Hako Machines Ltd signs strategic partnership with SoftBank Robotics EMEA

Hako UK adds Whiz, the autonomous vacuum sweeper, to its product portfolio to deliver innovation for FM and cleaning clients.
Whiz drives performance and efficiency in cleaning teams to improve service delivery and free up janitorial staff to focus on high value tasks.
January 2021, London – SoftBank Robotics EMEA has signed a strategic partnership with Hako Machines Ltd, the UK subsidiary of the leading global cleaning solutions provider. Under the agreement, Hako UK will now offer Whiz, Europe’s first industrial cobotic vacuum sweeper, to its facility management (FM) and cleaning contractor clients.
By implementing Whiz into their cleaning operations, Hako UK can help its clients to significantly improve cleaning performance and drive efficiencies. Importantly, Hako UK can demonstrate innovation and deliver the new approaches contractors need in the ongoing fight against COVID-19.
Sylvie Giangolini, Hako UK Managing Director, said: “We see huge potential for Whiz to make a real difference to our clients, increasing cleaning performance and helping to meet heightened client expectations around hygiene as a result of COVID-19. Whiz will enable our customers to meet and exceed service level agreements, through greater levels of consistency and improvements in operational efficiency and agility. FM and cleaning contractors are urgently looking for innovative solutions in what is an extremely challenging market, and we’re delighted that we can now bring them Whiz.” Whiz is an obvious and strong addition to the innovative Hako product range including our autonomous ride-on scrubber drier which has seen success in the UK market already.
Whiz is a simple to use and reliable self-driving cleaning solution designed for vacuuming. It works alongside commercial cleaning teams, taking over repetitive, heavy-duty vacuuming of large areas of flooring, and freeing up workers to focus on high value tasks which make a real difference to service delivery and client satisfaction. For example, the sanitisation of hard surfaces, such as door handles and lift buttons, which is critical in preventing the transmission of COVID-19.
Whiz can clean up to 500 m² per hour and covers 1,500 m² on a single charge. It delivers greater efficiency and consistency in cleaning performance than traditional approaches, where cleaning teams deploy a ‘spot cleaning’ method to clean large areas of flooring.
This is the latest in a series of new partnerships that Softbank Robotics EMEA has signed this month, across Europe, as demand for Whiz continues to grow. Already, Whiz is the world’s number one professional autonomous cleaning robot, based on sales, with more than 16,000 units now in operation globally.
Nils J.van der Zijl, VP Sales & Marketing at SoftBank Robotics EMEA, said: “We always look to work with forward-thinking cleaning solutions providers that are committed to delivering innovation and business value to their clients – and to helping them navigate these extremely challenging times. Hako is exactly that and we’re excited to be working with their talented and experienced team.
“We’re seeing a real surge in demand for Whiz amongst FM providers and cleaning contractors across the whole region as the pandemic continues to disrupt economies and businesses. Contractors are facing huge pressure to deliver improved cleaning performance and consistency, to ensure buildings are safe and hygienic, and to encourage people back to work, as and when lockdown restrictions are eased. Whiz has a big part to play in this, freeing up cleaning staff to focus on high-traffic, high-touch areas, and picking up the slack when team members are absent.”
Whiz is available in the UK through Hako, a strategic partner to SoftBank Robotics EMEA. The new partnership brings together Hako’s market-leading experience, knowledge and understanding of the UK industry, with SoftBank Robotics’ heritage and intelligence within technology and innovation.
About Hako
Founded in 1979 in the UK, Hako Machines Ltd is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and service providers of superior technology for indoor cleaning, outdoor cleaning which includes grounds and winter maintenance. Within the UK, the direct sales and service team support numerous customers across a broad spectrum of markets including healthcare, leisure, education, warehousing and logistics as well as Councils and outdoor contractors.
Since the production of its first machine in 1924, Hako is renowned globally with robust, quality and innovative products for both indoor floor cleaning and outdoor multifunctional solutions. Today Hako is one of the leading manufacturers – worldwide – of superior cleaning technology.
About SoftBank Robotics EMEA
SoftBank Robotics EMEA delivers innovation to the European cleaning and facilities management industries. Our automated cleaning products enable cleaning contractors to adopt a smarter, more sustainable approach to service delivery, through new technology and agile business models. Our products are designed to support and empower cleaning and janitorial staff in their work, removing the strain of repetitive tasks and enabling them to focus their time on higher value tasks.
SoftBank Robotics EMEA is part of SoftBank Robotics Group, a worldwide leader in robotics solutions. SoftBank Robotics is constantly exploring and commercializing robotics solutions that help make people’s lives easier, safer, more connected, and more extraordinary.
For further information please contact:
Tom Holland
Director, Tempo Communications
M: +44 (0)7943 832372
E: tom.holland@thisistempo.co.uk
Sarah Edge
Marketing Assistant, Hako Machines Ltd
M: +44 (0)7717 308821
E: sarah.edge@hako.co.uk