ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from November 2008

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from November 2008

Message received: good advice is good advice, no matter where it comes from. In a challenging and uncertain economic environment, what you do or, in some cases, don't do can be worth its weight in gold. Or coffee.(Editorial Comment)
November 1, 2008... While flipping through a fi nancial magazine recently, a minor item caught my eye. A certain 800-pound caffeine gorilla's new product rollouts weren't exactly thrilling a securities analyst who said the new items would "only complicate the...

Your 9-step marketing plan--step 2: last month I began sharing the nine steps in your marketing plan (be sure to check it out at www.icsmag.com). The fi rst step was to set sales goals. The second step is to outline a "Description of Your Service.".(Marketing Strategies That Work)
November 1, 2008... At first blush, this may seem absurd--I mean, after all, don't we clean carpet? Not exactly. Instead, you are really providing a service. What is it about your service that is unique or different than that of other carpet cleaners? One way...

No truckmount--no problem: back in the early '70s, I was one of those buying the fi rst truckmount production models. I was thrilled with the power and effi ciency I achieved on carpet-cleaning jobs. My company grew at least in part due to the ability to process more work while performing excellent cleaning with my truckmount.(The Gadget Man)
November 1, 2008... While I loved my truckmount and what it could do, I never gave up my portable extractor, rotary scrubber or other portable tools that allowed me to work where the truckmount wouldn't go, and do what the truckmount wouldn't do. I know this...

Finding profit in commercial cleaning--Part II.(To Your Success)
November 1, 2008... "No one can long make a profit making anything unless the customer makes a profit using it." --Samuel Pettengill In this challenging economy... OK, OK, let's just stop right there. I've always tried to be honest and plainspoken in...

Ten big concerns in the bio-recovery industry.
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you are in, or are contemplating entering, the bio-recovery industry, it's important to remember this goal: the complete clean up of blood, tissue and other potentially infectious materials. Problem is, many...

Jon-Don introduces the "Ultimate" in LGR technology.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Ultimate 340, available only through Jon-Don, represents "the pinnacle of LGR dehumidifier technology," the company said. In addition to putting more water in the bucket than any other unit in its class, the...

Shh! We're trying to vacuum.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... The new QuietPro BP HEPA by ProTeam features HEPA Level Filtration and patented QuietPower technology that results in a sound output rated below typical conversational level. Engineered with high-powered suction and extremely efficient...

Throw it into Overdrive.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HydraMaster's 4.6 and 4.8 CDS Clutch Drive Systems incorporate ECS Overdrive technology to provide "unmatched power and savings." The ECS Overdrive system boosts vacuum performance up to 30 percent while lowering gas...

Bridgepoint takes on upholstery cleaning.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... Bridgepoint Maxim Advanced for Upholstery fabric protector provides "the absolute latest and most advanced technology in fluorochemical and polymer protection and soil resistance designed specifically for upholstered fabrics and the soils and...

Butler unveils Maximum Upholstery Treatment.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Butler introduces Maximum Upholstery Treatment, "a concentrated, neutral pH pretreatment exclusively formulated with emulsifiers for upholstery fabrics that consists of grease penetrating detergents and solvents to...

COBRA-H is set to strike.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] U.S. Products introduces the new COBRA-H series of extractors specifically designed for cleaning carpet and upholstery in cars, RVs, buses, boats, even airplanes. The COBRA-H provides instant 212-degree F heat at...

Dresser Roots pumps provide lower noise levels, reduced vibration.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new line of tri-lobe truck-mount vacuum pumps, redesigned to incorporate the latest technology for reduced noise and vibration, has been introduced by Dresser Roots. The ROOTS TRI-NADO TM vacuum pumps have an...

Microbloc puts mold on notice.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... Encapz mold encapsulants from Microbloc "are safe, green coatings designed for both Indoor Air Quality and Remediation/restoration professionals for use in all areas that are dark, humid and lack ventilation," the company said. "Tested to...

CTI adds to EnvireX line.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CTI announces the second product in the new eco-friendly product line, EnvireX. PBS is a Plant Based Solvent "utilizing breakthrough chemistry to cut through grease and oil without the need of hazardous solvents. PBS...

Haviland now offering popular hose in larger diameter.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... Haviland Contoured Plastics now offers their most popular cleaning hose, the I-Helix TM, in 2 1/2-inch diameter. This change "answers the call from the truckmount cleaning industry to help reduce cleaning time at each work site, while improved...

New Kaivac accessory adds versatility to No-Touch Cleaning System.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kaivac introduces the Dry Vacuum, an accessory that "instantly transforms any No-Touch Cleaning System into a high-powered dry vacuum, eliminating the need to purchase or transport additional vacuum cleaners when...

Butler introduces Maximum Multi-Surface Cleaner.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Butler's Maximum Multi-Surface Cleaner is "a concentrated formula that will dissolve most hard to remove soils, dirt, grime, oil, soot and grease on contact. Recommended for use on walls, appliances, countertops,...

Two U.S. Products' cleaning agents now green certified.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... Two cleaning agents recently introduced by U.S. Products as part of their new Professional Series line of cleaning chemicals for carpet, upholstery, and hard-surface floors have been green certified by multiple environmental eco-labeling...

Message from the president.(CFI Report)
November 1, 2008... If you had a chance to stop by our booth at this year's Connections Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, Sept. 24-26, you likely saw our "Presidents Board." Listed on this wonderful piece of history are the names of all of our past...

CTI adds to product lineup with Racy acquisition.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CTI recently acquired Racy Industries to expand their product line into hard surface cleaning. The acquisition gives CTI 250 additional locations to distribute these hard surface products. The products include...

