Technology - the key driver for a maturing UK Contract Cleaning market

The use of new technology is driving advances in performance and efficiency in the UK contract cleaning sector. The ‘Contract Cleaning Market Report – UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report, published by AMA Research, highlights pressure on the cleaning industry to improve standards, particularly in the healthcare sector, while also increasing efficiency.

Technology and sustainability are key drivers of the UK Contract Cleaning Market. Following three years of marginal growth, the UK contract cleaning market accelerated between 2014 and 2016 in line with the economy. Uncertainty caused by factors such as Brexit mean that this market growth is unlikely to be sustained over the next few years.

Contract cleaning is a mature market covering both single and multi-service contracts, in the commercial, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, transport, local authority and central government sectors. There has been an underlying trend towards greater levels of outsourcing over the last decade which has driven demand for the contracting out of cleaning services.

Cleaning and hygiene services often form part of a total facilities management contract, typically comprising around 12-15% of the contract value. Despite over 40,000 businesses operating in the cleaning industry, the market for contractors is dominated by a relatively small number of large FM and multi service providers and large and medium sized specialist cleaning contractors. There is also a significant franchise sector in the market, as cleaning remains one of the most popular franchise opportunities, offering a relatively low-cost investment, in a robust market with relatively few barriers to entry.

Fiona Watts of AMA Research said:

”Cleaning is one of the most competitive of all contracted-out sectors, and profit margins are under significant pressure due to rising labour costs and increasing raw material and equipment costs. In addition, there is pressure on the cleaning industry to improve standards, particularly in the healthcare sector, while also increasing efficiency.”

The drive towards more sustainable cleaning practices has become an important issue within the industry, with clients demanding more sustainable practices from contract cleaning companies. The market is embracing the use of technology, which is driving advances in performance and efficiency and will continue to be a strong driving force in the market as public and private sectors look to maximise value from contracts.

Looking forward, moderate growth is expected to continue within the contract cleaning market with a mix of negative and positive factors impacting the market. The demand for bundled service and Total Facilities Management contracts will continue to be a strong driving force as public and private sectors look to maximise value from contracts. Demand in many sectors are expected to decline in the coming years, such as the retail sector and the commercial office sector where reduced development activity will limit new contract cleaning opportunities in the short term.

The ‘Contract Cleaning Market Report – UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience in the construction and home improvement markets.

The Ezitracker team comments: 

“UK cleaning contractors embracing technology can measure and monitor their cleaning procedures. By gathering data and analysing it real-time, it to helps them to work smarter, create efficiencies and raise standards. Technology can help these businesses analyse productivity at the touch of a button and this information can then be used to develop competitive strategies.”

Ezitracker technology enables employers of large remote workforces such as cleaners and maintenance workers to reduce absenteeism, lower costs via automation, and increase productivity and efficiencies.