Innovate to keep pace
June 1st 2008

Challenges to contract cleaners include high client expectations combined with less budget and little time. So it's no surprise Nilfisk-Advance believes the only way forward is for manufacturers to keep developing better equipment

Keeping costs down without compromising quality is an ongoing challenge for today's contract cleaners. Equipment manufacturers can play their part by developing cost-effective solutions to the everyday challenges faced by this demanding service sector, says Karen James, sales and marketing director at Nilfisk- Advance.

Like many service suppliers, contract cleaners are having to respond to higher client expectations, while budgets and timeframes become ever tighter.These issues are faced in all areas, from retail and office cleaning to the healthcare sector – where there has been an increased focus on hygiene in response to the rise in hospital superbugs, but not necessarily a corresponding increase in funding. Since the introduction of the minimum wage, companies have also had to deal with rising labour costs.All these factors put pressure on the professional cleaning market and the competition to win contracts – and retain them – is fierce.

Companies also need to find solutions to vacuuming offices during working hours without disturbing staff, or doing daytime cleaning in noise-sensitive environments like nursing homes.They may also need to clean areas in confined or difficult to access spaces – under hotel beds or inside aircraft – or they may have to negotiate stairs or narrow aisles in supermarkets.With outdoor cleaning, the requirements can extend beyond sweeping surfaces and clearing litter from trees and shrubs.The challenges for professional cleaners are wide-ranging and the need to make cleaning faster, easier and less labour intensive (therefore less costly) is vital to profitability.

New cleaning technology At Nilfisk-Advance,we believe cleaning machinery manufacturers should view these challenges as an opportunity to explore new cleaning technologies that facilitate more efficient ways of working.

Indeed,many of our most innovative products have come about in direct response to customer requests. Let's start with the issues surrounding daytime cleaning.Being able to clean during normal working hours, whether it's in a shopping mall or a hospital, helps to reduce labour costs and accommodates today's longer commercial opening times.Advances in the design of cleaning equipment by manufacturers like Nilfisk are providing solutions to these requirements, from low noise vacuum cleaners through to multifunction floorcare machines that can scrub and strip hard floors to optimise cleaning time.

Scrubber/dryer technology has also been enhanced and the latest models in Nilfisk's range feature design innovations based on user needs, including larger water capacity and interchangeable brush decks, to reduce operating costs without compromising results. In addition, the developments in ride-on scrubber/dryers and sweepers include increasingly compact models that are easy to use and manoeuvre.

Battery power Using the latest battery-powered cleaning machines addresses the hazard of trailing wires and gives operatives unrestricted access to congested or hard-to-reach places without having to locate the nearest electric socket – they can clean as they walk. In recent years battery technology has improved and battery packs are more compact and have a longer life between charging, resulting in less machinery downtime.The newest addition to our commercial battery vac range, the GD 911, features high performance batteries for 100W suction power, extended running time, a quick charger and the possibility of continuous use with additional battery packs. Nilfisk-Advance also offers greater cleaning freedom with its battery operated Backuum vacuum cleaner.Worn like a backpack, it offers fast and convenient cleaning and is suited for use in areas such as escalators in shopping centres, office stairways and furnished seating in hotels, restaurants, cinemas and trains.

Developments in more precise measuring and mixing of cleaning detergents is another solution to the problem of rising cleaning costs.

Nilfisk's EDS (ECO Dosage Solution), can reduce water and detergent consumption by up to 50% and 35% respectively.The system uses a cartridge system with an adjustable dilution rate selector. Operatives match the selector to the recommended dilution ratio and the system automatically dispenses the correct amount of detergent.Apart from the extra cost of using too much detergent due to inaccurate manual mixing, excess residue can also leave floors slippery and unsafe.

With ever increasing cost and time pressures on contract cleaners, finding solutions to their needs has to be the driving force for cleaning equipment manufacturers. Shaping our product and service package to meet those needs will certainly remain at the heart of Nilfisk's development programme.

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