Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110

Your industry news - first

The original and best - for over 20 years!

We strongly recommend viewing Cleanzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.

Principle implements data-driven cleaning at Blue Fin Building

Principle Cleaning Services, the London-centric cleaning and window cleaning specialist, which provides its services to some of the most famous, iconic buildings in the Capital, has partnered with Essity UK to implement the Tork EasyCube system at the Blue Fin Building.

Principle, which has cleaned the 500,000sq.ft, 13-floor Southbank landmark since 2010, originally had pre-set cleaning rounds. However, these led to over-cleaning in some areas and under-cleaning in others, according to the company's general manager Victoria Jaramillo. Pre-set rounds also provided limited flexibility to cope with visitor traffic fluctuations, which average more than 10,000 washroom visits a day.

"The need for cleaning correlates with visitors," she says. "More people means more pressure. When working with pre-set cleaning rounds it was hard to adapt and match our operations to the actual demands of the building."

To improve efficiency and cleaning quality at the Blue Fin Building, Principle sought to utilise real-time data and new technology. Tork EasyCube, the facilities management software for data-driven cleaning, was installed to provide real-time data on cleaning and refill needs.

Data-driven cleaning has established a whole new logic for cleaning. Connected devices throughout the building collect real-time data on visitor numbers and dispenser refill levels. Instead of cleaning staff just going from one location to another, they now know exactly which locations have the highest cleaning needs. This enables the cleaners and management to work proactively and do what's needed, when and where it's needed.

Principle now provides needs-based servicing to each floor as necessary.

"Today, we provide a higher and more consistent cleaning quality," says Victoria. "Multiple cleaners across different shifts work with the software to manage the cleaning across the busy site."

Tom Lloyd, operations director, Principle Cleaning, explains:

"It is not that we do cleaning itself differently, but much more effectively. We have a new level of flexibility and proactivity in our operations that allows us to meet and match cleaning needs whenever and wherever they occur."

The Blue Fin's managers have welcomed the implementation of data-driven cleaning at the facility, and as Blue Fin's client services director, Chris Avis, explains: "With Tork EasyCube, cleaning frequencies now vary from two to seven times per day, providing for a much more efficient and higher quality cleaning than pre-set rounds."

Besides improving efficiency and quality for Principle, the new system is also making life easier for cleaning staff. Principle account manager Angelina Hadj-Lazib explains how:

"Our workforce is incredibly skilled at what they do and this new software helps them to focus their time and effort on the tasks that matter most," "Our operations across 500,000sq.ft are complex in themselves and Tork EasyCube helps us stay in control and respond to complaints before they happen."

Developed in 2007, the Blue Fin Building gets its name from the 2,000 blue aluminium fins that cover its facade and shade its interior. Occupying a prominent position next to the Tate Modern, it incorporates offices, conference facilities, a shopping arcade, health club and a 7,500sq.ft terrace.

www.principlecleaning.com / www.essity.co.uk

22nd November 2018