American Liquid Waste Magazine February 2020

FEBRUARY 2020

INSIDE

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p 8 Restroom Rental Industry Outlook 2020

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 0 A M E R RII C A N LI QUI D WASTE 3

Februar y 2020 | VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 2

CONTENTS

F E AT U R E S

CEO & PUBLISHER Gideon W. Smith

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Melissa Kennelly

SENIOR EDITOR Katherine Nolan

EDITORIAL MANAGER Heidi Karpinich

ADVERTISING Tracy Rodean

CIRCULATION Noah Aiden

Phoenix Global Media Inc. P.O. Box 235, Stockton New Jersey 08559 866-418-4400 phone 973-532-0319 fax sales@americanliquidwaste.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS $15.00 per year, or by eligible request.

American Liquid Waste Magazine is published by Phoenix Global Media Inc. Copyright 2020 by Phoenix Global Media Inc. All rights reserved.

POSTMASTER: Please send changes to American Liquid Waste Magazine P.O. Box 235, Stockton New Jersey 08559

Opinions expressed in editorial submissions contributed to American Liquid Waste Magazine are those of the individual authors exclusively and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of American Liquid Waste Magazine, its staff, its advertisers, or its readership. American Liquid Waste Magazine assumes no liability or responsibility toward independently contributed editorial submissions or any typographical errors, mistakes, misprints, or missing information within advertising copy.

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Vi si t Us

BUSINESS CORNER

TECH NEWS

P R O D U C T W AT C H

A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S

Restroom Rental Industry IN THE NEWS

Going into 2020 mid Q1, it’s a fitting time to take

SPOTLIGHT

a look at new trends in training, service, industry technology innovations, and at old challenges and recommendations for new entrants into the nationwide por table restroom rental market. ALW has gathered a wide range of por table restroom rental business owners’ impressions of future threats and oppor tunities for growth of their businesses and their thoughts on possibilities and priorities for operational innovations over the coming year and beyond. Here are some observations and expectations, as expressed by por table restroom rental services business owners nationwide and some insights and recommendations of fered by one of the United States’ preeminent industry authorities, to help business owners and operators embarking on Q2 2020 strategic planning.

Portable Restroom Business Owners’ Growth Expectations We asked many luxury portable restroom rental services providers and portable toilet rental vendors in markets throughout the country about their growth projections for upcoming periods and their concerns regarding any near future threats to their businesses.

Here are some representative samples of the kinds of responses we pretty consistently received to our inquiries about short- and longer-term growth expectations from unique niche services providers of the standard porta-potty units as well as luxury restroom trailer rental vendors, and their outlooks for their corners of the industry:

8 A ME RIC AN L IQUID WA S T E F EBR UA RY 2020

A S S O C I AT I O N I N S I D E R

Dwight Chandler, Piedmont Portables and TCS

N D E Xof 2019, Piedmont reported optimistic In IFebruary revenue projections, from a budget rationale driven by the company’s continuously stable long-term customer base. Dwight Chandler expressed that over the years, “There has been very little turnover of clients.”

He attributes Piedmont’s consistently high customer retention rates, which he believes have and will continue to provide the foundation that enables its continued financial sustainability and growth, to consistent service by the company’s proven reliable service-centric team.

Among the company’s primary challenges to future growth plans, Chandler identifies underpriced competitors, “There are companies who try to low-ball pricing to get market share. Of course, the only way they can do that is to provide customers with low-quality service, which is not good for the industry. Most customers these days understand that they can’t get a very low price and high quality of service. Cheap pricing normally results in cheap service.” He refers to his company’s pricing policy, which offers an ideal example of pricing and branding best practices, “We don’t try to be the cheapest. We’ve built our reputation on our high quality.”

Beyond the local pricing issue, the only other possible major external force that Dwight sees as having significant potential to negatively affect Piedmont’s growth plan is, as he puts it, “the same thing that can affect every other kind of company in the industries we serve—an economic downturn in housing or other construction. That affects the portable toilet market.”

Vi si t Us

He recalls previous occurrences of growth impact from changes in larger economic conditions, and he offers a positive perspective on how to weather such periods of serious challenges to financial health of businesses in the industry, “In 2008 and ‘09, we were affected, but nobody had to get laid off. The economy eventually recovered, and we moved on. If you run a pretty tight organization, you can withstand economic challenges in our industry, as long as they’re not too extreme.”

Brad Simpson, The Lavish Loo, Luxury Portable Restrooms and Showers In May 2019, Brad Simpson, Owner and operator Denver’s unique high-value-added luxury restroom trailer rental service, The Lavish Loo, talked about the company’s strategic growth plan. The Colorado outdoor events season is May through September. The remainder of the year, Simpson was working to identify other means of generating income through The Lavish Loo, “I started exploring Arizona because the service is needed year-round there. We will be opening a branch in Arizona, we’re hoping to get it started this fall.”

At the time ALW interviewed Brad for the May Spotlight feature, he already had recruited someone in Arizona who was positioned to come on board to help with the planned Arizona startup.

Intending to build a thriving business in the Grand Canyon State, Brad announced, “We will be based out of Phoenix, and we’ll service Tucson and areas throughout the state.”

If you run a pretty tight organization, you can withstand economic challenges in our industry.

Future growth plans for The Lavish Loo are exceptionally optimistic, looking far beyond the 2020 rollout of the company’s Arizona extension, “Ultimately, the goal is to franchise The Lavish Loo. I want to put another year or two into generating strong sales and then franchise the model.” Brad clarified, “Everything is in the infancy stages. When things come together, we want to end up franchising.”

Andy Christian, Franchisee, Royal Restrooms Jacksonville, Florida In August 2019 ALW spoke with the first franchisee of Royal Restrooms, Andy Christian. Andy and his wife Linda started with two luxury restroom trailers they bought from corporate franchisor Royal Restrooms. Andy and Linda kept their day jobs and delivered their trailers for use at private events on weekends, and the business began to grow. continued on page 10

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Eventually, the Christians started a sister business for shower trailer rentals they provide to hurricane disaster recovery areas.

Today, their P R thriving O D U Jacksonville C T W ATRoyal C HRestrooms franchise provides services throughout the majority of the eastern and central Florida market region as well as the state’s southwestern coastline market segment. The company has a busy staff handling delivery, services, maintenance, and administrative management of around a hundred luxury restroom units and shower trailers.

I N T Hfranchise’s E N E Wrevenue S The Jacksonville channels have proven to be consistently highly productive, with around 75 percent of the company’s income generated by restroom trailer rentals and about 25 percent from shower trailer rentals. The company also supplies many restroom trailers to other area vendors who need to supplement their inventory of luxury units. Andy explained, “Some of my best customers are other people in the business.”

S Pany O Tpotential L I G H2020 T and future threats to his busiRegarding ness, Andy observes, “What I’m seeing in this industry is bigger companies buying out smaller ones. In Florida, there’s not as much competition. I think the service has gone down, and that’s not good for the industry. A couple of companies are getting bigger and bigger. We ‘ve been approached, but we like what we do and want to keep it going. But, it (the buy-outs) can push out the smaller companies. That means customers are less likely to get customer service that is as good as when the competition is stronger. When there’s less competition, it also (adversely) affects the pricing.”

TECH NEWS

“I believe it’s going to revolutionize the wastewater hauling industry and the wastewater treatment industry.”

A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S

A S S O C I AT I O N I N S I D E R The Gray Brothers company, now celebrating its 90th year in operation, has moved from its former 10,000 square foot space into a 110,000 square feet facility, in which both Gray Brothers and SoMax will operate. In October 2019, Dan announced to ALW that the first SoMax manufacturing line will begin production in Q2 of 2020, using $400K in grant money the company has I Nfor D wastewater EX received treatment.

