Can Green, Clean and Cost Control Ever Get Along

The Case for a Flexible Hard-Floor Scrubbing Program

You've heard the old saying, "How do you want it - fast, cheap or good? You can choose two." The message, of course, is that you can't have everything. But cleaning professionals today are being asked to deliver "everything" - environmental sustainability, high levels of cleanliness AND cost efficiency. So how can they do it all?

According to Ciprus Ltd. LLC's latest Commercial Flooring Maintenance study reported in October of 2009, nearly 69% of all commercial floors are hard surfaces. These floors are routinely cleaned and maintained with automatic floor scrubbers that, in the past, were not equipped to handle variable soil loads and different hard surface types. Similarly, buildings with carpet and hard floor surfaces have had to purchase both carpet extractors and hard floor scrubbers to effectively clean their floors.

Maintaining the flexibility to achieve the exact cleanliness level required for different areas, surface types and soil levels with the minimum effort, time and resources is a key to meeting the competing requirements for green, clean and cost-efficient floor cleaning. Here's a closer look at three factors that contribute to a flexible floor-scrubbing program.

1. Rotate solutions (water and detergents) for different soils, areas and surface types

Because there is no single "best" approach for every hard-floor scrubbing need, being able to match the solution to the soil level and surface type is an important factor in an effective cleaning program. Certainly, cleaning with just water reduces environmental impacts (no chemical to dispose of) and possible health impacts (no detergent exposure for workers or building occupants). Using only water as a cleaning solution works well for removing surface dirt, can help remove detergent residue that accumulates on floors and can also reduce costs because there are no detergents to buy.

However, water alone often can't adequately clean high-traffic areas or cut through certain soil types such as greasy, oily messes. A flexible scrubbing program allows cleaning staff to easily select the proper detergent type and strength - or clean with water only - as required by different floor conditions and areas of the building. Proper application of water, detergent and down pressure eliminates the risk of exposing building occupants to excessive detergent use. It also reduces the costs and environmental impacts of overusing water and detergents while ensuring that floors are properly cleaned.

2. Spend more time cleaning, less time getting ready to clean

With labor contributing up to 90% of the total cost to clean, the more time workers are actually cleaning, the more cost-efficient your cleaning program is. Proper planning and the right equipment can reduce set-up/clean-up processes, making it possible for staff to make adjustments while they're cleaning.

In a flexible scrubbing program, workers have the equipment and practices to handle high-traffic areas such as entryways or tough soils like grease without stopping to modify their cleaning approach. Ideally, a floor scrubber dispenses water and detergent separately so that workers don't have to pre-mix solution or empty tanks to change detergents or solution strength. A program that allows cleaners to minimize time sent prepping machines and make fewer cleaning passes through a facility is not only flexible, it's time- and cost-efficient.

3. Use fewer machines for more tasks

Automatic floor scrubbers can represent a significant capital investment for facilities or building services contractors, and the purchase cost is only one part of the overall cost of machine ownership. Maintenance and operating costs also influence the total cost of ownership. Every cleaning machine requires specific training for operators, space for storage, plus parts and ongoing maintenance. A floor scrubber with flexible cleaning models can mean buying fewer machines and reducing training and maintenance costs. The most flexible machines are capable of cleaning in multiple ways and allow staff to use the same piece of equipment for any floor-scrubbing job, which leads to reduced costs and higher cleaning productivity.

And what about floors with carpet?

Sure, hard floors compromise most of the floor space in facilities, but carpets are often more difficult to maintain and require additional equipment and detergents. Multi-function machines such as combination scrubber-extractors can eliminate the need to buy a separate machine for extracting carpets and reduce the number of times staff have to return to the supply closet to change machines.

There's a commonality in these factors that contribute to a flexible scrubbing program. They all empower cleaning staff to match the way they clean to what they need to clean. Putting this control into the hands on in-house cleaners and BSCs allows them to combine environmentally preferable practices with effective cleaning and maximum cost efficiency. The result is a cleaning program that works in perfect harmony.

To learn more about how an Advance Sweeper, Scrubber or a Sweeper/Scrubber combo can work for your facility, contact a sales representative at Shoppa's Mid America today.

Download the full Advance White Paper

Introducing the New Advance SW4000 Rider Sweeper

Maximizing performance and dust control while minimizing total cost of ownership.

