The First Facility Management Blog

EnOcean, the inventor of self-powered wireless sensor networks, is sponsoring four time Olympian, Catherine Raney-Norman. The sponsorship celebrates the achievements of the U.S. speed skating record holder and contributes to her continued success in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

The Olympic Winter Games Opening Ceremony takes place today, February 12, 2010, at Vancouver’s BC Place. The Closing Ceremony on February 28, 2010 will also be held at BC Place.

“As the inventor of self-powered solutions, EnOcean has a keen eye for performance derived from ambient sources of power. Catherine skates at world class speeds using power generated from sources available to her— years of practice, sustained hard work and focus at every step,” said Troy Davis, representative of EnOcean North America.

“Our intent is to help Catherine build upon her outstanding body of work and help sustain the levels of excellence she has earned,” added Davis.

Catherine is focused on medalling in the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia. She will compete in the Ladies’ 3000m speed skating event on February 14th. Catherine’s presence on the Team Pursuit team improves America’s chances for medalling in the event on February 26th and 27th. She is the U.S. record holder in the 3000m and 5000m races. Her profile can be viewed here.

About EnOcean
The inventor of energy harvesting wireless sensor networks, EnOcean manufactures the self-powered radio and energy harvesting modules that enable OEMs to develop wireless sensors & switches for new and retrofit BAS (Building Automation Systems). The batteryless radio modules convert ambient solar, thermal, and motion energy into useable electrical energy that powers building energy management communications. These “peel-n-stick” devices reduce the time, cost, and occupant disruption of energy conservation retrofits; and provide flexibility in new construction. The company is a spin-off of Siemens AG and U.S. operations are based in Boston, MA.

Major Leage Baseball team Philadelphia Phillies has expanded the use of environmentally preferable cleaning products and practices at its 43,500 seat Citizens Bank Park following a new agreement with xpedx, a cleaning supplies and equipment distributor with locations across the U.S.

xpedx has been servicing Citizens Bank Park for six years.

The six year relationship between xpedx and the Phillies continues to evolve with this agreement under which xpedx is the preferred distributor of facility supplies to the 2008 World Champion Phillies and Citizens Bank Park.

Ross Leiman, operations manager for Global Spectrum at Citizens Bank Park, said the logistics capabilities, strong customer service, and broad range of branded products from xpedx helps the Phillies maximize quality of care for the ballpark, reduce the use of harsh chemicals, increase cleaning efficiency, and tightly manage total costs.

One of the products used at Citizens Bank Park is JohnsonDiversey’s Alpha-HP Multi-Surface Cleaner, which uses a patented new hydrogen peroxide-based technology, and is Green Seal certified. “This is the kind of product that provides strong benefits to owners and managers of large, high-traffic facilities—products like this are safe for the environment and also deliver healthy, high-performance cleaning,” said John Hardin, JohnsonDiversey’s area vice president for corporate distribution. “Through xpedx, we can provide a total cleaning program, including green cleaning practices, that get a facility looking its best at very competitive pricing.”

The Phillies' stadium is a 1.15 million square foot facility.

The agreement between xpedx and the Phillies specifies that xpedx will supply products and equipment that are environmentally preferable, including towels, tissues, hand soap, trash can liners, floor and carpet care cleaners, and equipment and other janitorial supplies designed to have minimal impact on the environment through one or more of the following: reduced product waste, increased use of recycled content, and reduced use of cleaning chemicals, water and packaging materials.

xpedx, which represents major manufacturers including Kimberly-Clark, JohnsonDiversey, Tennant, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, and Heritage Bag, will supply environmentally responsible products from each company’s “green” portfolio.

Under the terms of the contract, xpedx will provide training and on-site support to the Phillies ballpark staff as well as facility manager Global Spectrum. Cincinnati, OH-based xpedx serves the Philadelphia market from its Mid-Atlantic regional headquarters.

“Citizens Bank Park looks as great today as when it first opened five years ago,” said Gary Henderson, xpedx sales manager for the greater Philadelphia market. “That’s significant, considering more than three million people visit the ballpark every year.”

“We can help facility owners and managers increase overall cleaning effectiveness and get a higher return on their total spending while they reduce environmental impact,” explained Michael Feenan, vice president of marketing-high traffic facilities for xpedx.  “That’s a winning combination of benefits.”

(Bottom photo: http://phillies.com)

The Sports Minister of Swaziland didn’t find anything magically delicious about the recent behavior of teams in the country’s Somhlolo National Stadium.

It was reported that members of perhaps several football teams who play there ripped up the facility’s artificial turf field in a quest to bury magic charms, known as “muti.” Planting such charms apparently is a traditional ritual meant to help teams win games.

The turf field, which reportedly cost $600,000, was dug up over the past month, so the muti could be planted underneath, with the damage especially bad by the goals and at centerfield.

Somhlolo National Stadium

Government sports officer Sipho Magagula said the government might consider banning the team suspected of most of the damage at the facility, which is Swaziland’s only football stadium. And the Sports Minister, Hlobsile Ndlovu, has filed a formal criminal complaint over the damage, with police investigating, according to local media.

Guess some teams needed all the luck they could get.