Asked what he expects to be the significance of the new SoMax technology, Dan Spracklin’s response was, “I believe it’s going to revolutionize the wastewater hauling industry and the wastewater treatment industry.” By late 2020, the technology may begin to make its way into the mobile units hauling wastewater from portable toilet rental units, adding to upfront technology investment costs for vendors. In 2021 and coming years through the next decade, vendors hauling wastewater may begin to realize returns on those investments.

New Waste Water Conversion Technology Roll Out

Insights from National Industry Leader David Sauers, Principal, Royal Restrooms

In the related industry of wastewater management, recognized industry authority Gray Brothers Septic Services, Philadelphia Pennsylvania is vigorously executing its own 2020 growth plan — one that profoundly departs from the typical models of a septic services businesses. SoMax BioEnergy is nearing the sales launch of a transformative technology that has high potential to impact the portable restroom rental, septic services, and waste treatment industries.

Gray Brothers CEO, Dan Spracklin is a long-time collaborator with, and advisor to Villanova and other major academic institutions working on environmental questions involving wastewater.

Spracklin and his team of five top industry engineers have developed a revolutionary technology that converts waste material — during hauling — into renewable energy. The company is now in the final stages of preparing to launch a sister company, SoMax Bioenergy, Inc., to produce and distribute the stunning technology.

We asked David Sauers, who is one of the two principals of one of the United States’ leading luxury restroom rental business franchisors, Royal Restrooms (along with partner Robert Glisson), for his perspectives on the future of operations and growth for Royal and its multitude of franchisees through 2020 and beyond: Do you find there any new training features that should be incorporated by portable restroom rental services providers going forward, to help elevate the industry?

We focus on pretty much one market dynamic, restroom trailers and shower trailers, and all our training is centered around that. I think one thing other companies miss is that they don’t do training for shower trailers as something different. You have to take more time, be more methodical, be able to fix things, correct mechanical issues, etc.

We pick up a lot of our business from other companies because of lacking sanitary conditions, or issues with air conditioning, faucets not working, or other mechanical problems. Employees continued on page 12

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BUSINESS CORNER

P R OFor D Usmaller, C T W ATor C Heven larger

companies, operators need to look into, and invest in mobile apps and make processes computerized I N T H Emore NEW S need more training when it comes to routine maintenance and cleaning of shower trailers and restroom trailers.

Are there any service upgrades that you would recommend for portable restroom rental companies at this time?

Communicate. Speak directly to your clients. Upgrade as necSPOTLIGHT essary. For smaller, or even larger companies, operators need to look into, and invest in mobile apps and make processes more computerized, so they’re able to keep up with their clients in services, not rely on paper processes.

So, switch to electronic systems. From a restroom maintenance standpoint, there are now smarter restroom management apps that help monitor restroom facilities failures. Some apps can tell you how much water is left, how much holding capacity, notify you of electrical issues, and report other really good information almost instantaneously with iPhones and Androids.

What do you see as the most significant challenges to new entrants into the industry, and what recommendations would you offer people looking to launch startups over the next year?

When you’re coming into the business new, for a restroom trailer operator it’s relatively easy to get in and start. You have one or two restroom trailers, to start. Maybe you get on Facebook and get some rentals. But, it’s really difficult to make a cold run at market share. It’s a slow way to gain market share.

Because it’s difficult to gain a lot of exposure at once, with larger competitors gobbling up the market share, you almost have to have a little bit of a niche that you especially create to go into.

From a smaller company standpoint, I think it would be easier to fill that niche. That’s what we do. We already have a large market presence, so when you join up with us, you can get to work right away. You’re not going to find you’re just sitting and waiting.

Advice for 2020 New Market Entrants from David Sauers, Royal Restrooms One thing we’ve seen is that people are just not charging what they’re worth. Companies are fighting against each other for

TECH NEWS

certain jobs. I wish companies would charge what they’re truly worth. A job done 10 years ago might have been $10,000, but A people S S O may C I AT I O Nto do NE Wsame S job for $4,500. now be trying that We’re competing against ourselves when we do that, to the point that nobody’s making any money. I wish companies would look at the money they’re leaving on the table.

Beyond that, I’d advise — work smarter, plan your event, and instead of trying to do every one of them, do a few of them correctly.

A S SIndustry O C I AT I O N for I N2020 SID ER General Outlook and Beyond

From coast to coast, in one report after another from business owners the US portable restroom services industry in 2019, we heard similar exhilarating growth plans for Q2 through Q4 2019 and throughout 2020 and beyond into the new decade.

Overall, it’s fair to say that the outlook of the many of the industry’s most successful business owners proved to be very optimistic N DofEtheir X prospects not only for strong growth, but also in in Iterms terms of their sense of freedom to experiment with new structural models, such as adding revenue lines, converting to more comprehensive operations on their digital platforms, and even undertaking bold interstate expansions into new regional markets.

For industry newcomers, Andy Christian reflects the kind of realistic perspective and managerial philosophy required to build a successful business in this competitive industry, “Even though we’ve grown and are pretty big, we’ve never lost sight of customer service and responding to customers’ needs on any issues. There are always going to be some issues, a clogged toilet, a storm knocks out power, etc.. There’s always something that can go wrong. We pride ourselves that we take care of an issue quickly. I’ll drop everything.”

Simple, straightforward, ideal advice for restroom rental businesses looking to grow throughout 2020 and the years beyond, is also offered by another successful entrepreneur in the industry, Charlie Hatler, Owner of Pit Stop Portables, Chattanooga, Tennessee, “We’ve grown the business by service. We’re basically in the service industry. So, to succeed, the important thing is to provide good service. And, keep the equipment in good shape.

We have to keep the trucks in good shape so that we’re not breaking down and missing service.”

Charlie’s comment echoes the wisdom offered by the most successful entrepreneurs in the business, from the rapidly rising stars, to the preeminent experts. It speaks plainly on the best way of thinking about and responding to the most common industry challenges for business owners and about opportunities that the year 2020 and the new decade are sure to present. continued on page 14

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BUSINESS CORNER

TECH NEWS

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A S S O C I AT I O N I N S I D E R

IN THE NEWS So, for the final word from ALW on the outlook for 2020 in the portable restroom rental business, we’ll offer another comment from Charlie in Chattanooga: “Provide good service — that’s the key. If you do that, you can charge a little bit more. You might not get the new account at 8.0 If they’re 30.3 paying 4350 300 first, but you can later. too little, then they’re probably S P not O Tgoing L I GtoHbeTgetting good service for very long. So, they’ll then be willing to pay more appropriately for a well-serviced unit than for one that’s not being cleaned. If you do a good 8.0be alright.”

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A S S O C I AT I O N I N S I D E R

IN THE NEWS

MUNCIE POWER PRODUCTS, INC. IS PLEASED TO INTRODUCE ITS P O T L I G EXECUTIVE HT NEW SSENIOR DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING, ALAN JONES. Muncie, Ind., January 27, 2020 - As the Senior Executive Director of Engineering, Alan is a member of the executive team and will ultimately serve as the company’s leader of engineering and innovation. Within this role, his responsibilities will include overseeing all engineering activities including product testing, product liability, intellectual property and new product development activities. Alan will also be responsible for developing and integrating an innovation function at Muncie Power; further strengthening customer trust, and positioning the company for future growth to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers. Alan joins our team with his most recent experience as director of engineering

INDEX

and service at Tulsa Winch Group of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He comes to Muncie Power Products with extensive experience in new product development, project management and administration of engineering across multiple locations. Prior to Tulsa Winch, Alan worked for many years in the material handling industry, where he served in various engineering leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Hyster-Yale Group and Crown Equipment Corporation.

