EXPERT ADVICE
A QUESTION OF QUALITY
Offering an extensive range of products is one thing, but quantity must go hand-in-hand with quality and safety. When it comes
to cleaning products, there can be no compromise, says Jangro Operations Director Joanne Gilliard.
From offices to hospitals, homes to public buildings, the sheer number of cleaning applications necessitates the availability of a large range of cleaning products and tools. Whether it be carpets, hard floors, kitchens, washrooms or waste management, the market is so awash with cleaning products that it can be an overwhelming choice for buyers. But the results speak for themselves – if you want the job done effectively, efficiently and safely; you need to buy from companies that go out of their way to evaluate the quality of their products.
It can be very tempting to opt for the cheapest options on the market – after all, consumables such as mop heads will be thrown away in the end, while surface cleaners get washed down the drain or evaporated. But results are everything; low-quality cleaning products may fail to get the job done properly, leading to wastage and overuse.
TESTING PROCEDURES And at the same time, low quality products may not have been through the same testing and quality control procedures as the products that they undercut on price, and could pose a potential health risk. A mop head that flies off halfway through a sweep may sound like a comedy scenario, but in reality, poorly manufactured products could lead to serious injury. This extends to packaging too – inadequately packaged cleaning chemicals can lead to spills that could be both hazardous to public health, and damaging to the environment.
It is also a misnomer that quality goes hand-in-hand with increased costs. Higher quality products are often
72 | Tomorrow’s Cleaning
more effective at getting the job done, meaning a smaller amount is needed with each use, or the tool is more durable and wear-resistant than its low- quality competitors, providing value for money and swift return on investment.
HALLMARKS OF QUALITY What should buyers look out for when deciding which cleaning ranges or products to invest in? The most reputable suppliers will have extensively tested any product that they offer, sending it through a rigorous selection process prior to receiving approval. Only trust companies that comply with recognised quality standards such as BS EN ISO 9001:2000 model for production, installation and servicing. Being accredited by the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) is another key test of a company’s commitment to quality.
The CHSA will carry out audits and spot checks on paper products, for instance. At the same time, the best cleaning product suppliers will go above and beyond and carry out their own regular audits and checks on all lines to make sure product contents and packaging are as they should be. Best practice should also see cleaning suppliers conducting suitable probation periods before offering new products across their network.
LIVING UP TO CLAIMS By selecting a reputable supplier, buyers can be assured that the products they are using will perform according to their specification, and will interact with other surfaces and materials in the way they are expected to. The best suppliers will have evaluated one product against other competitors in the same category, so buyers can be sure that they are
“If you want the job done effectively, efficiently and safely; you need to buy from companies that go out of their way to evaluate the quality of their products.”
getting the cream of the crop in terms of the wealth of choices available. Take for instance soap and sanitiser dispensers intended for use in schools – it is imperative that buyers are sure of the quality, safety and performance of such products for obvious reasons. Reputable suppliers will also monitor customer satisfaction to make sure that all is well with a purchase, and to react quickly to any reports of non- conformance with quality standards.
Establishing, documenting, maintaining and continually improving a quality management system is no mean feat. It requires dedicated resource, time and money. Cleaning product suppliers have responsibilities to the cleaning industry and the environment to uphold, and quality and sustainability should be integral to the business model. By having stringent standards in place, the best suppliers help to take the burden off distributors and end-users, giving them confidence in the products on offer.
www.jangro.net
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
