MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros, the innovator of an ultra-low water laundry system, announced that several hotels and commercial laundries have joined the Xeros Million Gallon Club by each saving more than one million gallons of water using Xeros’ award-winning polymer bead cleaning laundry system. The patented, award-winning system delivers superior cleaning performance while using 80 percent less water, up to 50 percent less energy, and approximately 50 percent less detergent than traditional systems. In addition to significant operational savings, the advanced technology has also proven to extend linen life with gentler cleaning...

ST. JOSEPH, MICH.—The Fred Maytag Award was recently presented to Hercules Corp. at the Maytag Commercial Laundry 57th Annual Meeting in Bonita Springs, Fla. As the longest-running award in the commercial laundry industry, this prestigious honor recognizes one deserving commercial laundry provider with the upmost regard each year.“We’re proud to commend Hercules for this award,” said Trey Northrup, General Manager of Maytag Commercial Laundry. “A long-term commercial laundry provider, Hercules has demonstrated tremendous excellence, customer service and unwavering dedication within commercial laundry—upholding the historic tradition associated with this honor.”Established by Fred Maytag, this esteemed accolade recognizes a Maytag Commercial...

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y.—BioHiTech Global, Inc., a green technology company that provides data-driven solutions for food waste disposal, recorded a new quarterly record with 20 new Eco-Safe Digester orders from commercial customers across the United States and abroad in the first quarter of 2016. Camelback Resort, an interactive mountain resort in the Pocono Mountains, has placed an initial order for two Eco-Safe Digesters adding to BioHiTech’s family entertainment customer roster.Camelback Resort includes Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia—the biggest indoor waterpark in the Northeast. The 453-room lodge offers mountain activities from skiing and snowboarding to Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor water park and zip...

MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros, the innovator of an ultra-low water laundry system, introduces Xeros Sbeadycare XTEND, a new commercial laundry linen management solution for hotels that has been proven to extend the life of linens and in turn, lowers linen replacement costs as compared with traditional aqueous based washing. Sbeadycare XTEND is a first of its kind product for the laundry industry combining physical and digital technologies into a comprehensive “phygital” solution that utilizes smart, connected washing machines, responsive cleaning programs, and new polymers designed to offer the most gentle and effective cleaning system available. Xeros Sbeadycare XTEND will enhance the...

CHEVY CHASE, MD.—A new coffee is brewing at Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts across the United States. First Drop Coffee is proprietary and branded for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in America. It is made 100 percent from coffee beans harvested by Rainforest Alliance Certified farms in Mexico and Brazil.In addition, select hotels will feature the First Drop Reserve, also a 100 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee. This premium artisan coffee is roasted in small batch form using only the top 3 percent of the world’s Arabica coffees. The Ritz-Carlton exquisite blend hails from East Africa, Central America, and South America....

PARIS—Next spring, 14 years after being conceived by Pierre & Vacances Center Parcs and Euro Disney, Villages Nature Paris will open 20 miles east of Paris. The resort will be a showcase for green design, geothermal technology and will be based on harmony between man and nature. Villages Nature Paris will open with 916 dwellings, more than two-thirds of which will be cottages and one-third family suites. The dwellings will be owned by individual and other investors and managed by Villages Nature Paris. According to Dominique Cocquet, CEO of Villages Nature Paris, within five years the development is expected...

NATIONAL REPORT—HVS conducts numerous walkthroughs of hotel F&B operations each year. In almost every full service property, it finds opportunities to significantly decrease utility costs through a combination of operating enhancements and capital projects. This article summarizes some of the more common F&B utility efficiency opportunities that HVS routinely identifies and addresses at its clients’ properties. Where to Start? It is important to begin by understanding the relationship between ownership and management. For example, is the restaurant or banquet department operated by the hotel management company, leased to a third party, or joint ventured in some manner? Correspondingly, which party pays...

INWOOD, N.Y.—Laundrylux recently announced the addition of industry veteran Corey Simonson to its On-Premises Laundry division. Simonson has been hired as OPL National Sales Manager and is charged with growing business and supporting the Electrolux and Wascomat distribution network.Simonson brings a significant amount of industry and sales experience with him. His laundry industry expertise spans over three decades and includes success in commercial laundry, wholesale, service, and retail environments.Most recently, Simonson served as Director of Midwest and Canadian Sales for a North American dryer manufacturer. Prior to that, he managed regional commercial and route sales for a laundry company....

AMELIA ISLAND, FLA.—Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is planning a “Fish to Fork” weekend. The competition, benefiting the James Beard Scholarship Foundation, will be hosted over Mother’s Day weekend, May 5 to 8. Two-time Fish to Fork winner Daven Wardynski, Executive Chef at the Omni resort, will welcome six competing chefs and guests for myriad events throughout the weekend. From taste tests to an actual fishing expedition alongside award-winning chefs, Fish to Fork offers a rare opportunity for gastronomes who have a love for the sea.Guests will have a variety of packages to choose from, including a VIP Package,...

HONG KONG—FCS Computer Systems (FCS), a leading comprehensive hospitality solutions and services provider, announces the launch of e-Laundry, an automated alternative to manual laundry and linen tracking. The new e-Laundry solution is designed to help hotels eliminate paper trails, while gaining greater perspective into real-time inventory, operational needs by shift, and future consumption forecasting. e-Laundry is especially suitable for hotels with more than 300 rooms, mega resorts and casino hotels with an exceptionally heavy demand for laundry services.The hub of e-Laundry is the Management Dashboard, which provides an overview of each day’s performance for laundry and linen activities. Accessible...