TROY, OHIO—Hobart’s next generation of conveyor warewashers, the CLe, is more productive, more energy efficient and uses less space than other conveyor warewashers in the industry. Incorporating the latest warewashing technology in one machine, the new CLe delivers clean and sanitized dishware at the lowest cost. The new CLe is Energy Star qualified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its energy- and water-saving advantages. Final rinse water usage is as low as .39 gallons per rack. “Hobart’s new CLe is designed to help foodservice and food retail operations enhance performance, minimize waste and save on valuable floor space,”...

NORTH OLMSTED, OHIO—Moen Inc. has announced its membership in the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The mission of USGBC, a nonprofit organization, is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. “The USGBC is expanding our country’s green building practices and education, and Moen feels strongly in enhancing these pursuits, as well,” said Dennis McKinney, Moen’s director of environmental health. “Sustainability and environmental responsibility are increasingly important issues in today’s society, and we hope our membership in the USGBC will...

VISTA, CALIF.—Waterless Co., LLC announced that it has updated its website’s listing of the company’s distributors and representatives in the United States as well as countries around the world. The update is necessary, according to Klaus Reichardt, managing partner and founder of Waterless Co., because several new distributor/representatives have recently been added. “We now have representation in pretty much every state in the U.S.,” Reichardt says. “And we have expanded our worldwide representation to such countries as Guatemala, Malaysia, India, New Zealand, Jamaica, and others.” According to Reichardt, the expansion of representation is the result of two key developments that have...

CHICAGO—When it comes to tankless water heaters, it’s the questions that are endless. A new website is the first to provide straight talk on tankless versus tank water heaters, and is aimed at helping construction professionals advise their customers which system is best for different circumstances. SmarterHotWater.com is a product of Rheem Water Heating, the only U.S. manufacturer of both tank and tankless water heaters, as well as a provider of solar systems. “Being water-heater agnostic makes Rheem a credible resource to help professionals sort out the claims and counterclaims about tank and tankless water heaters,” said Bob Hitchner, director...

DALTON, GA.—Shaw Industries, Inc. was named Large Recycler of the Year by the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), a joint industry-government initiative to promote carpet recycling, reuse and waste reduction of post consumer carpet. Shaw leads the carpet industry with its cradle-to-cradle recycling program that has recycled 100 million pounds of post consumer carpet to date through its Evergreen Nylon Recycling Facility. Shaw president Randy Merritt says that the company’s commercial and residential carpet products embody the carpet-to-carpet design as a means to reduce landfill waste and virgin raw material usage. The company’s efforts have lead to increased amounts...

NIANTIC, CONN.—INNCOM International, a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of guestroom automation systems for the international lodging industry, has unveiled a new design-centric energy-management solution made of recyclable glass that controls room temperature, lighting and more. The e4 Glass Series Smart Digital Thermostat and Switch, developed with design team tonychi and associates and lighting design partner Arc Light Design, were introduced at the Hospitality Design Expo and Conference last week. “The INNCOM e4 Glass Series finally gives designers the much needed flexibility to work in-room electronics into the overall guestroom design scheme,” said Arc Light designer Alejandro Bulaevsky. “The...

ROANOKE, VA.—The Best Western Sandman in Sacramento, Calif., has installed Lodging Technology’s (guestroom energy management) GEM System and GEM Stat digital wall thermostats in all 116 guestrooms, utilizing their existing General Electric (GE) PTAC units. GEM System is an innovative, infrared sensor-based guestroom energy management system that reduces room energy costs 35 percent to 45 percent. GEM Stat is a digital wall thermostat that connects to existing GE, or other air-conditioning units, providing more uniform, accurate room temperature while meeting Best Western’s brand standard for digital thermostats. “The justification was rather easy” said Chuck Sarti, owner/operator of the Best Western Sandman....

NAPLES, FLA.—Winning Brands Corp. announced that its new KIND Laundry Products line has been approved for listing and distribution through PRO Group Inc., America’s largest independent hardlines group. The mechanism of this approval is the addition of KIND Laundry Products to PRO Group’s ExtraNet Access system for its 40 participating distributors who supply thousands of independent retailers and utilize the ExtraNet system for product ordering purposes. The listing will become operational with Winning Brands’ imminent initial manufacturing of KIND Laundry Detergent, KIND Fabric Softener, and KIND Laundry Stain Remover in sufficient quantities to supply national demand. This production will...

LAS VEGAS—Inspired by design trends seen at European markets, Amtico introduces the Back to Black collection of saturated, abstract floor tiles that bring a striking twist to commercial interiors. The collection features rich undertones and is finished with a subtle pearlescent sheen that creates a lacquered appearance. Four products comprise the Back to Black range: Vamp, a dark, deep and mysterious shade of black; Desire, a rich, bitter dark chocolate brown; Envy, enigmatic dark olive tones; and Poison, a rich shade of aubergine. When the floors in the Back to Black collection are combined with opulently styled furniture and accessories the...

MILWAUKEE, WISC.—Perlick Corp. has surpassed Energy Star standards by an average of 23.7 percent on its products receiving the Energy Star award since February 2007. Continuing its commitment to green practices, Perlick has announced, after an extensive study, its usage of ecomate, a new blowing agent and family of polyurethane foam systems, as the best choice in its efforts to maintain eco-friendly manufacturing practices. This new blowing foam meets all current and future regulatory requirements and is both USA EPA and SNAP approved. As a leader in commercial and residential refrigeration, Perlick continues to address future environmental and energy concerns,...