Thursday, December 19, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Can Green, Clean and Cost Control Ever Get Along
The Case for a Flexible Hard-Floor Scrubbing Program
You've heard the old saying, "How do you want it - fast, cheap or good? You can choose two." The message, of course, is that you can't have everything. But cleaning professionals today are being asked to deliver "everything" - environmental sustainability, high levels of cleanliness AND cost efficiency. So how can they do it all?
According to Ciprus Ltd. LLC's latest Commercial Flooring Maintenance study reported in October of 2009, nearly 69% of all commercial floors are hard surfaces. These floors are routinely cleaned and maintained with automatic floor scrubbers that, in the past, were not equipped to handle variable soil loads and different hard surface types. Similarly, buildings with carpet and hard floor surfaces have had to purchase both carpet extractors and hard floor scrubbers to effectively clean their floors.
Maintaining the flexibility to achieve the exact cleanliness level required for different areas, surface types and soil levels with the minimum effort, time and resources is a key to meeting the competing requirements for green, clean and cost-efficient floor cleaning. Here's a closer look at three factors that contribute to a flexible floor-scrubbing program.
Because there is no single "best" approach for every hard-floor scrubbing need, being able to match the solution to the soil level and surface type is an important factor in an effective cleaning program. Certainly, cleaning with just water reduces environmental impacts (no chemical to dispose of) and possible health impacts (no detergent exposure for workers or building occupants). Using only water as a cleaning solution works well for removing surface dirt, can help remove detergent residue that accumulates on floors and can also reduce costs because there are no detergents to buy.
However, water alone often can't adequately clean high-traffic areas or cut through certain soil types such as greasy, oily messes. A flexible scrubbing program allows cleaning staff to easily select the proper detergent type and strength - or clean with water only - as required by different floor conditions and areas of the building. Proper application of water, detergent and down pressure eliminates the risk of exposing building occupants to excessive detergent use. It also reduces the costs and environmental impacts of overusing water and detergents while ensuring that floors are properly cleaned.
With labor contributing up to 90% of the total cost to clean, the more time workers are actually cleaning, the more cost-efficient your cleaning program is. Proper planning and the right equipment can reduce set-up/clean-up processes, making it possible for staff to make adjustments while they're cleaning.
In a flexible scrubbing program, workers have the equipment and practices to handle high-traffic areas such as entryways or tough soils like grease without stopping to modify their cleaning approach. Ideally, a floor scrubber dispenses water and detergent separately so that workers don't have to pre-mix solution or empty tanks to change detergents or solution strength. A program that allows cleaners to minimize time sent prepping machines and make fewer cleaning passes through a facility is not only flexible, it's time- and cost-efficient.
Automatic floor scrubbers can represent a significant capital investment for facilities or building services contractors, and the purchase cost is only one part of the overall cost of machine ownership. Maintenance and operating costs also influence the total cost of ownership. Every cleaning machine requires specific training for operators, space for storage, plus parts and ongoing maintenance. A floor scrubber with flexible cleaning models can mean buying fewer machines and reducing training and maintenance costs. The most flexible machines are capable of cleaning in multiple ways and allow staff to use the same piece of equipment for any floor-scrubbing job, which leads to reduced costs and higher cleaning productivity.
Sure, hard floors compromise most of the floor space in facilities, but carpets are often more difficult to maintain and require additional equipment and detergents. Multi-function machines such as combination scrubber-extractors can eliminate the need to buy a separate machine for extracting carpets and reduce the number of times staff have to return to the supply closet to change machines.
There's a commonality in these factors that contribute to a flexible scrubbing program. They all empower cleaning staff to match the way they clean to what they need to clean. Putting this control into the hands on in-house cleaners and BSCs allows them to combine environmentally preferable practices with effective cleaning and maximum cost efficiency. The result is a cleaning program that works in perfect harmony.
To learn more about how an Advance Sweeper, Scrubber or a Sweeper/Scrubber combo can work for your facility, contact a sales representative at Shoppa's Mid America today.
Download the full Advance White Paper
You've heard the old saying, "How do you want it - fast, cheap or good? You can choose two." The message, of course, is that you can't have everything. But cleaning professionals today are being asked to deliver "everything" - environmental sustainability, high levels of cleanliness AND cost efficiency. So how can they do it all?
