industry views

Of all the things that we could never have envisaged at the start of 2020 would be the state of our hair. Seriously, who thought they would end up looking like Chewbacca by June? That’s where we got to and we can all understand why the desperate rush back for a cut, blow and style. For me, it was a nice razor cut and beard definition. Not that I was doing too bad a job myself but, it needed an expert’s attention.

It is vital that I come straight out and point out that my title is not unique.  Over the recent weeks, I have been enjoying the remarkable book of the same title written by Dan Ariely.  His book is about how and why humans make decisions.  In reality it is more about how we don’t make decisions.  This book is worth a read if you are interested in how humans work.  In our “need the loo” moment, not only do we need to decide, but we make that decision under our body’s own biological pressures.

Years ago, when my wife and I were first together, she would come to stay at my home.  There are clear memories of her cleaning my house for me.  It is innate in her to show that she is a good carer.  I can recall her mentioning that I should clean more often.  It puzzled me.  I hadn’t neglected myself; I am an accomplished bachelor.  What was going on?

As I work in my home office, I know that I can enjoy my own facilities today.  It is a blessed relief (pun intended) for all humans.  We love our territory.  There is, however, one thing that I miss from more professional environments when I am at home.  A hand dryer.  It might seem unimportant but, for me, a hand dryer near to the kitchen would be a useful home improvement.  So, is this a realistic ask?  Therefore, I am writing about our entire hand dryer range today.  Let’s work out what works where and why!

The words “urinals” and “size” in the same title have got you thinking.  You would be right in your assumption, but there is so much ground to cover before we get there.  The fact is that the size of the European flushing control systems market will grow to £560 million in 2023 from £500 million in 2016.  Excusing me quoting European figures this close to, yet another, deadline it is easy to see why now is the time to review your urinals.

In February we highlighted the issue of “fat bergs” that clog up our, vital, sewer services. Predominately this is not the our over zealous love of beer and curry but rather a far more discreet issue all together.  Sanitary products.  Nowadays most female facilities have a sanitary bin in each cubicle allowing the safe and private disposal of hygiene products.  Whole businesses have been formed just to support this single function but did you realise that men are flushing an increasing number of sanitary products down the toilet due to a lack of similar facilities being provided for them?

In December 2018 South West Water discovered a 210ft monster fatberg lurking in the sewers in the stunning regency seaside town of Sidmouth. It isn’t something you imagine as you walk about clutching a pasty or an ice-cream debating which direction to walk to burn the calories off. Nonetheless this small British town has, collectively, clogged up their sewer network which, as you might imagine, terminates at the sea wall.

I'm a father. She's 6 now. She wasn't always though. I was a stay at home Dad with an 11 week old baby. My wife was out of the house for 12 hours each day. Yes, it is tough and, as a man, I am missing 2 amazing assets that can provide huge amounts of comfort (to the child, mainly, as my wife tells me) and distraction. Yes, it was tough. This isn't about that. This is about the fun times, the "out and about" times. They were great....mostly. Right up until that glazed expression fell over your gorgeous little girl's face and you knew that you had to start planning your route to the toilets.

As always I like to start these open ramblings about the washroom services industry with a little trip back in time. Truthfully we don't have to go that far back to get right back to the major sea change in the commercial hand dryer industry. From the earliest incarnation, created by AirDry back in 1921, that blew air down onto the hands, but was triggered by foot, through to 1948 when George Clemens did the job that AirDry did not do and pushed the hand dryer into the public consciousness (and also invented the electric toothbrush).

Roughly 50% of us have little or no involvement in sanitary bin service contracts. Yet this is the 2nd largest competed keyword for washroom services businesses. One of our biggest issues is a poor understanding of the legal obligation to provide this service.

With a total market value of £6,800,000,000 (no I didn't fall asleep with my finger on the '0') the UK waste industry is big business. 70% of all waste is processed through just 6 companies. It seems, from the outside, to be a well-managed industry with a healthy relationship between government and corporate business but how well does it transfer down to the small business? What opportunities are there for small businesses to take their share of the remaining £2.04 billion?

Tampons! Sanitary Pads! Periods! As most of you know, there is a proposal to tax our female sanitary products so they fall in line with the European Union rules that see them taxed at 5% VAT. Apparently our feminine hygiene products are a luxury item and they're taxed accordingly. As you reach towards the sanitary waste disposal unit, kindly placed there by your friendly washroom services supplier, I'm sure you catch yourself thinking "I'm so glad I treated myself this month to some of those luxurious female sanitary products.

Yes, it's that time of year again. We all know what is coming. Along with the enjoyable excesses of the season we know that the inevitable cold and flu viruses are on their way too. Being that your staff spend 50% of their waking life in your facilities it makes sense to understand that you can have a direct influence on the likelihood of sickness in your workplace. How can a washroom services company help you save money during the winter months?

What do straight bananas, the humble pint and driving as an aspect of your work have in common? Not a lot. The first 2 are fallacies started by the UK tabloid press to evoke a response on slow news days. However the changes in the European Working Time Directive that have been announced last month have some serious implications for the continue ability of small businesses to compete with their larger rivals. So, what can be done?

We’ve all been there. Laid up on the couch, box of Kleenex close to one hand, hot honey and lemon in the other and “Have you been involved in an accident in the workplace that wasn’t your fault?” spills from your speakers and you’ve thought “I’ve really had enough of these leeches". How can commercial matting decrease your exposure to this risk whilst pro-actively engaging your staff in your branding concepts? Read on...

They aren’t really something men discuss too much. They are something that some women express envy over after standing in a queue for 20 minutes in a bar. Men don’t think about them until they need them and even then there are some men who won’t use them; preferring to wait for a cubicle to wee in peace. The range of offerings is dramatic but there is 1 thing that rules them all. Urinal Etiquette.

Commercial air freshening has not seen much in the way of change for nearly half a century. Now, with increasing concern about health implications of traditional aerosol dispersal, is the time for change. What options do you have to ensure your next business decision will have equal positive implications for your bottom line, employee health and the environment?

UK industries lose over 30 million working days per year to illness. This is approx 7 working days per employee per year. Some estimates place this figure closer to 9 working days giving a real cost to the business of between £1,000 and £1,800 per employee per year. In addition to this sickness can lose business and increase the load on colleagues. So, what can you do to reduce this risk?

In March of this year it was decided by the Environment agency that there would be changes to the information that is included on the waste transfer notes supplied to companies when their offensive and hazardous waste is removed.