Modern manufacturing: Cleaning challenges

Manufacturing output may have fallen since the heyday of the 1970s, but it still accounts for 11% of economic contribution compared to 12% for the financial and professional sector.

The manufacturing sector has a diverse set of specialist needs above and beyond general cleaning. To run a production plant cost effectively manufacturers need to reduce downtime as much as possible. Switching production lines from one product to another or running production lines in parallel all increases cleaning requirements and costs.

Rise of the 'free-from'

Free-from manufacturing has exploded over recent years as a result of an increase in allergies and life style choices. Non cross-contamination between lines is therefore critical meaning deep cleans in between runs, and open areas that need cleaning more frequently.

Cross-contamination can arise from many sources including air-borne allergens that settle on equipment, overhead beams and floors. Cleaning regimes are therefore paramount as the value of maintaining manufacturing operations more than offsets the increased investment.

Slips, trips and falls

Production debris and spillages are unavoidable presenting a constant risk to staff and the public. Product spillages can be anything from salt to oil and grease, and pallet strapping is a challenge for us all. Professional cleaning will remove all substances safely, but how best to maintain standards in this the most sensitive of environments?

Productivity focus

With constant pressure on margins, and labour costs rising, there has to be an ongoing focus on cost effective methods of cleaning. Financial managers are now focusing on total cost of ownership, a process of examining all elements – labour, power, water, chemical and maintenance – significantly decreasing costs and improving the bottom line. 

The right cleaning equipment, working well will certainly make a difference on all levels and it should be ergonomically designed for ease of use.

To sweep – to scrub – or both?

The first issue to be addressed when cleaning floors is whether to use a sweeper only, scrubber dryer only, or a combined sweeper/scrubber that will complete the job in one pass.

Most machines come in a variety of cleaning widths so consideration needs to be given to the size of the aisles and the type of debris on the floor. A sweeping machine will make quick work of loose debris but could emit dust and allergens into the air. Additionally the floor may still be left dirty creating slips and trips risks. Swapping over from a sweeper to a scrubber dryer will delay the cleaning process and of course there is the issue of two machines to be funded and stored.

A combined sweeper/scrubber dryer is a solution. New models such as the Nilfisk CS7010 are a far cry from machines of yesteryear and come with an impressive technical specification. 

Benefits

Nilfisk innovations, including SmartFlow and Ecoflex technology, mean that the CS7010 uses less water and chemicals than other machines. This increases productivity considerably using less time to dump and refill. Battery-powered models run for up to 5.4 hours in combined sweeping and scrubbing mode without downtime. The optional Dustguard system sprays a fine mist during sweeping minimising airborne dust and the risk of cross-contamination.

Fuel options

The CS7010 combined sweeper scrubber, with a cleaning width of 1245mm, is available in LPG/hybrid, diesel/hybrid and ePower battery. The eco-friendly design dispels the complexity and high maintenance of hydraulic systems, eliminating hydraulic reservoirs, filters and 98% of leak prone hoses, pumps, motors and valves. 

Nilfisk is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of commercial and industrial cleaning equipment. No-obligation site surveys and demonstrations are available across the UK. www.nilfisk.co.uk