According to Ciprus Ltd. LLC's latest Commercial Flooring Maintenance study reported in October of 2009, nearly 69% of all commercial floors are hard surfaces. These floors are routinely cleaned and maintained with automatic floor scrubbers that, in the past, were not equipped to handle variable soil loads and different hard surface types. Similarly, buildings with carpet and hard floor surfaces have had to purchase both carpet extractors and hard floor scrubbers to effectively clean their floors.
Maintaining the flexibility to achieve the exact cleanliness level required for different areas, surface types and soil levels with the minimum effort, time and resources is a key to meeting the competing requirements for green, clean and cost-efficient floor cleaning. Here's a closer look at three factors that contribute to a flexible floor-scrubbing program.
1. Rotate solutions (water and detergents) for different soils, areas and surface types
Because there is no single "best" approach for every hard-floor scrubbing need, being able to match the solution to the soil level and surface type is an important factor in an effective cleaning program. Certainly, cleaning with just water reduces environmental impacts (no chemical to dispose of) and possible health impacts (no detergent exposure for workers or building occupants). Using only water as a cleaning solution works well for removing surface dirt, can help remove detergent residue that accumulates on floors and can also reduce costs because there are no detergents to buy.
However, water alone often can't adequately clean high-traffic areas or cut through certain soil types such as greasy, oily messes. A flexible scrubbing program allows cleaning staff to easily select the proper detergent type and strength - or clean with water only - as required by different floor conditions and areas of the building. Proper application of water, detergent and down pressure eliminates the risk of exposing building occupants to excessive detergent use. It also reduces the costs and environmental impacts of overusing water and detergents while ensuring that floors are properly cleaned.
2. Spend more time cleaning, less time getting ready to clean
With labor contributing up to 90% of the total cost to clean, the more time workers are actually cleaning, the more cost-efficient your cleaning program is. Proper planning and the right equipment can reduce set-up/clean-up processes, making it possible for staff to make adjustments while they're cleaning.
In a flexible scrubbing program, workers have the equipment and practices to handle high-traffic areas such as entryways or tough soils like grease without stopping to modify their cleaning approach. Ideally, a floor scrubber dispenses water and detergent separately so that workers don't have to pre-mix solution or empty tanks to change detergents or solution strength. A program that allows cleaners to minimize time sent prepping machines and make fewer cleaning passes through a facility is not only flexible, it's time- and cost-efficient.
3. Use fewer machines for more tasks
Automatic floor scrubbers can represent a significant capital investment for facilities or building services contractors, and the purchase cost is only one part of the overall cost of machine ownership. Maintenance and operating costs also influence the total cost of ownership. Every cleaning machine requires specific training for operators, space for storage, plus parts and ongoing maintenance. A floor scrubber with flexible cleaning models can mean buying fewer machines and reducing training and maintenance costs. The most flexible machines are capable of cleaning in multiple ways and allow staff to use the same piece of equipment for any floor-scrubbing job, which leads to reduced costs and higher cleaning productivity.
And what about floors with carpet?
Sure, hard floors compromise most of the floor space in facilities, but carpets are often more difficult to maintain and require additional equipment and detergents. Multi-function machines such as combination scrubber-extractors can eliminate the need to buy a separate machine for extracting carpets and reduce the number of times staff have to return to the supply closet to change machines.
There's a commonality in these factors that contribute to a flexible scrubbing program. They all empower cleaning staff to match the way they clean to what they need to clean. Putting this control into the hands on in-house cleaners and BSCs allows them to combine environmentally preferable practices with effective cleaning and maximum cost efficiency. The result is a cleaning program that works in perfect harmony.
To learn more about how an Advance Sweeper, Scrubber or a Sweeper/Scrubber combo can work for your facility, contact a sales representative at Shoppa's Mid America today.
Download the full Advance White Paper
Monday, November 25, 2013
Toyota Continuous its Dedication to Philanthropy
Toyota remains committed to philanthropic efforts for various organizations that benefit the environment, veterans groups, safety issues and local community-related groups. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and groups dedicated to helping, Toyota has created employment opportunities, provided financial contributions for disaster relief, and supported safety-related and environmentally friendly efforts.
"It is a priority for Toyota and our associates to support the advancement of society - whether it is to better the environment or lend a helping hand to those that need it," said Jeff Rufener, president of TMHU.
