ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from August 2003

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from August 2003

In tune with truckmounts: the inaugural ICS Truckmount Carpet Cleaning Equipment Market Study makes its debut in the August issue. Page 12, to be exact.(Editorial Comment)(Editorial)
August 1, 2003... When ICS first started commissioning this series of market research studies, beginning with the Carpet-Cleaning Chemical Market Study earlier this year, no one was exactly sure what the response would be. Studies and surveys have clamped on to...

Leasing vs. buying: in the life of every business there comes a time when, in order to grow and take advantage of every opportunity, it is necessary to extend beyond everyday assets and cash flow.(Building a Profitable Business)
August 1, 2003... Perhaps it's time to acquire a new truck and cleaning machine. Maybe you need more space or some specialty drying equipment. In any case, when the opportunity arises, you are often faced with the decision of whether it is better to purchase...

2003 Truckmount Carpet Cleaning Equipment Market Study.
August 1, 2003... The 2003 Truckmount Carpet Cleaning Equipment Market Study commissioned by ICS magazine takes an up-close look at the preferences and opinions of floor care professionals as they pertain to the use of truck-mounted carpet cleaning equipment and...

ICS Market Study.("Truckmount Carpet Cleaning Equipment Market Study")(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... ICS Cleaning Specialist magazine's "Truckmount Carpet Cleaning Equipment Market Study" is an in-depth survey designed to measure the opinions and preferences of floor care professionals as they pertain to the use of truck-mounted cleaning...

What's in a wand? For the cleaning technician or company that has decided that hot-water extraction (HWE) is the cleaning method of choice, there are a number of equipment decisions to be made, including the type of floor tool/wand to be used.(Carpet Cleaning Basics)
August 1, 2003... Wands come in a number of styles. Among the choices to be made when selecting a wand is what material the wand will be fabricated from. Materials available include aluminum, stainless steel and titanium. The lightest-weight tool will be...

Truckmounts and accessories: it's the little things that matter; the August issue of ICS magazine seems to be a good place to ask my fellow cleaning professionals if their truckmount is "dressed to the nines" or simply "slumming its way" to their client's homes.(Notes from the Trenches)
August 1, 2003... In other words, are you stocking your van with all the essentials and accessories needed to enhance both your and your equipment's performance, or are you just getting by with the basics? A few weeks ago, while sitting outside a local...

White Magic unveils automatic pump-out system.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... The White Magic external automatic pump-out system operates on a 12-volt DC current and pumps 3.5 gpm against the vacuum. The system has no effect on vacuum pressure or on the dynamics of the carpet-cleaning unit, according to the company. ...

Tornado whips up new series of FloorKeepers.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Tornado Industries introduces the Long-Range (LR) Series of FloorKeepers, a scrubber/dryer floor care system designed with input from retailers and contract cleaners. Available in 28- and 32-inch models, the LR Series has high-tech digital...

S. Morantz rolls out the Li'l Mighty One.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... S. Morantz Inc. introduces the Morantz Li'l Mighty One Ultrasonic Cleaning System. According to the company, the Li'l Mighty One increases cleaning capability due to its unique pneumatic lift, "which makes cleaning large items simple by...

Steam Way introduces AquaCoat.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Steam Way introduces AquaCoat, a residential wood floor matte finish specifically tested and formulated for residential wood floor refinishing by cleaning contractors. AquaCoat contains 40 percent more solids than some competitive matte...

Omegasonics introduces ultrasonic cleaning system.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Omegasonics introduces the Omega Fire Pro 4800, a system the company describes as "the largest, most versatile fire restoration system available for fire and smoke restoration contractors." The Omega Fire Pro 4800 features 4000 watts of...

HydraMaster offers Maxx Diesel.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... HydraMaster offers the diesel-powered Maxx 450D. Featuring a three-cylinder, 23.5 horsepower engine turning a Tuthill 4005X Tri-Lobe blower, the Maxx 450D comes standard with an ADC diverter heat control system, Last Step chemical system, and a...

