Escalator Cleaning Machine Market

Market Overview

The global escalator cleaning machine market size was valued at USD 864.92 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 2,241.57 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11.16% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

Escalators are a point of attraction in many buildings and occupy significant visible space. As a result, escalators must be cleaned regularly, just like floors, to maintain their appearance and prevent them from excessive wear. Even though there are various options for cleaning escalators, escalator cleaning machines are the most convenient and viable solution. This is primarily due to the lengthy downtime for end users caused by other cleaning methods, such as removing escalators and transporting them to a warehouse for cleaning.

Escalator cleaning machines are experts in escalator cleaning. It is an excellent device for cleaning escalators quickly and effectively, and it can be conveniently installed in escalator pedals. The machine's automatic guidance mechanism suits it for all types of escalators. Escalator cleaning machines have various functions, including water supply, cleaning, and drying. This equipment is most suited for cleaning escalators in hotel lobbies, airports, supermarkets, railway stations, and other public venues with a large footfall.

Highlights

• Walk-behind dominates the product segment
• Wet cleaning dominates the cleaning process segment
• Shopping centers and malls dominate the end-user segment
• North America is the highest shareholder in the global market

Market Dynamics

Global Escalator Cleaning Machine Market Drivers

Growth of Vertical Buildings

The constantly growing population, increasing demand for urban living, rising population and footfall in commercial spaces, and lack of space are driving the growth of vertical buildings across the globe. The rapidly growing population exerts enormous pressure on limited natural resources, causing climate change. About 9.9 billion people will live globally in 2050, and 12 billion will do so in 2100. Globally, governments are turning to sustainable vertical cities to address the abovementioned issues. All such factors are expected to propel the installation of escalators, which, in turn, will drive the demand for escalator-cleaning machines during the forecast period.

Additionally, the rapid growth of urbanization has also uplifted the construction of skyscrapers. It is expected that by 2050, there will be around 6,900 skyscrapers per billion people, compared to the current total of 800 per billion people. Likely, the growing urbanization and increasing skyscraper constructions worldwide will positively impact the global escalator cleaning machine market during the forecast period.

Aging Population Driving the Demand for Escalators

Globally, every country is experiencing a growth in the older population. The aging population is expected to impact the next generation of product design significantly. Vendors are investing more in R&D to design products that fulfill the needs of new cohorts. Escalators belong to a category of products that are expected to experience higher growth and are influenced by the aging population. In addition, according to data from World Population Prospects, in 2017, the number of people aged 60 years or above was around 962 million and is expected to grow by more than 1.4 billion by 2030. An increasing number of government initiatives to offer better travel for the aging population worldwide can be expected, which would positively impact demand for escalators, hence driving the escalator cleaning machine market during the forecast period.

Global Escalator Cleaning Machine Market Restraint

Volatility in Raw Material Prices

Raw materials constitute the single most significant cost for the production of escalator cleaning machines. These costs comprise approximately 40%−60% of the overall cost of production. The critical raw materials for the industry include ferrous and non-ferrous metals, particularly steel and aluminum. The production and sales of these raw materials witnessed significant fluctuations due to COVID-19. In addition, the volatile price of raw materials seriously jeopardizes vendor margins. Volatility in raw material prices also affects the estimations and predictions of vendors and end-user industries, which disrupts their growth strategies. Therefore, fluctuations in raw material costs, specifically steel, and aluminum, could hinder the escalator cleaning machine market's growth.

Global Escalator Cleaning Machine Market Opportunities

Advent of Robotic/Automatic Cleaning Equipment

Rapid technological advancements in recent years have led to the emergence of new technologies in the cleaning process. One such ground-breaking innovation regarding professional cleaning equipment is the introduction of automatic escalator cleaning machines. In addition, automation is being increasingly adopted in all sectors of life. Adopting automation and robotic technologies can significantly change the overall cleaning industry. Labor cost accounts for approximately 95% of the cleaning cost, and the use of robotics can dramatically reduce the cost of cleaning, which, in turn, drives the market.

Furthermore, automatic escalator cleaning machines will enable companies to leverage innovative robotics technology in a reasonably accessible way. It could create a competitive advantage through improved employee retention and productivity by opening new markets and public relations opportunities through brand enhancement. The increasing use of telematics and IoT in cleaning equipment has risen in recent years, thereby increasing competitiveness and providing several opportunities among vendors to develop newer technologies that reduce the cost of labor and provide more effective and efficient cleaning, propelling the escalator cleaning machine market.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominates the Global Market

Based on region, the global escalator cleaning machine market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America is the most significant global escalator cleaning machine market shareholder and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.13% over the forecast period. North America, which includes the US and Canada, is the world's largest economy. Strong economic growth, the establishment of new businesses, company expansions, and increased construction activities are mainly driving the demand for cleaning services in the region. In the US, revenue from professional cleaning services grew by 3% in the last five years. The rising corporate profits have increased expenditure on cleaning services, thereby driving the sales of commercial cleaning equipment such as escalator cleaning machines. Moreover, stringent regulations to reduce cross-contamination and employee injury drive the demand for professional cleaning equipment. All such macro-level factors led to a massive demand for escalator cleaning machines in the region.

In Canada, the need for escalator cleaning machines is mainly increasing due to the rapid growth in construction activities and the expansion of commercial businesses. Canada's escalator cleaning machine market is much smaller than in the US. However, the increasing global trade and the recent implementation of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Trade Agreement have contributed to economic growth in Canada. The country's commercial and infrastructural development is driving the market's growth.