Through a long-term partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, Toyota has helped plant more than 50,000 trees across the United States. For every designated Toyota lift truck sold, Toyota has made a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation to have a tree planted in a forest damaged by fire or other natural causes in the US and in Canada. In addition, for every new 8-Series lift truck sold in 2013, Toyota will make a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation to have a tree planted. Toyota estimates the donation will equate to 30,000 trees.
Toyota's "Giving Veterans a Lift" program was created to help the country's veterans by offering discounted operator safety training for those interested in becoming certified forklift operators. The program also assists Toyota's dealers in recruiting qualified service technicians, while at the same time providing veterans with employment. In addition to providing employment opportunities. Toyota has provided financial donations to various veterans groups such as Hire Heroes USA, Wounded Warrior Project, and many more.
In addition to manufacturing the 8-Series lift trucks that offer leading-edge safety technology such as Toyota's exclusive System of Active Stability (SAS), Toyota also invested in safety for the local communities or Irvine, CA (former national headquarters) and Columbus, IN (new headquarters and home of the manufacturing plant). TMHU sponsored events for free inspections of child safety seats and booster seats with the help of certified child passenger and safety technicians and volunteers from SafetyBeltSafe USA. Toyota associates supported the events by participating in the events as volunteers. The Columbus, IN safety event took place at the headquarters of juvenile products manufacturer, Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
In an effort to contribute and enrich the Plainfield, IN Vincennes University Logistics Education and Training Center, Toyota donated equipment and resources to further the goals of the University's material handling and warehouse training programs. By providing lift truck engines, lift trucks and hands-on instruction in TMHU's "Train-the-Trainer" Operator Safety Program, Toyota is offering students a valuable hands-on opportunity to gain the required skills necessary to maintain and safely operate a forklift.
"It is a priority for Toyota and our associates to support the advancement of society - whether it is to better the environment or lend a helping hand to those that need it," said Jeff Rufener, president of TMHU.
Toyota Plants More than 50,000 Trees through Arbor Day Foundation
Through a long-term partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, Toyota has helped plant more than 50,000 trees across the United States. For every designated Toyota lift truck sold, Toyota has made a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation to have a tree planted in a forest damaged by fire or other natural causes in the US and in Canada. In addition, for every new 8-Series lift truck sold in 2013, Toyota will make a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation to have a tree planted. Toyota estimates the donation will equate to 30,000 trees.
Providing a Lift to Veterans
Toyota's "Giving Veterans a Lift" program was created to help the country's veterans by offering discounted operator safety training for those interested in becoming certified forklift operators. The program also assists Toyota's dealers in recruiting qualified service technicians, while at the same time providing veterans with employment. In addition to providing employment opportunities. Toyota has provided financial donations to various veterans groups such as Hire Heroes USA, Wounded Warrior Project, and many more.Local Communities Benefit from Toyota's Commitment to Safety
In addition to manufacturing the 8-Series lift trucks that offer leading-edge safety technology such as Toyota's exclusive System of Active Stability (SAS), Toyota also invested in safety for the local communities or Irvine, CA (former national headquarters) and Columbus, IN (new headquarters and home of the manufacturing plant). TMHU sponsored events for free inspections of child safety seats and booster seats with the help of certified child passenger and safety technicians and volunteers from SafetyBeltSafe USA. Toyota associates supported the events by participating in the events as volunteers. The Columbus, IN safety event took place at the headquarters of juvenile products manufacturer, Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
Toyota Supports Local Educational Program
In an effort to contribute and enrich the Plainfield, IN Vincennes University Logistics Education and Training Center, Toyota donated equipment and resources to further the goals of the University's material handling and warehouse training programs. By providing lift truck engines, lift trucks and hands-on instruction in TMHU's "Train-the-Trainer" Operator Safety Program, Toyota is offering students a valuable hands-on opportunity to gain the required skills necessary to maintain and safely operate a forklift.
"Denim for Dollars" Provide Support for National Charities
Created to build community support and associate morale, Toyota's "Denim for Dollars" program identifies a national nonprofit organization each month and Toyota associates are invited to contribute a minimum of $5 in exchange for getting to wear jeans to work on the last Friday of the month. Benefiting charities include American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Make-a-Wish Foundation of America, and many more.Friday, November 22, 2013
Toyota Material Handling Unveils Grand Opening of North American National Headquarters
Toyota Material Handling, USA Inc., (TMHU), maker of the number one lift truck in North America, recently unveiled the company's new North American headquarters in Columbus, IN. The ceremony, which took place on November 4, included a ribbon cutting and line-off of the company's new 8-Series large capacity forklift, marked the final stage of a strategic initiative to align TMHU's sales and marketing team with its manufacturing plant - Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., Inc. (TIEM).
