US demand for janitorial equipment and supplies (excluding chemical products) is forecast to advance 1.7 percent per year through 2017 to $7.2 billion. Although not rapid growth, this rate will be an improvement from the more sluggish gains of the 2007-2012 period. Sales of many of these products declined from 2007 to 2009 due to the recession and its subsequent effect on business activity levels, when a large number of businesses delayed replacing or upgrading higher cost janitorial products and decreased the frequency of nonessential cleaning services.  However, many businesses began purchasing new equipment between 2010 and 2012 as the economy improved, helping sales of most products return to pre-recession sales levels.

These and other trends are presented in Janitorial Equipment & Supplies, a study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.

Among markets, institutional buildings will post the fastest gains through 2017. This market will see the most rapid growth in floor space due to an increase in the number of health care and related establishments. In addition, these locations have a particular interest in higher value products that can reduce the risk of cross-contamination and maintain indoor air quality, such as disposable microfiber flat mops, no-touch cleaning equipment, and automated cleaning products with advanced particle filtration features. The residential market will also see above average gains as homeowners return to more frequent use of contract cleaners who employ these commercial grade products.

Manual cleaning products are forecast to experience some of the fastest growth through 2017, attributable to a more delayed recovery from the effects of the recession, as well as ongoing product development. For instance, sales of products such as wipes, cloths, and flat and wet mops will benefit from the continuing adoption of higher value microfiber, which requires minimal use of chemicals and lasts longer than standard products.

Sales of multipurpose automated floor cleaning machines will benefit from renewed demand for automated floor cleaning machines, as businesses that delayed replacing or upgrading machinery during the recession will be attracted to the possibility of replacing two or more machines with a single multipurpose product.