North American Sweeper - August 2020

AUGUST 2020

INSIDE 7 TIPS FOR MANAGING WORKPLACE STRESS P.8 TRENDS IN SWEEPING POST-COVID-19 P.16 STREET SWEEPING BROOM: GUTTER BROOM P.18

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AU G U ST 2 0 2 0 N O R T H A M E R I C AN SWEEPER 3

August 2020 | VOLUME 15 | ISSUE 8

CONTENTS

Introducing...

The Starfire S-4c Simply Adding to a Time-Proven Sweeper.

Choose the S-4c for the following enhancements:

F E AT U R E S 8 7 Tips for Managing Workplace Stress 16 Trends in Sweeping Post-Covid-19 18 Street Sweeping Broom: Gutter Broom 22 Phases of Crisis Communication:

How Businesses Must Adapt

• • • •

Variable height dumping from 16" up to 11' Left or right hopper dump (select at time of purchase) Tight 16'9" turning radius Longer running 36-gallon fuel tank

No CDL Required.

Call for a DEMO Today!

800.482.2302 | www.stewart-amos.com

30 Cutting Edge Innovation –

Louisville Pavement Sweep 38 Index of Advertisers/Classifieds 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@nasweeper.com North American Sweeper Magazine is published by Phoenix Global Media Inc. Copyright 2020 by Phoenix Global Media Inc. All rights reserved.

SUBSCRIPTIONS $15.00 per year, or by eligible request.

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

Opinions expressed in editorial submissions contributed to North American Sweeper Magazine are those of the individual authors exclusively and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of North American Sweeper Magazine, its staff, its advertisers, or its readership. North American Sweeper 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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AU G U ST 2 0 2 0 N O R T H A M E R I C AN SWEEPER 7

BUSINESS CORNER

I N D U S T RY N E W S

7 TIPS FOR MANAGING

WORKPLACE STRESS “

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

...stress is too often entirely unnoticed or disregarded...

“

I N Dentirely E X unnoticed or disregarded.

S P O T L IThe G Hneed T to manage employees’ stress is too often The consequences of that leadership error for businesses are often very costly. Too much stress can damage workers’ health and can lead to serious losses for a company. If one or more employees in your workplace are exhibiting signs of stress, it’s time to determine how best to approach the situation, to help people stay in good health and to maintain strong productivity, quality, and morale in your workplace.

KINDS AND CAUSES OF STRESS AT WORK

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF KINDS OF STRESS:

Some amount of stress due to typical challenges

4 Acute stress is temporary and is caused by big or

at work is predictable in any workplace, of course.

unusual events in our lives, such as a complicated

Plus, employees can also be expected to bring

or costly project or problem at work or home. Our

some of their stress from personal issues into the

bodies are typically able to handle this kind of

workplace.

stress without serious consequences for our health.

When one or more causes result in excessive

4 Chronic stress is long-term and is caused by

and prolonged stress levels, they can affect a

prolonged or even ongoing conditions in our

worker’s communications, cognitive processing,

personal or work environment. Our bodies are not

job performance, and eventually can negatively

as capable of handling this kind of stress. There are

impact an individual’s mental and/or physical

potentially serious negative health effects of living

health. These risks make workplace stress a

with chronic stress, such as depression, cancer,

priority business issue that management in every

cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, suicide,

organization must understand and manage.

and others.

8 NO R TH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R AU GU S T 2020

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BUSINESS RISKS FROM EXCESSIVE WORKPLACE STRESS

4 Meet with team members individually and as a group,

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), many US workers

planning, to reiterate shared goals, and to openly talk about

find their workplaces to be very, or even “extremely

problems the business is having that can affect them. Listen

stressful.” (See the CDC report listed below in the

to everyone, and share insights.

Information Resources.)

4 Remind your employees of the importance of their role in

as needed, to keep them updated on the status of future

Employers are wise to recognize prolonged stress

the company, and talk about the KPIs and how they relate

conditions in their workplaces as a potentially costly

to the team’s and its members’ performance. Transparency

problem for their operations. It is estimated that workplace

inspires trust and helps relieve unnecessary stress for

stress costs businesses more than $300 billion annually on

workers.

average.

Some of the effects on businesses with continuously highstress environments include: 4 Lost productivity 4 Higher turnover rates 4 Higher employee healthcare costs 4 Reduced product and service quality 4 Increased absenteeism 4 Damaged business relationships 4 Brand damage 4 Reduced profit margins 4 Reduced credit rating 4 Other negative impacts

Of course, for more sensitive or awkward matters, provide opportunities for workers to deliver uncomfortable feedback privately or anonymously (such as through surveys, confidential HR interviews, suggestion boxes, etc.

2.

TREAT WORKERS WITH RESPECT AND KINDNESS.

As you can imagine, working most of your waking hours in a place where you feel like you’re being treated like an inferior human being is extremely stressful. It makes for a very unhappy and degrading life. Nevertheless, among the most frequent complaints workers express about their jobs is that their boss ignores them except when directly giving them instructions.

Good leaders do not behave arrogantly toward their employees. They understand people’s need for respect, and

HOW TO REDUCE WORKPLACE STRESS

they recognize others’ value in their contribution to the

Successfully managing your team’s stress, and your own

success of the company.

is a fundamental leadership skill. Fortunately, there are

So, treat your team members as equals. Be fair. Do not

methods you can use to help your employees experience

impose tough consequences for mistakes. Make sure

less stress at work. Here are 7 tips for better managing

each employee knows they’re appreciated. Focus on

workplace stress levels:

strengthening relationships between management and

1.

ENSURE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT PROBLEMS.

employees, and provide a supportive work environment.

When people are uncertain about what’s going on

at work, they naturally can start to experience a sense

3.

of threat to their livelihood. That can cause fears about

to satisfy unrealistic demands from their employer is not

their future, disengagement from the company, and other

appropriate by any set of professional business standards.

stressful feelings.

Assess your company’s values. Think about your team’s

BE SURE YOUR EXPECTATIONS ARE REALISTIC.

Causing workers to feel the pressure of striving

continued on page 10

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AU G U ST 2 0 2 0 N O R T H A M E R I C AN SWEEPER 9

BUSINESS CORNER

demonstrated abilities, and determine whether you are setting performance benchmarks appropriately.

Pressuring employees to achieve unrealistic goals

IN D U S T RY N E W S sets them up for failure. The negative consequences of forcing teams to operate under such unnecessarily stressful conditions can be expected to include: 4 Employee disengagement 4 Increased conflict 4 Low morale

Ask for input from employees on potential changes that would make their routines and tasks more convenient to accomplish.

4.

A S S O C I AT I O N I N S I D E R CREATE A GOOD PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT.