Conventions & trade shows.(Calendar of Industry Events)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2003... OCT. 2-4: CONNECTIONS 2003 Las Vegas. Call (888) 881-1001 OCT. 14-17: ISSA/INTERCLEAN- USA 2003 Chicago. Call (800) 225-4772. JAN. 28-30: SURFACES 2004, Las Vegas. Call (972) 536-6343. MARCH 9-13: "SOLUTIONS" ASCR 59TH ANNUAL...

Performance takes hard surface cleaning to new level.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Performance Truckmounts introduces the Nitro-Maxx Power Hard Surface Cleaning Tool. The Nitro-Maxx "makes cleaning any hard surface a breeze," the company said. The Nitro-Maxx comes with a built-in psi gauge. Circle 219 on the Reader...

Video-Aire re-releases air duct cleaning machine.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Video-Aire has re-designed and re-released its original video-assisted air duct cleaning machine using new and cost-efficient camera technology. Formerly the Video-Aire 3500, the re-designed machine, called the Video-Aire 4000, is a...

3M introduces tougher Scotchgard formulation.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... 3M introduces the new professional, in-home applied Scotchgard Protector for Fabric and Upholstery. "The reformulated Scotchgard protector combines 3M's innovative and breakthrough technology ,to meet consumer demands of today's market,"...

Enviro-Mold looks to streamline processes.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Enviro-Mold IAQ Services has developed two new CDs for the mold remediation field. The Line-Item Pricing List contains more than 250 line items, and "is the same line item pricing preferred and accepted by all the major insurance companies...

MPO offers precision cleaning station.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... MPO Systems Inc. introduced its Model #2020 Precision Cleaning Station, featuring a stainless steel spray booth and component design, at the ASCR Convention in Savannah, Ga., March 11-14. The corrosion-resistant cabinet ensures the interior...

3M kit provides respiratory protection.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... The Occupational Health & Environmental Safety Division of 3M introduces the 3M Mold Remediation Respirator Kit. The kit contains everything needed for full face-piece respiratory protection for mold remediation, the company says, including...

Tennant introduces new sweeper models.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Tennant Co. introduces the 6650 and 6600 Power Sweepers, designed for operation indoors and out, offering numerous features for high performance, operator comfort, maneuverability, dust control and efficiency. The 6600 features power...

CTI releases POP packaging.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... CH has designed and released point-of-purchase packaging for the new Pro Solve Gel tubes. Each case folds into a countertop display tray to conserve space and simplify shelf stocking, the company says. Circle 197 on the Reader Inquiry Card.

Proctor & Gamble introduces commercial cleaner line.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Proctor & Gamble Professional introduces 23 new floor care, carpet care, daily cleaner and specialty cleaner products to augment its current daily cleaner line. Marketed under the P&G Pro Line brand name, the new products "significantly broaden...

Delmhorst introduces new moisture meter.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Delmhorst's new BD-2100 Moisture Meter is the only meter on the market that features a scale to measure the MC percent in gypsum, the company says. The meter features a digital readout, three scales (gypsum, wood and reference), averages up to...

Air mover offers solutions for restoration drying.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... The Max Force air mover from Dry Air Technology, originally designed for commercials contractors, has found a home in residential drying applications as well, the company says. The Max Force is "ideal for creating negative air pressure in...

Clarke scrubs up with Wash & Rinse.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Clarke introduces a new Wash & Rinse extraction system "for carpets so dirty that the original color is hidden or for carpets that get dirty faster once they've been cleaned," the company says. Wash & Rinse puts down soapy water, scrubs...

HydroTech unveils compact portable extractor.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Hydro/Tech introduces the HT-1500, a compact portable extractor specifically designed for hard-surface cleaning, providing 1,500 psi. The HT-1500 is equipped with auto-fill/auto-dump; heavy-duty, high-performance Hydro pumps; built-in safety...

Butler offers line of cleaning products.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... The Butler Corp. offers a line of Maximum Strength Cleaning Products, 24 different formulas including carpet--and fabric-cleaning products, specialty products for spot removal and deodorization, and more. The Butler Maximum Strength...

ERC fills cleaning needs.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... ERC Wiping Products Inc. offers a complete line of terry towels for all carpet cleaning needs. Popular towels include a white 16-by-19-inch towel for carpet spotting, and a 20-by-30-inch bath mat the company describes as "ideal for steam...

