While you may be facing limited resources and budget constraints, your facility still needs to look its best. By re-evaluating your equipment, processes and products, you can decide where your dollars are best spent to maximize productivity. Here are some factors to consider.

Size of Custodial Staff
With so many organizations reducing their labour budgets, every facility manager should evaluate their equipment purchases in order to accommodate the decrease in staff. Upgrading floor equipment to a piece that offers increased efficiency is a great way to make up for lost hours. It may seem like you’re spending more initially, but the time saved will make up for the cost of the machine.

Get the Right Equipment for the Job
You should also evaluate your square footage. Has it changed? Are you seeing an increase in worker injury claims? These questions need to be revisited in order to evaluate your equipment needs. New models use fewer chemicals (less product to buy), run more quietly (can be used during the day, saving time), and consume less water (less downtime because floors dry sooner).

Vacuums
Reconsidering your choice in vacuums is helpful since these cleaning tools can dramatically improve productivity, indoor air quality and overall cleanliness. Studies show that when combined with an effective cleaning program, quality backpacks can increase productivity by up to 70% without adding staff.

Equipment Maintenance
Costly equipment downtime is the equivalent of two or three custodians on extended sick leave. Lengthen the service life of your equipment by taking the necessary time to get every piece running at peak performance.

Did you know? Up to 24 pounds of dirt can be tracked in by just 1,000 people coming through an entrance over a 20-day work period.*

*Source: extract from a Stephen Ashkin article, Destination Green, September 2006/Progressive Shopper/Wausau Insurance Company.