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Facilities Maintenance Trends: 3 Secrets to Success in 2017

Categories: Cleaning Best Practices

The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association has put out the PRSM annual trends report for 2017 and every article has a common thread: change. From the evolving role of facilities managers to developing technology to shifts in regulations, the industry requires facilities maintenance and janitorial service providers to stay on their toes.

Prestige Maintenance USA (PMUSA) remains a family-owned and -operated business after more than 40 years in business. In an industry where fewer and fewer independently owned companies exist, our structure allows us to be agile and adapt to changing conditions. We cut through the red tape to quickly react to changing market conditions, new technology, customer needs and regulatory variations.

Get Serious About Sustainability/Green Cleaning
Green never goes out of style, so even though the focus on sustainability is anything but new, it’s still worth mentioning in our 2017 list. ISSA calls green cleaning is “a marketplace phenomenon” that is “arguably the No. 1 trend in our industry.” It also says the trend “shows no signs of slowing down” because it is driven by customer demand. Retailers such as Walmart and The Home Depot have introduced official policies regarding chemicals and cleaning products and others are following suit.

“Stewardship is an essential part of our company culture, from supporting local charities to minimizing our environmental impact,” says PMUSA CEO Rachel Sanchez. “The CIMS-GB certification highlights our organization-wide commitment to environmentally sustainable operation.”

Focus on Relationship Selling
One of PRSM’s top predictions for 2017 trends is relationship selling. In the report Duane Cashin, president of Cashin & Company and PRSM presenter, says, “Today, retailers are bombarded with emails and webinars, and they can find a lot of factual information using the Internet. However, what they are really looking for is the opportunity to develop partnerships with understanding, intelligent, insightful, knowledgeable suppliers who are seeking opportunities to come alongside them and solve problems.”

Know the Retail Industry

Retailers are relying on their facility maintenance and janitorial teams to elevate their stores and make them appealing to customers. In 2017, nearly any product can be sourced online, so retailers need to work harder than ever to ensure that their stores are inviting environments. The cleanliness of a retail store has a significant impact on customer satisfaction and is a vital part of maintaining an appealing atmosphere.

“The retail industry has been and continues to experience rapid evolutionary changes,” said Leigh Pearson, 2016-2017 Chair of the PRSM Association Board of Directors and Director, Facility, Environmental & Procurement Services at Staples Canada. “These changes provide a great platform for today’s facilities management professionals to help move retail towards an even brighter, more exciting future.”

About the Author.

Rachel Sanchez is the CEO of Prestige Maintenance USA , a Plano, TX-based building service contractor with more than 3,000 employees nationwide. For more information, visit www.prestigeusa.net.