if you use a Time & Attendance system, make sure the site record is consistent with what would be the site record in your finance system.

This means if you do create BI about the record, finance and T&A information is presented consistently about the same thing. Think of these records as the lowest common denominators that must be consistent across systems.

It may also be possible to link BI tools to external information sources, so don’t forget

“

Cleaning companies who look for BI software, quickly realise no tool on the market can, in a plug-and-play style, deliver BI instantly. That is because BI in its true nature is concepts and methods that improves business decision-making by using factbased support systems.

”

www.incleanmag.com.au 23

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“

BI is not set and forget. The introduction of new business systems will require updating your BI tool.

New links and measures will need to be created and matched to existing systems.

”

24 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

about them! Does Globaltenders.com provide an API that shows the total number of cleaning tenders on their website? Perhaps they do and perhaps that information can give you the edge.

IT EVOLVES AND REQUIRES MAINTENANCE

BI is not a set-and-forget system. The introduction of new business systems will require updating of your BI tool. New links and measures will need to be created and then matched to existing systems. In some cases, you may even have to redo a number of information sources, if the underlying data structure changes.

As the business evolves, the information it needs to be intelligent will also change. You may no longer care about customer invoices that are 30 days overdue because you have introduced an automated tool to deal with outstanding invoices. This need may change to know about customers who no longer read the emails sent out to them by this tool!

As existing systems are updated, data streams may break or need to be adjusted. Regular maintenance of the information is a given in the ever-changing world of software.

MAKE SURE IT IS ACTUALLY “INTELLIGENT”

Spending a lot of time, money, and maintenance on a BI tool to replicate information that is quickly obtainable from another source, may not be that intelligent. If it takes 30 seconds to get an aged debtor’s report from your finance solution, it will most likely take 30 seconds to get it from your BI tool, maybe longer! It’s really not worth the investment to move an existing information source from one place to another.

The most important aspect I would apply to every request for BI in the business is to make sure it passes the “Will it give me a competitive advantage” test. ■ Mark Fermor is APAC General Manager, TEAM Software by WorkWave TEAM Software

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ISSA CLEANING & HYGIENE EXPO

ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo 2023: ‘Think Clean, Experience Clean’ An exclusive wrap up of the industry event of the year

T

he long-awaited ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo returned to Melbourne, giving the industry the opportunity to come together for two days of education, networking, and business building.

Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the free-to-attend event is the only show in the southern hemisphere dedicated to the cleaning and hygiene industry.

26 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

Featuring more than 100 local and international exhibitors, the expo welcomed building service contractors, facility managers, business owners, suppliers, and purchasing officers.

“It was great to return to Melbourne after more than four years, said Lauren Micallef, Oceania Manager, ISSA. “We saw record stand numbers, record hall size, and quality attendees coming through the door.”

ISSA CLEANING & HYGIENE EXPO

This year the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo saw a 33 per cent increase in show floor space and hit a record number of more than 100 exhibitors.

Stuart Nicol, ISSA Oceania Advisory Council Chair, said it was amazing to see the development and growth of the show.

“It really highlights the strength and significance of the industry as well as the recognition and value it garners from the broader market,” he said.

For a consecutive year, the expo has seen the largest number of overseas attendees to date, with attendees from more than 22 countries including China, India, Singapore, Middle East, United States, Taiwan, Malaysia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands.

“The ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo is really becoming a key show on the global map,” said Nicol.

“We have seen tremendous growth in local industry support, but also in international exhibitors and attendees.”

Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, Senior Director – GBAC, ISSA, said the expo highlights the importance of connectiveness and partnerships.

“Industry events such as the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo are about the coming together of the entire cleaning industry community,” he said.

This year, the show saw attendees stemming from multiple sectors including government, healthcare, aged care, residential, education, hospitality, hotel management and retail.

“I think it is really important in our industry that we turn up and support these events,” said Rohan ToblerWilliams, General Manager, ARA Indigenous Services.

The two largest attendee groups were facility managers (26 per cent) and building service contractors (17 per cent attendees).

More than 55 per cent of attendees were of CEO/ management/ director/owner status with 69 per cent stating they were responsible for making purchasing decisions.

“It’s been great to connect with our existing customers, but this year in particular we have met so many new people,” said Michelle Hood, Commercial Strategy and Marketing Manager, Solaris Paper.

“Those relationships build long term business. It’s been fantastic,” added Gordon Cornish, Managing Director, Blue Tongue Industries.

This year, 43 per cent of attendees stated that their number one reason for attending the show was to meet with suppliers and expand business networks.

Garth Michalson, Managing Director, Cleanstar XPOWER, said the connections and quality of leads was superb. “I think the event co-ordinators have done a fantastic job and promoted it really well.”

INDUSTRY LEADERS SHARE INSIGHTS

There was something for everyone at the event from education seminars, training workshops, and networking opportunities.

This year there was more than 40 industry thought leaders taking part in speaker sessions and panel discussions.

The sessions addressed a range of leading industry topics including technology and the rise of AI to cleaning for health, sustainability, and ESG initiatives.

There were also various business development sessions addressing better business outcomes for 2024, future-proofing business, tender writing, and customer centric business initiatives.

One of the highlights was a panel discussion on the role of technology. Panellists included Matt Marsh, Managing Director, Sebastian Group; Hamish Matheson, Region President - Oceania, Kärcher; and Mark Fermor APAC Director of Operations, TEAM Software.

During the panel discussion, Fermor emphasised the importance of implementing the right solution for your business’ needs. “Technology doesn’t help you win business if you don’t know how to use it,” he told delegates.

Matheson said the key to harnessing the power of technology is finding the right partner: “A common fear in the industry is the complexity of the technology. Therefore, from an adoption point of view you have to make sure that you’re well supported and that you choose the right partner.

You need a partner that is ready, willing, and able to offer technical support when you need it.”

The panel discussion was followed by a presentation by Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, Senior Director – GBAC, ISSA, on the importance of cleaning for health, and what he described as “the cleaning revolution”.

“The cleaning industry right now is undergoing a phenomenal revolution,” he said. “As cleaning professionals, our ability to verify and validate our work has become a strategic part of our business.”

During the presentation, Dr. Macgregor-Skinner stressed the need for education and training in the industry to help drive awareness on current health issues such as indoor air quality.

“Every government around the world is focused on indoor air quality right now. Who manages indoor spaces? We do. It’s so important that we provide the correct training and education to be able to sit at the table and have those indoor air quality conversations.”

Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner, Steve Dargavel, also presented on businesses’ obligations under the licensing scheme, and provided an overview of recent compliance and enforcement activities by Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority (LHA).

Another highlight was a panel discussion on sustainability. Nora Potter, Managing Director, Ecofy; Ginny Bebbington, Account Manager, Cleanstar; Ina Peukes, Standards & Technical Manager, GECA; and Felicity Kelly, Head of Sustainability, Bunzl Australia

“

Five minutes into the Expo we literally had ques

”

- Steven Tanusoski, Senior Manager, Growth Strategy, IQ Checkpoint

www.incleanmag.com.au 27

ISSA CLEANING & HYGIENE EXPO

“

If you are part of the cleaning industry then you need to be here

”

- Tom Culver, Founder, The Robot Factory

New Zealand; discussed the future of sustainability in the cleaning industry, including the right to repair movement which is increasingly gaining traction in Australia.

“It’s become very apparent that repair is one of the best ways organisations can move towards the circular economy,” said Bebbington.

“It’s something simple that everyone can introduce into their businesses, and they should start as soon as possible because an organisation’s environmental impact is increasingly becoming as important as any other aspect if their business.”

Alongside the speaker theatre ran four workshops: Winning in a competitive market: Strategies for success in the cleaning industry; Water damage restoration and drying chamber fundamentals; Cleaning and thriving: Unleashing the power of your cleaning for health story; and navigating challenges in the cleaning industry.

“It was great to see the audience drive and investment in the workshop sessions,” said Dr Macgregor-Skinner.

“Everyone deserves to live their best, healthiest life and ISSA prioritises the health and safety of the built environment.

The cleaning industry plays a critical role in applying the science of cleaning and the benefits for health, safety, and the productivity of people. This was a common thread across workshops and speaker theatre sessions throughout the two-day event.”

Thursday morning commenced with a Breakfast Session run by the Facility Management Association of Australia’s (FMA) Victorian Chapter addressing ‘Complying with Labour Legislation’.

The panellists addressed the risks to businesses not operating within the correct framework and the impacts to the Facilities Management Industry.

28 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

The panel included Steve Dargavel, Labour Hire Licensing Commissioner, The Labour Hire Authority, Luke Snell, Work Health, and Safety Manager, A.G. Coombs Group Pty Ltd, Dan Trindade, Partner and the National Practice Group Leader, Clayton Utz’s Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety Team and Sharon Pollard​, Group Chief Operating Officer, IKON Services Australia.​

“ISSA was proud to collaborate and be a venue partner for the breakfast session,” said Lauren Micallef, ISSA Oceania. “It was great to hear such engaging insights from these industry thought leaders.”

Nicholas Burt, CEO of the Facility Management Association of Australia (FMA) joined JLL Senior Director, Janene Hansford; and Mermaid Property Services CEO Lou La Delfa as they addressed

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mounting pressures and greater concerns surrounding health and hygiene across facility managers, contractors, and suppliers.

Discussing how cleaning protocols have changed postpandemic, La Delfa noted: “Prior to the pandemic, a client would certainly come to us and say: ‘How dusty is my building? After the pandemic, the main question that we get asked is: ‘How safe is my building for my occupants and my tenants to come into?’”

Hansford said another change post-pandemic is the ebbs and flows of the volume of staff in buildings and how that has impacted cleaning schedules.

“Thursday is the new Friday; Mondays are quiet, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays are busy… so the protocol and changes in which a cleaning contactor needs to manage that is now different.

“You may not clean the floor in the same fashion because on Mondays it’s quiet, but you might do detailed cleaning on Monday.

“It’d be unusual to [clean] in the same manner that you did pre-COVID in the world that we’re living in today, certainly in an office environment.”

Burt said from facilities management perspective, there is now a higher expectation of the indoor environment, including cleaning standards.

“Some of our members have expressed that they’re now bringing cleaning staff in so that people can actually see them during the day during different periods to make sure that people are really aware that the cleaning is happening,” he said.

E&OE | H808-23

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ISSA CLEANING & HYGIENE EXPO

“

I think it is a fantastic show!

It’s been great to be back in Melbourne and see the wonderful showcase of innovation

”

- Robin Craigie, Marketing Manager Washroom, Essity Australasia

INNOVATION ON SHOW

This year 25 per cent of attendees stated that their primary reason for attending was to uncover the latest products and innovations, while a further 18 per cent stated it was to learn new industry trends and developments.

“There have been a lot of changes and developments within the industry, and it was really easy to see when walking through the expo,” said Adam Baker, General Manager – Marketing, Makita Australia.

People had a lot of energy. They wanted to know about new products- effective and efficient products. They were approaching us on the stands and wanting to learn how they could improve their cleaning lifestyle” added Kristine Collins, Product Manager, SEBO Australia.

The show was a buzz with live demonstrations, roaming robots, and products readily available to touch and feel.

Leading manufacturers, wholesalers, and suppliers showcased innovative products and technologies demonstrating new solutions and the future of the industry.

30 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

“It was great to get in amongst all the different companies that attended the expo. To look at all the latest innovations within the cleaning industry,” said Andrew Dillon, Business Development, Brain Corp.

“It’s been excellent to see everyone’s got that innovation mindset. They are prepared to go above and beyond to bring new things to the market. Also, the motivation to improve existing products and listen to client feedback” Craig Dowell, Director, ABCO Products.

According to Micallef there was a strong focus on technological advancements across the entire industry.

Another clear message across the expo was that sustainability and various environmental initiatives have moved from ‘a nice to have’ to a ‘strategic imperative’.

