2008 TFM Readers’ Choice Awards

Readers' Choice Logo

By TFM Editors
Published in the February 2009 issue of Today’s Facility Manager

Numerous companies offer products and services to the facility management (FM) industry. And each year, Today’s Facility Manager (TFM) asks its readers to vote for their preferred vendors in a variety of categories. For this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards, the survey included 39 categories, and FM professionals were asked to indicate what company they deemed rated highest based on product aesthetics, reliability, value, and customer service. The results are presented here with information about each winning company. For more information on any of these products, contact Cathy Aste.

Access Floors Winner, Tate Access Floors, Inc.

Access Floors

Tate Access Floors (photo at right)
AirArrest™ is a through-wall wire sealing solution for data centers, office buildings, and other structures with raised access floors with underfloor air distribution (UFAD). It seals cable and wire access holes to prevent leakage of pressurized air around power and data cables that pass from room to room via through-wall cutouts.

Badging Winner, IDenticard

Badging

IDenticard (photo at left)
IDenticard®, a producer of security identification, access control, and visitor management systems, designed expressionsID™ to enhance any security management program. This badging system provides flexibility in card design and anti-counterfeiting options. IDenticard’s multilayer approach to identification, verification, and authentication is the driving force behind its systems.

 

Building Automation Systems Winner, Johnson Controls, Inc.

Building Automation Systems

Johnson Controls, Inc. (photo at right)
Johnson Controls is committed to providing the integration of a myriad of operating systems throughout the enterprise into a single information source. The Metasys® building management system offers complete management of energy, comfort, and protection for buildings ranging from the simple to complex.

Building Materials Winner, USG Corporation

Building Materials

USG Corporation (photo at left)
USG is dedicated to delivering high performance building materials forhealthy, sustainable environments. Frost™ ClimaPlus™ ceiling panelsprovide durability and low cost of ownership. Each panel offerssuperior light reflectance, noise reduction, and antimicrobial agentsfor inhibiting mold for high indoor environmental quality.

Carpet Winner, Mohawk/Bigelow Commercial

Carpet

Mohawk/Bigelow Commercial (photo at right)
Bigelow Commercial, a division of The Mohawk Group, has “it”—an attractive carpet tile at an even more attractive price that won’t break the bank. Aptly named X-Factor, the carpet tile is the first offering in what plans to be a line of sensible, yet unexpectedly stylish carpet coordinates.

Carpet Fibers/Treatments, Zeftron®

Carpet Fibers/Treatments

Zeftron® (photo at left)
Zeftron nylon is a premium branded nylon 6 commercial carpet yarn system offering style, performance, and recyclability from a single source. In addition to being MBDC Cradle to Cradle certified, Zeftron nylon is designated Enviro6ix, which guarantees a minimum of 25% recycled content and 100% recyclability in all yarns.

Ceilings Winner, Armstrong Ceiling Systems

Ceilings

Armstrong Ceiling Systems (photo at right)
Armstrong’s product development approach begins with defining customer needs, often the result of collaboration between the facility manager, architect, and manufacturer. Tierra™, our newest ceiling, features a BioAcoustic™ substrate made from jute, making it the industry’s most rapidly renewable acoustical ceiling.

CCTV Winner, Sony

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

Sony (photo at left)
Sony Electronics’ security division develops and manufactures network security cameras and recorders for a range of applications and markets, including government, healthcare, education, houses of worship, and hospitality. The company’s CCTV and IPELA™ IP-based security products are suited to address diverse security challenges faced by organizations, especially in high risk areas where real time access to information is essential.

Computer Aided Facility Management And Project Management Software Winner, Microsoft Corporation

Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) And Project Management Software

Microsoft Corporation (photo at right)
Companies are leveraging the end-to-end collaborative project and portfolio management capabilities of 2007 Microsoft Enterprise Project Management Solution to prepare for the next wave of innovation.

Computerized Maintenance Management Software Winner, ARCHIBUS, Inc.

Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS)

ARCHIBUS, Inc. (photo at left)
ARCHIBUS Building Operations Management tracks and manages on-demand and preventive maintenance. It was designed as part of the ARCHIBUS open platform IWMS, which informs strategic decisions that optimize return on investment, lower asset lifecycle costs, and increase productivity and profitability.

Conference Room Furnishings And Equipment Winner, Steelcase, Inc.

Conference Room Furnishings And Equipment

Steelcase, Inc. (photo at right)
Convene provides conferencing solutions for executive boardrooms, conference rooms, and informal meeting areas. Starting with a wide range of table sizes and shapes, Convene adds coordinating furniture to create environments that are both handsome and high performance.

Doors/Locks Winner, Schlage Security Technologies

Doors/Door Hardware/Locks

Schlage Security Technologies (photo at left)
For one to 32 doors and up to 5,000 cardholders, Bright Blue from Schlage satisfies the need for an easy to use, lower priced, Web based access control system. No special software; no dedicated PCs; simple installation. Just connect the panel to the network and a power source, and it’s ready to go.