New size available for Spotting Solutions products.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... Spotting Solutions announces that their Pet Stain and Odor Remover and General Spotter are now available in gallon sizes. "Our General Spotter and our Pet Stain and Odor Remover are our two most popular products, and we had gotten a lot of...

The Dragon takes flight.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Dragon K85 diesel-fired portable heater from Dri-Eaz "brings fast, efficient heating to drying jobs, building sites and temporary structures," the company said. The Dragon uses an indirect fired heat...

Eco-preneur launches "green" cleaning franchise opportunity.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Naturell is "set to jolt the competition as the nation's first truly green carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise concept," the company said. Naturell uses sea kelp from the pristine waters of Iceland, and "is...

Johnson Diversey introduces new floor finish system.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Johnson Diversey's ProSpeed, a unique floor-finishing system, "has helped customers reduce water use by more than 71,400 gallons and reduce floor- finish waste by 8,200 gallons in the first 10 weeks since its...

Technology puts new "spin" on rug cleaning.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... Centrum Force introduces a patent-pending, all-new technology designed to "spin" the dirt out of area rugs. The world's first "Dual Port" rug wringing centrifuge with a 13-foot cylinder, 18 inches in diameter, was delivered to the Aquamist...

Tennant aims for success with new floor care family.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tennant Co., introduces the Nobles Strive Compact Carpet Cleaner, the Nobles Speed Scrub Cylindrical Scrubber, and the Nobles Speed EX Carpet Extractor, a platform-based family of compact, maneuverable, cord-electric...

Second edition of Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools released.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... The Healthy Schools Campaign announces the release of the improved and expanded 2nd edition of the Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools. The second edition includes new sections on sustainability, green cleaning for food...

GPS tracker offers multiple options, peace of mind.(Products Tools & Equipment)
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Haas H1000 GPS vehicle tracker offers standard features that enable vehicle or equipment owners to track, locate and otherwise communicate various information with their delivery vehicles in real-time. The...

Utilizing portable floor care equipment: textile-cleaning professionals looking to achieve high-end cleaning results for a reasonable investment need to look into adding portable equipment to their cleaning arsenal.(For The Professional Textile Cleaner)
November 1, 2008... Portable cleaning equipment will open more doors of revenue, enabling the cleaning contractor to offer their clients more options when it comes to maintaining carpet, in addition to cleaning and restoration of tile, stone and wood floors. In...

The art of truckmount maintenance.
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As a truckmount repair technician, I know firsthand that proper user maintenance of a truck-mounted carpet extractor is critical not only in keeping the machine running its best, but also in minimizing costly repair...

Restoration contractors: profit from thermography.
November 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Contractors who restore buildings following water intrusion say that a thermal imager can be a time saver and a moneymaker, giving them a competitive edge and adding elements of professionalism and thoroughness to...

Calendar of industry events.(Calendar)
November 1, 2008... Conventions & Trade Shows NOV. 18-22 RIA Fall Conference Series Baltimore, MD. Call (800) 272-7012 FEB. 3-5 Surfaces 2009 Las Vegas. Call (972) 536-6463 FEB. 22-25 Insights 2009 Scottsdale, AZ. Call (877) 741-7469 ...

Benefect donated to help in Hurricane Ike cleanup.(Industry News & Information)
November 1, 2008... Action Restoration of Houston, Texas received thousands of dollars worth of Benefect Botanical Disinfectant without cost, to aid in the massive clean up of Hurricane Ike. Benefect R.S. Co. donated a large quantity of their Botanical...

Bona US opens new northeast regional training center.(Industry News & Information)
November 1, 2008... Bona US recently held the grand opening of the new Bona Northeast Regional Training Center in Bridgewater, Mass. "The new Bona Training Center provides the opportunity for contractors and distributors in the Northeast to have a more...

Bridgewater has acquired Groom Industries.(Industry News & Information)
November 1, 2008... Bridgewater, Inc., announced the acquisition of Groom Industries, a leading manufacturer of carpet and upholstery grooming tools. Groom Industries' operations will be fully integrated into Bridgewater's family of professional cleaning and...

Fluke launches MyBuildingDoctor.com.(Industry News & Information)
November 1, 2008... Fluke Corporation is launching www.MyBuildingDoctor.com to help technicians solve problems and meet building maintenance challenges. At MyBuildingDoctor.com, users can research problems, check the applicable industry standards and read...

IICRC S520 standard receives ANSI approval.(Industry News & Information)
November 1, 2008... The American National Standards Institute recently notified the IICRC Standards Committee of the approval of the IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation. The S520 is the second ANSI-approved IICRC standard,...

JohnsonDiversey joins Climate Savers.(Industry News & Information)
November 1, 2008... JohnsonDiversey has joined the WWF Climate Savers program, pledging to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their operations. The company will invest $19 million over the next five years to achieve these commitments, but...

Kaivac moves into new corporate campus.(Industry News & Information)
November 1, 2008... Planning for the future, Kaivac, Inc., is relocating to multiple buildings totaling more than 200,000 square feet. The new facility will become the company's new corporate campus in Hamilton, Ohio. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It will house...

Aztec Products celebrates 20 years of The Guzzler.(Industry News & Information)
November 1, 2008... Aztec Products is celebrating 20 years with The Guzzler, "the most innovative piece of equipment for removing stripping solution from vinyl and ceramic tile, sealed or finished concrete floors and stone and terrazzo floors," the company said....

RIA Fall Conference heads to Baltimore.(Industry News & Information)
November 1, 2008... The Restoration Industry Association will hold its Annual Fall Conference and Exhibition at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 18-22. "The Fall Conference takes a more in-depth look at key industry issues," said Cynthia...