The Italian Professional Cleaning, analysed for Afidamp by Cerved, performed well in 2023. The sector has grown compared to the previous year and companies assess the first months of 2024 with a certain optimism.
In detail, the annual survey shows a positive trend for both manufacturers and distributors. In particular, the increase of the Chemicals and Paper sectors stands out. In both cases, the companies surveyed reported growing results for the year 2023 and encouraging forecasts for the current year.
For the manufacturers, the trend for 2023 was positive in terms of turnover. Based on the estimates for the first half of 2024, more than 50% of the companies are optimistic about growth in this parameter, especially equipment companies (70.8%).
Loyalty and acquisitions
Professional cleaning companies have done a big work to retain their customer base and also to implement strategies to acquire new customers. Among the actions indicated as fundamental last year (in place again this year), 80% of respondents said they had invested in acquisitions and 77.3% in retention strategies. Among the sectors of greatest interest is Horeca, which has always been an important market.
Dynamism, already reported in 2022, continues to characterise the companies in the sector. They also invest in marketing and promotion activities. The most important tools are the website, trade fairs, events and direct business contacts.
In terms of sales, the turnover of 4.0 products is growing, while the incidence of green products is still limited. However, companies, aware of the change taking place, continue to invest in sustainability, a situation that is also confirmed by the fact that 1 in 5 companies realizes a compliant ESG report.
The Production market
For the year 2023, the total market for manufacturers of the cleaning sector is worth approximately 4 billion euro. Afidamp members account for more than 2.2 billion euro in turnover and registered a growth by 6% compared to 2022.
Looking at the individual sectors, the Cerved survey shows the different trends. If we look at the turnover generated in Italy and abroad by Afidamp members, the sector with the highest turnover is Paper, which recorded an 8% increase for a total of 827.1 million euro. The Machinery segment follows, with a 2% growth for a total of 602.6 million euro. Chemicals recorded the highest growth (+9%), reaching a 2023 turnover of 398.3 million euro. The Equipment sector (with 78.7 million euro) and Fibres and Cloths sector (with 28.6 million euro) are stable. On the other hand, the sectors Accessories and Machine Parts (+2%) and Other Products (+4%) grew.
On foreign markets, the Paper segment recorded the largest share of turnover. The Chemicals follow. The export propensity of Professional Cleaning manufacturers remains very high in general. The Machinery sector drives.
The Distribution market
The Distribution market (made up of around 1700 companies) amounts to 2.8 billion euros, an increase compared to 2022. Sales of chemicals and machinery stand out. For about half of the companies, turnover in 2023 has increased, particularly for medium/large-sized and large companies. Optimistic forecasts, based on the first half-year estimates, also for 2024. Among the sectors generating significant business opportunities is that of scrubbing machines.
