 Joergen Jensen, president and ceo of Nilfisk-Advance - the Denmark-based manufacturer of professional cleaning equipment – has been speaking exclusively to ECJ’s correspondent in Scandinavia Tom Crockford. He offers his viewpoint on the current economic situation and how it will affect the cleaning sector.
It is clear that even large companies are somewhat concerned for the short term impacts of this slowdown. “Demand for professional cleaning equipment will be impacted by a lower general investment level, and the outlook is not as bright as it was 12 to 18 months ago,” Jensen points out.
But he adds: “However, postponing the relatively small investment in equipment for too long doesn’t make sense, since this only reduces the efficiency and quality of cleaning. Times will be difficult, but I don’t foresee a huge decline in demand.”
Jensen also insists that the current slowdown will not impact on Nilfisk-Advance’s plans to invest in R&D and new product launches. “We still expect to launch many new products within the next 18 to 24 months,” he says. “Product development is long term; you can’t stop it today and restart it tomorrow. It is a continuous process related to our strategic planning, and it cannot be significantly altered because of a downturn in the business cycle.
“Product innovation is a cornerstone of our business and we will continue to invest in it, even during tough economic times.”
He concludes: “It is my experience that the best response to an economic slowdown is to fit the organisation to meet demand, to deliver high quality products and to do your best to serve your customers. Dramatic changes might give a short term relief, but will backfire in the long run.”
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