HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED infections (HAIs) are not just a severe risk for patients, staff and visitors - they are costly to the NHS too. A recent global report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on infection prevention and control (IPC) revealed that 70 per cent of HAIs could be prevented by boosting hygiene interventions. 

The report also stated that good hand hygiene and environmental hygiene in healthcare settings could more than halve the risk of dying as a result of infection and reduce long term health complications by 40 per cent. And improved hand hygiene could save around US$16.50 (around £13) in reduced healthcare expenditure for every dollar invested.

It’s a stark reminder that good hand hygiene is essential to prevent infection and, in a society now living with Coronavirus and other viruses, it remains critical for us to continue to wash hands and disinfect surfaces that are touched regularly. 

So, what’s the best way to wash and dry our hands to prevent infection? For washing, the NHS recommends soap and water as the most effective way of removing dirt and germs on hands. We’re still advised to wash frequently and thoroughly by wetting our hands, covering them in soap and rubbing vigorously for at least 20 seconds before rinsing.

Efficient hand drying is vital to limit the spread of germs and viruses because microbes survive better in moisture. Therefore, any that remain on the skin after washing are more likely to spread to other surfaces if people don’t dry their hands properly. So, which method of drying is better – hand towels or air dryers? 

Some of you may think that air dryers are more hygienic, but paper towels are in fact the best option. A study carried out last year at Leeds General Infirmary found that drying with paper towels resulted in lower rates of virus contamination compared to using air dryers. The sampling of the study took place over five weeks, investigating virus transmission beyond washroom surfaces in the hospital’s public and clinical spaces. On average, the levels of contamination of surfaces after hand drying with air dryers was 10 times higher than with paper towels.  

Fight infection and climate change

These findings suggest that there is a higher potential for germs to spread through public spaces, which is particularly relevant to hospital and healthcare settings where washrooms are often shared by staff, patients and visitors, therefore increasing the likelihood of viruses to spread. But with increased pressure to minimise our carbon footprint, how do washroom providers help to reduce the spread of infection, whilst also making their facilities more environmentally-friendly?

Sustainability is high on the agenda and the COP26 summit last year saw world leaders across 110 nations pledging to halt and reverse deforestation and land degradation by 2030. It’s therefore vital to demonstrate green credentials where possible and washrooms must become more eco-friendly as well. In the fight against infection and global warming, your choice of dispenser and consumables is more important than you might think.

Choose washroom dispensers carefully

The need to limit the consumption of disposable products is pressing, particularly as their use in washrooms has never been higher. The use of paper towels, for instance, has increased during the pandemic - they dry hands more quickly and hygienically than air dryers and more people use them as a barrier to avoid touching the door handle when exiting the washroom.

When selecting dispensing systems for washrooms, providers should therefore try to specify high-capacity, controlled-use devices that restrict the use of toilet tissue and hand towels and prevent over usage. 

Are materials sustainably-sourced?

The UK fells around seven million trees a year to make toilet tissue, so washroom providers must be mindful of the impact of de-forestation. They should always make sure paper products are made only from raw materials that have been sustainably sourced – either from recycled materials or from sustainably managed forests.

Northwood Hygiene is committed to sustainable and responsible sourcing and uses Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified paper within its Raphael range, as well as offering 100% recycled paper options. Furthermore, all packaging – including plastic – is fully recyclable. 

Buy British

The government is committed to cutting the UK’s carbon output, becoming net zero by 2050. Emissions have been falling over the last 30 years, however, according to the WWF, around half of the country’s carbon footprint is ‘invisible’ because it is attributed to the carbon produced overseas to manufacture goods and the emissions associated with importing to the UK. We must all do our bit to reduce international transportation by buying British-made products where possible.

As a fully vertically integrated UK manufacturer, Northwood is dedicated to developing sustainable solutions. From waste paper collection, recycling, manufacturing and delivery, we have control of the full supply chain, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint.

