Several of the monumental challenges faced by the cleaning industry in 2020 will continue well into 2021, impacting every facet of business and education throughout the United States.
Two Challenges to the Cleaning Industry That Will Impact Your School or Business
Global supply chains, critical to national infrastructure and defense, and individual health and wellness, took a massive hit during the pandemic.
Among those still reeling from the pressures put on them by pandemic-driven demand are manufacturers of:
- Personal protective equipment
- Hand sanitizers
- Disinfectant products
- Toilet paper
According to a recent survey of businesses and their supply chains by the Institute for Supply Management, 95% of respondents are expecting to be impacted by supply chain disruptions as a result of COVID-19, with 86% of respondents seeing longer lead times for products sourced from China, 74% seeing longer lead times for products sourced from Europe, and 34-44% seeing longer lead times for products sourced from North America.
And while the global supply chain has shown resiliency and the ability to overcome specific short term traumatic events in the past, it is fair to say that the supply chain was not built to successfully accommodate the level of disruption which is occurring today as a result of COVID-19.
Government lockdowns of countries, unavailable and/or sick factory workers, factory shutdowns, international border closings, decreased international shipments via ocean and air, immediate and dramatically huge surges in demand for products across many disparate product categories, international competition for finite product resources, panic buying, and product hoarding are all contributing factors to create a situation where product shortages within the supply chain can be expected to occur.
Another challenge faced by the cleaning industry that is predicted to continue well into 2021 are shortages in skilled labor, driving the adoption of automated or more efficient cleaning and disinfection technologies.
The two most common, which you have likely seen yourself, are:
- Cleaning robots, and;
- Electrostatic disinfection appliances.
Addressing Supply Chain Challenges
Two primary drivers of supply chain issues and the unavailability of in-demand products are:
- Just in time delivery models--inventories are kept thin and light, stocked based on probable customer demand, and only resupplied at the warehouse as required, and;
- Hoarding--overstocking supplies based on an emotional response as opposed to a strategic plan and calculated requirement.
Put simply, people purchased large quantities of in-demand products based on the fear of the unknown with little consideration of their actual need, storage capacity, or impact on others, which rapidly depleted warehouses that are lightly stocked to avoid resource waste.
To address that challenge in the new year, organizations must:
- Outline a sustainable product purchasing and management strategy that assesses actual use.
- Identify and partner with multiple suppliers from diverse markets--preferably locally--to avoid issues with import and travel restrictions, and;
- Consider alternative products or solutions in the event of widespread shortages.
Adopting Automation and Emerging Technologies to Address Labor Shortages
Many industries experienced labor shortages during the pandemic--an ongoing trend.
To address gaps in skilled labor availability--a challenge that has long plagued the janitorial industry--many organizations have adopted automation solutions.
As an industry, commercial cleaning has reached the tipping point--where the demands on cleaning now require automation.
Cleaning companies are seeing their available workforce shrink further amid shelter-in-place orders, self-isolation, and illness-related absences.
Meanwhile, staff that do report to work must still observe social distancing best practices, which can make daily cleaning tasks a challenge as staff members limit contact with other building occupants.
At the same time as commercial cleaning companies are scrambling for resources and working to comply with increasingly strict policies, the demand for thorough, consistent cleaning has reached an all-time high.
How the Global Pandemic is Accelerating Adoption of Automation in Commercial Cleaning
Advantages commonly cited as motivators for adopting automation technologies include increases in quality and efficiency while facilitating social distancing.
For smaller organizations that do not have the budget for advanced cleaning and disinfection robots, a more practical approach exists in the form of electrostatic disinfection appliances.
ESD appliances offer all of the benefits of robotic automation without the expense and complexity of management.
Additionally, the adoption of either cleaning automation tools or ESD appliances will aid in the reduction of cleaning and disinfectant product use, waste, purchasing, cost, and overhead at a time when global availability could evaporate overnight.
Takeaway
Global markets will continue to be affected by the pandemic for likely most of the coming year.
Two of the most relevant challenges are the availability of cleaning and disinfection products, as well as the skilled labor necessary to fulfill the massive increase in the demand for cleaning services.
A strategic method for addressing both challenges, especially in the short-term, is outsourcing.
Outsourcing is a proven method for ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and training while controlling costs and eliminating management overhead.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation onsite assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
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