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FEATURE


GOING THE EXTRA MILE


As providers of washroom dispensing systems will be all too aware, different clients will have different needs that will all need to be catered for. With that in mind, Paul Mulready, of Northwood Hygiene Products, tells us how his company went the extra mile to ensure that all of its clients’ needs were met.


All washrooms need dispensing systems that are tailored to meet the needs of their users and the patterns of those users differing needs. When those washrooms are in schools there are sometimes circumstances that arise that can be hard to predict but need to be addressed. Quickly!


For Toppers of Wales Ltd, the Llanelli- based, family-run business with more than 40 years of hygiene and janitorial experience, such a moment arose when they won the contract to supply Bay West dispensing systems to a large new comprehensive school in their area.


With more than 1,100 registered pupils, who include 150 children listed on the Special Needs Code of Practice, the school prides itself that no student is totally withdrawn from the mainstream and all pupils are registered in mixed ability groups. These things are not always achieved easily; little things can cause unforeseen difficulties. The specified smart, black Bay West dispensers are universally admired and are performing well and to expectation.


However, it became apparent that for some of the pupils, distinguishing between the dispensers containing soap and those containing the hand sanitiser was a little difficult. The reason was quickly identified as being that the signage was a little too small for some of them to read easily. In line with the excellent school policy


42 | Tomorrow’s Cleaning September 2016


of non-differentiation between any of the school community, Toppers was asked to address the problem so that all users could have the same level of uncomplicated access to the dispensers.


The obvious solution devised by Toppers and Northwood Hygiene Products was not in itself particularly demanding. Bigger, clearer labels have created the level playing field that is part of this admirable school’s ethos. What was impressive was that the new labels were delivered within one week of the problem being identified and the solution agreed. Now securely in place, the problem is resolved and all pupils and staff are able to use the facilities without difficulty.


A similarly thorough and speedy response was seen when distributor Millwood Marketing Ltd, who cover the whole of the West Midlands, was asked for reassurance that the instant hand sanitiser product it supplies to schools was acceptable to the Muslim community.


Northwood Hygiene Products immediately sourced the information that the ethanol used was 4.8% proof and that levels of absorption via normal hand-based usage was negligible. Knowing that alcohol derived from grapes and dates is haram (forbidden by Islamic law), the fact that this product was never intended to be consumed nor used to


intoxicate, it was held that usually such ethanol is generally not forbidden.


However, just to make doubly sure, it was decided to seek further guidance from the Muslim Council of Britain, who confirmed that these particular sanitisers are indeed permissible for use. In the event of any future concerns, local mosques can now make their own judgements with all the facts available to them.


Just two examples where a close working partnership with the increased reach and resource of Northwood can be brought into play to give additional satisfaction, reassurance and support to both distributors and end users to mutual benefit.


www.northwood.co.uk twitter.com/TomoCleaning


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