New Biocidal Products regs: last chance to influence regulatory framework!

At the Steptoe seminar on the new Biocidal Products Regulation, (EU) No 528/2012 (BPR) held two weeks ago, the European Commission confirmed its intention to seek accelerated agreement on a legislative amendment to the BPR. If prompt consensus can be reached with the Council and the European Parliament, the changes will take effect before the new regime becomes applicable on 1st September 2013. As with REACH, the new biocides regime is relevant not only to manufacturers and formulators of biocides, but downstream users as well.
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Ausclean Pulire is looking for presenters – can you fill the role?

If you are at the leading edge of cleaning and hygiene, ensure your experience is shared – submit an application to present a paper at Australia’s well-established, dedicated cleaning and hygiene show.

Sessions covering hygiene in healthcare and hospitals, green sustainability, new technology and outdoor cleaning are all welcome – as are marketing, communication and business sessions.  The call for presenters closes 1st May.
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German engineering... but British marketing

It's just over a year since Shaun Bradbury of Lancashire-based cleaning consultancy the Wrennalls Group, brokered the deal which enables him to import Columbus Cleaning Machines from Germany - and thus this is the first UK Cleaning Show at which Shaun has demonstrated the machines. They were going down a storm - but as usual, Shaun had adopted a clever strategy to attract visitors to his stand, which meant that plenty of people saw the machines.
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'Bin' making the most of the time at the show...

We didn't get to speak to the team on the Morclean stand until the final day, so busy were they every time we walked past.... So we weren't surprised when Managing Director Peter Morley (pictured) told us they'd had around seven good leads an hour, every hour.
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And it wasn't just the Brits that came...

Although many people say this is a UK show, visitors came from far and wide - and there were a number of foreign exhibitors too. Unger's Dave Rogers told us on the second day that they'd had visitors to the stand from as far afield as Sweden, Finland, Moscow and Australia - all interested in buying, rather than just window-shopping.

On the final day we bumped into our friends Daniel Knittler (left) and Reinhard Knittler, who produce German cleaning magazine ReinigungsMarkt. They told us they had enjoyed a productive three days at the show, speaking to most of the exhibitors and collecting information on new products and services to write about in forthcoming issues of their magazine.

Never pump again!

Another name we hadn't come across before was Green Gorilla Europe. There was quite a crowd watching Magnus Jonatansson, who hails from Iceland, demonstrate the Green Gorilla Advanced Spray System - and when we realised how the system worked, we could understand why.

Magnus explained that his company, Fremst ehf Iceland, has the exclusive rights to sell and distribute the product in Europe, for US manufacturer ForeFront Product Design.
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BMP Europe

BMP is a global company specialising in the manufacture and conversion of polyurethane elastomers, technical nonwoven textiles and mechanical systems for use in applications ranging from digital printing to industrial cleaning equipment.
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ISSA/Interclean

The ISSA's business services executive EMEA region Leah Lister, originally from Chicago but now living in Liverpool, is hoping to increase ISSA membership by talking to show visitors about the benefits of belonging to this global association.
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Osprey to supply lightweight 8 bar steam cleaner

John and I have always been impressed with OspreyDeepclean products and when we were at Pulire, Verona last year, we were stopped in our tracks by the machines on the Maxima Advanced Solutions stand, so perhaps we shouldn't have been surprised to see Giuseppe Codemo (left in picture) with Thomas Stucken and learn that they have struck a deal!
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Tersano (International) Srl introduce ozone cleaning

Although the sanitising power of ozone (O3) has been known about and utilised since the early 1900's, it was not until Tersano was able to re-engineer the technology for commercial use that the full cleaning, sanitising and environmental benefits were realised.
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Contract cleaning market switches to specialised in 2013

A new report on the UK contract cleaning market from MTW Research has found that 60% of UK contract cleaners experienced growth in the last 12 months, supporting the recent industry shift toward more specialist cleaning to boost revenue.
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Report offered to Cleanzine readers at discounted price

A new report on the UK contract cleaning market just published by MTW Research is being offered to Cleanzine readers at a discounted price of 20% off the current website prices. The offer is open until 31st May 2013.

Market size, trends & shares 2007-2017 are included for:

- Specialised Cleaning
- Standard Cleaning
- Facade/Window Cleaning
- Other cleaning services
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MITIE's cleaning & environmental business renamed Environmental +

The cleaning & environmental business of MITIE, the FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company, has changed its name to Environmental +, it announced recently.
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We have Mail: Mike Bone, Managing Director of the Loo of the Year Awards, writes...

