Over 140 cleaning industry professionals gathered at the Brewery in London for the final of the CSSA and CHSA Innovation Showcase and saw Bunzl take the top prize for their ‘Wandanext’ product.
Eight companies had been invited to the final after successfully getting through the ‘Dragons Den’ round earlier in the year. All were competing for the chance to win this inaugural industry award and the fabulous 3D glass trophy.
Cheeky Panda were runners up, with Clarity The Soap Company being recognised for the innovative social enterprise of their organisation. The other exhibitors on the day were: DorsaVi, Rubbermaid, ICE, Ucomply, and Unger. After visiting each product stand in turn, attendees were asked to vote on who had the most ‘innovative’ product.
The margin between all eight competing companies was very close but Bunzl’s Wandanext’ got the most votes.
Charlotte Parr, Account Director at Bunzl Cleaning and Hygiene Supplies said: “We are delighted to have won this award and would like to thank the CSSA and CHSA for organising it. We are passionate about driving the cleaning and FM industry forward through Innovation, and Wanda is a very innovative product, so we are really pleased it has been recognised by the industry in this way.”
Camilla Marcus-Dew, Head of Commercial for Clarity, said: “We were so excited when we heard we’d be receiving the special Recognition Award. To be valued by the cleaning and hygiene industry in this way signals that our work as a social enterprise is being acknowledged. The more that business and industry is persuaded to switch soap for social good, the more we can help people into work who really need it.”
CSSA Chief Executive Officer, John Findlater, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took part, our sponsors CHSA and all the attendees who turned up for the event. The Innovation Showcase gives our members and others in the industry the chance to see the very latest cutting edge products, demonstrated right in front of their eyes. A case of not telling the industry about innovations but bringing the industry to the Innovators! This was a hugely successful event and we hope to repeat it again in 2020.”
Mark Woodhead, a member of the Cleaning and Hygiene Suppliers Association’s Council, said: “We are delighted to have been involved in this great initiative. The CSSA’s Innovation Showcase was a wonderful platform for celebrating some of the brilliant ideas coming forward in our industry. The innovations on display at the showcase were exceptional. It was also great to see so many people at the event, supporting and encouraging innovation in our sector.”
The eight companies taking part in the final at The Brewery in London were:
Bunzl – Wandanext
Cheeky Panda – Bamboo Substitute
DorsaVi – Wearable Sensory Technology
Ice – Smartcall
Rubbermaid – LumeCel Autofoam
The Soap Company – ClarityECO+
Ucomply – Right to Work App
Unger – erGo Floor Product