The integration of AI-powered robotic technology into daily business operations has the potential to transform industries, including retail, manufacturing, and other sectors. However, the ultimate success of these robotic innovations, at least in terms of return on investment (ROI), often hinges on how well they are implemented and managed.
KBS recently partnered with a large national grocery chain to improve the effectiveness of their robotic floor cleaning program, leading to substantial improvements in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and operational consistency.
The Challenge: Turning Robotic Ambitions into Reality
Autonomous cleaning technology, while promising, has seen limited deployments at scale due to technical challenges and labor constraints. Many facilities managers lack the expertise to design, implement, and manage a successful autonomous floor cleaning program that delivers consistent results and a strong ROI. Robots alone aren't enough—integrating them into a comprehensive cleaning program is essential to meet broader standards and service-level agreements.
This was recently the case for one large national grocery chain. They had made a significant investment in robotic floor scrubbers to maintain the cleanliness of their large, concrete-floored stores in multiple states. These robots were marketed as a low-touch solution that could autonomously handle floor cleaning, freeing up employees for other high-value tasks.
However, the reality was much different than promised. The cleaning robots required much more employee interaction than anticipated, diverting them from their primary duties and leading to inconsistent cleaning results. Furthermore, the chain faced low utilization rates, failing to realize the expected ROI.
The Approach: Building a Comprehensive Robotic Program
Recognizing the need for a total cleaning program that incorporates robotics, the grocery chain turned to KBS to take over the management and optimization of the robotic cleaning program in 74 stores where they had autonomous units.
KBS implemented its Automate Cleaning Program, a fully managed end-to-end program that integrates cleaning, robotics deployment, training, and ongoing management to ensure consistent results across all client sites. KBS also includes a robotic equipment maintenance program as an option for a total client solution. For the grocery chain client, this program included:
SOW Design: KBS worked with the client to design the cleaning scope of work (SOW), ensuring the program aligned with the grocery chain’s specific needs.
Training and Redeployment: A robust training program was rolled out for site-level staff and vendor partners, ensuring they were equipped to handle the technology effectively. This included deploying the robots in a way that maximized their efficiency across different store environments.
Ongoing Management: Post-deployment, KBS closely monitored the performance of the robotics, adjusting as needed to maximize utilization and cleaning efficiency.
Measurable Success: The Power of KBS’ Approach
The impact of KBS’ involvement was immediate and significant. Within nine weeks of implementing the holistic autonomous cleaning program, KBS increased robotics utilization by 49% across all sites. The proof of concept was so successful that the grocery chain expanded the program to five times the number of stores initially planned for the pilot, resulting in the following outcomes:
Annual Savings: The grocery chain achieved an estimated $2 million in overall annual savings from consolidating cleaning and maintenance services. This represented a 21% reduction in costs.
Immediate ROI: The program delivered immediate ROI by eliminating the need for renting manual cleaning equipment during robot downtime. It also reduced equipment repair costs thanks to better maintenance and care by the trained KBS crew.
Complete Scope of Work: KBS not only managed the robots, but also completed the full scope of cleaning work, providing a comprehensive solution that went beyond floor cleaning. This led to a three-year contract with KBS, where the utilization numbers from the robotic cleaning stores set new benchmarks for efficiency.
Partner with KBS
As a national leader, KBS has a proven ability to design, execute, and staff a full cleaning scope of work in conjunction with end-to-end management of cleaning robotics at scale. Our approach ensures that organizations can unlock the true value of autonomous cleaning technology without the burden of additional management costs.
For businesses looking to integrate AI-powered technology like robotics into their operations, it’s crucial to have a partner that can provide not just the technology but also the expertise needed to make it work. For more information on KBS and its trusted services, request a quote today.
