DES PLAINES, ILL.—Chicago Faucets, a leading manufacturer of commercial faucets, announces the launch of its new Self Sustaining Power System (SSPS), a new energy-efficient turbine power option, to its line of high-performance electronic faucets. The SSPS uses turbine technology to create and store power every time water is used. A 6-pole magnet and dual-inductor rotor turbine create energy from water flow. The energy created by the turbine is stored in a rechargeable storage device that mounts under the sink and can be attached to the wall. The system comes with a back-up battery and voltage regulator for smart power selection;...

SAN RAMON, CALIF.—Even though it is based in California and funded by California rate payers through Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), the Food Service Technology Center (FSTC) offers a wealth of information for any commercial food service operation. In fact, it is FSTC’s goal to provide helpful information at no cost. First opened in 1987, FSTC tests commercial kitchen appliances for energy efficiency. Manufacturers, hotel and restaurant companies all work with FSTC to test product performance. FSTC is the primary information resource for the EPA’s Energy Star program for commercial food service and it has contributed significantly to the...

MORROW, GA.—TOTO, a leader in sustainable manufacturing and green business practices, has been recognized by the Brookings Institution as the leader in clean jobs creation in the Water Efficient Products sector for the greater Atlanta area. According to Brookings’ recent report entitled, “Sizing the Clean Economy: A National and Regional Green Jobs Assessment,” the “green” or “clean” or low-carbon economy is defined as “that sector of the economy that produces goods and services with an environmental benefit.” The coming Clean Economy, Brookings maintains, will define America’s low carbon future and provide employment opportunities for workers at all levels of...

FRANKLIN PARK, ILL.—Sloan has launched a new platform of sensor-activated faucets that emphasizes faucet functionality, interchangeable componentry, and improved serviceability. The new BASYS platform features five modular, advanced function faucets that meet the divergent demands of specifiers, customers, and maintenance professionals and can be used in any commercial application. “We developed the BASYS series following two years of in-the-field research with our customers,” says Kirk Allen, president and CEO of Sloan. “We observed and listened to what the market wanted, and made sure that BASYS included the features and functionality that would address their needs.” The BASYS concept is built on...

VISTA, CALIF.—A July 2011 survey by Waterless Co. Inc., manufacturers of no-water urinal systems and related restroom products, asked about 500 facility managers how waterless urinals compare to traditional urinals. The seven-question survey touched upon cleaning and maintenance issues and how fast a no-water system pays for itself due to reduced water and sewer charges.* According to the replies, 40 percent believed a no-water unit costs more than a water-using urinal. Another 40 percent believed the costs “were about the same,” and 20 percent said they were less. Further, 60 percent believed it cost about the same to install either...

WESTBURY, N.Y.—When Westbury, New York’s Viana Hotel & Spa was in its design stage, it was shortly after Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast. Oil prices shot up and the United States’ dependence on foreign oil was in the spotlight. It was within this climate of energy uncertainty that Alan Mindel and his team at Samar Hospitality decided to build the most energy-efficient hotel possible. Designed to achieve LEED-NC Silver certification, the 116-room Viana Hotel & Spa on Long Island features a closed-loop water-source heat pump system for heating and cooling as well as an 11-kilowatt photovoltaic system on...

CHICAGO—Culligan, a leading provider of advanced filtration and water softening solutions, recently unveiled its High Efficiency (HE) Water Softener as part of its Culligan Matrix Solutions water treatment systems, which provide greater flexibility, speed to market and cost savings to commercial companies. Culligan’s HE Water Softener offers commercial users a range of advanced features and options based on their unique water usage and quality requirements. Its unique design addresses the most common user concerns such as: operating, labor and maintenance costs, as well as the impact of poor water quality on operational efficiency and customer service levels. “Selecting the right...

FRANKLIN PARK, ILL.—Sloan announced the hiring of Mike Gipson as product line manager, Flushometers, and Carrie Halle as product strategy manager. Gipson will be responsible for managing and marketing the flushometer product line. While serving as the voice of the customer for this product category, Gipson’s duties will include defining flushometer product strategy, positioning and pricing strategies. He will work closely with Sloan’s new product development team, as well as with quality, supply chain, customer service and technical support teams to ensure customer needs are met.  Gipson has more than 20 years of experience in product and brand management, most recently...

NEW CASTLE, DEL.—Speakman Company recently unveiled the newly redesigned Anystream Icon 8-Jet showerhead. The Icon 8-Jet, also known as the Speakman #1 is one of Speakman’s most recognizable showerheads. The newly redesigned Anysteam Icon 8-Jet showerhead joins the Icon 6-jet showerhead, which was redesigned and introduced in March. The Anystream Icon showerheads have undergone many changes over the years but still retain their signature spray performance which made them known throughout the plumbing and hospitality industry. Upgrades to the product include a metal faceplate free from screw holes, contoured peanut handle, and extended body to create a smooth body shape up...

ANGUILLA, BRITISH WEST INDIES—When chefs at the CuisinArt Resort & Spa on the Caribbean island of Anguilla need vegetables or herbs for dishes they are making, they do not have to go far. The 93-room resort has its own one-half acre, 18,000-square-foot hydroponic farm in a greenhouse. Staffed by four people, including hydroponics expert and author Dr. Howard Resh, the farm produces a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, edible flowers, and herbs such as tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, broccoli rabe, bok choy, arugula, watercress, parsley, sage, chives, dill, chervil, mint, oregano and more. Only organic bioagents and natural organisms...