Keeping Up With Trends In The JanSan Industry

By Keith Schneringer, Senior Director of Marketing – JanSan + Sustainability at BradyPLUS

Keith Schneringer

A Time Of Great Change

We are living through a time of great changes in the cleaning industry.

From the monumental impacts of the pandemic, to the resulting supply chain challenges and associated inflationary pressures of the past several years, to the relentless march of technology to deliver more and more efficiencies, to the rapid shift to more remote and hybrid work, to the ever-accelerating trend of industry consolidation; it feels like we are experiencing a host of enormous changes all at once in a relatively short timeframe.

For an industry that has historically exhibited relative stability for so much of its existence, all these big changes represent a switch.

Some Thoughts On Change

According to Irish playwright and critic George Bernard Shaw, “Progress is impossible without change.”

And for those of you who aren’t necessarily convinced that all these changes represent progress, legendary UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden is credited with having said, “All change may not be progress, but all progress is the result of change.”

While it has always been helpful to stay abreast of changes and trends in the industry, the pace of change seems to be accelerating. And this accelerated pace of change has made it increasingly challenging to stay up to date on all the trends.

However, the effort to keep up with the changes and trends is usually worth it in the end. Staying well-informed can help you remain more relevant during these turbulent times, and being relevant can help your business, your clients, and yourself be successful.

And “If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less,” according to retired U.S. Army General Eric Shinseki.

Staying Abreast Of Changes And Trends

So, what are some strategies for keeping up with changes and trends and remaining relevant?

1. Read industry publications: As a common source of reliable information for people throughout the industry, these topical publications keep their fingers on the pulse of the industry to keep people informed and help create a community.
2. Network and attend industry events: When you surround yourself with people who know more than you do, your knowledge base goes up through the association.
3. Join industry associations: When you join an industry association, you spend time with a self-selected group of individuals who also demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.
4. Take industry classes: An investment in your ongoing education is an investment in yourself and your professional development.
5. Do online research: Use technology to search for answers to questions. Never before in history have we had such immediate access to so much information with a simple online search.
6. Leave your computer and engage with the world: Sometimes you need to leave the relative safety of your home or office and the comfort and convenience of your computer and other technology and spend time in buildings being cleaned.

Some Changes And Trends To Watch

So, what are some of the changes and trends we are keeping our eyes on?

Here are a few to get the conversation started:

• Sustainability: What once was looked upon as possibly being a fad in the cleaning industry has continued to evolve and make impacts as a long-term and accelerating trend. It includes cleaning to protect health while also reducing impacts on the environment.
• Health + Wellness: Speaking of public health, the pandemic and recent wildfires have highlighted the important role that cleaning plays in protecting health, with a focus on enhancing hand hygiene, improved surface cleanliness, effective floorcare protocols, and improved indoor air quality strategies.
• Productivity: Recent challenges in finding and retaining cleaning staff have shone a light on the ongoing need for labor-saving equipment, tools, and chemistry, as well as the associated training to help cleaning teams continue to do more with less.
• Technology + Innovation: The continuing advancement of technology and innovation in the fields of robotics, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence are noteworthy subsets of the “Productivity” trend. Using machine learning to streamline and further optimize cleaning processes will be an exciting trend to watch.

Industry Trends

Whether you are new to the industry, or have been around for many years, we look forward to joining you as a part of the community that will continue to watch and shape changes and trends of the future!

About BradyPLUS (formerly known as BradyIFS + Envoy Solutions): BradyPLUS is a leading national distributor and solution provider focused on JanSan, foodservice, and industrial packaging. We are driven to make customers more successful and operations more productive and sustainable. We offer Supplies PLUS Support: Premium brands, expert advice, and exceptional customer experiences. Our 6,000 associates have a passion for delivering innovative solutions for the business challenges of today and tomorrow. Together, we serve over 100,000 customers nationwide in end markets, including education, government, healthcare, hospitality, restaurants, building services, food packaging & processing, and grocery. For more information, please visit www.bradyplus.com.