Hi Jan,

I read the article 'Cleanliness can improve academic achievement and enhance student retention rates' in last week's Cleanzine with great interest. Loo of the Year Awards agree completely with cleanliness being an essential element of good education as well as good toilets.

Residents and visitors to the UK's towns and cities expect to find clean, hygienic and well maintained publicly accessible toilet facilities when they shop, eat, drink or just enjoy the attractions provided. Without this crucial provision they will find somewhere else to spend their time and money.
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Prochem widens specialist solutions offer

Prochem Europe's dominance in the professional carpet & upholstery cleaning technology and solutions sector is reflected in the company's latest product catalogue and price list, downloadable now.
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Jury announces nominations Golden Broom Award 2013

The Golden Broom Award Jury has selected the nominees for the Golden Broom Award 2013. From all products entered, 10 have now been nominated to go forward for final judging by the Golden Broom Jury who will eventually choose one winner in each category.
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April in Portugal proves productive for Gary

Janitorial Express, one of London's leading janitorial supply houses and a member of the Jangro Group, has won the Best Turnaround Business Award at the European Business Excellence Seminar held in Lisbon, Portugal. The Awards ceremony followed the EMEA Business Excellence Forum with keynote speakers Sir Clive Woodward and Brad Sugars.
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We have Mail: UK ready for backpacks

Hi Jan,

Having spent three days on the ProTeam stand at the Cleaning Show where we had almost non-stop visitors - all high quality people and many keen to actually try on America's market leading backpack vacuum system, I believe the UK market is starting to realise the benefits this innovative equipment can deliver.
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UK manufacturer's compact steam cleaner packs powerful punch

With growing numbers of facilities of all types - and particularly healthcare facilities and infection prevention and control teams - acknowledging the cleaning and infection-fighting power of steam cleaning, Matrix Cleaning Systems has introduced a new machine to answer their needs. Called Omega, the small and easily manoeuvrable 4.5 bar pressure steam cleaning machine seems to be impressing everyone that trials it.
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Cleaning Show 2013: A Great Success - it's official!

An impressive 11,341 visitors attended this year's Cleaning Show, making the three day event which closed its doors on Thursday, 21st March a great success for both visitors and exhibitors alike.

"The Cleaning Show 2013 exceeded all our expectations and was a clear demonstration that the UK cleaning industry continues to thrive despite tough economic times," says Martin Scott, Exhibition Sales Director. "In 2011, 7652 visitors attended the event, so to find out that over 11,000 people attended the show this year is an incredible increase.
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New report shows cleanliness rated as top concern in fitness sector

A new report, which demonstrates how cleaning can contribute to a significant increase in member satisfaction in the fitness industry, has been published by support services provider Emprise.

The report, 'Improve member satisfaction by 10 per cent through creating a cleaner fitness environment', offers key insights into the importance of a clean environment for consumers and provides three simple steps to help gym operators and other fitness organisations improve member satisfaction scores.
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ISS receives strong support for refinancing and extension of debt

Last week, ISS A/S announced that it had received commitment for the refinancing of its Second Lien Facility and had received strong support from lenders consenting to extend the predominant part of the company's senior debt.

ISS furthermore received consent for the implementation of other amendments intended to increase both operational and refinancing flexibility around the use of divestment proceeds as well as certain post-IPO flexibilities.
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Auto Bella launches complete auto car wash capability

Thanks to the introduction of the new Auto Bella accessories in the catalogue, Idrobase Group is now able to offer an 'all inclusive' solution to those wishing to set up an automated car washing business.

Available in options to suit different needs and able to process up to 50 cars a day, the offering includes:
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Contents of vacuum cleaner left to fester over weekend cause explosive reaction!

