An indigenous commercial cleaning company, Spaklean, has become the first in Africa to achieve the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) certification.
The CIMS certification is issued by ISSA (International Sanitary Supply Association), the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry to firms which have undergone its rigorous procedures to distinguish themselves in the sector.
The certification is the first of its kind by the global body on cleaning for an African company and will span the next two years.
A statement from the company said that CIMS was developed by ISSA as a comprehensive management and operations standard for cleaning organisations across the globe.
It said it had since become the game-changer for facility managers and cleaning business owners working in a competitive marketplace. It added that the journey to achieve the international accreditation with ISSA began in 2019 – and concluded this year with the first certification to an Africa-based company.
Road to success
“It has been over two years of rigorous activities – work study, documentation, training, monitoring and internal audit of procedures, policies and process,” said the Managing Director of Spaklean, Mrs. Dinah Owusu-Kissi.
“It feels good to lead a dedicated and passionate team to achieve such a great feat of being the first in Africa with CIMS certification and with honours,” she added. According to her, the achievement seems like a dream, and she expressed appreciation to the team for their effort over the years.
Processes
The statement explained that as part of the CIMS certification, Spaklean underwent a comprehensive assessment by a third-party CIMS-accredited auditor.
It mentioned that during the audit Spaklean demonstrated its compliance with the five core principles of the standard: which included (1) quality systems; (2) service delivery; (3) human resources’ (4) health, safety and environmental stewardship; and (5) management commitment.
“The certification process itself is enlightening and educative. Already, we see the benefits in terms of the quality of work, service delivery and, more importantly, savings – yes, real cost savings,” said the General Manager in charge of Commercial Operations, Mr. Billins Akuoko.
“Since we began CIMS implementation, issues relating to quality, customer services, health and safety are resolved instantly. Our clients are delighted because their buildings are managed by a CIMS-certified service provider,” says the MD.
Incorporated in April 2007, Spaklean is a wholly Ghanaian-owned company that has succeeded in changing the face of commercial cleaning.
It started with four employees in one facility, but currently has over 500 employees in over 120 buildings for about 30 contract clients. In 2014, it obtained a Chemical Manufacturing Licence to produce cleaning chemicals under the brand name Spabbles – affording it the opportunity to customise cleaning products to the needs of its growing clients.
Spaklean is a member of Contract Cleaners Association of Ghana (CCAG) and known for its ‘Sparkling Healthcare Campaign’ that supports public healthcare facilities with training and cleaning during public holidays. Spaklean has been adjudged the Best Industry Compliant Company and also received the Health and Safety Award in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
