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Contact: Kat Dunham
(704) 602-7170
kdunham@swisherhygiene.com
Swisher to provide full range of products at significant savings
Charlotte, NC (March 11, 2009) – Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the international standard-bearer for innovation and excellence in the cruise industry, announced today that it has named Swisher Hygiene the sole provider of warewashing, housekeeping and laundry products for 11 of the company’s ships. Swisher is a world leader in hygiene products and services for commercial enterprises, with a program developed specifically to address the needs of the cruise industry.
“We’re excited by the solution that Swisher has proposed,” said Kevin Sheehan, NCL’s chief executive officer. “We expect that the savings will be significant, but what’s just as important is that they’re delivering us outstanding products. When you consider how critical hygiene is on a cruise ship, it’s reassuring to be backed by a company with the experience and know-how of Swisher.”
The 5-year agreement leverages Swisher’s worldwide network of company owned locations, franchises, master licensees and third party partners. It’s a global organization that can meet each ship’s specific product fulfillment needs at virtually any port of call on earth.
“We’re very well positioned to service each of these vessels,” said Peter Berrio, Swisher’s vice president of cruise operations. “Swisher has a direct presence in 23 countries and relationships with vendors in even more, so wherever an NCL ship happens to be, from Vancouver to Turkey and beyond, we can keep them properly stocked.”
The volume of products Swisher will be supplying is considerable. The initial program calls for as many as 48 different kitchen, laundry and housekeeping products to be delivered to each vessel, with quantities and stocking levels determined through initial testing and ongoing monitoring of each ship’s unique usage pattern.
This high degree of customization is intended to optimize storage requirements, saving space and fuel for NCL’s fleet – rare and valuable commodities on oceangoing vessels. These savings come in addition to the substantial price reduction that Swisher’s products offer when compared to NCL’s previous provider. The full program has been calculated to deliver a total cost savings of 20%, although the exact figure will depend on actual use.
Fulfillment will be provided on a weekly basis in nearly all of NCL’s home ports, with service performed by Swisher personnel in the large majority of cases. Third party logistical support will be provided by UTi Worldwide, an international supply chain solutions company specializing in the cruise industry.
“It’s an honor to have earned the trust of a company like NCL,” said Berrio. “Cruise operators have to address a whole set of challenges that are distinct to their industry – specific hygiene concerns, storage and weight issues, training requirements and more. Adequately dealing with these can make all the difference to their corporate health, their customers’ experiences and their employee’s well being.”
Swisher’s staff is up to the task. The team is managed by the individuals who were personally responsible for developing the supply and service model that’s currently in use by every major cruise line in operation today, and all service technicians have been extensively trained in hygiene knowledge, cruise industry practices, product safety and program implementation.
For more information, visit www.SwisherHygiene.com or call 877-7-SWISHER.
About Swisher Hygiene
Since 1986, Swisher Hygiene has been the foremost provider of cleaning and hygiene products ad services to businesses and institutions across North America. The company delivers weekly service, chemicals, odor control systems, paper, soap, floor mats and more to approximately 100,000 customers, with a geographical service area that extends to 90% of the continent’s population. More information is available online at www.SwisherHygiene.com
About NCL
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is the innovator in cruise travel with a 43-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility. Today, NCL has the youngest fleet in the industry with 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea. NCL is presently building Norwegian Epic, a new third generation Freestyle Cruising ship, for delivery in 2010. For further information on NCL, visit www.ncl.com or contact NCL in the U.S. and Canada at (866) 234-0292.