Providing a working environment that helps minimize

4 Mistrust of management

unnecessary stress allows people to deal with typical

4 Weak team cohesion

challenges with a more positive outlook on their jobs

4 Negative workplace culture

and a stronger sense of personal balance.

4 High turnover rates

S P4OPoor T Lservice I G Hquality T 4 Customer dissatisfaction 4 Financial consequences

Perform a needs analysis throughout your facilities to Iidentify N D Eways X you can make it a less psychologically, emotionally, and physically stressful place for people to work. Ask for input from employees on potential changes that would make their routines and tasks more convenient to accomplish.

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Correct issues that cause a sense of working in a disorganized, chaotic environment and make sure workers have what they need to succeed. For examples: 4 Create a private place for working on complex tasks 4 Designate a meeting space 4 Mitigate extreme noise levels 4 Provide comfortable chairs 4 Dispose of broken equipment 4 Ease excessively restrictive schedules or work routines 4 Remove clutter from excess furniture, accessories, supplies, paper, etc.

4 Clean your facilities, replace broken items and repaint surfaces 4 Upgrade tools and equipment, to give workers what they need to succeed 4 Organize common and individual workspaces Declutter and organize digital file systems Consider going the extra mile by upgrading the

4 Provide available outside resources for managing stress and treating severe stress effects.

4 Encourage employees to take sufficient amounts of time off from work. (According to some estimates, as many as 80% of U.S. American workers go to work even while they’re sick.)

4 Offer some workplace stress reduction options, such as flexible scheduling, working from home one or more days per week, if feasible, etc.

4 Provide some opportunities for healthy diversions, such as down-time for work socializing.

6.

EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP.

Owners of commercial power sweeping company startups may know better than any other entrepreneurs what it is to work every day and night during the early years of business operations without getting sufficient sleep. Reportedly, a shocking 37% of the US workforce is continued on page 12

aesthetics with fresh paint and even new kitchenware and some attractive furniture, and other items that help create a more pleasant facility to work in.

5.

GUIDE WORKERS IN MANAGING THEIR STRESS LEVELS AT WORK.

The brain stimulates stress hormones in response to anything or event that the brain interprets as a threat of some kind to the body’s well-being. The flood of stress hormones is lessened when we sense that we have regained enough control of the situation that the brain finds the threat has been reduced.

So, having a feeling of greater personal control over our situation reduces stress. Some ways you can help your workers manage their stress levels could include: 4 Providing training on time management, prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities.

4 Routine self-monitoring of stress levels and self-assessment of stress contributors.

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BUSINESS CORNER

routinely functioning on insufficient amounts of sleep.

Providing employees with a model of a positive attitude

I N D U S T RY N E W S Many people suffer from sleep issues, but many others

about work and life, and healthy behaviors for personal

fail to get sufficient sleep due to high-stress levels.

stress-management includes:

Stress hormones in the body can trigger the release of other hormones that act as stimulants. That can cause disruptions in sleep patterns. So, stress causes lack of sleep, and lack of sleep causes stress — a vicious cycle that can lead to serious consequences. Lack of sleep can lead to problems such as:

4 Taking sufficient amounts of time off to relax and enjoy your personal life, exercise, and just unwind.

Good leaders know that enough regular downtime is basic maintaining Afor SS O C I ATmaximum I O N I personal N S I Dproductivity ER and quality of work.

4 Keeping emotions under control at work. The

4 Irritability

team looks to you for their behavioral cues. So, avoid

4 Feelings of anger

displaying bad moods or anger at work. Negative

4 Poor concentration

behavior can be very contagious in a workplace, and

S4P Diminished OTLIGH T motivation

even more IN D EsoXwhen management is the source of the

4 Diminished cognitive performance

problem.

4 Weaken problem-solving ability

4 Model healthy lifestyle choices in nutritional habits

4 Poor decision-making

and fitness activities. Also, set an example of stress

4 Poor physical coordination 4 Diminished work productivity

reduction practices, such as stretching or walking for some minutes during the workday.

4 Forgetfulness 4 Increased mistakes 4 Increased injuries 4 Damage to relationships

7.

SET AN EXAMPLE OF MANAGING PERSONAL STRESS AT WORK.

To maintain a workplace with healthy stress levels, as an employer, first, you’ll need to manage your stress

Prolonged high-stress conditions in a workplace can naturally lead to serious impacts on business performance.

successfully. Setting an example of effective personal stress management can go a long way toward helping your team manage their stress better.

The Harvard Business Review has published an excellent discussion for business leaders about disciplining yourself at work, including managing your stress. (See the Information Resources at the end of this article for a link to that article.)

DO WHAT WORKS.

Prolonged high-stress conditions in a workplace can naturally lead to serious impacts on business performance. Employ as many of the tips above as needed, to provide workers with guidance on managing their stress levels and a supportive work environment.

continued on page 14

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BUSINESS CORNER

...seek information and I N D U S Tguidance R Y N E Wthrough S

the EAP...

4 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stressmanagement/in-depth/stress-symptoms/art-20050987 4 https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/default.html 4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC5081153/

These efforts will contribute well to your employee

4 https://hbr.org/2017/06/leadership-takes-self-control-

satisfaction rates, sustaining your business’s success, and

heres-what-we-know-about-it

to your stress management.

4 https://www.businesschief.com/leadership/3621/7-

ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION RESOURCES

ways-employers-can-reduce-stress-in-the-workplace

If your power sweeping company has a health insurance benefit program that includes an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), encourages any employee who appears

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

4 https://www.inc.com/elizabeth-dukes/7-ways-yourestressing-out-your-staff-and-how-to-stop.html

to be having difficulty in performing on the job due to

4 https://businesscollective.com/7-things-great-

the EAP or through his or her family doctor.

