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Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Timilehin Atere Timilehin Atere London, United Kingdom Last Updated: November 2024 SIC N81.220

Revenue

£1.6bn

2024-25

£1.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XXX.Xm

Employees

32,225

Businesses

5,039

Wages

£XXX.Xm

Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK industry analysis

Industrial cleaners' revenue is set to climb at a compound annual rate of 4.6% over the five years through 2024-25 to £1.6 billion, including an expected hike of 1.7% in 2024-25. The industry has benefitted from the outsourcing of cleaning services by the healthcare sector and a mounting number of UK businesses, which has created a wider client pool. Cleaning for manufacturing businesses has also been in higher demand lately, as manufacturing activity has been edging upwards in 2024-25. The healthcare sector continues to be a major source of revenue, outsourcing cleaning duties in hospitals and medical facilities. Increasing urbanisation and rising populations in major cities have also helped fuel demand due to the high-rise buildings requiring window cleaning services for aesthetics.

Trends and Insights

  • The construction boom boosts industrial cleaning demand. UK construction sites depend on industrial cleaning to ensure spaces are safe and clean before handover. Construction activity is on the rise, so industrial cleaners are seeing more business.
  • Specialised cleaning services generate the most revenue. Specialised cleaning has been supported by increased outsourcing from the healthcare sector.
  • The South East's large population and business market attract cleaners. Cleaning companies targeting residential and commercial buildings will do well in the South East.
  • Cleaning companies compete fiercely on price to win business. Larger cleaning companies are more resilient to price competition, as smaller businesses lack the resources to take on large contracts.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 5.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £1.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Construction activity builds up, spurring growth for industrial cleaners

  • UK construction businesses rely on cleaning services for post-construction cleanup, removing debris, dust and hazardous materials. This ensures safe, presentable spaces for clients and helps meet regulatory standards before project handovers.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

An ageing population and higher NHS funding will drive up cleaning demand

  • Demand from the healthcare sector will grow as the UK's population ages, with Nuffield Health reporting that by 2030, 21.8% of the population will be age over 65. As the need for healthcare services ramps up, this will lifted income opportunities from hospitals.

Biggest companies in the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue (£m)
2025
Mitie FM Ltd
193.4
OCS Group UK Ltd
68.0
TC Facilities Management Ltd
32.0

To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Specialised cleaning , Industrial machinery cleaning and Window cleaning. Specialised cleaning is the largest segment of the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK.

Trends and Insights

Demand for specialised cleaning services stays steady, despite economic fluctuations

  • Specialised cleaning includes cleaning services for industrial kitchens, food factories, hospitals and health-related buildings and transportation.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this industry provide a number of cleaning services to clients in various sectors. Services include window cleaning for residential and non-residential buildings, specialist cleaning, industrial equipment and exterior cleaning for buildings.

What's included in this industry?

Specialised cleaning Window cleaning Industrial machinery cleaning Chimney and furnace cleaningExterior building cleaning

Companies

Mitie FM LtdOCS Group UK LtdTC Facilities Management Ltd

Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

FRANCHISINGINDUSTRIAL KITCHENDECONTAMINATIONFOOD INCIDENT

Industry Code

SIC 2007

SIC 81.22 - Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The construction boom boosts industrial cleaning demand. UK construction sites depend on industrial cleaning to ensure spaces are safe and clean before handover. Construction...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Specialised cleaning services generate the most revenue. Specialised cleaning has been supported by increased outsourcing from the healthcare sector.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The South East's large population and business market attract cleaners. Cleaning companies targeting residential and commercial buildings will do well in the South East.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Cleaning companies compete fiercely on price to win business. Larger cleaning companies are more resilient to price competition, as smaller businesses lack the resources to t...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The industry is mostly made up of small companies. Most companies have a regional or technical focus, which limits their share of the market. Only larger companies have the s...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Mitie FM Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of OCS Group UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of TC Facilities Management Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Mitie FM Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for OCS Group UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for TC Facilities Management Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The manufacturing sector is a significant market for industrial cleaners. Manufacturing output is rising, presenting an opportunity for the industry.

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profitability climbs despite short-term challenges. Lower inflation has eased pressure on costs, while investments in technology and sustainability are set to enhance efficie...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2018-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
  • Assets (2018-2022)
  • Liabilities (2018-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?

The market size of the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £1.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK industry in 2024?

There are 5,039 businesses in the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 7.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 5.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK market in United Kingdom?

The biggest companies operating in the Industrial Cleaning Activities market in United Kingdom are Mitie FM Ltd, OCS Group UK Ltd and TC Facilities Management Ltd

What does the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK in United Kingdom include?

Specialised cleaning and Window cleaning are part of the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK in United Kingdom?

The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is Mitie FM Ltd.

How competitive is the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Industrial Cleaning Activities in the UK industry in United Kingdom.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Combined Facilities Support Activities in the UK

Complementors

  • Non-Hazardous Waste Treatment & Disposal in the UK
  • General Building Cleaning in the UK
  • Pest Control in the UK

International industries

  • Building Exterior Cleaners in the US
  • Commercial Cleaning Services in Australia
  • Commercial Cleaning Services in New Zealand

View all industries in United Kingdom

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the UK include:

  • Office for National Statistics
  • Office for Budget Responsibility
  • Bank of England

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.