The new North American headquarters represents a $4.6 million investment, adding 21,400 square feet to
the Toyota campus, which includes the manufacturing facility and national headquarters. The combined TMHU and TIEM campus now totals more than 1 million square feet of manufacturing and support space and houses more than 1,000 Toyota associates.
"Toyota made a commitment more than one year ago to align our teams under one roof to combine synergies and allow us to be even more responsive to customer and dealer needs," said Jeff Rufener, TMHU president. "We celebrate this partnership and set our sights on continued leadership in the market and support of our associates, dealers and customers."
During the last two decades, TIEM associates have built more than 450,000 lift trucks and Toyota has steadily grown in the North American market to become the number one lift truck supplier since 2002.
"Toyota celebrates several milestones today that will continue to strengthen our position as a world-class leader while serving the best interest of our customers. By uniting TMHU and TIEM onto one central campus, we are fostering increased collaboration that will further improve efficiencies and product development. Additionally, with the introduction of Toyota's large capacity 8-Series lift truck, Toyota continues to deliver innovation in product performance, fuel-efficiency and safety to our industry," said TIEM's president Toshiya Tamagishi. "Looking ahead, TIEM's model of excellence will be emulated in a new lift truck manufacturing plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil."
As the "lead plant" for Toyota's Sao Paulo manufacturing facility, TIEM associates from Indiana are responsible for training the Brazil plant leaders on production engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance and production control. Upon completion of the new facility, TIEM will be the first Toyota industrial manufacturing plant outside of Japan to supply parts to a Toyota Industries Corporation plant in another country and is expected to supply the Brazil plant with 31% of its forklift parts manufactured in Indiana.
The facility has the capability to manufacture a wide range of industrial equipment used in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments including: 3-wheel and 4-wheel electric lift trucks, internal combustion cushion tire and pneumatic tire lift trucks, and DC/AC inverter assemblies for the Toyota Tacoma.
The new North American headquarters represents a $4.6 million investment, adding 21,400 square feet to the Toyota campus, which includes the manufacturing facility and national headquarters. The combined TMHU and TIEM campus now totals more than 1 million square feet of manufacturing and support space and houses more than 1,000 Toyota associates.
"Toyota made a commitment more than one year ago to align our teams under one roof to combine synergies and allow us to be even more responsive to customer and dealer needs," said Jeff Rufener, TMHU president. "We celebrate this partnership and set our sights on continued leadership in the market and support of our associates, dealers and customers."
World-Class Campus Supports Continued Growth Locally and Abroad
Toyota has become the industry leader through unparalleled quality of lift truck design and leading-edge manufacturing capabilities. In 1990, TIEM became the first Toyota lift truck manufacturing plant outside of Japan.During the last two decades, TIEM associates have built more than 450,000 lift trucks and Toyota has steadily grown in the North American market to become the number one lift truck supplier since 2002.
"Toyota celebrates several milestones today that will continue to strengthen our position as a world-class leader while serving the best interest of our customers. By uniting TMHU and TIEM onto one central campus, we are fostering increased collaboration that will further improve efficiencies and product development. Additionally, with the introduction of Toyota's large capacity 8-Series lift truck, Toyota continues to deliver innovation in product performance, fuel-efficiency and safety to our industry," said TIEM's president Toshiya Tamagishi. "Looking ahead, TIEM's model of excellence will be emulated in a new lift truck manufacturing plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil."
As the "lead plant" for Toyota's Sao Paulo manufacturing facility, TIEM associates from Indiana are responsible for training the Brazil plant leaders on production engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance and production control. Upon completion of the new facility, TIEM will be the first Toyota industrial manufacturing plant outside of Japan to supply parts to a Toyota Industries Corporation plant in another country and is expected to supply the Brazil plant with 31% of its forklift parts manufactured in Indiana.
