Initial results last longer
April 1st 2006

As detailed last issue, 3M's thicker floor pads last longer and reduce the risk of HAVs.

Now one of the UK's largest contract cleaning firms - Initial - has taken a shine to them

Now ten per cent thicker, 3M's Scotch-Brite Plus floor pads for use with commercial floor buffing and polishing machines offer increased comfort and productivity. Initial - one of the biggest contract cleaning companies in the UK - has started to use them across many retail establishments in London.

John Stent, District Operations Manager for Initial in the City of London, explained, " Our mission is to achieve unrivalled customer satisfaction by providing the highest quality and most innovative cleaning service to the retail, leisure and hotel sector. We have used 3M floor pads and other 3M cleaning products for many years. In recent trials, we have found that the new Scotch-Brite Plus floor pads provide excellent results."

John continued, "One of the problems that we encounter when cleaning and polishing large retail areas is that floor buffing and polishing machine operatives tend to use the maximum pressure possible on the machine settings. This can wear out floor pads more quickly."

3M has made the new Scotch-Brite Plus floor pads10% thicker so they can withstand more pressure, and last longer than the previous floor pads. The softer and thicker cushioning of the Scotch-Brite Plus floor pad enables easier achievement of the removal of marks and dirt and a high gloss shine - and affords the rotary machinery operator more comfort by reducing vibration. In July 2005 a new Directive came into force, aiming to tighten control over levels of vibration to which workers are exposed and therefore reduce the potential of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

Andy Fernley, technical specialist in 3M's Building and Commercial Services, explains: "Recently, in two tests covering different machine speeds with multiple data points and across varying operations, the vibration level of the blue Scotch-Brite plus floor pad (used for the removal of stubborn marks and dirt) was 11.6% lower than the conventional Scotch-Brite floor pad, and 22.8% lower than another leading brand. The vibration level of the red Scotch-Brite plus floor pad (used for spray cleaning and buffing) was 20% lower than conventional Scotch-Brite floor pads and 28.1% lower than another leading brand."

Scotch-Brite Plus floor pads are available in a range of sizes and functionality for rotary machines and auto scrubber driers.

More articles from 3M c/o The McOnie Agency: