Innovative Product Winners Announced In Amsterdam

Interclean kicked off its 2018 trade show with the Innovation Award Ceremony. Hosted by Pernille La Lau, the event awarded four category winners, as well as the Overall Winner and Visitor's Choice. Winners were chosen by votes and feedback from an international jury made up of editors and publishers of cleaning media from around the world.

All three nominees of the Machines, Accessories and Components Category were robots. Karcher's KIRA B50 was named the winner for its "true autonomy and minimal human involvement," says Michelle Marshall, chair of the award jury committee.

In the Tools For Cleaning Care and Safety Category, the Powr-Mop Lite by Scot Young Research took home the honor. The jury was impressed with its "sheer simplicity, but also its practicality," says Marshall.

E-cleaning is a new category this year. The jury felt it was important to recognize the prevalence of Internet of Things technology, software and connectivity in the industry. The Vermop System ONe by Vermop was named the winner. By adding data collection sensors to mop handles, vacuums and carts, this product is brining "smart solutions to traditional manual cleaning tasks," says Marshall.

Management, Training Solutions and Related Products is a diverse category with nominees ranging from a packaging solution to a green calculator. The winner, however, is a paper towel recycling service — Essity Tork Papercircle.

"This product is encouraging facility managers to take a circular approach to restrooms," says Marshall. "Users have to put towels in the right receptacle. It's changing behaviors."

The Tork Papercircle also received the Visitor's Choice Award.

Before attending Interclean, visitors were encouraged to vote online for their favorite of the 12 nominees. More than 4,000 votes were cast.

Finally, the Overall Winner is chosen by the jury from only the four category winners. This year the jury chose Karcher and its KIRA B50 robotic scrubber.

"This winner excites us, inspires us and shows how the industry is moving forward," says Marshall. It's true autonomy. It makes robotics more feasible."

All manufacturer registration fees for the innovation award are donated to Amref Flying Doctors. This year, 12,000 euros were raised.

Meet the Jury
• Pierre Deschamps - Chief Editor Batiment Entretien – France
• Dick van Zomeren - Dutch industry expert and editor Servicemanagement – The Netherlands
• Rob Geissler - Publisher Sanitary Maintenance, Contracting Profits, Facility Cleaning Decisions, CleanLink.com – USA
• Michelle Marshall - Chair of the Jury & Chief Editor European Cleaning Journal – United Kingdom
• Ton van der Riet - Managing Director Senzora – The Netherlands
• Reinhard Knittler - Publisher Reinigungs Markt – Germany
• Cor van der Velden - Chief Expert at Skills Netherlands – The Netherlands
• Antonio Borreda - Director Revista Limpiezas – Spain