North American Sweeper Magazine is published by Phoenix Global Media Inc.
Copyright 2023 by Phoenix Global Media Inc. All rights reserved.
CREATIVE
Melissa Kennelly
EDITORIAL
Heidi Karpinich
CIRCULATION
Noah Aiden
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THE LEGENDARY POWER BEHIND SWEEPING
• Non-CDL version available
• Mechanical sweeping to handle heavy applications like millings
• Independent broom control for in-the-cut precision
• Single engine for fuel economy and less maintenance
• Simple start-up procedure with easy-to-operate controls
MEGA GROWTH SAN ANTONIO SWEEPING SERVICES, INC.!
San Antonio Sweeping Services (SASS) does it all. Their widely diversified pavement sweeping fleet represents one of the greatest varietie s of pavement services offered anywhere in the industry. The SASS Owner, Brian Cooper, launched the startup with parking lot cleaning and striping services back in 1995. He kept the name but later changed the business model, to discontinue the striping and focus fully on sweeping services.
Today, 30 years later, the SASS pavement sweeping service equipment line is one of the most complete, if not the most comprehensive, in the entire country. There’s no niche that the company doesn’t serve, from small Tennant propane sweepers for industrial floors to agile ODRA parking lot sweepers, to the largest highway sweeper trucks. The business model also features state-of-the-art industrial power washing equipment that recycles water as it operates.
SPECTACULAR GROWTH OF SAN ANTONIO SWEEPING SERVICES
The company currently has over a dozen employees, plus Brian, his wife, Shannon, VP, and Kevin Black, General Manager. Cooper works from his home office in Austin, Texas, doing the business’s accounting, administrative paperwork, answering the phone, writing contracts, etc. Per Brian, “My wife has a pretty good feel for everything going on in the business. We’ve got three kids. She’s a stay-at-home mother and VP of the company. She comes in and does filing, paperwork, takes calls, and does other work. On top of it all, she’s a wonderful stay-at-home mom to our three kids.”
Black runs the day-to-day field and maintenance operations based at the company’s shop and office facility about an hour away in Boerne, Texas, which is around a half-hour north of downtown San Antonio, the center of the company’s primary market area.
Brian estimates that SASS probably services around 75 accounts per month on average. The business’s annual gross revenue has increased 20% each year through the past 3 years. As a result, SASS has bought 4 new sweeper trucks this year, 3 ODRAs and 1 NiteHawk.
Asked what accounts for this extraordinary growth in 2024, both Brian and his GM Kevin reflect humbly.
Brian estimates that SASS probably services around 75 accounts per month on average. The business’s annual gross revenue has increased 20% each year through the past 3 years.
Brian’s perspective goes to his vision for leadership, “We’re not as concerned about hitting a home run with every new contract. We’ll take a base hit.” Kevin adds, “Our goal is to keep everybody working and happy.”
As mentioned, the SASS business model accommodates anyone who needs pavement sweeping, in contrast to the industry norm, which trends toward serving niche markets. SASS’s business, per Brian, is about 25% routine parking lot sweeping maintenance, with NiteHawk and ODRAs. About 60% is highway asphalt milling cleanup. The other 15% is construction site cleanup.
EXCEPTIONALLY DIVERSIFIED SASS SWEEPING SERVICE MODEL
Currently, SASS has 12 sweeper trucks, including 3 ODRAs (one awaiting delivery), 2 Elgins, 5 Tymcos, 2 NiteHawks, 1 Schwarze, and 3 Tennants. Asked why the company has chosen to add 3 ODRAs out of the 4 new sweeper trucks purchased this year, Kevin answers, “Because they’re easy to operate, and it’s a very versatile piece of equipment. It can be used for parking lots, milling cleanup, heavy debris, etc. The vacuum works well, but it has a mechanical broom that is very strong.
continued on page 10
Brian adds, “We choose a truck based on what we’ll be doing with it. But we’ll always stay with the Isuzu, Tymco, and ODRA chassis because they’re easier to work on, and we can swap parts back and forth with others of their kind that we already have. Since we have a large inventory of parts for all of those, we can usually get one up and running pretty quickly.”
SWEEPER TRUCK MAINTENANCE AT SASS
“We take care of everything in-house,” Kevin explains. “We have a large inventory of parts on hand and we have a mechanic in-house. We don’t take anything to a shop at all. We do everything from small to major repairs daily. We might not do washings daily, but each sweeper truck is gone over and cleaned every day before it goes out on another run.
