Janitorial companies get early economic insights

People involved in the janitorial business may have more insight into the state of the economy than you suspect.

Carol Bertrand, owner of Bee Clean Building Services, tells the Kalamazoo Gazette that she can detect changes in the local economy just based on the amount of restroom supplies she restocks at area businesses.

"I notice a difference in the amount of soap, toilet paper and paper hand towels used. I can tell when companies are adjusting their staffing before it's ever announced," Bertrand told the newspaper, going on to say that she had started seeing signs of economic trouble several years ago.

Another Michigan janitorial services entrepreneur, Alan White, told the newspaper that another way to tell when the economy is down is when local businesses are trying to save money on things like toilet paper.

Finally, these companies also get a look at the economy based on how many desks may suddenly end up being emptied out on short notice.

Meanwhile, small businesses of all kinds, including janitorial services, are facing growing cash flow problems as lenders continue to scale back their lines of credit.