Floor Care Guide: What Facility Managers Need to Know

Floor Care Guide: What Facility Managers Need to Know

Floor Care Guide: What Facility Managers Need to Know

When customers walk into a store or patients enter a hospital, they immediately begin to assess their environment, often judging a facility based solely on its aesthetic appeal. Your employees are no different—they deserve clean, safe facilities, too, regardless of whether or not your business receives customer traffic. Appearances and safety matter, and your floors make a subtle yet impactful statement about your organization’s brand, level of professionalism and commitment to cleanliness.

Commercial and industrial floor care options have changed over the years and will continue to evolve in the face of new substrates that reduce maintenance; the expectation for greener, more sustainable cleaning materials; and a maturing custodial workforce that requires continuing education to stay fluent in new trends.

Whether you run a hotel or elite university, your facility team needs to know about these trends and how to evolve with them. Here are a few ways to stay ahead of the curve.

Ease labor burdens with increased automation

Like most industries, the facility management (FM) sector has been hard hit by the labor shortage as leaders struggle to recruit and retain skilled talent. Research shows that 66% of facility managers and staff have left or have considered leaving their job in the past year. As FM staff age out of the workforce, organizations will need to replace these seasoned workers without breaking their budgets.

When FM professionals are in short supply, organizations can do more with less by investing in automation. Robotic scrubber-sweepers, for example, can clean large areas with minimal employee interaction or intervention, allowing teams to focus on more strategic, high-value tasks. This type of automation is especially useful for organizations that maintain massive warehouses, manufacturing plants or any other venue covering thousands of square feet.

Seek sustainable substrates and solutions

Floor Care Guide: What Facility Managers Need to KnowFrom routine cleaning to waxing and stripping, floor care requires the use of many potentially dangerous chemicals. Opting for greener alternatives, such as water-based cleaning agents, non-toxic solutions and supplies made from all-recycled plastic, is a simple way to help protect the environment as well as your employees’ health. Seek a distribution partner that carries environmentally conscious brands and ask for guidance when building your facility’s sustainability strategy.

An added bonus of prioritizing sustainability is the positive impact it can have on customer perception of your brand, as 4 out of 5 people describe themselves as likely to choose a brand with a positive approach to environmental sustainability. By using eco-friendly floor care products and promoting your commitment to sustainability, you can increase brand loyalty and attract new customers.

Don’t go it alone

With the rise of self-service technology and big box stores, it’s never been easier to purchase floor care products and other facility supplies. But convenience often comes at a cost, and organizations that rely on these quick solutions lose out on the industry knowledge and expertise a facility supply distributor can provide.

Find a partner that not only understands floor care trends and techniques, but one that can identify gaps in your FM strategy and help you fill them. Because although your next order of hardwood floor cleaner or surface disinfectant might be a click away, no online retailer will understand your business needs quite like your local supply partner.

For more on how to make the most of your floor care and maintenance program, reach out to our facility supply team.

 

 

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The Rise of Sensors and IoT Technology in Facility Management

The Rise of Sensors and IoT Technology in Facility Management

The Rise of Sensors and IoT Technology in Facility Management

From office buildings and high-rise hotels to airports and manufacturing plants, the growing complexity of facilities is fueling a shift in how they’re maintained. Many facilities and property managers are embracing the move from human oversight to digital oversight, as it allows them to focus less on tactical tasks and more on strategic programs that enhance productivity, minimize waste and resource consumption and in some cases, even reduce their carbon footprint.

IoT, Defined

One of the fastest growing technologies is known as the Internet of Things, or IoT. The Internet of Things is a massive network of connected objects and people, all of which collect, transfer and share data with other Internet-enabled devices. In the world of IoT a “thing” can be virtually anything—or anyone. Connected home appliances, such as smart TVs and refrigerators, automobiles outfitted with sensors that detect things like low tire pressure, heart patients with pacemakers, and pets tagged with microchips are all examples of IoT and sensor technology in action.