Daily maintenance is critical. It keeps the trucks running longer. We have a Tymco that we’ve had since 2006, and it is still running great to this day because we strive to be thorough with the daily maintenance. The trucks are greased, oil is checked, and parts are replaced as needed. Downtime is
mostly caused by errors like maybe a driver taking a corner too sharply, or someone forgetting to do this or that maintenance task, etc.”
Brian adds, “On a construction site, there’s not always a clear path to what should be swept. There are unknown hazards, and sweeper truck tires tend to find those hazards. It’s a learning process for customers and drivers. The trucks don’t break down from being a truck, but from a driver hitting the side of a dump truck, or some damaging debris, etc.”
ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION AT SASS
“In Texas,” Brian continued, “preserving the environment, including protecting waterways in good condition, is a priority. We use the Cyclone brand pressure washing machine that sucks the water back out, and we then take it to a facility to dump instead of going down a drain and into the river.
We use the Cyclone pressure washers for services to construction companies and property management companies, parking garages, etc. We have a couple of trailers with 1,000-gallon water tanks, with highpressure pumps that go from 2” to 1” pressure.
Sweepers can’t pick up light dust, so we can wash it off the pavement, and we can help anywhere where there’s a need for pressure washing of various other kinds of surfaces in San Antonio too.”
MARKETING AND BRANDING FOR SASS
We asked about marketing and sales for San Antonio Sweeping, and we discussed other topics below. Brian tells the story from here: We get requests to provide bids, and we look on the computer for those opportunities, and we do go out physically to make sales calls, but not much because we’re usually so busy, We haven’t needed to do much for marketing. People have heard of us. It’s all word of mouth. We’re all over Austin and from there, throughout south
Texas, and we’re in parts of central Texas. It’s worked for us. We’re blessed to have the business we have. We have logos on our trucks with the office number, and that’s really where we get most of our business, from worksites. Our guys wear work shirts with our logo, and the newer style with gray reflective strips all have the logo. We give mugs with logos to job supervisors who may be in a position to steer business our way.
QUALITY MANAGEMENT AT SASS
...logos on our trucks with the office number, that’s really where we get most of our business...
Asphalt companies may wear our shirts, and they work together with other contractors. So, they’ll tell others about us, and vice versa.
I talk to pretty much everybody who calls in for service. If it’s a company we do regular service for, I’ll go out and talk to them, or call, or text them, to make sure everything is looking good. I’ve reached out to every one of our customers. I speak with them on the phone multiple times per year. If our driver finds there’s a problem that’s not normal sweeping, they’ll send pictures to the office.
But, we have GPS with photos. They [the drivers] login and fill in the required information after every shift, so we’re always aware of any issues.
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SASS STREAMLINING POST-COVID
We learned a lot through COVID, such as — we don’t need as many people if fewer can do it. It’s been working. After COVID, we seriously sat down and looked at everything we were doing and streamlined it all so that it worked best for everybody.
I think what we’re doing is steady, manageable growth. As San Antonio grows and Austin grows, which they are, our customer base is growing as well. We’re doing great the way we’re doing it. I don’t want to jeopardize that. I try not to take on a lot of debt. We don’t want to grow faster than we can handle. We like to pay for things as we go. We keep growing as needed; if we need more to do the work, we get it. And, we want to be humble [not grow just to be bigger].
THE SASS TEAM MANAGEMENT AND CULTURE
The hardest challenge has been finding and keeping good employees, especially since COVID. Salaries have been all over the place. Finding enough people who want to work for honest pay has been harder. We offer a competitive compensation package. We just try to treat everyone fairly. And, around holidays, for example, the 4th of July, Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc., throughout the year, we give bonuses and gifts in appreciation, just to tell everybody they’re doing great.
For training and management, the newer ODRAs have cameras for the drivers to see out. The older ones do not, but the plan is to put them in there eventually. We do payroll and schedules through the employees’ phones. But, no, we don’t have cameras facing into the cabs of the trucks. We don’t want to be Big Brother. If you’re watching the drivers, it means we don’t trust them, and we do trust them.
ADVICE FOR INDUSTRY NEWCOMERS FROM SAN ANTONIO MARKET LEADERS
I would say, know the business. Know the long hours it’s going to take, and know the hard work it requires. But, know the rewards that make it all worth it. Know what you’re doing. You’re going to have to be it all — mechanic, sales rep, sweeper truck driver, office staff, everything. Expect to work long hours. Or, you’ll need to be rich or have Daddy Warbucks to finance you.
