Author: MaintenX

There is a big push among businesses around the world to tailor their companies to become more sustainable. Becoming more environmentally friendly is not only good for the community overall, but also for each individual company. Unfortunately, not every sustainability program will succeed, for a number of reasons.

One of the biggest reasons that company sustainability programs fail is lack of commitment or follow-through. One major business decision that is environmentally friendly does not necessarily make a business sustainable. The first move is one of many, and it takes dedication for a company consistently strive towards sustainability. Many programs start off strong, but then peter out later.

Sustainability initiatives must be implemented company-wide. Middle management is sometimes to blame for the failure of a company’s sustainability program. While the C-suite may write out an excellent strategy, if it is lost in translation once it reaches the rank-and-file the program is ineffective. This is primarily true for larger companies, but it can affect any firm with an established hierarchy.

Finally, prepare before you draw up any strategy! Gather the necessary information so you know where you can improve. Even if you know you’re wasting water, you can’t fix the problem if you don’t know where the leak is. Data is half the battle; investigate, plan, then act.

At MaintenX we support sustainability and want to help businesses implement their own internal programs. We have helped companies of all sizes accomplish this, and we are confident that we can help yours. For more information, please contact us any time!

Many aspects of facility management are essential to successfully running a business. One of these components is inventory management, the awareness, and storage of necessary items and equipment. Here are some helpful tips for how to develop your own successful inventory management strategy for your facility.

The most important aspect of inventory management is correctly managing storage. After all, it does your business no good if you have all the things you need, but no one can find them when they are needed. Make sure you have the space to store everything and then keep it organized. Having an organizational plan is critical to finding what you need, when you need it.

Proper staffing is also important for successful inventory management. Past a certain quantity, having someone or a team in charge of managing inventory is better for cataloging items and keeping storage organized. They will also be able to manage things like restocking and repairs as needed. This kind of staff can be difficult to find and develop, so many facility managers seek consultants to assist them in this aspect.

Security is the last piece of the puzzle. Many pieces of equipment and the parts necessary to operate them are expensive, and that makes them targets for theft. Having a proper security system is essential to protecting your assets.

MaintenX excels in facility management, and our strategy for inventory management is top-notch. Across 30 years in this industry, we have helped facilities and businesses nationwide manage their equipment and buildings as efficiently and as effectively as possible. To learn more about how we can help you do the same, feel free to contact us at any time!

The saying “knowledge is power” certainly holds true in many fields of business. Pursuant to that, collecting and managing data can be a major boon for facility management. Big data is the term often used for the collection, analysis, and storage of vast quantities of information; it’s important to most business processes. In facilities management, however, it is essential, as more and more companies are finding out.

Most facility managers and their teams currently collect information about how their facility runs and how that relates to business processes. The amount of information at their disposal varies, however, as differently implemented systems allow for different levels of data collection. The difference can mean a lot; efficiency can only be maximized if everything worth knowing is obtained and stored.

Data is only useful if it can be analyzed and used for meaningful action. Once a facility manager knows how their facility runs, changes can be made to allow business processes to run more efficiently. This is where specifics come in; for example, power usage should be measured down to the outlet and water usage to every outflow. Only then can waste be eliminated and overspending identified.

You need the proper tools to collect the right data. There are many types of software, facility systems, and even consulting companies that collect and analyze all the information necessary to maximizing efficiency in a facility.

MaintenX is one such company. To learn more about how we can assist you in getting the most from your business facility, please contact us at any time.

Businesses of all sizes are increasingly seeking sustainability. That is, to convert their practices and procedures to be more environmentally conscious. Business owners gravitate towards this ideal if they are interested making a difference while making a profit. If you, as a business owner or manager, are looking to start your own journey towards sustainability, you should keep a few things in mind to help your program be as successful as possible.

The first step in launching a successful sustainability program is gathering the necessary information. The better you know your business’s operational practices, the easier it will be to identify things to improve. Once you know what needs to be done, you can begin to act. If you, for example, find out where water or energy is being wasted in a facility, you can swap out the equipment or procedures that are at fault.

Second, a sustainability program will peter out without sufficient commitment. You might start with a few changes at the launch of the initiative, but if there is no follow-through the program will fail. Sustainability is not a single moment but a series of long-term goals that can only be met with perseverance and determination.

Finally, make your goals measurable, and collect data along the way. You want to be able to quantify your success. Proving sustainability to your community, investors, and patrons builds goodwill and can generate new business. It shows that you don’t just pay lip service to worthy aspirations, you actively pursue them.

A successful sustainability program can be launched and operated by any business owner in the country. It takes skill, time, and dedication, achieving sustainability makes the world a better place while helping your bottom line. To learn more about how MaintenX can assist you, call us today!

Sustainability in the business context is defined as the implementation of environmentally friendly practices. These include wasting less, generating green energy, and building infrastructure with the land as opposed to on it. As we have learned more about the consequences of human development as well as how mitigating them often makes business sense, sustainability has become more and more desirable. Both public and private programs have been launched to encourage business to adopt sustainable practices. Unfortunately, a few of them failed.

Within the government, a handful of agencies have failed to effectively encourage sustainability, at least for any worthwhile length of time. The Interagency Working Group on Sustainable Development Indicators was supposed to bring together personnel from various federal agencies to monitor and promote sustainability, but it never gained enough momentum to do anything notable. During the Clinton administration, the President’s Council on Sustainable Development sought to collect data and report on sustainable businesses in America. It produced reports for a time, and its advice for sustainability is still followed by some, but the organization disbanded after six years.

