There has always been a close relationship between the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) and Sanitary Maintenance magazine. Indeed, this relationship has proved to be of great benefit to the industry.

It all began in 1923
In 1923, Al Richter called a meeting of six other sanitary supply distributors to meet with him in St. Louis to discuss the formation of a trade association. Harry Apple, publisher of Brooms, Brushes & Mops (the predecessor to Sanitary Maintenance), dispatched his editor to attend this meeting and make a report for their publication.

Harry Apple was responsible for the close connection between the National Sanitary Supply Association (now ISSA) and Brooms, Brushes & Mops. In fact, Apple’s relationship with the sanitary supply industry dates back to 1912. That’s the year he purchased a number of publications, including Brooms, Brushes & Mops. Sanitary supplies were, at that time, distributed by broom and brush manufacturers.

When the seven sanitary supply distributors met in a small room at the St. Louis Elk’s Club on June 18-19, 1923, the following founding members were present:

  • Sidney J. Bockstanz
    Bockstanz Bros., Detroit, Mich.

  • John T. Opie
    Opie Brush Co., Kansas City, Mo.

  • Ludwig Wilson
    Ludwig Wilson Co., Chicago

  • W.G. Hutchins
    Sanitary Supplies Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.

  • J.H. Menkhaus
    Janitor Supply Co., Cincinnati

  • H.W. Sickler
    Janitor Supply Co., Pittsburgh

  • Alfred Richter
    St. Louis Janitor Supply, St. Louis

The only other person attending this meeting was Ed Kratsch, editor of Brooms, Brushes & Mops.

As a result, BBM became the official publication of the NSSA. Since the new association had no funds, Kratsch served as secretary with no pay. His services were donated by Harry Apple; Kratsch also continued as editor of the magazine.

In 1930, Kratsch resigned as editor of BBM and assumed a full-time position as secretary of the NSSA. He continued in that role until his untimely death in 1942.

The NSSA desperately needed a secretary during World War II. Many government resolutions and procedures were constantly being developed that affected the operations of all firms in the sanitary supply industry. The organization needed a person experienced in the affairs of the industry.

The president of NSSA, Marshall Magee, prevailed upon Harry Apple to accept this position, which he did with no compensation from NSSA.

Vision of the Future
While acting as secretary of NSSA, Apple began to see the tremendous future of the sanitary supply industry. He decided he could make a contribution to its growth by starting a magazine devoted solely to the distribution of sanitary supplies.

In 1943, Harry Apple founded Sanitary Maintenance magazine while he was still acting as secretary of NSSA.

According to Apple, “The sanitary supply industry has now come of age and is entitled to a strong publication dedicated exclusively to its own interests.”

In 1945, Harry Apple was replaced as secretary by a man he recommended, Leo Kelly.

In the ensuing years, Apple had a strong influence on the ethics and expansion of the ISSA, as well as the sanitary supply industry. His counsel was sought by manufacturers and distributors alike. Harry Apple’s contributions, through Sanitary Maintenance, further strengthened the connection between his magazine and the association.

The seven founding distributors of NSSA/ISSA, as well as other pioneer members of the association, realized the benefits of their relationships with Harry’s publications. For instance, the first president of NSSA, Tom Opie, had this to say in a letter addressed to Harry Apple in 1969:

    “Anyone in the distribution of janitor supplies in the early days of the NSSA was on his own. He had to ask and find his own sources of supply and develop his own method of distribution. The only way one could improve his knowledge was by traveling from city to city calling on different buildings. This way you could learn what they were using and get their source of supply.”

    Opie then added: “These methods were not changed until our first trade journal, Brooms, Brushes & Mops, appeared on the scene … thanks to Harry Apple!”

For many years, Sanitary Maintenance magazine was the unofficial publication for ISSA. District meetings were covered, candidates for office introduced, ISSA board meetings were reported and the annual conventions and trade shows were covered in detail.

Indeed, SM was the “voice” of ISSA.

Beginning in 1951, the magazine furnished a “Who’s Who” for each ISSA annual convention and trade show. This printed booklet contained a separate page devoted to each exhibitor’s booth number, key personnel attending the show and the products they were displaying.

All the members attending the annual ISSA trade show could go by the Sanitary Maintenance booth and obtain a free copy of this booklet. It made locating the display booths much easier.

In 1981, the ISSA board of directors decided it should provide this much-appreciated service for its own members. The result was an official directory published by ISSA.

When Harry Apple retired in 1965, his son, Robert Apple, became publisher, continuing the efforts of SM to help ensure the growth of ISSA.

The close relationship between the magazine and the association’s board of directors was clearly illustrated by the recipients of the first two ISSA Industry Distinguished Service Awards. Harry Apple, Sanitary Maintenance, and Jack D. Ramaley, ISSA’s executive director, each received the award.

In 1989, Bob Apple’s continuing efforts on behalf of the sanitary supply industry were recognized by ISSA when he was honored that year with the Jack D. Ramaley Award for Distinguished Service, which until 1986 was known as the Industry Distinguished Service Award.

The Tradition Continues
Today, Sanitary Maintenance president/CEO Robert J. Wisniewski continues to follow the tradition of the Apples. And in recognition, he was presented with ISSA’s Young Executive Society’s coveted “Industry Special Achievement Award” at the 1992 ISSA convention in New Orleans.

This award to Wisniewski symbolizes the continuing close relationship between ISSA and SM.

The relationship has helped foster the growth of ISSA, as well as that of Sanitary Maintenance. For example, the membership records from the mid-1940s show there were 702 members. Today, ISSA membership stands at 4,700.

The relationship between ISSA and SM promotes a sense of community throughout the industry — a community that will no doubt be present for another 60 years.

Jack Harding is the former owner of Big D Industries Inc., Tulsa, Okla. He was ISSA president in 1978-1979.

THANKS HARRY!

As the cleaning and maintenance industry celebrates the 60th anniversary of Sanitary Maintenance magazine this year, it’s important to pay tribute to the crucial role that SM’s founder, Harry Apple, played in the formation of the National Sanitary Supply Association (which became ISSA at the 1967 Convention in Boston).

The relationship that Harry, who died July 12, 1980, at 97, had with the sanitary supply industry dates back to 1912 when he purchased five publications, among them Brooms, Brushes & Mops. When seven distributors met in St. Louis in 1923 to discuss organizing a trade association, Harry Apple dispatched the editor of BB&M, Ed Kratsch, to cover the meeting. As a result, BB&M became the first publication for the National Sanitary Supply Association. Since NSSA had little money, Ed Kratsch served as secretary at no salary. In 1930, Ed resigned as editor of BB&M and became the first full-time executive secretary of the association. In 1942, when Ed Kratsch died, the NSSA Board of Directors prevailed upon Harry Apple to handle the various secretarial duties during World War II, to which Harry agreed to do without compensation. In 1945, Harry was replaced by Leo Kelly, who served the Association as executive director for more than 10 years.

At the 1977 New Orleans Convention a final tribute was made to Harry Apple when he was awarded the Industry Distinguished Service Award for his 57 years of unselfish dedication to the International Sanitary Supply Association.

— Jack Ramaley




POSTED ON: 5/1/2003