North American Sweeper - February 2024

2005-2024

9

2005-2022

FEBRUARY 2024

INSIDE IN THE NEWS p.18 5 HOTTEST TOPICS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN 2024! p.22 THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN STREAMLINING STREET-SWEEPING BUSINESSES p. 28

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 4 N O RT H A M E RI C AN SWEEPER 3

FEBRUARY 2024 | VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 2

CONTENTS

F E AT U R E S 8

Growing the Elite Sweeping Company in KC 2024

18 In The News 22 5 Hottest Topics for Small Business Owners in 2024!

28 The Role of Technology in Streamlining Street-Sweeping Businesses 34 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 2023 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.

4 NO R TH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R F EBR UA RY 2024

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r SWEEPER u o Y FINANCING

SPECIALISTS Elise

Jayme

Michael

CONTACT US: 877-701-2391 | OakmontFinance.com

6 NO R TH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R F EBR UA RY 2024

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Broom Bear

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T H E L E G E N DA R Y P O W E R 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

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Questions?

B U I L T F O R C L E A N . B A C K E D F O R LIFE.

Ask an Expert! ©2023 Elgin Sweeper Company

SPOTLIGHT

INDEX

GROWING THE ELITE SWEEPING COMPANY I N KC 2 024

8 NO R TH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R F EBR UA RY 2024

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What’s so unique about the Elite Sweeping Company, Inc., in Kansas City, Kansas? Well, the business has sustained its long-term success on consistency in service quality for over four decades. And, yes, that is a huge achievement by any standard.

That track record puts the Elite organization in the class of exceptional providers in the commercial pavement sweeping industry. But, that’s not the focus of this 2024 report. Here, the question should be — what is most unique about the structure of this interesting business?

continued on page 10

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SPOTLIGHT

N

INDEX

AS featured Elite as our Spotlight business over five years ago in the August 2018 issue.

The company operates in the medium-sized urban market of Kansas City. David and Debbie Dearth,

David and Debbie Dearth, veterans of the sweeper equipment sales

veterans of the sweeper equipment sales industry,

industry, founded Elite in 2005 as a

founded Elite in 2005 as a family business, along

family business, along with their son

with their son Casey and his wife Julie, who share

Casey and his wife Julie, who share

ownership of the company. That’s different.

We talk with many sweeping business owners

ownership of the company.

throughout the US who have family members engaged in their businesses at some level, from

stake and one of the top leadership roles while the

yard and fleet cleaning to admin support, to

parents are still so highly active in the business.

driving, to mechanical assistance, to managerial

ELITE PROGRESS SINCE 2018 – CASEY DEARTH

positions in the shop, office, or field. However,

When we spoke with the Dearths in 2018, they liked

very few we’ve met have advanced a young son or

their business model and their expressed primary

daughter to a partnership status with an ownership

plan going forward was to stay on the course they

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had set for Elite. But, they were clearly flexible. Their

on the company’s services, “We do what our clients

exceptionally ordered system and the great agility

ask for. We strive to take care of our customers the

it afforded them was one of the organizational

best we can.” As a result, the Elite portering, power

character traits that most inspired us to share their

washing, window cleaning, sign replacement, lock

story at that time. They continue to emphasize

repair, and other maintenance services have led to

their ability to deliver the KC area’s most responsive

customized service packages tailored to meet each

service to meet challenges and provide the most

client’s specific needs.

practical solutions for customers.

TOP QUALITY SERVICE IN THE KC SWEEPING MARKET

Most of Elite’s accounts are with large retail

Elite’s service area reaches far beyond the KC metro

companies, property management firms, and

diameter to Lawrence Springs KS, St. Joseph, MO,

large sporting events services. A significant

and Raymore MO. Demand for the company’s service

percentage also comes

is highest in the spring.

from national account

Volume stays steady during

Elite provides

managers contracting to

the remainder of the year all

local sweeping services.

sweeping services for all

Additionally, Elite provides

Kansas City Chiefs events

sweeping services for all

and Sporting KC

the company is especially

soccer events.

busy because it is one of very

Kansas City Chiefs events and Sporting KC soccer

the way through the winter.

From late fall to mid-spring,

few parking lot sweepers in

events.

KC with equipment that can

Casey Dearth joined his parents as an owner in

pick up the salt and sand from the pavement. In the

business with strong automotive mechanical skills.

Midwest, sand and salt deteriorate poorly managed

Over his years in the company, he has become an

parking lots. Debbie has explained that the level

experienced pavement sweeper mechanical repair

of detail the Elite team applies provides much

shop leader as well as a highly capable business

longer-lasting protection for clients’ properties,

leader in the Elite enterprise. Casey’s wife Julie

and that performance sets the company’s service

came in with impressive administrative skills,

apart in quality.

developed through her former experience in the insurance industry.

