Home › magazine › latest news › 2026
ABM renews Waterford hospital contract
24th of July 2026
ABM has been re-awarded a contract to continue providing cleaning services at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) under an agreement with Ireland's Health Service Executive (HSE).
The renewed contract covers five UHW facilities, including operating theatres, intensive care units and the recently opened Haematology and Oncology Day Unit. ABM will
Self-driving toilet designed to help the elderly
22nd of July 2026
A smart, self-driving toilet that can be summoned by a home-owner when it is needed has been developed by Chinese technology firm Yueban.
The autonomous Xiaoban toilet was recently showcased at an exhibition in Shanghai focused on elderly care, assistive technology and rehabilitation medicine.
The machine uses technology similar to that found in
OCS makes £3.1 billion deal to buy Mitie
21st of July 2026
In the UK, OCS Group has announced its acquisition of fellow facilities management business Mitie. The deal will create a group with combined annual revenues of £8.5 billion, along with enhanced sector and geographic reach.
Currently employing over 135,000 people, OCS delivers integrated facilities management services to over 8,000 clients
Washroom excellence - good for business
21st of July 2026
Public washrooms are no longer a ‘back of house’ afterthought. They are a reputational touchpoint, an incentive for customers to return to a building, and a wellbeing issue. The Loo of the Year Awards in the UK campaigns for excellence in washroom provision.
IN BOARDROOMS, council chambers, hotels, shopping centres and office blocks,
BICSc announces 2026 awards finalists
20th of July 2026
In the UK, BICSc has revealed the finalists for its 2026 awards - the winners will be announced in September.
Innovation Award:
• CleanManager
• Berkeley Services UAE LLC
• Total Clean
Environmental (ESG) Award:
• Intelligent Workplace Solutions Ltd
• King's College London
Corporate Member of the Year:
•
UNI Europa podcast shines a light on Europe's cleaners
17th of July 2026
European trade union organisation UNI Europa has launched a documentary podcast funded by the EU called Unsung: Cleaners. The five-part series - hosted by UK show Macro Dose - brings together the voices of cleaners across Europe, telling their stories in their own words.
From invisible labour and night shifts to dignity and organising
RSS