But the government isn’t alone in sometimes failing to effectuate long-standing sustainability programs. Various companies have sustainability initiatives that don’t produce results. One of the most notorious in America is Walmart’s; despite setting ambitious goals, they have made modest progress. Their greenhouse gas emission metric, for example, fails to include their supply chain, which accounts for 92% of their overall footprint. Target and Disney have fallen similarly short.

Even though these entities have failed at achieving sustainability, it does not mean that you and your business are doomed to do the same. With the right determination and expert guidance, you can help your business and its facilities become sustainable, helping the environment and your budget. To learn more about how we at MaintenX can help, contact us today!

Sustainability is the commitment to being environmentally friendly everything an organization does. While any individual can strive to live sustainably, many initiatives in the America have been successful at promoting it to business.

The largest proponent of sustainability in the United States government is the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. The EPA was designed to regulate businesses to protect the environment. While sustainability itself cannot be legislated, the EPA can make it more desirable for many business owners. They use carrots and sticks, providing both incentives for green practices and penalties for polluters.

Another successful sustainability program in the U.S. is the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, or ACEEE. This organization provides information to companies across the nation about how to be more sustainable. Knowledge is a powerful tool when it comes to being more environmentally friendly; once a company is informed about sustainable practice, it can take steps to implement it. The ACEEE also collects statistical information about which American cities, states, and regions are the most sustainable.

On a more local scale, the Minneapolis Sustainability Initiative has seen major success. Launched in 2003, this program gathers information about sustainable companies in the community and uses that information to help other businesses implement best practices. This is an excellent example of a community coming together to make a difference, even without the federal government.

Whether on a local or national level, any business owner can achieve success in sustainability by making environmentally friendly choices that create a more vibrant future. To learn more about how MaintenX technicians can assist you in this endeavor, please contact us today!

Landscaping is important because it’s the face of a business, the part that prospective customers interact with first. Business owners and facility managers have many landscaping options for their storefront, but green landscaping is the best one. It allows for helping the environment and saving on maintenance costs without sacrificing aesthetics.

Green landscaping means using native plants, those already adapted to the climate in which they grow. As such, they make pesticides and fertilizers unnecessary while eliminating the need for irrigation. No runoff, no chemicals, and drastically reduced upkeep. Plus, it really integrates your facility into the local environment. You’ll be surprised at all the beautiful native flora you have to choose from!

Green landscaping is an easy way for business owners and facility managers to save money, be eco-friendly, and look great. We at MaintenX have helped companies of all sizes across the country switch to green landscaping setups and practices, and can help you maintain them. To learn more about these and other services that we offer, please call us today!

Different types of flooring require different procedures for maintenance, but the concept stays the same: proper cleaning is the most important part of maximizing your flooring investment. As such, it behooves a business to develop a specific plan for floor maintenance, including cleaning schedule and products, then stick to it.

Having the right equipment matters. Proper machinery makes for proper maintenance, and correct instruments let you do the job quickly and efficiently. Don’t forget to train your maintenance staff how to use them!

Facility managers should remain aware of the latest trends in flooring maintenance, cleaning products, and procedures. Trade magazines and the Internet make it easier than ever. Staying aware of any new technologies can help a facility manager keep his maintenance on the cutting edge.

We at MaintenX understand the value of a flooring investment and want to see you make the most of it. To learn more about how our technicians can keep it looking pristine for years to come, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Water conservation helps the environment and cuts down on utility costs. Use these 3 tips to improve how your business manages water.

One of the easiest ways to save water in a commercial building is to install plumbing fixtures and appliances that are designed for that purpose. Low-flow faucets, toilets, and urinals consume less water without diminishing performance. Motion-activated taps eliminate the risk of someone forgetting to turn off the water.

Reusing water is another helpful practice which can be accomplished in a few different ways. Reclaimed water can be used for irrigation, cooling systems, and emergency fire suppression. Rainwater collection requires extra infrastructure, but reduces the amount of water a facility must buy.

Finally, perform regular preventative maintenance on water equipment and systems. Leaks, whether from pipes, appliances, or HVAC, wastewater and make those systems less effective. Regular maintenance lets you catch and fix small problems before they become big ones, saving you money, time, and hassle.

Every business owner and facility manager can benefit from saving water; it helps both the environment and the bottom line. MaintenX excels at helping businesses of all sizes plan and execute water-saving strategies. To learn more about how we can assist you as well, please call us today!

The sustainability movement is gaining ground in the field of facility management. “Green buildings” are under construction all over, but what exactly makes them “green”? A sustainable building is one that adheres to environmentally friendly principles throughout the building’s entire life-cycle, through construction, operation, and ultimately demolition. These buildings have numerous benefits for businesses that go far beyond eco-friendliness.

A green building starts with a plan. The design of the building is tailored to take advantage of its environment, whether that means an orientation that admits natural light or installing solar panels on the roof. After it’s been built, it’s equipped with appliances that are designed to conserve resources, like low-flow toilets and efficient HVAC. There are many such products on the market, and though they might be more expensive to purchase, they pay for themselves in energy savings.

But the benefits go beyond that. Workers in buildings suffused with natural light are more productive, report higher job satisfaction, and take fewer sick days. Using native plants in landscaping eliminates the need for irrigation while integrating your facility into its environment. For more excellent examples of sustainable buildings, check out the LEED Platinum certification.

If your building wasn’t constructed in a sustainable manner, don’t despair; there’s a lot you can do to improve it by retrofitting and reequipping. To learn about how MaintenX can help your business or commercial facility become and remain sustainable, please contact us today!