Window Cleaning Robot, Green Cleaning + Other News

Robots to replace window cleaners on skyscrapers: Dubai: Dubai's skyline will see significant changes when Gekko III and CleanAnt get to work on the city's high-rise buildings. The two are cleaning robots, specialised in cleaning windows and building facades using the latest technologies developed in Switzerland by Serbot AG. "We are bringing this new technology to the UAE where we've seen a lot of potential, especially with the skyscrapers and various architectural designs which are very hard to clean using conventional methods," Bas Schmit Phiferons, Serbot's Business Development Manager, said. Gekko, a disk-shaped robot, has a cleaning capacity of up to 400 square metres/hour, which is fifteen times faster than manual cleaning. It uses vacuum power to attach itself to the surface to be cleaned whether vertical, horizontal or slanted. The robot then uses a windshield-wiper type of brush to blast away any kind of dirt, be it dust, mud or even oils, a residue of fuel burning from cars and jets.
"No detergent is needed for cleaning, which is an added environmental advantage. The robots can use dry ice, demineralised water or water with enzymes to eat away the oils. They also can filter and recycle the used material to minimise waste," Schmit Phiferons said. However, other building shapes require a different method, and this is where CleanAnt is used. Facade cleaning is difficult, expensive and dangerous. The CleanAnt does this work safe and reliable automatically or radio guided, vertical or overhanging areas are not a problem for both robot systems. CleanAnt also overcomes concave and convex areas and obstacles and can work in heavy traffic areas. Although cleaning of skyscrapers is the main field of application of CleanAnt, it can be used as inspection or repair tool for dams and bridges as well.

More states requiring 'green' cleaning products: More states are requiring schools and governments to use environmentally friendly cleaning products, raising debate about their costs and benefits. Ten states including Illinois and New York require or encourage use of "green" floor waxes, window cleaners and other products in schools. Similar bills are expected to be debated this year in at least five states. A plan advancing in the Wisconsin Legislature would require schools and state agencies to use cleaning and paper products certified as environmentally sound by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or one of several groups.
Supporters say such laws protect the environment and reduce the use of harsh chemicals that can hurt the health of workers and children. Critics worry about the cost.

Rockline’s regenerated cotton wipe wins award: Rockline Industries environmentally friendly Regenerated Cotton Wipe has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2010 Visionary Award presented recently at the VISION 2010 Consumer Products Conference in New Orleans. The Regenerated Cotton Wipe was selected over four other finalists by attendees at the ninth annual VISION Conference, which was held from January 20-22 at the Sheraton New Orleans Canal Street. The annual VISION Conference is organized by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry. The substrate for the Regenerated Cotton Wipe is made from 100% biodegradable materials. The blend is 25% Lenzing Tencel and 75% cotton. The cotton is produced from the post-industrial waste from the manufacturing of T-shirts, and the recovery process to regenerate the cotton is energy and water friendly. One of the other four finalists were: The Ultimate Cloth, Advanced Cleaning Technologies ... The Ultimate Cloth is a streak-free window cleaner that cleans and polishes windows, mirrors, windshields and glass as well as many soft surfaces such as leather and vinyl.

Cleaning Corporation - keeping homes and businesses in pristine condition: The Halls are something of a unique feature in Mayo — a husband and wife team running a thriving family cleaning business since 1995, and mopping up a bucketful of accreditations along the way. This husband and wife team have no problem working together, as each has his/her own work remit. Both devise strategy, Lorraine deals with finance, accounts, and HR, and John devises contracts and quotations, ensures standards are upheld, meets clients, and carries out work when required. The company’s window cleaning division includes a number of Mayo hotels. The Halls invested around €20,000 in a top quality ‘reach and wash multi-filter reverse osmosis’ system that allows its workers to clean windows from ground level up to 65 feet high. In our ecologically conscious age, the Halls have been doing their bit for the planet by harvesting rainwater for its window cleaning, office, and domestic operations.

