The ISSA recently held its member networking and education event hosted by member company Newell-Rubbermaid Commercial Products, in Fradley Park, Lichfield. It was the first ISSA event of its kind for the cleaning and hygiene industry in the UK.
Attended by delegates from cleaning and support service businesses, suppliers, distributors, consultants, and manufacturers, the event’s theme focused on the latest developments shaping commercial cleaning in the UK. Guests were provided with impartial market insight about detergent chemical development and commercial property construction trends and plans. Delegates listened to the expert advice offered by two guest speakers: Peter Smallwood, of Smithers Apex, and Alan Willen, of Glenigan Ltd.
ISSA director of international services, Dianna Steinbach, also provided an overview of current business resources and membership benefits UK members can access. She said: “Along with our new ISSA endorsed UK training programme, including our ‘Estimation made easy’ course and many resources we have available, events such as this are just one of the many benefits our members receive for being a part of the ISSA family. Our aspiration is to provide value to our members by offering them access to the latest knowledge and trends from local and global industry experts, along with the engagement of networking with fellow peers. Everyone is just one connection away from a new idea, a new decision or a new business partnership and ISSA wants to nurture and facilitate that experience.”
Paul Kelly, Newell-Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ commercial director and ISSA European Council representative for the UK/IE region, was instrumental in offering Rubbermaid’s corporate facility and staff support for the event. He said: “Our team at Newell Brands was excited to work with ISSA to host the first Member Networking and eEducation event in the UK. I was struck by the level of networking and sharing of ideas that took place in such a short period of time at the event - the industry clearly has a thirst for easily transferable, usable information and ISSA is superbly placed to quench this with its growing resources.”
ISSA European Council chairman, Michel de Bruin, said: “Our industry is full of specialists who are at the frontline in creating and maintaining hygienic places and keeping society healthy. However, our industry is fragmented and exposed to attack - at a time when other industries pursue disruption we must join forces, connect, listen and find a more powerful voice if we are to truly have strong influence to improve the image and longevity of the cleaning industry. Such insights as those shared today lead to making strategic decisions and ultimately better profitability - for reinvestment in techniques that future-proof our industry. We are a strong force under the ISSA and by coming together today we have got the ball rolling.”