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Call to save on water bills and prepare for EC regulations
Initial Washrooms Solutions (IWS) has called on UK businesses to prepare themselves ahead of the European Commission’s directive on water management in 2012.
The EC is expected to table a 'Blueprint for Safeguarding Europe's Water' in 2012, which will cover water savings in all areas, but Giles Moxon, product manager at IWS, feels that businesses need to start improving water management within their premises now in readiness for new regulations: “By acting now, simple, cost effective improvements can be made. This could be installing water efficient technologies or promoting water saving practices with employees and customers, which will enable businesses to make big cost savings as well as conform to environmental regulations. Introducing water management systems can make a real difference to the bottom line of a business as well as providing water savings of up to 90%. Simple initiatives such as introducing water-saving technologies that reduce uncontrolled urinal flushing in male washrooms can save up to £700 a year per cistern. Modern systems also help prevent scale build up which can save businesses even more through reduced maintenance and expensive emergency plumbing call-outs.”
To help prepare ahead of the EC’s report, IWS recommends that businesses take the following steps:
• Scrutinise your latest water bill and ascertain how often your cisterns are flushing. If it’s a typical 9 litre urinal, there’s a good chance the amount of times it flushes a day can be reduced significantly.
• Speak to a service provider to see what your options are and understand the latest technologies available that can generate savings, such as IWS’ Eco-Clear system.
• Don’t forget your cubicles. There are simple Hippo Bag solutions that can save you water and money too.
• For the gadget conscious, there are even infra red systems, the unit will only flush when there is washroom activity.
• Ensure that your washrooms are serviced regularly.
www.initial.co.uk/washroom-services/urinal-hygiene/index.html
Cleanliness of premises ‘is top priority’
The cleanliness of premises in the healthcare sector is a top priority, according to the results of a new survey. The second most important issue facing the industry is saving time and money, said those taking part in the online poll conducted by the blog site www.cleanleanhealthcare.org .
Some 69% of those taking part in the poll voted for cleanliness of premises, with 15% voting for saving time and money. Other key areas voted for were a commitment to the environment and more information about hygiene standards, which polled 8% each.
The blog site, run by Jigsaw Cleaning Systems, looked at key challenges facing the healthcare sector according to visitors to its site, which shares views around key issues in the healthcare cleaning industry.
James Blackhurst, managing director of Jigsaw Cleaning Systems, said: “We want to understand the most important issues in healthcare today. The need for cost effectiveness of cleaning and hygiene without compromising quality is changing the way the industry operates. The fact that a wide range of visitors to our site see cleanliness of premises as their priority confirms our understanding. Despite the need to save money, there are methods and technologies which enable us to meet the very highest standards of cleanliness.”
www.jigsawcleaningsystems.co.uk
bpi.recycled products demonstrates community commitment
bpi.recycled products, which produces high performance refuse sacks, is playing an active role in a Communities First project. Communities First is a Welsh Assembly Government flagship programme aimed at improving the living conditions and prospects of people in the most disadvantaged communities across Wales. Over a 10 year period, it aims to coordinate support, funding and a range of initiatives in order to deliver lasting and positive results.
bpi.recycled products’ efforts have been spearheaded by its Rhymney, South Wales site. Working as part of the Rhymney First Communities Partnership, it has taken part in a number of activities, many of them targeting local school children.
Specifically, staff have taken time out to talk to pupils about the benefits and importance of recycling. The Rhymney site produces many of its products from recycled waste polythene, recycling over 11,000 tonnes of waste each year and contributing to bpi.recycled products’ position as the largest recycler of waste polythene in Europe.
The business has also run a series of school competitions. One asked local pupils to design a logo which will feature on a sign outside the Rhymney factory, whilst a second set schools the challenge of being the first to collect a tonne of waste polythene for recycling. Both competitions will see bpi.recycled products giving away items from its Plaswood range of recycled plastic furniture for use in the winning schools playgrounds.
Steve Harris, manager of the Rhymney factory, said: “We’re proud to be playing a part in the Rhymney First Communities Partnership. It’s a fantastic project which gives us the opportunity to create closer links with the local community and also to explain the importance of recycling to future generations.”
