When you're responsible for 64,000 employees and millions of assets across the UK, like Mitie, every operational improvement matters, especially when it affects efficiency, safety, and client satisfaction.

So when Mitie partnered with Pacvac to trial our innovative backpack vacuum cleaners,they weren’t just looking for a cleaning machine. They were testing a smarter, faster way to clean.

And guess what?

The results were better than expected.

Let’s break it down, what happened, what changed, and what you can learn from it.

Who’s Mitie?

If you're in the facilities management space in the UK, you already know the name.

Mitie is one of the UK’s leading facilities management and professional services companies, managing everything from office cleaning to security across the nation.

So naturally, they're always on the lookout for better tools to help their teams get more done, safely and efficiently.

The Problem: Traditional Vacuum Cleaners Just Weren’t Cutting It

Cleaning large office buildings, schools, warehouses, and even stadiums with corded, cumbersome machines was:

✅ Time consuming
✅ Labor intensive
✅ Sometimes even hazardous (think: multiple extension leads trailing behind cleaners)

Plus, the ergonomic strain on staff was real, especially for operators working long shifts.

The Trial: Putting Pacvac to the Test

Mitie decided to trial Pacvac’s backpack vacuums across 18 different sites from government buildings to retail spaces, and everything in between.

Trial Highlights:

• Timeframe: May to August 2023
• Machines tested: 
  • Velo go
  • Superpro go
  • Superpro
• Sectors involved: Industrial, warehouse, office, education, retail, government, and mixed-use
• Support: Full Pacvac training via Pacvac Academy + user guides + feedback forms

What Were They Looking For?

Each site manager rated the vacuums based on:

✅ Performance

✅ Comfort

✅ Ease of use

✅ Productivity

✅ Recommendation

This feedback was critical to determine:
Are backpack vacuums just more comfortable, or do they actually perform better?

Let’s look at what the data showed.

This feedback was critical to determine: Are backpack vacuums just more comfortable, or do they actually perform better? Let’s look at what the data showed.  The Results: Pacvac Outperformed Across the Board Here’s a snapshot of how the Pacvac machines stacked up in comfort and productivity scores across sites: 

(Chart data based on feedback from Mitie site managers)

Key Findings:

• Velo go was praised for comfort (especially among female users) and great for tight spaces and daytime cleaning.
• Superpro (Battery) stood out in large open spaces and had a more supportive harness for male users.
• Superpro (Corded) excelled during night shifts with superior suction and cord safety features.
   

Real Feedback from the Field

Location 1: Education Sector - Bernie’s team
Loved the Pacvac Academy training. Staff felt confident using the machines from Day 1.

Location 2: Retail and Fixed use - Johana’s team
Short trial but high interest in future adoption. She flagged Pacvac as “a noticeable improvement” and wanted a longer follow-up trial.

Location 3: Warehouse sector - Alun & Paul 
Corded vacuums needed 3 extension leads. Pacvac’s cordless units solved this instantly.

Location 4: Government sector - Patryk’s Team 
Switched to backpack tech permanently. Emphasized the importance of ongoing training.

Location 5: Corporate office - Tatiana 
Highlighted quieter operation and versatility.

Location 6: Corporate office - Mervyn & Janet 
They pointed to clear time savings and cost reductions, confirming the machines “paid for themselves” through increased staff productivity and decreased shift overruns.

Location 7: Industrial site - Darren 
Darren and his team had previously tried Numatic with negative results across their huge industrial site, but were very impressed by Pacvac, especially the ‘More than Floor’ applications using the range of accessories.

Machine Breakdown: Which Pacvac Fits Where? 

 
Results - By the numbers 

If you're still wondering whether switching to Pacvac is worth it, let the numbers do the talking.We crunched the data from Mitie’s trial across all machines and locations. Here are the best productivity wins recorded by space type and machine:

What Does 130 Hours Look Like?

You’re not just saving time, you’re unlocking new possibilities for yourself or your team.

Here’s what 130 hours saved per year per cleaner could translate into:

Sustainability Win: Cutting Carbon While Cleaning

It’s not just productivity, Pacvac helps slash carbon emissions too.
Here’s what switching to battery-powered backpack vacuums can save annually:

When you roll that out to 100+ machines across your operation? You’re looking at 6–8 metric tonnes of carbon avoided annually. That's significant ESG progress.

Why This Matters for Different People

Here’s how the same vacuum cleaner can create different value depending on who you are:

For Cleaners:

• Less fatigue from heavy machines
• Quieter operation = more comfortable when in use. 
• More time for detail work = more pride in your job, less rush or more income.

For Operation Managers:

• Faster turnaround times on jobs
• Lower wage costs due to time savings
• Better staff retention due to ergonomics

For Sustainability Teams:

• Lower energy consumption
• Quantifiable CO₂ savings to report
• Supports net-zero initiatives and tender scoring

The Bottom Line: Efficiency Gains Are Real 

Mitie saw:

• Faster cleaning times
• Lower ergonomic strain
• Potential for cost savings on staffing
• Higher staff satisfaction

Even better,  the return on investment from switching to battery powered machines can be realised within just a few months.

…and when you're running multi million pound contracts, every saved hour (and cleaner’s smile) counts.

Why This Matters for Facility Management Businesses

Facilities management companies are under pressure: margins are tighter, expectations are higher, and staff retention is harder than ever.

Pacvac offers:

• A proven tool to increase operational efficiency
• A happier workforce due to improved ergonomics
• A competitive edge in contract bids through smarter cleaning systems
   

Final Thoughts: The Power of Backpacks

Mitie’s trial proved that switching from traditional to backpack vacuum cleaners isn't just a nice-to have.

It’s a smart business move.

Whether you're cleaning stairwells in London or warehouses in Liverpool, there’s a Pacvac model that fits your needs, and can likely outperform what you're currently using.

Want to Trial Pacvac Yourself?

Pacvac offers full support, training through Pacvac Academy, and real time onboarding to help your team hit the ground running. Contact [email protected] to see how we can support you and your business.