Budding entrepreneurs set to spring-clean Plett (South Africa): KWANOKUTHULA residents Welile ‘Weza’ Nqolo and Melikhaya ‘Elvis’ Jacobs had a dream… and then set out to make it happen! They sought advice, did their own market research, prepared a business plan and registered a close corporation. And last week, the joint owners of Nqolo Jacobs Trading Enterprise CC, or NJ for short, signed their first contract in Plett. They are confident that their cleaning service, which specialises in window cleaning and the clearing of refuse bins and surrounds, will provide Plett with a much needed professional service. As both partners have worked in the cleaning industry and share a combined experience of six years in this field, they are able to offer a range of other cleaning services if required. These two enterprising youngsters also have their own transport and start-up tools of the trade. Their vision is to provide a consistent, reliable and high quality service that will satisfy Plett residents, businesses, local government and homeowners. Currently the partners are the only active team members but they hope, as their business expands, to provide work opportunities to others. Their rates are very affordable and their enthusiasm infectious, so please give them the support they need as a new entrepreneurial enterprise. Phone Weza on 083 749 3507 or Elvis on 083 773 3439.

A Yorkshire firm has set up a new website to gather claims from former coal miners who believe that solicitors undersettled their original government compensation claims. Text on the website reads: ‘Calling all miners suffering from Vibration White Finger? Did you receive an award under the Vibration White Finger Compensation Scheme? Did your claim include damages for services – everyday tasks such as DIY, gardening, window cleaning, decorating or car maintenance? IF NOT you may be entitled to additional damages.’ Jordans offers a ‘no win, no fee’ service for potential claimants.

A man has been struck by lightning in Sydney's outer west and two people have been hospitalised as thunderstorms sweep across NSW. The Ambulance Service of NSW said a 37-year-old man was hit by lightning while doing the washing up near a window at a YMCA camp in Yarramundi at about 7.30pm (AEDT) tonight. Paramedics were treating the man, who was suffering neck and shoulder pain, and planned to take him to hospital. Emergency services were also called to a house in Springwood, in the NSW Blue Mountains, after it was struck by lightning at about 5pm. "It's come through the window, it hit the curtains and ignited them,'' a firefighter at the scene told media at the scene. Two people, including a man suffering smoke inhalation, were taken to Blue Mountains Hospital.

Window Cleaning News

Rogers Back as GM of Unger UK: Dave Rogers has rejoined Unger as UK general manager. Well known in the British cleaning industry, Rogers originally joined Unger in January 1997, during which time he significantly increased revenue and profitability and championed the development of several product innovations, including the Unger HiFlo CarbonTec water-fed pole system. In early 2007 he left Unger to lead the commercial activities of a company in the grounds care and landscaping sector; in 2008, he served as managing director of Avmor UK, which he still owns.

Pictured:Hornets mascot Hercules with Moggy before he set off on the walk from Rochdale to Swinton. Rochdale's ladder-toting window cleaner Steve 'Moggy' Murray raised nearly £300 for Hornets on a sponsored walk between Rochdale and Swinton. Moggy, famous for carrying his ladder on charity walks all over the country, stepped up to the plate once again as he walked to Hornets game against Swinton in the Carnegie Challenge Cup. The game brought a memorable victory for Hornets, while Moggy raised some much needed funds for the new club and did a lap of honour at the ground to top up the coffers. Moggy took up his famous ladder again on Good Friday, walking from the Tanners Arms on Whitworth Road to Spotland for Hornets derby match against Oldham to raise further funds.

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Twin Cities: SEIU Local 26 Endorses Starbucks Workers Union Campaign: SEIU Local 26 represents 5,000 janitors, security officers, and window cleaners in the Twin Cities area in collective bargaining. The International Union represents nearly a quarter million workers in building services. Many of the workers they represent work in downtown Minneapolis in building services. Union officers were excited at the prospect of being able to buy union-made coffee from Starbucks locations downtown, and throughout the area. The next time you see a union janitor, security guard, or window cleaner, let them know you are glad to stand together with them for labor rights!