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 15.23% over the forecast period. The escalator cleaning machine market in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, surpassing North America and Europe. In Asia-Pacific, market growth is mainly driven by India, China, and Japan. The demand for professional cleaning equipment in these countries is supported by their strong economic growth, increased construction activities, and higher disposable income among the population. Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market for cleaning robots. In addition, the rising disposable income among end-users, supported by strong economic growth, is fueling the adoption of cleaning robots. Robotic or autonomous cleaning equipment is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period, driving the demand for automatic escalator cleaning machines. The growth in travel and tourism supports the development of hospitality, which, in turn, helps higher investments. Further, these sectors also have a heavy footprint and thus require more frequent cleaning of escalators. Using such machines in these sectors reduces manual costs and drives the market.

The market growth in Europe is mainly supported by increased business investments, new non-residential construction, government spending on infrastructure and transportation, and growth in hospitality, supported by the rise in travel and tourism. However, political uncertainties arising in Europe post the Brexit negotiations are adversely impacting the economic growth in the region and may result in lower demand for escalator cleaning machines during the forecast period. In addition, the growing penetration of prefabricated building manufacturers and significantly rising retrofit activities are also expected to create opportunities for market growth. In 2019, the construction sector in the Euro construct area witnessed a growth of 2.90% compared to 2018. New constructions have increased by 3.90%, and renovation activities saw a steady growth of 2% in the region. Growing construction activities are expected to fuel the demand for escalator-cleaning machines.

The Middle East and Africa is the second-lowest global escalator cleaning machine market contributor. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and South Africa generate the highest demand in the region. Although the Middle East has an established hospitality sector, the presence of several developing countries in the African region offsets the demand for escalator cleaning machines. The presence of some of the largest luxury hotels in the region is boosting the installation of high-end escalators. However, low awareness of hygienic practices and poor affordability in the region's low-income countries will impede the growth of the escalator cleaning machine market during the forecast period.

Although Latin America accounted for the most negligible market share, it is expected to be one of the fastest-growing regions during the forecast period. The tremendous demand for escalator cleaning machines is in Brazil and Mexico, the largest economies in the region. The tourism and hospitality industries and infrastructural development drive the region's demand for escalator-cleaning machines. A strong retail sector is a significant factor driving the market demand for cleaning equipment in the region.

Segmental Analysis

The global escalator cleaning machine market is bifurcated into the product, sales channel, cleaning process, and end-user.

Based on the product, the global escalator cleaning machine market is bifurcated into walk-behind and automatic escalator cleaning machines. 

The walk-behind segment dominates the global market and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.49% over the forecast period. Walk-behind escalator cleaning machines are essential for any facility ranging from medium to large businesses. These models are operated by a user who stands behind the unit and holds the handle to guide the escalator cleaning machine while walking behind it. It can remove hard stains such as oil, grease, and dirt from the floor. The brush or pads attached to the equipment can scrub even the smallest dust particles, for which the operator must push the escalator cleaning machine over the stairs, and the machine cleans the area as it passes over it.

Based on sales channels, the global escalator cleaning machine market is divided into direct and indirect sales channels. 

The direct sales channels segment is the most significant contributor to the market and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 10.21% over the forecast period. In direct sales, vendors sell their products directly through inbound and outbound sales efforts. There are several sales representatives categorized into inside sales and field sales. These sales representatives utilize a highly structured and consistent sales process to educate potential customers about vendor offerings and help expand the company's customer base. Direct sales channels allow consumers to buy goods directly from vendors, enabling vendors to sell their products at a lower price and gain a competitive edge. Hence, this is likely to boost the direct sales of the product during the forecast period. Many customers buy directly from vendors to reduce the extra costs incurred via a third party, such as dealers and distributors.

Based on the cleaning process, the global escalator cleaning machine market is bifurcated into wet cleaning, dry cleaning, and dry and wet cleaning. 

The wet cleaning segment owns the highest market share and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 9.56% over the forecast period. Wet escalator cleaning machines employ a combination of water and chemicals to clean an escalator of filth, grime, and stains. The mechanisms are designed to prevent liquids (water and chemicals) from entering the escalator, where they could cause a problem. They have a water collection system and active suction to prevent this from happening. Some machines have an active suction, and ones that gather water passively. No water must enter the escalator when cleaning an escalator using a wet cleaning machine. If this happens, the escalators' chains, bearings, and electrical components may be damaged.

Based on the end-user, the global escalator cleaning machine market is bifurcated into shopping centers and malls, airports and public utilities, hospitality, and others. 

The shopping centers and malls segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 9.12% during the forecast period. The highest demand for escalator cleaning machines is witnessed from shopping centers and malls owing to many people walking in daily. Moreover, since most shopping centers and malls are multistorey and people usually carry their purchased items from one place to another, escalators are considered one of the best movement methods in malls and shopping centers. As a result, escalators are most widely used in shopping centers and malls, generating massive demand for escalator cleaning machines.

Recent Developments

• October 2022- Nilfisk, one of the world's foremost producers of professional cleaning equipment, announced a strategic relationship with Blue Ocean Robotics, a specialized robotics business. The alliance is intended to complement Nilfisk's existing robotics partnerships and speed up the company's development of autonomous cleaning equipment.

• March 2023- Karcher, the industry leader in automated cleaning equipment and solutions, launched ambitious growth plans in the Indian market to double its revenue share in the global company over the next two to three years and again by 2030.