A New Era For Contracting Profits

Almost 25 years ago, Trade Press Media Group published the first issue of Contracting Profits. The vision to launch a new publication for the contract cleaning industry came from CEO Bob Wisniewski. Trade Press already owned the leading jan/san distribution magazine, Sanitary Maintenance, and Bob felt he could bring this same editorial excellence to building service contractors. 

Between then and now, many Trade Press staffers, me included, have aspired to maintain Bob’s ambitious goal of being the best resource for BSCs. But sadly, after 45 years of working at Trade Press, 30 of which he was CEO and owner, Bob decided it was time to retire. 

In January, Trade Press Media Group and all of its brands were sold to Forum Media Group, a family-owned media firm in Germany. Trade Press’ long-standing COO, Jeff Schenk, was named our new CEO.

Forum is a global firm already operating subsidiaries in 17 countries, but this acquisition marks their first entry into the U.S. market. Fortunately, you shouldn’t notice much difference. I, along with other editors, sales and support staffs, will remain with the brand. For BSCAI members, we will still be the official publication of the association. 

However, this ownership change will provide new resources and opportunities for Contracting Profits to offer more, and better, coverage of the contract cleaning industry. The acquisition will not alter our vision of providing well-researched, timely and unbiased information to readers. What’s exciting to me is Forum’s mission is to “inform, educate and entertain” — principles that mirror Contracting Profits’ own commitments to its readers.  

I would like to thank Bob for his guidance, trust and friendship these last 15 years. He is a leader others should aspire to be. I wish him nothing but the best.