This was addressed across various educational sessions and throughout numerous exhibitor’s stands. Various leading organisations now view it is a top priority moving forward as they plan to meet sustainability targets and ESG initiatives.

“After my participation as part of the sustainability panel, I had people wanting to learn more about how they could move forward with technology to reach their sustainability goals,” said Nora Potter, Founder, Ecofy.

“They were genuinely concerned about greenwashing and even more refreshing, was that people cared about the health and safety of their staff. They were open to looking at alternatives.”

A special note must be given to the incredible support that the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo receives from its exhibitors and sponsors.

“Our exhibitors have continued to raise the bar year-on-year, with their products, services, and stands on display,” said Micallef.

“The sponsors help us to support the growth of the industry, raise market recognition, and drive product and trend awareness.”

A special thanks to this year’s sponsors who included retuning Platinum Sponsor – Makita, retuning gold sponsor – Dettol Pro Solutions, Gold Sponsor – Blue Tongue Industries, Silver Sponsors – ACCO Brands, Brain Corp, EcoPower, Freudenberg Home & Cleaning Solutions, Gurru Solutions, Spillz, Coffee Cart Sponsor RapidClean, Lanyard Sponsor – Cleanstar XPOWER, Product Placement Sponsors – Tennant Australia & NZ and Dettol Pro Solutions, Sanitising Station Sponsor – Dettol Pro Solutions, Popcorn Stand sponsor – GRENKE Australia, Ice-Cream Sponsor- Symbio.

“If you didn’t get a chance to make it to the 2023 expo then we look forward to seeing you at the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo in Sydney at the ICC on the 11-12 September 2024,” said Micallef. ■

www.rubbermaidcomm ercial.com.au

INCLEAN AWARDS

A celebration of innovation

I

nnovation was celebrated at the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo, with the winners of this year’s INCLEAN Excellence Awards announced at the highly anticipated two-day event in Melbourne.

This year, there were more than 60 award submissions across six categories: equipment (small), equipment (large), paper and dispensing, cleaning agents, services, and technology, and janitorial. This year’s judging panel included 32 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

John Taylor, Geoff Thorpe, and Claire Hibbit.

“For a consecutive year, we had another stellar number of submissions,” said Lauren Micallef, ISSA Oceania Manager.

“From this year’s finalists and winners, along with all the award submissions received, we have witnessed a showcase of innovation that has set a new benchmark in our industry.

“It is truly an exciting time to be a part of this market.”

INCLEAN AWARDS CATEGORY: INNOVATION EQUIPMENT (LARGE)

The winner of this year’s highly coveted Innovation Equipment (Large) award was the VR-55 by FloorBotics/AotingBot. The VR-55 robot is designed to simplify floor cleaning tasks with cutting-edge features. The VR-55 offers unmanned and waterless cleaning, encompassing sweeping and vacuuming.

Its microfibre soft bristle contra-rotating roller brush ensures thorough dust removal on all floor types, while the fourstage filtration system, including HEPA filters, guarantees clean and pollutionfree air. Its dual operation modes also provide more flexibility, allowing users to switch seamlessly between manual and autonomous control.

The VR-55 goes beyond by providing autonomous scheduling, sensor fusionenabled navigation, customisable cleaning zones, and cloud-based environmental data monitoring, promising a spotless and efficient cleaning experience.

“Winning the INCLEAN Excellence Award is a huge accolade for us,” said Murray McDonald, Director, Duplex Cleaning Machines.

“We started FloorBotics in 2000, but the commercial market wasn’t ready for robotics back then. But, like any industry, there seems to be times of quantum leaps of technology and I think we’re seeing that in the cleaning industry now, so we’re thrilled to be a part of this shift and for the recognition.”

CATEGORY: INNOVATION EQUIPMENT (SMALL)

The Duplex Lithium Hybrid, a versatile compact floor-cleaning machine was named winner of the Innovation Equipment (Small) award.

The Duplex Lithium Hybrid combines the flexibility of a 60V lithium battery with the reliability of a 240V cable-powered machine. The Duplex Lithium Hybrid can wash, steam, mop, scrub, dry, polish, and disinfect various surfaces, from delicate carpets to tough hardwood floors.

“We’ve been developing our battery technology for the past 15 years so to be recognised for our innovation is a huge achievement for us,” McDonald said.

With its optional steam vapour cleaning capability, the Duplex Lithium Hybrid can also effectively degrease, disinfect, and eliminate unpleasant odours, which can maintain hygiene without the use of harsh chemicals.

“Simplicity and versatility are key for us when it comes to innovation and that is front of mind for us when developing new products for the market. For us, having the combination of hybrid battery, we believe is unique for the market and we’re so pleased to be recognised by the industry for our innovation.”

CATEGORY: INNOVATION PAPER & DISPENSING

Tork PeakServe Advanced was named winner of the Innovation Paper & Dispensing award. Tork PeakServe is designed for high-traffic washrooms where staff need to maximise cleaning time and maintain a good flow of people.

“The INCLEAN Excellence Awards is one of the major highlights of the ISSA Cleaning & Hygiene Expo and we are so proud to have won the Innovation Paper & Dispensing award for our Tork PeakServe Advanced Hand Towels,” said Robin Craigie, Marketing Manager Washroom, Essity Australasia.

The Tork PeakServe system has a very high capacity of more than 1,400 of these Advanced (100589) quality towels, which can be dispensed quickly and without interruption to keep the flow.

The compressed refills are fast to fill, can be topped up at any time and are easy to store and transport, enabling staff to focus on cleaning.

Innovation is at the heart of what we do at Essity. It’s core to our purpose, and it’s also important as an industry to recognise and highlight new technologies and advancements that are being made.”

The Tork PeakServe Advanced refill is FSC certified, HACCP certified, carries the EU Ecolabel, and is also certified as Easyto-Use by the SRA (Swedish Rheumatism Association) helping to make hygiene accessible for all.

“At Essity, we are constantly innovating in response to what the needs of the market are, and we look forward to continuing to deliver innovation to the industry and being involved in next year’s awards!”

CATEGORY: INNOVATION SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY

Dynamic Rostering by Vivid Property Services took out the Innovation Services & Technology award.

Vivid’s customised dynamic rostering system embodies the essence of purposedriven technology, offering clients transparency, accountability, seamless

integration with diverse operating systems and the ability to effortlessly generate realtime, data driven informative reports.

Chris Grant, Vivid Head of Innovation, said entering the INCLEAN Excellence Awards presented an exciting opportunity for Vivid to showcase its dedication to excellence and innovation in the field.

“The awards seek to distinguish progressive products and services within the Australian commercial cleaning industry and at Vivid we’re curious, passionate and committed to continuous improvement for our diverse portfolio of clients,” said Grant.

Dan Carpenter, Vivid CEO, said being named a winner of the 2023 INCLEAN Excellence Awards signifies a significant milestone and a moment of immense pride for the business.

“It serves as a validation of the hard work, dedication, and innovation that we have consistently strived for. This recognition reinforces our position as a leader in the field, instilling a sense of trust and confidence in our current and prospective clients. www.incleanmag.com.au 33

INCLEAN AWARDS

Congratulations to this year’s finalists and winners Innovation Equipment Large Finalists:

• LionsBot R3 VAC with Magic Tag, Central Cleaning Supplies • T391 Mid-Size Walk Behind Scrubber Dryer, Tennant Company • VR-55, FloorBotics/AotingBot Winner: FloorBotics/AotingBot

Innovation Equipment – Small Finalists:

• Activ8, Cleanstar • Duplex Lithium Hybrid, Duplex Cleaning Machines • HAKO Scrubmaster B5 ORB, Hako, Australia Winner: Duplex Lithium Hybrid, Duplex Cleaning Machines “Moreover, this accolade serves as a testament to the exceptional quality and standards we uphold, solidifying our reputation as a trusted and results-oriented partner. Winning this prestigious award is a testament to the collective efforts of our team and reaffirms our commitment to maintaining the highest levels of excellence and service in all that we do.”

Innovation Cleaning Agents

CATEGORY: INNOVATION JANITORIAL

Finalists:

Winner of this year’s Innovation Janitorial award was the Rapid Response Cone C/W Door, available from JTY Australia.

The Rapid Response Cone C/W Door is a highly visible, tall mobile safety cone, complete with lockable door and internal shelves, durable fold away mop holders, top handle, and braked castor to prevent movement once locked.

An ideal solution for spill management, the Rapid Response Cone C/W Door Light and easy to transport and gets to the point of the spillage fast. Users can also add their choice of tools, allowing the cone to function as a small trolley.

“We decided to enter this year’s INCLEAN Excellence Awards because we had an amazing product that we knew the local industry needed to hear about it,” explains Craig Jones, Director of JTY Australia.

“It is a nice reward for SYR that have invented many of the iconic products of the cleaning industry. SYR introduced the window squeegee in 1954, the press wringer bucket in 1974 and the 36-inch four-sided cone in 1994. So, for a company that has led the industry for so many years in the janitorial category worldwide to win the INCLEAN Excellence Awards award this year, I suggest it is a long time overdue.”

CATEGORY: INNOVATION CLEANING AGENTS

The winner of this year’s Innovation Cleaning Agents award was Thymox by Actichem.

Thymox is a botanically derived disinfectant, with a unique blend of power, safety, and biodegradability.

“Winning the 2023 Inclean Excellence Award is a tremendous honour,” said Everard Paynter.

“This recognition serves as a testament to the effectiveness and versatility of our product in meeting the diverse needs of industries ranging from disaster restoration to healthcare, residential to commercial, and industrial environments.”

Thymox is used as a spray disinfectant for hard and soft surfaces. It is applied to the surface by means of direct pour, moistened cloth, spray, ULV fogger, or electrostatic sprayer. It finds application in healthcare, aged care, childcare, public space 34 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

Finalists:

• BioLogical Bug Grower, BioChem Solutions • iClean FLO3, Tersano • Thymox, Achtichem Winner: Thymox, Achtichem

Innovation Paper and Dispensing • Tork PeakServe Advanced, Essity Australasia • Tork Washstation, Essity Australasia • Tork Clarity Foam Soap, Essity Australasia Winner: Tork PeakServe Advanced, Essity Australasia

Innovation Janitorial Finalists:

• Rapid Response Cone C/W Door, JTY Australia • Scale-Away, Ecofy • 5D Clean eTROWEL Black Light, Creative Products International Inc Winner: Rapid Response Cone C/W Door, JTY Australia

Innovation Service and Technology Finalists:

• Dynamic Rostering, Vivid Property Services • Hyundai T1 Cleaning Robot, Hyundai • BOTANICA by Air Wick Automatic Spray + Refills, Reckitt Pro Solutions Winner: Dynamic Rostering, Vivid Property Services

disinfection, disaster restoration, hospitality, residential and food preparation.

“We entered the awards because we believe in the power of recognition within our industry. The awards provide a prestigious platform to showcase innovation and excellence in cleaning and hygiene solutions.”

For those considering entering next year’s awards, Paynter advises to “embrace the opportunity wholeheartedly.”

“Use the application process as a chance to reflect on your achievements, innovations, and contributions to the industry.

Clearly articulate the unique features and benefits of your product or service.

“Back your submission with data and tangible results, demonstrating the real-world impact of your offering. Additionally, emphasise how your business aligns with the values and goals of the INCLEAN Awards.

“Lastly, take the time to celebrate your team and their efforts.

Winning such an award not only brings external recognition but also boosts Actichem’s internal morale and motivation.” ■

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TECHNOLOGY

The top tech trends to watch in 2024 For facility managers and cleaning contractors seeking to get an edge in highly complex and competitive markets, technology innovations and developments are likely to be top of mind next year

E

Words Cameron Cooper

very year, clients inevitably ask Mark Fermor to discuss the latest technology innovations that can fast-track their businesses.