As connected consumer products continue to grow in popularity, these devices are increasingly making their way into commercial facilities and business environments alike. We’ll explore how IoT and sensor technology can have a positive impact on your facilities management strategy, and how you can begin to effectively implement these game-changing tools.

Technology in Facility Management

IoT is ideal for sizable facilities with a substantial footprint. Teams that manage large or multi-site facilities are tasked with a wide range of responsibilities, including safety and security, operational activity, cleaning and maintenance and more.

These are just a few examples of IoT and sensor technology and how it can assist with the many different facets of facility management:

  • Energy consumption: With the help of IoT and motion sensors, you can reduce energy consumption by turning off lights when rooms are unoccupied, or adjusting the temperature via remote thermostat controls. The same technology can help to minimize water consumption when applied to touchless restroom faucets.
  • Asset monitoring: IoT can help facilities managers stay stocked with sensors that send alerts when supplies are running low.
  • Labor management: IoT tech allows facilities leaders to monitor employee productivity, assign tasks and make adjustments to labor resources as necessary.
  • Equipment usage: Sensors and IoT tech are perfect for tracking equipment usage and detecting failures in HVAC systems, plumbing and beyond, enabling facilities teams to perform preventive maintenance and quickly reduce downtime when issues associated with aging equipment or hardware arise.

The Rise of Sensors and IoT Technology in Facility Management

Sustainability and LEED Certification

The green movement has spurred a sea change in how buildings are constructed, maintained and operated. Many businesses are striving to be more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, and one way to do this is by becoming LEED certified.

LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, carbon and cost-saving green buildings—and IoT can help facilities reach their sustainability goals. In fact, some facilities were able to cut their costs by up to 30% with the help of IoT technology.

While IoT can make a tangible difference in your facility management approach, it’s important to note that it’s not perfect, and there is a learning curve when implementing these tools. Third-party integrators can help merge IoT data and integrate systems into your existing infrastructure, but the sheer volume of data IoT produces creates a challenge when it comes to analyzing and acting on this data. Ideally, facilities operators would have a single source of IoT information, but this can be difficult to achieve when using multiple integrators, dashboards, etc.

If you’re curious about exploring ways to improve your facility management strategy, a Mac Papers + Packaging Facilities Supplies expert is ready to chat.

 

 

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MRO Goes Digital: Facility Management Trends for the New Year

MRO Goes Digital: Facility Management Trends for the New Year

MRO Goes Digital: Facility Management Trends for the New Year

The maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) industry is booming, with even more growth on the horizon: Between 2023 and 2028, the market is forecasted to expand at a rate of 2.3%, catapulting the total market value from $685.5 billion to $787.2 billion by 2026.

A major catalyst driving this growth is the rapid digitization occurring across the MRO and facility management (FM) space. Long considered a manual, analog process, MRO is increasingly becoming a digital-first industry as FM leaders adopt technologies like IoT, sensors and smart equipment. Once you examine the benefits MRO tech has to offer—enhanced efficiency, improved workflows, increased agility and flexibility, and the relative ease of implementation—it becomes clear that these technologies have the power to transform your facilities.

Here are a few of the trends we’re seeing take over the MRO sector and how you can leverage them to improve performance.

MRO Goes Digital: Facility Management Trends for the New Year

Data, Data Everywhere

Many business and facility leaders find themselves grappling with a glut of data and digital information, thanks in part to the increased number of connected devices being used across the workforce. In MRO, this includes smart equipment outfitted with sensors that relay information about an asset’s maintenance needs and overall health. Armed with this data, facility managers and operations leaders are able to proactively service equipment before a breakdown occurs, saving businesses considerable time, money and resources.

While data often uncovers useful insights that can be incorporated into your MRO strategy, it can be overwhelming if you don’t have a way to decipher and optimize it. That’s where automation and integration come in.

Automation and Integration

Everything from performance reports to facility supply orders can be automated. Because each business, and by extension, each MRO function, is different, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to automation or integration—some organizations may choose to automate their work order processes, while others may focus more on invoice automation when submitting payments to vendor partners or contractors.

