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ECARF allergy award for Nilfisk
The Nilfisk Group has been awarded the ECARF seal of quality for allergy prevention. The quality seal has been awarded to the Nilfisk Extreme and Nilfisk Power domestic vacuums by the non-profit European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation - ECARF.
The Extreme and Power ranges are fitted with special class 13 and 14 HEPA filters. European filter classes range from 1 to 17, the rating equating to the degree of filter efficiency when used within an appliance. The higher the filter rating the greater the filtration capacity.
ECARF only recognises vacuums with a filtration efficiency of more than 99.95% for particulate matter of at least 0.3 microns in diameter. A particle that is less than 10 microns in size cannot be seen by the human eye. Particles of 0.3 microns in size are the most difficult to trap and contain within a HEPA filter. Such particles pass easily into the respiratory system when inhaled, causing serious health implications for sensitive individuals.
Certified HEPA vacuums eliminate allergy causing pollutants such as dust mite eggs, pollen, bacteria, smoke and fine dust particles.
Usefully bacteria coming into the HEPA filter will dry out and die as there is nothing within the filter to facilitate growth.
Vacuum design is also critical for correct HEPA filtration performance. The unit must be of HEPA tight construction meaning that the filter is positioned after the motor to ensure that the exhaust fan is releasing clean air. The HEPA filter component also needs to be completely sealed so that contaminant air cannot be released into the environment.
The Extreme and Power models both carry five year guarantees and are quality engineered and tested to withstand thousands of operations.
The Extreme on/off button, for example, is tested to survive at least 50,000 operations. Additionally the power cable must complete 6000 rewind pull outs prior to design approval.
ECARF professor Dr Zuberbier said: “Every household contains a large number of allergy triggers. People sensitive to dust in the home can reduce the chance of allergic reaction to a minimum with the ECARF- certified Nilfisk vacuum cleaners, thereby significantly improving their quality of life.”
www.nilfisk.co.uk
The Marlowes contract awarded
Leading property management company Jones Lang Lasalle has awarded Incentive FM a three-year cleaning and security contract at The Marlowes Shopping Centre in Hemel Hempstead which has 75 retail outlets. It is the third contract that Jones Lang Lasalle has awarded Incentive FM in the past 12 months and follows successful partnerships at the Hexagon Tower in Manchester and St Marks Shopping Centre in Lincoln.
Under the terms of the contract Incentive FM will provide 24/7 manned guarding and CCTV monitoring, full daily and periodic cleaning duties, pest control, washroom services and consumables supply. 22 members of staff will transfer to Incentive FM under TUPE, including the centre’s operations manager.
Vince Williams, Marlowes Centre director, said: “Incentive FM has an impressive proven track record in the shopping centre market and as a result demonstrated a good understanding of our requirements within their proposal. We believe that they are the ideal fit and we intend to build a progressive partnership that will be of benefit to The Marlowes and its retail customers long term.”
Incentive FM will be introducing strong back up management, training schemes, work scheduling and a fresh service perspective on all aspects of cleaning and security. All services will be monitored through the introduction of PDA cleaning audits to monitor standards and a service level agreement with bespoke KPI's for cleaning and security.
Martin Reed, director at Incentive FM, said: “By working with a professional FM company such as Incentive FM, shopping centre managers and property agents are able to focus on strategic and value enhancing issues and work closer with their retailer customers rather than trying to manage a diverse number of different service companies.”
WFBSC 2012 Congress
The World Federation of Building Service Contractors (WFBSC) has revealed that over 600 delegates have already signed up for its 2012 Congress, due to be held in Curitiba, southern Brazil, from 10-14 October 2012.
Hosted in partnership with chief sponsors Diversey and Karcher, the Congress will focus on ‘Cleaning for Health’, as it also combines the Brazilian Congress and Abralimp trade show with the four day event. With the total number of delegates estimated to exceed 1200, the event looks set to be one of the WFBSC’s most successful congresses to date.
Andrew Large, WFBSC executive vice president, said: “We have been delighted with the initial response to our Congress. Alongside our partners, we are committed to building a stronger, bigger, and more focused event for our international audience - these figures prove that we are already moving in the right direction to achieving this goal.”
