Should you Buy or Distribute Floor Cleaning Machines & Equipment?

When it comes to floor scrubbers and floor cleaning machines, a lot of people ask the same question – should you buy them for your own business, or should you focus on distribution? Each path could yield solid outcomes, but they expose people to different risks, costs and rewards. Perhaps you own a cleaning business and would like to purchase better equipment, or you’re an entrepreneur considering adding cleaning equipment sales to your business. No matter what, it’s essential you know what you’d be signing up for with each. This blog is going to demystify what to think about, and then apply it to real situations so that you can arrive at a decision that’s reasonable for your particular situation.

Investing in Floor Cleaning Equipment.

If you’re a cleaning professional, the owner of a large building or just sick of handing this job off to someone else, buying a floor cleaning machine could be a smart decision. It offers more control over the quality and timing of your cleanings. A warehouse manager we interviewed in Cebu, for instance, was used to sending an outside cleaning crew to scrub his floors, but scheduling them was a hassle, and the results were not always up to scratch, so he invested in a ride-on floor scrubber of his own. In a matter of months, he found himself with not just cleaner floors, but quicker turnaround after spills and heavy traffic.

Before You Buy: Consider the size and type of area you’ll be cleaning. A small office with tile floors may require only a compact walk-behind scrubber, while large commercial spaces or industrial environments could be better served by heavy-duty machines with larger tank sizes. You’ll also want to consider things like maintenance, battery life and noise level particularly if those scheduled cleanings will occur during working hours.

It’s not just the initial cost when it comes to expense. Think about long-term savings. The upfront cost may be offset by the savings you will continue to make on paying for cleaners or machine rentals. You can also clean whenever you need to, which is more convenient than waiting on someone else’s schedule. You will, of course, have to take care of the equipment and store it, but for many users the benefits far outweigh the burden.

If your team is capable of using the equipment as designed and you opt for a trusted brand-purchasing your own floor cleaning machines can make the janitorial services work easier, bring hygiene to a new level, and can even be cost effective in the long run. Just make sure to select models that actually suit your needs, not just those that look good on paper.

Distribution of Floor Care Equipment.

Floor cleaning equipment on the distribution side is a whole different kind of opportunity. Instead of running the machines yourself, you concentrate on linking the right products with the right customers — it could be cleaning companies, hospitals, schools or factories. This can be a viable course when you have sales experience and a deep knowledge of your local market, or if you already have connections in related industries, such as janitorial services or facility management.

One is a small business owner in Davao who began selling cleaning machines after years of working in hotel maintenance. He knew what businesses were looking for and which machines performed most ably in busy urology departments. But by tying up with a well-known brand, he could reach an even wider audience and provide top quality scrubbers and sweepers with the assurance of service. Over time word of mouth advertised his goods and his customer base grew, in part because he also offered hands-on training and support not just a box with a manual.

You don’t have to know the products upside down, but experience using your products definitely helps. You don’t have to be an engineer, but you should be able to articulate what it is that makes all of the models we tested a good fit for any particular janitorial-cleaning job. It also doesn’t hurt if you can provide demos or show real-life results, i.e. before-and-after floor cleaning photos or videos.

Startup costs can vary. Some companies do minimum buys, others do consignment or are flexible. You will also need a little storage space and a dependable way to get the machines to their destination. But it can be far less expensive than running an entire cleaning operation.

And if you’re a people person and love the idea of providing others with a down-and-dirty solution that saves time and effort, the provision of floor care equipment can be a stable, long-term business particularly as more and more industries pay attention to hygiene and cleanliness.

Why More Businesses Are Becoming Equipment Distributors?

It’s because more and more businesses are taking on the role as their own equipment distributors, as they recognize the growing interest in cleaning machines and the opportunity to make passive income without operating cleaning machines daily. The cleaning business has exploded in recent years, as cleanliness standards have been tightened at office buildings, schools, malls and warehouses. Rather than acquiring machines only for themselves, many business owners recognize that they can help fend off local demand by making their machines available to others.

Say you have a hardware supply store, or a cleaning service. Customers are already coming in and asking about equipment. As a distributor, you will be able to help meet these needs head-on, as well as profit from every sale. For example, a cleaning contractor in Iloilo opted to become a local dealer of walk-behind scrubbers. He had only three demo units and a rudimentary flyer to start. Within six months, schools and clinics nearby not just to buy machines but to receive aid in selecting the right one.

Another reason people move into distribution is less hands-on work. “While managing a cleaning crew feels more straightforward, more about the daily doing of it, distribution is more about relationships and product knowledge and service. You don’t have to employ dozens of people or work around the clock. Your attention is on offering support for your buyers answering questions, assisting with setup, ensuring long-term efficacy.

Plus, there is significant potential for recurring income. When people like you and trust your products, they return to buy detergent, replacement parts, batteries or a second or third machine. Some distributors take it a step further and begin providing repairs or some training for their customers to create even more value.

In other words, as more and more industries look toward automation, and cleanliness has already become a must-have, a distributor gets into a smart position to serve a growing need without the heavy lifting.

Purchasing Floor Cleaning Equipment.