Kevin added, “Plan, of course, but take it one day at a time. I hear a lot of people talk about how expensive the equipment is and the pay for drivers now. But, there’s more. There are also the repairs, having people who can do those, insurance on the trucks, etc. It’s an expensive business to be in and, as Brian said, there’s a lot to know.
For more information about San Antonio Sweeping Services, San Antonio, TX, you can call (210) 695-5777 or visit https://sanantoniosweeping.com.
6 TIPS FOR STREET SWEEPER OPERATOR SAFETY
Submitted by Elgin
These days street sweepers are technologically advanced, powerful machines for keeping communities clean. So it’s important to ensure operators are properly trained and prepared to handle these rigs — for their safety and for efficient use of the sweepers. As a manufacturer of industryleading street sweepers, the Elgin team offers these six tips.
1. FOLLOW STANDARD SAFETY PROCEDURES: They really do matter. Make sure operators know, understand and follow recommended safety
procedures for the street sweeper model they are using. Doing so protects them from injury and the machine from damage.
2. ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL: There are many types and models of street sweepers. Some require a CDL to operate, others don’t. Your operators should have the proper license and should be trained on every type of sweeper in your fleet before using the machines on the street.
3. KEEP UP WITH UPKEEP: A sweeper that is well maintained is less likely to have a problem while in use on the street, where it is more difficult to address, and it will run more efficiently. A walkaround inspection prior to operation is standard and helps ensure proper maintenance.
4. CHECK THE FORECAST: Street sweepers are critical for keeping storm drains free of debris and reducing the risk of flooding. Have a plan in case of severe weather and make sure your operators know the plan.
5. DRIVE SAFELY: Effective street sweeping needs a precise speed. Ensure your operators understand and
follow recommended speeds for maximum efficiency and safety. Also train them on how to safely move around obstacles, how to make proper turns and how a full vs. empty hopper affects the time it takes to stop.
6. REMOVE BARRIERS: Proactively communicate with residents about when and where street sweeping will occur so vehicles can be moved out of the way, making your operators’ job safer and the sweeping more thorough.
Quality training in advance will help protect the safety of your street sweeper operators, your No. 1 resource in a successful, efficient sweeping operation.
With 110 years in the sweeper industry, a fleet of various sweeper models including electric and hybrid options, and an expansive dealer network, the Elgin team can help outfit your team with the best sweeping technology for every application. Learn more at ElginSweeper.com.
INDUSTR Y NEWS
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS) EVERY STREET SWEEPING CONTRACTOR SHOULD TRACK
ASSOCIA TION INSIDER
SPOTLIGHT INDEX
Amid the numerous KPIs adopted across the industry, it is essential that you identify those that hold the most value for your street-sweeping business. By tracking the right KPIs, you can effectively measure your business’s performance, identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions. We will go over the critical KPIs every street sweeping contractor should track and dive into how to track them, why that certain KPI matters and what you should do with them.
1. EQUIPMENT UTILIZATION RATE
Your street sweeper is the backbone of your business. By monitoring how effectively your equipment is used, you can expose inefficiencies and highlight opportunities for better utilization, allowing you to save money.
How To Track It
4 Operational hours: Track the total hours each piece of equipment is in operation versus the available hours.
4 Downtime: Monitor the amount of time equipment is out of service due to maintenance or repairs.
Why It Matters
High equipment utilization rates indicate that your machinery is being used effectively, while low
rates suggest overcapacity or inefficiencies in your scheduling.
What You Should Do
Maximize your operational hours and regularly schedule maintenance to minimize unexpected downtime.
2. JOB COMPLETION RATE
This KPI measures the percentage of scheduled jobs that are completed on time and to the customer’s satisfaction.
How To Track It
4 Work orders: Track the number of scheduled jobs versus completed jobs.
4 Customer feedback: Gather feedback to assess customer satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.
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Understanding the revenue generated from each sweep helps you evaluate the profitability of your services...This KPI helps you determine if your pricing is appropriate and if your operations are cost-effective.
open communication with clients to ensure all jobs are completed as expected.
3. REVENUE PER SWEEP
Understanding the revenue generated from each sweep helps you evaluate the profitability of your services.
