Business Link

by Claire Warneke

Most of us are oblivious to what goes on behind the scenes at large factories, healthcare facilities and even shopping centres. We take for granted the fact that the toilet facilities are tidy, the floors are clean and our safety is ensured. The only time these things become apparent is when they’re not being done well.

Marius Olivier, MD of Khanya Hygiene points out that reliable cleaning services are one of the most important aspects of any business, particularly in the retail environment. “If people walk into a dirty shopping centre, the whole shopping experience is affected, and retail revenues will drop. The state of facilities also reflects on the management of a shopping centre – if a complex is run well, and hygiene is a top priority, the retailers will benefit.” The same is true for factories. “If cleaning is not up to standard, factory production will be affected,” says Olivier.

Cleaning is not as simple as pouring some chemicals down the toilet and giving the floors a good scrub – many organisations require deep cleaning services on a regular basis. “These tasks can sometimes pose health risks to both our staff and the clients,” says Olivier. “They are carefully planned, and require high-level training and the proper protective clothing.”

Over the years, cleaning methods and products have undergone dramatic changes. “Customers are far more concerned with the environmental impact of the cleaning practices these days,” says Alex Berndl, sales and marketing director of Servest Cleaning. “Our company is committed to using environmentally-friendly cleaning practices and promotes the use of ‘green’ chemicals which don’t have a negative impact on the environment.”

The company has also rolled out a number of system innovations that will benefit its clients. “We have installed biometric time and attendance monitoring systems to track our cleaning staff. This way, clients don’t have to report issues; they can be addressed proactively by Servest Cleaning before they become big problems.” Like Khanya Hygiene, Servest also invests in continual staff training to ensure the highest service levels in the field.

The Waste Trade Company has taken “green” training and education to the next level and has started a schools project to teach learners about recycling and how they can buy back their recyclables. “We feel it is very important to train the younger generation about recycling and the impact it will have on leaving a greener foot print,” says the company’s general manager, Kay Hardy. “We are also linking businesses with under privileged schools – where businesses can donate their recycling money to schools to help start or fund a soup kitchen.”

The Waste Trade Company has also been instrumental in achieving “Zero Waste to Landfill” in 2008 at the Goodyear plant in Uitenhage. “We adhere to the three R’s: reduce, re-use and recycle,” says Ms. Hardy.

Security is another service that most people take for granted. Vital Risk Solutions, based in Port Elizabeth, offers security services to a wide range of industries including the local industrial, commercial, financial and healthcare industries. “We also provide security for large events and the residential market,” says owner and manager, Godfrey Vital. “We help these industries maintain international ISO standards, and we are constantly improving and upgrading our services with the latest state-of-the-art equipment and supplies.”

Make sure your security company is registered.

In South Africa, the private security industry is monitored by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). According to ADT security, “it is illegal to use a non-PSIRA registered Security Company.” PSIRA sets the standards for training and stringent registration of staff.