Category: Industry News

During this season of giving, MaintenX International announced their 2019 sponsorship of a Habitat for Humanity home. The $85,000 sponsorship allows the Woodards, a local Pinellas County family, to become home owners in Largo, Fla.

“Homeownership is not just about the physical house,” said Bill Schaphorst, MaintenX’s VP of Business Development. “It’s the opportunity for families to feel safe, to have a space of their own. Homes are where memories are made. We are excited to help make it possible for the Woodards to have a house of their own.”

Latrivette Woodard is a hardworking single mother of three. She also helps care for her two young grandchildren. Having made multiple moves due to undesirable conditions and rising rents, the Woodards are excited to have a place to gather as a family – a place they can call their home.

“I am building because I now have the strength and the power to accomplish a goal that I never dreamed of accomplishing: owning my own home,” Latrivette said.

Each day, MaintenX provides superior maintenance services from coast to coast. This experience is sure to help make assisting with home construction a breeze.

As part of the Habitat for Humanity Homeownership program, Latrivette will be asked to complete 450 on-site ‘sweat-equity’ hours, 16 homeownership classes and save $1,000 for a down payment. After she completes these requirements, Latrivette will be able to purchase her home with a zero-interest mortgage.

Groundbreaking will begin in January. MaintenX volunteers will begin completing their 200 volunteer hours in March and the Woodard’s home should be ready by May.

For more than 35 years, MaintenX has been involved with and caring for the local community. To learn more about MaintenX and the services they provide, visit http://www.maintenx.com.

ABOUT MAINTENX INTERNATIONAL: 
MaintenX International is a fully licensed, facilities repair company. As one of the largest national self-performing facility maintenance and repair companies in the U.S., MaintenX has created a wide network of knowledgeable and professional technicians throughout the country. With their team of well-trained technicians, MaintenX self-performs and manages facility maintenance for their clients. In the event there is not a MaintenX technician in an area, the company has established a network of preferred vendor partners throughout the country for continued superior service for their clients. For more than 35 years, MaintenX has been expertly serving multi-location retail stores, restaurant chains and Fortune 500 companies nationwide.

KinderCare Learning Centers, the nation’s largest private provider of early childhood education and care, is looking to 2019 and expanding its focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. KinderCare recently earned ENTOUCH’s annual Environmental Sustainability Award for their continued efforts to improve energy efficiency and an ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability across their centers.

“At KinderCare, our focus is setting children up for success and we do that by not only focusing on today, but in thinking about and preparing for tomorrow as well,” said Wei-Li Chong, KinderCare brand president. “Improving our centers’ energy efficiency helps us do our part to preserve the planet for tomorrow’s children.”

As part of its ongoing strategy to reduce its environmental footprint, KinderCare began implementing energy efficient smart building solutions and sustainability strategies in its centers in 2018 and plans to expand that program in 2019 as the company celebrates its 50^th birthday.

KinderCare recently earned an award from ENTOUCH, a technology company, as an acknowledgement of their work to make a significant and positive impact on the environment by improving their operational and sustainability practices.   

KinderCare centers with ENTOUCH’s smart building solutions use an average of 15.7 percent less energy each year. The 260 KinderCare centers participating thus far expect to see annual energy reductions of over 3.2 million kilowatt-hours and 2,381 metric tons of CO₂ – equivalent to eliminating more than 5.8 million passenger car miles. Once the program expands to all 1,500 child care centers, KinderCare anticipates annual energy reductions of more than 18.6 million kilowatt hours and 13,861 metric tons of CO₂.  

“We chose KinderCare as the recipient of our annual Environmental Sustainability Award based on its passion and continued commitment to environmentally-friendly sustainability practices and energy saving procedures,” said Greg Fasullo, CEO of ENTOUCH. “Since KinderCare utilizes ENTOUCH’s smart building solutions, it now has the visibility across their distributed facilities and has the ability to proactively analyze critical energy data to drive decision-making and determine future outcomes.”

About KinderCare^® Learning Centers 

KinderCare Learning Centers builds confidence for life for children socially, emotionally and academically over the lifecycle of children in our centers. For nearly 50 years, KinderCare Learning Centers have been a place where every child can learn, explore, and discover in a safe and nurturing environment in more than 1,500 community-based centers. We lead the nation in accredited centers and are passionate about providing children a sense of discovery while preparing them for success in school and beyond. To learn more visit us online at www.KinderCare.com, on Facebook or on Twitter. For resources, information, and activity ideas for parents and teachers of young children please visit www.KinderCare.com/blog. In 2018 Rainbow Child Care Centers joined the KinderCare family. To learn more about Rainbow at www.rainbowccc.com. 

About ENTOUCH™

ENTOUCH™ is a technology company that leverages facility asset and energy intelligence solutions to accurately assess and control energy consumption and expenditure. The company’s award winning ENTOUCH 360™ platform provides a dedicated team of facility management and energy experts who utilize leading-edge software, best-in-class hardware and predictive or “targeted” analytics to improve operational efficiencies, significantly reduce energy consumption and maximize energy savings.  Connect with ENTOUCH™ on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and blog. For more information on ENTOUCH™ visit www.entouchcontrols.com  for more details.

