Search

The article deals with the economic outlook of distributors of jan/san supplies for the year 2008. The article indicates that the marketplace is still expected to grow and remain profitable despite the rising fuel prices, emerging product sectors and globalization. Chief economist for Associated General Contractors or America and chair of National Association for Business Economics's Industry Survey Committee Ken Simonson forecasts that the industry will continue to have growth of 2 or 3 percent in the next several quarters. INSET: ISSA addresses regs, certifications.

A list of companies that offer maintenance products and services is presented including ACL Staticide Inc., Andax Industries and Beta Technology.

The article offers information on various maintenance products and a list of exhibitors participating in the ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America 2007 to be held from October 23 to 26, 2007. The products include the Speedflow Hand Dryer from Saniflow, the Sky Systems Automatic Foam Soap Dispenser and the Ranger® outdoor waste containers from Rubbermaid Commercial Products (RCP). The companies participating in the event include DDi System LLC, Diamond WipES and Fas-Trak Industries.

The article features various maintenance products including the Wheelz™ protective goggles from Gateway Safety Inc., the EcoSupreme mopping system from Pro-Link and the Genie APS automatic scrubber from Betco.

The article evaluates several maintenance equipment and supplies, including aerosol products from Misco Products, AutoDose and UltraDose pump systems from Hydro Systems and Fastball liquid cleaner and degreaser from Warsaw Chemical Co.

The article introduces several products for the maintenance supplies industry. Included are National Chemical Laboratories ALL-IN-ONE™ Encapsulating Carpet Brush/Bonnet Cleaner Concentrate, FreezGard Mag Chloride Ice Melter Crystals from North American Salt Co. and Falcon Waterfree Urinal from Falcon Waterfree Technologies. Features of the products are also included.

The article introduces several cleaning products. It includes Micro-Spun micro filament fabric from BRO-TEX Inc., Sizzler Plus from Haviland Corp. and floor care products from Enviro-Solutions.

The article features various cleaning and maintenance products. They include the ProDuster disposable dusting sleeve and backpack vacuum cleaners from ProTeam Inc., deodorizing and cleaning solutions from Nilodor Inc., 12-volt batteries from U.S. Battery Manufacturing Co., and brooms, mops and scrubbing implements from ACS/Scrubble.

The article features various sanitary papers, dispensing, and drying systems used as accessories and as cleaning equipment in restrooms. They include The Global GX series of hand dryers from American Dryer Inc., the Privilege linen-embossed dinner napkins from Cascades Tissue Group, Wassau Paper's OptiServ roll towel dispenser, and the Ultra Wipes disinfecting and cleaning surface wipes from Wood Wyant and Sani-Marc.

The article features Solutex Inc., its founders Charlie Moody and his wife Monica. The company has been in business for 12 years and has since acquired three jan/san businesses, expanding product lines and developing new revenue opportunities. The company caters to small businesses acquiring $200 to $500 in supplies per month and many are property management companies. Charlie cites that he has found a niche customer base that includes fitness centers, property management firms and hotels, as well as success with several lines of proprietory systems.

The article evaluates several maintenance supplies including the QuietPro CN HEPA canister vacuum from ProTeam, the Structured By Nature Bacteria Enzyme Urine Digeater from Nilodor, and the Zephyr wet mops from Zephyr Manufacturing Co.

The article discusses how green cleaning will impact distributors of cleaning and maintenance supplies. Ecology-friendly products equaled to $140 million in sales in 2000 but jumped to $300 million in 2004 and is believed to be the hottest trend in the maintenance industry to date. The article provides suggestions on how distributors can educate themselves to gain advanced sales techniques and gain a competitive edge in the market.

The article focuses on the things to consider in selecting floor care cleaning chemicals and equipment. Customers, according to William Koeppel of Minuteman International, consider functions in selecting floor care equipment. They include performance, productivity, safety, serviceability and ease of operation. For cleaning chemicals, customers prefer products that work well with the equipment and produce floor finishes with reduced labor costs.

The article focuses on the management of water and paper use in restrooms. The use of waterless urinals in restrooms offer several advantages that could lead to great savings: controlled water usage, reduced vandalism, lower risk of cross contamination and reduced cleaning and labor costs. To gain savings in toilet towel and tissue products, distributors consider product packaging and improvements such as size of toilet tissue among others in selecting the product. Certification by environmental organizations is also important.

The article features various cleaning and maintenance products that are environmentally-preferable. They include Multi-Clean's Double-O-Seven Bullets which are concentrated blends of surfactants, builders and hydrogen peroxide, Enviro-Solutions' certified-Green toilet bowl and urinal cleaning solution, Multi-Seal Corp.'s Graffiti-Gone! water-based biodegradable liquid soap for removal of spray paint and marks on brick, block and concrete, and the Sterilray sanitation wand from Healthy Environment Innovations.

The article discusses the trend toward private labeling in the maintenance supplies industry. According to a survey conducted by "Maintenance Supplies" magazine, a majority of distributors felt that promoting their own brand was a good way to remain competitive. It is observed that private labeling allows a company to promote its business name rather than that of a national brand and can also be used to fill a niche void not sought after by leading brands.

