How to Maintain The Premises Of Your Clothing Brand
If you are a business owner running your own clothing and accessories brand, there are many things to keep on top of to ensure sales are coming in. However, it is also essential to maintain your premises to a high standard. In my latest article, I will offer suggestions for achieving this goal.
If you are in the long haul of building up a clothing business empire, owning or leasing a commercial building to create and manufacture your latest fashion collection is a huge advantage. Whether you offer custom print t-shirts and tops, produce your clothes on a factory line or have an e-commerce business holding stock ready to ship out, having your building in tip-top shape is ideal. Your premises should be clean, tidy and maintained to ensure everything runs smoothly and keep your employees happy at work (if your company is already making a good profit).
Making Sure The Exterior Looks The Part
Many businesses (in all kinds of categories) neglect the outside of their property, which can negatively impact sales (especially if you invite customers directly) or dampen the general positivity for yourself and your workforce.
Many commercial buildings will charge a service fee to cover any outside work. However, if your company is smaller and does not offer the same options as larger corporations, then it is highly worthwhile to invest in commercial landscaping services, which are operated by experts who can easily transform a dull-looking exterior into something flashy that showcases your business style.
Your clothing collection deserves something thrilling and inviting to both customers and clients. You need this extra boost for your company, which landscaping services can provide. They will consider your input and come up with something exciting for your business.
Cleanliness
Keeping your business area clean and tidy is essential, especially in a clothing business (to avoid any damage or dust ruining your pieces before they reach your customers’ hands). You can easily hire cleaners and input procedures to keep things tidy, but your staff needs to be aware of the overall responsibility of keeping the environment neat and looking fresh.
Many fashion brands operate their own photography section (I myself used to take stock images for a clothing range some years ago), and it requires a fastidious approach to cleanliness. Even the smallest particles of dust can cause issues with the equipment, such as marks on the lenses showing up in the final images. If you sell clothing (either directly from your premises or online), a build-up of dirt and grime will cause deterioration to your products (in turn, causing a reduction in repeat orders).
A basic training programme can help your team become familiar with what is expected to keep everything clean. Make sure to have on-site cleaning products, along with basics such as brooms and plenty of trash cans (standard waste and recyclable). Your staff are not solely responsible for cleaning (after all, this is not why you hired them!), but if everyone pulls together, you can all maintain a nice workplace and get the job done.
Hire Professional Cleaners
As mentioned above, your staff was hired for their expertise in the clothing and design industry, so it is imperative to hire a professional company to clean your premises on a regular basis. Check online for a local agency (that has a variety of positive reviews) and contact them to find out their services and rates. Cleaning services are not cheap, and if your area is larger, the costs will invariably go up.
Additionally, you can request a team that specialises in cleaning places with delicate equipment such as printing machines, cameras, and lighting without risk of damage. Do extra research and ensure the cleaning company is fully insured to cover any accidental damage to your gear (which can impact the running of your business if anything happens).
Plumbing And Fixtures Maintenance
Water-based damage can destroy your company (one of my early jobs at a printing company suffered a massive flood, ruining many of the computers and interior), especially if you hold a lot of clothing stock on-site. You can avoid this scenario as best you can by spending time to check for damage around the plumbing and fixtures and noting anything that looks like it needs replacing or fixing. It may be best to hire an expert plumber and provide them with a brief to give the premises a thorough run-through with a fine-tooth comb. It may be a cost, but the expense can be performed annually unless it is something that needs fixing immediately.
Maintaining HVAC Systems
Modern HVAC systems allow you to create a fantastic workplace environment by controlling the air quality, humidity, and temperature. They are a crucial addition if you want to lower bills and create a safe and healthy space for your employees. It is important to note that if they are not operating at nominal efficiency, you could end up with huge electric bills or, even worse, your workforce getting sick from poorly filtered air.
Keep on top of the situation and hire an HVAC company to check over your existing system or even replace your kit with the latest tech. They will also be available to schedule a regular maintenance and cleaning system for you, so it is one less thing to worry about (and for you to focus on the latest clothing trends!). It is important to note that quality HVAC systems can remove dust and other unwanted particles from the air, which is crucial in a photography studio or printing area (if you take your own images on-site or produce your own T-shirt range).
Waste Disposal And Recycling
Finally, it is vital to incorporate an effective waste disposal and recycling plan into your business – key to ensuring you have a clean and sustainable area to work. If you have the correct waste management procedure in place, you can significantly reduce your environmental footprint and promote a happier and healthier workspace. Invest in quality bins for both recyclable and non-recyclable and position them in strategic places in the workplace to keep everything streamlined, such as high-traffic areas or where work is produced.
With these tips, you can keep your clothing business clean, inviting, and safe to work in. They will also keep you on track to building a successful brand with a team of happy staff who enjoy working in the fashion industry.
