Italian Innovations

Italian manufacturers are increasingly looking to break into the U.S. jan/san marketplace. With products ranging from autoscrubbers to squeegees, these manufacturers offer a variety of innovative options available for American distributors to add to their product offerings.

Equipment

Italy is a premiere manufacturer of cleaning equipment. From small autoscrubbers to large street sweepers, and everything in between, Italian manufacturers are known for their machines. The availability of this equipment though is not limited to Italy or even the European market. For example, according to one study, 60 percent of Italian-made ride-on machines are exported.

As they expand into new markets, Italian manufacturers have embraced the latest cleaning trends and in recent years have increased experimentation with new technologies in an effort to develop a whole new range of products. The good news for U.S. distributors is that these latest innovations help meet many of the challenges currently facing the American cleaning market. For example, as more facilities adopt daycleaning in an effort to reduce electricity costs, cleaning professionals are looking for low-decibel machines that won’t disturb building occupants during business hours. Cleaning professionals are also looking for alternatives to electric-powered machines, which have cords that have shown to be tripping hazards for tenants. Many of the new Italian floor- and carpet-care equipment feature quieter operations. They are also taking advantage of battery-supplied power.

Developing machines suitable for daycleaning is just one example of embracing a current trend; addressing weight issues is another. Italian equipment manufacturers are designing lighter machines, with more plastic components than metal. This helps make machines easier to transport from floor to floor or building to building. Lighter machines are also a benefit for cleaning contractors and custodial departments that employ older workers that could be fatigued easily.

Sustainability is a buzzword in America, but environmental concerns reach abroad as well. In response to the demands, Italian manufacturers are designing machines with high filtration levels in an effort to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors, so machines such as these that can minimize dust, pollen and other allergens in the air can help create a healthier and more productive work environment. In addition to IAQ, energy consumption is important. As previously mentioned, saving on energy is important to building executives. Many Italian-made machines are designed to use less energy.

The Environment

Equipment is not the only Italian cleaning product to embrace the “green” issue. Many Italian companies are investing in green research and innovation to meet customers’ demands for environmentally responsible products. For example, products such as janitor carts and restroom dispensers are being constructed with recyclable materials; bottles and other containers are currently designed to be reused.

While machines don’t have green ordinances in Europe, many environmental standards for chemicals have been implemented. To meet green demand, many chemical manufacturers are offering biodegradable chemicals.

As with equipment, energy savings is an important feature for other green products. Hand dryers, for instance, are yet another example of a product being designed to consume less energy.

Other Innovation

As mentioned, Italy is known for machine manufacturing, but there are many other innovative product groups coming out of this region. One such area is in the restroom. Hand dryers are popular in many restrooms and are available in a variety of options, from the aforementioned low energy consumption models to those with quiet operation. Hand dryers can also be made to be coin operated for public facilities. Other innovations include a multi-function machine that offers soap, water and hand dryer in the same machine; or a hand dryer featuring an internal ultra-violet lamp that disinfects while drying.

Another restroom innovation example is toilet tissue that degrades faster and also reduces organic pollutants in pipes.

Convenience seems to be a factor for Italian products as well. Features range from small machines that can clean the tiniest spaces and narrowest of aisles, to compact mopping systems to trolleys that can be connected together and towed behind autoscrubbers and sweepers.

Design

Regardless of industry, Italian products are recognized for their creative design. Cleaning equipment and vacuums are some of the products that follow in the footsteps of this tradition. Machines are typically sleek and display a modern look and many products are available in a variety of colors.

The distinct appearance of Italian products help them stand out from other brands — a possible plus in distributors’ showrooms. Different-looking products could also help cleaning professionals as well. Janitors may enjoy using a modern looking product rather than a clunky machine. If daycleaning, colored equipment could help make cleaning crews more visible, creating a safer environment. Colored equipment could also mix a little fun into the atmosphere and help build a rapport with building occupants. Cleaning professionals could even designate certain colored machines to specific floors or areas of a facility, similar to color coding mops and cloths.

Color options aren’t limited to only cleaning equipment. Restroom products are also available in a variety of colors to help personalize any facility from K-12 schools to Class-A offices.

Italian-made products may have a distinct look, but the cleaning challenges these innovations are helping to solve are not unique to their home county. Distributors from all countries, including the United States, can benefit from taking a look at the products offered by Italian manufacturers.