Washroom services partnerships - a smart strategy for growth?

AN EFFICIENT and effective washroom hygiene service partnership can help contract cleaning companies stand head and shoulders above competitors, as well as boost revenues and strengthen client retention rates in this challenging economic client.

These factors make 2026 the year to consider a partnership with a reputable washroom hygiene services provider that aligns with your own company’s ethos and goals. 

How can a washroom services partnership support contract cleaning?

Partnering with a reputable washroom services provider can enhance earning potential, strengthen reputation, and attract new business opportunities across a wider range of industries.

Integrating washroom services into the contract cleaning offering creates a more comprehensive service proposition, without the need to increase staffing levels, operational costs, or investment in additional vehicles and infrastructure, ultimately helping to minimise overheads while adding value to clients. And if any servicing issues arise, it is the washroom service provider that will remedy the situation, relieving time management issues.

Sanaway customers are often seeking ways to improve sustainability and EnvironmentalSocial Governance (ESG) credentials, such as by reducing water consumption, minimising waste production, and using eco-friendly products. Some washroom service providers go further by integrating Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL), health messaging, and optimised service frequencies which will also enhance your service provision and demonstrate commitment to environmental responsibility and care for employee wellbeing.

What to look for in a washroom services partnership 

Choose a washroom service provider that aligns with your company’s goals. Clearly define what you expect from an alliance, which elements are non-negotiable, and where there’s room for flexibility especially in the context of budget constraints. 

Transparency and trust are key components of success that will mark the signs of an efficientand reliable relationship. 

Word of mouth recommendation is the most powerful indicator of a business that is worth approaching, but questions to help define which company is the right partnership for you and your customers may include: 

• Do you offer a free site audit to customers? Bin sizes and service frequencies should be tailored to individual company needs. Smaller bins may require more frequent visits, raising costs and carbon footprint. An audit ensures the right setup for efficiency and sustainability
• Are products and consumables responsibly sourced, reusable, recyclable and kind to the environment?
• Are marketing materials provided to resell the washroom service offering which can be co-branded in partnership with the washroom service provider?
• Does the ZWTL service rely on incineration only, or incorporate Energy from Waste (EFW) to utilise by-products of incineration?
• Is the ZWTL service fully auditable? This will evidence responsible waste disposal andprovide a benefit for companies with ISO 14001 by helping to fulfil their continuous improvement requirement.
• Can we visit your EFW facility? This will reassure how the process works from the moment that the waste draws up to the gates and journeys through the process to the end.
• Is least distance route planning utilised to ensure fast, efficient servicing while keeping fuel costs and carbon footprint low?

Finally, ask to be provided with direct contact to existing clients who are happy to discuss their service experience. If there is an unwillingness to allow this first-hand contact, you can make a considered choice to look for an alternative supplier.

Whether looking for a first-time alliance or replacing an incumbent service, it’s important to evaluate profit margin, service standards, client retention and time management. The lowest priced service may offer an attractive profit margin opportunity, but if service standards arelow, it could have an adverse effect on business.

Case study - Vericlean Support Services, West Sussex

Vericlean delivers high quality cleaning services to a wide range of customers. The family-owned cleaning company has been servicing businesses throughout East & West Sussex since 2006 and achieves a £1.5million turnover annually by delivering washroom and laundry services, office cleaning, factory and warehouse cleaning, window cleaning, and carpet cleaning.

Vericlean director, Mr Robert Hearne said: “We service a large number of small to medium businesses throughout Sussex that include blue chip firms and well-known high street names, as well as landmark buildings.

“We were experiencing consistency and reliability service issues with our supplier, and so when a timely call came through from Sanaway’s Patrick Martin, we were keen to meet.

“After a thorough audit of the service requirement, Sanaway came on board, gradually taking over our previous contracts. Reports of service issues reduced instantly. Their zero waste to landfill services add value to the washroom services we can offer our clients, and the recent introduction of the ONE hygiene disposal service has also helped bring an important service innovation to our customers. We’re delighted that some of our larger clients with multiple washrooms are starting to take up this non-gendered inclusive, ZWTL washroom service.

“We’ve been with Sanaway for over 12 years and they now provide washroom services toaround 98% of our client base. Their high standard of personalised service with dedicated, uniformed staff keeps our customers happy, and Vericlean has directly benefited from an increased client retention rate.

“Because the service delivery is consistent and reliable, we no longer have to divert our time managing complaints or missed bin issues. If a service issue does crop up, there’s no call-centre to contend with at Sanaway, so we always get a quick and efficient solution to the problem. They’re so good that I’d even go so far as to say - I don’ t know how they do it!”

Patrick Martin is co-founder and director at Sanaway

For more information, visit www.sanaway.co.uk 

Tel: 0345 094 9495