COPENHAGEN, May 6 (Reuters) - Danish services provider ISS
said it was seeing higher demand for disinfection and
deep cleaning of premises as people start returning to work
after the coronavirus lockdown.
ISS, one of the world's biggest private employers, reported
first quarter sales above expectations but said it had
temporarily or permanently laid off just under a quarter of its
471,000 workforce as many clients such as large banks had been
forced to shut their offices.
The Copenhagen-based company, which delivers services such
as cleaning and catering to more than 200,000 clients in 63
countries, posted first-quarter revenue of 19.1 billion Danish
crowns ($2.8 billion) on Wednesday, above the 18.2 billion
forecast by analysts.
While airport and catering services were hard hit by the
lockdown, new business opportunities are arising as large
clients, which include Deutsche Telekom, prepare to let people
return to work.
"We are the last to shut down sites and the first to reopen
them when people begin to return to their workplaces," CEO Jeff
Gravenhorst told Reuters in an interview.
As people return to work, ISS staff will advise them on how
to limit the risk of spreading the virus, including how to act
in the reception or canteen, how to disinfect their mobile
phones, and making sure sick people don't turn up to work.
"We are training 'hygiene stewards' around the world who
will clean and disinfect workplaces during the day and advise
people on how to act," he said. "Feeling safe is a big part of
returning to work."
Shares in ISS rose nearly 8% at opening and were trading
almost 5% higher at 0830 GMT.
($1 = 6.8883 Danish crowns)
(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen
Editing by Keith Weir)
