Nilfisk Acquires high-pressure cleaning equipment manufacturer, Pressure Pro

Stealing the Show in Las Vegas

Looking back at ISSA Interclean 2015

With over 16,000 suppliers, exhibitors and cleaning experts packed into the world's largest trade show floor in the cleaning industry, Las Vegas was the center of the cleaning world from Oct 20-23. It was the perfect venue to unveil one of the most innovative Clarke floor machines in a long time. 

The Clarke FM40 LX Floor Machine:
Compact Power. Versatile Performance.

 Even though the FM40 is a compact machine, show attendees saw how the quiet-running 1.5-hp motor along with a low-vibration 3,540-RPM pad driver packs a major punch. Add 160lbs of down-pressure and the FM40 can clean more in fewer passes, reducing both your cost-to-clean and strain on your operators. The Clarke FM40 is designed to save hours of manual labor, but perhaps its best feature is how it can be quickly broken down into easy-to-lift pieces for simple transport between jobs.

Contact your local Clarke dealer or click here to learn more about the Clarke FM40

At Clarke we’re always looking for new innovations that can help cut cleaning costs and make your job easier. Learn more about Clarke and see our entire line of legendary floor machines at ClarkeUS.com.

Blue has never been so green thanks to BOOST®.

The benefits of using Clarke: Part 2

In part 1 of this blog post we touched upon a few big benefits of using Clarke products. One of those benefits was Clarke's leap forward into green cleaning. Unfortunately, they maybe aren't as good or effective as the tried-and-true conventional products we've come to know and love. This belief may still hold true in certain categories, but we're proud to say that high quality cleaning equipment is definitely not one of them. In fact, thanks to Clarke's advent of BOOST® technology, green cleaning is more effective than ever.

Actually, BOOST® is green on several different levels. First and foremost, it features a super-efficient square-shaped scrubber, which seems simple enough, but is really quite unique within the industry. Traditional round, spinning pads don't always make full contact with the floor, requiring multiple passes that result in higher water and electricity consumption. Clarke's Random Orbital Movement Technology's square pad vibrates in multiple directions. There's no spinning, and the scrubbing pad can get right up into the corners, saving hours of manual hand scrubbing and preventing a lot of backaches.

Then there's the amount of water it uses. BOOST® can cut your water and chemical use by up to 70%, giving operators the luxury of fewer dumps, loads, and once again, backaches. It works by giving total operator control over the amount of water and chemicals used within a given area; a heavier flow for more soiled areas and a lighter flow for lower-traffic areas. Simple, and it's a sign the high tech cleaning is, in many ways, going back to basics. 

BOOST® uses one-touch controls that are extremely operator-friendly. 

To go even greener, BOOST uses only a fraction of the battery power of many of its cleaning equipment predecessors. Recent advancements in battery technology allow for shorter charge time and longer use between charges. This doesn’t simply equate to more cleaning time and less waiting time, but also far less electricity consumption. It’s better for the environment and even better for your bottom line.

The future of floor cleaning is definitely bright and shiny thanks to the application of BOOST technology from Clarke. People are becoming more aware of how much water and energy they’re using and more conscious of what we’re putting down our drains. Now you can feel better knowing that you’re making a solid financial decision and a responsible environmental decision, all while ensuring your facilities are as clean as they can possibly be.

To find out more about how Clarke can help you cut your cost to clean, visit Clarkeus.com and view our selection of hard working floor machines.

                    

The Dawn of a Cleaner Era

Top Cleaning Trends for the 2nd Half of 2015

The past couple decades have been quite a ride for facility managers and cleaning services around the world. We’ve seen major technological leaps, the implementation of new cleaning methods, economic highs followed by deep lows, but maybe what’s most important is how much we’ve learned. The cleaning industry is becoming smarter because its people are paying attention and adapting. This present moment is no exception, because when it comes to cleaning, we definitely live in interesting times. 

Here are just a few trends to think about: 

Construction is Booming

According to the Dodge Construction Outlook , we can expect to see an overall cleaning increase of about 15%. Institutional construction (schools, prisons, etc…) could increase by 9%, manufacturing construction by 16% and healthcare facilities will increase by 9% as well. These are significant numbers, especially considering that new facility managers typically require new cleaning equipment and supplies. The implication is that the future is looking bright for janitorial supply companies. 