4 https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/flexible-schedule

S P O stress TLIG T information and guidance through extreme to H seek Here are some additional sources of information about managing workplace stress:

INDEX managers-do-to-support-their-employees/index.html

4 https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/337842

Mark Powell: Used Sales Manager

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AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 N O RT H A M E RI C A N SWEEPER 15 1/17/12 11:36 AM

TRENDS IN SWEEPING Post-Covid-19

BRANCHING OUT

Corona Virus and no immediate cure or vaccine,

“Sweeper manufacturers are seeing the diversification

this will take some time. To make up for the lost

in applications by sweeping companies. Buying a

revenue, sweeping companies are now transitioning

parking lot sweeper that only cleans parking lots is

into more industrial types of sweeping; milling,

not a viable option unless the contractor has enough

construction, street cleaning, etc. Moving into

work to dedicate that sweeper full time to parking lots.�, says David

these new segments of the

To make up for the lost revenue, sweeping

Heigl, VP of Sales & Marketing for Schwarze

companies are now

Industries. Covid-19 has

transitioning into more

canceled a considerable amount of the parking

industrial types

lot sweeping from strip

of sweeping

sweeping industry requires bigger equipment and a high level of mechanical and equipment maintenance expertise. The smaller parking lot vacuum trucks cannot handle the heavier debris from this type of

centers, malls, and other

industrial work leaving

retailers across the

many contractors to

country, even though they are still in need of

purchase broom trucks, which are substantially

cleaning. Used masks, gloves, and other debris are

more expensive to purchase and maintain, to

filling parking lots making it a health hazard for

accommodate new business.

shoppers. This business will eventually come back,

Sidewalk sweepers and compact sweepers are also

but with the loss of retail customers due to the

seeing an increase in sales. Commuters walking

1 6 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R AU GU S T 2020

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to work, and outdoor cafes and markets are why local

The importance of having a fleet management system

businesses are using these smaller sweepers to keep

is now more important than ever. Being able to control

these areas and sidewalks from collecting debris that can

costs by reducing idle time, monitoring and managing

be transmitted to shoes and brought home or into the

driver behavior to create more efficient routing, reducing

workplace.

fuel and labor costs while improving equipment

METROPOLITAN GROWTH

utilization all help the bottom line. Telematics also keeps

As the Corona Virus has impacted big cities, not only

track of maintenance and repairs on vehicles. Gone are

causing many residents to become infected due to

the days of relying on employees to tell you an engine

close proximity but also leaving apartment dwellers

light or oil change light came on. Being able to look at each truck diagnostic codes and

quarantined and stir-crazy living in small spaces for months. There is a growing trend of city dwellers moving

fix the issue before it becomes

Gone are the days

a real problem is paramount

of relying on

to keeping costs in line. Also,

out of the city and into the

employees to tell you

more insurance companies

suburbs. With the influx of

an engine light or oil

are recognizing the value of

people moving to the burbs, the need for more sweeping

telematics in trucks. Safety is

change light

will grow. These people

the main focus for all sweeping

came on.

companies and some insurance

are now looking for more

companies are offering

personal space and fresh

discounts to companies who

air. Cities & towns that are easing back into reopening

have a fleet telematics program.

restaurants and bars that have been closed for months,

UPCOMING TRENDS

now find themselves having to be creative and looking

There are also other trends surfacing, such as

for more space for their patrons, due to the 6 ft social

electrification of sweeping trucks, single-engine sweeper

distancing rule. This has moved diners into the streets,

adaptation, and autonomous sweepers to name a few.

literally. Towns and municipalities are now allowing

We look forward to moving the sweeping industry

the cording off of roads & streets and extending the

forward with these new trends as we adjust to a post-

restaurant dining room experience to outside. With this

Covid-19 life. These innovations and creative lifestyle

extension of new eating space comes the need to sweep

changes will offer new opportunities for increased

these areas more regularly. This is good news for street

business.

sweepers.

*Fleet Telematic Systems Market Forecast & Analysis,

FLEET TELEMATICS

Technavio.com 2020

Fleet telematics is also an increasing need in the sweeping industry. The fleet telematics systems market is expected to grow by $38.8 billion during 2020-2024.*

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Carolyn Bell | Director of Marketing & Communication cbell@1800sweeper.com | www.1800SWEEPER.com

AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 N O RT H A M E RI C A N SWEEPER 17

ADVERTORIAL

STREET SWEEPING BROOM: Gutter Broom Gutter brooms, or also known as side brooms, are the brooms on the side of street sweepers, usually pick-up sweepers or vacuum sweeper. There are also a few sweeper attachments that have an option for a gutter broom.

G

utter brooms are round in shape and rotate to

to the ground and use a shorter 22” bristle making the

pull debris from the curb line into the center of

sweeping length 11”.

the sweeper. There are different ways gutter brooms are

The second bristle option for sweeping is polypropylene

configured and different ways they’re packaged.

(poly). Gutter brooms with poly bristle are typically used

BRISTLE TYPE

for sweeping airport runways and other applications

The most common bristle type used in a gutter broom

that require a less aggressive sweep.

is wire. The wire gives an aggressive sweep and cuts

THE GUTTER BROOM BLOCK

through the curbside debris. The type of wire used is

The round shape of the gutter broom is made up of

important as the wire needs to flick the debris but not

multiple sections or segments. Each segment consists

break. There are annealing processes that the proper

of a plastic block with bristle. The most common

wire goes through to ensure that the gutter broom wire

configurations are a 5-segment, 4-segment or a

will not prematurely break while sweeping, leaving

2-segment brooms – each segment fits together to

behind a trail of broken wire.

create the round shape needed to sweep.

A standard gutter broom uses 26” bristle. The bristle

There are other configurations like the 12

gets bent in half and stuffed into the holes in the gutter

segment and the 1-segment or one-piece

broom block. This makes the sweeping length of the

gutter brooms.

bristle approximately 13” long. Some sweepers are lower

1 8 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R AU GU S T 2020

Each block is designed to mount to specific OEM

Vi si t Us

...there are heavy duty gutter brooms available for applications where a more aggressive sweep is needed

is needed – heavy growth or dirt packed on the road for example.

A heavy-duty gutter broom can have 20 wires per hole. There are some sweepers that can handle a super heavy-duty gutter

sweepers. There are pre-drilled bolt holes with nuts

broom with up to 24 wires

already in the blocks for easy mounting. Â These holes line

per hole.

up with the holes on the mounting plate of the sweeper.

Each block also has the holes for the bristle to be inserted. The number of holes vary with the different types of block.

The heavy-duty gutter brooms do tend to last longer because they have more wire which takes longer to wear.

PACKAGING

WIRE COUNT

Gutter brooms can be packaged and shipped two

The standard gutter broom typically has 17 wires in

different ways. A typical 5-segment gutter broom is

each hole of the block. This will sweep most normal road

packed in an individual box with all five segments in that

conditions. However, there are heavy duty gutter brooms

box. The same goes for the 4-segment and so on. This

available for applications where a more aggressive sweep

option allows for 16-20 boxes to fit on a skid or pallet. continued on page 20

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ADVERTORIAL

The segments are laid loosely in the gaylord so that they can be taken out as needed.

GAYLORD WITH 120 SEGMENT BOXES

• 5-segment Gutter Broom = 24 broom changes • 4-segment Gutter Broom = 30 broom changes The second way for gutter brooms to be packaged is in bulk gaylords or totes. These gaylords are full pallets size boxes that hold 120 individual segments. The segments are laid loosely in the gaylord so that they can be taken out as needed. This option saves money on shipping costs and reduces the amount of corrugated waste associated with multiple boxes.

