Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners Launch 25th Anniversary Summer Charity Ball
May 27, 2011
The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners is celebrating its 25th anniversary of the Company achieving full Livery status with a Summer Charity Ball on the evening of Saturday 9th July.
Friends and colleagues from the cleaning industry are invited to the fundraising event, which takes place at the luxury Grange St Paul’s hotel, London. It opens with a champagne reception from 6.30pm, followed by a four course meal; entertainment, including a live band and an Auction hosted by a celebrity auctioneer.
During the 25th anniversary year, the Worshipful Company hopes to raise at least an extra £25,000 for its charity fund which makes grants to support the advancement of education and training within the industry. There are opportunities to advertise in the programme for the evening as well as sponsorship of individual elements of the evening.
The Summer Ball will be attended by the recently Installed Master, Peter Holt and many members of the Livery and their guests.
Tickets are available at £98.50 per head or tables of 10 for just £900.
Please contact Junior Warden, Maureen Marden to reserve your tickets by calling mobile 07785 700 523 or email maureenmarden@btconnect.com
The Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners is one of 108 Livery Companies which are based upon trades, industries and professions and carry on the ancient traditions of the Guilds and Livery Companies which started in the 12th century. The Company aims to encourage and maintain high standards of practice and integrity while promoting and supporting education, training and research projects within the cleaning industry.
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Press enquiries:
Michelle Eastty – Ceris Burns International t: +44(0)1825 714329
e: michelle@cbimarketing.com www. cbimarketing.com
Editor’s Notes
Formed in 1972 as the Guild of Cleaners and subsequently known as the Guild of Master Cleaners, the Company was granted full Livery Status in 1986 as the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners, the 97th Livery Company of the City of London. HRH The Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh is an Honorary Freeman of the Company.
New Infection Control Research Launched by Albany Hygiene Facilities
May 4, 2011
Keeping school facilities clean and hygienic is imperative for all cleaning and facility managers, to reduce the spread of viruses and infections. New research by Queen Mary, University of London and Albany Hygiene Facilities will investigate infection risks in schools, funded by a Knowledge Transfer Partnership. The findings will inform the development of practical solutions to help break the chain of infection and decrease cross-contamination.
The new research will take a phased approach. Phase one will involve instigation of screening the toilet facilities of London based schools. Interim findings are planned to be released in May 2011 before phase two widens the examination to outside the washroom area. Infection control policy guidance, based on the outcomes of the research, is hoped to be released by the end of the year.
To date, no documented scientific research has been undertaken in schools that accurately identifies the level of infection and type of bacteria breeding. In addition, there is currently no clear guidance on what schools need to clean with, how often and when.
Postdoctoral researcher, Dr Hermine Mkrtchyan has been appointed to investigate infection risks in schools. Dr Mkrtchyan was selected from approximately sixty candidates who applied for the 30 month post and will be working with Dr Ron Cutler, principal investigator of the project and director of Biomedical Science at Queen Mary. Dr Mkrtchyan has over seven years of experience in the field of natural product chemistry, microbiology and molecular biology research, mainly in the context of infectious diseases, with a number of published papers and patents.
Infection outbreaks and illness have a significant economic and educational impact on schools. It is hoped that Dr Mkrtchyan’s research will uncover the real state of infection risks in schools, which will then help to develop a guide for schools on how to manage infection control effectively.
Annual statistics show 11.7 million school days were lost in the spring 2010 term alone due to child illness including flu, norovirus and E.coli.
According to Dr Ron Cutler this illness rate is only going to increase, stating: “Infection threats to schools are influenced in part by external changes, such as increased international travel and antibiotic misuse and resistance. Climate change may also create the catalysts for increasing levels of infection as well as more unpredictable infection threats in the future. This research appointment will go a long way in helping us provide schools with the insights and guidance they need.”
Dr Mkrtchyan explains her role and vision for the new research: “The rise in antibiotic resistant bacteria is becoming a widespread issue resulting in a major worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality. This means that when schools are cleaned they are assuming that they are reducing the risks of infection spreading, when in fact the bacteria is not being removed and remains live and spreading. We want to accurately define which bacteria are live in schools, where they are harbouring and then to create a practical and targeted plan for schools to fight the infection and reduce sickness levels for both the children and the teachers.”