How To Track It
4 Invoicing data: Track the revenue generated from each job.
ASSOCIA TION INSIDER
4 Cost analysis: Compare the revenue against the costs incurred for each sweep.
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
A high job completion rate and customer satisfaction indicate efficiency and reliability, which will lead to repeat business.
This KPI helps you determine if your pricing is appropriate and if your operations are cost-effective.
SPOTLIGHT INDEX
What You Should Do
Implement a robust scheduling system and maintain
What You Should Do
Regularly evaluate and modify pricing to ensure profitability.
Compared to new customers, existing customers are 60-70% more likely to purchase your service. By tracking your customer retention rate, you can understand the trajectory of your business’s profitability and stability in the long run.
4. CUSTOMER RETENTION RATE
Compared to new customers, existing customers are 60-70% more likely to purchase your service. By tracking your customer retention rate, you can understand the trajectory of your business’s profitability and stability in the long run. How To Track It
4 Customer Database: Monitor the number of repeat customers over a given period.
4 Retention rate formula: Calculate using the following formula: (Number of customers at the end of the period - Number of new customers acquired during the period) / Number of customers at the start of the period X 100. Why It Matters
A high customer retention rate indicates customer satisfaction and loyalty, while a low rate often highlights issues that need to be addressed.
INDUSTR Y NEWS
High productivity levels indicate that your team is working efficiently, while low levels might suggest a need for additional training or adjustments in workload distribution.
What You Should Do
Implement loyalty programs and constantly seek feedback to improve customer satisfaction.
Tracking their productivity helps you ensure that you’re getting the most out of your workforce. How To Track It
4 Performance metrics: Monitor the number of jobs completed by each employee.
4 Time tracking: Use time tracking software to log hours worked and breaks taken.
Why It Matters
ASSOCIA TION INSIDER
High productivity levels indicate that your team is working efficiently, while low levels might suggest a need for additional training or adjustments in workload distribution.
What You Should Do
SPOTLIGHT INDEX
5. EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY
Your employees are vital to your business’s success.
Provide regular training and support to employees to boost their productivity and morale. Also include incentives and bonuses.
6. CUSTOMER ACQUISITION COST (CAC)
Understanding how much it costs to acquire a new customer helps you optimize your marketing and sales strategies.
How To Track It
4 Marketing expenses: Track all costs associated with your marketing efforts within a definite period.
4 New customers acquired: Monitor the number of new customers gained in that period.
Why It Matters
A high CAC indicates inefficient marketing strategies, while a low CAC suggests that your marketing efforts are cost-effective.
What You Should Do
Focus on targeted marketing campaigns and leverage customer referrals to reduce your CAC.
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STAY CURRENT WITH INDUSTRY TRENDS
Stay up to date with the latest industry trends and information by subscribing to North American Sweeper Magazine. Keep your street sweeping or paving business at the forefront of the industry with our comprehensive resources.
SCHWARZE INDUSTRIES HOSTS NATIONAL TOUR STOP FOR ‘AEM MANUFACTURING EXPRESS’ ON AUGUST 20, 2024
(Huntsville, AL, August 1, 2024) – Schwarze Industries announced today that it will host the “Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Manufacturing Express” in Huntsville on August 20, 2024.
Schwarze Industries , an AEM member, along with its employees, will be recognized as an industry leader for their contributions to the local community and manufacturing industry. This recognition will highlight Schwarze Industries’ significant advancements in sustainable product development, including zero-emission electric sweepers and nearzero-emission hybrid sweepers.
“The ‘Manufacturing Express’ celebrates our employees and community while highlighting our contribution to American manufacturing and the U.S. economy,” stated David Heigl, President of Schwarze Industries . “It’s an opportunity to invite the community, local businesses, policymakers, and journalists to come together to learn more about Schwarze and our role in driving innovation, economic growth, and job creation in the region.”
The “AEM Manufacturing Express” will make its only stop in Alabama on its national tour at Schwarze Industries . The tour covers more than 20 states with 80 stops at equipment manufacturers to showcase the cutting-edge technology and innovations that power modern equipment, as well as the innovative technologies, processes, people, and products revolutionizing this industry across America.
“We are thrilled to be joining with so many community leaders and supporters of Schwarze Industries for this amazing opportunity to highlight the importance of American off-highway equipment manufacturing in Huntsville, on August 20, 2024,”
stated Megan Tanel, President of AEM. “The ‘AEM Manufacturing Express’ is more than just a bus tour; it is an opportunity to tell the stories of the men and women of our industry in Huntsville and highlight how their grit, determination, and can-do spirit has been pivotal to the American way of life.”