As you can see, there are different options for different

Contact us at Keystone anytime to learn more about gaylords and if a heavy-duty gutter broom is right for you.

Mike Santos, Sales and Marketing Manager at Keystone Plastics, Inc. | m.santos@kpbrush.com Link to video – https://youtu.be/i-COQeJRuF0 Resources page on website – https://www.kpbrush.com/resources/ Gutter Broom page on site – https://www.kpbrush.com/products/gutter-brooms/

needs when it comes to gutter brooms.

Replacement Brooms You Can Rely On.

Quality. Performance. On-Time Delivery Keystone Plastics has been manufacturing the industry’s leading replacement brooms for street sweeping and road construction since 1954. At Keystone we believe in reliable quality and strive to make the heaviest, longest lasting brooms in the industry. We also believe the only good broom is the one that arrives to you as promised. Contact us to find a distributor near you.

Visit kpbrush.com | Call 1-800-635-5238 2 0 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R AU GU S T 2020

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AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 N O RT H A M E RI C A N SWEEPER 21

Phases of Crisis Communication:

How Businesses

MUST ADAPT “Effective communication during a crisis is not an attempt at mass mental therapy, nor is it a magic potion that fixes all problems…The public should feel empowered to take actions that will reduce their risk of harm.”

- Psychology of a Crisis, CDC

A

s we continue to navigate the challenges

This crisis will continue for some time, and its

created by coronavirus, some businesses

impact on business continues to be felt in new

are proving more effective than others in

and challenging ways. We must all strive to

communicating with and maintaining their

be creative, resilient, and adaptive in order to

customer bases. By now, we’ve all received

meet the changing needs of our customers and

countless emails from retailers, banks, and other

support them through uncertainty.

establishments, assuring us that these companies are “here for us in these troubled times.” Beyond

STAGES OF COMMUNICATION: LESSONS FROM THE CDC

these messages of comfort, many businesses

In times of instability, communications must

have not yet figured out how to adapt their

adapt quickly to the changing situation. The

business models, their communications, and their

CDC outlines four distinct phases of crisis

customer interactions.

communications:

2 2 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R AU GU S T 2020

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• Preparation: communications in advance of a crisis,

communications with customers at this time should

anticipating possible disasters. Focus on partnership

emphasize keeping them informed and helping them

building, planning, and testing message systems.

manage risks that will persist as long as the pandemic continues.

• Initial: communications right after a disaster or crisis

RECOVERY IS A TWO-WAY STREET

has begun. Emphasizing empathy and describing

As your company works to recover sales lost due to

response efforts.

coronavirus, remember that many of your customers face

• Maintenance: steps toward recovery are in motion, but ongoing risks persist. Communications focus on keeping audiences informed and managing risk.

• Resolution: communications emphasize lessons learned and revisions to future plans.

Most experts would place the US firmly in the 3rd phase of this model: while the initial shock of the pandemic is behind us, a resolution may be many months away. Thus,

the same challenges. As you work with them, they need to know you’re motivated to help them succeed, not just to make a sale or hit a quota.

A few tips:

• Return to cold calling carefully. Cold calls are rarely successful at the beginning of a crisis, but as we gradually return to normal, potential customers will be more receptive, especially if your messages respond to a new need. Research and think carefully about the new problems your customers face and how your business can support them. continued on page 24

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AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 N O RT H A M E RI C A N SWEEPER 23

As your company works to recover sales lost due to coronavirus, remember that many of your customers face the same challenges. As you work with them, they need to know you’re motivated to help them succeed...

• Update digital channels. With resources and time more restricted than ever, acquiring your products and services needs to be convenient and simple. Websites should be easy to navigate, and pricing and other product information should be clear.

• Consider how customers are

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Model 600® COMDEX ® Street Sweeper

Model 500x® High Side Dump

experiencing different problems.

Many salespeople categorize leads by the likelihood of closing the sale. Now, it may be helpful to organize customers according to who has been hardest hit by coronavirus and what they need to recover. A one-sizefits-all approach will tell your customers that you only see them as a sale. But conversations that address their unique needs will communicate that you have their best interests in mind.

Though the road to recovery is a long one, the businesses that will come out strongest will be those that maintain close ties with customers and are responsive to their changing needs.

Model 435® COMDEX ® Mid-Sized Street Sweeper

Model 210® COMDEX ® Parking Lot Sweeper

Because swept is not always clean, call TYMCO. Our Regenerative Air Sweepers blast into pavement cracks with up to a 250 mph controlled jet of air, forcing up even the finest sand and particulates into a totally enclosed system — never exhausting dirty air as do vacuum sweepers. All with only a few moving parts, reducing maintenance cost and downtime.

Schedule a Demonstration Today !

1-800-258-9626 www.tymco.com

Model 600 Illustration

FROM THE PEOPLE WHO INVENTED REGENERATIVE AIR SWEEPING! 2 4 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R AU GU S T 2020

Resources Crisis + Emergency Risk Communication (CERC): Psychology of a Crisis. 2019.

US Department of Health and Human Services: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at https:// emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/ppt/CERC_ Psychology_of_a_Crisis.pdf.

Pipedrive Blog. 2020. Coronavirus: How to Reassure Customers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Available at: https://www.pipedrive.com/en/blog/ reassure-customers-covid-19.

Sorenson, Arne. 13 Mar 2020. A Message from Our CEO. Marriott International News Center. Available at https://news. marriott.com/news/2020/03/13/amessage-from-our-ceo.

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AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 N O RT H A M E RI C A N SWEEPER 25

IN THE NEWS

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

LATEST CITYCAT STREET SWEEPER SET TO CLEAN UP IND EX S P O T L I GEVOLUTION HT URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES The latest evolution of the Bucher Municipal CityCat street cleaning vehicles unveiled at last– the CityCat V20 series. With more than 60 years of municipal experience,

These features enable vehicles to clean everywhere from the narrowest of passages to the larges civic spaces.

The environmental impact of fleet vehicles has never

Bucher Municipal’s new fleet uses leading technology to

been a more critical issue for cities and towns. Bucher

tackle the growing level of environmental demands faced

Municipal’s CityCat V20 series offers reduced noise

by companies in the urban street cleaning sector.

emissions, low water usage from a recirculation system,

Poor air quality negatively impacts our quality of life,

and high dust suppression. Plus, with the all-electric

causing many long-term worldwide health issues. The

CityCat V20e sweeper, municipal leaders can boast zero

European Commission’s Clean Air package aims to reduce

emissions and the lowest noise levels.

air pollution by 2030 substantially. The United States of

Further benefits include a single wheel suspension,

America EPA’s Clean Air Act and Canada’s Climate and

soft-touch steering wheel, and ergonomic controls for

Clean Air Coalition work towards cleaner air.

exceptional comfort, along with a range of built-in safety features such as the ROPS tested cab. Performance has also improved with a new fan placement, optimized airflow, pulled sweep gear, and a wide diameter, straight suction hose.

