The First Facility Management Blog

ERC Wiping Products, Inc. recently launched Colordentify, a color coding program to help identify different colored wiping cloths for different departments and wiping applications. The main goal is to prevent cross contamination between departments and wiping applications resulting in safer, cleaner, and healthier environments for staff, guests, and patrons.

Microfiber towels, part of the ERC Colordentify program, are available in red, green, blue, yellow, purple, orange, and grey.

Other benefits of color coding include infection control, keeping track of inventory, simplifying employee training, and helping to bridge language barriers.

There are a variety of products available to facilities departments to use the Colordentify approach. These include microfiber cloths, which are non-abrasive and lint-free; huck towels, which are 100% cotton, non-abrasive, lint-free, and heat resistant; terry towels; microfiber mops, available with a telescopic pole for ceiling and wall cleaning, and paper wipers. Multiple colors and sizes are available.

System4, a provider of commercial cleaning services, has partnered with 3M Building and Commercial Services Division, a supplier of cleaning and maintenance products and programs for commercial, health care, educational, retail and industrial facilities, to offer commercial cleaning services.

“This new partnership is going to be extremely beneficial to our customers and franchisees; it sets a new standard for the commercial cleaning industry,” said Phil Kubec, president and CEO of System4. “Our franchisees now have a customized, complete, sustainable, best-in-class solution for their cleaning chemicals, tools, and process that gives System4 an edge and translates to better customer satisfaction and value.” 

System4 franchisees and customers will be assisted by 3M’s products. 3M offers Green Seal certified chemicals and maintains a focus on sustainability practices, globally and locally, which aligns with System4’s commitment to sustainable cleaning. 3M will also provide training solutions to System4 employees and franchisees nationwide, to share its industry experience and knowledge. The new partnership will streamline the cleaning chemicals and backup tools used by System4, which will make product selection and use easier, and help reduce inventory.

“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with System4,” said Jon Beltz, manager with 3M Building and Commercial Services Division. “Commercial cleaning customers across the nation will benefit tremendously, getting the best possible service at a great value.”
 
“3M’s cleaning solutions are a perfect fit for the fast growth we have been fortunate to attain,” commented Paul Scales, director of master development for System4. “The 3M chemical concentrate for use with the Twist ‘n Fill System is cost effective, safe, easy to use. What’s more, the system is extremely versatile, so each of our franchisees can choose the solution that best meets their needs.” 

“We are especially excited about what this partnership means for System4’s future,” said Scales. “We appreciate the customization options offered by 3M Building and Commercial Services, and are already exploring opportunities to use more 3M products, making even more processes and services uniform across our franchise system.”

In Fulton, NY, there is an organization that provides life and career programs and services to adults with disabilities. The various programs run by this group, Oswego Industries, Inc., includes pre-vocational and vocational training, along with finding sustained employment for individuals. As a private, not-for-profit Community Rehabilitation Program, the 40-year old organization offers a variety of manufacturing, warehousing, assembly, custodial, and shipping services to industry, medical, and government partners across the U.S.

Most recently, the custodial service team received several commendations for outstanding performance and customer satisfaction.

Among them, crew leader, Thomas Adams of Syracuse, NY, has been named a winner of The William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award for 2008. The Joslin Award is presented by the New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (NYSID) and serves to celebrate vocational and personal growth by New Yorkers with disabilities.

Adams has been with Oswego Industries since the spring of 2007, when he joined the custodial team. In January 2008, he became the first Oswego Industries employee with a disability to be named a Disabled Crew Leader. His 12-person crew, working at the Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) in Syracuse, has received favorable written mention from the DSO on several occasions. Adams will be formally presented his award at the CNY DSO offices next Thursday, November 13.

Another custodial team, responsible for cleaning the Stewart Army Reserve Center in Mattydale, NY, also received a written commendation last week. This recognition resulted from a regional inspection by an Army Reserve General Officer. The Army Reserve Center, which houses the 403 Civil Affairs Battalion, 108th Drill Sergeant School, 1019th Service & Support, 2200 USAR Military Intelligence Group, and the United Marine Corps Reserve, was reported to be the cleanest of any Center in the Northeast Region of operations.

The facility manager there, Leonard D. Stephens, stated, “The cleaning staff has been doing an outstanding job keeping this military installation clean, keeping it at or above Department of Defense Standards. All of the cleaning staff personnel are a pleasure to work with and it is clear that they take pride in their work product. I look forward to working with them for years to come.”

Finally, the U.S. General Services Administration, which oversees all government owned buildings, announced as part of its 2008 customer survey results that the James M. Hanley Courthouse and Federal Building rated as one of the best federal buildings to work in throughout the country. Oswego Industries’ custodial team, working through Ability One and NISH, is responsible for cleaning of the Federal Building.

Oswego Industries noted that few buildings of the size and function of the Federal Building receive a 90% rating or higher in any survey year. This year’s survey showed the building received a record overall customer satisfaction rating of 95.2%. The announcement from the James M. Hanley Federal Building property manager specifically commended Oswego Industries for their custodial work in the building, contributing to its high satisfaction rating.

Universal Services of America (USA), a full range of building services including janitorial, maintenance, and security, re-opened its janitorial division—Universal Building Maintenance. This division was originally started back in 1965 and operated in southern California successfully for approximately 25 years. The addition of building maintenance makes Universal Services of America one of the largest, full service facility service companies, which includes the operation of security firms Universal Protection Service (UPS), UPS Security Systems, and UPS Fire/Life Safety Services.

Brian Cescolini and Steve Jones, the owners of Universal Protection Service have partnered with Mark Olivas, the former managing director for the western region for One Source Building Services to re-open Universal Building Maintenance.

“With the recent consolidation of the two largest janitorial firms in the US,” said Cescolini, president and chief executive officer of Universal Services of America. “We spoke with our clients and they welcomed a better option.”

Steve Jones, CEO of Universal Services of America is committed to “building the perfect company from the ground up, one that is focused on the customer and its people.”

“I have admired Universal Protection Service for the last 10 years and I feel that no other company really understands the customer like Universal Protection Service, ” said Mark Olivas, president of Universal Building Maintenance. “My goal is to use their customer service philosophy, their resources, and their technology to build an unmatched janitorial firm. I love that we are not trying to change a culture but instead we get to create it from the ground up.

“Universal Building Maintenance will become in the janitorial industry what Universal Protection Service is in the security industry, a highly flexible and innovative customer focused organization,” Olivas continued.

Universal Building Maintenance will have offices in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego to start and will expand when the opportunities present themselves. Universal Protection Service offers security solutions the Denver area from its office located in Aurora, CO and provides services to the Denver branch of CB Richard Ellis, based in the Denver Technological Center.