 Green is Now the Norm

It wasn’t that long ago that green cleaning was a new concept. While many facility managers were eager to make environmentally sustainable choices, it was costly. Worse yet, it was perceived as being not as effective as conventional cleaning methods. That’s changing. Green seal certified detergents and environmentally preferred equipment are now widely available to help building owners and facility managers meet LEED green clean requirements. Since 1994, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications have helped guide those same people into making environmentally sustainable decisions. In fact, since it’s inception, LEED standards have been used on upwards of 7,000 projects in the U.S., along with 30 other countries, covering over 1.5 billion square feet.

According to many in the industry, green janitorial services are becoming the new norm.

The Market Seems to be Rebounding
                     
The Great Recession was a tough time for most Americans, and much of the world for that matter. In August of 2008, we all watched in dismay as the market fell apart. Factories and facilities closed as jobs were outsourced, which meant that the amount of space that needed cleaning was outsourced along with it. Luckily, in 2010 things began to turn around to the point that, today, things are picking up dramatically. 

The market has seen some ups and downs in recent years, but it seems to be making a comeback.

The Economics of Ergonomics

Cleaning and maintenance staff are putting more into their work than just a little elbow grease. We can’t forget about back and knee grease, too. But, years of hard work combined with improper posture and/or lugging around cumbersome equipment can lead to lost revenue in the form of medical costs and sick days. This is why cleaning equipment manufacturers are focusing so intently on operator comfort. Not only does it increase productivity and help prevent injuries, it just plain feels better. This is why ergonomically correct equipment will be opening new doors for facility managers everywhere in coming years.

There are plenty of benefits to ergonomically correct cleaning programs.

Of course, these four trends are only scratching the surface of what’s going on. Everyday, researchers are putting new innovations to the test, and eventually putting a lot of them on the job. At the very least, these trends are a small taste of what’s to come. As we stated before, when it comes to cleaning, we live in exciting times, indeed.

To find out how Clarke is helping cleaning technology to evolve, visit Clarkeus.com.

                       

Things to watch for at ISSA/Interclean Las Vegas 2015

This year, we'll be having a blast in Las Vegas, where the buffets never end and never close, and where the Blue Man Group never runs out of weird ideas to fascinate their audiences. But good food and great entertainment aside, the new technology and innovations that will be on display in the desert are sure to get attendees excited about the future of their cleaning programs. 

What’s new for Clarke this year?

For those interested in finding out what Clarke is up to at this year’s ISSA, the main thing to remember before attending is that Clarke will no longer have its own separate booth. Instead, Clarke will be setting up at the Nilfisk booth along with the rest of the Nilfisk family. But while this is sure to save a lot walking for ISSA attendees in Vegas, we’ve got a new product that will save time for facility managers everywhere. 

The Clarke FM40 LX

                       

Clarke has taken a big step forward in orbital cleaning. The FM40 LX is not only powerful enough to handle the toughest jobs, its compact design allows it to clean tight spaces, and the innovative baseboard attachment can potentially save hours of manual scrubbing. But the fact that the FM40 LX is easily disassembled, and therefore easy to transport, makes this machine worth checking out at this year’s ISSA convention. The ISSA/Interclean convention couldn't have chosen a more exciting host city for 2015. 

The Clarke FM40™ LX

Click here to learn more about the Clarke FM40 LX & ST.


To find out more about Clarke, visit Clarkeus.com and explore our entire line of powerful, durable and user-friendly floor machines. 

Better Cleaning Equipment. Stronger Bottom Line.

 The benefits of using Clarke: Part 1




It's simple math. Tougher, faster and more efficient Clarke cleaning equipment is not only going to improve your facility's image. It'll also improve your bottom line, and it doesn't take a beautiful mind to figure out that less energy consumption, less water and chemical usage, and fewer man hours equates to increased efficiency and less money down the tubes. 

 




Let’s start with toughness and durability. Say, for instance, you purchase low quality equipment for the simple sake of “saving money.” Just as with buying a house or a car, that would be a misguided move, because what you’ll end up spending on repairs and wasted man hours will likely far exceed the cost of just buying a better machine in the first place. You’ll end up with nothing but a lemon and a lot of regret. Buying equipment that’s built to last, especially when it’s a workhorse such as a floor scrubber, is a wise investment that will pay off far into the future.

