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Cleaning

Do you specialise in Cleaning Services? We want to hear from you!
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Each month on FM Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the facilities management market – and in March we’ll be focussing on Cleaning Services.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help FM industry buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you specialise in Cleaning Services and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Paige Aitken on p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

March – Cleaning
Apr – Total FM
May – Energy Management
Jun – Security
July – Air Conditioning
Aug – Waste Management
Sep – Asset Management
Oct – FM Software
Nov – Intruder & Alarm Systems
Dec – Fire & Safety Equipment
Jan 24 – Health & Safety
Feb 24 – Building Maintenance & Refurbishment

Kingdom completes The Colvin Cleaning Group acquisition
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Kingdom Services Group has acquired The Colvin Cleaning Group – the Sussex based professional cleaning services provider to the private and public sector.

As from 1st July 2022, the company will be rebranded and become part of Kingdom Cleaning.

Colvin Cleaning Group business owner Gerald Colvin will remain as a consultant to support the full integration of the Colvin business, with his existing team all being retained.

It will be business as usual for the Colvin customers and colleagues – but with Kingdom providing capabilities, specialist knowledge, opportunities and added value that come from being part of a 7000+ colleague and £200m turnover organisation operating across a UK-wide office network.

Kingdom Services Group has a UK-wide network of 18 offices including Glasgow, Birmingham, London and Belfast with their National Support and Command Centre based at Newton-le-Willows. Kingdom also operates in India.

Gerald Colvin (pictured, above right), business owner at Colvin Cleaning, said: “I am delighted with the acquisition and the integration of our two businesses. Kingdom Service Group, like The Colvin Group has been established for over 30 years with an excellent reputation in our industry. Kingdoms nationwide coverage and portfolio of services will provide wider service support opportunities to our clients.”

Terry Barton (pictured, above left), CEO of Kingdom Services Group, said: “2022 was always going to be a busy year for Kingdom. We have very exciting growth plans for all the companies within the Group. Kingdom remains a family-owned business with family values and when I was introduced to Gerald there was an immediate culture match. I personally welcome the Colvin team into the Kingdom Group.

“Colvin provide a best-in-class local cleaning service. The acquisition will further strengthen our ability to truly deliver a national and local best-in-class cleaning service. We can support the existing delivery with Group-wide synergies and added value.”

Total Security Summit

Do you specialise in Energy Management services? We want to hear from you!
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Each month on FM Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the facilities management market – and in May we’ll be focussing on Energy Management.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help FM industry buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you specialise in Energy Management and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Paige Aitken on p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

May – Energy Management
Jun – Security
July – Air Conditioning
Aug – Waste Management
Sep – Asset Management
Oct – FM Software
Nov – Intruder & Alarm Systems
Dec – Fire & Safety Equipment

Total Security Summit

Do you specialise in Total FM services? We want to hear from you!
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Each month on FM Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the facilities management market – and in April we’ll be focussing on Total FM.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help FM industry buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you specialise in Total FM and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Paige Aitken on p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

Apr – Total FM
May – Energy Management
Jun – Security
July – Air Conditioning
Aug – Waste Management
Sep – Asset Management
Oct – FM Software
Nov – Intruder & Alarm Systems
Dec – Fire & Safety Equipment

Do you specialise in Cleaning services? We want to hear from you!
By:

Each month on FM Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the facilities management market – and in February we’ll be focussing on Cleaning.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help FM industry buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you specialise in Cleaning and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Paige Aitken on p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

March – Cleaning
Apr – Total FM
May – Energy Management
Jun – Security
July – Air Conditioning
Aug – Waste Management
Sep – Asset Management
Oct – FM Software
Nov – Intruder & Alarm Systems
Dec – Fire & Safety Equipment

British Cleaning Council

Do you specialise in Commercial Cleaning Services? We want to hear from you!
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Each month on FM Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the facilities management market – and in March we’ll be focussing on Cleaning solutions.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help FM industry buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you specialise in Cleaning solutions and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Paige Aitken on p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

Mar – Cleaning
Apr – Total FM
May – Energy Management
June – Security
Jul – Air Conditioning
Aug – Waste Management
Sep – Asset Management
Oct – FM Software
Nov – Intruder & Alarm Systems
Dec – Fire & Safety Equipment

5 Minutes With… David Kennett, Head of Technology & Operations, Flexicount
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In the latest instalment of our FM industry executive interview series, we spoke to Flexicount‘s Head of Technology & Operations, David Kennett, about the company, the challenges posed by COVID-19, new technology and industry opportunities…

Tell us about your company, products, and services

The Flexicount brand was created off the back of a request for a wireless battery-operated sensor to count visitors into washrooms, primarily in large office buildings.

