INDIANAPOLIS—Carrier’s full lineup of gas furnaces, gas/electric small package products (SPP) and SPP Hybrid Heat systems have been redesigned to meet the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Fan Energy Rating (FER) going into effect on July 3, 2019. Carrier’s products with new fan technology use less energy and achieve the goals of the new FER regulations, targeting a 46 percent watt reduction over a standard furnace with a permanent split capacitor (PSC) blower motor. By reducing energy consumption, consumers can save money on energy bills and cut carbon pollution. Carrier, a world leader in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions,...

NEW YORK—Volara is now powering the voice module of Bittel’s modern, modular MODA smart device. By speaking simple commands, such as “Alexa, call the front desk” or “Hey Google, bring me more towels,” guests’ requests will be interpreted accurately and fulfilled quickly. Volara’s voice-based conversation management software and secure integrations hub will connect MODA by voice command to relevant property technologies, including IPTV systems, room controls solutions, energy-management systems, workorder-management systems, and SMS guest-based room engagement solutions. “With digital personal assistants growing in popularity in hotels, Bittel anticipated early on that our guestroom devices should be enabled with voice controls,...

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Milliken Specialty Interiors, a business of Milliken’s Performance and Protective Textiles division, will highlight its ongoing partnership with The Love Quilt Project at the June Showtime event in High Point, N.C. The Love Quilt Project is a nonprofit organization that connects children in the United States and South Africa who have been impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The organization also offers financial assistance to fund the cost of sending these children to school to enrich their lives and provide valuable life-long skills. In keeping with Milliken’s legacy of philanthropy and sustainability, Milliken Specialty Interiors supports The Love Quilt Project...

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.—Boxed Water Is Better will kick off its No-Plastic Pledge campaign on World Ocean Day, June 8. As part of the campaign, the company is asking people to give up plastic bottles for 30 days or more. Participants can follow @BoxedWater to support and share the message. One can also follow #BetterPlanet to join the plastic pledge community. According to Boxed Water Is Better, 8.8 million metric tons of plastic enter our oceans each year. A total of 150 million metric tons already float in our oceans. The average American uses 167 plastic bottles annually. Pledge kits are available...

LOS ANGELES—Les Jardins Solar Lighting announced its new contract division in order to provide renewable energy powered lighting products for outdoor public spaces, restaurants, resorts, spas, multi-unit and hospitality projects. The contract support team invites designers, architects, landscapers and facility managers to work directly with Les Jardins Solar Lighting to specify and source their outdoor LED lighting requirements for ambiance, pathway and landscape applications. The durable, commercial-grade self-contained products from Les Jardins Solar Lighting require no in-ground installation, no wires and no power supply. They can be placed and moved at any time. The collections range from substantial outdoor lounge...

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Carrier announced that both the Weather Series Rooftop Unit (RTU) with EcoBlue Technology and the AquaEdge 19DV water-cooled chiller have been named finalists in Consulting-Specifying Engineer1 (C-SE) magazine’s Product of the Year competition. Readers can vote for the 2019 Product of the Year winners at http://www.csemag.com/NP4E until June 28, 2019. Carrier, a world leader in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, is a part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative HVAC, refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. The C-SE competition named the Weather Series RTU with EcoBlue Technology a finalist in the “HVAC” category. Designed to improve...

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.—CKI Solutions has joined forces with a well-established and seasoned mattress recycler under the brand name GreenSource Mattress Removal and Recycling. CKI, in its continual “Green” effort, now offers this vital service to the Cruise, Hospitality, and Healthcare industries. Contracts have ranged from MGM Resorts, Las Vegas Sands, Boyd Gaming Hotel & Casinos, Wynn Resorts, as well as multiple ships for both Holland America and American Cruise Lines. When it’s time to dispose of old mattresses and box springs, the landfill is no longer the answer. The amount of space a mattress takes up in the landfill...

BETHESDA, MD.—Marriott Hotels announced This Works as its new personal care amenity provider. This collaboration is the latest installment in Marriott Hotels’ journey to inspire guests as they travel. Renowned for its natural and clean formulations This Works products are intelligently crafted to work in harmony with the body’s circadian rhythms to optimize skin performance 24 hours a day. Marriott Hotels, the iconic flagship brand of Marriott International, continues to find ways that enhance the travel experience for their guests. This Works collections such as In The Zone or In Transit are carefully curated to protect guests against the natural stressors that...

SOMERSET, N.J.—Guest Supply, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sysco Corp., announced a restructuring of the company, including an updated name, Guest Worldwide. The new operating structure will create three distinct business units under the parent company, Guest Worldwide. The business units include: Gilchrist & Soames—Gilchrist & Soames combines its leading amenity manufacturing capabilities with a passion for pure and innovative bath products, unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and clean, skin-friendly formulations. Manchester Mills—As one of the world’s leading textile producers, Manchester Mills is thoroughly committed to meeting the ever-changing needs of customers. With a powerful blend of unrivaled expertise and...

ATLANTA—UPS announced an agreement with Clean Energy Fuels Corp. to purchase 170 million gallon equivalents of renewable natural gas (RNG) through 2026. This is the largest commitment for use of RNG to date by any company in the United States, with a range of 22.5 to 25 million gallon equivalents per year. RNG is a key part of UPS’s strategy to increase alternative fuel consumption to be 40 percent of total ground fuel purchases by 2025, supporting the logistics leader’s efforts to reduce the absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of its ground fleet 12 percent by 2025. “The world has a trash...