An industrial vacuum cleaner that had been used to clean up aluminium powder and was left unemptied for the weekend, provided the perfect incubation chamber... The powder reacted with water that was also inside the machine, creating a cloud of hydrogen gas that exploded and burned an unsuspecting worker who switched on the machine the following Monday. The 27 year-old employee, who suffered burns to the top of his body, was in hospital for two weeks and off work for three months.
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Deliberately disabled safety mechanisms lead to fine for recycling firm

A Durham recycling firm has been fined for putting workers' lives at risk after two machines were found to have vital safety mechanisms deliberately disabled.
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Initial Facilities plans scheme to create 80 apprenticeships

Initial Facilities has announced plans to expand the apprentice programme within its transport division. The company has committed to recruiting 80 new apprentices following the success of pilot schemes during the past two years.
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Cleaning supplies director scoops Surrey award

A director of a commercial cleaning and janitorial supplies business has been chosen as Director of the Year in the Toast of Surrey Business Awards. Ollie Rastall, who co-owns Source Supplies with his business partner Dave Piper (left of photo), was selected as a worthy winner by a panel of judges from the Surrey branch of the Institute of Directors who sponsored the category.
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Easy Clean Commode wins Good Design award

Clinell, one of the UK's leading infection control brands, has announced that its best selling Easy Clean Commode has won the Good Design award.
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Avica further improves customer service levels

Avica, the independent southern janitorial and catering supplies company, is increasing its customer service offer at all three centres by increasing stock levels and extending order cut-off time.
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Truvox Multiwash provides safety first at Horsham Hospital

A healthy, hygienic environment is essential for any location, but in hospitals and healthcare settings it is particularly important. People attending outpatients' clinics or visiting loved ones rightly expect to see scrupulously clean floors, so facilities managers need to ensure that their floor cleaning regimes, and machines, are delivering the highest possible standards.
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Innovation Awards winners: truly in a position to celebrate!

Chosen by a completely independent group of judges with no affiliation or bias towards any of the entrants, the Cleaning Show Innovation Awards are really something to be proud of, so congratulations go to all the finalists!
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the fastest female window cleaner in the world

Deborah Morris, of David Morris Window Cleaning, is now the fastest female window cleaner in the world, having cleaned the requisite number and sizes of windows in just 15.32 seconds.

John tells me women can't park cars as well as men can, because they don't have the same spacial awareness. Well I think Deborah's just proved him wrong! 

No surprise that this family business is still going strong!

Brian Philbin launched his Nu-Life carpet cleaning business in 1981, but these days we generally see son Mike manning the stand at these shows and stone care products are now taking centre stage.
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A rare work ethic!

John Newins of OCS accepts his award for Window Cleaner of the year 2013. The certificate says: 'for Industry achievements and time served'. In the UK and no doubt other parts of the world, 'time served' generally refers to the number of years and weeks an offender has spent in prison!

Work has clearly not been like a prison sentence for John though, who in 44 years of service, has, incredibly, never taken a day off sick! He is shown here (left) with Scott Smith of the Federation of Window Cleaners.
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Training: delivered by an expert

As an operative, cleaning training is one thing but an Intermediate Apprenticeship in Facilities Services will (or should) open more doors. As a contractor, having trained facilities people on board will give you more clout. People with skills in facilities services can make your organisation more effective, productive and competitive - and the workplace safer - by addressing your skills gaps directly, even in uncertain economic times.
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Connect Hygiene: at the heart of a new £50M business

Announcing a new force in the away-from-home paper market! Formed from the amalgamation of Connect Hygiene Products and Peter Grant Papers, Northwood Hygiene Products will be operating under its new name from July this year. Headed by Chris Wickham and his management team, the operation - which will have a combined turnover of nearly £50m, will be a clear number three in the UK  away-from-home disposable paper market, with a 15.0% volume share. Like the majors the new company will benefit from being both a converter and a manufacturer...
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Centrego (Toucan Eco) introduces the Fogger

We may be wrong but Centrego seems to save up its new products for launch at The Cleaning Show... In 2011 it was the Innovation Award-winning Toucan Eco that was stopping us in our tracks; this time around it's the Toucan Fogger (pictured here with Centrego's Oliver Weisflog) and the Toucan Mini (also pictured) - a smaller version of the Eco - which, like its older, bigger brother, has won an Innovation Award.
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Disposables UK unveils new products

Disposables UK is using The Cleaning Show for the launch of a range of new products. A regular at the Show and occupying its usual position at the entrance to the hall, the Group's brands will be on show en masse and will include 'never seen before' products. 
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Care Show London
24-25th April 2024
Excel
London
Website

Interclean Amsterdam
14-17th May 2024
Amsterdam
Website

Cleantex Africa
16-18th October 2024
Johannesburg
South Africa
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ISSA Pulire 2025
27-29th May 2025
Rho Fiera Milano
Italy
Website