CFJ talks to Simon Testa, managing director of Stainbusters Cleaning and Hygiene, in the second part of our interview

Last month we introduced Simon Testa, managing director of Stainbusters Cleaning and Hygiene, described as a specialist in hard floor cleaning and resilient floor refurbishment. Simon had been in the carpet cleaning, upholstery, curtains and rug industry for about 20 years when he felt he needed to move into something new – resilient and hard floor cleaning. And he preferred the idea of refurbishment ‘rather than ripping out old floors and replacing them which has a much more harmful impact on the environment’.

This month, we look at questions such as: how can the company save customers money, and what, in particular, are the savings that follow on from refurbishing rather than replacing?

In Simon’s view, ‘floor renewal and refurbishment is still largely a service that organisations don’t yet know about’.

He thinks that with increasing focus on environmental impact, time and cost savings, it’s increasing in demand, not just in the UK but worldwide. This is why he expects it ‘to be a bigger focus for Stainbusters Cleaning and Hygiene over the next few years and into the future’.

He continues: ‘Renewing surfaces is more sustainable for the environment than replacing the flooring itself, and as a result, enables customers to contribute to the circular economy.’

It’s relevant to Simon that ‘the CO2 energy savings of going down the renewal route are significant, enabling customers to reduce their carbon footprint by up to 90% – compared to a brand-new installation’.

And in practical terms, it’s also a much quicker process than a brand-new installation – he says typically, 300sq m can be renewed in just three to four days.

Further, Stainbusters Cleaning says opting for a renewal could save around 50% of the cost of a brand-new installation, while also delivering the quality and end result of a new floor. In fact, he says ‘the standard is so high that it’s virtually impossible to spot the difference – it has the look and feel of a brand-new floor’.

The majority of companies are not aware that renewal is an option or is suitable for their situation.

‘They often think that if a floor is well worn with scratches, dents, and gaps then it is beyond repair and needs to be ripped out and replaced with new. However, this course of action is rarely needed… floor surfaces that are in bad condition can generally be transformed through renewal until they look and feel like a brand-new floor.’

Of course, to get the message over means heightening the awareness of the process. And to this end, the company, says Stainbusters Cleaning, attends several trade shows annually including those where Bona is exhibiting and, as noted earlier, promotes the service regularly using social media channels.

On top of this Stainbusters Cleaning uses Bona’s Floor Visualiser to show potential customers how an existing floor could look once refurbished. Of this he says: ‘customers are pleasantly surprised at how many options are available to give the floor a like new look – a completely new colour, company logos and graphics, and decorative chips to completely transform the old floor’.

The company also uses a calculator for the CO2 savings which he says, ‘surprises customers of the savings compared to replacing the floor with a new one.’

It’s all a matter of sustainability
Sustainability is important to Stainbusters Cleaning and the company’s customers. He comments that ‘eco-friendly flooring choices have evolved significantly and provide contractors like us and our customers with greater options to suit a wide range of requirements and budgets’.

He makes the point ‘Stainbusters Cleaning and Hygiene only uses sustainable and environmentally friendly products. Our products are ecofriendly, free from harmful chemicals and our company ethos is built around reducing waste and fewer items ending up in landfills’.

Stainbusters Cleaning adds that the company tries to work with companies with the same principles.

And there we have it – a business providing a new and innovative service, that not only saves them time and money, but is sustainable as well looking after the planet.
www.stainbusterscleaning.co.uk