Window cleaner sick of fly-tippers: A WINDOW cleaner has slammed the state of Wardleworth’s streets after becoming fed up of seeing fly-tipped waste on his rounds. David Dyson wants Rochdale Council to take tougher action against the culprits and crack down on the problem. He told the Observer he has reported a number of incidents to the environmental services department over recent months, but was disappointed at the ‘lack of response’ to his complaints. He believes that the situation has worsened since he started working in the area two years ago and decided to voice his disgust after spotting rats among the rubbish in Good Shepherd Close. He said: "I’ve reported my concerns to the council’s environmental management hotline at least half-a-dozen times, but nothing seems to have been done.
"It’s disappointing because there’s rubbish everywhere. Lots of waste has been dumped, including old mattresses, bags of household waste and old newspapers. It’s not pleasant to see vermin running about." Mr Dyson complained that fly-tippers are targeting the whole of the neighbourhood and regularly dumping waste on the streets. "I spend a lot of my time in the area and at least 10 streets seem to be affected, including Ramsay Street, Trafalgar Street and Good Shepherd Close." Peter Cunningham, the head of the council’s environmental management service, said: "When residents report fly-tipped items we investigate every single case within two days and then take action as appropriate."

Invermere local Darryl Stettler has taken gold, silver and bronze trophies at three different judo and karate championships across B.C. and Alberta. He won gold at the Vancouver International Judo Championship on Feb. 4, silver at the Calgary Kyokushin Karate Cup at the Deerfoot Casino the same month and in March, picked up a bronze medal at the Edmonton International Judo Championship. Owner of Your Private Connection, a cleaning, lawn maintenance, delivery and window washing business, Stettler trains locally on a regular basis across multiple disciplines, and said that was what gave him the edge while fighting. He currently has a yellow belt. In the past Stettler has been a participant in the Rumble in the Cage cage match on the Fight Channel in Lethbridge last October. He also won the Rumble in the Rockies held locally in 2004. He was interested in competing in the upcoming So You Wanna Fight? competition being held at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena June 13, but was told he couldn’t. “I’m pro so I can’t go in it this year,” he said.

Three librarians vying to head the Multnomah County Library fielded questions and shared their experience during a public forum Tuesday. First up was Holly Carroll, interim director of Cleveland Public Library. Carroll has worked in libraries for more than 18 years, including serving as director of the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library in Ohio and deputy director of the Cleveland system, which employs 600 people and operates 28 branches. A library advocate wanted to know how Carroll would react to a 20 percent budget cut. Multnomah County Chairman Ted Wheeler has asked all county departments to cut their general fund budgets by 12 percent. Carroll said she had to cut the Cleveland library's budget by $5 million just last year and did so by not filling open positions, cutting the material budget and finding out what expenditures it could do without, such as eliminating window washing every other month.

For the last 14 years the Cleaning Corporation Limited in Castlebar has been providing a 100 per cent risk free guarantee for all its cleaning services. Customers enjoy peace of mind knowing that they are dealing with a first class professional service, with professional and ethical policies, practices, and procedures that ensure everyone is completely at ease and satisfied when booking a service. John and Lorraine Hall are absolutely passionate about their business and its success and of course guarantee high service standards. Value for money is their motto. It also offers domestic and commercial window cleaning services. Using purified harvested rainwater, its system cleans your glass and frames of your windows from the safety of the ground. Because the water is purified it cleans and rinses the windows to a spot free finish, as there are zero impurities in the water. This is very different to water straight from a tap as it contains natural impurities and additives.

