BENTON HARBOR, MICH.—Whirlpool Corp. completed its purchase of American Dryer Corp. (ADC), a privately held company that manufactures and markets coin-operated, on-premise, industrial and specialty laundry equipment. The acquisition gives Whirlpool Corp.’s commercial laundry business a platform to reach new countries and channels, while building on a strong foundation of innovation, quality, and service. “Acquiring ADC strengthens our commitment to the commercial laundry industry and is aligned to our objectives of driving growth in adjacent businesses,” stated Jeff M. Fettig, Whirlpool Corp. Chairman and CEO. “We believe this investment nicely complements our leadership position in the overall laundry category.”“Our Maytag and...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, has added the EcoStay Program to its Green Product & Service Directory. With the carbon offsetting program, hotels can support local eco-initiatives including biodiversity conservation, water efficiency, sustainable forestry, renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction, generate thousands of dollars for green initiatives, offer green meetings and events, market green actions to guests, meet the AH&LA's 11 Guidelines for going green, earn Best Western’s Green Icon Label, improve one’s Green Key Global Eco-rating, fund corporate green programs, win GBTA Hotel RFPs, measure hotel related GHG emissions using HCMI and...

OTTAWA, ON.—Green Key Global and Clean The World Canada, two leaders in corporate social responsibility (CSR), announced a partnership that will promote soap recycling to hotels in Canada and beyond. The partnership will encourage Green Key Global members to collect and recycle hotel soap and bottled amenities that will help fight the spread of preventable diseases.Green Key Global is a leading environmental certification body whose suite of industry standard programs and resources has been designed specifically for the lodging and meetings industries. Their affordable programs help members leverage organizational CSR activities to support sustainable initiatives, and improve overall fiscal...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Green Seal, the nation’s first independent nonprofit certifier of sustainable products and services, has announced that it is opening an office in California. The operation, which will help oversee and grow a variety of initiatives in the state, will be led by Gary M. Petersen, a current board member and former chair of Green Seal’s Board of Directors.“California has been a leader in helping us to advance sustainability, as we have worked with the state and its cities in a number of projects over the years,” says Arthur B. Weissman, Ph.D., President and CEO of Green Seal. “Opening...

LOS ANGELES—Stephen Ashkin, President of The Ashkin Group and frequently referred to as “the Father of Green Cleaning,” was inducted into the International Green Industry Hall of Fame (IGIHOF) at a recent ceremony held at the University of California, Santa Barbara.This is the fifth year the IGIHOF has held this annual event. The organization asks the general public to nominate individuals and organizations that have embraced green technologies, have reduced waste, have promoted sustainability, or are actively working to promote green and sustainability issues, either in their own operations or for people and organizations around the world.The IGIHOF considers...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—Lunera Lighting, Inc. recently introduced the Lucy Lamp, the latest addition to its commercial BallastLED Lamp line. The Lucy Lamp is designed as an energy efficient, plug-and-play LED replacement to easily replace indoor or outdoor High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamps.“As a recognized innovation leader in LED lighting design and technology, we’re excited to extend our plug-and-play LED lamp products with the Lucy Lamp for HPS applications,” said Lunera’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Tom Quinn. “The continued expansion of Lunera’s BallastLED products sends a strong signal to facility owners and operators about the viability of plug-and-play LED...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Laundry Plus, a commercial laundry in Bradenton, Fla., is the recent recipient of Continental Girbau Inc.’s 2014 Business Partner of the Year award. During the past four years, Laundry Plus—owned by Rick Rone—has invested in Continental and Girbau Industrial (GI) branded laundry solutions, while assisting and nurturing new Continental and GI investors.“The evolution and partnership we have formed with Laundry Plus has been a key component in introducing and growing the Girbau Industrial brand in the North American marketplace,” said Continental President Mike Floyd. “We are excited about continuing to team with Laundry Plus to bring a higher...

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.—iTouchFaucets recently introduced the Smart Faucet that uses Smartphone Touch Technology to help residents and commercial business owners reduce water consumption.“iTouchFaucets is an innovative approach that consumers are excited to adopt,” says Joanna Boey, National Vice President of iTouchFaucets. “Our state-of-the-art system uses an electronic touchpad that looks like a smartphone to replace faucet handles. It can be a retrofit and attached to most faucet designs for showers, bathtubs, kitchen and bathroom sinks. This touchpad can be placed anywhere convenient to the end users especially for the physically challenged and handicapped and is therefore ADA compliant. It...

NEW YORK—Philips, a global leader in lighting, and Tandus Centiva, a Tarkett company and leader in North American flooring, recently announced a partnership to launch Luminous Carpets, a patented solution, in the North American market. The seamless integration of LED and carpet into the commercial interior design market creates a unique and intuitive medium with flexible and dynamic content; changing a carpeted floor into a messaging tool capable of informing, directing and inspiring people.This breakthrough innovation combines LED lighting by Philips with specially developed light transmissive carpet by Desso. Successfully launched and proven in Europe, Tandus Centiva now introduces...

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLO.—FridgeWize, a leading provider of energy-efficient commercial refrigeration solutions, announced a new vertical comprised of HVAC EC Motors that target larger applications—like hotels, hospitals and office buildings—to significantly maximize energy and dollar savings for clients.FridgeWize’s new high efficiency HVAC EC Motors include Fan Coil Motors, Air Handler Motors, Rooftop Packages & Pool Motors. “When it comes down to it, any movement of air or water requires motors,” said FridgeWize President and CEO, Ryan Grobler. “Implementing energy efficient equipment like our new HVAC EC Motors will make a huge impact on larger scale operations like hotels and hospitals....