by Shane Henson — August 23, 2013—The cleaning industry has become somewhat more efficient with operations and keeping costs down in the last two years, but professionals are still working to improve in key areas that affect their bottom line and customer attitudes, according to the 2013 Cleaning Industry Insights Survey from P&G Professional, the away-from-home division of the multinational personal and household product manufacturer Procter & Gamble.
The survey results were based on the responses of more than 400 cleaning industry professionals and key decision makers across healthcare, food service, commercial and hospitality sectors. This study, conducted in partnership with Ipsos Public Affairs in May 2013, follows the inaugural survey, which was released in late 2011.
According to survey respondents, cutbacks on luxuries have been reduced and pressures have eased. However, loss of business and customer dissatisfaction are the leading causes of worry, keeping key decision makers on their toes to ensure continued improvements and efficiencies.
Pressure across the cleaning industry to keep operating costs down has dropped by 6% since 2011; however, the one exception to this is the healthcare sector, where levels of pressure are perceived to be higher than those of other sectors, and levels of “extreme pressure” have risen slightly from 27% in 2011 to 35% in 2013. Similarly, cleaning professionals in the healthcare sector were also somewhat more likely to look at cutting back on office supplies, luxuries, employee benefits and staff, the report notes.
Additional survey highlights include:
- Business efficiency over price hikes: As in 2011, finding ways to become more efficient remains the preferred way for businesses to improve their bottom line. In 2013, 78% of respondents indicate the preferable action to improve their business’ bottom line is to “find ways to become more efficient,” rather than “raise prices” (15%).
- More effective at keeping operating costs down: Nine out of 10 respondents report their business as being effective at keeping operating costs down in the past 12 months. Perceived effectiveness levels have increased by 5% when compared with 2011.
- Efficiency improved by waste reduction, negotiation, and effective products: Nearly six in ten respondents overall report “reducing waste” as the top way in which their business has become more efficient over the past two years. This was followed closely by “better negotiating on products and services” (47%) and “using more effective products and services” (43%).
- Cleaning product “value” still defined by quality, effectiveness, and versatility: Across all sectors, respondents are most likely to associate “value” in cleaning products with “high quality or effectiveness” (40%) followed closely by “versatility of use, single product for more than one purpose” (32%), ultimately trumping “low price” (13%). These priorities remain consistent with 2011.
- Perception of the current climate: Though only about a third of respondents (36%) feel that the recession is over, three-quarters (75%) expect business within their sector to improve within the next twelve months. Those in hospitality/lodging are particularly optimistic that their sector will improve in the coming year (88%).
- Fewer cutbacks: Respondents are reporting fewer cutbacks in 2013 than in 2011. Cutbacks on office supplies dropped from 50% in 2011 to 38% in 2013, and cutbacks on staff luxuries dropped from 45% in 2011 to 33% in 2013.
- Cause for concern: “Reduction in business, caused by economic downturn” is identified as the leading cause of worry in terms of business in general (44% overall), followed by “customer dissatisfaction” (38%).
- Customers and cleanliness are king: The top three causes for worry about cleaning or disinfection overall are “customer dissatisfaction or complaints” at 44%, “food sanitation/food poisoning issues” at 27%, and “pests or vermin” at 25%.