Now, let’s talk speed. Again, not overly complicated. The faster maintenance staff can clean the total square footage of your facility, the more time they’ll have to complete other tasks. Speed alone, however, isn’t enough. Therefore, your equipment’s speed must be matched by its efficiency and its effectiveness, and Clarke understands this more than any other brand on the market.

This is why we've put so much brainpower into making sure our equipment is efficient on every level. Our main method for making this happen is through BOOST® technology, the best thing since indoor plumbing for maintenance crews everywhere. BOOST® utilizes a square-shaped scrubbing pad that cleans right up into corners, thus avoiding countless hours of manual scrubbing. It also cuts back on water and chemical use by up to 70% by giving the operator total control over how much water is distributed over a given area. This ultimately results in less time spent dumping and filling, a true luxury for any operator. 







Clarke customers get the best of both worlds when it comes to high quality floor machines. Our equipment is actually quite affordable, which may be surprising given the fact that these are some tough, effective and efficient cleaning systems. Not to mention they’re easier on the environment, which is good for everybody. So, in the end, if your goal is to clean more floor space, and do it better for less time and money, then Clarke is your best bet, by far. 

Be sure and check out part 2 of this blog post when we talk more in-depth about BOOST® and its benefits for both the operator and the environment.

 

                     

Nilfisk to Move Americas Headquarters to Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Nilfisk, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of professional cleaning equipment, today announced that it is moving its Americas headquarters from Plymouth, Minn., to Brooklyn Park, Minn.

For the past 28 years, Nilfisk has maintained its Americas headquarters in Plymouth, most recently in a 216,000-square foot facility located near the intersection of Minnesota State Highway 55 and 21^st Avenue North. With its current lease set to expire in April of 2016, the company has opted to build a new 182,000-square foot facility in Brooklyn Park’s Northcross Business Park.

“With our lease expiring, we saw an opportunity to assess our needs as it relates to production capacity and work flow and determine if our current facility was sufficiently meeting those needs. In the end, we decided that a new custom-built facility would serve us better, not just for today but for well into the future,” said Diane Lapp, CFO of Nilfisk Americas. “Not only will our new facility better serve our employees, but it will allow us to further enhance our ability to provide world-class products and service to our customers.”

Lapp added that the move, which will begin in the fourth quarter of 2015 and be complete by the first quarter of 2016, will include all current Plymouth-based employees, approximately 300, and all operations as they exist today, including manufacturing and production, sales and marketing, R&D and product management, and corporate services.

Northcross Business Park is located at the intersection of Minnesota State Highway 610 and U.S. Highway 169, just 12 miles from Nilfisk’s current location. Nilfisk is working with United Properties and Pope Architects to develop and design its new space.

About Nilfisk

Nilfisk is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of professional cleaning equipment with around 5,250 employees and an annual turnover of EUR 881M. Based on a century of cleaning expertise, we develop and manufacture high quality products that represent the latest technology and innovation and offer the broadest product portfolio in the industry. Nilfisk has sales companies in 45 countries around the world and with an additional strong distributor network Nilfisk markets and sells its products in more than 100 countries worldwide. Nilfisk is a part of the NKT Group.

Clean Schools Enhance Learning

While it’s known that the quality of educators and curriculum are vital contributors to a student’s scholastic performance, the quality of school facilities is often overlooked. Clean school buildings enhance a student’s ability to learn by keeping them healthy, attentive and present.

According to ISSA, students miss 38 million school days each year due to the influenza. And when students get sick, teachers and staff do, too. The cost of these absences is costly, both socially and economically. Frequently absent students are 7.4 times more likely to drop out of school while absentee teachers and substitute replacements cost schools more than $29 billion annually.

Proper school cleaning plays a pivotal role in the health and success of students, teachers and staff. Studies reviewed by the National Research Council found that schools will have increased attendance and test scores if the buildings are clean, dry, quiet, and have good indoor air quality. Another study reported that healthy indoor school environments contributed to an 87 percent reduction in flu, 46 percent reduction in upper respiratory problems and 67 percent reduction in Sick Building Syndrome.

The unfortunate reality is that school budgets are being cut. Schools across the country face the challenge of constrained budgets while also trying to implement improved cleaning routines. Today, more and more schools are trying to accomplish the same level of work with fewer people and fewer resources.

In an effort to overcome these resource issues, one northern California school district turned to Clarke’s innovative BOOST technology. Learn how Clarke helped the district to enhance their cleaning routine, decrease chemical use, meet sustainability objectives and create a healthier learning environment for students all while reducing labor costs.