The article evaluates several maintenance supplies products, including an electronic roll towel dispenser from Palmer Fixture Co., Scott brand towel and tissue products from Kimberly-Clark Clean Co. and Magnetic Miser from Magnet Clean Co.

The article offers tips for keeping family-owned businesses in the janitorial and maintenance supplies industry strong and better. According to the author, it helps to have company goals and objectives that stress the importance of the customer. The key element to the reputation and long-term success of most business is a friendly and reliable customer service.

The article evaluates several maintenance products including the HygoMat odor eliminating urinal mat from Hygolet Inc., the Cleaning Carts from Rubbermaid Commercial Products, and the GoCartVac from ProTeam.

The article discusses how distributors of maintenance and cleaning equipment and supplies are branching out to other markets such as industrial packaging, office supplies and safety market. The article focuses on the safety market where a safety product is defined as any item that ensures or enhances protection from potentially harmful elements. The article offers suggestions on how distributors can learn more about this market and integrate safety products into their current operations.

The article features RoVic Inc., a distributor of cleaning supplies and equipment in Connecticut. RoVic is described as a company with integrity, promoting clean, safe and healthy buildings. The company started in 1956 but experienced significant growth in the 1980s and 1990s due to strategic acquisitions. How the company works with customers, gets their feedback and ultimately help clients achieve a clean and safe environment within budget are discussed.

This section features a variety of general maintenance products. These include the Power Cleaning System from Scrubble Products, the Broken Glass Stabilizer from Aranar Glass Tech LLC, and the DURA SPRAY-V sprayer from B&G Equipment Co.

The article focuses on the diversification in the maintenance supplies business. To succeed and survive in the business, distributors need to diversify and offer a variety of products and different product lines. While there may be risks and uncertainty associated with diversification, there are also opportunities. In the cleaning industry, for instance, the demand for greening products provide for such an opportunity.

The article focuses on the restroom fixtures and cleaning tools used by facility manager to prevent cross contamination among users. With users' increasing concern about germs and cross contamination, touchless fixtures and tools in restrooms have been installed. The absence of flush and faucet handles reduce germ contamination. New tools are also developed to making cleaning faster and more effective. They include restroom cleaning kits that contain all the necessary cleaning products. Another is the spray-and-vac systems.

The article presents tips to ensure success in the maintenance supplies business. To succeed in the industry, several areas must be taken into consideration. A distributor must invest in the latest technology. He must also hire sales representatives with knowledge on relationship selling. He must also provide one-stop shopping experience to customers. Acquiring and merging with another firm also contributes to the success. Being a consultant in the business strengthens one's place in the market. A distributor could also do well in the business by evaluating the profitability of each customer.

The article presents an interview with David Scalen, vice president and general manager of Regional Distributors Inc., regarding the growth of the maintenance supplies firm. Scalen credits the growth of the company in selecting the right employees, such as Chuck LaRocca among others, selling to right customers and employing the latest technology. He mentions the core competencies of the firm. He also cites the qualities that the company should look for in a distributor.

The article features Hygeia Enviro-Clean, Inc. in Texas. The company was founded by Anthony J. Cuchia, Sr. in 1944. The name of the company was changed to its present name in 1998 under the management of Vincent Leone, Cuchia's son-in-law. The name promotes public awareness of environmentalism through cleaning and maintenance products which are ecologically compatible.

Presents a profile of Pro-San Maintenance Supply Inc., a maintenance supply distributor based in Durham, North Carolina. Lesson learned by company president Mike Overby from the business; Business plans of Overby for the company; Remarks of Overby on the trend in green cleaning.

The article discusses the problems associated with mergers and acquisitions in the maintenance supplies industry. Management changes after mergers and acquisitions cause customers to leave and employees to resign. Often, management teams get caught up in the transaction that they fail to analyze how the two businesses should operate and integrate once the transaction is complete. It suggests to value customers and offer quality service in order to generate customer loyalty.

The article features various cleaning and general maintenance products. They include North American Salt Co.'s Safe Step Ice Melter granules that melt ice and snow, the Stainless SPIKES Needle Strips for eliminating roosting surfaces from buildings and structures from Bird-X, Prime Source Private Label gloves in vinyl, latex, nitrile, polymer, synthetic or anti-microbial materials, and B&G Equipment Co.'s poly molded, heavy-duty design Durasprary V tank.

The article features various odor control equipment. They include Nilodor's Chute and Dumpster maintenance kit featuring a concentrated cleaner with odor neutralizer, AWAY Chemical's compound called Simply Fresh Odor Ender, Thornell Corp.'s Odorcide 210 Concentrate for use on most surfaces, and Hygolet's HygoMat disposable restroom floor mat.

The article features various carpet care equipment. They include Tennant Co.'s ReadySpace system that is capable of targeting imbedded soil in carpets, the Carpet Roamer from Whittaker that spots carpets, the March 12 moisture carpet extraction system from Von Schrader, and the QuietPRO Backpack Vacuum for hospitals, libraries and other locations requiring minimal sound disruption.