The Asia-Pacific general manager for TEAM Software by WorkWave – a provider of software for security, cleaning, and facility management companies – prefers to reframe the question and ask: “How efficiently did you implement last year’s innovation and how much better can you use it?”

“There is a danger of always trying to jump on the ‘new thing’,” Fermor says.

“We see a vast difference in value, based on uptake, across our customers.

Some use systems really well and get a lot from them, while others do the minimal just to say they’re using it.”

With that wise counsel in mind, we explore some technology topics that should be on the radar for industry leaders – next year and beyond.

40 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

TECHNOLOGY 1. SOFTWARE, WIRELESS AND PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS

Lisa Michalson, co-founder of Cleanstar/ XPOWER, says automated cleaning machines, such as robotic vacuum cleaners and scrubbers, are “slowly gaining traction”. “But the category is in its infancy and has a long way to go,” she says.

In the shorter term, she expects wireless technology that is integrated into cleaning equipment and products to make an impact.

“This allows for real-time monitoring and data collection, enabling better resource management, predictive maintenance and improved cleaning performance,” Michalson says.

Predictive maintenance software is generating interest and promises to transform cleaning in the years to come.

With vacuums, for example, it can help anticipate when cleaning equipment may require servicing or repairs.

“This helps reduce downtime and extends the lifespan of equipment,” Michalson says.

As an example of advanced technology that Cleanstar/XPOWER is distributing, she cites the SPRiNTUS ERO PRO digital dry vacuum cleaner, which has integrated Bluetooth connection and a cloud-based fleet-management system.

“It’s very clever and the way of the future,” Michalson says.

“

For its part, WorkWave will next year introduce some of its American-developed products into the Asia-Pacific region.

Fermor says this market currently offers “little in the way of integrated cleaning software to SME cleaning companies”.

WorkWave Service, a field service management software tool, is designed to help fill that void and simplify tasks such as scheduling, dispatching, and invoicing.

“It will bring enterprise-level cleaning software to smaller cleaning contractors, opening the door for them to increase efficiency,” Fermor says.

2. ‘ITERATIVE’ CLEANING MACHINE IMPROVEMENTS

While MotorScrubber Australia’s managing director Lucas Paris is proud that his company will introduce an exciting new product into the Australian market next year, he admits it is an extension of existing technology.

The Dryft, yet to be released, boasts new design and cleaning features. “That’s going to be a real game-changer, but even Dryft is an iteration on the tech theme,” Paris says.

Paris’s point is that the innovations which the cleaning industry was discussing a decade ago – such as robotics, full-cycle sustainability, and digitalisation – are still the trends people are discussing today.

“It’s hard to find innovations which are the equivalent of the iPhone in the telco

Predictive maintenance software is generating interest and promises to transform cleaning in the years to come.

”

space, or the Tesla in the motor vehicle industry,” he says.

That observation notwithstanding, Paris expects important and continuing developments in 2024 with digital interfaces that support the deployment, training, and retention of cleaning teams.

3. AUTONOMOUS ADVANCEMENTS

The criticism of robotic cleaning machines in the past has been that, for all their operational strengths, they still need a human being on site to run them efficiently.

That is starting to change, according to Tom Culver, founder of The Robot Factory. He says in the next few years operators will increasingly be able to “leave and forget” these robots.

“We already operate machines that can charge themselves, empty out their

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TECHNOLOGY

“

Much like in other sectors, the utilisation of data holds the key to unlocking valuable insights that inform the decision-making process.

”

dirty water and put new water in, and pretty much take care of themselves for a certain amount of time,” says Culver, who distributes brands such as Gaussian Robotics and Kemaro Robots.

“We have many customers right now in Australia running cleaning robots at night with no or minimal supervision.

That’s terrific because it lets the human cleaners focus on the higher-level jobs.”

4. PROOF-OF-SERVICE DEMANDS

As he observes the Australian market, Fermor says customers of cleaning contractors are demanding proof of service. This, in turn, is driving the uptake of apps such as Lighthouse, a TEAM Software mobile workforce management software tool for cleaning and security businesses.

“It’s not enough anymore for clients to know that cleaners have arrived on-site,” he says. “They also want proof that all their tasks have been completed.”

In the past, this was achieved by periodical audits, but they only reflected performance at a particular point in time.

“Technology that shows clients what the status of cleaning is ‘now’ is catching on very quickly,” Fermor says.

42 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

Service is also on the agenda for Culver at The Robot Factory. He says a key barrier in years past with robotics has been to provide comprehensive service and support.

“There’s pockets of people who do it well, but nobody really has a nationwide footprint.”

He hopes to rectify this issue, working with Armaguard-owned Integrated Technology Services to switch its ATM-support network to the roboticsupport business.

“I want to be robot agnostic and just bring in the best tech that’s out there in the world and support it really well,” Culver says.

5. EFFICIENCY GAINS VERSUS TECHNOLOGY COSTS

In the current landscape, costmanagement is of supreme importance for facility managers, particularly in the aftermath of COVID-19 (see panel).

Kiran Sethumadhavan, managing partner and CTO of digital development group Service Farm, says when weighing up the potential benefits of digital technology versus the associated costs, it is crucial to adopt a strategic approach.

“First and foremost, facility service providers should conduct a thorough analysis of their core pain points,” Sethumadhavan says.

“If challenges such as disorganised processes, manual record-keeping, high operational expenses and fragmented communication persist, then investing in a robust system, even with potentially higher initial costs, can yield substantial returns on investment in a relatively short timeframe.”

He says the technology landscape for the facility management sector has undergone a transformation recently.

This shift is attributable, in part, to the emergence of new applications in the market, as well as the decreased costs associated with software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers, facilitated by the proliferation of cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud and Azure.

“This competitive environment is driving costs down further, making advanced digital solutions more accessible,” says Sethumadhavan, who advises working with SaaS providers to develop a comprehensive product roadmap and cost-effective integration pathways to reduce overall expenses.

TECHNOLOGY the evolving landscape of the Australian cleaning and hygiene industry, data and analysis of it are poised to assume a pivotal role in the quest for more efficient and productive cleaning practices. “Much like in other sectors, the utilisation of data holds the key to unlocking valuable insights that inform the decision-making process,” he says.

Through a careful examination of raw data, Sethumadhavan says patterns can be discerned, enabling predictive analysis that ultimately leads to superior outcomes for facility managers.

This encompasses critical aspects such as identifying peak activity periods and accurately forecasting labour requirements; adapting maintenance schedules to account for seasonal variations; mitigating drop shift risks based on historical staff responses; as well as providing recommendations for quoting and job scheduling.

“Additionally, data-driven insights can inform rostering decisions, adhering to policies that ensure equitable shifts for

For facility managers and cleaning contractors who may be baulking at the expense of new technology, Fermor points out that employee wages in Australia are “by far the largest cost” of doing business.

He endorses using smart technology to save time and money, while adding that a failure to implement technology can often result in a business losing out on the new contracts it needs to grow and succeed.

6. DATA ANALYSIS AND UTILISATION

Although data can be crucial to the success of any business, Fermor says it is often “frustrating” because it has to be turned into information before it is useful.

“Companies need to have a crystal-clear vision of what information they need and what they will actually do with it,” he says.

“Once they have a clear vision, putting efficient processes in place to create information from data is vital.”

Sethumadhavan has no doubt that, in

rotational staff,” Sethumadhavan says.

“By leveraging historical information, companies can tap into these invaluable use cases to enhance their operational efficiency and overall effectiveness in the cleaning industry.”

Service Farm has introduced a product called FM Farm, which automates the work-order and job management processes for companies that specialise in cleaning and general maintenance. It streamlines functions such as quoting, job management, rostering, time-sheeting, mobile workforce management and safe work method statement (SWMS) requirements, while integrating with accounting and payroll systems.

Michalson is confident that data and data analysis will help lift the Australian cleaning industry to new heights. She envisages facility managers using data to track the performance of cleaning operations.

“This includes frequency and quality of cleaning. By analysing this data, they can identify areas that need improvement.”

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TECHNOLOGY

Cost control Cleanstar/XPOWER’s Lisa Michalson provides tips for facility managers as they seek to assess the potential benefits of technology compared with the potentially high costs for such technology.

1. Identify your site’s specific needs Michalson says the starting point is to ascertain the requirements and goals of your facility. “Make sure you understand what problems or challenges you are trying to address with technology,” she says.

In the next 12 months, facility managers and cleaning companies are likely to have to deal with rising cybersecurity threats

“

Technology that shows clients what the status of cleaning is ‘now’ is catching on very quickly.

”

She also thinks data analysis can help facility managers “monitor and reduce the environmental impact of cleaning operations”.

7. ADOPTION BARRIERS

It is one thing to develop technology and quite another to ensure that it is adopted.

Fermor says it is apparent that the smart adoption of technology is vital for companies to make a profit, especially in a market such as Australia where human resources are often lacking.

“In the United States, for example, the cost of wages is not as big a problem as in Australia,” he says. “That means cleaning companies in the US are more likely to throw extra staff at a problem site, rather than trying to make the existing hours more efficient.”

Paris believes Australian companies are eager to embrace technology, but often struggle to mount a financial case for adoption.

“It’s such an expensive place to do business,” he says.

Wages are also relatively high in Australia. Paris says there is an opportunity 44 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

2. Conduct a cost-benefit analysis

for product manufacturers and distributors to up the ante with technology adoption to offset some of these challenges.

“To date, maybe many manufacturers haven’t done a good enough job of selling that return on investment to the market and convincing them that, ‘Yes, this will be a good investment for you’.”

THE WAY FORWARD

The above list of tech issues facing the cleaning and hygiene sector is not exhaustive. In the next 12 months, facility managers and cleaning companies are also likely to have to deal with rising cybersecurity threats, with a cyber-attack on Clorox Co in August causing disruption to the company’s manufacturing operations and serving as a reminder to other cleaning-industry businesses to put in place risk-minimisation strategies.

In other areas, the post-pandemic switch to a hybrid working approach will force cleaning businesses to give employees access to the right technology to enable collaboration between virtual and in-office peers.

At MotorScrubber, Paris is adamant that technology has a key role to play in the cleaning and hygiene space. Nevertheless, “bolt-on” software and technology platforms often mean it is difficult for seamless technology adoption across the whole sector. He hopes that an industrywide “Microsoft or Apple-style” solution can be developed in coming years to overcome such limitations.

“I envision one day it will happen, but I just don’t know when,” he says. ■

The key is to try to estimate the potential financial impact of implementing the technology. Consider the upfront costs and any ongoing operational costs; for example, maintenance, training and software updates. “Does your cashflow allow you to inv-est, or do you need to consider engaging with banks for finance?” Michalson asks.

3. Calculate the return on investment Facility managers should determine how long it will take for the technology to pay for itself through cost savings or increased efficiency. “Be realistic in your projections and you may need to engage a consultant.”

4. Research product and software options Michalson advises thoroughly researching and evaluating potential software sellers’ products. Consider factors such as reliability, reputation, customer support, and the vendor’s track record in the industry.

5. Test any tech through pilot programs Consider conducting pilot programs or trials before committing to a full-scale implementation. “This allows you to test the technology’s effectiveness and identify any potential issues,” Michalson says.

6. Insist on employee training The last critical piece of advice is to remember to factor in the cost of training employees to use the technology effectively. “Training is essential to realise the full benefits of new tools,” Michalson says.

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RETAIL

Retail innovations worth checking out Higher cleaning and hygiene standards in retail settings can improve the customer experience and lead to greater purchases and profitability for sites

A

Words Cameron Cooper

s shopping centres and other retailers seek to get an edge in complex and highly competitive markets, there is little doubt that robotics and data will be crucial weapons in their armour.