The floating suction intake is attached to a patented mounting mechanism, which ensures maximum air velocity for perfect sweeping results, no matter how uneven the surface.

Res Bieri, Head of Product Management & Marketing at Bucher Municipal, comments: “We are incredibly pleased

As we review the efficiencies and effects of street cleaning

to offer the new CityCat V20 series to the urban cleaning

technologies, Bucher’s new vehicles offer benefits unique

market. With a suite of new technologies developed to make

for the market, reducing environmental impact and

street cleaning more environmentally friendly and more

increasing productivity and cost-effectiveness.

time-efficient, the new vehicles also offer economic benefits.

The new purpose-built CityCat V20 series keeps urban

Low emission electric vehicles are definitely the way

areas and public spaces clean while lowering fuel and

forward. They will enable municipal companies to run a

energy emissions.

profitable business in a more sustainable world – and we

SOME FEATURES:

have the proof right here.”

• A specially designed, scalable in capacity Bucher

THE CITYCAT V20 SWEEPERS ARE ARTICULATED FLAGSHIP SWEEPERS

battery pack • All-new Smart-Con operating concept

V20 sweepers, built with a state-of-the-art engine design

• CSense touch display

or the innovative zero-emission Bucher Battery Pack. The

• More efficient, energy-optimized fan.

thoughtful engineering keeps a low maintenance design

2 6 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R AU GU S T 2020

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The new CityCat V20 series North America offering focuses on the fully electric CityCat V20e and the CityCat V20 diesel models. For more information, please visit https://www.buchermunicipal.com/int/citycat-v20series.

Bucher Municipal www.buchermunicipal.com Global scale. Local presence. in mind, which achieves longer service intervals and

Keeping traffic areas clean and safe by providing the

less wear and tear, all adding up to a lower total cost

widest product portfolio in the Industry.

• Street Sweepers

of ownership. You only need a standard driver license

• Sewer and Drainage

for both the diesel and fully electric versions of the V20

• Winter Maintenance Equipment

series street sweepers.

• Refuse Collection

NAPSA ANNOUNCES NEW MEMBER HEALTH BENEFIT! They say that membership has its privileges and NAPSA

Health care is one of the most volatile and costly aspects

proves that to be true! The North American Power

of being a business owner. With NAPSA’s Healthcare

Sweepers Association has added a powerful cost saving

Plan, owners now have access to world class coverage,

benefit to its cornucopia of services. If you are in this

benefits, and service. Compare your current rates to the

industry, you realize that the topic of

NAPSA Health Plan today! Contact

health care benefits is a huge pain

Joseph Mango, NAPSA’s industry

point so NAPSA went to work to

focused health insurance professional

provide a solution: Introducing the

for more information at 866-793-9999

new NAPSA Health Plan!

ext. 338 or by email at NAPSAhealth@

Leading the power sweeping

worldins.net.

industry by developing its own association-based health plan, NAPSA has partnered

The North American Power Sweeping Association

with World Insurance, a global leader in benefits. The

(NAPSA) is a nonprofit association made up of contract

North American Power Sweepers Association Health

sweepers, service providers and sweeping equipment

Plan (NAPSAHP) provides true group medical plans

dealers, manufacturers, and suppliers. NAPSA is

comparable to any major provider. Below are some of

dedicated to providing beneficial support to the

the many benefits of the NAPSA Health plan:

membership and enhancing services to the sweeping

• Exclusive rates and access for NAPSA members

industry.

• Coverage down to one life

The members of NAPSA are committed to promoting

• Multiple plan types to meet all of your groups needs

and educating the power sweeping community while

with a wide range of deductibles

enhancing the environment. For more information on

• A nationwide network of doctors and pharmacies

NAPSA membership, please visit www.powersweeping.

• Access to a wide range of voluntary benefits including

org or call (888) 757-0130.

dental, vision and term life options

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AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 N O RT H A M E RI C A N SWEEPER 27

IN THE NEWS

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

COMMERCIAL CREDIT GROUP INC. INDEX S P O MOVE T L I G H TCOMPANY HEADQUARTERS WILL TO ACCOMMODATE GROWTH Equipment finance company Commercial Credit Group Inc. has outgrown its existing office space and will move offices, to a new location in uptown Charlotte, to provide for future growth.

Company co-founder, President and CEO, Dan McDonough noted, “Uptown Charlotte is our home.

Our office remains in the heart of the city’s financial district and its central location allows us to benefit from the region’s highly skilled and diverse workforce. We are well situated for continued growth.”

In addition to the company’s national machine CHARLOTTE, NC (July 10, 2020) – Commercial Credit Group Inc. (CCG), an independent commercial equipment finance company, announces that they will move the company headquarters, within Charlotte, effective Monday, July 13, 2020. The new office is located at 525 N. Tryon Street, Suite 1000, Charlotte, NC 28202 and will house 80 employees.

“When we moved into our current office space in 2010 we had 17 employees in the Charlotte office.

We’ve grown to over 80 employees here in Charlotte and the space simply isn’t large enough. The new location accommodates our current staff and allows for continued growth. Additionally, amenities such as the fitness center, nearby restaurants, and proximity to the light rail will help us continue to attract top-caliber job applicants,” stated Sr. Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Angelo Garubo.

2 8 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R AU GU S T 2020

tool and waste divisions and its southeast construction and transportation groups, the Charlotte office also houses corporate operations for parent company, Commercial Credit, Inc. and accounts receivable finance company, Commercial Funding Inc. Commercial Credit Group Inc. is currently hiring professionals to fill positions in accounting, documentation, finance and sales.

About Commercial Credit Group Inc. Commercial Credit Group Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Commercial Credit, Inc. is an independent commercial finance company that provides equipment loans and leases to small and mid-sized businesses in the construction, fleet transportation, machine tool and manufacturing and waste industries. For more information, visit www.commercialcreditgroup.com.

Contact Information: Julie Murphy | 704-944-2771 jmurphy@commercialcreditgroup.com

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SPOTLIGHT

INDEX

CUTTING EDGE INNOVATION Louisville Pavement Sweep Readers who’ve been in the business for a long time may finally start to assume you’ve already seen and heard it all. Then, unexpectedly, here comes someone truly operating on the cutting-edge! On a rare day, you may even discover someone innovating in multiple areas of their sales and service processes. This is one of those special days. Jim Blackerby III and Louisville Pavement Sweep (LPS) are doing things differently, and wait till you see the results.

