OSHKOSH, WIS.—Continental Girbau Inc. recently released the new Express Flatwork Ironer line, a team of waxless ironers capable of finishing up to 50 feet of linen per minute. Available in 13- and 20-inch roll diameters and up to 125-inch finishing widths, Express Flatwork Ironers boast new conveniences, including significantly enhanced processing speeds; an easily accessible lint cleanout; a wide, metallic feeding tray; reinforced lateral bearings; and multiple heating systems and types. All models are available in natural gas or electric heating, and the 20-inch is also available in steam heating. Making the most of available space, these return-to-feed ironers...

MORRISTOWN, N.J.—Honeywell International Inc. said Monday that it has acquired INNCOM, a Connecticut-based, privately held manufacturer of advanced software-based energy management solutions and in-room controls for lodging, healthcare and educational institutions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Honeywell said the acquisition will enhance its existing building management control systems offerings and broadens its customer base into the high-growth global lodging industry, particularly in the Middle East, India and Asia Pacific. INNCOM’s lodging customers include leading global brands ranging from mid-scale hotels to five-star luxury properties, including Hilton, Sheraton, Hyatt, St. Regis, Four Seasons, Radisson, Kimpton, among many others. INNCOM had...

LAKE GENEVA, WIS.—What if a hotel or building could install cogeneration with no investment, purchase electricity at a discount and reduce their carbon footprint? It may sound impossible, but the Green Leaf Inn in Delavan, Wis., has signed a 15 year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a third party owner-operator of cogeneration, or combined heat and power systems, providing the benefit of on-site cogeneration with no investment in equipment, and an electricity bill 20 percent below the local utility cost.The key benefit for the inn and any business is savings—both in energy cost and capital equipment. Similar to wanting...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Green Energy Products as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The Verdant eNviro iQ Energy Management system from Green Energy Products, LLC, specifically designed for the hospitality industry, delivers energy savings without compromising guest comfort.The system incorporates a large touch-screen, user-friendly thermostat with an occupancy sensor to save energy when rooms are unoccupied and ensures guest comfort when rooms are occupied. Built-in wireless mesh-networking enables remote management capabilities and facilitates the installation. Hotels using the system can reduce HVAC energy consumption by more than 40 percent.For...

DALLAS—The Omni Dallas Hotel, which opened its doors last November, has received LEED Gold New Construction (NC) certification, making it the first and only LEED Gold hotel in Texas and the largest LEED Gold hotel in the United States outside of Las Vegas. This designation was made possible by the development and execution of a highly disciplined plan that included the use of recycled and regionally-sourced materials, reduced construction pollution and water conservation initiatives. Upon opening, the hotel has also instituted practices to operate at LEED Gold standards.“The Omni Dallas Hotel is living up to its expectations in every...

INDIANAPOLIS—CityWay, a transformative new 14-acre neighborhood in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, is incorporating a number of sustainable initiatives into the new community, including plentiful green space, energy and water efficiency, a recycling program, enhanced indoor environmental quality, carpooling and electric vehicle support. It is also pursuing LEED certification for the new Alexander Hotel, a Dolce Hotel, affirming CityWay’s support for environmentally-conscious design, construction and living for downtown.“Sustainable living and working are central to the vision for CityWay,” said Scott Travis, senior development director of Buckingham Companies. “From the construction phase through its completion, CityWay will remain on the...

SECAUCUS, N.J.—Panasonic Eco Solutions North America introduces the Eco Products Division, formerly known as Panasonic Home & Environment Company. The new Eco Products Division houses Panasonic’s ventilation fan business, which includes 18 advanced lines of high-performance, Energy Star-rated ventilation solutions that improve indoor air quality and comply with the latest building standards and codes. “At Panasonic, we strive to go beyond providing superior eco products to our customers by offering them comprehensive solutions,” said Dan Silver, vice president, Panasonic Eco Products Division. “The integration of our ventilation fan business with other PESNA units such as Solar Panels, Lighting Controls and...

PARIS—Accor has officially launched PLANET 21, a comprehensive program covering all of the Group’s environmental, social and community investment actions and placing sustainability at the core of its business strategy worldwide. With PLANET 21, Accor is making 21 commitments and the same number of quantified goals for the year 2015, including: employees trained in disease prevention in 95 percent of hotels, 80 percent of properties promoting balanced dishes; 85 percent of hotels using eco-labeled products; a 15 percent reduction in water consumption; and 10 percent decrease in energy use at Accor’s owned and leased hotels worldwide. The name PLANET...

ITHACA, N.Y.—A new paper in the Cornell Hospitality Industry Perspectives series highlights Energy University, developed by Schneider Electric for the benefit of building managers in all industries, including the hospitality industry. Available at no charge from the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research (CHR), the white paper, “Energy University: An Innovative Private-Sector Solution to Energy Education,” was written by R. Sean O’Kane and Susan Hartman, both of Schneider Electric.“Our model is similar to the CHR, since we provide all our course materials and information without charge,” said O’Kane, who is Schneider’s director of hotel strategic alliances. “Also like Cornell we...

SALT LAKE CITY—Control4, a provider of IP-based home and hospitality control systems, has completed installation of the Control4 hospitality solution in three revitalized Dorchester Group hotels including 45 Park Lane in London, and Hotel Bel Air and Beverly Hills Hotel, both located in Los Angeles.“Our vision at the Dorchester Hotel Group was to integrate state-of-the-art technology to deliver a guest experience reflective of our upscale properties,” said Mark Campbell, chief information officer at Dorchester Collection. “Building on the growing popularity of home automation, we wanted a hotel room solution that vastly improved the comfort of our guests by allowing...