ENSURING PROFITABILITY IN THE PAVEMENT SWEEPING INDUSTRY

The fully-rounded family business management

Elite’s pricing policy has not been relaxed since

group has continued to build their strong customer

we originally spoke to the principals in 2018.

base largely through word-of-mouth advertising.

As David explained back then, “We’ve got to

They have increased their team size accordingly.

hold our pricing. With paying employees,

Today, Elite has about 25 employees.

you’ve got to stick to your pricing.” In fact,

Elite’s revenues are over 90% from pavement

since COVID, the company has undertaken to

sweeping. But, per David’s earlier (2018) comment

trim its customer rolls and streamline routes to continued on page 12

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INDEX

SPOTLIGHT

help further ensure the long-term profitability of

What we could do to make up for it was cut some

all the revenue segments.

business that we were not making a profit on. That

We have long-term relationships with the

meant changing our routes, but it was worth it.

majority of our customers. We’re still growing

We were able to make most routes more efficient.

every year. If a certain property management

Doing that allowed us to prevent sacrificing our

group adds a couple of new properties, we

quality of work just to keep customers that we

grow with them. So, over the past five years,

were losing money on. We don’t want to cut a

we’ve grown. But, instead of just trying to

customer short just to maintain the business

grow, we’ve also been focused on weeding

with that company. After all, our name is on that

out unprofitable accounts. Over the years,

service.

we’ve learned a lot about the pricing and the

BUILDING THE ELITE BRAND IN THE KC REGION 2024

profitability of it. We’ve had a lot of accounts that

Debbie emphasized Elite’s professional image

we were losing money on. Most of our business

in 2018. She said the company upgrades and

is contractor work. So, even though payroll has

maintains the trucks, washes them weekly,

increased tremendously, I couldn’t increase my

and maintains attractive signage on them. She

prices for 3 years in many cases.

explained that these measures collectively help

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4 Unparalleled Responsiveness: The company is

The company is one of the few service providers in their area that can respond as quickly as

one of the few service providers in their area that can respond as quickly as they do. When a customer calls, the Elite team can send a team member immediately.

This incomparable response time distinguishes the

they do. When a customer calls,

Elite organization in the area and the industry.

the Elite team can send a team

4 Double Coverage: Elite dispatches two workers

member immediately.

in each truck. Most companies send just one. By double-teaming, one worker can drive and run the sweeper while the other blows out the corners and

customers have greater confidence in their service

picks up debris on the property. This ultra-efficient

and validate their decision to contract with them

method boosts quality and productivity – the time-

and that the pristine equipment seen working on

proven combination for building a great brand.

their property becomes, in essence, an asset to the

4 State-of-the-Art Technology: All Elite drivers

customer’s own business. Other outstanding features

are equipped with the latest iPhone versions to

of Elite’s service include:

accommodate national Apps required by some continued on page 14

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SPOTLIGHT

INDEX

corporate dispatchers. (In 2018, Elite workers were experiencing the typical issues with those Apps.

Elite business owners

Per Casey, since then, many of the kinks have been

have made it a theme of their

worked out.) Elite also has the latest GPS tech, The trucks have dash cameras facing outward for

company management to prevent

remote monitoring by Elite headquarters. Plus,

unprofitable pricing practices

cameras providing video of the truck interiors ensure

and customer commitments

comprehensive information for validation. Casey appreciates the tech evolution. Now, with AI, we can

in their business.

do so much more to provide superior assurance of optimum customer satisfaction.

Casey, as the resident tech aficionado, spends time managing the company’s IT, cameras, and other business support technologies, and he stays up to date on advancements in the kinds of tech the company uses.

LOOKING AT ELITE’S 10-YEAR PLAN A HALF-DECADE LATER

The Elite owners said in 2018 that they were pretty happy with the business’s growth rate of around 10% to 20% per year up to that time. They were bypassing some opportunities for others that made more sense in terms of long-term growth and sustained profitability. For example, instead of public street sweeping and meeting the frequent requests for construction site sweeping, the cost vs. benefit rationale did not support their objectives and goals as well as their existing commercial property service model. Further, the Elite business owners have made it a theme of their company management to prevent unprofitable pricing practices and customer commitments in their business.

ELITE’S EVOLVED INDUSTRY INSIGHTS – 2024

Today, in January 2024, Debbie notes that things are still going very well for their KC sweeping business.

We’re still the Number 1 sweeping company in Kansas City. Her insight from 2018 on how to succeed still holds true, of course: If you do good work, do what you say you’re going to do, and show up on time, that’s what it’s all about in a service business.

