BRAINTREE, MASS.—Symmons, a manufacturer of commercial and residential plumbing products, has introduced its new Ultra-Sense S-6050 Series Sensor Activated Faucet. Designed for commercial and residential hand-washing applications, the S-6050 is a battery-powered, sensor-activated lavatory faucet equipped with self-adjusting infrared microchip technology. The S-6050 is easy to install and features solid-brass housing and a durable polycarbonate sensor lens to minimize vandalism. The S-6050 is crafted with a high-arc, long-reach profile for recessed mountings and features a 10-second factory-set cycle time and will “time out” by automatically shutting off if the sensor is blocked. The entire electronics and battery package is securely...

RIPON, WISC.—For years, on-premises laundries have relied on the labor and cost saving features of UniMac equipment. With the September 2007 launch of the new UniLinc control for its UW line of washer-extractors, UniMac takes efficiency to a higher level. The user-friendly control and management software bridge the gap between the laundry room and management offices—putting laundry operations data at the fingertips of general managers. “With its advanced reporting and labor-saving traits, UniLinc will have managers looking at their laundries less as cost centers and more as contributors to overall profitability,” says Kim Shady, vice president of distributor sales for...

KEY WEST, FLA.—The Banyan Resort and the Gardens Hotel last week became the Florida Keys’ first certified members of the Green Lodging Program, created by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to recognize and reward environmentally conscious lodging facilities in the state. The two Old Town Key West properties were awarded “one palm” certification for their environmental commitment in ceremonies attended by State Representative Ron Saunders, Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson, Stacey Mitchell, director of sales for the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and Laura Comer and Gus Rios of the DEP. “These businesses are stepping up to recognize...

ALPHARETTA, GA.—A comprehensive presentation of the complete offering of Hansgrohe bath faucets, showers and accessories is now available in a new, 106-page, soft-cover brochure from the company. The brochure includes a complement of full-page color photographs showing Hansgrohe products in “lifestyle” settings, while also providing individual “silhouette”-style images of virtually every item in the extensive offering. Photography and illustration are also used to highlight product functionality and operation, as well as how easy it is to install and clean certain items. The new brochure devotes separate, multi-page presentations to showerheads, handshowers, wallbars, showerpipes, showerpanels, and bodysprays, as well as the...

REDWOOD CITY, CALIF.—Sofitel San Francisco Bay was recently recognized for becoming the first to collaborate with the City of Redwood City on its Recycled Water Project. The award ceremony, which was held at the hotel’s poolside last month, also celebrated the first gallons of recycled water that have traveled through the recycling system. “Like other areas in California, our community’s demand for water is exceeding the supply that is available from the region’s sole source of water—the Hetch Hetchy water system,” says Didier de La Ferrière, Sofitel San Francisco general manager. “By participating in this program, Sofitel is helping to...

VISTA, CALIF.—One of the questions facility managers and building service contractors (BSCs) often ask when waterless urinals are installed in their facilities is, “How do you clean them?” Because waterless systems are becoming more and more popular in commercial buildings, Waterless No-Flush urinals, Vista, Calif., has added an online video that covers virtually all the maintenance issues related to cleaning and maintaining these no-flush systems. Although most waterless urinals are cleaned much like conventional urinals, there are differences that BSCs should be aware of. For instance, abrasive cleaners and brushes often used on traditional urinals can scratch and mar a waterless...

PORTLAND, ORE.—Almost 100 years old, the historic Meier & Frank department store here is being converted to a 331-room Starwood Luxury Collection hotel called The Nines. The upper nine floors will be the home for the hotel; the lower five floors are being refurbished by Macy’s, Inc. and will open as a Macy’s department store. The Nines, which is being developed by Denver-based Sage Hospitality Resources, has Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification as its goal. The hotel is slated to open in summer 2008. SERA Architects, Inc., Portland, Ore., is the architectural firm on the project...

DIAMOND BAR, CALIF.—SteamSuite, a high-end steam shower manufacturer, has created an amenity that provides guests with a relaxing spa environment in the privacy of their own room, while also enabling hotels to save exponentially on their water bill while adding an up-charge to guests’ overall room charges. “Steam bathing is clinically proven to release toxins from the body, improve respiration and circulation, and ease tense muscles,” says SteamSuite president Jari Ristola. “The benefits of steam not only improve a guest’s experience at your hotel, but encourage them to return.” It is a fact that the steam shower is a more functional...

NATIONAL REPORT—Operating a spa in an environmentally responsible manner requires a lot more than using natural personal care products. Yes, offering such treatments is smart and provides a competitive advantage, but it is just a small part of running a “green” operation. How you manage water, lighting, heating and cooling, cleaning, purchasing, and even cooking is much more important. What those who have implemented green programs have discovered is that they need not sacrifice luxury—or profits—for sustainability. To compete with leaders such as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa and others that operate green spas,...

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,”...