Electronic Access Control Winner, HID Global

Electronic Access Control

HID Global (photo at right)
HID Global provides solutions for the delivery of secure identity. HID 125 kHz proximity cards and readers are recognized as an industry standard for physical access control. iCLASS® 13.56 MHz read/write contactless smart card technology improves access control, with interoperability and support for multiple applications.

Electronics/Communications Systems Winner, Motorola

Electronics/
Communications Systems

Motorola (photo at left)
MOTOTRBO combines the best in two way radio functionality with digital technology to deliver increased capacity and spectrum efficiency, integrated data communications, and enhanced voice communications.

Energy Load Management/Energy Services Winner, Johnson Controls, Inc.

Energy Load Management/Energy Services

Johnson Controls, Inc. (photo at right)
Energy efficiency helps control rising energy costs, reduces environmental footprints, and increases the value of buildings. Johnson Controls technologies and solutions help make environments more energy efficient.

Fire/Life Safety Winner, SimplexGrinnell

Fire/Life Safety

SimplexGrinnell (photo at left)
SimplexGrinnell works to build forward/backward compatibility into all its products, including the Simplex 4100U Fire Alarm System. This provides for cost-effective migration solutions. As a result, customers can leverage the company’s advanced technology and prepare for future growth, while maximizing the value of existing fire alarm infrastructure.

Flooring Winner, Armstrong Commercial Flooring

Flooring

Armstrong Commercial Flooring (photo at right)
Armstrong linoleum combines the beauty of this sustainable product with the superior performance of its exclusive NaturCote UV-coating in five patterns and 126 colors, designed in a system “Color Continuum.” Made from renewable raw materials and recycled content.

FM Services Winner, Grainger Industrial Supply

FM Services

Grainger Industrial Supply (photo at left)
Grainger helps drive efficiency in the operations of organizations ofall sizes by providing access to a broad line of maintenance, repair,and operating (MRO) supplies, when and where they are needed. As aservice business in product distribution, Grainger links manufacturersand end users through a dedicated sales force, a vast logistics system,integrated information technology, and 18,000 employees.

Furniture Winner, Steelcase, Inc.

Furniture

Steelcase, Inc. (photo at right)
Designed for long-term flexibility and maximum reuse, Answer is simple to install, expand, shrink, and reconfigure, and it easily adapts to organizational needs. Available in a variety of surface materials, the system is completely customizable.

Furniture: Seating Winner, Steelcase, Inc.

Furniture: Seating

The HON Company (photo at left)
The HON Company’s F3™ chair represents three elements of comfort—fit, form, and function. It is available in low back, mid back, or with a revolutionary new material called ilira®-stretch. F3 is now available in slate, earth, sandstone, and black.

Furniture: Storage Winner, Steelcase, Inc.

Furniture: Storage

Steelcase, Inc. (photo at right)
Steelcase’s Universal Storage is based on research showing that people stage materials in their workspaces based on frequency of use and urgency. The line provides access to anticipated or archived files whether for individuals or groups. Universal provides options for configuration based on a variety of sizes, interiors, and aesthetics.

HVAC/IAQ Winner, Carrier

HVAC/IAQ

Carrier (photo at left)
Carrier’s Centurion Packaged Rooftops with EnergyX (factory installedand certified-energy recovery ventilator) uses an integrated enthalpywheel that pre cools, dehumidifies, or pre heats required ventilationair prior to entering the unit’s cooling coils. This allows thedownsizing of base unit capacities, provides up to 21 EER per ARIGuideline-V standards, expands the unit operating range, and providesfree cooling economizer operation with built in by-pass logic.

Lamps And Bulbs Winner, GE Consumer & Industrial

Lamps And Bulbs

GE Consumer & Industrial (photo at right)
GE imagines and builds lighting products of ecomagination, such as the GE T5 UltraStart WattMiser system, that are a direct reflection of customer needs. We welcome the opportunity to address global environmental challenges, including the need for ever more efficient lighting that can deliver financial and environmental benefits.

Lighting Controls Winner, Leviton

Lighting Controls

Leviton (photo at left)
Leviton’s wireless occupancy sensors were designed to address the issue of retrofitting buildings with energy saving lighting controls. Sensors install without any additional wiring or batteries. These wireless sensors are part of Leviton’s complete offering of highly efficient lighting controls.

Maintenance/Cleaning Winner, Rubbermaid Commercial Products

Maintenance/Cleaning Products

Rubbermaid Commercial Products (photo at right)
At Rubbermaid Commercial Products, we listen to our customers. We look for opportunities to help them succeed in their work. We provide products and support that enable them to work smarter. Our customers trust Rubbermaid to be the leader, and we keep that trust.