While the event will help spotlight Schwarze Industries , the manufacturing industry, and policies that support manufacturers, it is fundamentally a celebration with games, food, and a chance to win prizes.
About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers
(AEM)
AEM advocates on behalf of more than 1,000 members, representing over 200 product lines, to urge elected officials to champion policies that create a globally competitive business environment.
About Schwarze Industries
Schwarze Industries, a leader in the street sweeping business for over fifty years, is committed to providing an extensive array of high-quality street and parking lot sweepers.
INDUSTR Y NEWS
HOW TO OBTAIN INVESTORS TO GROW YOUR PAVEMENT SWEEPING BUSINESS
ASSOCIA TION INSIDER
SPOTLIGHT INDEX
Well, you’ve got an excellent team, efficient organization, and worthy equipment, and people really like your service. You’re ready to scale. But, you need capital. What are your options? What are the steps necessary to attract funding for business growth if you pursue one of those routes to secure funds?
What are the caveats?
Yes, there are critical questions to be answered. Here’s a good place to start. It’s a list of common business growth funding sources and a little direction on how to proceed when you identify one or more types you think are most likely to produce the results you need to achieve your goals.
WHERE’S ALL THE MONEY FOR SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH?
Look through this list of common funding sources and narrow it down to one or a few that you think make sense to approach in your efforts to raise the capital you need to finance your plans for growing your business:
Bootstrapping
This is the use-your-own-money approach to getting
more money. What? It’s the obscure first option to finding funding. The beauty of it is that you don’t have to borrow or pay interest on the money you raise. It involves first making a list of your business and personal assets.
How to succeed with this approach: Make some, perhaps uncomfortable, choices of things you can live without while you sell them off and redirect their liquid value toward buying other things that you need more immediately to help raise money for expansion.
Caveat: Make sure the items you sell are really things you can live without, at least until you can replace them later.
Friends and Family
This can be a practical, though maybe awkward, but no- or low-cost approach to borrowing money for business expansion. It’s not for everybody. But, if you have an amenable social and/or familial support system, you may be able to save a lot of money on interest and avoid a lot of wasted time finding and slowly paying back traditional lenders.
How to succeed with this approach: Consider giving your family or friends who help you at least a small but appreciable interest rate to demonstrate to provide “something in it for them.”
Caveat: Don’t make a habit of this kind of borrowing. And, above all, pay your family and friends back on time.
Business Incubators and Accelerators
Business incubators help entrepreneurs move from the idea phase through the startup period. Accelerators help them advance beyond the startup and into the next phase of growth.
How to succeed with this approach: Find out which programs are likely to be most open to funding your business model. In other words, if you’re offering a diverse array of services in addition to pavement sweeping, apply to programs that can offer enough to help you scale across those lines.
Caveat: These funding selections can be highly competitive. You may need to apply to multiple programs to succeed and results are not assured.
Personal Investors
If you know or know of one or more people who may want to invest directly in your business because they are aware of its potential and are willing to take a risk on it, then this option may be right for you.
How to succeed with this approach: Ask people you know who they know who may be a good fit for your business and ask for contact information. Reach out and request a meeting. Show up and make your case.
Caveat: Set up an LLC, or incorporate to protect yourself and everyone who onboards as an investor from personal asset losses due to potential claims against the company. This also provides a legal structure in which to establish a power hierarchy and clear rules for functioning as a pair or larger group of owners.
Conventional Lenders
If you have built up sufficient equity in your business and/or personal assets, then this may be the simplest and fastest method of obtaining funding. That means you have enough loan value remaining in private property items, i.e., value that is not being used as security for other loans, to secure additional financing.
Venture capital firms tend to invest in businesses during the earliest part of the operations startup phase through the approaching close of the startup years.
How to succeed with this approach: Take your carefully composed business expansion plan to your lender of choice and see what they can do for you.
Caveat: Lenders want to lend, so if your credit history, equity profile, and profit plan make sense, you can probably expect to receive your requested funds this way, barring any adverse institutional or external economic factors.
Venture Capitalists
Venture capital firms tend to invest in businesses during the earliest part of the operations startup phase through the approaching close of the startup years. VC investors prefer growing startups with promising futures that have yet unproven potential for growth and large longer-term ROI.
