ASSOCIATION NEWS

ISSA, Lincolnwood, Ill., recently revealed that former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich will be the keynote speaker for ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America 2007, which takes place October 23-26 in Orlando. The theme of this year’s speech is “Living in the Age of Transformation,” and will focus on the challenges and opportunities provided by the information age.

According to ISSA, Gingrich will demonstrate how lessons learned in one discipline can apply to another, and how all fields of study share a common connection to information technology.

While Gingrich is best known for his political career, he has also studied subjects such as the natural world, the biological revolution’s impact on health, international finance and the benefits of lean manufacturing.

The keynote will be held on Thursday, October 25 at 8:15 a.m.


CIRI Calls For Papers On Cleaning For Health
The Cleaning Industry Research Institute (CIRI) has issued a call for papers to be presented at its second annual conference, scheduled for June 8-11, 2008, in Washington, D.C.

CIRI is looking for papers from the cleaning profession that will increase knowledge on the connection between effective cleaning and overall health. Three types of papers will be considered: papers based on existing knowedge; original research papers; and papers that are currently in the development process.

The first deadline is September 1, when an abstract needs to be submitted. For more information on paper guidelines and deadlines, visit www.ciri-research.org.


COMPANY NOTES
Spartan Chemical Co., Maumee, Ohio, recently held a two-day seminar for more than 60 building service contractors and facility managers. The seminar offered insight into industry trends as well as networking opportunities.

Sandia National Labs, a division of Lockheed Martin, has qualified for the (OS1) Green Certified Cleaning Program designation for the third year in a row. The designation was achieved by reaching the ManageMen Standard on the annual (OS1) Progress Audit conducted throughout the Albuquerque, N.M. facilities.

Sandia had to demonstrate to the outside auditor that they are minimizing environmental harm by eliminating the use of hazardous chemical practices. The cleaning program also had to demonstrate waste reduction, reuse of materials, safe cleaning and effective recycling.

In conjunction with Ethical Investment Research Services (EIRIS), The Independent newspaper recently released a guide to the greenest companies in the world. The Swedish company Svenska Cellulosa (SCA) placed second overall.

The Independent and EIRIS ranking is based on a wide range of objective criteria. Researchers looked at practices, such as management systems, waste production and water use, and improvements related to climate change. Individual companies’ involvement in positive technologies, such as renewable energy, or incidents of serious environmental damage were also studied.

JanPak Inc., Davidson, N.C., announced the expansion of its Houston operation into a new distribution center.

The new center expands the operation from 40,000 to 85,000 square feet, and increases its storage capacity to more than 1.2 million cubic feet. It features a state-of-the-art customer training and resource center.

Network Services Co., Mount Prospect, Ill., has received two awards for customer-focused information technology (IT) programs — the CIO 100 Awards for 2007, presented by CIO magazine, and the 2007 Midmarket IT Leadership Awards, given by CIO Decisions magazine.

This is the fourth time and third consecutive year that Network has received a CIO 100 Award, created by CIO magazine to recognize organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of excellence in information technology.

Flow-Eze Co., Rockford, Ill., a family business for more than 65 years, is re-establishing its presence in the jan/san market. Known for its bottles and sprayers, the company is re-entering the market because it sees a growing need for the services and products it provides.

THE UNITED GROUP®, Monroe, La., recently announced three major award winners at its 2007 National Conference. Central Paper & Supply Co., Inc., Johnson City, Tenn., tied for top honors with Associated Paper, Conyers, Ga., as member of the year. Shurtape, Hickory, N.C., won supplier of the year.

THE UNITED GROUP bases awards on number and amount of purchases by the distributor members from the suppliers and sales by the suppliers to the distributor members.

The Palmer Co., Inc., Waukesha, Wis., recently celebrated its 100th anniversary during an open house.

The company, which distributes commercial cleaning supplies and machines, has been controlled by the Hoffman family since 1968. According to members of the company, it has been able to continually grow by offering value-added service and developing long-standing relationships with clients.

Växa, a Tampa Fla.-based distributor of homeopathic medicine, has selected Activant Prophet 21™, Yardley, Pa., as its enterprise software solution, bringing the number of distributors Activant serves to 1,100.

The milestone comes less than six months after Activant announced that selection of Prophet 21 had reached the 1,000 distributor mark.


PLAYERS
Betco, Toledo, Ohio, added five regional sales managers. Butch Webber will service Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Nick Ginnetti’s territory includes central and southern Illinois and St. Louis. North Dakota, Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin will be managed by Chris Call. Scott Durham is responsible for Southern California, and Mike Standish will manage Dallas and the Texas pan handle.

BioSafe Systems LLC, East Hartford, Conn., recently named Rick Burkhard as president of sales. He will be responsible for the day-to-day sales effort within BioSafe’s North American market.

The (OS1) Users Group recently selected Larry Shideler, founder of ProTeam, Boise, Idaho, as the recipient of the 2007 Pinnacle Award, which recognizes contributions to the cleaning industry.

Shideler was chosen for his contributions to the cleaning industry by a vote of over 300 organizations and several hundred leaders who have attended Janitor University since 1993.

R.J. Schinner Co., Inc., New Berlin, Wis., a redistributor to the commercial wholesale trade, has announced Michael Hunt as director of sales.

xpedx, Loveland, Ohio, has appointed Tom Weisenbach to executive vice president for sales and marketing and Guy Belew to vice president for strategy and planning.

Weisenbach leads the company’s sales and marketing organizations and brings the two groups under central leadership.
Belew is responsible for developing and overseeing the company’s long-term strategic plans and exploring new business opportunities.

Sysco Corp., Houston, has named Alan Kelso chairman and chief executive officer of its chain restaurant distribution subsidiary The Sygma Network Inc.

He will also take on the role of vice president of the food distribution company. Kelso was group president for the company’s strategic development group. He has worked for Sysco since 1993.

United Stationers Inc., a Deerfield, Ill.-based wholesale distributor of business products, announced that its board of directors has elected Victoria J. Reich as senior vice president and chief financial officer.

She will report directly to Richard W. Gochnauer, president and chief executive officer. Reich succeeds Kathleen S. Dvorak, who will stay on during a transition period through September 1, 2007.

Intellibot Robotics LLC, Richmond, Va., has appointed David Schneider marketing manager. Schneider will oversee all aspects of marketing, promotions, communications and advertising.

Schneider will join the staff at a new headquarters location near Pittsburgh, scheduled to open later this summer.

CPAC Inc., a Leicester, N.Y.-based manufacturer and marketer within the cleaning and personal care and imaging industries, announced the promotion of Brad A. Hendrickson to president of Cleaning Technologies Group (CTG), CPAC’s commercial cleaning entity.

Steve Baune, president of CPAC Imaging Worldwide and vice president of CPAC Inc., will assume Hendrickson’s imaging responsibilities, as president of CPAC Imaging, Americas.

Robert (Bob) A. Gail was recently named president of St. Louis-based Continental Commercial Products (CCP).
Gail has been with the company for the past five years as the leader of the company’s sales and marketing team. Gail will report to Anthony T. Castor III.

Reporting to Gail are the operations, field sales, human resources, finance, information, sales administration, custom sales, jan/san distribution, foodservice sales and corporate marketing department officers and directors.




POSTED ON: 7/1/2007