Performance Is Paramount For larger areas, traditional mopping is too time-consuming. Floor machines, all with their own unique attributes, are great for cleaning large expanses of hard floors. According to Janine Reeder, senior mar-keting communications manager for Windsor Industries, two main factors have influenced the evolution of hard floor machines: Competition and end user awareness. With more companies offering an increasing number of products, manufac-turers are forced to produce innovative and unrivaled products that strategically outma-neuver their competitors. “Increased efficiency in todayʼs floor care machines is leading to higher production rates, less chemical and water being used and less time spent dumping and re-filling the machines,” states Reeder. Before the current economic slump began affecting the once-perceived “reces-sion-proof” cleaning industry, manufactur-ers were trying to outperform one another by offering more intricacies and features. But, according to Jolynn Kennedy, direc-tor of marketing for Tornado Industries, with todayʼs very limited budgets, luxuries are out and practicalities are in. “Machines with the bells and whistles, such as those on the higher-priced machines, are sitting on the showroom floor,” notes Kennedy. “They have been replaced with more practical machines that emphasize performance, quality and dura-bility.” The versatility of multi-surface vacuums makes them a viable solution to budget constraints by increasing productivity and eliminating the need to purchase task-spe-cific machines. Vacuums equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters effectively rid indoor air of 99.97 percent of contaminants on surfaces down to 0.3 micron in size, vastly improving indoor air quality. CM Even the best equipment is useless without proper training. Extensive training on product usage and best practice procedures should be part of any hard floor care program. This ensures worker proficiency and guarantees that products and equip-ment are being used as intended and are providing your desired results. Niche Narrowing A non-traditional tool used in hard floor maintenance that is quickly gaining popu-larity is the vacuum. Once thought of as carpet-specific machines, vacuums have been refined and redesigned to tackle tough cleaning tasks on multiple surfaces. “Quality vacuum manufacturers have evolved the usage on some vacuum mod-els used in hard floor installations, states Jacalyn High, director of marketing for ProTeam Inc. “These types of vacuums combine functions like suction and blowing to make hard floor installation easier. Some even attach and detach to floor sanders to trap fine dust before it enters the environ-ment.” Circle Product Information no. 203 on page 34 www.cmmonline.com 33
CMM – Archives Apr 2009: 33