From the latest robotic scrubbers that can be left overnight to clean floors, to inventory robots that help retailers check and manage their stock, access to sophisticated machines and real-time intelligence and data is crucial to in creating more hygienic, sustainable, and profitable stores.

46 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

Andrew Dillon leads business development for Australia and New Zealand at Brain Corp, a global leader in robotic AI software that powers a large fleet of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) operating in commercial public spaces.

He says the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the value of robotic automation for many retailers as they seek efficiencies with tasks such as floor cleaning through to shelf scanning, with particular emphasis continuing to be placed on cleanliness and hygiene to meet the expectations of customers.

Factors such as the quality of cleaning, the consistency of cleaning and a shortage of human resources is convincing more retailers to explore and adopt AMRs. “In the global market there are a large number of retailers that have already made their decision to move into this area because all the factors line up for them,” Dillon says.

Retailers in the Australian market have been slower to embrace the robotics trend as they weigh up the costs of such technology against the potential gains.

However, based on the findings from a RetailWireBrain Corp survey, the international momentum for robotics is clear. One in four retailers at the time indicated that they had an in-store robotics project under way, and 47 per cent claimed they were moving to be involved in such a project.

“Australians tend to be more conservative and wait and look at the global market before they move,” Dillon says.

“But there are indications that the market is maturing and retailers are seeing that there is more of a commercial return on investment from autonomous mobile robots,” Dillon says. “We’re already seeing developments specifically within warehousing logistics.”

ADOPTING BEST-PRACTICE CLEANING

The imperative to adopt superior cleaning techniques in retail stores and shopping centres, especially in common high-traffic areas, is obvious as facility services providers seek to attract customers, promote health and safety, and safeguard business assets. A clean store projects a positive image of a store’s brand and potentially leads to greater customer loyalty.

With best-practice in mind, Sabco Professional general manager Gerard Searl advises retailers to engage cleaning and hygiene specialists and complete a site audit that outlines product solutions that are suitable for an individual site.

“For example, using a traditional mop and bucket system may not be the most efficient for shopping centre cleaning,” he says.

“It would be more productive and costeffective to use a microfibre floor pad on the floor, which has less drying time and makes it quicker to clean up spills.”

Searl says this can result in shorter timeframes for safety signs to be displayed in high-traffic areas, and eliminates the need for cleaners to carry large amounts of water on cleaning trollies with traditional 16-litre buckets.

“Flat mopping uses less water and less chemicals compared with traditional mopping, making it more environmentally friendly. It also reduces the chance of injury to cleaners who are often required to mop for long periods of time.”

Safety is also a selling point for robots, according to Dillon. Apart from doing a better cleaning job in many environments, the robots are not subject to slip-and-fall risks in what can often be environments featuring long working hours and wet, slippery floors.

“They’re safer than someone manually using a machine,” he says. “That’s something that a lot of people don’t realise – that these machines don’t really have incidents or accidents. With the navigation technology, they’re much more aware than a human operator when it comes to their surroundings.”

“

RETAIL

As shopping centres and other retailers seek to get an edge in complex and highly competitive markets, there is little doubt that robotics and data will be crucial weapons in their armour.

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A tech transformation Whether it is in retail sites, warehouses, hotels, airports, or hospitals, one of the biggest drivers for the adoption of technology and digital transformation is the smarts and efficiencies they bring to facility management.

Kiran Sethumadhavan, managing partner and CTO of digital development group Service Farm, says it is clear that tech advances can assist operators in the cleaning and hygiene market.

In the past, a lack of integrated systems has resulted in duplicate data entry, inaccuracies, and prolonged customer response times from facility services providers.

“There are signs of change, but businesses need to take proactive steps to address these issues in order to fully leverage the benefits of digital transformation and enhance their operations,” Sethumadhavan says.

Service Farm offers a range of digital transformation, systems integration and development solutions that enable businesses to streamline their operations and drive growth. Its key solution, FM Farm, improves compliance and elevates service levels by automating processes for the facility services sector.

IMPROVING TECHNOLOGY AND PERFORMANCE

Tom Culver, founder of The Robot Factory, a service robot company in Sydney, is also confident that demand for AMRs will quickly grow in Australia as the technology becomes irresistible.

He says the expansion of options for retailers and other businesses is exciting, especially for small and medium-sized robotic scrubbers and vacuums.

“Even just two years ago, there were only about three robots that I could look you in the eye and say, ‘these machines will work’. There’s now quite a few out there and they’re changing all the time. Some of them are still junk, but there’s a growing number that are pretty good and a handful – maybe five or six – that are a darn good product.”

Culver says adoption will continue to grow as facility services providers become more aware of the advanced navigation capabilities of the newer machines, along with the incorporation of “cool bells and whistles”.

“I’ve got three or four businesses now that are very happy with running these machines at night with nobody around,” he says. “I’ve got a hospital that does it, and a grocery store and a retail store that use the machines to clean at night and then they come back the next morning and the floor is clean. And they can see it all on an app.”

Demand for Brain Corp technology is also on the rise, including through the deployment of about 600 AMRs in the Sam’s Club retail warehouses that are owned and operated by Walmart in the United States.

Sam’s Club has been rolling out an inventory-scanning feature that is installed in existing Brain Corp-powered floor-scrubbing robots. With the robots proving their worth already during daily floor-cleaning operations, the scanning initiative allows 48 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

Sethumadhavan notes that many small to medium businesses invest in specialised systems that excel in addressing specific functions.

However, during implementation, they often discover that the crucial integration pathways needed for seamless operation are either absent or come at a prohibitively high cost.

“This results in lacklustre product adoption and, eventually, the decommissioning of these systems. To overcome this, it is crucial to invest in systems that inherently support integrations with other top-tier solutions.”

For instance, Sethumadhavan says a cleaning business requires a work-order system that can efficiently handle quoting, job management, client communication, rostering, and timesheeting, and mobile workforce management to optimise its operations.

“Additionally, they’ll need essential systems for financial accounting and payroll, which should effortlessly ingest data from the operational system. Cleaning companies must carefully assess a system’s capacity to address both upstream operational features and downstream integration requirements. This holistic approach is imperative for a streamlined and efficient workflow.”

the business to gather important inventory data as the machines move through sites.

As well as helping Sam’s Club manage its sites more efficiently, the move also frees up time for its staff to focus on members and improving their shopping experience.

SUSTAINABILITY THE KEY

The other key trend for many retail centres is incorporating sustainable cleaning practices, such as the use of eco-friendly cleaning products and reducing single-use plastics in cleaning operations.

Searl says since the peak of COVID-19, Sabco Professional has witnessed commercial premises, including retail sites and shopping centres, opting for higher-quality, commercial-grade ‘branded’ products to ensure high hygiene standards.

“Another key trend is the requirement to offer more sustainable cleaning tools and equipment,” he says.

“This is not just about products being made from recycled items, but also their method of use.” He notes, for example, that a flat-mopping system cuts down on chemical and water use when used correctly compared with some traditional mopping systems.

As part of its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Sabco Professional is implementing a range of policies to reduce its environmental impact. One of those projects is the optimisation of all shippable packaging in its products to improve freight utilisation.

“After analysing our entire product range across all house brands, we have been able to modify some of our boxes to ensure maximum freight usage,” Searl says. “To date, this program has resulted in a 17.6-tonne reduction in our annual

greenhouse gas emissions from freight and a 2250-square-metre reduction in cardboard usage.”

UPPING THE ANTE

In the wake of the pandemic and changing consumer demands, the evolving cleaning trends in retail centres have been well documented.

Many sites have implemented more rigorous cleaning protocols, focusing on high-touch surfaces such as escalator handrails, door handles and restroom facilities.

More frequent cleaning schedules have become the norm, with dedicated staff members or cleaning services conducting regular disinfection rounds throughout the day. Some shopping centres have also adopted advanced cleaning technologies such as UV-C disinfection robots, electrostatic sprayers, and air-purification systems to improve indoor air quality.

As the sector continues to transform, Dillon is certain that robots will play an ever-increasing role in retail and other environments.

“It’s really about the transfer of labour to more productive areas of the business, which allows them to provide better shopping experiences and run their businesses more productively.”

He also expects multi-purpose robots to come to the fore.

“Something that cleans and scans shelves for outof-stocks and price ticketing and space branding is more valuable to a retailer than just a single-use unit,” Dillon says.

“It can provide them with a lot more insightful data, which can be used for a number of key factors within their business when it comes to stock planning and just-in-time ordering. It helps them with their entire logistics operation, not just cleaning the floor.” ■

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HOTEL CLEANING

Room for improvement Amid concerns that some hotel chains may be getting complacent about hygiene standards in the wake of COVID-19, experts say it is more important than ever to get it right with cleaning processes and products

H

Words Cameron Cooper

otels are regarded as one of the toughest assignments for cleaning teams – and with good reason.

With guests, diners, and the general public constantly coming in and out of the site, and bathrooms and other facilities being used around the clock, it can be difficult to maintain adequate infection and hygiene controls in hotel venues.

As challenging as the task may be, there is a clear incentive to get it right, as a Harris Poll survey of 2047 adults reveals that for 53 per cent of respondents the level of cleanliness in a hotel, they visit will influence their decision to book again at the property.

50 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

Are hotels up to speed, though? Dr Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, senior director for the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), ISSA in the United States, has some serious concerns about the direction of hotel cleaning.

In short, he says the frequency of cleaning and how to clean is a huge issue in the United States, with Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo recently signing a Senate bill which eliminates a requirement for daily hotel room cleanings, while states such as South Carolina are not subjecting hotels to set standards of cleanliness and regular inspections.

HOTEL CLEANING

“A hotel room is so unique because of the number of people who come in and out over a period of time, like a year,” Dr Macgregor-Skinner says.

“The hotels will ask if you need your towels changed, but I’m worried about the floor, I’m worried about the carpet that hasn’t been vacuumed for three or four days. And you’ve got all these factors in your room that are perfect for germs, pollutants, contaminants, and allergens to proliferate and make you sick. So, are we waiting for an outbreak? Are we waiting for some sort of critical failure before we go back to understanding we need to maintain cleanliness?

As well as exposing guests to infection risks, Dr Macgregor-Skinner says less-frequent cleaning of hotel rooms makes them harder to clean when the cleaners do turn up.

“The room takes a lot longer to clean than if it was cleaned every third or fourth day, for example. We must remember that cleaning is important because it affects the health of the building, the health of people, our physical, mental health as well as our productivity.”

COST-EFFECTIVE HYGIENE STRATEGIES

As hotels consider best-practice cleaning and hygiene approaches for their facilities, they have to weigh up efficacy versus the cost of their propertymanagement programs.

Dr Lisa Ackerley, the director of public health and hygiene at Reckitt, the parent company of Dettol Pro Solutions, believes hotel businesses and others can meet appropriate hygiene standards without blowing the budget.

An 8-point plan for hygiene control 1. Develop a comprehensive cleaning plan 2. Train and properly equip staff 3. Choose appropriate cleaning products 4. Implement guest-education initiatives around best-practice hygiene standards 5. Upgrade ventilation and air quality 6. Implement contactless technology and reduce physical contact 7. Develop contingency plans in case of disease outbreaks or health emergencies, including procedures for isolation and communication with health authorities 8. Maintain a supply of essential cleaning and PPE materials to handle unexpected situations.

Her confidence comes from lessons learnt at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in the United Kingdom, where Dettol Pro Solutions facilitated a ‘Targeted Hygiene’ approach in its role as an official hygiene partner at the event.

The strategy involves putting in place hygienesurface and hand-hygiene interventions when and where they are most needed. Dr Ackerley says good hygiene outcomes are not only reliant on whether hygiene interventions are practiced with efficacious products, but at what moments, how frequently and how well.

In high-traffic sites such as hotels, for example, there should be a focus on high-touchpoint areas such as door handles and hand dryers, as well as using signage as a reminder to guests to practice good hygiene through proper hand-washing.

