International ambitions for Berlin show further enhanced with wider offerings and united front

There's little doubt that organisers of Cleaning.Management.Services. (CMS) have been successful in driving this event to become a true European Show
The WFBSC held a board meeting in the Marshall Haus, pictured from left: John Grant (Consolidated Property Services), Terry Corby (BSCAA) and WFBSC treasurer Roger Goodman (UK)
The WFBSC held a board meeting in the Marshall Haus, pictured from left: John Grant (Consolidated Property Services), Terry Corby (BSCAA) and WFBSC treasurer Roger Goodman (UK)

CMS Berlin 2015: 22 to 25 September at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds

Consulting editor Alan Hardcastle reports…

There’s little doubt that organisers of Cleaning.Management.Services. (CMS) have been successful in driving this event to become a true European Show rather than what it had been historically, a local German cleaning and hygiene industry event. Significant investment in comprehensive conference and seminar programs and a more aggressive marketing program have been critical in CMS achieving its ambitions.

It should also noted that all German cleaning and associated industry bodies have work diligently, and harmoniously, to support CMS. And one could assume that they will further build on the event’s already impressive international credentials.

As this writer usually observes when covering such exhibitions, the lack of Australian and New Zealand visitors suggests that there is little interest by our industry in enhancing on-site efficiencies; boosting productivity levels; and making our cleaners’ working lives safer and more comfortable.

Day one at CMS Berlin 2015 started with busy visitor traffic; an impressive opening ceremony; and the Purus Awards’ winners’ announcement. Considering the European cleaning industry is doing it tough, some 377 exhibitors and an expected 16,000 plus visitors from 65 countries augured well for the four day event.

ISS Australia executives on the Karcher stand, from left: Ben Daniel, Peter Kalphas and Andrew Weaver
ISS Australia executives on the Karcher stand, from left: Ben Daniel, Peter Kalphas and Andrew Weaver

Importantly, about 50 products were making their world or European debut while the Congress (seminar sessions) was a significantly larger conference offering on previous years.

‘With (a) gross added value of 130 billion euros, facility management is a key industry in Germany,’ noted the organiser Messe Berlin.

That import was reflected in all available space on the 25,400 square metre display area in Halls 1.2 to 4.2 and on the open-air grounds in front of the south entrance to the Berlin Exhibition Grounds (Berlin ExpoCenter City) being occupied.

“CMS occupies a stronger market position than ever before. With a record number of participants this year it is the most important trade show for the cleaning industry in Europe. CMS benefits significantly from Germany’s economic position as the largest European market for commercial cleaning systems,” pointed out Thomas Dietrich, chairman of the Federal Cleaning Trades Association, when addressing the opening ceremony

“This year the presence of the market leaders and decision-makers together with the innovations on display once again make CMS a must for the international cleaning industry.”

The German market that is represented here remains largely stable. This was the assessment of Markus Asch, chairman of the Trade Association for Cleaning Systems in the German Mechanical Engineering and Plant Construction Association VDMA in his event opening address.

He reported that the some 50 suppliers of cleaning systems for commercial and industrial applications on the German market, employing some 5,200 people, achieved sales in excess of 930 million euros last year. Of that figure about 72 percent was accounted for by exports.

With Cleanfix's large robot cleaning machine, the RA 660 Navi, are from left: Cleanfix's Feliz Ruesch, Interclean Australasia's Bill Bassett and Cleanfix's Christoph Loosli
With Cleanfix’s large robot cleaning machine, the RA 660 Navi, are from left: Cleanfix’s Felix Ruesch, Interclean Australasia’s Bill Bassett and Cleanfix’s Christoph Loosli

German suppliers have a share of about 18 percent of the world market and in Europe they account for just under 50 percent of the market. Markets in southern Europe have largely stabilised or are in the process of doing so.

“Elsewhere in Europe our industry has expanded particularly well in the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Poland,” Asch stated. However, the loss to a greater or lesser extent of the Russian market has had a severe impact on the industry in Germany. Important markets outside the eurozone, such as that of the USA, are progressing satisfactorily while South East Asia, despite a number of challenges, is generally quite positive,” Asch added.

Purus Awards

One of the day one highlights was presentation of the CMS Purus Awards 2015. Nilfisk, Vileda, SCA and Karcher were the winners of this renowned prize for outstanding design. In one category, Management Systems, the judging panel could not determine a winner.

This year Purus attracted 62 entries, more than ever before, from more than 40 exhibitors. Fifteen entries made it through to the final round of the two-stage selection process. The panel had to make some difficult choices and the decision-making process was not an easy one, according to its chairman Dietmar Muhr.

In the Machinery category the award went to the Nilfisk’s VP600 industrial vacuum. ‘Among the features that led to this decision are its lightweight, automatic cable winder and the ease with which the various elements can be replaced with the aid of bayonet connectors,’ noted the judges.

The UltraSpeed Pro wet flat mopping system from Vileda Professional was winner of in the Equipment category ‘because, for example, the coloured design of the active elements supports intuitive, user-friendly operation.’

In the Washroom Hygiene category the judges decided in favour of the Tork Image Design range of dispensers from SCA Hygiene Products, citing the restrained and functional styling that has been consistently implemented throughout the entire product range.

And in the Brand Communication category Karcher received the award for its restorative cleaning of Aachen cathedral. The panel of judges drew attention to an unusual characteristic, ‘the use of the company’s core competency, the product itself, in its marketing’.

www.cmsberlin.de/en

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