The SW4000 Rider Sweeper provides high productivity and reliable cleaning performance to attack tough sweeping applications. Designed with a safe and efficient hydraulic high dump, the SW4000 delivers exceptional productivity. Operator intuitive front wheel steering and front wheel drive offer superior maneuverability in tight corners or narrow aisles. From warehouse and distribution centers to outdoor parking lots and lumber yards, the SW4000 ensures a professionally swept finish for diverse indoor and outdoor applications.

Efficient Sweeping

For smooth, easy operation, the SW4000 features One-Touch sweeping capabilities-enabling all functions, including the main broom, side brooms, vacuum fan and the optional DustGuard misting system, to activate only while the sweeper is moving. This integration provides machine run-time of up to 4.5 hours on a single battery charge while minimizing wear on the brooms. The unobstructed view, high dump hopper easily deposits into a standard dumpster for safe handling and quick dumping. For enhanced sweeping capabilities, the optional DustGuard misting system provides up to 75% greater dust controlled sweeping path compared to the nearest comparable competitor's machines.

To ensure the filter remains dust-free for optimal performance, the SW4000 features a timed Liberator multi-frequency filter shaker that cleans the filter more effectively to restore airflow for maximum dust control.

User Friendly

The SW4000 is designed to simplify sweeping with retractable, spring-loaded side brooms and rugged steel guards to virtually eliminate risk of machine damage. It also features a left or right side access driver's compartment, adjustable seat and column-mounted controls for ergonomic and intuitive operation. Tools-free broom and filter removal and battery compartment makes routine maintenance fast and easy.

For more information about the new SW4000, download a free brochure or contact a Shoppa's Mid America sales representative to schedule your free demo today!

Cut Your Fuel Cost with the Advance CS7000

First Hybrid Drive Combination Sweeper/Scrubber Slashes Fuel Costs

Operating solely on hydrogen, the innovative fuel cell-powered Advance CS7000 provides enhanced efficiency, productivity, reliability, simplified maintenance and 100% indoor emission-free operation, making it an ideal solution for sustainable-driven applications. Featuring dedicated sweeping and scrubbing functions, the Advance CS7000 fuel cell unit provides one-pass cleaning power for enhanced cleaning capabilities.

This innovative machine responds to the growing industrial demand for cost-effective, alternative fuel solutions and provides users with unlimited flexibility to meet their cleaning challenges. The Advance CS7000 models are ideal for industrial facilities, including warehouses, shipping and manufacturing or anywhere that presents difficult-to-manage flooring surfaces due to the size and scope of the required cleaning area.

The full line of Advance CS7000 combination sweeper/scrubbers, the all-battery powered, hybrid and now the new fuel cell-powered, are the most efficient, productive, cost-effective and sustainable industrial floor cleaners on the market for industrial use. Also, the design of the Advance CS7000 series has resulted in up to a 50% reduction in fuel costs relative to comparable models in the marketplace.

For more information about the new Advance CS7000 Hybrid Drive Sweeper/Scrubber, contact a Shoppa's Mid America sales representative today.

A Revolution in Floor Scrubbing Technology

The REV System - There's never been another scrubber like it.

The remarkable REV automatic floor scrubbers from Advance are nothing like you've ever seen before. In a single pass, our exclusive Random Orbital Scrubbing technology scrubs deeper and more uniformly, leaving your floors with a perfectly scrubbed surface with no swirl marks.

A revolution at work. The end of floor stripping as you know it.

You'll see the amazing results immediately. The REV is the first and only floor scrubber that scrubs with distinct orbital and rotational motions: high speed 1/4 inch micro scrubbing and rotational low speed macro scrubbing. This powerful, patent-pending combination delivers a uniform, non-swirled floor surface while using far less water and chemicals. In addition to being a superior daily scrubber, REV is so effective at deep scrubbing, you can remove floor finish in a single pass - with no chemicals at all - leaving floors ready for restoration.

REV: Better results. Increased productivity. Sustainable cleaning.

Now available in four models, the REV with Random Orbital Scrubbing technology provides these important benefits for facility floor maintenance.

• BETTER scrubbing with more uniform results
• MORE EFFICIENT restoring floors can now be a one-person job
• GREENER using less chemicals, water, energy and labor
• QUIETER allowing for scrubbing at any time of the day
• CLEANER scrubbing action that won't spread solution to adjacent surfaces or carpet
• MORE FLEXIBLE using water only or complete control of detergent, preventing overutilization

Download a complete brochure on the new REV System

The REV System is available on four Advance models:

FM800 REV

The most efficient scrubber for small areas and detail work.