Muncie Power Products, Inc., a member of the Interpump Group, is one of the leading manufacturers of power take-offs and fluid power components. Since 1935, Muncie Power Products, Inc. has been serving the truck equipment and other fluid power markets with quality products and services. Headquartered in Muncie, Indiana, Muncie Power Products, Inc. maintains manufacturing and distribution facilities across the country as well as a global distribution network. At Muncie Power Products, Inc., “We build trust.”

6823

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VACALL ALLEXCAVATE HYDRO EXCAVATOR Featured in Gradall Booth at ConExp-Con/Agg 2020 The Vacall AllExcavate hydro excavator, designed and manufactured by Gradall Industries, Inc., is ideal for excavating soil, rocks and clay around utility lines and foundations. Simultaneously, the AllExcavate uses highpressure jetting action up to 24.5 gpm with up to 3,000 psi to loosen material. Then, the industry’s strongest vacuum forces (up to 27” HG and 5,800 CFM) suction the material and water slurry into a debris tank.

The highly productive process disturbs less terrain than conventional excavation while it exposes underground water and sewer lines, creates piling holes and slot trenches, and cleans frac tanks and other machinery on oil and gas exploration sites.

The multi-stage vacuum filtration system has a simplified design to reduce maintenance, extend performance and increase working life.

As material is deposited into the debris body, air continues to move through a dual cyclone separator where more material particles and moisture are removed. The filtered air then passes through the blower, silencer and the exhaust.

AllExcavate models are available with three different vacuum boom tube and hose designs to accommodate customer preferences: 4 A heavy-duty, full-length, durable and flexible rubber hose with a gum rubber lining that runs from the turret mounted on the debris tank to the pickup point 4 Another steel tube-in-tube boom and intake connects to an identical rubber hose elbow that leads to the pickup point 4 The original steel tube-in-tube design also is available with a steel elbow boom and intake tube – the industry standard for strength and durability AllExcavate models also benefit from the Vacall “Green That Works” package that includes a variety of no-extra-cost advantages that can save fuel, build efficiency and extend the working life of the hydro excavator. The package includes AllSmartFlow intelligent controls, an innovative CAN bus control system located inside a protective cabinet the allows operators to make more precise adjustments in boom movement.

A programmable color LCD display provides detailed information about engine performance, water flow, water pressure and vacuum functions. A fully proportional pendant, either wired or using wireless capability, provides for productive control away from the chassis while providing the operator with a clear view of the work area.

The “Green That Works” package also includes single-engine operation, reducing fuel consumption and release of harmful emissions as well as routine maintenance.

To further extend the life of the Vacall machines, AllExcavate models have lifetime warranties on standard water and optional debris tanks.

Oval in shape with cylindrical sides, debris tanks are extra strong to handle the rigors of debris deposit and dumping. Water tanks, fabricated with high quality aluminum for extra strength, are mounted above rear fenders, reducing the possibility of damage from highway debris, rocks and stones. w w w. a mer ica nliquidwa ste.co m

For efficient debris deposit into on-site roll-offs, a high dump capability is available for AllExcavate models. This hydraulic option raises the debris tank as much as 76 inches above ground level and shifts it back 21 inches for dumping over the edge and into containers.

Vacall offers a step-in compartment on the AllExcavate to provide operators with warmth and protection from inclement weather. The standard heated compartment is roomy, with enough space for an operator to change out of wet and muddy boots and clothing. The compartment also has floor drainage, racks to hang dry clothing and another rack to store the high-pressure hand gun and extensions.

Along with new LED lighting, the cold weather package includes extra insulation, heated cabinets for the hose reel and water pumps, and boilers that can heat water for more effective hydro excavation in frozen ground. Learn more about AllExcavate, or call 800-382-8302.

All Vacall models are designed, built and supported by Gradall Industries, Inc., to ISO 9001 standards, with a worldwide reputation for exceptional machine versatility, performance and hydraulic functionality. Gradall Industries, Inc., is wholly owned by the Alamo Group. Gradall Industries, Inc., may be contacted at 330-339-2211, or by mail to 406 Mill Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. Online, visit www.gradall.com.

Alamo Group, Inc. For 40 years, we’ve been a world leader in the design, manufacture, distribution and service of high quality equipment for rightof-way maintenance and agriculture. Our products include tractor and truck mounted mowing and other vegetation maintenance equipment, excavators, street sweepers, vacuum trucks, snow removal equipment, pothole patchers, agricultural attachments and related aftermarket parts and services. Visit our website at www.alamo-group.com

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A S S O C I AT I O N I N S I D E R

IN THE NEWS

VACUWORX PROMOTES RAINES S P O T L I G HSERVICE T TO REGIONAL MANAGER, ENHANCES MOBILE RESPONSE TIMES IN GULF COAST REGION Tulsa, Oklahoma, December 2019 - Vacuworx is pleased to announce an increased presence in the Gulf Coast area with the promotion of Paul Raines from Production Manager to Regional Service Manager. Raines is a service-oriented professional with the technical know-how, problem-solving abilities and organizational skills to ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction. Factory trained and certified to inspect, service and repair all makes and models of Vacuworx lifting equipment, he has been strategically deployed north of San Antonio as Vacuworx anticipates current and

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future needs tied to growth potential in South and West Texas and throughout the Gulf Coast region. Raines’ new role revolves around first-call resolution as he responds to service inquiries and provides front-line support to Vacuworx customers calling in over the phone and operating in both the oil and gas pipeline and construction-related fields. His primary duties include troubleshooting and resolving any service-related issues in a time-sensitive manner, at the same time performing safety checks and calibrating equipment for optimal performance. Raines started his career with Vacuworx in 2007, and worked four years in the machine shop helping develop a plug-and-play wiring harness allowing for quicker coupling with host equipment. From there, he was deployed to take service calls in the field and later back in the shop as his range of responsibilities grew. For the past two years, he has been focused on managing new assemblies of Vacuworx lifting systems, from the heavy-duty RC Series to the compact and versatile PS 1 and SL 2. “This position will allow us to answer more service calls in an even shorter amount of time,” said Justin Hendricks, General Manager. “The amount of time it takes for a technician to reach the job site will be decreased exponentially. In turn, we are creating more positive experiences to develop lasting relationships with customers who have zero room for any downtime.” “By increasing our overall mobility, we can be more responsive to our customers in Texas, the Permian Basin and throughout the Gulf Coast region,” said Randy Hayes, Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Accounts. “It is all part of our aim to offer a world-class experience. Having a local presence from a service perspective is a definite competitive advantage.”

About Vacuworx: Vacuworx is celebrating “20 Years of Building an Industry.” Founded in 1999 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the company engineers and manufactures innovative heavy-duty material handling equipment for the oil and gas, water and sewer, highway and heavy construction, concrete construction, landscaping and manufacturing industries worldwide. Vacuworx maintains a global inventory available for purchase or rental.

Parts, service and technical support are available 24/7/365 for installation, training, repairs and troubleshooting.

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IN THE NEWS

A S S O C I AT I O N I N S I D E R

MORE EDUCATION... NEW CREDITING INDEX SPOTLIGHT COURSES AT THE WATER EXPO 2020 The Water Expo 2020 (Aug 26 & 27) in Miami is expanding its educational content in volume and value! For the first time the following crediting and certification courses have been added to the program: - CERTIFIED STORMWATER INSPECTOR TRAINING

- ITCP (INSPECTOR TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION

(10 hours) by the National Stormwater Center. For

PROGRAM) course (12 hours) by a Certified NASSCO

Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer System (MS4)

trainer with equivalent benefits as previous.

personnel nationwide. Course focuses on stormwater service compliance as the key to restore and maintain the water under extreme weather conditions.

