Hygiene Group provides the solution for Norcros Adhesives

Hygiene Group, the specialist contract cleaning services provider, is working with one of the UK’s leading adhesives manufacturers to deliver cleaning for its on-site storage facilities.

Norcros Adhesives manufactures and supplies tile adhesives, grouts, surface preparation and aftercare products to a range of customers, including its sister company, tile manufacturer Johnson Tiles.

Hygiene Group has been contracted to clean the company’s three external silos, each of which has a 50 tonne capacity and is 40ft high, plus two smaller indoor cylindrical tanks, with a height of 16ft, at its state-of-the-art facility in Stoke-on-Trent.

The silos and tanks are used for the storage of bulk raw materials, such as sand and cement, for the production of tile adhesives. To avoid problems which may be caused by cross-contamination, it is vital that the silos are cleaned every time the material stored inside them is changed.

Hygiene’s dedicated team of cleaners have been trained to work at height and to operate within confined spaces. This was a key requirement for this project, particularly due to the height of the silos and limited access through the awkward positioning of the off-centre entry hatch situated at the top. Cleaners ride a winch which lowers them into the silo. Because of the dusty nature of the raw materials, the use of breathing apparatus is also necessary, which in turn requires additional staff training and equipment.

Roger Wibberley, head of operations for Norcros Adhesives, said: "To ensure the quality and integrity of raw materials is maintained for our production needs, our on-site silos require expert cleaning which can present a real logistical challenge. We selected Hygiene Group for this contract due to their innovative approach, high standard and delivery of their trained operational staff and use of the latest cleaning technologies and equipment.

"We knew about their proven track record with existing customers across a wide range of industrial sectors and they provide us with an excellent service that ensures our silos are kept clean and in perfect operational order."

Steve Bailey, managing director for Hygiene Group, added: "The cleaning of large storage structures such as these silos can be challenging, but our skill, expertise and bespoke project approach has enabled us to deliver a high level of cleaning for Norcros. This demonstrates the flexibility of our services to meet the needs of a wide variety of commercial and industrial customers."

Part of the Norcros Group of companies, Norcros Adhesives, supplies its products to an extensive UK base of customers as well as exporting to Ireland and the Middle East.

Its products are used for the fixing of ceramic tiles, glass and porcelain tiles, mosaics, natural stone tiles as well as marble wall and floor tiling. Norcros Adhesives also produces a comprehensive range of branded and own label ceramic tile and natural stone adhesives and tile grouts.