BLACKERBY’S DIVIDE AND CONQUER

Blackerby founded Louisville Pavement Sweep in March 2013. Through college, he worked for his dad’s sweeping

From here, Jim reflects on the series of developments at LPS since that time: My wife moved up to Louisville to join me after those

company, Lexington Pavement Sweep, in Lexington,

first months. She was a nurse. She put something on hold

Kentucky. After he graduated, he started looking for jobs

that she loved to do, being a nurse, and did it so that I

that were a fit with his degree, which is in international

could build my business. I will always be grateful for that.

relations. That was during the recession, and he says he

Now she does all the books for the business, takes phone

was having no luck with it.

calls, does paperwork, etc. We were barely married when

So, his dad suggested starting his own sweeping

we started. Now we’ve got a 3-year-old and an 18-month-

company up in Louisville. He loved the idea. He got

old. My wife runs that end too, while I’m out working. I

one of his dad’s trucks, and while his wife remained in

couldn’t be doing this if she wasn’t doing that.

Lexington briefly, he moved up to Louisville by himself for

Looking back, if we had already had kids, I don’t think

the first four to five months to start servicing the first few

I would have started the business, because of the risk.

contracts he had acquired.

When my dad started his business, he somehow did it

3 0 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R AU GU S T 2020

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with three kids — and he always made time for us,

think those are best because it reduces maintenance

even though he was working night and day. That still

not having an auxiliary engine. We also have a Tymco

impresses me today. He balanced work with his family.

435 on a Freightliner chassis, and 2 pickups as support

It’s so important to me as well with my family and

vehicles. Lexington has 9 sweepers of the same variety

company. As I said, of course, my wife is a huge part of

as well as 5 plow/salt trucks, which we can access if

making that possible for me.

needed.

RECIPROCATING PEER BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP

I just bought the 435 to go into the construction

I love what I do. I feel like this is what I was born to

sweeping market. I couldn’t have done it without my

do. My dad is a big role model for me. I can call him

dad or my wife, or without that first customer who

for any ideas. In the beginning, he was helping me. After

gave me a chance.

I couldn’t have done it without

years of experience, I was going through the same things he was. So, As time has gone on and I have

my dad or my wife, or

a family business as well.

They took pity on me.

without that first customer who gave me a chance.

gained experience and

My first customer was

After that, with each new place, whether they said no or yes, I was able to learn and get experience and tailor the sales

learned some of the things he has taught me we are now able to bounce ideas off each other PAVEMENT SWEEP GROWTH SINCE 2013

Growth? It’s been going great. I think about it all the time because it cracks me up. I didn’t have any experience in sales when I started the business. I was terrified to call someone out of the blue and ask them to let me do something for them.

I called everybody but didn’t have any luck. So, when I got to the very last person on my list, I went hat-inhand and begged them to let me sweep, and they took a chance on me. That allowed me to go to other companies and refer them to that original customer for a reference. Since the first year, we’ve doubled in size every year, until this year (2020). It’s been learn-as-yougo in business management, accounting, all of it.

We now have 7 parking lot sweeper trucks. There are 5 Ospreys and 2 are Raptor II from Nitehawk. We

pitch. Some people I originally approached are now customers. It’s been a matter of building up contacts, references, and honing things down. continued on page 32

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INDEX

SPOTLIGHT

We now have 10

JIM BLACKERBY’S LPS SALES METHODOLOGY

employees. I love

We’re in a lot of associations. I was thinking about hiring

sweeping parking

a salesperson, but someone at one of the associations

lots in the truck. I

gave me some advice about that. He said, “You’re the

don’t have to drive a

face of the company. You’re passionate about it. That’s

sweeper truck every

something a salesperson might not be able to get

night anymore, but

across as well.” So, I do the sales calls.

because I enjoy it so

Many property owners don’t know what it entails

much, I drive at least

to maintain sweeping on their properties. I tell

once or twice a week. It’s also a good opportunity to

everyone how often I think it will take. For example, if

communicate with customers and to let them know

I can save them $50 per month by even suggesting a

that it’s not some nameless, faceless person sweeping

frequency decrease, I want to do that. Then, they know

their property it is the owner of the company a lot of

I’m giving them honest feedback on what

the time. I sweep every single property we acquire so that I not only know where the

I think needs to get done.

I want my customers

I want my customers to be able to trust that my

potential pain points are for

to be able to trust

the customers but to also

that my opinion is

bottom line at the expense

show the employees that I

not driven by my

of theirs.

don’t ask them to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself.

We probably do 500

opinion is not driven by my

bottom line at the

FIRST-CLASS CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT AT LPS

expense of theirs.

Every month around the

properties per week. A lot of them are 7 days. Customer

15th, I call every single

...

person on my customer

service relationships are what I want to build.

list. Because people know I’ll be calling again the

We do some properties just once a month or even

next month, I’ll hear stuff I didn’t hear the month

just quarterly. Each customer is equally important

before. I’m able to get out in front of any issues, and

to us.

I can recommend people for other kinds of work my

To keep costs down, we don’t have any office

customers need that we don’t handle. I’m able to

employees, just my wife and myself. We put that money

cultivate the relationships I have with the customers I

toward employee wages instead. All I save on back-end

do get.

office costs, I use for my drivers. I think I pay more than

We also give gifts out every year to our customers on

the norm for the market. Everyone is doing a great job,

the exact month that I started sweeping for them. That

and a higher retention rate means not having to always

is a small way that, even as years pass, I can let them

go out and hire.

know I still appreciate their business.

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LOUISVILLE PAVEMENT SWEEP BUSINESS MODEL

Inspectors go out and use the checklist in the software

We do pressure washing, landscaping, and haul-offs

program to review drivers’ work. The inspectors use

ourselves. Other stuff, we subcontract out. It depends

the pass/fail checklist and take pictures of anything an

on the customer’s budget. After building a trust-based

operator didn’t do well, or enough, or not at all. They

relationship, I have a feel for their budget. If I know that

then grade the overall appearance of the property from

it’s cheaper for them to call the guy themselves, and I’m

1-5 with a 3 being a failed quality control inspection.

aware that it makes better sense for their budget, I’ll

The inspector takes pictures to document what

recommend that they do that. It depends on what the

questions on the checklist were failed, and I can see the

customer wants. If they want me to handle it for them,

pictures and overall grade of each property inspected

it will cost 15-20% more, and I am honest and upfront

right when I log on. Inspectors also look out for issues

about that. They appreciate it more to have the choice of

outside of sweeping such as broken lights, bulk items

what aligns best with their budget, so I tell them about

that have been dumped, etc.

their options. It makes it clear that I have their best interest in mind.

