ATLANTA—UPS announced plans to purchase more than 6,000 natural gas-powered trucks beginning in 2020 and running through 2022. This three-year commitment represents a $450M investment in expanding the company’s alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle fleet as well as supporting infrastructure. The new vehicles will be equipped with compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel systems provided under an exclusive agreement with Agility Fuel Solutions, a business of Hexagon Composites. The investment in CNG fuel systems expands UPS’s relationship with Agility Fuel Solutions and supports UPS’s fleet sustainability efforts. It will help reduce UPS’s carbon footprint and is expected to have a positive influence...

CARSON CITY, NEV.—Flooding Sensors announces the availability of two innovative devices that use patented technology designed to conserve one of the world’s most precious resources: fresh water. Both products are designed to be user-friendly so that each can be quickly added to any toilet with a tank by anyone with limited mechanical skills who can follow a simple set of instructions. The toilet bowl overflow Valvin detects a potential bowl overflow and sends a message to a valve that shuts off the water supply to the toilet and thereby prevents an overflow. The other Valvin detects leaks within the toilet...

BOULDER, COLO.—​EcoVessel, a leading manufacturer of eco-friendly, reusable drinkware, announced that, as of Oct. 1, 2019, they are now a member of 1% For the Planet. Through this partnership, EcoVessel pledges to donate 1% of all sales to support environmentally focused, nonprofit organizations around the globe. This partnership is a natural fit for the company who, since their inception, have been on a mission to reduce single-use plastics worldwide. This partnership allows them to advance their mission by connecting with the 1% For the Planet’s organizations and partners, all working towards a single cause of bettering the planet. “We are constantly looking...

BIRMINGHAM, ALA.—Z Modular, a leading innovator in North America’s modular construction industry, announced that for a limited time it will convert any hotel floorplan concept to a modular design schematic within as few as 10 business days for $20,000. The modular schematic, valued at $50,000 or more, includes a parametric Revit model; MEP design approach; rough order of magnitude (ROM), including price per square foot; project schedule with phase gates; and conceptual floorplan — enabling a project-specific comparison of modular and traditional construction methods. The offer is valid through November 30, 2019. “We’re making this offer so more hotel developers...

JASPER, IND.—Indiana Furniture says it will begin taking orders on an expanded range of upholstered options for the already-popular Joy seating line. Originally introduced as a family of mesh-back task seating and expanded over time to include work stools, the Joy series will now offer upholstered back options, allowing customers to create a cohesive look throughout facilities while providing high performance in all types of work zones. Joy couples style and ergonomics, and has the ability to support users up to 400lbs, providing an all-in-one solution for the diversity of employees and environments. This line offers a broad spectrum of options,...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—The Specialty Interiors business of Milliken & Co., a leading global innovation company with textile, specialty chemical, healthcare and floor covering manufacturing expertise, has key new placements for Fall Market for its popular Breathe by Milliken collection of eco-elegant performance fabrics. The Breathe collection features cleanable cottons and cotton/linens and polyesters made from recycled plastic bottles, available in a fresh neutral palette. The new Fall Market placements include first-time customers and the expansion of offerings with existing customers, all of whom recognize Breathe by Milliken’s critical role in meeting continued market demand for luxurious and sustainable performance options. Among...

DALTON, GA.—As a leading supplier of carpet, resilient, hardwood, laminate, tile and stone flooring products and synthetic turf, Shaw Industries’ reach into the hospitality industry and beyond is significant. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. with approximately 22,000 associates worldwide. What has perhaps distinguished Shaw the most is its commitment to reduce its environmental impact. Its products have the sustainability stamp of approval from GREENGUARD, CRI Green Label Plus, FloorScore, and NSF 140, among numerous others. To further support its transparency efforts, it also maintains Health Product Declarations (HPDs) for all commercial carpet products and Living Building Challenge...

HOUSTON—For the second year in a row, Waste Management has been named the Sector Leader for Commercial Services, at the top of the 2019 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for North America and the World. Amid a record number of companies completing the survey, this distinction recognizes the company’s leadership in its industry. “We are extremely proud to be named a leader on the DJSI World Indices for the second year in a row,” said Jim Fish, President and CEO of Waste Management. “Waste Management has spent nearly 30 years focusing on environmental innovations, sustainability and change. We continue to...

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—Friedrich Air Conditioning Co., a leading manufacturer of room air conditioning and other home environment products, earned the industry’s top “Supplier of the Year” award for 2019 from AD HVAC. The award, which was presented during AD HVAC annual member meeting held earlier this month, reflects Friedrich’s strong commitment to support independent distributors by offering a wide range of innovative product solutions, training, customer service and personalized support. As a member-owned organization, AD brings growth-oriented independent distributors and best-in-class supplier partners together with the purpose of outperforming the market and staying ahead of the competition. For nearly six years,...

SAN FRANCISCO—Volta, an industry leader in innovative electric vehicle charging networks, announced the nation’s first and only free, public-access DC fast charging network. The new fast charge stations can add up to 350 miles of range per hour and are compatible with a wide variety of the most popular electric vehicles. Volta will install the first 150 stations nationwide over the next 12 months at busy retail locations with strategic real estate partners. Effectively enabling Volta to better match driver needs with each destination’s charging amenities, the fast chargers will be placed alongside Volta’s Level 2 stations to accommodate...