70 Years of Cleaning Industry Memories Pt. 4

Brame Specialty’s second-generation President J.B. Brame. Today, his sons Randy and Jim Jr. lead the company.

A 1934 advertisement for Brame Specialty featuring Founder R.L. Brame (center).

The first three presidents of ISSA (then known as NSSA): (L-R) Sid Bockstanz (1924-25), John T. Opie (1923-24) and Ludwig Wilson (1925-26).

Charles Haspar, vice president-sales for Clarke, presents the Dollar Award to Dalco President Ted Stark (right), and Maurice Dixon (center), Dalco’s sales manager in 1971. Dixon was an SM columnist for many years in the 2000s.

Vintage packaging for Cargill Salt’s Winter Melt ice melt.

Bobrick in the early 1940s. The company was an advertiser in the first issue of Sanitary Maintenance.

NJSSA officers celebrate the association’s 10th anniversary in 1984. Seated is Russ Leahy, who served on the first board. Giving him the pat on the back are Steve Levine, Hank Josephs, Kevin Hennessey, Ollie Baker, Bill Muhs and Don Jackson.

The original Advance building in Minneapolis in the 1940s. The company first started making machines for the floor industry in the 1920s.

Kellermeyer Co. Founder Vernon H. Kellermeyer (left) with R.J. Sandusky, sales manager-vice president in the 1960s.

In 1906, Hill & Markes, Inc. was founded by Amos Hill and Charlie Markes. Originally the company sold ice cream.

In 1947, Harry and Harriet Finkle purchased the company and now it is the largest independent jan/san distributor in upstate New York (but you can still buy cones and toppings.)

Actor Don Knotts (known for “The Andy Griffith Show” and later “Three’s Company”) quizzically examines an Advance ad layout. The 1969 advertising program starred Knotts in the role of Mr. Nice Guy maintenance man. In the 1970s, he was the face of Advance’s “Keep It Clean” anti-litter campaign.

Kruger Products’ Quebec manufacturing plant in the 1950s. Here the paper is being spooled into large parent rolls after its been dried.

Penny and Pete Demetriades, executive vice president and president respectively, along with their famous gorilla friend, celebrate ETC of Henderson’s first birthday in 1981.