5 Suggestions for Hiring a Top-Flight Cleaning Company
Choosing the right commercial cleaning services provider is vital for an aerospace facility. In addition to staying in compliance with OSHA and other federal and state legislation and meeting ISO and good manufacturing process (GMP) cleaning standards, the health and safety of your staff, visitors, customers, and potential customers, even national security, depend on this decision.
Unfortunately, too often, those making the decision think “cleaning is cleaning” and base their decision on little more than the bottom line without taking some of the “extras” into account—until something happens and they wish they had!
Of course, budget is always an important consideration, but below are a few attributes that make some aerospace commercial cleaning companies soar above the rest.
1. Experience
Cleaning a complex aerospace facility is far different than cleaning an office or government building. In addition to the “normal” spaces such as meeting rooms, cafeterias/lunch areas, offices, and lobbies, companies that specialize in aerospace must have a team experienced in nearly every type of space imaginable—from labs and cleanrooms to high bays and top security areas.
Suggestion: Look for a cleaning service provider with extensive experience in aerospace and a stellar track record. Request safety record data and testimonials from current clients.
2. Flexibility
Partnering with an aerospace provider large and knowledgeable enough to clean a complex aerospace facility with adequate staffing is essential. Yet many commercial cleaning services are large corporations with shareholders that must be included in decisions. This means it can take days, weeks, and even months to get a decision approved, even when the delay could cost the facility thousands of dollars. It is essential to have a team that can quickly switch over a cleanroom or lab from one product to another or adapt to a security protocol change, for example. Given the significance of aerospace to national security, it is crucial to have a trustworthy provider that can adapt quickly and efficiently to changing circumstances.
Suggestion: Look for a sizeable company where decisions can be made quickly. A privately-owned company may be more flexible than a publicly traded one that must answer to shareholders and a board of directors. Ask about their cleanroom program to ensure it includes proper protocols for dealing promptly and efficiently with unexpected cleanroom changes or breaches.
3. Security
Many companies claim to do background checks, but aerospace facilities can’t be too careful when it comes to plants dealing in top-secret national security information. Instead, they should look for a company with a proven track record and a thorough screening and background check program that includes internal and third-party research by a reputable company. The last thing any aerospace facility wants or can afford is tailgating or other security breaches.
Suggestion: Look for a company that does rigorous recruiting and hiring as well as background checks, including by third parties. Examine the company security record.
4. Additional services
Some commercial cleaning service companies are good at custodial work, but that’s as far as it goes. For aerospace clients, having separate vendors for custodial, facility maintenance, groundskeeping, safety checks, and other duties can be frustrating, time-consuming, and ultimately more expensive.
Suggestion: Look for a partner with stellar custodial services and a facility maintenance division so you do not need to worry about a separate vendor.
5. Staffing and training
Having adequate cleaning personnel to maintain cleanrooms, laboratories, high bays, and other complex areas in an aerospace facility can keep production running smoothly. Conversely, insufficient staffing can cost an aerospace facility time and money, sometimes in the millions. Similarly, contracting a company with an employee revolving door and constantly putting new, inexperienced cleaning technicians on a site can pose safety, production, and other risks.
Suggestion: Look for a partner with a good number of longtime employees. Find out how many are fully trained and have the necessary security clearance to fill in in case of an unexpected worker absence. Check out the company’s training program to ensure it is in-depth and includes in-person, online, and hands-on training—and not just the latter.
Check Out the Top Aerospace Cleaning Services Provider
Are you looking for a commercial cleaning services provider with solid aerospace expertise? Servicon has 50 years of aerospace experience, a superior safety record, glowing client testimonials, and an impressive array of certifications and aerospace-specific awards. Browse our website, email us at hello@servicon.com, or call us at 310-204-5040 to find out more.
