September 16, 2015—The market for janitorial equipment and supplies in the United States is forecast to grow 2.2% per year through 2019 to $7.1 billion, continuing the recovery that began in the latter part of the 2009-2014 period, according to a new report from market research firm The Freedonia Group.
Market drivers and restraints
The Freedonia report forecasts the U.S. market for janitorial equipment and supplies will grow 2.2% per year through 2019 to $7.1 billion.
The report says that gains will be spurred by both pent-up demand in automated floor cleaning equipment and accelerating economic growth, which will increase foot traffic and a need for additional cleaning in buildings, as well as an increase in the number of business establishments and gains in nonresidential floor space.
Other factors expected to boost the market for janitorial products include:
- Increasing demand for nonessential cleaning activity and related products;
- Rising interest in sustainable cleaning practices, which will buoy demand for higher value products that decrease or eliminate water or chemical consumption;
- Growing interest in replacing older, noisy equipment with quieter, more discreet products suitable for noise-sensitive environments; and
- Concerns about the risk of cross-contamination and employee injury, which will drive sales of products with advanced features and improved ergonomic design.
According to the report, more rapid gains will be restrained by market maturity in manual cleaning products and bags and containers, as well as by competition from lower-cost imports.
Fastest-growing market segments
Through 2019, the automated floor cleaning equipment segment is forecast to post the fastest and largest gains. Sales of specialty items and those that are used on hard surface floors will particularly benefit as janitorial budgets expand.
The institutional and office buildings market segments are expected to record the fastest gains through 2019. According to the report, the institutional market will be driven by above-average growth in floor space and the number of healthcare and related establishments, as well as elevated sanitary standards and concern about disease prevention. The office building market will strengthened by rising cleanliness standards, trends toward daytime cleaning, and rebounding demand for automated floor cleaners.
According to the report, businesses will increasingly turn to contract cleaners in an effort to reduce overhead costs related to building maintenance. Growth in contract cleaner demand for janitorial equipment and supplies is expected to slightly edge demand gains for in-house staff in all market categories through 2019. Nevertheless, in-house demand will remain larger in every segment except residential and office, reflecting the degree to which cleaning is considered a core aspect of the operations of a facility.
Janitorial Equipment & Supplies, available for purchase from the Freedonia Web site, presents historical demand data (2004, 2009, 2014) plus forecasts (2019, 2024) by product, market, and purchaser. The study also considers market environment factors, evaluates company market share, and profiles 29 U.S. industry players such as Alfred Kärcher, Electrolux, Heritage Bag, 3M, NewellRubbermaid, Tennant, Nilfisk (NKT Holding) and Techtronic Industries.