Spartan offers two new floor finishes.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Spartan Chemical Co. offers two new floor finishes utilizing polymer technology. White Sun is an 18 percent high-solids finish designed to amplify and improve the overall look of floors, iShine is a 25 percent high-solids formula the company...

SurgAcare offers cleaning, disinfecting options.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... SurgAcare offers a line of products created using isopropyl alcohol, including antiseptic hand gel, disinfectant spray and disinfectant cleaner, that the company describes as "the only products that are non-toxic, biodegradable and compatible...

HydraMaster carefully plans its Last Step.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... HydraMaster has added the Last-Step Chemical System to its CDSTM 4.6 and 4.8 Overdrive. Last-Step Chemical injection means no chemical passes through the water pump or heat exchangers, the company said. The patented Chemical Pulse Pump is...

Prochem offers liquid version of popular detergent.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Prochem introduces Liquid Slurry, a liquid version of its popular Dry Slurry powdered detergent, for use in portables and truckmounts. Liquid Slurry is an ultra-concentrated formula specially formulated with builders and detergent blends to...

Steam Way introduces cleaning-tech catalog.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Steam Way International introduces its new Steam Way International Catalog, 52 pages of detailed information about the company's complete line of truckmounted equipment and total support programs; carpet and upholstery care solutions;...

EZ Moves adds to furniture-moving line.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... EZ Moves has added EZ Moves HS Hard Surface Furniture Slides to its line of furniture-moving products. The slides allow one person to move heavy furniture and appliances across hard surface floors, the company said. The Hard Surface...

Vaportek product guide now available.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Vaportek has published a new product guide, "Simple Solutions for Tough Odors," featuring the company's selection of odor-control products. Vaportek's membrane--and disk systems are designed to provide what the company describes as "safe,...

Aluminum loading ramps make the link.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Link Manufacturing's Carpet Manage-ment Products division introduces the Model LT30 line of mounted aluminum loading ramps designed for the loading of automatic scrubbers. The ramp line's gradual incline is intended to allow the wheels to...

Bridgepoint releases new pre-spray.(Products Tools & Equipment)
August 1, 2003... Bridgepoint Systems introduces Encapuclean, a new carpet pre-spray. Encapuclean "is a complete soil encapsulator for use in either brush-style cleaning or bonnet-style cleaning," the company said. Encapuclean uses a special polymer barrier...

Cleaning up the memories: when I was younger, steam extraction was the term used to describe hot-water extraction, a term that may still exist in some promotional materials circulating through a neighborhood near you.(Focus on Chemicals)
August 1, 2003... When you think of it, the hot-water extraction industry, or HWE, can still be looked at as being in its infancy, for it was an unknown process fewer than 50 years ago. The word truckmount might have referred to an engine stabilizer, or how to...

Steam Way develops new training team.(Industry News & Information)(Steam Way International Inc.'s True Blue Training Crew)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Steam Way International announces the formation of The True Blue Training Crew, a new training team consisting of six Steam Way customers who are actively using the products they are training people to use in cleaning and restoration companies....

Servpro names 2003 Equipment Vendor of the Year.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Servpro has named Madison, Wis.-based Therma-Stor as its 2003 Equipment Vendor of the Year. Established in 1977 to apply heat-transfer innovations to residential and commercial markets, Therma-Stor manufactures water-damage restoration,...

COIT acquires Seattle-based company.(Industry News & Information)(COIT Services Inc. acquires Superior Cleaning and Restoration)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... COIT Services Inc. announced that it has acquired Superior Cleaning and Restoration, a 65-year-old, Seattle-based fire- and water-damage remediation contractor. Superior is the largest privately owned and operated cleaning company in the...

ALTO announces management change.(Industry News & Information)(re-employs Rod Godlewski )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... ALTO Inc. recently announced the re-employment of Rod Godlewski as marketing manager-Clarke out of its St. Louis office. Godlewski will be responsible for the leadership of all Clarke marketing duties, including trade shows, pricing,...

Disaster restoration professionals to convene in September.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Professionals in restoring residential and commercial property damaged by smoke, fire, vandalism and other sources will convene for the industry's State of the Art Conference in Chicago, Sept. 18-20. The conference agenda is designed to...