Integration is another trend that will continue to grow over the coming year, especially for tech-savvy organizations seeking ways to aggregate their data. The goal of integration is to manage different FM data streams and house them under one roof, making it easier to turn the information into actionable business insights.

Predictive Maintenance > Preventive Maintenance

If you’re in the MRO industry, you’ve heard of preventive maintenance, which IBM defines as “the act of performing regularly scheduled maintenance activities to help prevent unexpected failures in the future.” But what about predictive maintenance?

Predictive maintenance involves continuously monitoring assets and equipment in order to predict when a failure will occur. Once a potential issue has been identified, facility managers can take preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of a failure or breakdown.

According to the Department of Energy’s Federal Management Program, predictive maintenance can save roughly 8-11% more than preventive maintenance alone, and as much as 40% more than reactive maintenance. With that amount of savings on the line, there’s no doubt predictive maintenance—and the artificial intelligence (AI), automation and IoT tools needed to enable it—will continue to gain momentum in MRO and facility management.

“Going digital” means different things to different organizations, and getting started can feel like a daunting task—but you don’t have to go it alone. Reach out to a Mac Papers + Packaging Facility Supply specialist today for more information.

 

 

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Round-up of protective solutions for employees & customers

Solutions for Protecting your Employees, Customers, Guests and your Business

As workplaces and public spaces open back up, short-term and longer-term protective solutions are needed. Mac Papers offers a full range of what businesses need to keep employees safe and productive, provide a comfortable and healthy environment for guests and customers, and ultimately help keep your operation open and running smoothly.

  • Personal protective equipment

  • Hand care products & dispensers

  • Non-contact thermometers & temperature screening system

  • Cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, supplies & equipment

  • Floor/wall/window graphics & sign stands

  • Industrial tapes for marking & containment

  • Paper & synthetic media for menus & high-touch items

  • Self-seal envelopes

  • Pressure-sensitive labels

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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Mac Papers offers KN95 and disposable face masks as well as face shields for industrial and non-medical use. We also stock disposable gloves.

RESOURCES: Click here for details on the face masks/shields and visit our online catalog for our full glove offering.

HAND CARE PRODUCTS & DISPENSERS

Hand soaps and sanitizers as well as hands-free dispensers and tissues and towels are essential needs for all businesses and facilities. You can count on Mac Papers and our relationships with key industry suppliers including Georgia-Pacific and Gojo for the products you need. We also have an ample supply of hand sanitizers in pump and gallon sizes in stock and available now.

RESOURCES: Click here for details on hand sanitizers available now to order and visit the Facility Supplies section of our online catalog for our full offering of products and dispensers.

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NON-CONTACT THERMOMETERS & BODY TEMPERATURE SYSTEM

From non-contact infrared thermometers to have on hand at your workplace for employees to a high-tech body temperature screening system designed for high-volume traffic areas and crowds, the experts at Mac Papers have you covered with a range of solutions.

RESOURCES: Click here for details.

CLEANING CHEMICALS, DISINFECTANTS, SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT

Maintaining a clean, safe facility has never been more important. From disinfectants and cleaning chemicals to mopping and floor care supplies, janitor carts, waste baskets and can liners, you can rely on Mac Papers for high-quality products that get the job done.

RESOURCES: Visit the Facility Supplies section of our online catalog to browse available products.

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FLOOR GRAPHICS & BANNER & INFORMATION STANDS

An abundance of directional and informational graphics are needed for employees and guests. Mac Papers has a complete line, from easy-to-apply and remove durable floor, wall and window graphics to our exclusive line of Argent® wide format banner materials and rigid board. We also offer a wide variety of banner and information stands, including one that does double-duty with a hand sanitizer unit.

RESOURCES: Click here to download a PDF of our General Formulations wide format graphics guide; click here to download an overview of banner and information stands available from Mac Papers; and visit our Argent website.

