How was 2020 for Callington? What were the highlights? What were the challenges?

It was no ordinary year for Callington in 2020. Servicing the global airline industry with specialty chemical solutions for more than 50 years, it was difficult to predict what was going to happen in the year ahead.

The early indicators were in January where we saw our major airlines such as Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, Emirates, Air France, and Thai Airways, urgently seeking outbreak solutions in order continue their normal flying operations. The requirements for our globally approved COVID-19 disinfectants, wipes, and hand sanitisers skyrocketed.

A key highlight for us was when the French Military requested the use of our Netbiokem DSAM disinfectant, for repatriation of French citizens out of Wuhan, China. The challenges were around the corner when governments across the world decided to put a hold on international travel.

How did Callington adjust to the impact of the pandemic?

Our expertise and experience in disinfectant technology and regulations locally meant we were able to rapidly achieve some of the fastest verified kill results against COVID-19.

Our disinfectant technology uses innovative ingredients which results in quicker kill times, and the ability to safely and easily use these in all application methods, including fogging and bio-misting, without causing any concern for both surface compatibility or operator and consumer safety.

As the airline industry went to a grinding halt, we saw the need that other industries would also require our COVID-19 solutions to navigate through this global crisis.

We quickly pivoted to service industries such as aged care, childcare, hospitals, education, hospitality, mass transit, government agencies, military, essential services, corporate offices, and the public sector with our globally approved COVID-19 disinfectants and hand hygiene products.

We continue to actively work with both local and global regulatory authorities such as the TGA, WHO, IATA and key industry associations and companies to continually improve our product performance and safety.

What will be the immediate focus for the business in 2021?

The focus is to continue to provide outbreak solution products to the cleaning industry. Our disinfectants are providing more benefits as we continue further efficacy testing. Viruses such as Norovirus, Poliovirus and Adenovirus are now included on the list for our disinfectants.

We also plan to launch more products in 2021 to complement our existing range. The focus will still be on outbreak solutions, however, incorporating different methods of delivery for these products.

Our dedicated R&D team remains focussed on formulating innovative solutions that add value to the end user, as well as highly trained technical sales representatives who are experienced in their respective fields and applications.

We want to ensure there is the best application method available for all the industries that we are servicing, from large scale entertainment venues all the way down small, confined spaces.

With our experience in guiding both regulations and industry codes of practices for cleaning and disinfection, our aim is to continue to help train and educate the cleaning industry.

Looking at the future – both short and long term – what do you see, as far as changes and adjustments, that the cleaning industry must embrace?

Even with the potential arrival of vaccines for COVID-19, there will be a continued higher focus and emphasis on hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection. COVID-19 is unlikely to completely disappear in the foreseeable future, and there is always the concern of the next pandemic organism.

The industry will need to be more adaptable and reactive to new technologies and processes and keep up to date and educated on the credentials of both existing and new products and technologies.

There will be likely many new innovations that will arrive, including surfaces that claim hygienic and antimicrobial properties, as well as treatments offering improved safety and efficacy.

All of these need to be properly understood, well supported, and approved by the correct regulatory bodies.  A side effect of this could well be exposure to a variety of new chemicals or treatments, meaning Workplace Health and Safety and Chemical Handling procedures and practices will need reviewing and updating.  There are interesting and exciting times ahead.

What additional advice or guidance do you have for the cleaning community now and after the pandemic?

Due diligence on the performance, safety, suitability and legality of each product or treatment used is paramount.

The regulatory authorities worldwide have had to also educate themselves about the new COVID-19 realities, and there are potentially some practices and treatments that will not stand up to future scrutiny, either from a safety or efficacy point of view.

Not all products, treatments and technologies are the same, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Continue to ask the hard questions from the suppliers and providers to ensure that you are using the right product in the right way.

Is there a message you would like to share with the industry?

We believe public health and safety is best served by the right selection of products, combined with correct protocols and procedures, backed by knowledgeable, experienced, and fully tested technology. Callington will continue to help provide solutions for the cleaning industry moving forward.

This article first appeared in the January/February issue of INCLEAN magazine. 

Read the original article here.

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