Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 8th September 2011 Issue no. 486
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We're in a spot of bother, aren't we? The world economy is faltering... a global slowdown is predicted, Europe is struggling with a sovereign debt crisis, there are real fears that Greece will default on its debt... US retail sales have stagnated and the country's debt has been downgraded... Italy's borrowing costs have hit a new high... New figures reveal that UK unemployment has hit 2.51 million - rising by 80,000 in the three months to July - the largest increase in nearly two years... the Consumer Price Index inflation rate rose to 4.5% in August (bad I know, but not as bad as the 8.78% that India is having to deal with) and London tube and bus fares are set to rise by 7% in 2012... Now the UK's public sector trade unions have called for a 'day of action' for 30th November, which will disrupt public services everywhere. It is likely to be the first of many. Yes - the Government's decision to increase public sector workers' pension contribution payments is going to make life difficult for those concerned, who will work for longer but receive lower pensions. But public sector pensions are far better than most in the private sector and we need a system that is fair to all taxpayers. There isn't enough money to sustain these pensions as they are and with our ageing population the affordability will only lessen. Something has to be done to stop everything going further out of kilter. Our country's struggling but this union action will bring it to its knees. We should all pull together to turn things around - not scrap amongst ourselves. Yes things are difficult, but those of us who have jobs and the opportunity to earn money are the lucky ones... far luckier than the unemployed and many of those who are now in retirement following years working in the private sector, whose pensions force them to choose between heating their houses and having a hot meal. The unions are demanding justice, but I wonder how their members and the jobs they have at present will fare, if companies that are already on the brink end up folding because their staff are prevented from working because of the strikes? The GMB's Brian Strutton, has threatened: "We're not talking about a day out and a protest. We're talking about something that's long and hard and dirty, because this is going to require days of action running through the winter, through into next year...right into the summer." Proposing a motion backing mass strikes to the Trades Union Congress conference recently, Unison leader Dave Prentis said: "It's the fight of our lives... make no mistake, this is it." Yes it is, but I don't think Mr Prentis has stopped to think about the impact this fight will have on our nation's ability to pull itself out of the mire in which it finds itself. Yours,
This Week's News
The Antibac pen: a certified superbug killer Pens that are passed from person to person provide a hotbed for virus transmission such as colds and flu. The new Antibac Pen kills 99.9% of harmful bacteria and viruses making it a 'must have' for the workplace - in fact, anywhere where pens are picked up and used by more than one pair of hands. Vectair Systems is bringing Pride, Passion, Harmony and Zest to the world's facilities this autumn with the launch of four new fragrances for its new Airoma 'Xtreme' aircare range. Taking inspiration from some of the globe's most glamorous destinations, Airoma Xtreme aerosol refills have the following 'Xclusive' scents within the range: Washroom solution saves water, time and money Sustainability and resource efficiency are a growing environmental concern across the world. Many organisations are striving to reduce their environmental impact and in the process save money by using less energy and natural resources. However, an area that organisations often over-look when assessing their environmental impact is the washroom, which accounts for around 65% of water use in many businesses. Steam is an ideal resource for cleaning and disinfecting. It acts as a natural surface-active agent, dissolving grease particles and reaching even the most inaccessible areas. Heat allows steam to detach and dissolve dirt, freeing and capturing all grease, germs, bacteria and dust mite particles in its passage, delivering an extraordinarily fast, safe and hygienic system. With steam cleaning there is no cross-contamination and there is no need to disinfect cleaning utensils after use. CK Group recently hosted "a day in the business" for their bank manager, Ed Sylvester from Barclays. The bank is keen that their managers see the "other side" of running a business and "get their hands dirty" for a day, inviting the business proprietor to use them as they will, whether this be serving their customers, doing administration, manual work or even making the tea! According to CKG's Quality Control Manager Rob Herran, who acted as host, "Having tasted Ed's tea in the past, I