Registration for these 4 courses starts early 2020 and will be managed by the educational organizations listed above. As part of the benefits, applicants receive a

- SPRINGS PROTECTION & SEPTIC SYSTEMS (6

complimentary Full Conference & Expo VIP admission to

hours) by EPINCORP. Course approved by the Florida

the show ($200 value) with access to the event during the

Department of Health for Continuing Education. Geared

2 days with all privileges.

to Registered Septic Tank

The above mentioned

Contractors, Master Septic

crediting and certification

Tank Contractors and

courses will add to other

Certified Environmental

educational programs

Health Professionals.

included for 2020 covering

Attendees also receive

key industry topics related

additional CD Courses to

to sewer infrastructure,

comply with their yearly 12 and 18 credits license renewal requirement.

- PACP (PIPELINE ASSESSMENT & CERTIFICATION PROGRAM), MACP (MANHOLE ASSESSMENT & CERTIFICATION PROGRAM) AND LACP (LATERAL ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM) courses (18 hours) by a Certified NASSCO trainer. PACP (Pipeline Assessment Certification Program) the main core of the course, is the North American Standard for

wastewater, portable sanitation, water quality & filtration and more.

Manufacturers and distributors may want to exhibit on the show floor to showcase their lines to event qualified attendance. There are also exclusive sponsoring opportunities to 2020 courses offered on a first come basis. Check pages 2 and 3 of the TWE20 Exhibitor / Sponsor prospectus.

pipeline defect identification and assessment, providing standardization and consistency to the methods in which pipeline conditions are identified, evaluated and

For more information please call (305) 412-EXPO (3976) or mail@TheWaterExpo.com.

managed. Courses provide a 3-year valid Certification.

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AUG.

TARGETING

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ADVERTORIAL

PORTABLE SANITATION REQUIRES MORE THAN QUICKBOOKS® OFFERS

Here’s Why When it comes to computer automation within your

wrapped up in the single heading “billing”. When using

portable sanitation business, it is so appealing to follow

QuickBooks (which we will refer to as “QB” for simplicity),

the Siren call: “Just get QuickBooks.” Your neighbors say it,

you may have to manually compute the following and

and your accountant may say it. But if you plan to grow

touch each account that you are billing each month:

your business, there are serious limitations you need to be

• Billing dates (“from” and “to”)

aware of and overcome, sooner rather than later.

• Pro-ration amounts (for delivery or pickup)

As your business grows and you cross the 100-unit boundary, and certainly the closer you get to 300 units,

• Additional charges, such as damage waivers, mileage or fuel, disposal or environmental, etc.

the more you need industry-specific systems in place to

• Minimums

address the unique challenges facing this business.

• Credits back for early pickup (previous advanced billing)

Challenge #1: Billing

• Billing cycle dates

The main reason customers leave is that they can’t

The last we looked, QB does not automatically roll the

understand your billing. So you better get it right! Even so,

“from” and “to” dates for your “memorized” transactions.

this is not a single challenge; there are multiple challenges

In any case, 28-day billing (very common now) may not fit their mold. QB cannot handle various billing methods, such as 28-day, monthly, per occurrence, weekly, quarterly, etc.

That leaves you checking your calendar and changing the dates on every invoice before you can bill.

Most portable sanitation companies pro-rate deliveries and/or pickups. For example, if your normal billing is March 1 through March 28, delivery on March 15 would only bill for 14 days from delivery to the end of the period (inclusive). Are you going to manually calculate the amounts? QB won’t. That leaves some in the industry continued on page 24

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 0 A M E R I C A N LI QUI D WASTE 23

pro-rating according to weeks, since the calculations are

Challenge #3: Inventory Control

simpler, but then you are left with the potential argument

QB is built upon the distribution or sales model. There is

with your customer: is 15 days 2 weeks or 3 weeks?

no rental inventory tracking, so you need to manage that

Further, if you bill some of the additional charges listed,

yourself. What is projected available for July 4? Who last

they may pro-rate the same as rental items, or they may be

had unit #123? QB won’t tell you.

a percentage of invoice total. That again leaves you figuring

Challenge #4: Scheduling

out billing for each job site each month. Aggravations

QB has no scheduling capabilities. (Add-ons may be

like these may lead you to restrictive policies, such as

available from other parties.) Although akin to Routing,

disallowing pro-rations altogether. Unfortunately, that

scheduling in this sense means planned deliveries, pickups,

opens the door for those with more customer-friendly

or special event services that have to be tracked to ensure

policies to capture your customers and shrink your

they are performed as required. To miss any of these field

business.

actions would cause serious repercussions from your

The same applies to the other points listed. Bottom line:

customers, and that can damage your reputation and

To retain your customers, you have to present reasonable

impact future business in an unquantifiable manner. You

charges, clearly explained, and this leads to getting paid on

won’t even know the revenue you missed since those

time from happier customers.

customers went elsewhere.

Challenge #2: Routing

In Summary

QB does not do routing…Period! Google® maps let you

If you plan to grow your business, you need to think smart

route 25 stops…Period! With 40 stops for typical portable

from the beginning. Some tools, such as QuickBooks,

restroom routes, you will need special tools to “connect

may get you going, but you have to plan for addressing

the dots” in the most efficient manner possible. Why is this

the limitations and how your business will manage to

important?

seamlessly grow beyond those limits.

The gap can be bridged by retaining QB for your “back office” expense accounting and financial reporting, while obtaining industry-specific software for your “front office” customer and operations management functions. Rather than trying to keep “two sets of books”, you let each system specialize where they excel and have your “sales” system post its revenue into your “financial” system.

Planning ahead can save many growing pains while keeping your company profitable and customerresponsive..

Consider the cost of your truck. Now consider the cost of labor. Driving more miles, taking more time, and leaving the sequence of service stops to the convenience of your technicians will not (in almost all cases) lead to the most

Mark Billings is Senior Engineer at Ritam Technologies, LLC, with 38 years of industry experience providing software and support. He can be reached at mark@ritam.com

profitable route arrangements possible. Inefficiency costs you money!

Unfortunately, QB is silent on this issue.

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 0 A M E R I C A N LI QUI D WASTE 25

ADVERTORIAL

If a job is worth doing

TAKE

THE TIME

TO GET IT RIGHT

Rural and suburban communities throughout Michigan rely on groundwater fed drinking water wells and onsite sanitary wastewater systems, a critical component of both public and environmental health.

USEPA in it’s 2005 “Handbook for Managing Onsite and

health and water quality goals, particularly in less densely

Clustered (Decentralized) Wastewater Treatment Systems”

populated areas. The difference between failure and success

states: “One in every four households in the United States

is the implementation of an effective

relies on an individual onsite or small cluster system to treat

wastewater management program. Such a

wastewater. In far too many cases, these systems are installed

program, if properly executed, can protect

and largely forgotten – until problems arise.” On the other

public health, preserve valuable water resources, and maintain economic vitality in a community.”

Of primary concern is the need to reconcile already often competing legislation

In 2018 and 2019, WasteWater Education, a Michigan based

Oliver Griev

international non profit, sought to address precisely that: by creating options, management, training, financing and implementation strategies for administration rules for protection of public health. “There is no reason to reinvent the wheel when the framework is already so well established”, says current Board Chair Oliver Griev. However the path to

hand, EPA concluded in its 1997 Report to Congress:

a so-called ’statewide code’ has been frought with partisan

“adequately managed decentralized wastewater systems

bickering and political motives, resulting yet again in

are a cost-effective and long-term option for meeting public

nothing being achieved. “Of primary concern is the need continued on page 28

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to reconcile already often competing legislation: Michigan

is unworkable, unfundable, unenforceable and widely

Public Health Code Public Act 368 of 1973 and the Natural

unaccepted, even if passed it will inevitably be challenged in

Resources And Environmental Protection Act 451 of 1994 Part

court. If the desired outcome is to protect public health and

117, “ says Board Director Scott Kendzierksi M.S., R.E.H.S..

the environment no one wins.”