“The whole concept is to take a risk-based and a pragmatic approach, not to get people to do too much cleaning, but to do the cleaning and disinfection when it really matters,” Dr Ackerley says. “That saves resources, deploying them at the times when it will make a difference.”

With COVID-19 slipping from media and public attention, she says many hotels and other facilities are not offering hand sanitisers in reception or areas or entrances.

“Yet it’s the most cost-effective way of reducing the incidence of infectious diseases, so we need to just keep reminding ourselves that the very, very simple first thing that people can do when they enter a hotel lobby or a restaurant is to use sanitisers.”

As a minimum, Dr Ackerley advises the following actions for hotels: • identify high-touch ‘hotspots’ – make sure they are cleaned more frequently and at times of high usage levels • use trusted products – opt for products with proven efficacy and use them based on the manufacturer’s instructions • encourage good hand-hygiene practices – place hand sanitiser strategically to ensure guests know where it is and can use it easily • use signage to encourage use – putting clever or humorous messages on the back of toilet cubicle doors can remind people of the need to wash their hands.

According to Dr Macgregor-Skinner, bestpractice cleaning and hygiene should also involve measuring results. He is concerned that some hotel chains are not paying attention to this critical area of health.

“I personally don’t see any measurements being down in some hotels. So where are the standards?

I have air quality monitors in my home right now

“

In high-traffic sites such as hotels, for example, there should be a focus on hightouchpoint areas such as door handles and hand dryers, as well as using signage as a reminder to guests to practice good hygiene through proper hand-washing.

”

www.incleanmag.com.au 51

HOTEL CLEANING

“

Given the challenging environment that hotels present for cleaners, it is critical to focus on effective cleaning processes and products.

”

52 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

that are measuring my indoor quality using nine parameters. Setting up those in a hotel lobby is easy.”

PAY ATTENTION TO PROCESSES AND PRODUCTS

Given the challenging environment that hotels present for cleaners, it is critical to focus on effective cleaning processes and products.

With the former, one key action is to conduct inspections of rooms after guests have checked out to assess the state of a room and to understand the cleaning job that is required. Then, after the job is done, the cleaners’ work should be reviewed to ensure that the work has been done to the hotel’s specific standards.

With the latter, Sabco Professional sales director Gerard Searl advises using high-quality microfibre cloths when cleaning a hotel room because they are washable – and therefore cost-effective – and reduce the amount of dust and germs in the environment.

“More hotels and accommodation providers are moving away from traditional mops and buckets towards premium microfibre cleaning solutions that provide a better clean than using traditional cotton mops,” Searl says.

“An increase in the frequency of cleaning hightouch areas with microfibre cloths is also being seen.”

These high-touch areas include door handles, check-in counters, light switches, tables, safes,

How to achieve sustainability goals in the hotel cleaning space • Embrace green cleaning products • Reduce waste by minimising the use of singleuse plastics and disposable items • Invest in energy-efficient cleaning equipment and appliances • Install low-flow water fixtures in cleaning areas and guest rooms • Train staff and guests to be mindful of water usage • Engage guests in your sustainability efforts by providing information in guest rooms about your green initiatives.

coffee machines, mini bars and gym equipment.

Searl says the key to the cleaning power of microfibre lies in the fact that the fibres are finer than a human hair, so they reach into the smallest of crevasses.

“The split form of a microfibre allows it to trap and remove dirt and dust, including common bacteria and viruses, including but not limited to E-Coli and COVID-19.”

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Dettol Pro Solutions has a partnership with Accor, the largest hotel operator in the Pacific (see panel) to provide products such as sanitisers to the chain’s hotels, apartments, and resorts.

Dr Ackerley says appropriate and regular training of hotel cleaning staff is essential to deliver strong hygiene outcomes.

More broadly, she encourages an approach that is built around a “partnership of hygiene” that sees owners, employees, guests, and visitors all playing their part to protect each other, especially through better hand hygiene.

“It’s not just for the people who own the hotel or the facility managers to make sure that everything’s hygienic.

We all have a role to play.”

THE WAY FORWARD

In years to come, as hotels seek to excel on the cleaning and hygiene front while being mindful of budgetary constraints, technology advances related to robotics and data analysis will no doubt be an important part of the equation.

Searl expects the use of technology and automation within hotel and accommodation facilities to continue to evolve and help manage the cleaning of premises, especially in relation to large

common areas and spaces.

“But automation may not play as important a role within individual rooms, although technology will be used more by management to ensure their staff are following approved cleaning techniques and to a high standard,” he says.

“Hand-held cleaning tools will be improved in terms of sustainability, ergonomics and performance due to an increase in technology being used in the research, development and production of cleaning products well into the future.”

For Dr Macgregor-Skinner, the hope is that the hotel industry gets serious about cleaning and hygiene and implements across-industry standards that all have to meet.

Dr Ackerley concludes with the message that, although the COVID-19 pandemic has somewhat subsided, there are still plenty of infectious respiratory diseases and gastrointestinal diseases that can cause illness.

“We don’t want to abandon some of the good practices that people have put in place during the pandemic,” she says.

“Now is not the time to take our foot off the gas.” ■

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DISTRIBUTION

The rise and rise of RapidClean The RapidClean Group continues to build on its five-year growth strategy, reporting another year of sales success

T

he Rapid Group has celebrated another successful year of growth at the co-operative’s annual conference held in Fiji.

Launched with a traditional kava opening ceremony, the conference saw RapidClean CEO, Wayne Hill, sharing the group’s key achievements with more than 150 Australian and New Zealand members and suppliers.

“I have the great pleasure to be here as CEO of this group, although the industry is not new to me,” Hill said, having been in the chemical and hygiene industry for 15 years prior to his role with Rapid.

54 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

“The challenges of small business are also not unknown to me because my parents were small business owners,” he told attendees.

“Being new to the group, I am so proud to be able to stand here and present these numbers to you,” Hill told delegates. “There will always be challenges to address, but it is also important to recognise these amazing results.”

“A VERY GOOD YEAR INDEED”

The 2022/23 financial year had a number of highlights for the Rapid Group, which continues to build on its five-year growth plan launched at last year’s conference in Sydney.

DISTRIBUTION

This year, the group reported a 13 per cent increase in preferred supplier purchases, as well as “excellent” growth across many of its major product groups.

Paper recorded growth of 20 per cent in Australia and 13 per cent in NZ; chemicals increased 18 per cent in both Australia and NZ; cleaning accessories grew 16 per cent in Australia and 12 per cent in NZ; while packaging was up 12 per cent in Australia and 14 per cent in NZ. Machinery also rose 5 per cent in Australia and NZ. Key account sales grew 33 per cent, with Hill attributing the growth to major accounts recently secured in Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales.

In 2022/23, the group also expanded its footprint, welcoming three new members in Australia: MBL Food and Packaging, PFI Supplies, and RapidClean Kimberly. It also welcomed RapidClean Northland in New Zealand.

“A major strength of Rapid is our membership and the capacity to service across Australia,” Hill said of Rapid’s growing member network.

The new sites now take the total number of RapidClean members to more than 70 across Australia and New Zealand, with Hill noting that the group will “continue to review opportunities to fill geographic gaps”.

The Rapid Group also welcomed three new suppliers: APOLLO, CleanLIFE, and IPC. The organisation also retained its Quality Assured status and expanded its head office team, with new appointments in marketing, procurement, and key account support.

“In summary, a very good year indeed,” Hill said.

OPPORTUNITY AWAITS

Despite the impressive results, Hill told attendees RapidClean is not one “to rely on luck” and is implementing changes as part of its longterm growth strategy to ensure the group is maximising opportunities.

“To be the cleaning and hygiene industry leader is surrounded by a number of key strategies,” Hill explained.

Launched last year, ‘the New Plan’ is a strategy for optimal performance throughout 2022 to 2027.

It includes six ‘pillars’ of success and strategies for achieving them, as well as set targets for the 2027 financial year.

“The group has a robust plan. The building blocks are all there, with the pivotal goal at the centre to be the cleaning and hygiene industry’s leading supply group in Australia and New Zealand, and there’s no reason why we can’t be that and should be that.”

The six strategic pillars are: 1. Member benefits – Facilitate rebate returns and services that meet member needs and attract high quality members in desired geographic locations.

2. Preferred supplier partnerships – Deliver to the expectations of preferred suppliers and maximise return to members.

3. Marketing – Effectively market the RapidClean brand and product offering to deliver results for members and position the brand as a market leader.

4. Key account customers – Secure and maintain profitable key account customers across multiple industries.

5. Financial performance – Deliver the surplus results, balance sheet structure and cash flow certainty to sustain and grow the business.

6. Organisational capability – Invest in the people, systems and processes needed to support growth.

“There’s no reason we cannot grow exponentially. With the right level of resources, a national online portal, unparalleled geographic reach, and local service we will be unbeatable.

There is no doubt.”

Keynote speakers of the event included former professional basketball player and one of the NBL’s most decorated players, Damian Martin, who shared engaging and insightful leadership lessons learned through sport; and Sachiko Soro, director of social impact dance school and company, Vou Dance Fiji.

“

A major strength of Rapid is our membership and the capacity to service across Australia.

”

www.incleanmag.com.au 55

DISTRIBUTION

Congratulations to this year’s RapidClean Award winners: Australia

• Member of the Year: Abcoe Distributors • Member of the Year (second place): RapidClean South Coast NSW • Member of the Year (third place): Whereabout Supply • Supplier of the Year: Huhtamaki – Tailored Packaging • Supplier of the Year Runner Up: Edgar Edmondson (Edco)

New Zealand

• Members of the Year: Bay Direct / Diverse Distributors • Member of the Year Runner Up: Cleancare Supplies • Supplier of the Year: Filta NZ

MEMBERS AND SUPPLIERS CELEBRATED

“

The building blocks are all there, with the pivotal goal at the centre to be the cleaning and hygiene industry’s leading supply group in Australia and New Zealand, and there’s no reason why we can’t be that and should be that.

”

56 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

The RapidClean conference concluded with its annual gala awards dinner, where Member of the Year and Supplier of the Year were both named for Australia and New Zealand.

Sydney-based Abcoe Distributors won the highly coveted Member of the Year award. Rodney Macnamara, Managing Director of Abcoe Distributors, thanked his team and the Rapid Group for their ongoing support.

“With the help of our great team, over the past eight years we have tripled our revenue and have had double digit growth year on year. [Our team] all put their shoulders to the wheel and are amazing at what they do,” he said.

He also credited the support of the Rapid Group, which he said was “much more than a buying group”.

“Rapid is a co-operative, which means we share, we learn, and we help one another.”

Second place was awarded to RapidClean South Coast NSW. “We can’t thank everyone enough for what we have learnt being part of this group,” Renee Coubrough said.

“Without the support of the suppliers and RapidClean head office, and everything that you all do to help get our business to where it is today, we wouldn’t be here.”

Queensland-based Whereabout Supply received third place.

“To be in this position is a testament to my team and the effort that we put in,” Adam Cameron. “To get this acknowledgment amongst such great operators is fantastic.”

Supplier of the Year was awarded to Huhtamaki – Tailored Packaging, while Edgar Edmondson (Edco) was named Runner Up. “It’s been a challenging year for many of us, but we really appreciate your business and your support,” said Rick Wretham.

New Zealand Members of the Year was awarded to Bay Direct Diverse Distributors. Bay Direct Diverse Distributors was acknowledged for “pushing the boundaries”, with expansion into new markets and strong growth across core categories including food packaging and paper.

Member of the Year Runner Up was awarded to Gisborne-based Cleancare Supplies, which was acknowledged for continually supporting the local community throughout Cyclone Gabriel earlier this year.

“We had a very difficult year, but we are really appreciative of this award,” said Lyndsay Ball.

Filta NZ was awarded Supplier of the Year.