Paint Winner, Sherwin-Williams

Paint

Sherwin-Williams (photo at left)
ProGreen™ 200 is a durable, low-VOC, low odor paint ideal for new construction or in occupied areas. Available in a complete line, its low sheen finish offers easy application and helps hide surface imperfections. Product carries Sherwin-Williams’ GreenSure® designation, is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified®, and certified for GREENGUARD Children & Schools.

Paper Products Winner, Kimberly-Clark Professional

Paper Products

Kimberly-Clark Professional (photo at right)
The Professional JRT Electronic Coreless bath tissue dispenser combines the benefits of advanced touchless electronics with high capacity coreless tissue. Easy, one handed dispensing complies with ADA requirements as well.

Pest/Bird Control Winner, Bird-X, Inc.

Pest/Bird Control

Bird-X, Inc. (photo at left)
We strive for excellence in product innovation, customer satisfaction, and environmental responsibility in order to provide our worldwide customers the products they need. We produce a broad line of humane bird and animal pest control deterrents. Our engineering and manufacturing standards remain unmatched in the industry with new laser, sound, visual, and taste aversion products.

Plumbing Fixtures Winner, Sloan Valve Company

Plumbing Fixtures

Sloan Valve Company (photo at right)
Sloan Valve Company is committed to water and energy efficiency with products. The Sloan SOLIS® solar powered faucet is sensor operated and is powered by any natural or artificial light source. It has a flow rate of 0.5 gallons per minute. Solar powered single- and dual-flush Flushometers are also available.

Restroom Accessories Winner, Bobrick

Restroom Accessories

Bobrick (photo at left)
Bobrick designs restroom accessories and toilet partitions that meet facility managers’ needs. The convertible towel and waste with field interchangeable roll and folded towel modules (along with standard and extra capacity waste receptacles) are useful for changing spaces from low density to high density populations. Products are designed for prestige; heavy and standard use; easy maintenance; durability; environmentally friendliness; and multiple price points.

Roofing Winner, GAF Materials Corporation

Roofing

GAF Materials Corporation
(photo at right)
GAF’s EverGuard® TPO and Freedom™ TPO single ply membranes have a highly reflective white surface for superior energy savings, are price competitive versus EPDM, offer a choice of two seam systems, and are easier to install with 10′ wide rolls.

Shredders Winner, Shred-it

Shredders

Shred-it (photo at left)
Shred-it is a document destruction company with more than 140 branches in 16 countries. With over 20 years of experience, Shred-it helps customers protect their confidential information through secure, reliable, and cost-effective shredding services.

Signage Winner, Innerface Architectural Signage, Inc.

Signage

INNERFACE Architectural Signage, Inc. (photo at right)
For more than 37 years INNERFACE Architectural Signage has provided clients nationwide with turnkey interior and exterior design, wayfinding, and signage solutions.

Sound Masking Systems Winner, Dynasound, Inc.

Sound Masking Systems

Dynasound, Inc. (photo at left)
Dynasound’s AcousticalProgramming Software typifies the company’s commitment to creatingcost-effective and acoustically productive work environments. APSanalyzes the acoustical interaction of workstation panels, ceilings,and sound masking in order to value engineer the best environment.

Urnials/Toilets Winner, Sloan Valve Company

Urinals/Toilets

Sloan Valve Company (photo at right)
The Sloan ECOS® is an electronic dual flush Flushometer that saves water with touch free convenience. Restroom users either push a button for a 1.6 or 1.1 gallon flush or let the Flushometer initiate the proper flush.

Wall Coverings/Panel Fabrics/Textiles Winner, Designtex

Wall Coverings/Panel Fabrics/Textiles

Designtex (photo at left)
Designtex is a team of caring thinkers, designers, educators, and doers. Since its founding in 1961, the company has been committed to innovation, extreme performance, and sustainability. Greenwear is a new collection of PVC free, high performance wall coverings that has durable contents, making it ideal for high traffic areas.

Window Films Winner, LLumar Window Film

Window Films

LLumar Window Film (photo at right)
For some of the world’s most recognizable buildings, LLumar window film has been proven to deliver annual energy savings of up to 15% and to reduce carbon emissions. LLumar films improve the performance of existing glazing systems to reduce excessive solar heat gain, elevate the efficiency of air conditioning systems, and lower energy costs for less than the cost of glass replacement. Learn more about savings by taking the One Minute Challenge from LLumar.

Windows Winner, Allied Window, Inc.

Windows

Allied Window, Inc. (photo at left)
Allied Window provides custom invisible storm windows for wood, steel, or aluminum windows that are single glazed. Mounted on the interior or exterior of a facility, these units can achieve and up to 50% reduction in window energy loss and outside noise. There is emphasis is on balancing energy savings, functional needs, aesthetics, and cost, while also adapting to existing facility conditions. Special shapes, custom colors, and large openings are routine.