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RWM 10 - a bright prospect
As the industry gears up for RWM’s return to the Birmingham NEC this autumn (14 to 16 September 2010), official statistics published by the Audit Bureau of Circulations reveal that last year’s exhibition was a record breaker, attracting more visitors than ever before. In its fifth consecutive year of growth, RWM attracted 9781 visitors, representing an 8% increase on 2008. Exhibitor numbers were also at an all time high with over 500 stands.
Further analysis of the ABC audit reveals that the show’s international audience has grown by 9% and attendance by decision- maker level visitors increased by more than 10%, amounting to more than a third of the overall visitor attendance. Meanwhile a survey of RWM 09 visitors found that four out of 10 actually expected their budgets to increase, even in this tough climate.
“The ABC audit and the feedback from our visitors justify RWM’s reputation as the environmental sector’s premier event and explain why over 70% of stand space for this year’s show has already been booked,” said event director Gerry Sherwood. “RWM plays a central role as a business and ideas exchange for a thriving industry and we are working hard to ensure that RWM 10 continues to deliver a quality event for exhibitors and visitors alike.”
www.rwmexhibition.com
Recession sparks upturn for UK manufacturing
British companies are abandoning foreign manufacturers in favour of sourcing goods from this country, figures released by The Engineering Employers' Federation reveal.
One in seven firms reportedly moved operations back to Britain in the last two years, citing examples of overseas suppliers who produce poor quality goods and miss delivery times.
Andrew Large, secretary of ICMMA (Industrial Cleaning Machine Manufacturer's Association), said: “UK manufacturing has an emphasis on quality, customer service and timely delivery. The devalued sterling has meant that it is no longer as cost-effective to rely exclusively on imports, and one of the consequences of this shift is that many businesses are discovering that Britain remains a world leader in manufacturing.”
The EEF survey asserts that a majority of companies now regard Britain as a good place to produce goods, with 70% of all firms agreeing that the UK is a competitive location for manufacturing, up from 40% two years ago.
The report also revealed that two thirds of the 300 businesses surveyed planned to re-evaluate their supply chains as a result of the global recession.
Steve Wright, chairman of the British Cleaning Council, said: “UK industry has become increasingly competitive against the low-cost, emerging markets over the past few years, and this achievement is reflected in these figures. British Manufacturing is full of ingenuity; businesses are now recognising that it represents great value too.”
www.icmma.org.uk
Cool reception to ‘clean-up’ levy
Measures to combat the impact of alcohol on communities have been unveiled by both Labour and the Conservatives as the two main parties target excessive drinking to help fund the additional cost of policing and cleaning up after nights out.
The Conservatives have promised extra taxes on late night opening and high-alcohol drinks, as well as a ban on selling drinks under cost price. Their plans come just weeks after it emerged that the Government is planning to introduce minimum prices for alcohol to help meet the costs of drinking on society.
Steve Wright, chairman of the British Cleaning Council, said: “While we support any measures that will improve our public spaces, we would rather see investment in educating people on the importance of proper waste disposal and recycling, rather than simply promising them that we will clean up in their wake. There is no excuse for dropping litter, no matter how much a person has spent on alcohol, and we believe that a society that values its environment would be the best outcome from any new legislative measures.”
Meanwhile, public attitudes towards the drinking culture have taken a negative turn, with one in four people stating in an Ipsos Mori poll that they avoided parts of their local area because of alcohol-related disorder. Alcohol-related problems are estimated to cost the UK up to £13 billion a year.
Dickie Felton of Keep Britain Tidy said: “Fast food and confectionary litter not only looks appalling it costs the taxpayer millions of pounds each year to clean-up. We believe that companies should be taking more responsibility over what happens to that burger box or pasty wrapper once it leaves their premises. But we are not convinced that a ‘clean-up’ levy is the right way to achieve cleaner streets. We very much believe in prevention rather than cure. We want all companies involved in the selling of cigarettes, drinks and confectionary to be doing more to encourage their customers to do the right thing and use a bin.”
Most public washroom visitors avoid using the seat
More than half the number of people who use public toilets never sit down on the seat for fear of what they might catch, according to a Tork survey. And 30% of washroom users would like to see either a toilet seat cleaner or a paper cover provided.
“Opinion is divided about what germs can be picked up from a toilet seat, but it seems that most people are not willing to take the risk,” said SCA Tissue Europe product and market manager Charlotte Branwhite. “Our research shows that as many as 54% of washroom users never sit down on the toilet seat when using a public washroom.”
Tork now offers a toilet seat cleaner as part of its new Tork Hand Cleaning and Care system. Tork Premium Toilet Seat Cleaner can be used in conjunction with toilet tissue to hygienically clean the seat before use. It dries quickly and also helps to neutralise odours.
“Tork Premium Toilet Seat Cleaner offers reassurance and comfort to the visitor,” said Branwhite. “It will be particularly welcomed in the food and catering sectors where hygiene is extremely important, as well as in the washrooms of offices and hotels plus public toilets in town centres and parks.”
Besides Tork Premium Toilet Seat Cleaner, the Tork Hand Cleaning and Care system includes a range of reformulated soaps plus new Tork Premium alcohol gel hand sanitiser. This conforms to EN 1500 and leaves the hands 99.9% bacteria-free.
Tork Premium liquid soap is now housed in a cartridge that is completely sealed to protect the soap from contamination. The cartridge takes only a few seconds to replace, leaving staff free to pursue other tasks. It is also collapsible when empty which reduces the volume of waste by 70% and cuts down on disposal costs.
www.tork.co.uk
Cleaning equipment open day
Industrial Floorcare Machines UK is organising a cleaning equipment open day on Tuesday 2 March at The New Mill Centre, Bulbourne Road, Tring, Herts., HP23 5HF. The event will run from 10am til 4pm, and admission is free.
Manufacturers present will include: Karcher, Truvox, Prochem, Sebo, Premiere, Comac, Numatic, Duplex, Dri-Eaz, and CFR.
Contact 01442 823090 for more information.
www.industrialfloorcaremachines.com
Integral acquires property maintenance business
Integral UK has acquired the Midlands-based business of SGMS Technical Services Ltd from its appointed administrators, KPMG.
The transaction sees 112 SGMS employees transferred to Integral, together with plant, vehicles, equipment, and 30 contracted customers.
Integral has taken a three months licence on the SGMS premises in Solihull, ahead of transferring the operations to Integral’s Birmingham office.
Bryan Glastonbury, Integral’s managing director, said: “When SGMS Technical Services succumbed to receivership, we stepped in to retain an experienced team and sustain services to an excellent portfolio of customers. Those customers will now benefit from the Integral formula, based on providing a comprehensive range of maintenance services, delivered by directly employed, trained, and supervised skilled personnel in every postcode area in Britain.”
www.integral.co.uk