INDUSTRIAL TAPES FOR MARKING & CONTAINMENT

Mac Papers carries industrial tapes from leading manufacturers Intertape Polymer Group (IPG) and Shurtape that are ideal for a wide variety of demanding applications, from aisle marking for foot-traffic and social distancing management to bag sealing and containment.

RESOURCES: Click here to read IPG’s containment tapes overview and visit our online catalog for our full offering of tapes and adhesives.

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SAFER MENUS & OTHER HIGH-TOUCH ITEMS

To ensure the highest level of protection for patrons, many restaurants are changing to single-use paper menus or plastic substrates that can be wiped down with alcohol or disinfectants between uses. Hotels are also addressing high-touch items such as privacy hangers and bedside amenities. Mac Papers stocks a wide variety of paper and synthetic media from the top suppliers.

RESOURCES: Click here to read our blog post.

SELF-SEAL ENVELOPES

Easy-seal envelopes that provide a secure seal without the need to apply moisture can reduce contact and help avoid potential health and hygiene concerns. Our new Manta™ #10 envelopes offer a reliable self-seal solution.

RESOURCES: Click here to read our Manta™ envelope announcement.

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LABELS FOR TO-GO FOOD & OTHER APPLICATIONS

Ideal for a myriad of applications, labels are especially useful now for communicating important or reassuring information to customers. Consider a “sealed and protected for your enjoyment” label on a to-go food order, a “sanitized for your safety and comfort” sticker at the hotel room entry or rental car door, or a tamper-evident seal on a package. Mac Papers offers the full line of Spinnaker pressure-sensitive products for digital and offset printing and we are proud to stock the best sellers under our Starboard Tack™ brand. Through our packaging line of business, we also offer a wide variety of labels that are well-suited for these applications.

RESOURCES: Visit our online catalog for Starboard Tack products and other labels available for next-day delivery from Mac Papers.

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Mac Papers Now a Distributor for Georgia-Pacific PRO

Industry-leading brand strengthens the distributor’s growing facility supplies lineup

Jacksonville, Fla. (April 12, 2016) Mac Papers announced today that is now a full-line distributor of Georgia-Pacific Professional (GP PRO) facilities products, including hygienic dispensing systems, towels, tissues, soaps, air fresheners, wipers, cups, cutlery and napkins. Following this news, Mac Papers will add GP PRO’s top professional brand names – including enMotion®, Angel Soft®, Dixie®, Compact® coreless and Brawny® – to its company-wide inventories, located at 22 branches across nine Southeastern states, starting the week of April 18.

“Our new partnership with GP PRO aligns with Mac Papers’ long-term plan to offer a full suite of the highest quality facility supplies to our customers throughout the Southeast,” said Mac Papers’ Tim Nowe, director, facilities supplies. “Adding GP PRO’s elite products to our diverse line-up and inventories not only benefits customers, but also sends a strong message to the industry about our strengthening facilities supplies offering.”

The distributor agreement reaffirms Mac Papers’ commitment to becoming the premier distributor in the Southeast for all types of facilities supplies, including general cleaning tools, restroom products, food service items and safety gear. No other distribution company offers GP PRO the footprint and logistical support of Mac Papers, which includes fully stocked warehouses and a fast and reliable shuttle service to connect the company’s branches and 18 retail stores across the Southeastern U.S.

To ensure expertise in GP PRO’s full product line, Mac Papers’ sales force is undergoing trainings, internally and through GP PRO, to become the leading experts for information about the features and capabilities of these new products.

Today’s news follows the 2015 announcement that Mac Papers added a full range of products from Clorox’s Cleaning & Disinfecting, Laundry and Toilet & Bath lines to its facilities supplies catalog.

To learn more about Mac Papers, please visit macpapers.com. Follow Mac Papers on Twitter @macpapers.

Media contact:
Amelia Smith
[email protected]
904.348.3237

About Georgia-Pacific Professional
A division of Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP, GP PRO manufactures and sells well-known washroom brands like enMotion®, Compact®, Angel Soft Professional Series™, and SofPull® in addition to foodservice brands including Dixie®, SmartStock®, PerfecTouch®, and EasyNap®.