We’re keen to move towards a more sustainable future and our Raphael proprietary washroom system continues to help healthcare and hospital washrooms to deliver optimum hygiene credentials, whilst offering strong environmental credentials. Combining hygiene, cost-in-use, performance and sustainability, the high-capacity Raphael collection comprises four hand towel and two toilet tissue dispensers, along with a soap dispenser.

Clean and green

Designed to optimise hygiene in the highest traffic washrooms, the Raphael hand drying dispensers provide contactless dispensing and the toilet tissue dispenser incorporates BioKleen technology, to inhibit the growth or spread of bacteria. Made from a single-piece shell, the dispensers are easy to wipe clean and all towels and rolls are fully enclosed for added hygiene.

Using foam soap that requires less water for handwashing than liquid soap, Raphael’s soap dispensers deliver a generous shot to encourage single, efficient use. They are non-drip to help keep spaces clean and every soap cartridge comes with a new nozzle to minimise bacteria harbouring. 

Zero waste, controlled usage

Raphael brings the industry’s first twin jumbo high-capacity proprietary toilet roll dispenser - the TwinJumbo. Holding up to 800m of roll to minimise the need for frequent replenishment, the system is cost competitive. An infinity paper system, allows users to replenish one roll at a time, eliminating waste and delivering cost savings in high footfall washrooms. 

The roll towel dispensers hold up to 250 sheets each, providing around 500 dries, with some offering stub-roll transfer to ensure zero waste. All Raphael hand drying systems dispense one at a time flat sheets, helping to prevent overuse, and the folded towel dispenser has a 1,000-sheet capacity. The dispensers have been specifically designed not to free roll to help reduce over usage and minimise mess in the washroom.

The collection is suitable for the most challenging healthcare washrooms, with the dispensers constructed from durable Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic for scratch and impact resistance. They are also lockable, preventing theft and untidiness.  

Washrooms play a key role in keeping people safe by helping to prevent infection. Sustainability, however, remains a priority for the cleaning sector and we can all help to reduce the environmental impact of these spaces. 

Preserving life and protecting the planet is vital and our industry is under scrutiny to deliver stringent hygiene standards, whilst also being mindful of climate change. At Northwood, we’re proud to champion action for the environment with well-designed systems that make washrooms safe and pleasant to use – without costing the earth.

Paul Mulready is marketing manager of Northwood Hygiene Products.

For more information visit www.northwood.co.uk

Paul Mulready, marketing manager  at Northwood Hygiene, said: “The show was a real success for Northwood. After several turbulent years, it was great to engage with customers face-to-face once again. It’s been four years since the last Interclean show and people were clearly glad to be back. The four days were full of energy and positivity with some excellent networking opportunities throughout.

“We met lots of people who know our brands and have worked with us in the past. We had high footfall on our stand and visitors were excited to see our innovative range of products. We had lots of conversations with genuinely enthusiastic decision makers in our industry and we were really pleased to show people some exciting developments from Northwood.

“Appearing for the first time at the show was our comprehensive new Raphael range, which drew crowds to the stand. Our TwinJumbo toilet roll dispenser, which is the industry’s first twin jumbo high-capacity proprietary toilet roll dispenser, attracted a lot of attention.

“We also unveiled Whisper Green – the first 100% recycled luxury toilet tissue in the recently expanded Whisper range. 

“Our North Shore premium proprietary system of washroom dispensers and consumables was also on show. Easy to maintain, durable, hygienic and environmentally sustainable, it delivers industry-leading capacity and supreme cost-in-use benefits.

“We continue to invest in new product development and it was fantastic to see such interest in our products. Interclean was the perfect opportunity to network and showcase these products and we are committed to developing even more solutions that will meet the evolving needs of the market.”

For further information on the Northwood ranges visit www.northwood.co.uk, or call 01952 236 930.