“We work hard for RapidClean and all the members and very appreciate all of your support,” said Liz Nicols, National Sales Manager, Filta.

The generosity of RapidClean members and suppliers was also on show once again when $18,500 was raised for the Cancer Council following an auction at the gala dinner and the Sharon Lees Memorial Afternoon Tea. Sponsors of the RapidClean conference included Diversey, Solaris Paper/Cottonsoft, Huhtamaki-Tailored Packaging, Clean Plus Chemicals, Filta NZ, Makita, Essity, Aotearoa NZ Made, Davidson Washroom, Royal Touch, Biopak, MaTtek, Uropa, SCJ Professional, Gojo/Purell, and Seko.

Next year will see RapidClean host two dedicated conferences for its Australian and New Zealand members and suppliers. The RapidClean Australia conference will be held in Perth and the RapidClean New Zealand conference will take place in the Bay of Islands. ■ INCLEAN attended the RapidClean conference as a guest of RapidClean

Better* Results. Healthy Business.

RESTORATION

Dry, dehumidify, and disinfect water-soaked facilities Six steps to safely and efficiently remove water damage in buildings

W

ater damage can be a devastating occurrence in any building, leading to structural issues, mould growth, and potential health hazards.

Often the cleaning team is called in as the first responders to start the renovation process. Swift and thorough cleanup is crucial to minimise further damage and prevent longterm complications.

While each situation might differ, there is a proven approach for effectively managing water damage restoration. Follow these six steps to restore the affected area to its pre-damaged state.

58 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

1. ASSESS AND ADDRESS HAZARDS

Before embarking on any cleanup process, ensure the safety of your team. Begin by identifying potential hazards such as compromised structures or electrical dangers.

Shut off power to the affected area to minimise the risk of electrical shock.

To avoid slips and falls, don’t enter the flooded area without wearing slip-resistant shoes or boots.

Also wear personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, goggles, and respirators, especially if the damage is extensive and involves contaminated water.

RESTORATION

2. REMOVE STANDING WATER

Utilise pumps, wet/dry vacuums, or professional extraction services to promptly remove standing water to prevent further damage and inhibit mould growth. Follow equipment safety guidelines and instructions as found in the product manuals.

Consider purchasing water-removing equipment before you have a flood, so you won’t waste time securing the equipment during an emergency and competing with other buyers for limited supplies.

3. DRY AND DEHUMIDIFY

Excess moisture left behind after a flood can lead to mould growth, structural damage, and health hazards.

Therefore, thoroughly drying the affected area is essential. The best drying system depends on various factors such as the extent of water damage, the size of the building, and the available resources.

However, many restoration workers choose the “controlled drying” or “balanced drying” approach.

The key components of a controlled drying system include: Moisture measurement: Accurate moisture measurement is crucial for assessing the extent of water damage and monitoring the progress of the drying process. Use moisture meters or hygrometers to measure moisture levels in building materials and the air.

Water extraction: Remove as much water as possible through extraction to facilitate the drying process.

Dehumidification: Dehumidifiers help reduce humidity levels and accelerate the drying process.

Strategically place high-capacity dehumidifiers throughout the building to extract moisture from the air. This helps prevent secondary water damage and inhibits mould growth.

Air circulation: Proper air circulation helps remove moisture from surfaces and improves the overall drying efficiency. Strategically position high-powered fans to promote airflow and enhance evaporation.

Temperature control: Maintaining optimal temperature conditions can expedite the drying process, which helps increase evaporation rates.

Use heating systems or portable heaters to maintain the desired temperature.

Monitoring and adjustments: Continuously monitor moisture levels, humidity, and temperature, adjusting the drying equipment and conditions as needed to optimise the drying process. Regular

inspections ensure that you don’t overlook areas and that the drying system is working effectively.

It is important to note that the drying process can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the type of building materials involved.

In complex or extensive water damage situations where you don’t have the internal resources, it is advisable to engage professional water damage restoration services.

These professionals have the expertise and specialised equipment to implement an efficient and effective drying system tailored to the specific needs of the building.

4. SALVAGE OR DISCARD DAMAGED MATERIALS

Evaluate affected materials such as carpets, drywall, insulation, and furniture. You might be able to salvage some materials through professional cleaning, disinfection, and drying processes. However, discard porous materials that have been extensively damaged or exposed to contaminated water to prevent mould growth and maintain a healthy indoor environment.

“

Water damage can be a devastating occurrence in any building, leading to structural issues, mould growth, and potential health hazards.

”

5. CLEAN AND DISINFECT

Thoroughly clean and disinfect all affected surfaces, including walls, floors, and furniture, to eliminate potential microbial contaminants.

Use appropriate cleaning agents and disinfectants recommended for water damage restoration, ensuring they are safe for the specific materials. Scrub and sanitise surfaces following manufacturer instructions and safety precautions.

PREVENT MOULD

Conduct thorough inspections for visible mould or signs of moisture, focusing on both obvious and hidden areas.

If you detect mould, engage professional mould remediation services to safely remove and remediate the affected areas.

Implement preventive measures such as improved ventilation, moisture barriers, and regular inspections to minimise the risk of future mould growth. ■ Tim Poskin is the former director of ISSA Consulting and is one of the world’s leading authorities on custodial workloading. He can be reached at tposkin@gmail.com. This first appeared in ISSA Today and has been republished with permission www.incleanmag.com.au 59

MANAGEMENT

Why leadership has the biggest impact on customer experience Key areas where leaders can make a difference to the customer experience

L

eadership plays a crucial role in shaping the success of organisations, particularly when it comes to delivering exceptional customer experiences.

From cultivating a customer-centric culture to empowering employees and modelling customer-first behaviours, effective leadership sets the tone and direction for the entire organisation.

The level of customer focus within an organisation is directly proportionate to the 60 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

focus of the leadership. It begins with the CEO and the executive and extends to every people leader within an organisation.

Research by Deloitte and Touche found that customer-centric companies were 60 per cent more profitable compared to companies that were not focused on the customer, and 64 per cent of companies with a customer focused CEO are more profitable than their competitors.

Companies that lead in experience are more likely to have a CEO and executives leading company-wide customer experience efforts.

MANAGEMENT

Now, more than ever, the world needs strong service leadership. Recent years have been tumultuous and significantly impacted organisations across the globe.

How we work has changed; the new normal of hybrid and remote workplaces has changed how we lead. With so much change and disruption, the role of leader is more critical than ever before in building and sustaining a service culture.

Key areas where leaders can make a difference to the customer experience include:

CULTIVATING A CUSTOMERCENTRIC CULTURE

Leadership sets the tone for a customer-centric culture and great service leaders will champion a customer-first mindset. The strongest service cultures have an organisation-wide commitment to taking care of the customer driven by the leadership team, whether in customer facing or support roles.

A customer-centric culture is built on engaged and empowered employees. Leaders have the opportunity to create an environment where employees feel valued and have a sense of ownership over the customer experience. This involves prioritising training and development, providing ongoing coaching and recognising employees who consistently deliver exceptional customer experiences.

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Leadership that prioritises the care, development and empowerment of employees will create a workforce that is highly motivated and engaged in delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Customer experience and employee experience are inextricably linked. Everyone benefits when they have concurrent attention — the employee, the customer and the organisation. Employee and customer experience have never been more aligned. Each is vital to the organisation’s success; if one area is lacking, the other will ultimately suffer.

The extent to which a leader cares about their team will be reflected in how well the team takes care of the customer. Happy customers are the result of building a happy team.

EMPOWERING THE FRONTLINE

Leaders have the ability to empower their team through knowledge, decision-making and discretionary spend. The more a leader can

empower their team, the better the experience for everyone, including customers, team members and leaders. Decisions are made quickly, customers are not kept waiting, and team members feel more pride and satisfaction. When team members feel trusted, they are empowered to act in the best interests of the customer and the organisation.

ROLE-MODELLING CUSTOMER CENTRIC BEHAVIOURS

Great service leaders lead by example. The leadership team sets the standard of behaviour for the entire organisation. By living and breathing customer centric values and behaviours, leaders inspire their teams to emulate these principles. Each leader must recognise they set the benchmark for exceptional customer service through both their words and actions.

“

Leadership sets the tone for a customer-centric culture and great service leaders will champion a customer-first mindset.

”

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR RESULTS

Accountability is at the heart of every customerfocused organisation, resulting in cultures where everyone not only genuinely cares about the customer, they take ownership for results. Leaders establish standards and hold employees accountable for delivering exceptional customer experiences.

This means each person takes responsibility and ownership for their decisions, actions, performance, and behaviours. Exceptional service leaders set clear expectations, monitor progress, and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and recognition.

Leadership holds immense power in shaping the customer experience. By cultivating a customer-centric culture, empowering employees, modelling customer first behaviours and establishing accountability, leaders create an environment where exceptional customer experiences flourish.

When leaders prioritise and nurture a culture that values outstanding customer service, it creates a ripple effect throughout the organisation, ultimately resulting in increased customer satisfaction, advocacy, loyalty and superior customer experiences. ■ Monique Richardson, author of ‘They Serve Like We Lead – How To Take Care Of Your People So They Take Care Of Your Customers’ is a service leadership and customer service expert. www.moniquerichardson.com.au www.incleanmag.com.au 61

GBAC

Cleaning for Health workshop on using an ATP meter

Fijian children’s hospital a GBAC STAR performer

W

hen cleaning industry veteran RJ Patel first walked into the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital in Suva, Fiji, he quickly noticed the absence of up-to-date cleaning and hygiene equipment – a concern given the hospital’s vital role in treating children with congenital heart disease.

Although the hospital’s buildings and amenities were impressive, its cleaning teams lacked quality cleaning tools, as well as ATP meters to measure cleanliness of hospital equipment and surfaces.

62 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

“Until we arrived, they didn’t know the role that microfibre towel and products can play in helping hospitals boost infection prevention and worker safety,” says Patel, the president of PCT Clean in Kennesaw, Georgia, and past chair of the ISSA Residential Cleaning Council in the United States.

“We demonstrated how to measure cleanliness using an ATP meter in our hands-on workshops. Everything we shared was new to them and it was obvious that the hospital cleaners and staff really wanted more education and training on better cleaning practices.”

In October, Patel travelled to Fiji with fellow ISSA members Dr Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, senior director for the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), and Gosia Baran, owner of Helping Hands Cleaning Services in Chicago, Illinois.

They conducted ISSA Cleaning for Health workshops for hospital staff, hospital cleaning company contractors (Eagle Cleaning Services and Hygiene & Sanitization Services – Fiji, both members of ISSA) covering cleaning, disinfecting, and infection-prevention strategies based on ISSA training methodologies. The trio also facilitated a hospital assessment at the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani facility for the GBAC STAR facility accreditation program.

The Suva children’s hospital, which opened in April 2022, is part of an international network of specialty hospitals and medical centres funded and managed by the Sai Global Federation of Foundations, which delivers a mission of service and spirituality across 33 countries.

The group’s spiritual leader, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, believes the key to bringing respite to underprivileged children is through free healthcare, education and nutrition.

Patel, who has volunteered extensively with the foundation through its Indian programs, says the aim at the children’s hospital in Fiji is to be a health and hygiene role model for Fiji, as well as all South Pacific Island nations and their healthcare systems.

“We want this hospital to be a leader,” he says.

“There’s a huge challenge with congenital heart disease in Fiji that is a consequence of poor nutrition. Children are born with this defect and without proper treatment they die young – as teens or young adults.”

SAVING LIVES

The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital in Suva is the South Pacific’s first state-of-theart paediatric cardiac hospital where surgeries, treatments and services are free. More than 240 life-saving heart surgeries have been performed at the facility.

Despite the hospital’s ground-breaking work, hospital and cleaning staff had been struggling with accessing tools, equipment, cleaning resources and training to international industry best standards.