The article discusses the move of mop, broom, and brush manufacturers to improve end-user experience in cleaning. It notes that the manufacturers offers cleaning products that are ergonomic to improve the cleaning efficacy of workers. It mentions ergonomic tools are designed to provide safety and comfort to the workers, preventing injuries and disabilities. Meanwhile, manufacturers have also produced ergonomic products that are lightweight, and that extend their reach.

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses an article on the innovative products offered by maintenance supplies manufacturers, the ISSA/INTERCLEAN show, and a conversation with Myron Schultz, director of sales at Mercury Floor Machines Inc.

The article offers news briefs on the maintenance supplies industry. The J.J. Shearer Company was recognized by Geerpres, Inc. at the National Sales Meeting in Orlando, Florida as Representative of the Year. The Vacuum Company, ProTeam has partnered with REV Sales & Marketing, a dedicated sales team experienced in janitorial, industrial and foodservice sectors, and McConnell-Spadafora Inc., a sales agency experienced in industrial, safety, sanitary maintenance and foodservice sectors, to develop their sales in Canada.

The article introduces the November/December 2007 issue of "Maintenance Supplies."

The article offers updates related to the maintenance supplies industry. Packaging materials, shipping supplies and packaging machinery and systems distributor Rapid Packaging Inc. has joined Network Services Co. Kenco Inc. has been acquired by Swish Kenco Ltd. effective July 1, 2007. DAWNCHEM Inc. celebrates its 30 years in business.

This section offers news briefs on the U.S. maintenance supplies industry. Bell Janitorial Supply opened its new headquarter facility in Salt Lake, Utah on July 2, 2007. Kelsan Inc. has acquired Boxberger Inc., located in Charlotte, North Carolina. DAWNCHEM Inc. has received the NISSCO 2006 Distributor of the Award.

Several charts are presented that shows results of a maintenance industry research, regarding perception to automated distribution and packaging system.

This section offers news briefs related to the maintenance industry in the U.S. Racine Industries Inc. has announced changes to the dates for its HOST School three-day training courses in professional carpet cleaning. Jack Robertson of Robertson Sales Association has taken on the complete Enviro-Solutions product line. Kelsan Inc. has acquired C&G Supply.

The article discusses various reports published within the June 2007 issue of "Maintenance Supplies."

The article focuses on the approach of City Group Inc. to educate customers about its cleaning and maintenance products. Educating customers about their cleaning and maintenance needs is a marketing approach that entails the discussion of the costs for the products as well as the features by sales representatives. Such approach help customers save money and make wise purchasing decisions in the long run. Such approach also help strengthen customer loyalty and relationship with the company.

The article presents graphs that showed results of the recent online survey of "Maintenance Supplies."

The article offers news briefs in the maintenance supplies industry. "Business Ethics" has recently named Tennant Co. among the 100 best corporate citizens of 2006. Brady Industries has officially opened opportunities for their business in Farmington, New Mexico. Shareholders of commercial floor care machine manufacturer Truvox International have accepted offer from Tacony Corp. to acquire all the equity of Truvox.

The author addresses several issues of importance to the maintenance supplies industry. He gives his ideas regarding the losses on new product investments of some distributors. Slow investments can kill businesses especially that consumers are tightening their budget belts. An online survey was conducted by "Maintenance Supplies" concerning warehouses.

The article provides information on Saalfeld Paper Co. The Ohio-based company redistributes a wide inventory of facility supplies products to janitorial and sanitation, food service, sanitary maintenance, office supply and industrial supply markets. Saalfeld has more than 100 delivery vehicles and 1 million square feet of warehouse space, which equates to efficient storage and transportation of merchandise that will yield faster inventory turns and improved cash flow for client companies.

The article presents the results of a survey on the maintenance supplies industry conducted by the periodical "Maintenance Supplies" in 2006. The findings show that 55% of the business sector is affected by price increases. It reveals that most people prefer to have more product trends information in industry publications. It provides the ratings given by respondents to the level of product technology in the industry.

The article offers news briefs related to the maintenance supplies industry in the U.S. as of March 2006. Saint Clair Supply Co. Inc. has merged with Scottissue Inc. effective February 13. ProTeam Inc. plans to join Florida's Department of Environmental Protection to provide Indoor Air Quality technology to hotels in the Florida Green Lodging Program. The 2006 Sanitary Supply Wholesaling Association Executive Conference will be held at Barton Creek & Spa in Austin, Texas on June 5-8.

Career developments involving executives in the U.S. maintenance supplies industry as of March 2006 are discussed. Tornado Industries has selected Ron Hohrman to represent the company in North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska. Malish Corp. has appointed Matteo Bortolaso as the company's representative in Europe. Paul D. Roche Jr. has been promoted to CIO by Network Services Co.

The article features various cleaning and maintenance aerosols and aerosol dispensers. They include Sky Systems Co.'s air-freshening Sky Perfect-Choice Automatic Aerosol Dispenser, odor-controlling Neutrazen Products in Hand Held, Metered and Total Release packages from Zenex International, the MEGA FORCE V Degreaser & Deodorant citrus aerosol degreaser from CPC Aeroscience, and Nilotron's Metered Aerosol Refills for use in long-term odor neutralization.