Northwood’s retail business, Northwood Consumer Limited (NCL), and Consuma Paper Products (CPP) creates multi-site tissue manufacturing with state-of-the-art equipment, offering a complete range of rolled and folded tissue products. As part of this transaction, the shareholders of Northwood have acquired a significant share in CPP. The businesses will continue to operate out of their Birmingham and Grantham facilities, with innovation and sustainability at the heart of their vision.

Northwood, with its integrated supply chain, has supplied CPP with tissue for over 20 years, providing both Virgin and Recycled tissue either from its own UK Mills or from global supply partners. More recently, the partnership has evolved further with Northwood’s UK mills manufacturing recycled paper for some of CPP’s retail customers, enabling them to reduce their carbon footprint. This partnership accelerates their joint aspirations to become ‘The Sustainable Paper Company’ with local supply, vertical integration across the supply chain, consolidated truck loads and new technology in the paper space delivering on lower energy usage as well as using less fibre.

Oday Abbosh, founder & CEO of Better All Round, CPP’s parent company, commented: “Joining forces now is a natural extension of our relationship with Northwood, bringing together the best of two groups in serving our customers. Together, we will have increased capacity and be able to leverage new technology to deliver on our sustainability agenda for the benefit of all our customers. In a market that remains under significant pressure from a broad set of macro and geopolitical events, this will allow our customers to benefit from scale, multiple synergies, and shared expertise”.

Paul Fecher, chairman of Northwood Group added: “Our heritage in tissue production, sourcing and converting across the Away from Home and Retail sectors, together with our forward-looking investments in state-of-the-art machinery, allow us to offer innovative products to our combined clients in the private label area. We are excited to join forces and to expand our retail range across the whole tissue sector of Toilet, Towel, Facial and Pocket Tissues in all formats. We look forward to working closely with the teams in Birmingham and Grantham.

The two facilities complement each other and together we will create innovative and cost- effective products for the growing retail sector. Additionally, across Northwood we operate four recycled mills which provides an essential and differentiated asset in serving the retail market. In the present turmoil across all sectors, as a British owned manufacturing business we are pleased to be able to offer a dedicated and reliable supply channel as we continue our investment into UK manufacturing.”

For more information visit www.northwood.co.uk

Celebrating the best manufacturers and distributors of the UK’s hospitality industry, the FPA Awards honour the excellence, best practice, innovation, sustainability and creativity of the sector. 

Picking up the award, Brian Tarry, sales and marketing director at Northwood, said: “The FPA Awards set the benchmark for excellence in the catering industry and for us to be named as Manufacturer of the Year is a huge accolade, particularly as we were voted for by peers in our industry.

“We are incredibly proud of this prestigious award, which recognises the hard work and dedication of the whole team at Northwood to consistently achieve the best manufacturing standards throughout our operation. It is truly amazing to receive this level of recognition from the industry after such a challenging two years across the sector.”

The FPA Manufacturer of the Year title is awarded to the manufacturer who stands out from other manufacturers throughout the sector. It recognises the responsiveness to environmental and legislative developments of the winner, as well as the introduction of new solutions to meet customer needs.

Established more than 45 years ago by owners the Fecher family, Northwood is one of the few vertically integrated companies in the industry. Its activities include recycling, production, conversion and logistics – a structure that allows it to ensure excellence throughout its entire operation.

Northwood employs 250 people and its brands – including Raphael, North Shore and Whisper –

can be spotted across the UK, in all sectors, ranging from healthcare and education to hospitality, leisure, manufacturing and catering.

The FPA is the voice of the foodservice packaging industry, working towards a secure future for the sector. It promotes the responsible manufacture, sourcing, distribution, usage and disposal of food and foodservice packaging. 

This years’ awards were hosted by stand-up comedian Lucy Porter at the Grand Hotel in Brighton.

For more information visit http://www.northwood.co.uk

Taking centre stage at the show is Northwood’s new Raphael range, which enables organisations to maintain even the most demanding washrooms efficiently, whilst also saving money and reducing waste.

