3-Question Roundtable Interviews With Maintenance Sales News

The following companies recently participated in a 3-Question Roundtable interview for Maintenance Sales News.

Responses from Susan Rosenberg, CEO of Aluf Plastics

Susan Rosenberg

1). In the competitive jan/san and related industries, how does your sales staff (and possibly other employees) separate your company’s products/services from the competition?

“Our experienced team focuses on helping customers, not just selling to them. With an average tenure of 15 years and deep industry expertise, they bring a level of knowledge and insight that’s hard to find elsewhere. Our employees are qualified to answer questions and are dedicated to helping customers choose the most effective trash liner solutions — delivering both performance and cost savings.

“This level of personalized support sets us apart. We’ve won the ISSA Best Customer Service Award twice. At our company, it’s not just about offering quality products, it’s about having exceptional people committed to supporting you every step of the way.”

2). How is the current economic business environment, including developments involving tariffs, impacting your company (from either a positive and/or negative standpoint)?

“Aluf is proud to say that tariffs have no impact on our business because we’re a domestic manufacturer. All of our products are made right here in the United States, which means we maintain reliable availability, offer fast delivery, and avoid passing on any tariff-related costs to our customers.

“While other companies struggle to navigate tariff issues or pass additional costs on to their customers, we continue to offer the same great products with no added expense. Additionally, 99% of our raw materials are domestically sourced.”

3). What has worked well over the years to allow for your company’s continued success?

“One of the key drivers of our long-term success at Aluf is the deep sense of pride and care that runs throughout the company. As a family-owned business, our knowledge and passion have been passed down from generation to generation, creating a strong foundation of expertise and commitment.

“At Aluf, everyone is treated like family; we extend that same respect and care to our customers. We truly believe in our products and in our business model, and we proudly stand behind every liner we manufacture.

“The motto under our logo is: ‘Our reputation in every bag.’ You can’t build a lasting business without a genuine belief in what you do. That belief has always been at the heart of Aluf.”

Aluf Plastics is a minority, woman-owned (WBENC member), family-run, manufacturer of commercial, retail and private label can liners. From hundreds of stock items to custom solutions, we provide a comprehensive range of liners and sheeting in a wide variety of materials, gauges, sizes, and options to address your every need. Visit www.alufplastics.com.

Responses from Nilfisk

1). In the competitive jan/san and related industries, how does your sales staff (and possibly other employees) separate your company’s products/services from the competition?

“Nilfisk distinguishes itself through innovative solutions, a broad product portfolio, and an exceptional customer experience. Key differentiators include:

• Innovations through customer-led insights:Nilfisk prioritizes research and development, creating advanced cleaning solutions based on customer feedback and deep insights. Their products feature cutting-edge technology to enhance productivity, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Broad portfolio of cleaning solutions:Nilfisk offers a diverse range of cleaning equipment, including commercial and industrial floor care equipment, vacuum cleaners, and high-pressure washers. This extensive product line enables them to serve various industries such as Jan San/Building Service Contractors, Warehouse & Logistics, Education, Government, Manufacturing, Healthcare, and more.
• Customer-centric approach: Nilfisk is dedicated to providing excellent customer service and support. They offer tailored solutions to meet specific customer needs and maintain a robust after-sales service network.
• Sustainability:Nilfisk’s sustainability strategy focuses on reducing environmental impact, promoting human rights, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and ensuring ethical business practices. They aim to develop energy-efficient cleaning solutions that reduce water usage and minimize detergent use. As a result, Nilfisk has received the EcoVadis Gold Rating, placing them among the top 2% of companies assessed for sustainable business practices. They have also consistently achieved an ‘A-‘ score from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for their climate actions and disclosures.

“These accolades highlight Nilfisk’s dedication to sustainability and excellence in the cleaning industry.”

2). How is the current economic business environment, including developments involving tariffs, impacting your company (from either a positive and/or negative standpoint)? Please explain.

“The direct financial impact of tariffs on the company has been limited so far. To prepare for the school season, Nilfisk proactively added desired products to our inventory to ensure availability without major tariff implications.

“To mitigate future tariff impact, Nilfisk is leveraging their flexible and robust supply chain network. With factories in North America and Europe, Nilfisk can quickly adjust how products are delivered to North America. This flexibility, combined with collaboration with suppliers and moderate price increases, positions us well to offset and manage the direct impact of tariffs.”

3). What has worked well over the years to allow for your company’s continued success? Please discuss.

“Nilfisk’s continued success can be attributed to several key factors:

• A customer-centric, solution-oriented approach:Nilfisk doesn’t just sell products but offers solutions to cleaning applications and problems in commercial and industrial spaces. From ideation to commercialization, Nilfisk has engaged its stakeholders to ensure the experience that is ultimately delivered, is a highly desired one.
• People & culture: The focus on understanding and meeting customer needs has been pivotal. And employees recognize that delivering a stellar customer experience goes beyond building and selling a tailored solution. It also involves a robust after-sales service network that ensures high customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Global Presence:With a global footprint, Nilfisk is able to leverage its size and significant economies of scale for the benefit of its customers and stakeholders. With factories in APAC, North America, and Europe, Nilfisk can adapt to changing market conditions and deliver consistent quality and support worldwide.

“These strategies have enabled Nilfisk to achieve organic growth and improved customer experiences, ensuring their position as a leading global supplier of professional cleaning equipment and services.”

Since 1906, Nilfisk has been on a mission of producing and selling professional cleaning products of the highest quality worldwide. Today, Nilfisk offers an extensive range of premium cleaning products and is a trusted aftermarket service-provider to the professional market. We are a global company operating in over 40 countries, with 4,500+ employees and our products are sold in more than 100 countries. Visit Nilfisk.us.