MaintenX International is spreading holiday cheer this season by sponsoring 150 Angel Tree children in Florida. Employees personally bought gifts for 75 children in St. Petersburg, Orlando and Miami, and MaintenX matched that with sponsorships for 75 more children. MaintenX collected 35 bicycles and so many other toys and supplies the Salvation Army had to make two trips to haul all the goodies.

“Every child should be able to experience the joy of waking up on Christmas morning to a surprise from Santa,” said Bill Schaphorst, MaintenX’s VP of Business Development. “We feel lucky to have employees who care about the children in their community. Additionally, we love multiplying that goodwill by matching each employee Angel Tree child sponsorship.”

The Angel Tree program allows donors to select a tag from a tree for a child from a family that is unable to provide gifts and clothing to their children during the holidays. Each tag lists items the child wants, as well as items they need like shoes, clothes or diapers. MaintenX made sure each child received items from both categories – with many children who will receive every item on their list.

The children sponsored range in age from newborn to 11 years old. The most popular items among older children were bicycles and tablets.

Angel Tree parents and guardians will be invited to a special Salvation Army event where they will receive their child’s gifts, along with food items for Christmas Dinner to ensure a very merry holiday season for each family. MaintenX is glad to help make special Christmas memories possible for families in need.

For more than 35 years, MaintenX has been involved with and caring for the local community. To learn more about MaintenX and the services they provide, visit http://www.maintenx.com.

The acquisition will broaden the firm’s U.S. Facilities Management platform

CHICAGO, November 29, 2018 – Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) has announced it has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Quality Solutions, Inc. (“QSI”), one of the nation’s top facilities management firms specializing in on-demand facility maintenance and project management services through a national network of facilities contractors.

This acquisition will expand Cushman & Wakefield’s facilities management capabilities and coverage across North American markets by leveraging QSI’s strong supply chain of 50,000+ qualified suppliers and 75+ facilities trades.

“This acquisition will significantly benefit our clients by enhancing our leading facilities management platform, building on the existing strengths of our account-based Global Occupier Services business,” said Steven Quick, Chief Executive, Global Occupier Services. “Our ability to provide a deeper network of suppliers and coverage across all markets, combined with our efficient delivery model, will allow us to better serve large corporations with distributed real estate portfolios,” Quick added.

“Cushman & Wakefield has presented us with a great opportunity to integrate our existing platform into their best-in-class facilities management practice which will allow us to do more for our existing clients,” said Eric Crabb, Chief Executive Officer, QSI. “It is an exciting time to be part of the firm’s growth story. There is a very real momentum and we’re just getting started.”

The acquisition of QSI is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of all applicable antitrust approvals.

Cushman & Wakefield’s Global Occupier Services business delivers real estate solutions for large corporations around the world by providing outsourcing services that include facilities management, portfolio administration, project and development services and transaction management, supported by leading technology and research.

 

Source: Cushman & Wakefield

About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global real estate services firm that delivers exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest real estate services firms with 48,000 employees in approximately 400 offices and 70 countries. In 2017, the firm had revenue of $6.9 billion across core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, valuation and other services. To learn more, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com or follow @CushWake on Twitter.

DEWITT, Mich., Nov. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Scott Milnes, President of DENTCO^®, the first Exterior Services Management^® (ESM) Company in the US, recently announced new features available on the DENTCO Verified (DV) mobile application.

Since its inception in 2015, the DENTCO Verified app has provided a simple and convenient way for contractor partners (CPs) to conduct their day-to-day tasks. While the update has not been branded differently, the app will now be available in Spanish. This improvement will enable Spanish-speaking crews and several hundred CPs to capture data in their predominant language.

In this manner, DENTCO has increased the number of contractor partners who can take advantage of this useful tool. Today, 96 percent of its 8,000-plus network of nationwide CPs utilize the mobile application.

“In order to provide nationwide coverage, we really needed to have the app available in Spanish as well. Having the app in only English was limiting, especially in certain markets. We are working conscientiously to improve the usability and reliability of the platform,” said Timothy Decker, DENTCO’s Information Systems Manager.

The DENTCO Verified app allows CPs to submit invoices, upload contracts and update insurance information. Moreover, the app generates a dashboard view of what pending items need to be completed. Ultimately, the app provides assurance to contractor partners that their work has been submitted in a timely fashion.

In addition to making the app available in Spanish, DENTCO has worked diligently to improve the stability of the app, authorizing CPs and crews to work in a faster and more efficient manner. By eliminating the paperwork shuffle, there is less margin of error and more user control for organization.

Furthermore, the DENTCO Verified app has the ability to deliver real-time data to customers. The application automatically confirms verification data that has been successfully uploaded, uses geo coordinates to pinpoint specific locations, ensures that all data required is collected, provides quick processing for uploaded images and eliminates bugs/glitches.