Bringing the TwinJumbo toilet roll dispenser – the industry’s first twin jumbo high-capacity proprietary toilet roll dispenser – which holds up to 800m of roll, the Raphael collection includes two toilet tissue and four hand towel dispensers, plus a soap dispenser. Raphael’s long-lasting Infinity paper system helps to eliminate waste and deliver cost savings by only allowing one roll to be used at a time. The roll towel dispensers hold up to 250m each and provide approximately 500 dries, with some offering stub-roll transfer to ensure zero waste. 

Northwood’s recently expanded Whisper range of premium pure pulp toilet rolls, facial tissues and airlaid hand towels will also be on show. Providing supreme comfort, luxury and unmatched performance, Whisper is the ultimate product for customers who do not want to make compromises. Whisper Green – the first 100% recycled luxury toilet tissue in the range – will be at the show for the first time. 

The North Shore premium proprietary washroom dispenser system will also be on the stand. With a comprehensive range of dispensers and compatible products, North Shore is easy to maintain, durable, hygienic and environmentally sustainable. Offering industry-leading capacity and supreme cost-in-use benefits, the range includes the Orbit four roll infinity dispenser, which has a capacity of up to 5,000 sheets of toilet paper.  

Part of the Northwood group of companies, Dicepa Papelera – the Spanish-based producer of napkins, paper towels and roll – will also be displaying its range of double point napkins, which is available throughout Europe.

For more information visit http://www.northwood.co.uk

Washrooms play a key role in helping to minimise the spread of viruses and germs and they also provide an indication of the overall cleanliness of a building. However, it’s vital to ensure that washroom systems don’t just deliver optimal hygiene – they must be sustainable, robust and easy to maintain too. So, what do washroom providers need to consider when choosing their solution?

Meeting greater demand

Whilst covid continues to impact on working patterns, employee wellbeing remains important and businesses must ensure their buildings are kept as infection-free as possible. 

More visitors in washrooms means that supplies of soap and towels deplete faster, requiring more frequent replenishment. Furthermore, empty soap and paper dispensers are frustrating for staff and lengthen their time in the restroom, so using the right products can make all the difference. Specifiers should look for high-capacity dispensers that feature clear inspection windows to make them quick and easy to refill and reduce maintenance time in the washroom.

Greater washroom use subjects the dispensers themselves to more wear and tear than usual, so units need to be durable as well as functional. Washroom providers should seek out dispensers that are made from hardwearing materials that can withstand knocks and scratches.

Minimising touch-points in washrooms is also wise, so it’s worth seeking out no-touch soap dispensers, which automatically dispense when hands are placed underneath.

And finally - with sustainability very much on the agenda - providers should look for solutions that use recycled materials where possible, minimise unnecessary packaging and are designed to create zero waste.

At Northwood, we’re helping businesses to promote effective hygiene practices and make a contribution to the environment with sustainable solutions like our comprehensive Raphael range. Developed for demanding settings, Raphael helps to deliver improved washroom hygiene standards, whilst also saving money and reducing waste.

Lowering our carbon footprint

As part of our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, we have worked hard to make packaging as sustainable as possible and the majority of the range now comes in plastic-free packaging. Our card cores, paper wraps and plastic inserts are fully recyclable, with the plastic inserts being made from recycled bottle tops, which are recyclable. Our soap cartridges are also made from recycled plastic and these, together with our dispenser covers and backs, are also recyclable. 

The Raphael collection combines supreme hygiene and environmental credentials and includes pure pulp and 100% recycled products, all of which are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) certified. 

Raphael is designed to deliver zero waste and volume in use to reduce the amount of paper used and packaging required. Less packaging waste means fewer trucks on the road and less impact on the environment. And because Raphael is wholly British made and distributed, it is far more sustainable than imported systems.

Cost effective, zero-waste solution

With two toilet tissue and four hand towel dispensers, plus a soap dispenser, our range includes the TwinJumbo toilet roll dispenser – the industry’s first twin jumbo high-capacity proprietary toilet roll dispenser – which holds up to 800m of roll to minimise the need for frequent replenishing.  