How to succeed with this approach: It’s much less difficult to obtain venture capital investment if you have a strong reference from a credible financial associate of the VC investor you plan to approach.
For ambitious commercial sweeping business owners ready to scale and with a viable plan to do it, VC investment may well be accessible to you and a good option.
Caveat: To make an unsolicited presentation, make sure the value of your proposition is so undeniable
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INDUSTR Y NEWS
and in such high demand that the VC agent is pursuing you. Otherwise, you should be confident that you have included every item on the list of Business Plan package contents in the section below. The, look your best, balance your caffeine level, and treat the high-stakes presentation like the rather long shot that it probably is.
Private Equity Investors
ASSOCIA TION INSIDER
The Small Business Administration representative in your local area is there to assist you. You may be amazed at the amount and kinds of help your SBA agent can provide.
Caveat: The application processing period can be longer and more involved than in the private loan market, and results are not guaranteed.
SPOTLIGHT INDEX
Private equity investors prefer to invest in betterestablished businesses that show strong potential to increase their profit margins with the investment. PE firms typically are not inclined to take the long view, but instead prepare to exit after just a few years. Their model is to fund improvement of the business and then sell their interest at a profit.
How to succeed with this approach: PE has proven to be a viable resource for rapidly growing pavement sweeping organizations. At least one quickly scaling sweeping company in the southeast US has grown spectacularly in a short time, primarily through private equity investment, per our meeting with the owner. Caveat: Unless you are looking to scale to an unusual extent at an extraordinary rate, you are probably well advised to pursue less potentially engaged investors for your growing business.
Government Loan and Grant Programs
There are numerous alternatives in federally-funded loans and grants for small business owners. Loans from the government are usually at the lower end of available interest rates in any given lending market area or period. Federal business grants may be entirely interest-free.
How to succeed with this approach: Consult with your local SBA representative for the best current guidance on which opportunities make the most sense for you to explore and where and how to apply.
SEEK FREE GUIDANCE FROM YOUR LOCAL SBA ADVISOR
The Small Business Administration representative in your local area is there to assist you. You may be amazed at the amount and kinds of help your SBA agent can provide. At the very least, he/she is someone you can talk with freely about your goals, plans, and needs for your business and expect frank professional feedback and guidance intended to help you. The SBA can potentially even direct you to the best funding source, depending on your situation.
The SBA agent has a wealth of local, state, and national connections to valuable information sources and financial resource providers. The first step toward tapping into the vast reserve of knowledge and assistance that the SBA represents is just sitting down for a general conversation about what you have in mind for your business’s future.
PREPARE A VIABLE BUSINESS PLAN
You need a cohesive strategic plan for growth that prospective lenders and investors can clearly understand and support. Ideally, your Business Plan package should include:
4
4 Depreciation schedules
4 Statement of growth goals
4 Growth needs analysis
4 Research findings (with photos if applicable) used for estimating costs of proposed purchases of real
estate, vehicles, equipment, and other growthrelated expenditures.
4 Summary
GENERAL ADVICE FOR RAISING CAPITAL FOR GROWTH
When you’re ready, chances are that you’ll embark on one of the avenues for funding discussed above. Or, you may decide to try more cutting-edge approaches, like angel investors, online lending platforms, investment platforms, crowdfunding, or even social media. In any case, you’ll need to have a few things in place, as below.
Create both a persuasive elevator pitch and a longform presentation of your business plan and rationale to represent yourself and your company as a good credit/investment risk. No matter how good you are at preparing paper and/or digital presentations,
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INDUSTR Y NEWS
get someone with proofing skills and someone else with business skills for a total of at least two bright people to harshly scrutinize your material. You don’t have to take any of their suggestions, but be sure to gather them, at least for reference to what you might encounter when you present the plan to prospective lenders and/or investors.
CONGRATULATIONS – YOU’VE ALREADY COME FAR!
Nice work reaching the point in your entrepreneurial career at which you’re ready for the next challenge! That is, by any reasonable measure, a huge achievement in and of itself. What an exhilarating time! It means, by definition, that your success to date qualifies you to take the necessary next steps for even greater progress on your path toward fulfillment of your vision for your future and your life.