felt it safer to put him to work!" Facilities managers asked their thoughts about green cleaning chemicals Enviro-Solutions, which manufactures certified, proven-green cleaning chemicals, surveyed US facilities managers recently regarding a variety of green cleaning chemical issues. Some 55% reported that they are currently using green cleaning chemicals in their facilities; 25% indicated that they are not. The remainder reported that they use them only intermittently. Healthcare expert applauds new cleaning initiative A leading healthcare cleaning expert has welcomed the recent introduction of the British Standard for Healthcare Cleaning. Brian Boll, systems director at Jigsaw Cleaning Systems, has outlined the importance of the initiative and has indicated that it will provide much needed assurance to the public. Girbau launches complete laundry care Girbau's comprehensive range of commercial laundry equipment for care and nursing homes, hotels, educational establishments, commercial laundries and launderettes, equestrian and animal care centres is now available as part of a new 'Complete Laundry Care' service designed to make running an on-premise laundry simple, hassle-free and affordable. SMC's success spawns specialist division set-up A Stockport-based cleaning firm is enjoying continuing high levels of success in 2011, thanks to the high quality service it delivers to its clients in the North West. Due to exceptional success in the cleaning of education buildings, SMC Premier has now opened a specialised cleaning division, catering for all needs to all educational establishments. Trojan Battery names Accutrade as distributor for Russia Trojan Battery Co., the well known manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries, has signed a distribution agreement with Accutrade expanding Trojan's presence in Russia. As Trojan's authorised master distributor in the region, Accutrade is responsible for distributing and servicing Trojan products throughout the country. Consultants' fees hit small firms with almost £6 billion in annual compliance costs Just a month before a raft of legal changes take place, research from the Forum of Private Business shows small firms pay almost £6 billion per year to outside consultants in exchange for support on complying with regulations - more than a third of their £16.8 billion annual red tape bill. With the latest 'common commencement date' for new regulations coming on 1st October, more than two thirds of respondents (67%) to the Forum's latest Referendum survey have seen consultancy costs rise since 2009, when the previous 'cost of compliance' research took place. Prisons competition helping ex-offenders secure employment in cleaning An awards ceremony has taken place to mark the achievements of prisoners who took part in a national cleaning skills competition, the Team Clean Challenge. The event, now in its fourth year, is run by Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for cleaning. It aims to demonstrate the high quality training that takes place in prisons as part of preparing offenders with work skills to help their rehabilitation on release. The Cleanzine Archive Search We keep an extensive archive of news stories and product information that have featured in past issues of The Cleanzine. If you would like to run a search of the The Cleanzine web site using the search tool below please just go ahead by entering in the name of the person, product or company or any other key words that you are looking for. How to contact us at The Cleanzine:
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Train windows, a breakthrough (not literally!) For as long as trains have had windows, there have been problems with both getting them clean and keeping them clean. Say to anybody the words 'train windows' and their immediate response is "Dirty." After a lot of development and testing there is now a simple, but effective solution that does not require outside contractors. It is a 'spin off' from the Ship's Bridge Window technology from Kleentec Marine. T: Mark on 01772 512343 BTA Conference Wednesday 21st September There has never been a more important time to discuss toilets! The British Toilet Association needs your input! Contract Cleaning Market Report - UK 2011-2015 Analysis The UK contract cleaning market, which experienced sustained growth to 2008, has experienced a marginal decline of around 3% 2008-10. The market was estimated to be worth around £5.3 billion in 2010 with indications of moderate return to growth in 2011. Take up the offer of a free audit
Kärcher announces September UK Roadshows Kärcher has announced a series of roadshow events to take place at various UK locations in September. The Kärcher Professional Roadshow will be used as a launch pad for several new products from its pressure washer, vacuum, floorcare, sweeper and industrial ranges of cleaning machines. Events & Exhibitions Cleaning Products Europe Care Show London Interclean Amsterdam Cleantex Africa ISSA Pulire 2025 |