The long-lasting Infinity paper system means that only one roll is used at a time to eliminate waste and deliver costs savings. Holding up to 250m each, the roll towel dispensers provide approximately 500 dries, with some offering stub-roll transfer to ensure zero waste. 

The Raphael folded towel dispenser has a 1,000 sheet capacity and all Raphael hand drying systems dispense one at a time flat sheets to prevent overuse. To further reduce over usage and minimise any mess in the washroom, our dispensers have been designed not to free roll. 

It remains important for washroom providers to deliver stringent hygiene standards, whilst being mindful of the environment. By investing in well-designed systems like Raphael, they can enhance hand hygiene and make washrooms safe and sustainable.

For further information on the Raphael range, please visit www.northwood.co.uk, or call 01952 236 930.

Paul said: “It was wonderful for our industry to gather at the Cleaning Show after such a long pause because of COVID-19. The pandemic hasn’t halted our ongoing programme of product development though and we were excited to show our existing and potential customers a host of new innovations from Northwood.

“Our comprehensive new Raphael range made its first appearance at the show and it drew lots of visitors to the stand. Delivering improved washroom hygiene standards, whilst also saving money and reducing waste, it is the proprietary washroom system with no compromises. Visitors were particularly impressed by our TwinJumbo toilet roll dispenser, which is the industry’s first twin jumbo high-capacity proprietary toilet roll dispenser.

“We also launched Whisper Green – the first 100% recycled luxury toilet tissue in the Whisper range – which attracted a lot of attention from visitors. 

"Our popular North Shore premium proprietary system of washroom dispensers and consumables was also on show. We’ve recently extended the range to include the North Shore flight towel, which cleverly breaks down in water to minimise blockages.

“We’ve invested heavily in new product development and the feedback we’ve received on these new launches was fantastic. The Cleaning Show was once again a terrific opportunity for us to showcase our premium brand offering and we’re proud to be developing solutions that continue to cater for the market’s ever-changing demands.”

For further information on the Northwood ranges, visit www.northwood.co.uk, or call 01952 236 930.

A premium, environmentally-friendly 2-ply toilet tissue, Whisper Green uses FSC® certified, sustainably sourced, 100% recycled paper. Ideal for eco-conscious washroom users who don’t want to compromise on quality, it is designed to offer ultimate softness and luxury. 

Officially launched at the Cleaning Show 2021, Whisper Green features an embossed pattern for added absorbency and comfort and incorporates laminated plies to add strength and bulk to the roll. 

Paul Mulready, marketing manager at Northwood, said: “In the UK, we use around 127 loo rolls per person every year*, so we all need to do our bit by looking for more ethical alternatives. The benefit of 100% recycled toilet paper is that it can be made without having to use new materials, using recycled paper instead. That certainly doesn’t mean that it has to sacrifice on quality or softness though. 

“We’re excited to unveil Whisper Green and the many benefits it offers to customers requiring a toilet tissue that’s made from 100% recycled paper, yet is absorbent, plush and comfortable. Unlike many recycled toilet tissues, Whisper Green is manufactured in the UK and we’re sure that it will prove popular with end users and distributors alike.”

Each roll of Whisper Green contains 210 sheets and comes in a four-pack option. Its packaging is made from at least 30% recycled material and can be widely recycled.

Combining supreme quality with high performance, Northwood’s Whisper toilet roll range is the ultimate product for the discerning customer. As well as Whisper Green, the collection also includes Whisper Gold, Whisper Silver, Whisper Classic, Whisper Ultra, Whisper Soft, Whisper Super Soft and Whisper 320. 

For further information on the Whisper range, please visit www.northwood.co.uk, or call 01952 236 930.

