Getting the competitive edge
February 1st 2004

There has been a lot going on recently in the cleaning industry with many awards and conferences and there has been talk about why they are not better attended. For many people the cleaning industry is a good profession to be involved in. It has growth potential and companies are making a decent profit out of supplying cleaning services. The cleaners who work for such forward looking organisations attend conferences and workshops, take exams and are looking to further their carreers or improve their businesses through knowledge and use of the latest equipment.

However, there are also many people who work in the cleaning industry who do a good job but see it only as a job. They are earning money and cleaning to a standard that is acceptable to their employers. These people make do with the equipment they have or are provided with and know enough to get their jobs done to the required standard. They will never win awards or further their ability to clean better but they are a vital part of the UK cleaning industry. If you want to win prestigious contracts, knowledge of the latest techniques and use of the technology will make the difference, but if you clean a couple of local business premises and satisfy the owners then you are doing what is necessary. I would say, however, that a look at what can be achieved with a little education and the assortment of innovative products (many of which are featured in the following pages) will enable cost and time savings to be made and allow you to develop the kind of business that makes more money or does the job in less time.

Interclean 2004 is on the horizon and will be a great showcase for the latest products and services. Our preview will give you an insight into some of the offerings that are on show. Even if you will not be making the trip to Amsterdam, take a look at what is on offer, it may be that some of the products and services could give you the competitive edge that your business needs in order to make the next step within the cleaning industry.

Tim McManan-Smith MSc, BSc(Hons), ABICSc

Managing Editor Cleaning Matters

Tel: 01342 316390

E-mail: tmcsmith@progressive-media.co.uk

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