ASSOCIA TION INSIDER SPOTLIGHT
Expect failure. A little failure is good for the character anyway, right? So, don’t be put off by it. The credit bureaus and lenders don’t penalize applicants for multiple inquiries of the same type within a short period (of a few months or so). So, try to relax a little and, by all means, stay at it. If you’ve got a good case and stick with the effort, you’ll probably find a taker sooner rather than later, depending on larger economic variables, of course.
PWX provides a first-class multi-modal learning experience designed for professionals at all levels and across the entire spectrum of public works. Come prepared to see, hear, touch, and discuss in a variety of traditional and interactive sessions, seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities. Attendees can also spend time on North America’s largest exhibit floor for public works equipment and services— we’ve carved out generous portions of non-compete time, so you don’t miss any sessions. Kick tires, talk about technology, or get the scoop on new products.
SEPTEMBER 8–11, 2024
GEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTER ATLANTA, GA
AEBI SCHMIDT GROUP
The Aebi Schmidt Group is a global leader in intelligent solutions for customers who care for clean and safe infrastructure and cultivate challenging grounds. Based on our competitive product range, we strive for total solutions, enabling an economic, safe and traceable treatment. Our ultimate mission is to improve the performance of our customers. Booth #1823
BUCHER MUNICIPAL
As your trusted partner, we’ll always be there for you. We prioritise being able to deliver local support. With 18 production sites and 180+ Customer Service Centeres, spread across five continents, we have you covered no matter where you’re based. And with our in-depth understanding of local conditions and requirements, you can rely on us to help you grow your business and deliver more, every day. Booth #1109
ELGIN SWEEPER CO
Elgin Sweeper Company, is the leading manufacturer of sweepers for municipal, contractor, airport, and industrial sweeping needs. Elgin offers the world''s broadest selection of street sweeping solutions including mechanical, vacuum, and recirculating air models. Vactor Manufacturing, is the number one supplier of truckmounted combination sewer and catch basin cleaners and jetters. Booth #1223
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS, INC. ODRA ROAD SWEEPERS
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL
PRODUCTS is one of the world’s leading producers of specialized Street Cleaning Equipment. We build Purpose Built, Heavy Duty, and simply Tough Street Sweepers. Headquartered in San Bernardino, CA, we believe in Reliable, Affordable and Innovative products. We are proud to say that our sweepers are Made in the USA. Booth #815
At ODRA, we manufacture chassis mounted mechanical road sweepers. These road sweepers are robust and reliable machines that feature high fuel efficiency and low operational cost. Our sweepers have been improved and perfected for over 15 years and have shown extensive success with both municipalities and private contractors as being reliable, simple build, easy to operate and very versatile. Booth #1847
MULTIHOG RAVO
Multihog manufacture a range of multi-purpose tractors and sweepers which are ideal for municipal and facility maintenance all year round. Various attachments can be mounted on to the machine both front and rear, including snow plow, grass mower, cold planer (asphalt), boom mower, de-icer, high pressure washer, sweeper and many more. Booth #501
NITEHAWK SWEEPERS
NiteHawk engineers, builds, and sells the highest quality sweepers on the market. We have a passion for helping our customers succeed and grow successful businesses. We are committed to making your priorities our priorities, and we’ll continue to provide you with the best products, warranty, and service. Booth #647
OLD DOMINION BRUSH COMPANY
The ODB Company has been reliably serving municipalities since 1910 with high performing, long lasting street sweeper brooms and brushes. From street sweeper brushes and brooms, to debris and leaf collection equipment that are recognized as the highest performing and most efficient systems available. Booth #847
The Fayat Environmental Solutions Group (FES), consisting of Dulevo, Mathieu, Ravo, and Scarab, stands as the global leader in sweeping machines. Operating in the US, FES boasts a vast network of 24+ dealers and is headquartered in NC. Offering sweeping solutions for highways, streets, bike paths, and sidewalks, we showcase products like the updated Dulevo D-Zero and RAVO 5e Series electric sweepers. Booth #937
SCHWARZE INDUSTRIES
Schwarze Industries has been committed to providing an exceptional level of customer support, offering one of the most comprehensive sweeper lines in the sweeping business, including models for parking area cleaning, industrial sweeping, mall and shopping center sweeping and stormwater runoff management. Booth #1231
TYMCO Manufactures
of Regenerative Air Sweepers. Environmentally friendly sweeping on paved or concrete surfaces. This true Regenerative Air System is equally efficient in wet or dry conditions. TYMCO’s are designed for low maintenance. This allows them to maintain your sweeping schedules. Booth #529