Kendzierksi, Director

Late in 2019, WasteWater

of Environmental

Education learned it had

Health Services at the

not been successful in

Health Department of

a Foundation funding

Northwest Michigan,

proposal to a facilitate an

overseas a multi

impartial, comprehensive,

county onsite system

online consensus building

program that many

rule making process.

point to as an example

Undeterred, the Board of

of how statewide rule

Directors voted to proceed

making should be

anyway using their well

implemented. “When

established online video

proposed legislation

training/teaching platform

is crafted, not by professional regulators, practitioners and

and taking as their template the rule making Admin Code

those impacted, but by vested political interests, the purpose

passed by the State of Ohio in 2015. “When Ohio started

becomes muddied and the outcome uncertain. If the proposal

from scratch to develop their Administrative Code - people

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This lack of access restroom trailer

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ccessible line of restroom, travel budgets for a 9 hour 1000+ combination trailers Dendra from Best mile round trip. In addition those f Home Services is in full who had been with federal guidelines for able to travel to the State Capital to testimony of the trailer.give Access op- at Committee Hearings were unable de a stand-alone, commerto do so when public comment was cut short, “ states um ramp system. Lowering the trailer is accomplished with elecExecutive Director Dendra Best. tton execution for 20-foot and smaller models. Trailers longer Board Director William Crawford, recently retired use an ADA lowering module in conjunction withaan attached Department ofsystem HealthisDirector, out that amp. The hydraulic lowering designedpoints for customers trailer or moving the trailer numerous times at the same a ’statewide code’ is, or should be, much venue. more 02; www.cohsi.com.

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Portable Restroom Industry

2019 Reflections

2020 EXPECTATIONS Over the past year, we’ve talked to numerous portable restroom business owners, from the smallest mom & pop shops to some of the country’s largest regional chain operators. We’ve also talked to portable toilet and restroom trailer manufacturers. Points of view among these various kinds of industry insiders converge around a few major insights going into 2020, which have coalesced from experience and data acquired in 2019 and the several prior years.

A

s in 2018, all portable restroom rental operators we asked during 2019, in all size ranges, expressed strong

He agrees with the restroom rental vendors’ positive financial outlooks, at least as far as year-end 2020, “I think that at least

optimism in their projections for growth over the coming

through 2020, as a whole, the industry will see growth. Our

several years. Nearly all also reported the same two challenges

industry is tied to construction and events, like festivals and

as their biggest problems — low employee retention rates

other happenings. When the economy is generally good, we do

and equipment maintenance burdens. A third challenge,

well. We do need to start thinking ahead, beyond 2020, about

which many do not recognize, is under-performing business

what we make, purchase, and forecast.”

technology.

Primary 2019 Challenges for Portable Restroom Operators

Portable Restroom Industry Growth and Future Indicators

Common challenges portable restroom rental services struggled

Industry expert, Danny Schaver, Marketing Director at PolyJohn,

with over the past year were largely in the areas of hiring and

has 40 years’ experience in the portable restroom business.

retaining good employees, efficient and economical equipment

He reflects on the advancements and challenges over recent

maintenance, and technology needs for more efficient

years, “Overall, the portable restroom services industry has seen

operations. Leading portable restroom rental business owners

steady growth in last few years. After the recession started in ‘08,

and their equipment vendors’ have offered solutions to these

the years that followed were pretty rough, but in the last 5 to 8

key problems as well as other positive points of their industry

years, it has performed well. Including the last year (2019), the

outlook for 2020.

industry has seen a lot of growth and success.”

CHALLENGE 1: Hiring and Retaining Good Employees

Schaver goes on to offer his prediction, based on his analysis

Many portable restroom operators strive to screen employment

of indicators his team uses for PolyJohn’s strategic planning.

candidates well and to provide employees with good working

Schaver notes that construction metrics are always the biggest

conditions and competitive compensation packages. But, they

indicators of broader economic growth or decline, so he pays

still struggle in a seemingly futile battle to control excessive

attention to those.

employee turnover.

3 2 A MERIC AN L IQUID WA S T E F EBR UA RY 2020

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Schaver offers some insight into the problem, “Most industries

onboarding process multiple times through the course of a year,

are having this problem these days, but in this industry

can help reduce premature turnover that can result from the

specifically, so many of the younger generation are going to

frustrations of overworked staff members who find themselves

college and don’t want blue-collar jobs, so it’s hard to find

unable to build a sustainable routine, due to the constant

good employees who want to stick around. That affects many

disruption from having to compensate for the performance of

businesses’ growth. If they can’t get more drivers to service units,

trainees. This can be especially problematic in a small business in

they can’t grow.”

which some people are already fulfilling more roles than they can

Examining Employee Retention Practices

easily manage with optimum efficiency.

Businesses with lower employee turnover are often those that

A New Holistic Approach to Employee Retention

invest well in their employee retention programs. They go to

Portable restroom business owners worked hard in 2019 to

greater lengths to provide the best possible physical workplace

increase their efforts toward more comprehensive employee

and company culture. They create an environment that is more

retention programs. Most operators in the industry have figured

conducive than other company’s offers to strong senses of

out by now that it’s not enough to try to go at the problem with

company stability and job satisfaction.

a piece-meal approach. To reduce costly staff turnover, industry

The point is to try to avoid the costly process of hiring and training. A comprehensive program makes strong employee retention practices the heart of a company’s entire operations

employers know they need to increase the reasons employees have to stay with their firms.

Coming to better understand that excessive retention is, at

management system. Practices that are necessary parts of a

least in part, a systemic problem and that the components of a

complete employee retention program include:

comprehensive program are many, employers must map their

• Outsourced recruiting • Careful and thorough onboarding • Promoting your company’s mission and management’s vision • Offering competitive employee benefits • Thorough new hire training • Improving the physical work environment • Updating technology • Improving management communications • Fostering a healthy workplace culture • Adhering to principles of mutual respect • Promoting performance pride

• Demonstrating consistency and fairness • Expressing appreciation • Encouraging employees’ ideas • Providing adequate feedback • Providing structured employee development • Empowering employees • Prioritizing employee engagement • Measuring employee satisfaction • Conducting both Exit and Stay Interviews • Working on employer education • Other practices that must be included in a comprehensive retention program

holistic retention programs onto their total operations system.

CHALLENGE 2: Portable Restroom and Trailer Equipment Maintenance Keeping portable restroom units and luxury restroom trailers in top condition for every single rental is an ongoing challenge.

It’s hard work, and a surprising number of business owners still don’t trust it to anyone else. They emphasize that they do all the cleaning and repairs themselves.

Delegating this labor to a highly competent worker or even a contractor, to redirect at least some of your energies to customer relationship management, new sales, promotion and branding activities can multiply your results in generating business.

