As someone who’s been in the laundry equipment business for more than 30 years, I can say without any doubt, that these are the most exciting times I’ve experienced. Technology in this industry has progressed to a level where it’s no longer just about throughput. Programmability and engineering have made the machines immensely important management tools. Automatic weighing systems are now adjusting water fill levels and chemical dosing to match the loads. Residual moisture technology can continually measure the dryness level of the load and step down the heat, before shutting the tumbler off when the preset moisture level has...

ATLANTA—About a year ago, not long after starting as director of engineering at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta, Wes Shirley was overlooking the third floor terrace of the 439-room hotel during a rainstorm. He thought to himself, “What a waste. If only we could somehow harvest and reuse all that water we could really save some money.” With the assistance of a plumber, the Director of Administration and Development at Southern Polytechnic University (who is an engineer), and some students at Southern Polytechnic University, Wes came up with a plan to harvest the rainwater that falls on the 32,000 square...

FRANKLIN PARK, ILL.—Sloan has expanded its commercial fixture line with the introduction of a small urinal series, including two High-Efficiency (HE) Universal models, all of which are ideal for saving space in tight areas. These wash-down urinals provide commercial facilities with more options to suit their new construction and renovation requirements.The HE Universal models allow specifiers to select one vitreous china fixture to work with flush valves operating at 0.125 gpf, 0.25 gpf or 0.5 gpf instead of purchasing separate models for those flush volumes. The HE models comply with EPA’s WaterSense program, which makes them ideal for fulfilling...

WOODRIDGE, ILL.—Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC has enhanced its Ultra Flush toilet collection by adding a WaterSense approved 1.28 gallons per flush product option. The addition of the 1.28 gpf model positions Gerber as having one of the most extensive lines of pressure assisted toilets on the market—ranging from 1.1 gpf up to 1.6 gpf. “We’re proud to offer a professional grade Ultra Flush solution to the maximum number of applications,” says Gerber’s vice president of marketing, Kevin McJoynt.The new Gerber Ultra Flush 1.28 earned a top-rated MaP score of 1,000 grams, ensuring high performance with every flush. Other features...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Fibrex Group as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Fibrex Group is known for its extensive and innovative selection of recycling centers, waste receptacles, park and street furnishings, and LED solar bollards. The company’s Made in the USA green-design products are made from sustainable resources and always contain the maximum possible recycled content.Fibrex Group’s new stylish Dual Stream Mobius Flex Recycling/Waste Receptacles are ideal for upscale resort properties. The two-compartment receptacle is made from high quality rotational molded recycled plastic and has an innovative anti-scratch surface....

BOSTON—Owners of several Boston hotels are wisely investing in heat recovery systems to eliminate the inefficiencies inherent in the steam systems they use to heat their buildings. The result of their investments is annual savings of tens of thousands of dollars in energy, water and sewer costs, and a reduced carbon footprint. According to Alex Alexandrovich, president of Baker Engineering & Controls, Inc., Needham, Mass., commercial buildings—including hotels—in at least 17 U.S. cities and one in Canada receive steam from an outside provider to heat buildings. Condensate generated from the steam that is 212 degrees (F) must first be...

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—ClearWater Tech, LLC has introduced a new website devoted solely to EcoTex—“The Cold Water Catalyst,” for on-premise laundering. “With the rising popularity and greater acceptance of ozone by companies involved in laundering, we felt now was the time to raise the awareness level another notch,” said Cameron Tapp, President and CEO of ClearWater Tech. “The test feedback we received was very positive, with high marks not only for educating the audience but for the depth of information this site provides. “Ozone is a very effective cold water solution with many across-the-board benefits,” Tapp added. “We organized...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Willard InterContinental and top D.C. property developers-owners including Carr Properties, joined with Silver Bullet, a water treatment company, to introduce a system that increases building sustainability. The new patented technology creates hydrogen peroxide (natural non-toxic biocide) when injected into water, killing all bacteria, removing scale and preventing corrosion. The technology cuts water usage, electricity and toxic chemical delivery, storage and removal.“We appreciate the opportunity to be among the first commercial entities in the nation’s capital to utilize this cost-effective and environmentally sound commercial technology,” said Patrick Birchall, general manager of the Willard InterContinental.Silver Bullet estimates the historic,...

MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros, Inc., a subsidiary of Xeros Ltd., the U.K.-based innovator of an ultra-low water cleaning system, will formally showcase its system to the worldwide commercial laundry market at the June 2013 Clean Show in New Orleans.Xeros has installations underway in three distinct segments of the U.S. commercial laundry market—hotel on premise laundry, industrial laundry and retail dry cleaners.The 2013 Clean Show will be held June 20 to 22 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. In attendance will be Bill Westwater, CEO of Xeros Ltd., along with several of Xeros’ affirmation partners and industry supporters. Seventy Percent...

WOODRIDGE, ILL.—Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC has added a high performing, high efficiency toilet (HET) option to its stylish Brianne Suite of products. This WaterSense certified product operates at 1.28 gallons per flush and provides significant water savings over older, more traditional products in the marketplace. In many instances, these toilets can save a homeowner or commercial building manager more than 20 percent in water usage.The Brianne HET features: a reliable FluidMaster 400A fill valve, which is fast, quiet and trouble free; a 3-inch flush valve for quick bowl clearing; powerful dual-fed siphon jets, which thoroughly clean the bowl; and...