The research concept was inspired by a recent study/abstract accepted by 4th FEMS Congress of European Microbiologists that will take place in Geneva, 26-30 June, 2011, which identified multiple drug resistant coagulase negative Staphylococci in general toilet facilities. It further posed the question, if these bacteria are alive in this public venue what does the school toilet germ community look like?
Mike Burton, managing director of Albany Hygiene Facilities comments: “The Government’s National Healthy Schools Programme currently allows four million pupils to enjoy the benefits of attending a ‘Healthy School’, but unfortunately this programme does not sufficiently cover the hygiene of the building environment which the pupils, staff and teacher’s inhabit. Also, it does not encompass the critical area of infection control within the school. Our programme aims to work with and support the school’s needs. The scientific knowledge gained from the research will allow us to share comprehensive and bespoke advice to schools about infection control best practice.”
Hygiene education and effective hygiene management are the best ways to break the chain of infection and stop the spread of illness throughout schools and commercial premises. Albany Hygiene Facilities are able to provide you with a professional review of your facilities and will identify the most effective solutions to reduce cross contamination in your building. For your free hygiene assessment please visit www.albanyfacilities.com or call 0870 366 5777.
ENDS
For press enquiries please contact:
Michelle Eastty – Ceris Burns International t: +44(0)1825 714329 e: michelle@cbimarketing.com; www.clean.cbimarketing.com
Licensing & Contract Manufacturing
May 4, 2011
Have you ever considered licensing or contract manufacturing as routes to enter overseas markets? Both can be relatively low cost and low risk ways of increasing your international presence and sales. Ceris Burns, international marketing specialist for the cleaning industry discusses the pros and cons of licensing and contract manufacturing.
On my travels recently I have been asked by several European cleaning products manufacturers if I could seek licensing and contract manufacturing opportunities for them. As the cleaning industry has expressed a clear interest in these routes to market I thought it worthwhile sharing my thoughts on both options and to provide a few tips on how to avoid any possible pitfalls.
What is Licensing?
Licensing is a contract in which a licenser gives a licensee the right to use: Product or process know-how, patent rights, trademark rights or copyrights. In some cases several of these might be included and the licenser may also sell components/services to the licensee as part of the deal.
When is Licensing a good choice?
Licensing can be a good choice for markets where it is difficult to deal direct or where the market size is too small to justify a higher level of involvement. Demands on costs and management are fairly low as there is no need to set up manufacturing or a sales office.
How does it work?
The licensee pays a percentage of the sales achieved which means that as sales increase so does revenue for the licenser. The licensee benefits as he can tap into know-how while avoiding the high costs associated with researching, developing and launching new products.
What can go wrong?
Things can go wrong because market needs change. The market might demand something new that the licenser isn’t necessarily prepared to develop or the licensee learns so much about the product and market that he thinks he doesn’t need the licenser any longer.
What is contract manufacturing?
Contract manufacturing involves a firm agreeing for a local company to manufacture its product under contract.
When is contract manufacturing a good choice?
When current manufacturing or transport and duty costs would price the product out of the market, the manufacturer is looking for a means of reducing manufacturing costs to target a number of countries or government insists on local manufacture and there is no other way into the country.
What are the pros and cons?
Lower management and finance demands enable the company to focus on sales and business development. Should the product not do as well as expected it is also less problematic to pull out of the market due to lower investment. Contract manufacturing also lends companies more flexibility in supplying specific products to suit the needs of different markets and to compete at local prices when manufacturing is in countries with lower labour costs. Disadvantages include minimal control over the manufacturer’s activity, so for example quality may be below standard or working conditions not in line with the company’s corporate policy. The local company may also not possess the necessary knowledge to compete in the marketplace.
Tips to avoid problems
In both cases there is no substitute for thorough planning. If looking for a local manufacturer, ideally you should settle on a company that has some synergy with your own management approach and beliefs. You will need to visit their manufacturing plant several times and obtain references if possible from other companies for whom they manufacture. With respect to licensing, build some of the following into your agreement in order to prevent potential conflict: Ensure your agreement includes factors such as duration, quality control, royalties and performance measurement, set restrictions on territory, request equity in the licensee and ensure you retain copyright, patents and trademarks.
If you are looking for a licensing or contract manufacturing partner contact Ceris at ceris@cbimarketing.com
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