TIEM Investment in Community Represents More than $117 Million
When TIEM established its state-of-the-art, $60 million lift truck plant operations in 1990, the facility covered approximately seven acres under one roof. Since that time, TIEM has undergone 12 expansions. The zero land-fill campus now totals more than 1 million square feet of facilities sitting on 126 acres. Representing an investment of $117 million, the campus includes the new North American headquarters, National Customer Center, training center, manufacturing operations, and distribution centers for equipment and service parts to meet the needs of Toyota's customers.The facility has the capability to manufacture a wide range of industrial equipment used in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments including: 3-wheel and 4-wheel electric lift trucks, internal combustion cushion tire and pneumatic tire lift trucks, and DC/AC inverter assemblies for the Toyota Tacoma.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Battery Washing & Planned Maintenance Service On-Site & Done Right
Shoppa's Mid America Helps Maximize Your Fleet's Productivity
Keep It Clean
Shoppa's Mid America's on-site battery washing and resealing specialists will clean and neutralize your batteries at your location. Using our portable power, low-pressure, high-volume sprayer allows your battery to be washed, neutralized, scrubbed, and washed again, increasing the life of your batteries and reducing repair costs. Shoppa's self-contained system holds both fresh water and wash water, using multiple filters to capture lead and other particles allowing us to transport the contaminated wash water away so your facility is kept clean and dry.
Be Proactive with Shoppa's On-Site Planned Maintenance Programs
Shoppa's experience and expertise provide you with numerous advantages versus the competition. Our planned maintenance program comes with a complete inspection and evaluation. Complete battery wash and resealing, cell testing, lead bar inspection, cable inspection, and connection inspection are all included. We pride ourselves on offering the best possible aftermarket service available. Additional program benefits include: aiding in the protection of equipment life, providing safety, operational and visual inspections, increasing uptime and productivity, reducing "emergency" downtime, and increasing trade-in value.
Contact a Shoppa's Mid America representative today to schedule your on-site battery washing and PM service today for only $99* or visit our website to learn more.
*Pricing does not include sales tax. Prices subject to change without notice.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Dependable Tires that Won't Tire on Your Forklift Productivity
Shoppa's Offers a Large Inventory of Lift Truck Tires & Industrial Equipment Tires
When it comes to tires, Shoppa's understands the importance of quality and dependability. That's why Shoppa's offers a comprehensive line of industrial grade pneumatic and cushion tires backed by the service capabilities of factory-trained technicians.
Easily worn tires cost your company valuable time and money during the life cycle of your equipment. So naturally, choosing the right tires for your application is almost as important as choosing the right equipment. With tires available in a variety of sizes and specifications including cushion, pneumatic, non-marking and press-on, Shoppa's can provide you with the perfect fit.
Should you need tires for more than one application, Shoppa's also has you covered. Choose from tires to fit warehouse and yard forklifts, rough terrain trucks, personnel and utility vehicles, and floor cleaning equipment.
Benefits of Purchasing Tires from Shoppa's:
- Access to replacement tires
- Tire mounting and flat proofing
- Available press service
- Competitive prices
- In-stock availability on popular sizes
- Highly trained staff
Shoppa's Mid America will work hard to assess operating conditions and equipment in order to determine your specific tire needs. Contact us today for all your tire solutions or request a free tire quote today.
Order new forklift tires today and receive 10% OFF* of the regular price!
*Limited time offer. Promotional price valid through 12/15/13. Call for details.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Review Operator Safety Training OSHA Compliance Requirements
Shoppa's Offers Safety Training Programs for all Your Industrial Equipment Needs
OSHA regulations are tough and there are strict requirements for lift truck operator training and documentation. Shoppa's Mid America offers safety training classes to meet the needs of customers to be in compliance of the law.
It is important to Shoppa's to remind you of the basic safety training courses or refresher courses in order to keep up to code and maintain efficiency in your warehouse as well as worker safety. Some 100 people die annually in forklift accidents, and 30,000 more are injured. To help make your operations safer, make sure your company is educated by signing up for a safety training course.OSHA regulations state that companies using powered industrial trucks are required to provide their operators with classroom instruction and hands-on training by a trained, knowledgeable and experienced instructor.
Shoppa's offers several training options to fit your company's needs including on-site training, Train-the-Trainer programs, video training, and operator permits and courses in an e-learning facility. The courses are a convenient and affordable way to ensure your warehouse is complying with OSHA regulations.
If you need to get new employees trained, Shoppa's Mid America offers one class per month at our facility for training. In other cases, we will go to your location for specific application training.
Contact a Shoppa's Mid America certified trainer today for more information on upcoming courses or to schedule a course today.
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