Decker added, “An interesting feature on the mobile app is that if a user is in a logistical place with a bad connection, then they will be able to safely stop and upload it later when they have a better connection. The app may also be used offline and in areas of the country where there isn’t a strong signal for Internet access. The GPS is captured at the moment of the signature to prove where contractors were at a specific point in time. This automatic recording of a location pays the most benefit during the winter season.”

To download the DENTCO Verified app, users can go to iTunes.com for use on iPhones or iPads, or go to Google Play at https://play.google.com for use on Android devices.

For more information on DENTCO Verified or MyDentco, visit www.dentco.com or call 800-993-3689.

About DENTCO

Headquartered in Dewitt, Michigan, DENTCO was the first to brand a fragmented industry, creating an Exterior Services Management (ESM) philosophy. With over 40 years of industry experience, they provide services throughout the U.S. through their network of Contractor Partners. DENTCO provides landscape management, snow & ice management, dark property management, parking lot maintenance/management and exterior asset inventory to their clients. Over the years, DENTCO has seen substantial growth while maintaining a 99% customer retention rate. Their business model promotes the importance of People, Process, and Technology. In addition to helping clients recognize the significance of quality-assured services, DENTCO is guaranteed to deliver a difference that allow clients to consolidate, centralize and reduce costs.

Employees in Suffolk County, NY and Orange County, CA Participate in Projects for Families of Veterans

  

Orange, CA (Nov. 16^th, 2018) – Branded Group employees on the east and west coasts recently participated in the company’s first Habitat for Humanity bi-coastal build project. Representatives from Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, CA and Suffolk County, NY were on hand to assist the company’s volunteers in projects that will provide affordable and sustainable homes to local families.

“It’s a privilege for our teams in the New York and California offices to be able to work with our valued partner, Habitat for Humanity.” Michael Kurland, Branded Group CEO, said. “These important projects change lives.”

The California team assisted with the interior and exterior painting of two units that will become homes for two deserving veteran families in Orange County. The New York Team hosted a home build project for a yet to be determined owner in Mastic Beach, Long Island. The team assisted in securing the home’s foundation with hurricane straps and framing.

Staff members from the respective Habitat for Humanity chapters were on hand to guide the teams in their assigned projects. The non-profit organization provides the tools and materials to ensure that the construction activities follow local regulations.

“Branded Group’s vision is to build a conscious business that inspires future humanitarian leaders,” Kurland said. “This bi-coastal build project, along with our other Habitat for Humanity builds, is how all of us to stay true to this vision and give back to the communities in which we do business.” 

Branded Group’s award-winning One-for-One social impact program is the foundation for the Habitat for Humanity partnership. Every completed client service call is transformed into one minute of volunteer time. In 2018, the company committed to volunteering 250 hours. 

For more information about Branded Group, contact Michael Kurland at mkurland@branded-group.com.   

About Branded Group

Branded Group is a full service facility maintenance company serving the retail and restaurant industries. The company’s team of experts promptly diagnoses facility issues and efficiently resolves them – quickly returning the client facility to its brand standard. The company is driven to deliver on its #BeBetter experience and is guided by its vision to build a conscious business that inspires future humanitarian leaders. To learn more about the #BeBetter experience, visit www.branded-group.com

Ranked #14 by Orange County Business Journal
  
Orange, CA. (Nov. 9th, 2018) – Branded Group Founder and CEO Michael Kurland recently announced that his company has been ranked fourteenth in the 2018 List of Orange County’s Fastest Growing Private Companies by the Orange County Business Journal. For business leaders, this list serves as a comprehensive source of information on the region’s top companies. 
 
“I celebrate this ranking with my team as their dedication is unparalleled,” Kurland said. “This award reflects their commitment to our customers, as well as the trust that our customers place in us to help them deliver upon their brand promises.”
 
Companies who are eligible for the award must have had annual revenues of at least $300,000 in the prior year and be headquartered in Orange County. Rankings are based on revenue growth as measured by year-over-year sales during the specified ranking period.
 
“Our BeBetter philosophy is simply to do things better for each other, for our customers, and for our community,“ Kurland said. “By putting forth our best effort in all that we do, we enable our customers and partners to succeed while giving back to our community.”
 
For more information about Branded Group, contact Michael Kurland at mkurland@branded-group.com.

OAK BROOK, Illinois (November 5, 2018) – Let’s Pave, a national provider of specialized paving services and solutions, today announced the company is opening an office in Duluth, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta.  Vice president and partner, Mike Zator, will be based out of the office and will oversee its operations. The new location will open for business in December and will serve clients in Atlanta as well as markets throughout the Southeast.  

“This is an exciting time in the growth of our company,” said Zator. “We have a strong presence and long-standing relationships in Atlanta. Opening an office in this thriving market will help us be even more efficient to benefit both new and existing accounts.”

Looking to the future, Zator added, “There is no limit to our footprint. We are fortunate to have dedicated employees and highly satisfied clients that refer us nationwide. For that reason, our management team continues to evaluate key markets as part of our long-term growth and expansion strategy.”

For more information about Let’s Pave and its nationwide capabilities, please visit www.letspave.com, email mzator@letspave.com, or call toll-free 844-LET-PAVE.