Gathering momentum
June 1st 2007 With a network of distributors now established, Ecover's B2B range of professional
cleaning products is making headway in the commercial market. Cleaning Matters
spoke with Ecover's Steve Mitchell,Principle Cleaning Services'Douglas Cooke and
Futures Supplies & Support Services'Mandie Kemp
Ecover's B2B range houses two brands:Technogreen, which
covers janitorial cleaning; and the Professional range, aimed at
the food sector.According to UK sales manager, Steve Mitchell,
those who are initially sceptical about the cleaning power of
ecological products are pleasantly surprised when they actually give
them a try.
"We're all consumers when we change to another product,
particularly an environmentally or ecologically sound product, there's
always the suspicion that it's not going to work as well," says Mitchell.
"We believe our products do.They might work in different ways, but
all of our products stand up to their non-ecological counterparts."
With both contractors and their customers beginning to look more
closely at environmentally responsible cleaning, and a network of
distributors now established in the janitorial market (Cannon
Hygiene as the national distributor with selected regional partners),
Mitchell expects around 300 percent sales growth on last year.He
admits, however, that is hardly a huge achievement given the
relatively low volumes moved in its first sales year."It does take time
to build up a head of steam but it was the same with out consumer
brand, and it's only in the last six months or so that we've seen real
interest from the janitorial and professional sector."
The domestic business was worth around 45m in retail terms last
year, and is growing 30 per cent annually.Mitchell says that many of
the professional enquiries are coming from those who use the
products in their own home.
With corporate social responsibility starting to make the large
firms' agendas,Mitchell says there's an acceptance of the message
that Ecover communicates.However, he says interest isn't defined by
boundries: companies of all sizes, and even local councils (with everstretched
budgets) are buying its products. But are the products cost
competitive?
"We aim to be inline with the leading brands," says Mitchell."In the
domestic market, for example,we try to match the brand leaders
such as Fairy likewise in the professional sector.We have had trials
where people are over dosing because they don't believe the
product will work as well. But with correct usage,we believe, penny
for penny, it is very competitive."
To make up your own mind, call the number below to locate your
nearest distributor, or visit:
www.ecoverb2b.com
The distributor says:
Croydon-based Futures
Supplies & Support Services
has sustainability at the core of
its business ethos.The award
winning firm is certified as a
carbon neutral company and
its website allows customers to
see the environmental impact
of the products they purchase
through a simple traffic light
system.
"We began supplying the
Ecover range in May this year,"
says managing director,
Mandie Kemp."It's already
proving popular with
customers such as Principal
Cleaning.
"There are a number of
green products coming onto
the market, but Ecover ticked
all the boxes – it's an
established brand with
significant resources and R&D
behind it, the products are
truly green, and crucially, they
really do work."
t: 020 8689 2072 for details
What the contractor thinks...
London-based Principle
Cleaning Services employs
around 1,200 staff and turns
over £11m. Its more
prestigious clients include the
Bank of New York and
Shakespeare's Globe theatre.
Aiming to become an ISO
14001 company, Principal uses
a fleet of hybrid vehicles and
has had internal waste
reduction/efficiency
programmes in place for a
number of years.
Founder and managing
director,Douglas Cooke, says
the firm will roll out Ecover's
B2B range across all of its
contracts by August. So far, he
says trials have
proven
positive.
"Feedback
from clients
and operators
has been very
good indeed".
Cost-wise, Cooke says
Ecover products are "slightly
more when compared to
conventional products, but we
expect the price to go down
in time". However, the increase
is not so great that Principle
has to pass it on to customers.
Cooke believes it will also
help to attract more clients.
t: 020 8341 4718 for details More articles from Ecover UK: | 