Curitiba is approximately 400 miles from Rio de Janeiro and only a short flight from the Foz do Iguazu, one of South America’s most popular tourist attractions. The WFBSC has arranged special accommodation and travel deals for delegates with Star Alliance (reservation code JJ01S12), while the price of registration is 20% lower than in 2011, a fee that includes all lunches, transfers and evening meals.
www.wfbsc2012.com
BIFM to explore chartership
BIFM is actively considering applying for chartered body status. The Institute's board has agreed to set up a working group to look at the costs, benefits and feasibility of the change.
The Institute wishes to ensure that members have all the information they need to contribute to the decision. The working group will report to the board no later than summer 2012. Its work will, in part, determine the timing of any further decisions.
The board’s decision marks a change in the BIFM’s previous position which was that, while chartership was not being actively pursued, the Institute would not take any actions that would preclude the possibility of becoming chartered. BIFM chairman, Ian Broadbent, said: “The Institute has reached a size, level of maturity, engagement and influence where it is logical to explore chartership. BIFM has a stable membership, is an awarding body with a comprehensive qualifications programme, has an active regional and SIG structure, strong governance, sound finance and robust systems. Chartered status would be a recognition of the progress we have made, as a profession and as a professional body. However, we must evaluate fully the costs and benefits.”
www.bifm.org.uk
‘Capital to Coast’ charity bike ride
Employees from Brightwell Dispensers recently teamed up and took on the challenge of cycling 60 miles together through the south east’s countryside. The race was organised by Capital to Coast, a UK organisation helping raise money for Norwood, Cycstic Fibrosis Trust and Downs Syndrome Association.
Between them, the team raised over £1300, helping to support these worthy charities fund research and awareness.
The Brightwell Group acted as the team’s main sponsor, raising £875.00. Other similar events are planned during the year, so keep your eyes open and you might see an enthusiastic, Brightwell sponsored team racing by!
Getting your strategy right
221 companies in the UK cleaning services industry are following a strategy that has led them into a blind alley and they must change quickly or risk disappearing altogether - according to a new study assessing the strategic, financial and commercial performance of the top 1000 companies in the market.
David Pattison, author of the new Plimsoll Analysis, said: “It’s undoubtedly tough out there with demand still subdued and costs rising all the time. With too many companies chasing too little market, many are finding it difficult to pass on rising costs to customers. As a result we have seen profitability fall with average margins in the market now down to 1%.”
Pattison then went on to explain that this latest study shows performance in the market is fragmented into four distinct categories.
Based on these categories, he has been able to recommend strategies for the next 12 months to improve or protect each company’s performance:
• Get back to growth: “There are currently 89 companies in the UK cleaning services industry that are struggling for growth. Granted they have healthy profit margins and most have little or no formal debt, but they are just not growing. I recommend these companies change strategy, wake up and sacrifice some of their profits on finding new growth as they are in danger of being left behind.”
• Fix the profitability hole: “136 other companies in the UK market are at the opposite end of the spectrum. They are growing at a pace way beyond the rest of the market, but they are doing so at the expense of profitability. Many of these companies could be accused of ‘overtrading’ by continuing to make losses and/or financing growth via increasing debt. They risk running out of cash unless they return to profit soon.”
• Maintain their advantage: “There is a band of 511 companies that are clearly the market leaders. They are achieving above average sales growth, are retaining healthy profit margins at an average of 3% and carry little to no debt. Their challenge is to maintain this outstanding performance in such a difficult trading environment and avoid complacency. They might even consider the acquisition of distressed competitors.”
• Try to survive or be rescued: “Finally, there are 221 companies for whom the strategy for the next 12 months is mere survival or rescue via a takeover. These companies have high debts as a percentage of sales at 21%, are averaging profit margins of -1% and are often seeing sales fall. These companies need to downsize their operations, focus solely on the profitable parts of their business and work at making a profit or the end is nigh. Some will attract buyers to rescue them but others won’t be so lucky.”
The new Plimsoll Analysis - Cleaning Services will tell you which companies are following the right strategy and those heading in the wrong direction. With an individual commercial, strategic and financial study of each of the top 1000 companies in the market, it is the ultimate guide to performance in the market.
Readers of Cleaning and Maintenance are entitled to a £50 discount on this new special edition of the Plimsoll Industry Analysis - Cleaning Services. Call 01642 626400 for further details and quote reference PR/ SV20.
