VANCOUVER, B.C.—Energex Inc., a developer of advanced PIR occupancy sensors for control of HVAC and lighting energy, has been selected by Buildings Magazine as their 2007 Editor’s Choice Top Product Pick. One of the publication’s most popular exclusives, the Top Product Picks offer 100 solutions to ensure that facilities and staff are working at their peak. Earlier this year, thousands of products and services were reviewed by the Buildings editorial staff; the result is this elite group of 100, selected using a number of parameters: aesthetics (when applicable), ease of use, durability/life-cycle, efficiency or applicability, universal appeal, sustainable/green elements (when applicable),...

LOS ANGELES—Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro LLP (JMBM), one of California’s foremost full-service law firms, announced that its Global Hospitality Group closed the senior debt portion of the capital stack on one of the largest single hotel mixed-use projects in the country—the Hollywood W Hotel & Residences. The complex construction loan transaction was for JMBM client, HSH Nordbank AG, a leading credit institution headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, and particularly renowned for very large construction loans on luxury hotel projects. “This is going to be one of Hollywood’s flagship developments,” says attorney Guy Maisnik, lead counsel specializing in hospitality transactions. “This...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Orbeco Inc. as a Green Product Directory partner. Orbeco is a producer of natural cleaning products for surfaces, flooring and carpeting. The company’s mission is to keep hotel properties as clean as possible—naturally. Orbeco believes it is important to create a safe work environment for housekeepers as well as a healthier environment for guests by using non-toxic, efficient cleaning products. Orbeco’s products include Evolut-ION floor/surface cleaner, carpet cleaner, carpet odor neutralizer, and spotter. Go to www.orbeco.net, call (415) 292-7749, or e-mail pierre@orbeco.net.

CHICAGO—Sloan Valve Co., a leading manufacturer of commercial plumbing systems, has made a landmark purchase of renewable energy credits to offset 100 percent of the electricity used in its manufacturing facility in Franklin Park, Ill. This is the largest renewable energy purchase in the plumbing industry, making Sloan the first flush valve manufacturer to purchase renewable energy credits to offset its electricity use. This purchase is also the largest corporate purchase of renewable energy in the state of Illinois. “Sloan Valve Co. is a leader in the sustainability movement, and that involves caring about our communities and respecting our environment,”...

ASHLAND, ORE.—DreamSacks Inc. has launched a line of bedding made from 100 percent bamboo fiber. Often compared to silk or very high thread count cotton, bamboo is extra gentle next to the skin and wicks moisture away from the body. Bamboo is a fast growing grass that regenerates quickly in the wild, free from chemicals and fertilizers. It can grow up to a foot a day, making it a highly sustainable resource that is completely biodegradable. Using a process similar to making paper, the bamboo pulp is refined so it can be spun into fabric. ...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Green Lodging News welcomes Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. as a Founding Sponsor. Lutron is widely respected for engineering high-quality light control systems that deliver the right ambience for a hotel property. At Lutron, the goal always has been to provide the most appropriate light control solutions for single guestrooms or entire properties—whether new construction or those undergoing renovation. Less well known is that Lutron control solutions save a significant amount of energy, and can assist a building in receiving up to 20 points in four out of five categories required for LEED-NC certification. Lighting is often the largest power...

PEACHTREE CITY, GA.—In an effort to educate Californians on the excessive cost of heating water with inefficient tank water heaters, Rinnai Corp., a leading tankless water heating company, has posted a billboard on California’s 405 freeway displaying the millions of dollars wasted in California each day by homes and businesses heating their water with inefficient water tanks. According to an annual estimated cost from the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Assn. (GAMA) and Energy Factor (EF) from the May 2007 Consumers Directory of Certified Efficiency Ratings, the 13 million single-family homes in California waste approximately $5.1 million daily heating water with...

TRYON, N.C.—Ozone Water Technologies Inc. announces the opening of its new office in Tryon, N.C. The company moved to a larger space to accommodate the increase in business volume and to add a parts and service warehouse. Jim Gross, president of Ozone Water Technologies, says his company is experiencing tremendous growth and will add more staff to meet these current needs. Ozone Water Technologies will expand with a complete new product line and parts warehouse for the North American market. The company has also developed a significant presence in markets outside of the United States for its ozone washing...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS) as a Founding Sponsor. The IH/M&RS is the premier marketplace for the hospitality industry, featuring 1,250 exhibitors showcasing products and services for lodging and culinary buyers and attracting more than 35,000 in total trade attendance. Exhibitors—organized into vertical market categories—showcase the newest products and services available to the hotel and restaurant industries, including furnishings, technology, foodservice equipment, food & beverage, linens, amenities, tableware, cleaning and more. The hospitality industry’s most influential buyers from hotels, restaurants, purchasing companies, owner groups, design firms,...

DUNEDIN, FLA.—Mintek Mobile Data Solutions, a leading provider of turnkey, automated preventive maintenance (PM) systems, introduced WinTrack PM for the Windows Mobile platform at HITEC. The lodging industry’s annual technology exposition and conference was held June 25-28 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. WinTrack PM is the cornerstone of Mintek’s Lodging Asset Management Suite, which also includes the Web-based Maintenance Portal, Asset Director and Alerts. WinTrack PM software incorporates handheld devices and bar coding to add efficiencies to PM, rounds, inspections and work order processes. “Our new version of WinTrack PM will be Web-based, which will offer greater security,...