AMSTERDAM—SWIO, a full charging management solution provider for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and EVBox, a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions in Europe, are joining forces to provide drivers with the fastest charging stations in Luxembourg to date. Losch, mobility service provider, and SOCOM, infrastructure engineering firm, started the EV charging management solution joint venture, SWIO, to incentivize EV charging in Luxembourg. SWIO has already installed two EVBox Troniq High Power DC fast charging stations—providing an output of 320kW and 400kW. EVBox believes that easy installation is just as important as delivering high quality products. After extensive field testing and gathering feedback...

COMMERCE, CALIF.—Nora Lighting announces its 35th anniversary, marking three and a half decades of innovation, dedication, and excellence. To commemorate this significant milestone, the company has unveiled the transformation of not one, but two state-of-the-art showrooms. Over the past 35 years, the company has evolved and adapted to the ever-changing landscape of the lighting market, earning a reputation for providing cutting-edge solutions for both residential and commercial spaces. “We are thrilled to celebrate 35 years of illuminating homes and businesses everywhere. Our commitment to providing the highest quality lighting solutions has been unwavering, and the renovation of our showrooms is a...

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF.—Auto-Chlor System, a national leader in energy-efficient dishwasher production, installation, and service, presents the innovative AC TALL Space Maker Dish Machine, a key player in its advanced dishwashing technology range. Boasting a compact footprint of just 22” x 24” (occupying a mere 2.24 square feet), this dishwasher is designed to save 75 percent more space compared to conventional dish machines. This space efficiency makes it an optimal choice for environments with limited space but a high demand for efficient dishwashing. What sets the AC TALL Space Maker apart is its unique open front-loading door and a taller build,...

Cutting down on laundry volume has been the focus of our industry for decades now with the now standard towel/linen replacement opt-out programs. Only recently, however, has there been chatter about eliminating some towels entirely. In the past year I have run across several suppliers that are aiming to do just that. At this past fall’s Boutique Design New York, Magic Stone introduced its antibacterial bathmat made from natural stone that goes from wet to dry in seconds. According to the company, it can reduce annual expenditure on traditional floor towel bathmats by over 80 percent annually. The bathmats can...

SAUDI ARABIA—St. Regis Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of The St. Regis Red Sea Resort in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The captivating new address is the first private island to open in The Red Sea, one of the Kingdom’s luxury regenerative tourism destinations on the west coast of the country. Situated on the pristine Ummahat Island in the Al Wajh Lagoon, the resort is a destination-defining oasis with its avant-garde architecture, sustainable design details and bespoke service. “One of the world’s unexplored treasures, The Red Sea in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to become a coveted leisure destination,” said...

BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp. announced that it has been named to the 2023 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI) in recognition of the company’s dedication to responsible and ethical business practices. This marks the second consecutive year Whirlpool Corp. has been named to the World Index. The company is also on the North America Index for the 17th year. “For 112 years we have held ourselves to the highest ethical standards in our business operations, and we are proud of our long history of purposeful innovation, sustainable operations and local community engagement,” said Marc Bitzer, Chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corp....

MIAMI—Airzone Control, provider of HVAC solutions for zoning, automation, and smart control, announced a revolutionary new integration with the full portfolio of Nest thermostats. The integration between the Airzone Aidoo Pro and Nest smart thermostats (Nest Thermostat and Nest Learning Thermostat) enables seamless bi-directional communication between the Inverter/VRF and mini split HVAC units that are soaring in popularity. The Inverter/VRF solutions market is expected to reach $31.9 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 12.7 percent between 2021 and 2025. The global smart thermostat market is expanding in parallel and expected to triple by 2028 as more users gravitate towards...

NORTON SHORES, MICH.—EarthTronics, dedicated to developing innovative energy-saving lighting products that provide a positive economic and environmental impact, introduces its new 48”, 15-watt direct wire linear LED T8 with a flexible design that allows for single- or double-end operation on 120-277V for maximum energy savings. It is a plug and play solution that can work on electronic ballasts and can be direct wired to line voltage quickly with no lamp holder modifications necessary. Ideal for commercial, municipal, school and university retrofit applications, the new A/B Hybrid LED lamp is color selectable 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K or 6500K and is adjusted in the...

BETHESDA, MD.—For many years Host Hotels & Resorts has been recognized for its ongoing sustainability leadership, and justifiably so. It was the first hospitality company and one of the first 20 companies globally to have its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). “ is very important,” says Michael Chang, Vice President of Energy and Sustainability for Host Hotels & Resorts. “It is prioritized by the investor community. It signals that your goals are credible.” Of its portfolio of 77 hotels, 11 are LEED certified. “Our sustainable financing strategies enable our responsible investment in LEED-certified...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA.—The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) announced its commitment to becoming a regional leader in renewable energy. The District is actively collaborating with its partners at Reedy Creek Energy Services on exploring alternative renewable sources. This initiative aims to protect the environment while simultaneously reducing energy costs for taxpayers. District Administrator Glenton “Glen” Gilzean, Jr. stated, “The significance of renewable energy cannot be overstated in providing a safe and seamless experience for the 68,000,000 visitors and nearly 100,000 workers within the District boundaries. As District Administrator, I am dedicated to ensuring that the Central Florida Tourism...