Our parent company StoreTech has been providing footfall counting to the retail sector for over 22 years.

With Flexicount we were able to use our StoreTech experience of using the best-of-breed people counting technologies along with our knowledge of how to make visitor data actionable with our simple web portal and share it with a sector that is crying out for actionable data.

Delivering cleaning services to demand is just like scheduling staff to demand in retail and the only way to do this effectively is by using some form of people counters; therefore we developed our own low-cost usage sensor which provides dynamic updates throughout the day.

The system predicts more efficient cleaning schedules based upon usage and allows for live alerting and cleaner response times, so it improves service levels whilst simultaneously driving down costs.

The other smart building solution is an occupancy counter which is >99% accurate and ideal for managing a building, floor, or room capacity data. With thresholds, alerts, and digital displays the occupancy solution is ideal for the current social distancing laws and smart building data insight.

What are the biggest challenges the FM and cleaning industry will face over the next 12 months?

Developing an effective cleaning and disinfection programme is critical.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for smart technology to enhance cleaning operations and maintain social distancing.

Without usage or occupancy data, there is minimal understanding of the key metrics required to implement this and ensure employee safety.

With just a small proportion of the workforce heading back to the office, it’s imperative that FM companies are able to make data-driven decisions around occupancy or usage of facilities, in order to plan cleaning resources and safety precautions to their optimal level.

Cleaning to demand will be the new way of working to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and ensure efficient cleaning and social distancing where required.

In 2022 we’ll all be talking about…

Hopefully, something other than COVID-19!!

Which person in, or associated with, the FM industry would you most like to meet?

Martin Pickard aka The FM Guru!

You go to the bar at the Facilities Management Summit – what’s your tipple of choice?

I have to admit I’m a lager-boy at heart – nothing too exotic! Maybe a Baileys before bed!

What’s the most exciting thing about your job?

Learning how advancements in technology year on year continue to expand the possibilities of smart tech into the workplace.

And what’s the most challenging?

In the IoT technology sector, new products are being prototyped all the time.

To be honest, they don’t always work first time as real-life environments can be very different from testing in laboratory conditions. So it is a challenge, but I do enjoy the ups and downs and the whole team strives to get over every hurdle until we have selected the best IoT products for each sector we work in.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Failure is good, if you recognise it, learn from it, be open about it, and strive to keep going forward.

Peaky Blinders or Stranger Things?

Stranger Things!

www.flexicount.com

Are you looking for Cleaning specialists? FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory can help!
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Looking for a new cleaning services supplier for your building, venue, school or company? The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is home to dozens of trusted partners ready to help make your project a reality!

Put simply, there’s something to suit every requirement.

Start Your Search Now

Are you an FM supplier? Get listed!

The FM Forum Recommended Supplier Directory is the perfect platform to raise your organisation’s profile and extend your reach.

Promoted via the FM Briefing newsletter, website and our renowned meet-the-buyer facilities events – this digital FM directory offers a comprehensive list of industry solution leaders.

For a short period of time, your business can now be included in the FM Directory for FREE!

In these times of uncertainty for everyone, we are offering support to the industry by providing a free listing for a 3-month period, to support businesses through these difficult circumstances.

Click Here To Get Listed!

Or, for more information, please contact Paige Aitken on 01992 374079 or p.aitken@forumevents.co.uk

Expert advice on deep cleaning before returning to work
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By Dale Jones, Head of Technical Development at Alcumus SafeContractor

With a phased return to work underway, organisations will need to consider their health and safety cleaning obligations to make their workplace safe for staff to return to.

As expectation grows that the impending government announcement over the weekend is likely to see more businesses come back online, we are regularly being asked questions about the need to undertake deep cleaning before reopening.

Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations there is legal duty to ensure that all premises and workplaces are kept sufficiently clean. Although there is no real legal definition of what constitutes a deep clean, there is reference within HSE guidance for the need for high standards of cleanliness for controlling exposure to substances hazardous to health.

The type and level of cleaning required prior to re-occupying your premises will depend on your risk assessment for your particular site and/or the activities undertaken.

There are number of things to consider, for some businesses the workplace may have been closed down for a number of weeks, so you will need to consider whether anyone has periodically gained access to the facility i.e. to undertake maintenance or security related tasks, are you aware of any of your workforce coming down with COVID-19 and had access to the facility during the lockdown period or simply when was the last time it was thoroughly cleaned.

Some businesses are seeing it as best practice to deep clean their premises, to ensure everything is as clean and safe as possible prior to bringing back the team. It is also a very visual reminder to the workforce that as a business you are taking safety seriously.

If you are looking to use your own workforce to undertake the cleaning process, ensure you follow the government guidance COVID-19: cleaning in non-healthcare settings. The guidance covers topics such as personal protective equipment, surfaces to focus on, what chemicals / substances to use and what to consider before placing used cleaning equipment in the waste.

Alcumus SafeContractor have over a thousand accredited cleaning contractors who have already demonstrated that they have the relevant H&S management systems to undertake cleaning in commercial and industrial environments safely. To find out more about accessing our approved contractor portal with over 33,000 contractors, email our Client Services team.

For organisations currently working in accordance with government guidelines, Alcumus Sypol have created free, downloadable COSHH risk assessments which provide important information about how to effectively control exposure to coronavirus in high risk working environments.

You can also register for the free webinar delivered by COSHH expert Mike Harris, on COVID-19, COSHH and how to clean your workplace safely, taking place at 10am on Tuesday 19th May.

For organisations hoping to return to work soon and eager to learn more about safely reintroducing their people to work, Alcumus PSM have created a free COVID-19 Return to Work Guidance pack and two-part webinar series covering the practical application of how to get your people back to work safely and how to make your business as productive as it can be.

Find out more about how we can help your business survive, then thrive with our full range of Alcumus Group COVID-19 solutions.

Dirty office desks ‘raising risks of staff illness’
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Twenty-eight per cent of telephones, 31% of keyboards and 36% of computer mice are not cleaned at all within the workspace, increasing the risk of Heterotrophic bacteria, E. coli, Helicobacter pylori, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

That’s according to a survey of 650 UK office employees conducted by GCC Facilities Management, which highlights that the items touched the most are neglected during cleaning.

And while it may appear many members of staff are turning a blind eye to office hygiene, a very similar percentage of employees are suffering the consequences of poor cleaning management.

32% stated, due to poor cleanliness, they are using their own personal items to avoid communal chattels. This ranged from mugs, tupperware and bowls.

Worryingly, almost one quarter of employees are suffering financially due to inadequate sanitation in the workplace. 23% said they have used their own personal funds to supply cleaning equipment for the sole purpose of the office.

Communal areas received the highest praise from those surveyed. 39% were satisfied with the condition of the toilets while only 16% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied.

The kitchen scored a satisfaction rate of 38% and the communal fridge was just behind at 37%. As not just a social hub, but the space in which food is prepared and consumed, there is still a concerning 13% who were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with its’ cleanliness.

Dr Arun Thiyagarajan, the Health Clinics Medical Director of Bupa UK, said: “Surfaces and equipment can harbour dirt, viruses and bacteria that can remain active for months. Without regular office cleaning and good personal hygiene – e.g. antibacterial handwashing – there’s an increased chance of these surface germs transferring to you and giving you illnesses like flu, food poisoning and diarrhoea. If you fall ill, it’s best to take time off work to fully recover and reduce the chance of any harmful germs spreading to your colleagues.”

Claire Maclean, Managing Director of GCC Facilities Management, added: “The findings show that desk cleanliness is easily neglected, despite the health risks that it carries and the knock-on effects it could have for businesses in terms of sickness, reduced capacity and absences. 

“More needs to be done to firstly raise awareness of the health risks that dirtier working surfaces can have amongst office workers and secondly, businesses should take more action to ensure that their staff are working in a clean and healthy environment.”

Coming Clean: The Dirty Truth Behind UK Offices
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