Schaver suggests enhancing equipment, “To me, as a customer, adding things such as extra offerings onto your business is always a good idea. When you have add-ons and upsells when you can offer more, to make a difference to people and separate yourself from your competition, it’s hard to say any one thing can make a

Outsourced Recruiting

significant difference, but these things can distinguish you from

Outsourcing some or even all HR services may be the most

your competition.”

cost-effective approach overall, especially for a growing portable

He notes, for example, “Adding sinks to your offerings has already

restroom rental businesses. Dedicated HR services providers

been big in the industry for a long time, but some people still don’t

feature teams of highly trained specialists in every area of HR skills

offer it. Temporary fence rentals are another popular add-on. But,

needed in a business.

the point is always to look at diversifying your product offering, to

Relieving the strain on management and the entire team, from the burden of repeating the whole recruiting, hiring, and

increase your business that way, even if it’s just by offering a higher quality toilet paper.”

continued on page 34

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CHALLENGE 3: Technology Needs for Business Growth

Technology Innovations Popular in 2019

The past year has been one of transformative innovations in the

By 2019, most portable restroom rental companies were

portable restroom rental industry. Naturally, these cutting-edge

using standard office technologies such as Windows OS, Excel,

changes and stubborn challenges shape vendors’ and industry

PowerPoint, Outlook, Quick Books, etc., electronic scheduling,

watchers’ outlook for 2020. Today, virtually all portable restroom

and various social media platforms. During the past year, some

rental services operations are either directly or indirectly supported

technologies gained a broader foothold in the portable restroom

by one form of administrative business or field services technology

rental industry, including. For examples:

that was created or innovated within the past half-decade.

• GPS — In 2019, advanced GPS technology-enabled business

Danny Schaver of Polyjohn, offers important insight into the

owners to track service vehicles and employees’ activities on

slow migration of so many operators to newer IT systems, “In

customers’ sites. Businesses throughout the country were

the portable restroom rental industry, it’s often very hard for

supplying their delivery trucks with tablets, helping field services

businesses to adopt a lot of the new technologies out there for

employees process work orders, and produce onsite billing and

tracking and routing. It’s too difficult to change the backbone of

reporting documentation, and perform other key functions

the company, so it’s hard to change the way a business has been

quickly.

run for a long time, especially when it’s successful and already making money.”

But, many leading companies are positioned well to move keep

• Service Business Management Platforms — Powerful software platforms designed as one-stop network hubs are already changing the way portable restroom rental business teams

up with advanced technologies that can help their teams function

work. Employees and managers conduct virtually all operations

with greater efficiency. Many have made the transition within the

through the use of centralized platforms for communications

past few years to upgrade software platforms and programs and

order management, supply ordering, inventory tracking, work

communications hardware systems.

order processing, billing, and receivables tracking, vehicle

The changes have helped the lucky teams working for these

maintenance and budgeting, job costing, and much more.

forward-thinking employers simplify processes for managing their

Consolidating and interfacing all operational systems reduces

workloads, reduce inventory errors, relieve frustrating paperwork

errors, saves time, improves service quality, and increases

transfer and maintenance burdens, document internal and

employee satisfaction.

customer communications, track receivables, measure results of

• VoIP Phone Service — During 2020, an increasing number of

initiatives, and provide a higher quality of customer experience.

portable restroom rental companies are likely to transition to

Going into 2020, commercial, industrial, and private consumers

Voice over Internet Protocol business communications systems.

will increasingly expect their vendors to have systems that ban

VoIP systems provide greater reliability of signals, flexibility, and

interface seamlessly with their own networked systems for

digital network accessibility.

tracking orders, billing, and contract management.

Further, workers who are experienced in the industry know the

Technology Innovations for 2020 and Beyond In 2020 and following years, video conferencing, web helper

difference between working for a portable restroom rental service

bots, outsourcing to online accounting services, along with more

that has the right systems for the job and outmoded tools that

widespread dependency on cloud services will facilitate many

make getting the job done more difficult than it should be. So,

needs of growing businesses to reduce unnecessary travel time,

technology improvements support employee retention goals,

administrative worker headcount, and contracting for external

along with goals for scaling a business.

tech support services.

In 2020, portable restroom businesses that operate with the

For example, the increasing use of helper bots on portable

best available information and communications systems will

restroom rental company websites, as in so many other business

enjoy a competitive edge over others in their market, due to the

subsectors, will help more and more businesses better assist

ability afforded by superior technology, to deliver an employee

website visitors with service and sales tasks that can be entirely

experience and customer experience that is more appropriate for

handled by robust AI-capacitated bots.

their needs.

Other technologies that can be expected to increase in use in

continued on page 36

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2020 and the near future years beyond in our industry include: Customer Relationship Management — A CRM system serves to eliminate vertical department data systems, networking them all, providing seamless interfaces, and enabling employees throughout the company to access all accounts’ work orders, quality records, billing and payment records, and customer communications with all employees in all departments from the time the prospect entered the sales pipeline as a lead. The system provides a wealth of auto prompts for follow-up scheduling, reminders, upsell dates, contract renewal dates, and countless other important functions.

Cloud Services — Cloud systems have quickly grown in popularity across the business economic sector. Over the coming years, we are sure to see many more operators in the portable restroom industry come to appreciate the great

methods needed to compete as adroitly in their markets as their more fully tech-enabled competitors.

Positioning Your Portable Restroom Business for Growth in 2020 Celebrating the innovations of the past few years, and looking forward to those we can see coming in 2020 and the next several years beyond makes it an exhilarating time to be in the portable restroom services industry — where the success of a company depends on the often rather super-human speed and agility and accuracy of high-precision teams. The three major challenges of 2019 should be understood as revealing real solutions for reducing costs and increasing efficiency as needed to support growth.

On controlling employee turnover rates, the takeaway is that success rates in managing against turnover can be expected to improve with increased investment

benefits of many cloud services for unburdening their businesses from costs and inconveniences of server maintenance, security issues, backup

...an exhilarating time to be in the portable restroom

inconsistencies, faulty recovery

services industry.

processes, and network performance issues.

Consumer Data — Even so-called “big data” can be expected to become a market targeting facilitator over the coming years in the portable restroom services industry, helping businesses gain a much deeper understanding of current and prospective customer’s needs and preferences.

Although these may seem like expensive upgrades, improved technology can enable more competitive pricing, by realizing cost reductions from improved operational efficiency. Greater efficiency in the delivery of restroom rental products and services also means greater value for customers, which helps promote business growth and the marketing value of your brand.

Portable Restroom Rental Services 2020 Technology Planning

in your employees. So, in 2020, strive to implement all the components of a comprehensive staff retention program included on the bullet list above.

For the financially practical matter of

investing in business technologies needed to compete effectively in 2020 and over the next years, business owners are well-advised to include modernizing technology as much as is feasible in their strategic growth planning.

Beyond 2020, 5G will change the world as we know it, bringing on the Internet of Things (IoT). Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will change our perception of what is possible from increasingly life-like technology.

For now, and through 2020, upgrading to modern business technology is perhaps a more humble proposition, with benefits focused on reducing error rates, attrition, and cost overruns, while maximizing productivity, service quality, employee satisfaction and profits. Comparatively humble, maybe, but

New technologies have transformed the US portable restroom

those are naturally essential objectives for portable restroom

rental industry over just the past five years. Going into the new

rental enterprises looking to increase their competitiveness, as

decade, especially for portable restroom rental companies

necessary to achieve goals for the growth of your business.

with aggressive strategic growth plans, leveraging field and

PolyJohn’s Danny Schaver offers a fitting takeaway point

administrative operations technologies to reduce costs,

from our 2019 reflections and look ahead to 2020. He suggests

streamline service delivery, and maximize overall efficiency will

for portable restroom rental business strategic planners a

define the new era of the industry.

simple concept for correcting conditions to resolve retention,

Reliance on the kinds of technology resources mentioned above

maintenance, and tech problems, and any other challenges to

will separate the portable restroom rental companies who have

growth goals, “My philosophy in general with business is never

the advantages of such modernized systems from those who

be stagnant with what you’re doing. Always look at how you can

do not move quickly enough to acquire the tools and adopt the

improve.”

