Fire Destroys ETC Plant
ETC of Henderson, a Henderson, N.C.-based manufacturer of floor pads and mops, watched as the majority of its manufacturing plant was destroyed by fire December 15, around noon. The next day, investigators announced that a welding torch accidentally sparked and ignited some combustible material in the plant. Employees attempted to put out the fire with portable fire extinguishers, but the fire grew quickly as strong winds carried it through ETC’s buildings.

“We had very strong winds that day that blew flames across the buildings,” says Michael Jacobs, editor with Henderson’s newspaper, The Daily Dispatch, “so they really couldn’t do anything about it.”

Every ETC employee emerged from the fire unscathed. ETC executives credited the company’s emergency evacuation plan that used two-way radios to notify every employee about the fire within minutes.

“ETC has used business band radios for internal communication almost since its inception,” says Penny Demetriades, executive vice president for the company. “Sometimes they really annoy us — when we’ve responded to what seems like the 500th call, we’d like to just turn them off, but we don’t. On Monday, those radios saved a lot of lives.”

Because of those portable two-way radios, ETC employees were able to evacuate the building quickly and safely. ETC president, Pete Demetriades, directed around 50 production employees to safety and helped 100 firefighters contain the fire.

“Our greatest, most important product — our company family — is whole and working,” says Tim Surratt, vice president of marketing for ETC.

ETC of Henderson is still operating its office buildings, which didn’t need to be evacuated during the fire, and plans to continue serving its customers. “The fire door held on our cutting building, which is also our newest building, so we’re still able to produce quite a few floor pads, and we’ve got a lot of inventory left in our undamaged warehouses,” says Penny Demetriades. “Everyone is working hard.”

ETC managers and supervisors are salvaging inventory, directing a swarm of plumbers and electricians, as they attempt to get their operations back to 100 percent.

“We think we have a grip on it,” adds Demetriades, “and we’re still talking on those radios.”

— Alex Runner, Contributing Writer


IICRC Chooses New Committee
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) recently elected its 2004 Executive Committee.

The committee includes chairman of the board, Carey Vermeulen; first vice chair Darrel Paulson; second vice chair Ruth Travis; secretary Mike Reed; treasurer Mike Morris; and certification council chair Joe Dobbins.

IFMA Recognizes MMMM VP
Tom LaTurno, regional vice president of Mitch Murch’s Maintenance Management Co., St. Louis, was named Associate Member of the Year by the Central Illinois chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). LaTurno, who is based in Bloomington, Ill., has been an active member of the IFMA chapter since 1995.

Flu Tops Germ Concerns
In a recent survey of American adults, 66 percent cited the flu as the health issue they were most concerned about for 2004. The common cold was a distant second, followed by severe acute respiratory syndrome and the Norwalk virus. 60 percent of those surveyed said they were washing their hands more frequently to reduce their risk. The survey was conducted on behalf of Kimberly-Clark Professional.


Mergers & Other Moves
• Henkel, a Dusseldorf, Germany-based manufacturer of detergents, cosmetics and adhesives, recently announced the acquisition of Dial Corp., a soap and detergent manufacturer in Scottsdale, Ariz., for $2.9 billion.

• Cleaning-products giant JohnsonDiversey Co., Sturtevant, Wis. recently announced that its Japanese subsidiary, TeepolDiversey Co., has acquired Daisan Kogyo Co., a leading food and beverage manufacturer in Japan.

• SCA, an international paper manufacturer in Stockholm, Sweden, recently announced the acquisition of 41 percent of the share capital (50 percent of the voting rights) in Scaninge Timer, Stockholm, owner of 390,000 hectares of productive forestland. SCA acquires the share capital from Graninge AB, and secures full and long-term strategic control of the timber flow with the purchase.

• Teknor Apex, Pawtucket, R.I., a manufacturer of molder rubber floor matting and rubber and plastic cutting boards, extended its reach into the floor matting market with the acquisition of Velo International, North Canton, Ohio, an importer and marketer of matting from around the world.


Coverall Franchisee Recovers From California Wildfires
When wildfires struck southern California last year, Alvin Robinson, owner of a San Bernadino Coverall Cleaning Concepts franchise had just 15 minutes to escape. Although no workers or family members were seriously injured, Robinson’s home and business were completely destroyed.

However, Robinson’s business was up and running in no time, thanks to manufacturers and other Coverall owners who chipped in to provide him enough supplies to cover his accounts.

“Within two weeks, I was offered a high-speed buffer and carpet machine,” Robinson says. “I don’t know what I did, but it really was a blessing.”

Robinson says he and his family are coping with their loss, but it’s been difficult.

“The help has made things easier, but its still hard,” he says. “It changed my life around, but I know after awhile, things will get better. It definitely made me appreciate what I do have — I learned everything I worked for could go up in smoke, so I don’t take anything for granted anymore.”




POSTED ON: 1/1/2004