A third party is for convenience outside of just sweeping. Everybody knows they’re typically not as likely to do as good work. But, many customers prefer

They can upload a picture and I can send that straight to the customer. The program then uploads the checklist, and I get to see it. If they see a couch or something behind a dumpster, it uploads to a page, continued on page 34

to have a bundle of services they don’t have to worry about. Over the years, we’ve worked with a lot of contractors, so I can say here’s the concrete guy, here’s the electrician, or the plumber to use.

We try to be the equivalent of a third-party contractor, without the overhead. We just provide a person-toperson referral resource for a lot of different kinds of services for our customers when they need to have something done. Because they know and trust my company, they’re assured they’re getting a referral to a good-quality contractor, and not simply a referral to a company because I can make money from it.

LPS ALTERNATIVE MARKETING MODEL

We have a very, very narrow view of marketing. We have logos on the trucks, but we don’t do any advertising.

We came up with an in-house inspection and routing software application, we call Sweep Inspect. It helps us with routing and quality control inspections.

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INDEX

SPOTLIGHT

owners like it more than anybody. The drivers make extra money. I get to show my customer we’re keeping an eye on their property in general and not just trashwise, and the customer gets to identify issues that need to be resolved. It’s like a site inspection we’re providing for them.

LPS BRANCHES INTO CONSTRUCTION SWEEPING

It sounds corny, but when I started this I said I’m not going to not do something because I’m afraid to do it.

But, when you see the price tag on those construction

and I can send it to the customer.

sweeping trucks, and it’s $200,000, that’s scary. But, with

I know what market I’m going for. So, I can go in and

the Covid-19 pandemic, it was the perfect time to do it.

see a broken light, or a damaged parking lot sign there,

So, I bought a Tymco 435.

for example, and I can approach the potential customer

Right now, we have a lot of one-time things to

with that information about what we’ve noticed about

do in construction and

their property. It helps people trust that we can provide

We just provide

good attention to detail for

a person-to-person

parking lot cleaning.

It’s been working well. I’d say

referral resource for a lot

our other services, outside of sweeping, have gone up at

of different kinds of

least 20%, and we’ve seen a good 5% increase in sweeping

services for our customers ...

business, just from pointing those things out. When

...

you call someone and send them an email showing something that might be wrong with their property, people appreciate it. They want someone who keeps them in the loop, in addition to sweeping.

neighborhood development.

We’ll be working on building up our business in construction now.

LOUISVILLE PAVEMENT SWEEP COMPANY CULTURE

Culture is a big thing.

Everyone says their company has a culture. It’s a buzz word that sounds good. But I like to

think that everyone in our company is whole-hog in the company. We have an open-door policy, so if someone has issues to work out, they know they’ll get support.

Working for my dad showed me that there are things

ROBUST INTERNAL MARKETING AT LPS

employees talk about amongst themselves that an

Identifying problems through the software works out

employer might not even think about. Because I’ve

well for everyone. For each issue, a driver points out

been both an employee and employer that helps me

we give them $5. They see things that might have been

identify issues amongst my drivers before they become

going unnoticed, like potholes, broken lights, and other

issues, and I know from working for my dad what it’s

problems.

like as an employee to get the support you need from

That $5 has made my business go up. Property owners get to see what’s going on in real-time. The out-of-town

3 4 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R AU GU S T 2020

your employer to resolve issues.

Every single new guy starts work with a different guy

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every day, so they can see how different people do

to sweep very cheap, you have to lower your price or

things. You learn a lot about someone driving 8 or 10

cut corners. That’s because third-party companies often

hours in a sweeper truck with them. So, afterward, I

offer the lowest price and often work with sweeping

ask the guys how he did and how they think they’ll like

companies that have to cut corners either in their

working with him. That way, they know it’s not just me

service or in their equipment. It is difficult with the

hiring someone. They know they’re very involved in the

price of equipment to do both.

hiring too.

We have only one or two people who’ve been with

One lucky thing is that I haven’t run across the problem of aging equipment yet. We don’t have any

the company for under a year. Eight have been with us

trucks over five years old. We don’t have issues with

at least a year, and three have been here three years or

keeping trucks running properly. I like to think it’s

longer. There’s strong collaboration between them. The

because we do a lot of good maintenance work and

culture is — I feel like I can talk to you and you can talk

keep them in good order.

to me about anything. I think that’s essential because

My dad has used the same mechanic for 20 years. He

talking about and solving issues makes the company as

knows all the ins and outs. We borrow from my dad, and

a whole stronger.

he borrows from us. That ensures we can keep moving

BIGGEST CHALLENGES

if there’s a mechanical problem with a truck.

Probably the most concerning thing in the industry as

SWEEP INSPECT SOFTWARE INNOVATION,

a whole for me is the price of equipment and how it

BY JIM BLACKERBY

keeps going up year after year. Third-party sweeping

I hate the “I don’t know’s” of the world, as an excuse

companies will have newer trucks, and if they’re willing

when asked the question of why something wasn’t continued on page 36

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INDEX

SPOTLIGHT

done. So, the system I have for inspections and routing

getting updated, based on what other sweeping

is the Sweep Inspect program I mentioned. Each driver

companies tell us they would like to see.

uses it every night on a tablet assigned to their truck.

ADVICE FOR INDUSTRY NEWCOMERS, FROM INDUSTRY INNOVATOR JIM BLACKERBY, LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY

It displays the name each customer, directions to each property, a checklist of tasks to do at each customer’s site, a click button to a satellite outline of perimeters,

When asked to provide a few words of advice for

pinpoints for trash cans, and other information.

peers, Jim was hesitant to put himself in the position of advisor to other business

It started as a five-

owners, but he did ultimately

question inspection form,

We just provide

and it’s now a software application that drivers and

a person-to-person

inspectors can use to guide

referral resource for a lot

them through their work at

offer this point of stellar advice: For new people coming into the business, I can say that

of different kinds of

something I try to live by is to

the developer who made

services for our

never be complacent. A lot of

our website to build it. It’s

customers ...

each customer’s site. I used

a cloud application, so you can just upload it.

We use it for our drivers, and we started selling it to other people. We’ve been signing up other power sweeping companies who want to use it. It works well for them because it was built by someone in the commercial sweeping industry and is tailored to sweeping business needs.

They pay $125 per month. We have about 10 to 12

...

people are in the same boat as I am. I have a family and a business. It’s easy to find yourself going on autopilot.

I remind myself that there’s going to be someone out there doing it if I’m not doing it. If you’re not willing to work hard to keep every inch you’ve gained, you can lose it. I’d say it’s good advice to just always keep appreciating everything you’ve gained, and work to not lose it.

other sweeping companies signed up for it monthly.