Dr Macgregor-Skinner reports that initial discussions with the hospital’s cleaning team revealed that they had not received formal training in health facility cleaning and sometimes watched YouTube videos to learn more about cleaning techniques. Hearing this, he knew there was an opportunity for ISSA master trainers to help the facility adopt state-of-the-art cleaning practices and institute a train-the-trainer program.

“In any hospital, insufficient cleaning practices can weaken infection prevention and control programs and potentially increase risk of infection from contaminated equipment and the environment,” he says. “It is important that the hospital facility and equipment are cleaned properly to prevent such infection and that we use the tools available to measure the level of cleanliness.”

Since the hospital’s facility assessments and training assistance, huge gains have been achieved.

The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital recently became the first hospital in Fiji to receive ISSA’S GBAC STAR facility accreditation, verifying that the hospital has demonstrated that a comprehensive program is in place supporting high-performance cleaning and maintenance regimen for the built environment.

In comments to The Fiji Times, hospital director Dr Krupali Tappoo said the facility was “truly humbled to have received this global accreditation” from GBAC. The GBAC STAR accreditation certifies that a hospital, healthcare facility or other business has committed to having: • established and maintained a cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease-prevention program to minimise risks associated with infectious agents • proper cleaning protocols and work practices in place to combat biological hazards • cleaning professionals who are trained in outbreak and infectious disease prevention and response.

Dr Macgregor-Skinner says ISSA educators will offer ongoing training for cleaning staff at the Suva hospital to ensure that it maintains and improves its cleaning standards while offering a safe environment for the hospital’s life-saving work.

“

GBAC

The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital in Suva is the South Pacific’s first stateof-the-art paediatric cardiac hospital where surgeries, treatments and services are free. More than 240 life-saving heart surgeries have been performed at the facility.

”

www.incleanmag.com.au 63

GBAC The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, helps organisations demonstrate their commitment to protecting the health and well-being of their customers and employees safely, responsibly, and sustainably. GBAC provides the training, education, consulting, accreditation, and certification services needed to help shape a healthier and safer world for everyone, and everywhere. GBAC STAR facilities and organisations use their accreditation to support and show their commitment to health, wellness, and a more sustainable, resilient world.

In addition, GBAC STAR accreditation can support an organisation’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainability Goals by assisting in achieving their environmental, social responsibility, and governance (ESG) objectives related to their infection prevention program.

“

Since the hospital’s facility assessments and training assistance, huge gains have been achieved.

The Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital recently became the first hospital in Fiji to receive ISSA’S GBAC STAR facility accreditation.

”

64 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

The ISSA team will adopt a “train-the-trainer” program structure to train and certify hospital staff and cleaning professionals so that they can successfully implement a quality training program for their organisations.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Baran says it has been a privilege to provide Fijian cleaners with best-practice cleaning techniques that will contribute to improving the health of children in the South Pacific nation.

She has no doubt that upgrading cleaners’ skills and equipping them with better cleaning tools will help them improve the hospital’s environment and support better health outcomes for more children.

“It’s critical for all of us to work as a team in order to provide training on the highest standards and practices for cleaning,” she says.

“The hospital has recently been built and it’s beautiful. However, it’s important for cleaners to work smarter rather than harder.”

In addition to her role at Helping Hands, Baran has supported a free medical centre for women and children in Clarksdale, Mississippi,

that is part of the Sai Global Federation of Foundations’ network.

“It’s been an eye-opener to me and I want to help people in need, and especially the children in Fiji with congenital heart disease,” Baran says.

“I have two children myself, and I can’t imagine something like that happening to my own children. When I started Helping Hands, it was my mission to give support to others and I can do this on a larger scale beyond the United States through Sai Global.”

Following the successful Fijian visit, Dr Macgregor-Skinner has no doubt that ISSA’s GBAC STAR cleaning for health model can be rolled out in other island nations that find it challenging to access state-of-the-art information and materials, as well as in remote and rural hospitals in Australia and elsewhere.

“GBAC STAR is not about a pass or a fail, it’s about continuous improvement and making sure hospitals and other facilities come up to the best industry standards,” he says.

“Understanding how to improve underresourced facilities in challenging environments can also help us to identify innovation opportunities that can be used by all.”

While donations from the industry help in these settings, he hopes a sustainable, businessdriven supply solution can be developed.

For Patel, his work in India and Fiji spurs his motivation to help others.

“Regardless of people’s socio-economic situation, they deserve quality healthcare,” he says.

“I’ve been cleaning all my life, and what a privilege it is to be able to take what I’ve been doing every day and make a difference in the world. Fiji is just the beginning – we’re going to spread this love all over the world.” ■

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OPINION

Thriving together: Building a conflictready family business How to mitigate conflict and create positive outcomes

C

onflict is unfortunately an inevitable part life. Today we see countries at war, political parties in disagreement and people arguing. Family businesses are no different.

In fact, according to the Harvard Business Review, only 30 per cent of family businesses survive into the second generation.

Meaning, 70 per cent of the time, the family loses control of their business, possibly their assets, and their relationships are potentially destroyed as a result.

Whether it be a disagreement over business strategy, conflict over entitlements, a personality clash, or simply a difference of opinion. All family businesses will encounter some degree of conflict over their life.

These conflicts can make or break your business and your family. So, it’s important to know what steps can be taken to mitigate its impacts and create positive outcomes.

So, where should you start?

CREATE A SHARED VISION

It’s important that your business and your family have something that they are looking to achieve together over the long term. Something that pushes you through the day to day challenges and unites you to a common cause. Something compelling. You need a shared vision. If you can get agreement on what you want for your business and your family, then this will become a pillar that you can come back to when times are tough or when disagreement and conflict arises.

PROMOTE COMMUNICATION AND TRUST

To come to a shared vision, you need a platform for open and honest communication. It needs to enable everyone to; have their say, discuss business strategy, talk about challenges, and make decisions. The stakes are high.

66 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

The Harvard Business Review attributes a lack of trust and communication for being responsible for 60 per cent of the failure rate of family businesses.

Those that buck the trend, tend to have a platform in place that promotes communication and trust. These platforms often include: • a structured meeting program (possibly via a ‘family council’ and an ‘advisory board’) • a set of rules to govern conduct and resolve conflict (a ‘family constitution’) • a documented and understood succession plan; and • a concerted ‘non-structured’ focus on talking to staff at all levels every day to keep the ‘finger on the pulse’.

ESTABLISH CLEAR ROLES

Once you have your shared vision and clear communication channels, everyone needs to know where they stand in the family business and who is responsible for what. That’s why you need to establish clear roles, responsibilities and have a formal governance structure.

The role for each person should align to their skill level and their position within the business. It should be endorsed by the family and their authority within their role should be respected.

INVEST IN TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Don’t stop there. Once you have defined clear roles and responsibilities, make sure you prepare each family member for success. Invest in training and development. Invest in programs to help potential successors hone their skills and gain the knowledge and experience they need to excel in their roles. This program may include having family members work in various roles within the business to build their knowledge and gain respect from staff.

PRUN THE FAMILY TREE

Over time, the next generation will become ready to take over the family business. Roles and ownership will be passed over. Resulting in more and more families becoming involved in the family business. This creates complexity and this complexity can create more opportunities for conflict to arise. As a result, many family businesses decide to simplify their structure. In many instances, this means providing an opportunity to buy back large portions of equity from certain branches of the family tree. Also known as ‘pruning the family tree,’ this strategy can be a useful way to reduce the number of decision makers in the business. It enables those involved in the business to continue its operations while providing income for other family members to peruse their interest and passions.

SEEK ASSISTANCE

This topic and anything involving family wealth can often be seen as ‘taboo’ topic to discuss. However, as I’ve touched on, communication is vital if you wish to manage conflict effectively. As a result, many family businesses seek assistance from an advisor to help facilitate their discussions and provide an independent input to take the emotion out of the conversation. When conflict does arise, having someone to help mediate the conversation is also useful.

In summary, conflict is a normal part of business. If you can create a business that has a shared vision, open communication channels, and a formal governance structure then you will be well placed to address conflict and challenges as and when they arrive. ■ Andrew Ash​​​​is director, accounting and tax at HLB Mann Judd

PRODUCTS

TEAM by WorkWave - Your next all-inone workforce management software Coming next year to the cleaning industry, TEAM by WorkWave is an all-in-one workforce management software that solves common business challenges, like managing a disparate workforce, supporting compliance, and supplying proof of attendance, all while streamlining and optimising business performance.

TEAM by WorkWave aims to: ` Optimise scheduling ` Connect your mobile workforce and validate staff presence on site ` Ensure accuracy of payroll with in-built Award Interpretation ` Reduce redundancies and provide single source of truth data

Comac CS60 ride-on sweeper Get up to 5100 sqm/h of efficient cleaning power with the Comac CS60 ride-on sweeper! A comfortable and economical machine, the CS60 is compact and manoeuvrable, yet robust enough for large commercial spaces — making it a versatile cleaner for environments of all sizes. Available as a battery-powered or hybrid model (which uses a gasoline motor to power the machine while simultaneously recharging the batteries), the CS60 can clean quietly, economically, and ecologically.

Godfreys Commercial 1800 314 580 commercial@godfreys.com.au www.godfreyscommercial.com.au

Rejuven8 Rejuven8 is designed to enhance the appearance of worn floor finishes. Rejuven8 is the next generation in hard floor maintenance.

Rejuven8 increases the durability of floor finishes and enhances gloss levels. Rejuven8 effectively repairs scratches and reduces the appearance of scuffing – black heel marks, grounded in dirt and surface scratches. ` Extends life of polish films ` Enhances gloss levels ` Easy application ` Concentrated formula makes more than 280-litres

Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 marketing@whiteley.com.au www.whiteley.com.au

` Provide actionable reporting and analytics ` Gain savings with streamlined, technology-driven processes

TEAM Software by WorkWave (03) 8899 6683 sales.apac@teamsoftware.com www.teamsoftware.com

PRODUCTS

Tempo HD Tempo HD is a multipurpose neutral detergent designed for use in commercial, institutions and industrial environments. Tempo HD rapidly emulsifies common food oils, minerals oils, and synthetic oils.

Being pH neutral and solvent-free Tempo HD is safe for use on most surfaces. Tempo HD can be used in any area where oil and grease are a problem, including supermarkets, commercial buildings, kitchens, factories, institutional, government and healthcare facilities. ` Concentrated formula ` Neutral pH & solvent free ` No anti-foam required ` Makes up to 800-litres

Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 marketing@whiteley.com.au www.whiteley.com.au

Polivac Rechargeable Stick Vac Setting new standards in cleaning convenience with these features: ` Rechargeable lithium battery ` Up to 55 minutes operating time ` Powerful 350 wattbrushless motor that effortlessly captures dirt and dust from any surface ` Motorised power brush ensures deep cleaning ` Colour battery indicator ` Speed indicator ` 0.6L bagless dust capacity ` Detachable handvac ` HEPA filtration to ensure clean, allergen-free air

Polivac International (03) 8378-0000 sales@polivac.com.au www.polivac.com.au

Rubbermaid Commercial Disposable Microfiber’s Remarkable Microbe Removal Efficacy Cleaning aims to eliminate dirt, debris, and infection risks from microorganisms, particularly in healthcare settings. Rubbermaid Commercial Products HYGEN Disposable Microfiber Cloths and Pads underwent independent lab tests, affirming their efficacy in eliminating microorganisms from contaminated VCT surfaces.

Crafted from premium polymers, these disposable solutions remove 99.99 per cent of all common tested viruses with water alone. Offering double the coverage of launderable options, they efficiently capture dirt and bacteria, enhancing convenience.

The colour-coded mops mitigate cross-contamination risks.

Rubbermaid prioritises cleanliness and continues to lead in infection prevention.