Buying floor cleaning machines is a major investment, more so if you’re a new to the business or adding to your cleaning operation. Because it’s more than just plucking a machine off a catalog page — you need to find the right fit for your space and budget and cleaning needs. A retail store might get by just fine with a small walk-behind scrubber, but big warehouses or even airports would require a much larger ride-on unit. Consider how frequently you clean, what type of dirt or spills you regularly face and how much time your crew can allot to the task.

If possible, test a machine before buying. Many sellers offer on-site demos. This allows you to have a glimpse at how user-friendly it is, if it fits in your storage spaces, and how it manages your particular floors. Also look into what kind of warranty is offered, what spare parts are available and how easy it is to receive support should anything go wrong.

So does buying from a reputable brand or dealer. You also don’t want a machine that stops working after a few months or one that requires hard-to-find parts. A fabulous machine can become a problem if service is slow or unreliable.

So if you actually are considering buying one, do what you should do with all products, not just art-supplies gizmos: Crewcut the machine with your real needs. A well-chosen scrubber or sweeper won’t only clean better, it will save you time, labor and in the long term, money.

Pros and Cons of Buying Cleaning Equipment.

The purchase of cleaning equipment is not without its pros and cons and it is essential to consider them before investing. What works for one business may not work for another, accordingly. Let’s dissect it with a little practicality, some real-life scenarios and some stories from folks who have been through it themselves.

Pros

Long-Term Cost Savings: Purchasing your own floor scrubber eliminates the need to rent a machine or pay an outside service to do the cleaning for you. A property manager from Quezon City said that their team evened out their investment with a mid-range ride-on scrubber since they saved more than ₱100,000 on rental in just a year’s time.

Convenience and Availability: When it is your machine, it is ready when you are. No waiting until the rental schedule or service call. This is particularly useful in areas that require frequent cleaning, such as supermarkets, factories or schools.

Improved Cleaning Quality: Your crew becomes familiar with working the same machine, improving quality each time you clean. You’re also in complete control of cleaning schedules, detergents, techniques, which enables you to maintain higher cleanliness levels.

Value to the Business: Equipment is an asset to your operation. And if you ever choose to grow or sell your business, it doesn’t hurt to have quality cleaning machines.

Cons

High Upfront Investment: Fact quality machines don’t come cheap. Some businesses are nervous about the upfront payment, particularly small businesses that need to be careful with cash flow.

Maintenance and Repairs: Once you own the machine, it’s your job to maintain it in good condition. That includes regular maintenance, purchasing new parts and, possibly, dealing with unexpected breakdowns.

Required Storage Space: These machines can be big. If you have little space, storing them safely can be a challenge.

Training Need: Your employees will require training on how to use the machine and keep it in good working condition. It’s not even rocket science, but there is a learning curve, especially for beginners.

Purchasing floor cleaning equipment is a good idea but only when you are prepared for the responsibility that follows. A little forethought can go a long way to getting the most out of your purchase.

How to Choose the Right Manufacturer Partner?

If you plan to be a distributor or wish you to even buy in bulk for your own use, selecting the appropriate manufacturer partner is an essential step. In addition to their machines, a great partner provides you with training, after-sales support, spares and product improvements as you both develop together. If you’re wrong, you could be stuck with machines that are difficult to sell or poor service when something goes wrong.

Begin by looking at the manufacturer’s track record. Can they show history of working with other companies in your industry? Have they been in business long enough to demonstrate that they are stable and reliable? In Bacolod, a distributor selected an upstart supplier that undercut everybody else on price only to discover a year later that parts were hard to get and customers were angry. Finally, he even had to step up to a more-established brand with better tech support, despite a slightly-higher upfront cost.

Then look at how well they understand your market. Some manufacturers tailor products for factories, malls or schools; others cater to doctors’ offices or movie theaters. Still others might lean more toward compact models for cramped quarters. The best partners are the ones who can provide guidance based on who your target customers are. Even better still is when they offer marketing materials, training videos and technical guides to help you sell and support their machines.

You’ll also to assess their responsiveness. Send a few questions by email or chat, how quickly do they respond? Are their answers helpful? An unresponsive response at this moment could lead to a greater headache the next time an urgent issue with a customer arises.

Finally, ask about after-sales support. Can they supply spare parts rapidly? What does their warranty process look like? Do they provide technician training if you would like to repair some items yourself?

A strong manufacturing partner is about more than just finding the lowest price, though. It’s more about finding someone who is loyal and supportive and who will be dedicated to your long-term success.

Contact Us for Dealer And Partnership Opportunities.

If you’re considering becoming a dealer or distribution partner for dry floor scrubbers now is the perfect time to move forward. Whether you’re already in the cleaning business or you want to start, partnering with the right supplier can really open up opportunities for you. We’re here to help you get started and answer any questions you may have.

Our partners receive access to reliable, easy to sell machines, as well as product training, marketing materials, and personal support. You don’t need to be a mechanical engineer just someone who knows your local market and wants to expand.

We will speak a little about what a partnership could be for you. Whether you want to stock a couple of units or establish a full-line dealership, we can give you the lay of the land. You will receive practical instruction and resources on how to make selling and servicing machines easier for you and your customers.

For more information or to start your processing, contact us today. We want to discuss the options, pricing or set you up with a product demo. No pressure just the opportunity to explore whether this is right for your business.