The Manchester Cleaning Show 2022
Celebrating sustainability and technological progress
The Manchester Cleaning Show returned to the city on 6 and 7 April for its first face-to-face event in for over three years. With cleaning continuing to be an essential service, the Manchester Central Convention Complex was packed as visitors and exhibitors reconnected and sought out the latest product innovations.
Opening the show, Delia Cannings, deputy director of the British Cleaning Council, commented on the sector’s progress and stressed the importance of the industry’s commitment to support initiatives that push for a better future for all. She went on to outline how the Apprenticeship in General Cleaning - which is being driven and championed by the BCC - is at a pivotal point ahead of its expected September launch.
With sustainability high on the agenda of this year’s conference programme, the first day of the show saw Nina Wyers, marketing and brand director of the Floorbrite Group, leading a session on ‘Cleaning for climate change’ where she offered insights on how businesses can extend their commitments to green cleaning solutions across the whole supply chain. Also reiterating the need to ‘act now’ to stop climate change, James Lee, council member for the CHSA, explained the association’s five-pillar initiative that helps companies migrate towards environmentally sustainable business through the standards on product and packaging quality, ethics and corporate environmental impact.
The rise of the cobots
Tibor Killi, MD of Killis, the Manchester show’s official innovation partner, spoke in the conference about how collaborative robotics can ease a human-intensive workforce whilst freeing up valuable time and making cleaner, healthier spaces. This was proven on the show floor where live product demonstrations concluded each day, with the Killis range of LionsBot cobotic machines put through their paces to show the full capabilities of this technology.
Conference attendees also saw Stephen Lynch, sales director of Cleanology, speaking on the rise in robotics and the demand for new technology to deliver a modern cleaning service. He showed visitors how technology-led solutions can ease workplace management and assured cleaning professionals on the positive impact technology can have in the workplace in the post-COVID era.
Elsewhere on the show floor and during both days of the conference, visitors saw how the show’s official hygiene partner - Dettol Pro Solutions - has developed protocols and trusted products that could be used across an event to ensure maximum hygiene. Leading the company’s first session, Stuart Bainbridge, global R&D director, and Dr Lisa Ackerley, director of medical and scientific engagement, hygiene at Reckitt, shared survey results which showed that the public is now more aware of germs post pandemic, and businesses are putting more measures in place to protect working environments.
Speaking about the event’s successful return, Paul Sweeney, the Manchester show’s new event director, said: “Day 3 of my new role was the opening day of the show, so what a fantastic opportunity for me to spend two days talking to people within the sector. Seeing the cleaning industry gather with such enthusiasm was very rewarding. Every exhibitor I spoke with was really pleased with the high-quality discussions they’d had over the two days of the show. It was evident that the opportunities the show brings to businesses is phenomenal, and it’s very clear to see how much the show is valued. I’m really looking forward to being part of the cleaning sector going forward.”