^{* according to Statista – the statistics portal for market data.}

And whilst the COVID-19 pandemic may have pushed sustainability further down the agenda for some companies, Northwood Hygiene Products Ltd, the leading manufacturer and supplier of away-from-home (AfH) professional paper hygiene and wiping products, continues to be fully committed to a sustainable approach.

As a true UK manufacturer, Northwood is focused on a full circle economy and is helping to drive sustainability by delivering product innovation, eliminating waste and reducing its carbon footprint. 

As one of a small number of companies in the UK that is fully vertically integrated, selling as well as converting parent reels, the business collects more than 100,000 tonnes of recovered fibres and produces nearly 70,000 recycled parent reels a year. 80% of Northwood’s products are made from recycled paper and all of Northwood’s paper mills now produce Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) certified base sheet paper. 

The business continues to invest in state-of-the-art machinery and infrastructure to further improve its environmental credentials and it operates a fleet of Euro 6 compliant vehicles, which are mobilised to ensure they never have an empty load. The company has also rolled out an enhanced driver training programme, which has already reduced fuel usage by more than 10%.

Paul Mulready, marketing manager at Northwood, says: “The UK uses 1.3 million tonnes of tissue and gets through 8.5 billion toilet rolls a year, so as a nation we need to focus on how we can all minimise our effect on the environment. At Northwood, we are committed to reducing the impact of our operations on the environment and our sustainability strategy focuses on a circular economy which aims to tackle global challenges, such as climate change, waste and pollution.

“We understand that protecting our forests is essential for our sustainability and our FSC® certification demonstrates our commitment to responsible forestry. As a UK manufacturer, our carbon footprint is incredibly small compared to businesses that import from Asia and we’re proud to be shaping change. We will continue to push hard to achieve our own sustainability goals and tackle the climate crisis.”

Northwood is involved at each point in the supply chain, from raw material supply, tissue and towel manufacturing, end user product converting and transportation. The business operates across 10 sites in the UK and all of its mills are now ISO 14001 accredited, adhering to a zero-waste manufacturing process to look after the local environment. 

Northwood’s extensive range of recycled products includes the Essentials collection of toilet tissue, centrefeed, hand towels and hygiene rolls, the Raphael proprietary washroom system and the Whisper Green 2-ply toilet tissue.

COP 26 takes place in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021. At this, the 26th annual summit, the climate talks will bring together heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change.

For further information on Northwood visit www.northwood.co.uk, or call 01952 236 930.

Making its first appearance at the show is the comprehensive new Raphael range. Developed to cater for any washroom environment, whether it is large, small, high or low footfall, Raphael delivers improved washroom hygiene standards, whilst also saving money and reducing waste.

Featuring the TwinJumbo toilet roll dispenser – the industry’s first twin jumbo high-capacity proprietary toilet roll dispenser – which holds up to 800m of roll, the Raphael collection includes two toilet tissue and four hand towel dispensers, plus a soap dispenser. For optimal hygiene, the Raphael hand drying dispensers provide contactless dispensing, whilst the toilet tissue dispenser incorporates a Biokleen™ treated handle to inhibit the growth and spread of bacteria.

Visitors will also be able to see Northwood’s newly expanded luxury Whisper range of premium pure pulp toilet rolls, facial tissues and airlaid hand towels. Combining supreme quality with high performance, Whisper is the ultimate product for the discerning customer. Making its debut at the show, Whisper Green – the first 100% recycled luxury toilet tissue in the range – is sure to attract attention. 

The North Shore premium proprietary system of washroom dispensers and consumables will also be on show. With its clean, modern aesthetics, the range boasts industry-leading capacity and supreme cost-in-use benefits. It is easy to install and maintain, durable, hygienic and environmentally sustainable. 

Central to the North Shore system range is the Orbit four roll infinity dispenser, with a capacity of up to 5,000 sheets of toilet paper.  

The Northwood team will be on stand to meet customers and introduce them to the Raphael, Whisper and North Shore ranges during the three-day show.

Stand no: E05

Foe more information visit www.northwood.co.uk