Asked in 2024 about what he’s learned over these five years about being a part of a family business,

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Casey’s response is largely about the efficiency

worked for many, if not most businesses, who use

benefits of the clear division of labor among the

sweeping services in town. They know about us. Most

management team members.

new accounts come because they’re not happy with

As a young new entrepreneur reflecting on

the service they’re getting from another provider.

what he’s learned about being a leader in a family

We focus on the point that you get what you pay

business, Casey is more introspective. It really is just

for. In a service business, time is money. We try to

communication, talking with each other, backing

help people clearly understand how much time we

each other’s decisions, not stepping on each other’s

will need to spend on their property. We can do it,

toes. For example, if I need to make a decision, I can

for example, one day or seven days per week, in 10

trust in our communications and my dad knows I will

minutes each time. But, we recommend the actual

do the same when he makes a decision.

number of minutes it takes to do a quality job, and

When asked what he’s learned about success in the

then they decide.

commercial pavement sweeping industry in the past

Basically, we’re just telling them how it is. At the end

five years, Casey offers straightforward big-picture

of the day, everything turns on the money. It’s this

insights. We’ve been in it long enough that we’ve

much per minute, and the question is, “How many continued on page 16

Replacement Brooms You Can Rely On.

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 4 N O R T H A M E R I C A N SWEEPER 15

SPOTLIGHT

INDEX

minutes do you want?” By pushing this time-based

sweeping industry is about good management

pricing model, we can show people exactly what

of communications, overall efficiency, superior

they’re getting for their money.

quality, and practical pricing.

What more should be added to a pavement sweeping service business update from a young

For more information about the Elite Sweeping

entrepreneur in leadership of a thriving business?

Company, Kansas City, KS, call 913-207-2967 or visit

The Dearths have been attending to successful

elitesweeping.com.

company culture, retention, quality management, and branding for over four decades. Plus, they’ve kept pace with technologies, and their still growing.

Casey Dearth has come to the management of a family business that is well prepared for change and meeting the challenges of the next decade under his generation of leadership. He has already well learned that success in the commercial

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 4 N O R T H A M E R I C A N SWEEPER 17

IN THE NEWS

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

INDEX SPOTLIGHT KEYSTONE PLASTICS, INC. WELCOMES TERRY PARSONS AS SALES/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE

South Plainfield, NJ, January 2024 — Keystone

Terry’s career highlights include successful tenures

Plastics, Inc., a leading manufacturer of replacement

as General Manager at Alamo Group Inc. and Chief

brooms for street sweeping and road construction,

Operating Officer at Heil of Texas, where he played

is thrilled to announce the newest addition to their

pivotal roles in transforming operations, driving

team, Terry Parsons, who joins as the Sales/Business

growth, and instilling a high-performing culture.

Development Executive.

His professional journey is marked by achievements

In his role at Keystone

including tripling company revenue, revitalizing

Plastics, Terry will serve as a

sales efforts, and implementing strategic initiatives

Sales/Business Development

that have left a lasting impact.

Executive, focusing on managing

Mike Santos, Director of Sales and Marketing

business relationships, driving

commented, “We’re genuinely excited to welcome

sales growth, and building

Terry to our team! His extensive industry knowledge,

and maintaining distribution programs. His

stellar reputation, and positive attitude are valuable

responsibilities involve providing client support,

assets that will contribute to our growth and

developing new product and business opportunities,

enhance the support we provide to our

and actively participating in marketing and events to

customers.”

promote the KPI brand.

Terry is a highly accomplished senior executive

About Keystone Plastics Keystone Plastics, Inc. has been an industry leader

with a dynamic background in developing and

for over 70 years, manufacturing the highest quality

implementing transformational strategies aimed

replacement brooms for street sweeping and road

at propelling revenue, optimizing operations, and

construction. Known for reliable quality and unrivaled

fostering sustainable organizational growth. Terry

customer service, Keystone offers a complete line of

brings a proven track record of aligning highperforming teams with corporate vision, forging valuable partnerships, and delivering tactical roadmaps for business value.

1 8 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R F EBR UA RY 2024

innovative products, including All-Pro Strip Brooms, Tube Brooms, and custom brush solutions for OEMs and specialty applications. For more information about Keystone Plastics street sweeping brooms and brushes, visit www.kpbrush.com or call toll free 1.800.635.5238 ,

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 4 N O R T H A M E R I C A N SWEEPER 19

IN THE NEWS

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

SPOTLIGHT repurposedMATERIALS WORKING TO HELP COMMUNITIES SAVE MONEY WHILE ALSO PREVENTING UNNECESSARY WASTE

INDEX

W

hile it is impossible to know for sure how

good things must end, even the effectiveness

many street sweeper brooms are replaced

of street sweeper brooms.

each year, there are ways to get some idea of the

And the environmental impact is bigger than just

number.

street sweepers. Tube brooms are used for sweeping

New York City alone has about 450 traditional

airport runways and for asphalt paving, as well as

street sweepers. Denver has 30. While most small

numerous other tasks.

communities might have just one or two street

Is there a way to prevent these tube brooms from

sweepers, you can begin to imagine how

being sent directly to the dump? Is there a

many of these machines are in operation

second life for a tube broom once it ceases

across the country.

to be effective at its original purpose?