GP PRO™ products are designed to meet the specific washroom , foodservice and break room needs for a wide range commercial facilities including office buildings, healthcare, food service, manufacturing, high traffic, lodging, retail, and education. The product offering is extensive and offers facility managers and maintainers high flexibility to choose the right format, solution benefits and quality tier to meet their specific facility needs. The GP PRO™ product portfolio spans washroom (paper towels, toilet tissue, hand soap, hand sanitizer, air care, wipers and seat covers) and foodservice (cups, napkins, cutlery, plates, bowls, wraps, food packaging and wipers).

About Mac Papers
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Mac Papers is one of the largest wholesale distributors in the Southeast U.S.  The company is a distribution partner for paper and print, packaging, facility supplies and office products. Mac Papers works with best-in-class suppliers to help businesses and consumers deliver quality results, improve efficiency and increase their bottom line. The company operates 22 locations and 18 retail stores across nine states in the Southeast. Mac Papers is a third-generation, family-owned and operated business founded in 1965. For more information, please visit macpapers.com or on Twitter @macpapers.




Mac Papers Adds Clorox® Brand to Facility Supplies Offering

Global supplier strengthens the distributor’s growing chemical business, with brands like 409, SOS, Tilex, Pine-Sol, Green Works, Glad and Liquid Plumr

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. (Jan. 26, 2015) – Mac Papers announced today that it is now a full-line distributor of Clorox, the multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products. Mac Papers now offers the full range of products from Clorox’s Cleaning & Disinfecting, Laundry and Toilet & Bath lines, including well-known brands like 409, SOS, Tilex, Pine-Sol, Green Works, Glad and Liquid Plumr.

The addition of another premier supplier continues Mac Papers’ evolution to a top merchant distributor specializing in paper and print, packaging, facility supplies and office products.

“Clorox is a strong fit with the range of first-class products that Mac Papers delivers,” said Tim Nowe, Director of Facility Supplies for Mac Papers. “Relationships with the leading manufacturers of the biggest brands combined with our large-scale distribution network, depth of inventory and industry expertise legitimizes Mac Papers as a go-to partner for our customers’ facility supply needs.”

Mac Papers has begun stocking inventory for next-day delivery and same-day pickup at its 22 distribution facilities and its 18 retail stores across the Southeast. The Clorox brand augments Mac Papers’ lineup of first-class janitorial and sanitation products.

To learn more about Mac Papers’ facility supplies, visit MacPapers.com/facilitysolutions.

 

About The Clorox Company

The Clorox Company is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with about 7,700 employees worldwide and fiscal year 2014 sales of $5.5 billion. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products; Pine-Sol® cleaners; Liquid Plumr® clog removers; Poett® home care products; Fresh Step® cat litter; Glad® bags, wraps and containers; Kingsford® charcoal; Hidden Valley® and KC Masterpiece® dressings and sauces; Brita® water-filtration products and Burt’s Bees® natural personal care products. The company also markets brands for professional services, including Clorox Healthcare®, HealthLink®, Aplicare® and Dispatch® infection control products for the healthcare industry. More than 80 percent of the company’s brands hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories. Clorox’s commitment to corporate responsibility includes making a positive difference in its communities. In fiscal year 2014, The Clorox Company and The Clorox Company Foundation contributed more than $16 million in combined cash grants, product donations, cause marketing and employee volunteerism. For more information, visit TheCloroxCompany.com.

About Mac Papers
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Mac Papers is one of the largest wholesale distributors in the Southeast U.S. The company is a distribution partner for paper, wide format printing, graphics, packaging, facility solutions and office products. Mac Papers works with best-in-class suppliers to help businesses and consumers deliver quality results, improve efficiency and increase their bottom line. The company operates 22 branch locations and 18 Mini Mac retail stores across nine states in the Southeast. Mac Papers is a third-generation, family-owned and operated business founded in 1965. For more information, please visit MacPapers.com.