Rubbermaid Commercial Products 1800 639 355 rubbermaidcommercial.com.au 68 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

PRODUCTS

AVAILABLE NOW Makita DCL286WX1 Makita’s NEW 18V Brushless Stick Vacuum leaps further ahead of the competition, no cords attached. ` Cyclonic filtration to reduce filter maintenance ` 18kPa Max sealed suction to power through tough applications ` Continuous operation of 16 minutes with 6.0Ah battery (Max suction) ` 400mL collection capacity with HEPA filter

CleanLIFE plastic-free wipes available to purchase through RpaidClean stores CleanLIFE plastic-free wipes are now available to purchase through RapidClean stores nationwide. The CleanLIFE plastic-free wipes for commercial and residential use come in a variety of formats that include soft packs, canisters, and bulk tubs/refills. The CleanLIFE range extends from baby/personal care right through to TGA-listed medical wipes and commercial bulk sanitising wipes.

` Market leading charge time of 55 minutes with Makita rapid charger

Makita Australia 1300 361 690 enquries@makita.com.au www.makita.com.au

These Australian made and owned wipes are manufactured in South Australia, using Australian purified water and Australian-grown natives/botanicals. To find your local RapidClean member please visit www.rapidclean.com.au.

RapidClean sales@rapidclean.com.au www.rapidclean.com.au

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PRODUCTS

Brilliance Sealer Brilliance is back and improved! Brilliance is a sealer finish one-step, high-gloss product that provides an amazing “wet look” finish while sealing up to 400sqm per 5L bottle. Brilliance also has a slip-resistance rating D1 classification as per AS4586:2013. ` Easy to apply, ` Self-leveling properties, ` Quick dry time, ` Australian made Brilliance extends longevity and lifespan of the flooring.

Brilliance is suitable for most hard floor surfaces including terrazzo, vinyl tiles, granite, vinyl sheeting, tiles, and slate.

Scan the QR code to access the floor sealer calculator.

Whiteley Corporation 1800 833 566 marketing@whiteley.com.au www.whiteley.com.au

Willmop 35 Vertical Scrubber-Dryer Thanks to the compact vertical scrubber-dryer Willmop 35, incredibly fast, professional cleaning in small and narrow spaces is attainable. Willmop 35 is designed to get the job done in a heartbeat.

Get ready to go with Pacvac’s Superpro go Pacvac’s Superpro battery 700 advanced has been a cleaning industry favourite for the past decade, and it was time for an innovative upgrade. The Superpro go features Pacvac’s Ecoharness, made from at least 50 per cent recycled postconsumer polyester (rPet) - otherwise known as recycled plastic water bottles. It gives its wearer a comfortable, tailored fit with a height adjustability system, extra thick padding, load bearing straps and breathable mesh. Enjoy powerful suction designed to effortlessly lift away dirt, debris and allergens, along with the new powerful boost mode for a satisfying instant surge of even stronger suction for those extra-demanding cleaning tasks!

Pacvac

` 37cm scrubbing paths ` 1400m²/hr coverage and up to 70 mins working time ` Swappable lithium battery ` Fully 360° rotatable steering guarantees revolutionary manoeuvrability ` Free demonstration available

Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 sales@centralcleaning.com.au www.centralcleaning.com.au

(08) 9479 1444 support@pacvac.com Pavac.com

Vycel Electrostatic Sprayer The Vycel Electrostatic Sprayer delivers a positively charged, water-based spray, to aid disinfecting large areas quickly. Each litre of disinfectant that passes through the electrostatic sprayer delivers billions of particles of disinfectant solution every 10 minutes, covering up to 15,000 sq. ft from one single tank. ` Coats and wraps 100 per cent of surfaces effectively for full coverage ` Uses up to 75 per cent less liquid chemical solutions than traditional disinfecting methods ` Dwell time of 30 seconds and no wiping required ` Light weight and portable (7.2kg full ~ 3.2kg empty) ` Tank capacity: 4-litres (run time of 40 minutes per tank) ` 3+ hour battery run time and easy swap and dock charge system

CLEANSTAR XPOWER 03 9460 5655 sales@cleanstar.com.au www.cleanstar.com.au 70 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

PRODUCTS

Handpass

NEW ACTIV8 battery powered vacuum head Cleanstar is proud to present the ACTIV8 battery powered vacuum head.

ACTIV8 operates like a commercial mop using the figure eight motion and is designed for the commercial cleaning industry. Two counter rotating brushes and a centrally located swivel joint allows the user to move freely in any direction on both carpet and hard floors. ACTIV8 can be used with most backpack vacuum cleaners and can even be used as a cordless sweeper without a vacuum cleaner. ACTIV8 allows the operator to stand perfectly upright, minimising back strain and fatigue while delivering 50 per cent improvement in productivity. With a battery run time around two hours, the ACTIV8 is the perfect companion for the cleaner. The patented ACTIV8 was designed in Australia by Cleanstar and is proudly Australian owned.

Handpass is an antibacterial foaming hand soap enriched with aloe vera and other moisturisers that care for the skin. Designed for special foaming dispensers, it offers efficient and gentle cleansing suitable for food handlers, leaving hands soft and hygienic. ` No added fragrance; safe for food-handlers ` Economical with controlled dispensing ` Contains moisturising aloe vera and is pH-balanced ` Kills germs and leaves hands soft and hygienic

Agar Cleaning Systems

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1800 301 302

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PRODUCTS

Ready-2-Go Ready-2-Go is a ready-to-use sanitiser, specifically designed for all food processing environments. Even with its powerful formula, there’s no need to rinse it off after application. Ready-2-Go sanitises pots, pans, chopping boards, utensils, benches, and floors. ` Ready to use straight out of the bottle ` Effective on a wide range of bacteria ` Recognised for use in meat and poultry plants ` Leaves a non-toxic protective layer that prevents bacteria multiplying

Agar Cleaning Systems 1800 301 302 sales@agar.com.au agar.com.au

Avoid wet cleaning cycles

Ghibli T1 Backpack Vacuum Cleaner

The absence of liquids has hygiene benefits as well as complying fully with health and safety issues. Water and fluids can compromise the hygiene of a floor by harbouring the growth of bacteria and other organisms which damp conditions encourage, and the constant use of disinfectants is a common cause of resistance micro-organisms. The SEBO Dart UHS polisher can be used on virtually any floorcovering, from wood, PVC, stone and varnish-coated all without the use of water or chemical applications. It’s as easy to use as an upright vacuum cleaner! Clean green with the SEBO Dart UHS Polisher.

Boasting 1450 watts of pure force and lightweight at 4.78kgs, the Ghibli T1 Backpack Vacuum Cleaner is one of the lightest, quietest and most powerful backpacks on the market. Its HEPA-14 Filtration system and thermal motor protection ensures the life of the machine. The T1 Backpack now comes with 30 per cent recycled materials, as well as responsible brown box packaging that is made from 70 per cent recycled and 30 per cent responsibly sourced from Visy’s tree plantation in Tumut, NSW, while the box is 100 per cent recyclable ensuring less packaging waste.

SEBO

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BLADE – The ultimate daily maintenance tool BLADE, MotorScrubber’s two-in-one squeegee mop system with targeted spray, is the cleaning professional’s secret weapon in daily detail floor cleaning. Covering up to 144sqm with just one handle, BLADE boasts an impressive drying time of just three minutes. Unlike traditional mops and flat mops, BLADE can clean deep into edges, corners, and grout lines thanks to its power squeegee design, which exerts 80x more pressure. The ultra-fine S-Fibre microfibre lifts microscopic dirt, whilst the A-Fibre can absorb 500ml of liquid, making it the perfect rapid response tool for spillages.

To find out how BLADE can transform your clean, visit motorscrubber.com and book your demo.

MotorScrubber Australia www.motorscrubber.com 72 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

PRODUCTS

NEW ALLiON GC2

Kärcher CV 30/2 Bp cordless upright vacuum brush cleaner The new CV 30/2 Bp cordless upright vacuum brush cleaner takes floor cleaning to a new level. Features such as automatic floor detection, 36 V Kärcher Battery Power+ and Battery with LED display with Real Time Technology means you can achieve a superior clean every time. ` Twin motor with automatic floor detection ` Built with eco!efficiency mode and LED display showing remaining run time

The all new ALLiON GC2 is a 48V Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery with a capacity of 30 Amp Hours (Ah). The integrated BMS ensures that operation is safe and reliable over the life of the battery.

The ALLiON GC2 offers all of the benefits of LiFePO4 chemistry including fast recharge, and high levels of safety and stability. It can deliver up to 6,000 cycles and provides significantly more usable capacity than lead acid batteries. The ALLiON GC2 includes CANBus communication ports for remote monitoring. By connecting the battery to the ALLiON AL4830-GAUGE Battery Monitor, you can remotely check the battery’s State of Charge (SoC), voltage and current flow. ALLiON GC2 batteries are a suitable power solution for floor cleaning machines, golf carts, commercial turf equipment and recreational vehicles. ALLiON GC2 batteries are available at R&J Batteries branches nationwide.

R&J Batteries 1300 769 282 industrialsales@rjbatt.com.au rjbatt.com.au

` Super slim design at only 12cm in overall height when lying flat on the ground

Kärcher 1800 675 714 professionalcare@karcher.com

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www.incleanmag.com.au 73 Quarter Page - October - Single Step2.indd 1

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PRODUCTS

Kärcher B 50 W scrubber dryer The Kärcher B 50 W combines proven quality with technical sophistication.

One of the features of the B 50 W is its smartphone app, Machine Connect. The app provides access to a wide range of functions that are designed to optimise your cleaning experience. From FAQ videos and an overview of cleaning parameters to machine authorisations and available cleaning resources. The B 50 W is packed with innovative features including a contactless detergent dosing system, DOSE, ensures precise and effortless dosing of cleaning agents, saving you time and ensuring consistent cleaning results. With the newly redesigned automatic dirty water tank rinsing system, cleaning the machine is a breeze, allowing you to focus on what matters most - achieving spotless surfaces.

Kärcher 1800 675 714 professionalcare@karcher.com

Willmop 50 is a light and extremely manageable vertical scrubber-dryer, combining the high performance of a professional machine with the flexibility of a traditional mop. Perfect for crowded spaces.

` 43-inch digital signage ` HD Display –1080 x 1920 pixels

` Fully 360º rotatable steering guarantees revolutionary manoeuvrability

` Portable – wheels and handles for easy moving

` When hands are removed, the machine will remain upright and automatically enters the stand-by mode

` Corded or 8h battery time ` Multimedia capability - text, images, videos, audio

` Interchangeable lithium battery ` 50cm scrubbing paths, 2100m2/hr coverage and ~1h 15 mins working time

Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347

` Free demonstration available

sales@centralcleaning.com.au

Central Cleaning Supplies

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A great addition to any site, the Digital Signage Monitors from Central Cleaning Supplies will help to transform how you communicate with your customers.

These displays are easily customisable by yourself to display any messages that you want to convey. They are battery powered and portable, which means you can take it anywhere to display notifications such as “cleaning in progress” or move them to reception to use as branding or information screens.

Willmop 50 Vertical Scrubber-Dryer

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Digital Signage Monitors

Adiatek Quartz Range The new generation, battery powered Adiatek Quartz Auto Scrubbers offer unbeatable cleaning performances and deliver the comfort of a ride on machine with unmatched manoeuvrability and visibility. The Quartz range come in three models, Quartz 50, 66, and 80. They provide a flexible and compact solution with cleaning widths from 508mm to 785mm, battery autonomy of up to four – five hours, and a working capacity up to 4710 m²/h. Like all Adiatek machines, the Quartz range is simple and cost effective to use and come with a two-year warranty. Free demonstration available.

Central Cleaning Supplies 1300 347 347 sales@centralcleaning.com.au www.centralcleaning.com.au 74 INCLEAN Nov / Dec 2023

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