Cleaning branch monitor: third quarter 2007

In the third quarter, turnover figures for the cleaning branch were 2 percent higher than in the same quarter of 2006. However, turnover growth was less substantial compared to preceding quarters. Nevertheless, the sentiment among entrepreneurs is still positive, although they are more cautious in their expectations for the fourth quarter of 2007.

Turnover keeps increasing

In the third quarter, companies in the cleaning branch once again managed to multiply their turnover compared to the same period last year, although growth of turnover was by 2 percent considerable lower than in the previous quarters. The turnover of the cleaning branch increased by 5 percent in the first three quarters of 2007. The turnover of companies involved in cleaning buildings added up to almost 3 percent. This affected the growth of turnover for the entire cleaning branch in a positive way.

Year-on-year turnover changes

Number of unfilled vacancies stable

The number of new and filled vacancies in the third quarter was fairly balanced, like in previous quarters. The number of open vacancies remained practically unchanged. At the end of the third quarter, there were 3 100 unfilled vacancies.

Number of new and filled vacancies

Orders increase further, positive opinions

Results from the Business Sentiment Survey of October show that the sentiment among entrepreneurs is improved further. They state that they received more orders in the third quarter of 2007 than in the second quarter. However, their judgement on these orders deteriorated slightly. Selling prices remained unchanged in the second quarter, just like the number of persons employed. The opinion of the entrepreneurs on the current economic climate is improved strongly. The sentiment in this branch is improved strongly in the last two years.

Opinions on orders received and economic climate

Cautious expectations for the fourth quarter

Companies in the cleaning branch are moderately optimistic in their expectations for the fourth quarter of 2007. They expect a small decrease in orders. Companies do not foresee a change in selling prices. However, a further increase in turnover is expected. The entrepreneurs also expect to expand the workforce in the fourth quarter. The expectations of this branch are more pessimistic than those of the sector of business services as a whole.

Expectations for the fourth quarter of 2007