BENICIA, CALIF.—Pacific Ozone Technology, a supplier of OEM ozone equipment, has launched Element Ozone, a subsidiary company supplying ozone technology for light commercial applications. Element Ozone’s countertop ozone generator is designed for kitchens in hotel restaurants and can be used to sanitize and disinfect hands, foods and food prep surfaces. “Because of the increased liability food service companies have, the industry is ready to embrace ozone as an antimicrobial agent, says Jeremy Ke, operations manager for Element Ozone. Ozone provides organizations with an effective barrier against contamination. In addition, it is natural, eco-friendly and produces a natural by-product:...

PEORIA, ILL.—Electrolux and Sharp Corp. are working together to develop a new range of midsized, energy-efficient frost-free refrigerators. This project is part of a broader strategic collaboration within major appliances between the two companies. The refrigeration project started last year and includes mutual exchange of information, know-how and consumer research. In terms of product development/technical development, the two companies have built a structure of sharing tasks on product planning, production, and assessment of products. This first project consists of joint development of six different types of environmentally friendly, energy-saving small and midsize frost-free refrigerators. Electrolux and Sharp...

ATLANTA—Servidyne Inc., formerly known as Abrams Industries Inc., announced that the company is adopting a new corporate name. The company is in the process of realigning operating assets to create an integrated energy, infrastructure and productivity improvement operating segment focused on serving the needs of commercial customers in the hospitality, industrial, corporate and institutional real estate markets. Servidyne Inc. replaces Abrams Industries Inc. as the name of the company. The name change reflects the transformation of the company from a group of independently operated subsidiaries into an integrated organization with a single focus and unique new approach to...

FRANKLIN PARK, ILL.—Members of the Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers (FCPO) from across North America are helping rebuild Gulfport-area homes of police officers and firefighters who have sacrificed personal needs while helping others rebuild their lives. Using building materials from manufacturers like Sloan Flushmate® and Mansfield Plumbing Products that have made donations, FCPO members have descended to the Gulf region to help peace officers deal with their own crises. “These peace officers are heroes,” says Alec Dutt, a retired fire captain, who lives in Abbotsford, B.C., Canada. “They put aside their own personal issues to help others get...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Excel Dryer as a Green Product Directory sponsor. Excel Dryer, Longmeadow, Mass., is the producer of energy-efficient hand dryers, including the XLERATOR. This model dries hands completely in 10 to 15 seconds and uses 80 percent less energy than other hand dryers. Excel says it also offers a 95 percent cost savings when compared to paper towels. Go to Excel Dryer for information on the XLERATOR and the company’s entire line of hand dryers.

FRANKLIN PARK, ILL.—Sloan Valve Co., which is celebrating 100 years in business in 2006, has announced a special addition to its manual Flushometer product line: the new Royal Classic. This model is a replica of the flush valve that Sloan’s founder, William E. Sloan, introduced in 1906. The Royal Classic, designed with the original Royal’s bell-like top and white, porcelain handle, is available in brushed nickel, polished nickel, polished brass, chrome plate and gold plate finishes. The Royal Classic features the Dual Filtered Fixed By-Pass Diaphragm, which keeps debris from clogging the Flushometer and prevents valve run-on;...

ALSIP, ILL.—Litetronics introduces its new 2850K Pure White family of Micro-Brite lamps. The Pure White 2850K, when added to the 2700K and 4000K, gives Micro-Brite users a full array of bright choices to use when replacing incandescent lamps. Micro-Brite lamps can last up to 25,000 hours and save 80 percent or more in energy costs compared to incandescent lamps. The long life reduces maintenance and lamp replacement costs, which is a plus in today’s economy. Unlike standard fluorescents, most Micro-Brite lamps are dimmable using any standard incandescent wall dimmer, making them suitable for almost any lighting situation....

SCHAUMBURG, IL.—The Aero-Tech Light Bulb Co. has launched its new patented Evolution Bulb. The compact fluorescent is available in 11, 14, 20 and 25 watts and in both soft white (2700K) and full-spectrum (5,500K—similar to natural sunlight for optimal color rendering and color temperatures. Go to Aero-Tech Light Bulb Co. or write to rms@aerolights.com for more information.

MALVERN, PA.—Bob McGarrah, senior energy management advisor to USA Technologies, spoke in front of a public forum sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy last week. He suggested that simple changes to improving vending machine efficiency, with VendingMiser technology, would have a cumulative impact on the nation’s economy. USA Technologies is also taking their message to the U.S. Senate Energy Committee. In a letter to Senators, McGarrah suggested that lawmakers provide incentives to encourage owners to upgrade their existing machines with energy-saving technology that can reduce energy consumption by up to 50 percent. “Owners rebuild and refurbish...

WATERBURY, VT.—Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and International Paper today launched the only all-natural paper hot beverage cup available in consumer outlets nationwide. In a conventional cup, the inner surface is lined with a petroleum-based plastic to prevent leaking. The cup unveiled today is lined with a bio-plastic made from a renewable resource—corn. After use, and under the proper conditions, it will break down into water, carbon dioxide and organic matter. “For 25 years, we’ve said that we craft our coffee with care,” says T.J. Whalen, vice president of marketing for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. “Now our cups are...