According to the latest study of the EFCI, European Federation of Cleaning Industries (data 2012), cleaning contractors achieved a total turnover of 64.522 billion € in the 20 European countries considered. Indeed, it represents a net increase of 4.83% over two years (2010-2012), while the EU-27 GDP was limited to a growth of 1.6% in 2010-2011, and decreased by 0.4% in 2011-2012. The annual turnover growth in the industry over the last 22 years is at 9.1%.
Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the UK are the 5 largest national markets. Together, they represent around 70% of the total European turnover. The high growth of industry turnover registered in Switzerland, Denmark and the Netherlands between 2010 and 2012 is mainly due to an actualisation of turnover figures demonstrating an annual organic growth over recent years, and partly to the increase of outsourcing.
A comparison between 2010 and 2012 shows some interesting developments. Three of the five largest markets in Europe (UK, Italy and Spain) decreased while Germany and France registered a strong growth. The strong decrease of industry turnover in the UK can be only explained by a review of the calculation system and the next survey will demonstrate if this trend is confirmed. The Belgian, Austrian and Swedish markets remain very dynamic.
In fact, the market penetration by cleaning contractors is continually growing over the last years and is now at a level of about 66% (+1.3% compared to 2010). As a consequence, the impact of the constant trend towards increased outsourcing of services in general and of cleaning services in particular, is again confirmed.
The first group with a penetration rate of 70% or higher includes the Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Portugal, the UK, Spain, Finland and France. The second group with a rate of 55% or higher includes Germany, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Belgium and Slovenia. The third group with a rate lower than 55% includes Poland, Hungary, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Office cleaning remains the core activity and represents 49,5% of the total turnover, its importance decreased. The previous trend of reduction was reconfirmed between 2010 and 2012 (-1%). In prallel, specialised services are constantly increasing.
Source: The Cleaning Industry in Europe, An EFCI survey– Edition 2014