Richard Beasley, the Communities First coordinator for the Rhymney Partnership, added: “The partnership project between the local community and bpi.recycled products has been excellent. The business has shown great support for various activities over the past 12 months and we hope that this will continue for years to come. The environmental impact of waste is a huge problem and educating young people and the community at large in reusing and recycling waste is a small step towards improving the future for us all.”
LCC on the move
LCC Support Services, the national cleaning and support service contractor, has moved to a new customised headquarters at Great Warley. The move takes the LCC team from a business park to a converted water mill on three floors in open countryside.
Bob Vincent, executive chairman, said: “The move is in line with my great belief that the working environment is crucial to staff wellbeing and performance. We have moved to our own peaceful premises which is more conducive to staff and only a mile from the M25. I have wanted this site for over a year and arranged for it’s total refurbishment into an environment custom made for our needs today and the years ahead.”
The new premises, which are largely open plan, encourage teamwork in all departments and there are private meeting rooms for client presentations and training.
The new address is: LCC House, The Old Pump Works, Great Warley Street, Great Warley, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3JR. Tel: 01277 268899.
www.lccss.co.uk
Safety accreditation for ACS
ACS has once again achieved accreditation from SAFEcontractor in recognition of its safe systems and procedures. SAFEContractor is a leading edge scheme, designed to help industry improve its safety record.
The Newmarket based firm recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor for the 8th year in a row for a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety practise amongst UK contractors.
Employing over 450 people, ACS is involved in all areas of the contract cleaning market and provides cleaning services across the Midlands, East and South East. Specialising in the bio-tech, food industry and schools/university contracts and with a £4 million turnover, ACS’s most recent clients have included major players such as Newmarket Racecourses.
“I am delighted that ACS’s commitment to health and safety has once again been recognised,” said Chris Broadley, managing director of ACS. “ACS takes its responsibility for protection and the wellbeing of all its staff and contractors seriously and we understand that in a modern environment health and safety is not something that any company should simply treat as an inconvenience.”
SAFEcontractor accreditation is expected to enhance the company’s ability to attract new contracts and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by its insurers when the company liability is up for renewal.
SAFEcontractor is applicable to most sectors although it is particularly relevant to food manufacture, property, facilities management, retail and leisure sectors, all of which are big users of contract services. Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process, which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice. Those companies meeting the high standard are included on the database, which is accessible to registered users only via a website: www.safecontractor.com.
www.advancedcleaningservices.co.uk
Rising costs are driving down profit margins
One in three companies in the UK cleaning services industry are making a loss according to new research from market analysts Plimsoll. Many in the market are finding it difficult to pass on the pain of cost inflation to their customers as competitive pressure is restricting their pricing power.
Lead analyst and author of the new Plimsoll Analysis has explained the growing problem in the market: “Whether its fuel, materials or wage demands every company in the UK cleaning services industry is being squeezed by ever increasing costs. 62% of companies have seen their gross margin fall in the latest year. Unfortunately, many are reluctant to pass on price rises for fear of losing customers to cost savvy competitors. However, falling profit margins across the industry is the first warning sign that this strategy has become unsustainable.
Over the past two years the average profit margin in the UK cleaning services industry has fallen to 4%. More worryingly, 307 companies are losing money with 134 of these doing so for the 2nd year running.
These companies face a tough decision - protect their market share and continue to lose money or adjust their prices to reflect their increased costs. Without refocusing on the bottom line, many of these companies will simply run out of cash.”
The author goes on to explain that it’s not all bad news though and that many companies are getting it right: “362 companies have managed to actually increase their profit margins over the same period. In all 693 companies have managed to stay in the black despite rising costs. Clearly, operating profitably in the UK cleaning services industry is difficult but not, as yet, impossible.”
The new Plimsoll Analysis – Cleaning Services will tell you instantly which companies are prospering in the post-recession market place, those set to be bought out and those heading for trouble - across the whole of the market and in the individual regions. It gives an instant performance rating on 1000 companies and highlights those ripe for acquisition. Each company is assessed using the Plimsoll model - a graphical and written analysis that lays bare the facts and gives you instant opinion.
Readers of Cleaning and Maintenance are entitled to a £50 discount of this new edition of the Plimsoll Industry Analysis - Cleaning Services. Call 01642 626400 for further details and quote reference PR/ SV20.
www.plimsoll.co.uk
