ISS has now taken a big step to expand its business in China. ISS has acquired the majority of the shares in Hongrun, the largest private cleaning company in China, and will in the future expand its China operations through this joint venture.
Hongrun was established in 1998 and quickly became one of the leaders in cleaning services. The new company, ISS Hongrun, already operates in 70 cities spread across 15 out of China's 22 provinces, and employs more than 7.000 people.

"China is a very exciting market. Not only due to the size of the market, but particularly because of the current growth rates and a booming service economy, says Regional Director Martin Gaarn Thomsen, ISS' responsible for operations in Asia. "We aim for annual average growth rates around 30 percent and to expand the number of employees with 50.000-100.000 people over the coming years, he adds.

The joint venture came into effect on 1 April 2005.