Nilfisk-Advance Changes Corporate Name, Brand to Nilfisk

Nilfisk-Advance, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of professional cleaning equipment, today announced that it has changed its corporate name and brand to Nilfisk. The change is designed to create a stronger alignment with the company’s global product brands while increasing brand awareness for Nilfisk customers.

“In changing our name, we are reducing complexity in our branding and simplifying our overall brand hierarchy to make it easier to understand for our end-customers and dealers across the world,” said Jonas Persson, president and CEO of the Nilfisk Group.

According to Jeff Barna, senior general manager and president of Nilfisk-Americas, removing Advance from the corporate name and brand in no way diminishes the importance of the Advance product brand. “We will continue to leverage the strong heritage and history of the Advance, Clarke, and Viper brands as we market and sell them throughout the Americas,” he said. “This new corporate identity provides an exciting opportunity to support Nilfisk’s future market strategy and further position the company as a global market leader.”

Barna added that the change does not impact the company’s current product brands or brand names, nor the company’s go-to-market approach with dealers and end-users.

A new Nilfisk corporate visual identity will be unveiled in April; over the course of the year, Nilfisk will update websites, marketing materials, back office systems, legal conditions, etc. to reflect the change.

Nilfisk is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of professional cleaning equipment with around 5,500 employees and an annual turnover of EUR 918M. Based on a century of cleaning expertise, we develop and manufacture high quality products that represent the latest technology and innovation and offer the broadest product portfolio in the industry. Nilfisk has sales companies in 45 countries around the world and with an additional strong distributor network Nilfisk markets and sells its products in more than 100 countries worldwide. Nilfisk is a part of the NKT Group.

School Cleaning Presents Unique Challenges

This article was originally posted on CleanLink.

From dealing with school boards and compliance with building security regulations to special event demands and maintenance scheduling, schools fall into their own unique service category. The work flow is just plain different, says Mahanay.

"The key to school cleaning is understanding that schools are cleaned differently and getting it right with the correct amount of labor and supervision as well as automated cleaning equipment that can help increase production," he says.

Continue reading on CleanLink. 

Clarke Rental: Rent. Profit. Repeat.

Ease of use and reliability mean more satisfied, repeat customers.

When running your own rental business, it’s important to invest in high-quality, reliable products that are both easy to use and maintain. Well-made, durable products will have a longer lifespan in your inventory with less downtime, lower replacement costs and, overall, a higher return on investment.

When it comes to floor care rental products, trust in Clarke to deliver reliable, top-quality floor care equipment that will maximize your profits for years to come. The rugged durability of every Clarke machine is well known throughout the industry and carries on the long legacy of Clarke products being the best-built, best-backed floor care equipment in the market place.

Clarke’s dependable equipment promises professional rental grade quality, and the built-in efficiency and simplicity of operation enables rental customers to get the job done quickly with little or no training. Clarke’s low maintenance models offer the highest levels of utilization, equaling more rentals and a faster, higher return on investment.

With a dedicated rental customer service team in place, Clarke has the staff and experience needed to care for and support customers’ diverse floor care rental needs. Clarke’s informative and easy-to-follow operation guides provide the know-how to get the job done right. Going above and beyond, Clarke proudly promises satisfaction by offering the most comprehensive warranty program in the industry.

See for yourself why the rental industry has trusted Clarke for more than 50 years. Visit our website and stop by the Clarke's ARA Rental Show booth (#5905) to get your hands on some of the most durable, profitable and trouble-free floor care equipment in the industry.

Sports Facilities Present Specialized Cleaning Challenges

This article was originally published on CleanLink.

When it comes to the types of green cleaning products and equipment they need, sports venues are not much different than other markets. They are unique, however, in the volume they require. The size and usage of these facilities also create special challenges, with which distributors should become familiar.

Unlike an office building, where cleaning needs rarely change, sports facilities are a whirlwind of activity. Some are outdoors, creating different cleaning needs as the seasons change. Some hold as many as 100,000 people, who all rush to the restrooms during halftime. Many are multi-use — hosting a hockey game one night, a rodeo the next day and a concert the night after, for example — with each event presenting unique, quick-turnaround cleaning requirements. 

Continue reading about sport facility cleaning on CleanLink.