Elevating cleaning through innovation and sustainability

ESTABLISHED IN 2010, Green Facilities Management is an eco-friendly commercial cleaning company providing reliable and innovative cleaning services to a range of businesses such as: offices and co-working spaces; retailers and restaurants; schools and education hubs; and museums and leisure centres. 

One year ago, it began using the new Multiwash PRO scrubber-dryer from Truvox International. Cleaning Matters spoke to Green FM CEO, Manu Sareen, to discover why the company had chosen Multiwash PRO, and more about its relationship with Truvox.

“I first came across Truvox International and its original Multiwash machine about six years ago when we took over a retail cleaning contract and bought half a dozen machines,” says Manu Sareen. “They were reliable and delivered great results, but our current relationship with Truvox developed last year when we re-discovered the company and its newly released Multiwash PRO, which is considerably better and more efficient than other machines we were using.

Ease of use and sustainability

“Our mission is to provide and maintain a hygienic environment for staff and visitors at every location, boosting morale and productivity. One of the most important reasons to work with Truvox is to make life easier for our operatives, but we also know that we are working with a business where sustainability matters.

“The Multiwash PRO is so easy to use, works on all surfaces, and requires minimal training. It’s not as bulky as other scrubber-driers but at the same time it is robust and durable, and is easy to move from one place to another. The machine washes, scrubs and dries in a single pass, giving improved and unrivalled cleaning results – and leaves floors ready for staff and customers to walk on.

“The Multiwash PRO is effective when used with only water and no chemicals. However, the water in London is very hard and can leave mineral deposits on the floor, so we use a pH neutral detergent to cater for this problem. 

“Another positive contribution to sustainability is the machine’s reliability. It needs less maintenance and engineer visits than other machines, so that helps reduce its carbon footprint.

“Green FM is proud to be an ethical and sustainable business, and Multiwash PRO and Truvox International are a great fit for us and our clients.

‘We dirty our hands every day, so we know how to clean’

“Since the pandemic, our clients and their customers expect to see us cleaning. Before, we were often expected to clean out-of-hours and behind-the-scenes, as if we weren’t even there! Now we can carry out cleaning in plain sight, and so the fact that Multiwash PRO also looks good and highly professional is another benefit.

“As part of our business, we offer a consultancy service for companies and FMs which have their own in-house cleaning facilities, and we are quick to recommend the use of Truvox machines,” says Manu Sareen. 

“Green FM has been active in the cleaning industry for many years, so we know from experience which machines deliver the best results. We like technology and work with tech-savvy suppliers, and will only recommend the best. We only want to use the most innovative equipment, and I often say: ‘We dirty our hands every day, so we know how to clean’.”

Delivering quality floorcare at the UK’s first energy-efficient Passivhaus leisure centre

Exeter’s £44m energy-efficient St Sidwell’s Point is the UK’s first Passivhaus leisure centre, designed to use up to 70% less energy than a conventional pool and leisure centre.

The centre features: a main swimming pool and learners pool with moveable floors; a confidence water pool; and a 100-seat spectator seated area. In addition, there is: a 150-station fitness gym and two fitness studios; a health suite and spa facility; a children’s soft play area; and a 50-seater café.

“St Sidwell’s Point officially opened one year ago, and I worked with the contractors to ensure we got everything right from an operational point of view,” says Jonathan Brown, centre manager. “Since opening, footfall through the centre has exceeded all expectations, so keeping the premises clean, particularly as it is so busy, is an ongoing challenge.

“Due to the mixed nature of the site, with so many wet areas, we have the highest anti-slip tiles throughout. The flooring needs to be kept scrupulously clean for the safety of centre users, while also needing to be maintained to look good.

“From day one, we needed the best possible equipment, but the first-floor cleaning machines we tried simply were not reliable or robust enough. We were therefore delighted when our janitorial supplies contractor H.D.Adcock Nelson recommended floorcare machinery from Truvox International. 

“At the in-house demonstration we were extremely impressed with the ease-of-use and efficiency of both the Orbital 1500 and the Multiwash™ PRO 340.”

Efficiency and reliability

“It’s quite unusual for a service business based in South Wales to be a preferred supplier for a site in Devon, but maybe that says a lot about us,” says H.D.Adcock Nelson Ltd Business Development Manager Kirsty Wallis. “I already knew the partnership manager at Exeter Council Leisure Services, so had the opportunity to offer some advice on the particular janitorial requirement for their new St Sidwell's Point Leisure Centre.

“One advantage we offer is that Adcock is part of the Jangro buying group, which means that all our customers receive free access to an online learning portal, and that certainly appealed to Exeter Council's health and safety team. 

“As far as our relationship with Truvox International is concerned, it’s all about efficiency and reliability. One area that people always forget is the floor, and that's where savings can be made. It’s also where all the hidden problems often are. St Sidwell's Point Leisure Centre is an incredible looking facility with numerous different flooring types which creates huge challenges.

“After reviewing a number of suppliers and equipment, it became clear that these were the only machines that could solve the wide range of problems at the site. The demonstration was so convincing that the order was placed only a couple of hours later!

“Truvox International is a very hands-on business, and they are very supportive of us and our customers. When we recommend, specify or deliver cleaning equipment, such as Truvox’s Multiwash PRO, or Orbital machines, we also provide training for management and operatives. Both machines are so easy to use and maintain that the training is actually fun.”

Two machines solve all the complex floorcare issues

The Orbital 1500 combines orbital and rotary motions into one, providing a constant vibration that increases cleaning efficiency. The roto-orbital movement gives the machine great stability, which enhances the performance compared with a regular single disc machine. It is easy to use and manoeuvre and the low vibration levels provide excellent operator comfort. Meanwhile, the Multiwash PRO 340 is a scrubber-dryer, which gives excellent scrubbing power and pick up, leaving the floor clean and dry as well as adding a finishing touch to the floors.

“Both the machines look good and highly professional, which is extremely important as since Covid, regular cleaning has become a front of house and highly visible activity, providing reassurance for centre visitors,” says Jonathan Brown.

“To continue in the spirit of the Passivhaus philosophy, for floorcare we use only environmentally friendly BioHygiene solutions. They are highly concentrated biotechnology based all-purpose cleaning products offering superior cleaning and odour control using renewable and sustainable ingredients.

“With the two machines from Truvox International we can guarantee perfect cleanliness and hygiene across the flooring throughout the site as they solve all of our complex floorcare issues.”

https://www.truvox.com/our-products/scrubber-dryers