Minuteman appoints national sales manager.(Industry News & Information)(Minuteman International Inc. appoints Paul M. Scholl )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Minuteman International Inc. announces the appointment of Paul M. Scholl as national sales manager of the company's Parker Sweeper Division. Scholl was formerly director of sales at Echo, Inc. Scholl has been in the industry since 1978,...

Web site offers marketing information.(Industry News & Information)(H and H Direct Sales L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The web site for H&H Direct Sales features a new marketing article every month targeted to small service businesses such as carpet cleaning, duct cleaning and disaster restoration firms. The article's can be accessed at...

Christine Ladd joins VIC International.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... VIC International announces that Christine Ladd has joined the company as director of purchasing. Her responsibilities will include purchasing and inventory control. Ladd's background includes 15 years experience in both purchasing and...

Omegasonics offers ultrasonic techniques seminar.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Omegasonics is offering a new seminar program teaching ultrasonic techniques for the restoration of a wide variety of items ranging from computers to stuffed animals. Other topics include information on pricing services and growing a business...

Bolden's Manufacturing re-opens for business.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Kurt Bolden, owner of the recently shuttered Bolden's Manufacturing Co., the builder and distributor of the Hydro "X" and Vac Pac tools for the restoration industry, stated in a letter that, after participating in an extraction performance test...

Chemspec equipment demonstration held in Southern California.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Brite Supplies in Gardena, Calif. was the location for a recent equipment demonstration by Chemspec. Chemspec Vice President Dan Dubow spoke about and demonstrated one of the company's new truckmount models as well as its line of "Double D" or...

BLUEline boosts its dealer support.(News)(BLUEline Equipment Co. appoints Ron Johnson)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... BLUEline Equipment Co. announces that it has added Ron Johnson to its staff in the position of dealer support manager. Johnson has worked extensively in the carpet cleaning industry, according to BLUEline, most recently as the customer and...

Bane-Clene presents one-day seminar series.(News)
August 1, 2003... Bane-Clene will present one-day seminars in Orlando, Fla., Aug. 18; Macon, Ga., Aug. 19; Charlotte, N.C. Aug., 20; Washington D.C., Aug. 21; and Hackettstown, N.J., Aug. 22. The seminars provide those who cannot attend the company's...

Fibreclean celebrates 25 years.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Fibreclean Supplies of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is celebrating its 25-year anniversary. The company distributes specialty wholesale supplies to the residential and commercial cleaning industry, providing the necessities for carpet and...

PLRB hosts debate on mold issues.(News)(Property Loss Research Bureau)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... The Property Loss Research Bureau, a not-for-profit national association made up of more than 800 insurance companies, held PLRB Mold III: The Great Debate at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in St. Louis, July 14-15. The proposition was put...

Rotobrush celebrates 10 years.(News)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2003... Rotobrush/AIRQC celebrated its 10-year anniversary by moving into a larger facility in Grapevine, Texas. The new facility includes a 3,500-square-foot training center with a classroom and a laboratory for hands-on training. Rotobrush began...

Chemspec, Steam Way team up for SummerFest class.(News)
August 1, 2003... Chemspec is sponsoring an IICRC-certified Carpet Cleaning Technician class being held before the 5th Annual SummerFest in Baltimore, Sept. 19-21. Steam Way International is providing the required text. The two-day class runs Sept. 18-19....

Hiring employees: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly "every man is guilty of all the good he didn't do." Voltaire (1694-1778).(To Your Success)
August 1, 2003... It's not easy charting a course in life. With the wisdom of hindsight, my own business life course best resembles the confused stumblings of a drunken fool. I think of my false starts and the dead ends I encountered, not to mention the wasted...

The ICS Product & Literature Guide.
August 1, 2003... The ICS Product & Literature Guide is a special section devoted to profiling new products and literature for the cleaning and restoration industry. It is intended to give readers a brief opportunity to find out what is emerging in the...

Getting the full story.(IICRC President's Corner)(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)
August 1, 2003... I have been watching the online bulletin boards and various other information sites and have noticed a lot of talk about the changes to the IICRC advanced designations. It certainly brings the saying, "people resist change" into a whole new...