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2501

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 0 A M E R I C A N LI QUI D WASTE 37

SPOTLIGHT

INDEX

CENTRAL MAINE SEPTIC & PORTABLE RENTALS

FAMILY RUN AND OPERATED YEAR-ROUND MAINE SEPTIC SERVICE

While this is the first generation in this business, the owners of Central Maine Septic & Portable Rentals are proud to work together and get their extended family involved in their day-to-day life and operations. Rick and Wendy Turner started the business in 2002 after getting the advice of a good friend and they haven’t looked back since. Rick had been driving a log truck, which is very challenging in Maine in the winter. Logging goes on no matter what the weather and Rick got into an accident that made him evaluate his choices more carefully. He was all right after the accident, but it was a turning point for him as far as deciding what to do for the rest of his life. He wanted to stay in Maine and do something different, and he found a great business where he could use the skills he already had.

Natural Growth

adding on high pressure jetting for frozen lines,

After talking with his friend, Rick decided to go

and replacing pump stations. They also help out

into the portable restroom rental business. He

with special events, bringing portable restrooms for

and Wendy started the business small, renting out

special occasions in the area.

portable toilets.

The most recent service added to Central Maine’s

As they learned more and became more

list terralifting, a system that has only been around

experienced, they added services, expanding

since the late 1990s. With terralifting, old problems

into repairing and installing full septic systems,

with soil can finally be solved in a more economical,

3 8 A MERIC AN L IQUID WA S T E F EBR UA RY 2020

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convenient way. Soil particles can become so wet the drain fields fail, making it impossible to use the ground without a lot of hard work. Terralifting can create fissures in the soil by using infiltrators which can hold air and get the ground to start taking water again.

Company Resources The company is small but has two septic tank trunks, three portapotty trucks, a van for pump repairs, and a high-pressure jetting truck. Wendy Turner works in the office and has someone else in the office who helps

New Family and Community Traditions

with the operations, but she also goes out on

The Turners bring their family, including the

the truck during the winter slow season when it is harder

grandchildren, so they can see the way the business

to find someone else to help. She understands all the

operates and even check out the equipment. Rick and

different levels of the business’s

Wendy hope the family will

operations.

take on the business after they

Rick Turner, her co-owner and husband, spends most of his time out on the service calls and other jobs, managing the other employees and making sure everyone is where they need to be. Central Maine Septic hires locals, bringing in people to help who live in the area. The Turners are actively involved in their

The Turners bring their family, including the grandchildren,

retire, and they work hard to keep the equipment updated and keep themselves and their employees safe.

When the work truck pulls

so they can see the

up, it’s not unusual to see the

way the business

named Annie. She rides along

operates

community and are grateful for the support they’ve had over the years.

company mascot, a yellow lab and keeps them company while the others do the hard part of the work.

As part of keeping the business small and

Centrally Placed

community-minded, Wendy says that they have set up

The business services about a 50-mile radius, including

reminder lists that they can use to remind people when

Waterville, Skowhegan, Farmington. and other locations

they need certain kinds of services. While some of their

in Central Maine. Skowhegan the actual location for the

septic maintenance is frequent, others are far more spread

office, and the base for all the operations

out. So for instance, there is a donut shop where they have

Central Maine Septic helps its customers even in the

a contract to come every three months and a large nursing

dead of winter, dealing with Maine’s snow and ice to help

home where they do maintenance every two months, but

make sure their customers get the help they need. Rick’s

for customers who only need help every few years, Central

experience driving in the logging industry doubtless

Maine Septic makes a point to contact customers years

helps him to handle the harsh conditions.

later just to remind them that it’s time again.

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 0 A M E R I C A N LI QUI D WASTE 39

VISIT AMERICAN LIQUID WASTE MAGAZINE AT BOOTH #HL11

The WWETT Show - Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show - is the world’s largest annual trade show for wastewater and environmental service professionals.

The event offers an unmatched educational program, a full slate of live demos, an array of networking opportunities, and an extensive expo floor where buyers and sellers come together to see and experience the latest product innovations and technology.

FEATURED EXHIBITORS 2020 ABBOTT RUBBER COMPANY INC.

ARMAL, INC.

ABBOTT RUBBER is

Since 1987, Armal has specialized

a hose fabricator and

in the research/development of

supplier to the Liquid Waste and Environmental Cleanup

innovative products for portable

marketplace. With over 15 different Rubber and PVC

sanitation, construction, environmental, and waste

Hose constructions we can assemble a hose that will

industries. The “WAVE” portable toilet is the workhorse

meet just about any transfer application.

among the Armal products. The Wave’s curved corners

Booth # 5440

make it easy to handle, the ultra-smooth surfaces make it easy to clean. Booth # 1361

AQUA-ZYME DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

BEST ENTERPRISES, INC. Our Mission is to build the longest

YOU CAN REDUCE YOUR DISPOSAL COSTS! The ADS 30 cu yd Dewatering Unit can be filled with 22,000 - 25,000 gallons of sludge at 1 - 2% solids in about 2 hours. After draining 24 hours, the unit can be picked up with a standard roll-off truck and taken to the landfill or composting facility for solids disposal.

Booth # 2172

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lasting tank in the industry. At Best Enterprises, our tanks will outlast the truck you put them on. We offer many custom slide-in tanks to fit even the most unique request. Give us a call, we will be happy to help customize your next tank! We appreciate you taking the time to stop by and visit our Web Site! Booth # 2801

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FEATURED EXHIBITORS 2020 BRIGHT DYES BRIGHT DYES concentrated leak

COMMERCIAL CREDIT GROUP INC.

infiltration and ex-filtration in plumbing connections,

Commercial Credit Group (CCG) can help get you financing to make that next equipment purchase or take advantage of new business opportunities.

Even if you’re currently experiencing cash flow or collection issues, you could have options.

validate sanitary and septic hookups, and perform

Booth # 6111

detection dyes dissolve rapidly in water and provide a vivid fluorescent color detectable in murky water, sewage or effluent. They can be used to identify leaks,

septic inspections to identify leach field issues as well as sources of contamination in wells. Booth # 3004

BRIGHT DYES Bright Technologies a division of Sebright Products, Inc., manufactures high quality recycling equipment as well equipment for dewatering of septage, municipal, grease trap, and industrial waste plus many more.We manufacture Belt Filter Presses from size 0.6 to 3.0 meter. Stainless steel frame and roller Booth #’s 5725, 5726

CAM SPRAY Cam Spray was founded in 1971 and began producing pressure washing equipment. We started producing drain and sewer jetting equipment in the early 1980s through a partnership with a franchise drain cleaning company. Booth # 2002

COMFORTS OF HOME SERVICES, INC. We specialize in high end trailers including Luxury Restroom, Showers, Decontamination, Emergency and more. Our trailers are built to be extremely durable and problem free.

Booth #’s 5745 , 5747, 5846, 5848

COXREELS Entering into our 10th decade under the 3rd generation of family ownership and operation, we are proud to manufacture the industry’s highest quality and widest variety of hose, cord, and cable reels. Booth # 6623

F.M. MANUFACTURING, INC. F.M. Manufacturing, Inc. specializes in Innovative Portable Restroom Solutions™ which will help you minimize delivery time, maximize profits, increase service, and save your back. Booth #’s 2749, 2848

FORBEST PRODUCTS With over 30 years of history as a global leading supplier of testing/inspection equipment and contractor’s tools, Forbest is a well-known brand in the industry with dedication to providing excellent customer service, high quality products and affordable pricing.

Booth #’s 6343

FRUITLAND MANUFACTURING Fruitland® Mfg was established in 1957 as a tool & die shop, machine repair facility and manufacturer of custom-designed production machinery. Our customers were comprised of primary steel manufacturers and metal working industries across southern Ontario, Canada. Booth # 6008 continued on page 42

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 0 A M E R I C A N LI QUI D WASTE 41

FEATURED EXHIBITORS 2020 GENERAL PUMP

NOZZTEQ, INC.

