How Reliable Cleaning Services is Leading Northern Ontario’s Leap into Clean Technology
For over 70 years, Reliable Cleaning Services has been a stalwart in Northern Ontario’s cleaning industry, blending the company’s longstanding tradition with a progressive approach to innovation. Now, the Sudbury-based firm is pushing the boundaries further by integrating cutting-edge drone technology into its operations, signaling a significant leap forward in clean technology for the region.
Balancing Tradition with Innovation
Since its inception in 1952, Reliable Cleaning Services has focused on maintaining high standards in window cleaning and other related services. However, the company has also consistently embraced new technologies to improve efficiency, safety, and results. Alex Bertuzzi, one of the owners of Reliable Group, emphasized this mindset:
“Reliable has always believed that innovation and tradition can — and should — work hand in hand. Window cleaning has been part of our DNA since 1952, but we’ve never stopped looking for ways to make it safer, faster, and more efficient.”
This commitment to forward-thinking solutions has kept Reliable at the forefront of its industry. The company was an early adopter of robotic floor cleaners and even developed its own proprietary line of cleaning products.
Taking to the Skies with Drones
The latest breakthrough comes with the adoption of drone technology for high-access window cleaning. Reliable Cleaning Services has incorporated the Sherpa drone system, developed by Lucid Bots, a U.S.-based AI robotics firm known for its advanced cleaning robots.
Bertuzzi explained the motivation behind this innovation:
“When we first saw the Sherpa drone system in action, we recognized its potential to revolutionize the way we approached high-access cleaning. We saw not only a technological advancement but a safety breakthrough — one that could keep our people’s feet on the ground while still reaching the highest windows in Northern Ontario.”
The company’s leadership team had been monitoring industry trends at expos and through publications for years, noting that drone-assisted cleaning was gaining traction in Europe and the U.S. Conversations with Lucid Bots swiftly led to adopting the Sherpa system, aiming not just to keep pace with the industry but to bring groundbreaking technology to Northern Ontario.
Innovation Driven by Quality and Safety
For Reliable, innovation is not about simply acquiring new gadgets. It’s about ensuring every technological advancement meets rigorous standards for quality and safety. Early testing with the drones revealed that the available cleaning solutions didn’t deliver the level of finish Reliable customers expect. This challenge led the company’s manufacturing division to develop a specialized product, the SkyShine Drone Glass Cleaner, tailored specifically for drone cleaning.
“That solution didn’t just solve the problem — it became a commercial product now available for purchase,” noted Bertuzzi.
This example highlights a broader company philosophy where leadership fosters an environment for ideas to flourish. The company empowered John, a veteran employee and drone pilot with over a decade at Reliable, to spearhead the drone cleaning initiative, providing training and resources to support his leadership.
“Our difference is in how we integrate innovation across the business,” Bertuzzi said. “We don’t just buy new gadgets — we build on them. Innovation here isn’t a side project; it’s part of our culture.”
Culture of Empowerment and Collaboration
Reliable Cleaning Services’ approach to technology integration also includes close collaboration with its workforce, showing employees how innovations make their workdays safer, more manageable, and more rewarding. This culture helps secure genuine buy-in from team members, who understand that new tools are designed to empower rather than replace them.
Looking forward, Bertuzzi is optimistic about the industry’s transformation:
“Leadership means being willing to challenge the status quo. The cleaning industry has been around forever, which often means slow change. But I see endless opportunity here.”
He anticipates that automation, robotics, and AI-powered management will redefine the industry, particularly by creating safer and more sustainable workplaces.
Embracing the Future of Clean Technology
Reliable Cleaning Services exemplifies leadership in Northern Ontario’s evolving clean technology landscape. By combining tradition, innovation, and a strong culture of teamwork and quality, the company is setting new standards for the industry regionally and potentially beyond.
To learn more about Reliable Cleaning Services’ offerings and innovations, or to schedule a consultation, visit reliableclean.ca.
This article was originally published on Sudbury.com on November 7, 2025.
