Former President Bush To Speak At ISSA/Interclean
He’s a former president, the father of another president, and, now, the keynote speaker at the ISSA/Interclean 2004 show in New Orleans.

The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) recently announced George Herbert Walker Bush will address show attendees Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 8:30 a.m., two weeks after the election that could give his son, President George W. Bush, another four years in the White House, or a one-way ticket back to Crawford, Texas.

The elder Bush will discuss current events and the nation’s political climate and talk briefly about developing strong leadership in today’s business environment. Attendees will be able to ask questions following his address.

Bush held office between 1988 and 1992, following eight years serving as vice president under Ronald Reagan. He previously held a variety of positions, ranging from Naval aviator, to business executive, Republican National Committee chair, ambassador, Congressman and director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Since leaving office, he has written two books (see the review of All The Best, George Bush).

BSCAI, BOMA Form Alliance
Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI) has entered into a cooperative agreement with the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International. The two organizations will be exhibiting at each other’s annual conventions, sharing editorial between their publications, holding meetings at BSCAI and BOMA International national events and performing joint studies of relevance to the facilities management and maintenance industries.

“We feel that it is extremely good for BSCAI to partner with an association that represents the clients of our members,” says BSCAI executive vice president Carol Dean. “The ultimate goal for the agreement ... is to promote our respective associations and their products, programs, and services and to enhance our respective industries.”

“BOMA International and BSCAI are two organizations committed to providing outstanding services to their members, and this agreement enhances that commitment,” says BOMA International Chairman John P. Kelly, RPA, Ryan Companies US, Inc., Minneapolis. “By sharing expertise in key areas, we will deliver greater value on our respective programs.”

Nilfisk-Advance, an international manufacturer of floor and carpet-care equipment, recently announced the acquisition of ALTO, a major competitor.

The transaction, effective April 30, is still subject to approval by the competition authorities in several countries. However, approval is expected to be in place by June 30, according to Nilfisk-Advance representatives.

Johan Molin of Nilfisk-Advance has been appointed president and CEO of the new organization.


Intellibot Robotics, LLC, Portland, Ore., has a new owner, president and CEO. The company was purchased late last year by entrepreneur Henry L.Hillman, Jr. Under his leadership, Intellibot is expanding to new markets and introducing new cleaning models in 2004.


LCOR Alexandria, L.L.C. recently selected UNICCO® Service Co. to provide janitorial services at the new U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Headquarters Project in Alexandria, Va.


Sun Cleaning Systems Inc., Milwaukee, has acquired Rex-Clean, Inc., Manitowoc, Wis., and the Milwaukee-area assets of BSG Maintenance Corp., Milwaukee. The acquisitions make Sun Cleaning the second largest building service company servicing Southeast Wisconsin.


Hilton Supply Management (HSM) has announced an agreement with Soft Vac Corp., Silver Spring, Md., to provide protective covers for the hotel’s vacuums. Soft Vac will provide E-12 (Sanitaire type) and WS-12 (Oreck-Windsor SR-12 Advance Power One type) models, labeled with “The Hilton Family.” These covers are available for properties including Hilton Hotels, Hampton Inns, Double Tree Hotels, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Gardens and Homewood Suites.

Bush Administration Announces More Changes To OT Rules
Facing an election-year firestorm of criticism over changes to decades-old overtime laws, the Bush Administration has revised its proposals. The new plan, according to the administration, will take overtime protection away from far fewer white-collar professionals.

Under the revised plan, workers earning less than $23,660 per year are guaranteed overtime, regardless of job function. On the other end of the spectrum, office workers performing non-manual work who earn more than $100,000 per year can be considered exempt from overtime. Computer experts earning $27.63 per hour or more also can be exempt. The changes also protect first responders, such as police officers, firefighters and paramedics; previously, they could be considered exempt from overtime requirements under many circumstances.

Barring other action, the changes will take effect this summer; however, some Democrats say they will try to block some of the changes that could take away overtime from workers.

JohnsonDiversey HQ Takes The LEED
Cleaning-products giant JohnsonDiversey Inc.’s Racine, Wis., headquarters recently became one of the first facilities in North America to earn certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standard for existing buildings (LEED-EB), offered by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Improvements to JohnsonDiversey’s headquarters included daylighting; native prairie plants and restored wetlands on more than half of the 57-acre campus; stormwater collection for turf irrigation; low-flow water fixtures; recycling; as well as a comprehensive healthy cleaning program.

“Earning LEED for our global headquarters is a great achievement,” says Curt Johnson, chairman. “Providing healthy, high-performance facilities for our customers is showcased in our own headquarters, where we provide a green and healthy workplace for our employees.”




POSTED ON: 5/1/2004