MOSES LAKE — Joe Erickson’s window washing business opened in time to help customers start spring cleaning before Easter and subsequent house guests. “My biggest thing is, in the spring, what better than spring cleaning?” he said. There are many elements that can damage one’s windows, such as hard water, verified Erickson, owner of Emerald Services. He recommends window sealing for customers who only want their windows washed once a year. The sealing is needed due to the acid rain, hard water and bird waste in the area. Dirt is another factor when window cleaning in dusty Grant County. When Erickson’s not cleaning windows, he’s figured out related tasks to keep busy throughout the year. “I looked at a lot of different things,” he said. “How can I take and make this business a full year and make money year-round?” He also cleans awnings, gutters and screens and does window restoration and window sealing. Currently, Erickson is working to build a customer base that will keep using his services. “Everyone thinks a rag, Windex and newspapers will take care of it,” he noted. “I did quite a bit of research and learned more now when I was in school. I’m doing it because it’s my life, not because teachers told me.” After graduating from college, he wasn’t able to find work in his field upon returning to Moses Lake in 2006.
He credits family friend and Bishop Spray Service owner Dan Bishop with helping him develop his business idea. “He knew I was looking for something and he helped me come up with the whole idea of washing windows,” Erickson said. “He showed me a lot of the ropes I’m sure a lot of people would charge for.” Erickson said he subscribes to newsletters to learn more about his new endeavor. He’s also looking forward to becoming nationally certified in window washing, which is offered from ground level to high rise work.

A DAD gunned down on his doorstep was yesterday sitting up in his hospital bed chatting to his family and friends. Christopher Dean, 36, who was shot as he let his dog out for a run at his home in Paisley, was expected to be moved out of the High Dependency Unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital as he continued to make a remarkable recovery. His distraught girlfriend, 36-year-old Charlene Dreghorn, was among his anxious visitors and said she was thrilled that he was on the mend. The mum-of-three added "He is in pain but sitting up chatting. He went through surgery and now has a scar on his stomach. He’s in a lot of pain. It was wonderful to see him and be able to tell him I love him."
Charlene, who lives in Paisley, added: "I think it will take a while before Christopher fully recovers. "The sooner he’s out of hospital the happier I will be. "He didn’t speak much of the shooting but I did hear him say the man with the gun wore a black hooded jumper. It all sounds terrifying to me." Christopher, a window cleaner, was targeted by a hitman who lay in wait at the side door of the family home at Brewster Avenue, in Gallowhill, Paisley, as he was letting his Rottweiler out around 12.10am on Wednesday. A single shot rang out and Christopher was hit in the stomach.

Running London Marathon for Help the Heroes – a military charity helping those wounded in Britain's current conflicts – is veteran runner Paul Ridgeway (50). It is the Nocton window cleaner's seventh London Marathon with Mr Ridgeway completing the demanding course in less than three hours – two hours and 58 minutes – in his heyday.

Choosing The Right Insurance Coverage: Building service contractors are looking for every way to save money in these lean times. From transportation and supply to labor and equipment costs, BSCs are cutting expenses to survive. However, according to industry experts, insurance is not an expense with which a BSC should look to save money. With small profit margins, a small accident or theft could push an uninsured BSC over the financial edge, not to mention what a catastrophic event would do. “Having adequate insurance coverage is important in tough economic times — if contractors reduce their level of coverage and don’t have adequate rotection, they may be faced with paying for the consequences of injury or loss out of their own pocket,” says Deb Denker, industry manager, Travelers Commercial Accounts, Hartford, Conn. “If contractors don’t have the means to pay for a claim or the high defense cost associated with a claim that may result in a civil suit, they could be forced out of business.”

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg rolled up his sleeves yesterday to clean windows at a hostel for the homeless. The MP washed two windows at the five-storey Salvation Army-run block in Bristol to see how social enterprise company Aspire provides jobs for the long- term unemployed and homeless. Mr Clegg said he was surprised to hear from window cleaner George James they were not allowed to use ladders for health and safety reasons. Instead they use a long pole brush, through which water is pumped. Mr Clegg said: "He told me that three or four years ago someone stopped them from using ladders because of health and safety - that's pretty draconian stuff." The Lib Dem leader rolled up his sleeves and washed windows with a 20ft pole during his visit. Aspire is based at the Barton Hill trading estate and has been running for 10 years. It provides employment in three areas, gardening and maintenance, painting and decorating, and window cleaning. Mr Clegg said schemes like Aspire were needed to beat the financial downturn. ...Mr. Clegg should also learn the law concerning health & safety.