With powerful orbital scrubbing at 1,725 1/4 inch orbits per minute, the FM800 REV tackles cleaning challenges that larger scrubbers can't reach. High durability and high-speed orbital agitation ensure aggressive scrubbing for chemical-free floor finish removal.

ADFINITY X20R REV

The most versatile, maneuverable floor scrubber.

The Adfinity X20R REV surpasses the performance of other scrubbers in its class, featuring dual-action scrubbing capabilities. Attacking dirt and floor finish from multiple angles, the Adfinity REV delivers uniform daily scrubbing performance and deep scrubbing for chemical-free finish removal in a single pass.

SC750 REV

The powerful, high-capacity workhouse for daily cleaning.

The SC750 REV combines the innovative REV technology with enhanced cleaning performance. With a 40% wider scrub path and 20% faster scrubbing capabilities than 20 inch floor scrubbers, the SC750 REV increases productivity, allowing operators to cover more floor area in less time with equal or better cleaning results.

ADVENGER REV

The highest performance, highest capacity REV scrubber.

Offering increased productivity up to 39,424 sq. ft. per hour, EcoFlex cleaning control and large capacity for up to 140 minutes of continuous scrubbing, the Advenger rider scrubber with REV technology delivers high performance scrubbing, the most flexible cleaning and the convenience and comfort of a rider.

Download a complete brochure on the new REV System

For more information on the Advance line of industrial floor cleaning equipment, contact a Shoppa's Mid America sales representative today.

Dirty Warehouse? Clean it Up with the Terra 28B!

The Terra 28B is a perfect cleaning solution for small warehouses or working applications. From cleaning up sawdust in lumber mills to purging carpet in the office, this handy sweeper can handle it all. Featuring easy operation, great maneuverability, durability, active dust control and low maintenance. When you are thinking of a cost effective way to sweep up debris quickly, the Terra 28B is a great solution for a variety of applications.

The Terra 28B features All Surface All Purpose sweeping technology. The efficiency of this machine is maximized as the operator transitions from one floor type to another without having to change the type of broom. The unique broom design is coupled with the incredibly engineered skirting system. The main broom contains dual rows of soft and coarse bristles that will pick up everything from dirt to sand, to paper and plastic bottles on carpet and hardwood floors. The long-running, maintenance free gel battery comes standard on the Terra 28B, while an onboard battery charger allows the operator flexibility to plug the sweeper in any place there is an outlet.

The One-Touch operation, a streamlined design and superior maneuverability make this sweeper easy for any operator to use. This sweeper offers traction assist for fast and easy cleaning. Tools-free broom removal and adjustment makes for easy cleaning of the sweeper at the end of an operator's shift too.

This cleaning machine is made for any and every application that has a demand for maintaining a clean and pristine look and feel. It is also foldable and can be stored nearly anywhere.

To schedule your free demo of the Terra 28B contact Shoppa's Mid America today!

Clean Up the Productivity and Efficiency of Your Facility Maintenance

It can be a daunting task to sort through the industrial and commercial floor cleaning equipment choices available today. With the variety of scrub paths, capabilities and sizes of machines, finding the right solution can be a challenge. It is important to start with questions like:

• Do I need sweeping, scrubbing or sweeping and scrubbing?
• How large is the surface area I need to clean?
• What is the frequency of my cleaning need?
• How wide are my aisles?
• What type of flooring is the machine to be used on?
• What is the debris that I am trying to remove from the floor?

If you're looking for machine solutions that will help reduce your total cost to clean, and people who can understand and meet your needs, then getting in touch with a product specialist and having them discuss the Advance line of industrial sweeper scrubbers could be just what you've been looking for.

The Advance product line has been helping in-house cleaners, contractors and facility managers improve their floor-cleaning programs for over 100 years. Advance is continually developing innovative products for industrial and commercial floor cleaning applications, products that deliver high cleaning productivity, multi-tasking capabilities, and easy maintenance.

As an authorized dealer, Shoppa's Mid America offers top-notch service and expertise in everything from cleaning program analysis to "how-to" answers for your toughest applications. Whether you are operating a single warehouse, a massive manufacturing facility or driving area, floor and lot maintenance is critical not only to employee and inventory safety, but also to the professional appearance of your workplace. Don't let budgetary restraints or chemical solution problems allow dirty floors to create a safety hazard or inventory values to be negatively impacted by airborne dust and dirt.

It's time to advance your cleaning program! Contact Shoppa's Mid America today to schedule your FREE DEMO of the Advance industrial floor cleaning line and review your commercial and industrial floor cleaning equipment applications.