JIM BLACKERBY III – CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INDUSTRY

It pays for itself for the month by all that it does

We’ve talked to many sweeping company owners

for your sweeping business. It sends you an email

who use the sales method of communicating with

in the morning, with a reminder of pictures and

property owners about issues they’ve discovered

other inspection information that’s been uploaded.

as a way to make an introduction and pitch regular

It gives you a tool to help prospective customers

sweeping services. But, we’ve never seen this practice

and current customers be aware of needs on their

systematized into a formal sales model and scaled up

properties.

to the extent that Blackerby has been utilizing it.

We’ve taken all kinds of new ideas we’ve heard from

The success he’s had with just this single innovative

other sweeping companies, and the program is now

approach is extraordinary. He’s organized and

a combination of everyone’s ideas to improve the

streamlined and otherwise perfected a process for

system to upload pictures, do routing, communicate

executing this practice with ideal efficiency —by

with customers about their needs. It’s constantly

systematizing the pulling of photos into an email

3 6 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R AU GU S T 2020

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immediately and sending it to the property owner/

share. Eager adopters want the same advantages in a

property management.

streamlined, practical alternative to the traditional pen

Another critical operational component that

and paper methods too many small power sweeping

strengthens the structure of LPS’s unique operational

businesses are still struggling with while hoping to grow

architecture, is the reciprocating arrangement Jim has

in markets with better-prepared competitors.

with his father’s Lexington sweeping company, which

Other exceptional features of Blackerby’s advanced

is the kind of relationship that any sweeping business

strategic sales and service operations are highlighted by

owner would do well to establish and preciously nurture

his answer on the major challenges he faces in running

with a regional peer power sweeping service.

his business. Nearly without exception, commercial

Many peer power sweeping businesses have versions

sweeping company owners respond to this question

of reciprocity in place, but

with two common problems: 1)

not even the most engaged

keeping good workers and 2)

members of the industry’s

keeping vehicles in good repair.

most active associations are

But, Blackerby’s casual answer to

typically known to support one

the same question ends up being

another with trucks on request,

largely an explanation of why his

share mechanical services, and

company is fortunate not to have

collaborate like business partners on problem-solving

problem #2, and he had already earlier explained why

for one another from their remote respective cities to

he also does not have problem #1.

the rich extent that Blackerby III and his father do.

Perhaps what the Blackerby’s share between

Overall, Jim Blackerby of Louisville Pavement Sweep stands out in the power sweeping industry as a truly

Louisville and Lexington is a depth of mutual support

spectacular example of both innovative exceptionalism

that is reserved for sons and dads, but we hope not.

and consummate practicality in optimizing and

In any case, by any evaluation, it’s an exceptionally

maximizing the strategic application of available

mutually beneficial business relationship that the

technologies for sales, service, and quality control, and

two entrepreneurs have built for their businesses. The

in making the most of peer-business collaboration and

Blackerby III example here shows us the value of seeking

reciprocity opportunities.

out such a reciprocal support arrangement with a peer business.

To note, based on the Blackerby’s’ Kentucky example, perhaps the ideal arrangement may be in partnering between businesses operating in cities located far enough away from one another to avoid competition, but near enough to lend timely support.

For more information about Louisville Pavement Sweep or Sweep Inspect software, visit www.sweeplouisville. com, or the Sweep Inspect inspection portal https:// youtu.be/-zYfgexsYIg or view the Sweep Inspect Routing Video at https://youtu.be/UVc0qpPdJHo.

Then, of course, there is Blackerby’s software design, Sweep Inspect. He’s created and published a program so comprehensive and efficient that he’s found his application picking up its introductory bit of market

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AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 N O RT H A M E RI C A N SWEEPER 37

INDEX Buffalo Turbine..................................................................................14 716-592-2700 / buffaloturbine.com

Safety Vision........................................................................................ 6 800-851-4764 / safetyvision.com

Carolina Enviromental Services......................................................14 800-239-7796 / cesrefuse.com

Schwarze Industries Inc.......................................................... 3, 7, 13 800-879-7933 / schwarze.com

Curbtender s LLC. P R OSweeper DUCT W..............................................................BC AT C H 319-266-1721 / curbtendersweepers.com

Sharpco Sweeper Shoes.................................................................... 4 313-343-4328/800-372-5007/sharpcosweepershoes.com

Eagle Eye Tracking.............................................................................. 3 855-338-7225

Skavin’jer Street Sweepers..............................................................15 888-652-2137 / skavinjer.com

Elgin Sweeper Company...................................................................29 elginregenx.com

Stewart-Amos Equipment Co............................................................ 4 800-482-2302 / stewart-amos.com

Global Sweeping Solutions................................................................ 2 909-713-1600 / globalsweeper.com

Street Smart......................................................................................21 888-653-6800 / streetsmartrental.com

KeyStone Street Sweeping Brooms................................................20 800-635-5238 / kpbrush.com

Superior Tire & Rubber Corp...........................................................10 800-289-1456 / superiortire.com

Nite-Hawk Sweepers.................................................................... 6, 23 800-448-9364 / nitehawksweepers.com

Trinity Highway..................................................................................15 888-323-6374 / trinityhighway.com

Oakmont Capital Services LLC.......................................................... 5 320-844-8800 / www.oakmontfinance.com

Tymco.................................................................................................24 800-258-9626 / tymco.com

Pat’s Pump & Blower........................................................................11 800-359-7867 / patspump.com

United Rotary Brush Corporation....................................................13 800-851-5108 / united-rotary.com

Prince Motors....................................................................................33 951-681-6960/ princemotorsusa.com

Well Made Manufacturing................................................................25 609-323-2655 / wellmademfg.com

The ODB Co........................................................................................39 800-446-9823 / www.odbco.com

Xpress Sweeping Inc.........................................................................38 401-523-6116 / xpresssweeping.com

Built with the Operator in Mind Easy to Operate and Maintain.

• 4 and 6 Cu. Yd High Dump Hoppers • 140 Gal. Water Capacity • Adjustable Floating Brooms • Fuel Efficient • Low Operating Costs • No CDL Required • Ease of Maintenance

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3 8 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R AU GU S T 2020

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AU G U S T 2 0 2 0 N O RT H A M E RI C A N SWEEPER 39 052419 TMT

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Under CDL platform with over CDL performance. Incab control of gutter broom speed, pressure, and angle.

Hopper and fan are made entirely of HardoxÂŽ 450 abrasion resistant steel designed to stand up to the abuse of debris.

Crescent shaped pick up head funnels debris to the center of machine. On-screen diagnostics keep information at your finger tips and makes it easier to maintain your sweeper.

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