2014 ISSA Innovation Award Program Winners Announced

ISSA is pleased to recognize the winners of the 2014 ISSA Innovation Award Program, which were announced during the ISSA Excellence Award Ceremony at the ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America trade show, November 7, in Orlando, FL.

 This year’s ISSA Innovation Award Program featured more than 50 innovative products and services from manufacturers and service providers throughout the cleaning industry. Products and services were entered in five unique categories: Cleaning Agents, Dispensers, Equipment, Services & Technology, and Supplies. Industry distributors, wholesalers, and facility service providers voted to determine the award winners.

“The ISSA Innovation Award Program was a great success from the start with a lot of enthusiasm from participants and voters alike,” said ISSA Director of Sales Anthony Trombetta. “We congratulate the winning entries and look forward to featuring more new and exciting products in next year’s lineup.”

For the 2014 Innovation Award Program, eligible voters determined five category winners exclusively at www.issa.com/vote from August 1 to through October 31, 2014. Then, during ISSA/INTERCLEAN® North America 2014 in Orlando, FL, November 5-7, entries were on display in the Innovation Showcase and voters selected the five Visitors’ Choice award winners.

2014 ISSA Innovation Award Program Category Winners
CLEANING AGENTS
3M Commercial Solutions Div. | Scotchgard™ Resilient Floor Protector

DISPENSERS
Tennant Co. | Orbio® os3 System

EQUIPMENT
Kärcher Commercial | BR 35/12 C Bp

SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY
CleanTelligent Software | Bidding and Estimating

SUPPLIES
Americo Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Full Cycle™ Floor Pads

2014 ISSA Innovation Award Program Visitors’ Choice Award Winners:

Kärcher Commercial | BR 35/12 C Bp
NSS Enterprises, Inc. | e-Force Burnisher 
Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Inc. | Quick Cart
Spartan Chemical Co. | CompuClean
Ultimate Solutions, Inc. | i-mop To view the complete list of entries, please visit www.issa.com/innovation.

Hope for Small Business?

Hope for Small Business?

Amazon.com, the largest consumer e-commerce site, launched AmazonSupply.com which offers more than 500,000 products that include janitorial and sanitization products.  Retail chains like Staples, Costco, Lowes, Menards and Sam’s Club are following suit and more recently Grainger announced that it will spend $40 million to build out its online e-commerce store.  Not only do these big box retail chains have an enormous online presence but their colossal facilities across the nation, competitive pricing, and aggressive buying power can squash us little fish.

In an economic time where the first budget line that gets cut is Janitorial Services, everyone’s bottom line starts to shrink.  So…what’s a small business to do?

Well put your boot straps on and don’t give up! Here are some tips that will enable you to swim with the sharks:

1.      Excellent Service

You have heard the term time and time again, but it’s the one thing that will prevent you from getting bitten.  Anyone can bring a chemical or a mop to the market but the difference between you and Amazon is the level of service you provide to your customers.  Customers appreciate the information and the extra training you give them when they are purchasing, they value the fact that you can recommend different products according to their needs/problems and budgets.  You are not just a shopping cart where your clients just check out.

2.      Competitive pricing

In order to stay in the game you will have to play the price game, it’s inevitable.  The upside is that there are many things you can do you that will allow you to compete price wise.

-          Contact your vendors, ask for your terms to be extended from 30 to 45 or 60 days.  If you have a good relationship with vendors and/or manufacturer reps chances are they will extend longer terms.  This will allow you to stretch your cash flow, and help you manage paying your bills on time.

-          Contact all your customers before putting in order to determine if you can place a larger order with your vendors.  Larger orders = decreased pricing and the positive of this is, most of what you’ve ordered is already pre-sold.

3.      Utilize 3PL

I recently learned about 3PL, which is a term used for “public warehouses”.  If you are a smaller distributor looking to grow without wanting to move or pay more for warehouse space then this is a perfect solution.  You can keep stock levels high without the risk of adding to your payroll or rent. 

4.      Education

Make sure you are really breaking it down for your customers.  Do they understand that when they are buying from big box retail they may not be getting the same unit of measure, it may seem cheaper in the short-run but it’s actually costing them a lot more in the long-run.

 

5.      Collaboration

If you can’t beat them join them.  Reach out and see if there is any way you can help or if they want to carry any of your products.  Every big organization has a diversity program, if you’re certified get on their supplier lists.  There is always a way to get a piece of the pie.

It may be more work, longer hours and a lot more dedication, but there is hope, you can do it.  Bring on the longer work days, isn’t that what small business is all about?  And remember a shark’s intuition is to attack when they smell blood, don’t let them see you bleed but rather swim right along with them.

Alpine making history at ISSA 2012

10/12/2012

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION,  Cary IL.

ALPINE CLEANING EQUIPMENT IS MAKING HISTORY AT ISSA CONVENTION Booth #228

Alpine Cleaning Equipment, Inc. will be exhibiting at the ISSA (International Sanitary Supply Association) in Chicago next week (Oct 17-19) at booth #228, making it the first WBE certified Distribution Company to exhibit at ISSA.  They are also certified as an MBE/WBE with the City of Chicago. 

Alpine Cleaning Equipment is a leader in refurbished cleaning equipment specializing in restoring floor polishers, scrubbers, burnishers, extractors and much more.  In addition to equipment Alpine offers certified chemicals, janitorial products and supplies.

Ruby Kular, Alpine President, is thrilled to have had her company recognized by Diversity Business as one of Illinois Top Women Owned Businesses.  “I am extremely proud of my team that has helped us grow over the past few years. We have taken extensive steps to also offer options of environmentally products that are certified by Green Seal.  Our entire staff is committed in educating and offering eco-friendly options to our clients whenever possible.  I truly believe that it’s been the power of persistence and teamwork that has contributed to our growth and success.”

Alpine’s booth (#228) will be in the New Exhibitor Pavilion section at McCormick Place South – Level 3.

For additional information, please contact:

Ruby Kular 847-639-8803 

770 Industrial Dr. Cary IL 60013

rkular@alpinecleaningequipment.com

 

Welcome

Welcome to Alpine Cleaning Equipment, Inc.  We hope to chat about the commercial cleaning world and blog about various different topics from carpet cleaning to microfiber.  Our goal is to update you on products, chemicals and equipment that will help you make the best possible purchasing decision. 

As a member of ISSA, Healthy Schools Campaign and recently named one of the top businesses in Illinois we believe our expertise can help your business with all of your equipment and supply needs. 

We look forward in hearing your comments and questions. 

Alpine