General Pump offers the widest range of

NozzTeq® Inc. maximizes the

industrial pumps – products capable of

efficiency of modern jetting

flows from 0.5 to 158 GPM and pressures

equipment with sophisticated

up to 21,750 PSI. Many are available with

sewer nozzles that clear sewers efficiently at lower jetting

stainless steel, brass or aluminum bronze manifolds.

pressures—this saves fuel, equipment wears, tear, and

General Pump also offers a line of hydraulic driven

time. Booth # 2501

pumps. Booth # 6823

HOTJET USA/POWERLINE

OAKMONT CAPITAL SERVICES, LLC

HotJet USA manufacturers drain line

Oakmont Capital Services, LLC,

jetting equipment that serves the needs

headquartered in West Chester,

of plumbers, contractors, facilities,

PA, is a fast, affordable, reputable

water associations, towns and cities of all sizes.

solution to financing. Founded in

HotJet USA engineers job-specific made in the USA

1998 by Managing Members Joe Leonard, CLFP and

equipment. Booth # 4305

Megan Zoba. Booth # 3020

IMPERIAL INDUSTRIES, INC.

PAT’S PUMP & BLOWER

Imperial septic tankers, portable

Pat’s Pump & Blower is the largest

sanitation service trucks and

rebuilder of truck mounted Blowers

slide-in units are engineered for

- Roots, Hibon, HR Brands. We are

the handling of residential and portable restroom liquid

a Master Distributor for Roots Blowers, OMSI Drives &

wastes. Each truck mounted tank is custom designed to

General Water Pumps. Dealer for Aquatech, Johnston

your specifications. Booth #’s

Sweepers, Enz Nozzles and more. Booth # 1857

KURIYAMA OF AMERICA, INC. Kuriyama of America, Inc., a part of Kuriyama Holdings Corporation, first opened its doors in 1968. Kuriyama provides a complete line of thermoplastic, rubber and metal hose products and accessories including couplings and fittings, for use in industrial and commercial applications. Booth # 5050

LIBERTY PUMPS Headquartered in Bergen, NY, Liberty Pumps is a leading U.S. manufacturer of pumping products for ground water and wastewater removal in residential and commercial applications. Booth # 3500

4 2 A MERIC AN L IQUID WA S T E F EBR UA RY 2020

PETERSEN PRODUCTS CO. Petersen is all about providing solutions. We produce numerous standard tunnel and pipeline products, but also develop many customized and unique systems for almost any requirement. Our engineers will help you configure your system and we can provide technical service and support by phone or on-site.

Booth # 6036

POLYJOHN ENTERPRISES, INC. PolyJohn is a family owned, state of the art, manufacturing company dedicated to providing its employees with a work environment committed to excellence, and its customers with innovative products, services and technology that meet or exceed their requirements. Booth # 2100 Vi si t Us

A STRONGER FUTURE STARTS AT WWETT You’re the lifeline for customers. The unsung heroes of keeping systems safe and clean so customers can get back to life as usual. Just as you’re there to help support your customers, the WWETT Show is here to help and support you and your business.

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 0 A M E R I C A N LI QUI D WASTE 43

M A R K E T P L A C E : N AT I O N A L

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DYNAMIC REPAIRS 40 Arnot St., Unit 20 Lodi, NJ 07644

dynamiccablerepairs@yahoo.com

www.dynamicrepairs.net

4 4 A MERIC AN L IQUID WA S T E F EBR UA RY 2020

THANK YOU

W E

509.785.2955 Vi si t Us CALL FOR UPDATED LIST OF

WE’RE FAMILY.

We’re a family owned business — and have been for over 50 years. This doesn’t mean we’re small or lack vision. And, it sure as heck doesn’t mean we take shortcuts. Rather, being a family owned business means we truly care. It means we are united. It means we have integrity. It means we take pride in our craftmanship — after all, our trucks are our lifeblood. Our custombuilt vacuum trucks are assembled, by our family, with the utmost love and attention to detail.

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CUSTOM BUILT. DRIVEN BY YOU. 314 Lake Avenue N., Hamilton, ON L8E 3A2 | t: 800-263-4508 | e: sales@transwaysystems.com | www.transwaysystems.com

INDEX Abbott Rubber CO. Inc..................................................2 800-852-1855 / pumperhose.com

General Pump ............................................................... 16 generalpump.com

Power Line Industries / Hot Jet USA ..................... 44 800-213-3272 / hotjetusa.com

Acro Trailer Company ................................................. 44 800-589-5254 / acrotrailer.com

GSBB Services, LLC ...................................................... 44 843-535-5712 / www.gsbb.biz

Presby Enviromental .....................................................3 800-473-5298 /presbyenvironmental.com

American Jetter ............................................................ 44 866-944-3569 / americanjetter.com

Imperial Industries Inc ............................................... 11 800-558-2945 / imperialind.com

RCS II Inc .................................................................. 14, 30 518-812-0000 / septicdrainer.com

Aqua-Zyme Disposal Systems Inc........................... 2 979-245-5656 / aqua-zyme.com

J.C. Gury Company Inc. .................................................4 800-903-3385 / jcgury.com

Reelcraft .......................................................................... 29 800-444-3134 / reelcraft.com

Armal Inc ................................................................. FC, 15 866-873-7796 / www.armal.biz

Kuriyama of America, Inc .............................................9 847-755-0360 / kuriyama.com

Robuschi ........................................................................ 34 gardnerdenverproducts.com •

Bright Dyes .................................................................... 44 800-394-0678 / brightdyes.com

Liberty Pumps............................................................... 13 800-543-2550 / libertypumps.com

Stamp Works ................................................................. 44 800-758-2743 / sales@stampworks.net •

Cam Spray ...................................................................... 30 800-648-5011 / camspray.com

Mid-State Tank Co., Inc .................................................4 800-722-8384 /midstatetank.com

The Water Expo ............................................................ 45 305-412-3976 / thewaterexpo.com

Com Vac .............................................................................5 800-243-7986 / comvacsystems.com

Navitas Credit Corp. .................................................... 14 800-422-1844 /navitascredit.com

Transway Systems Inc. ............................................... 45 800-263-4508 / transwaysystems.com

Comforts of Home....................................................... 46 877-382-2935 / cohsi.com

OMSI Transmissions Inc ............................................. 23 330-405-7350 / omsitransmissions.com

VacCon ............................................................................ 19 904-493-4969 / vac- con.com

CoxReels ......................................................................... 18 800-269-7335 / coxreels.com

NozzTeq........................................................................... 31 866-620-5915 / nozzteq.com

Vacuum Sales Inc. ...........................................................7 800-547-7790 / vacuumsalesinc.com

F.M. Manufacturing ..................................................... 31 877-889-2246 / fmmfg.com

Paul Swoyer Septics LLC............................................ 25 830-935-4936

Water Cannon Inc. ....................................................... 28 800-333-WASH(9274) / watercannon.com

Forbest Products Co ...................................................BC 877 369 1199 / forbestgroup.com

Peterson Products ..........................................................6 800-669-1434 / pipeplug.com

Howden .............................................................................6 800-55-ROOTS / howden.com

Fruitland Manufacturing .......................................... 27 800-663-9003 / fruitlandmanufacturing.com

PolyJohn Enterprises .................................................. 47 800-292-1305 / polyjohn.com

WWETT ............................................................................ 43 wwettshow.com

5745, 5747, 5846, 5848

4 6 A MERIC AN L IQUID WA S T E F EBR UA RY 2020

Vi si t Us

A

Custom PRO

BEER FRIDGE

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4 8 A MERIC AN L IQUID WA S T E F EBR UA RY 2020

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