Many commercial cleaning companies rely on best practices like (OS1)®. Programs like OS1 use best practices in cleaning and Team Cleaning® strategies as a foundation. Employees are trained and certified for specific tasks. The result is increased efficiency without sacrificing quality. Valparaiso University accomplished both and so much more when it adopted OS1 in 2019.
During their implementation of (OS1), COVID hit, and Valparaiso experienced reductions in cleaning staff. The pandemic demanded high cleaning standards from a very lean team at Valparaiso.
“We had to do more and do it better with fewer people,” stated Annemarie Wilson-Futrell, Director of Building Services at Valparaiso University. “Becoming more efficient was our goal with (OS1), but the shift did so much more. I think it saved us.”
COVID placed enormous strain on custodial cleaners, but Wilson-Futrell’s staff took the challenge in stride. “People expect more from a cleaning staff when they are worried about the spread of disease. Fortunately, we had the training and best practices in place to ensure a job well done, even in the face of a pandemic.”
Today, Wilson-Futrell’s staff of fewer than 40 works throughout the day to maintain more than 2 million sq. ft. Thanks to their hard work and OS1, they do it well. She said, “There is no question we can clean more in less time, and the quality of work is exceptional.”
Industrial cleaning companies nationwide use (OS1) because of its reputation as a high-performance cleaning operations system. Based on Team Cleaning®, (OS1) uses standardized tools and methods. Employees are trained for specific cleaning duties based on best practices. This approach to cleaning results in several benefits, such as:
Valparaiso has experienced all these benefits, and an unexpected one — Wilson-Futrell’s team has continued to get the job done during lean times.
“Almost three years later, we are still short-staffed,” said Wilson-Futrell. “This can make it difficult to do our job well, but with (OS1), we have been able to do so. Imagine what we can accomplish when we are fully staffed.”
When implementing (OS1), Wilson-Futrell’s team also adopted new equipment — specifically, ProTeam® backpack vacuums. “We have a fleet of 25 corded Super Coach Pro® 6s and a few cordless models. These units are incredible!”
Wilson-Futrell’s team enjoys using the Super Coach Pro (SCP) for several reasons — efficiency is at the top of the list. She said, “The SCP does a much better job on hard surfaces than uprights or mopping. Staff can capture debris the first time, and much more of it.”
The team at Valparaiso also appreciates the compact body and FlexFit® articulating harness of the SCP. “When properly fitted, the Super Coach Pro is very comfortable and fits much better than other backpack vacuums we have used,” stated Wilson-Futrell.
There are several ways the SCP has helped the Valparaiso University cleaning crew save costs. The most obvious is through cleaning efficiencies. More done in less time obviously helps with cost savings.
However, there is more to be said. The reliability of the SCP has also caught Wilson-Futrell’s attention. “The Super Coach Pro has fewer moving parts, so there is less to go wrong, and these units are much more reliable than anything else we have used.”
For three years, Valparaiso University has tackled the cleaning needs of its campus while understaffed. And yet, the cleaning team has done so with great success. Through the implementation of (OS1) and ProTeam vacuums, they thoroughly clean more in less time. And they do it all while maintaining a very high standard of cleanliness.
“We have done remarkable work with limited staff,” stated Wilson-Futrell. “I look forward to what we can accomplish with the best practices of (OS1), ProTeam vacuums, and a full roster of trained employees.”
Learn more about how ProTeam vacuums can help your cleaning business at proteam.emerson.com.