For a variety of factors – from age and

To put a new twist on an old phrase,

maintenance of the machine to the type

“One man’s trash is an animal’s treasure.”

of streets and the debris on them to the

Tube brooms are being utilized as

expertise of the operator – street sweeper

scratching posts for large animals in

brooms must periodically be replaced. It’s

pastures, livestock pens and in zoos

estimated that in an average community, a

across the country. To the delight of

street sweeper goes through three to four

everything from horses and cows to

brooms per year.

giraffes, elephants and hippos, used tube

Environmentally conscious street

brooms can serve a second purpose.

maintenance managers may do their best to

A “repurposing” leader is working to help

recycle used items, but sweeper brooms,

communities save money while also preventing

which consist of multiple materials, aren’t easily

unnecessary waste. One of his most popular

recycled.

products is tube brooms.

Actually, the best way to divert something from

“Our biggest customer for repurposed tube

the landfill is to simply continue the use it. For as

brooms is Ted Turner, who owns more than

long as possible that an item or material can fulfill

50,000 bison on ranches from New Mexico to

its original function, it stays out of the dump. But all

Kansas to Montana,” said Damon Carson, owner of

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the reprocessing of materials. It uses energy, another

“We all have a part to play in protecting our environment,”... “It makes sense environmentally and economically...”

kind of waste. It’s expensive. And it’s inefficient.

For those reasons, recycling ranks just above ‘wasteto-energy’ (i.e. burning) on the waste hierarchy.

Rather than melting, shredding, chipping or grinding – the recycling process – repurposedMATERIALS finds new uses for materials in their current form.

repurposedMATERIALS. “The Turner Bison Program

“If something is obsolete to the primary user, that

has purchased about 50 tube brooms from us over

doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value somewhere,” Carson

time.”

said. “If you find yourself saying ‘I can’t use this. What

RepurposedMATERIALS is helping industries

am I going to do with it?’ that’s where we come in.”

across the nation reduce their environmental impact

Generally speaking, once the bristles wear to a

by finding a second life for a surprising number

specific point – often considered about half their

of items. Here are few of repurposedMATERIALS’

original length – they need to be replaced. Not

creative applications of used materials:

replacing them on time not only reduces their

4 Retired mining conveyor belts are great track mats

effectiveness, it puts additional strain on the

for protecting sod, asphalt, and other surfaces

equipment.

from tracked equipment on construction projects

Small communities may be throwing away a dozen

4 Used advertising billboard vinyls make for good

or so street sweeper tube brooms each year. A major

waterproof tarps for keeping construction

city could be throwing away thousands. Carson hopes

materials dry

to help prolong the usefulness of street sweeper

4 Highway guardrails are used for fencing and retaining walls

brooms, thus diverting them from the landfill.

Carson challenges those in every industry to

“We all have a part to play in protecting our

consider if there are “repurpose-able” options for

environment,” said repurposedMATERIALS owner

their obsolete materials before simply banishing

Damon Carson. “It makes sense environmentally

them to the landfill.

and economically. Giving materials a second life

“We adhere to the belief ‘It is not a waste until it is

keeps them out of the landfill, which can come with

wasted,’” Carson said.

surprising cost savings.”

For advice on repurposing materials, contact Carson

For half a century, the solution to the waste

by telephone at 720-615-0281, or by email at damon@

problem has been recycling. But recycling involves

repurposedmaterialsinc.com.

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BUSINESS CORNER

I N D U S T RY N E W S

5TOPICS HOTTEST

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

for Small Business Owners in 2024!

As a small business owner, of course,

S P O T Lyou I Gneed H T to stay alert to changing

SBA 2024 OUTLOOK ON KEY TOPICS FOR ENTREPRENEURS

I NareDwell E Xaware, the small business economic As you

trends in your market and the larger

subsector has been through a lot over the past

economy. Here is the list of issues

several years. But, the recovery continues and

determined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to be the hottest

it’s time to plan for further progress in the next quarters of 2024. Predicting the future is the job of strategic planners. It’s an endeavor that requires an

for entrepreneurs going into 2024.

abundance of relevant special knowledge.

This information was published in

That includes current information about the most

late November 2023. But, if you’re seeing it here for the first time, in

pressing challenges confronting your industry and the broader consumer environment. Here are the top trending topics for small business owners to be

February 2024, don’t worry. These

aware of for planning this year:

areas of emphasis offer opportunities

1. Customer Experience Rules All Markets

for significant changes through this

The hallmark of the most well-managed businesses has always been high customer satisfaction. But, as

year by starting in Q1/Q2 on a track

the markets have become so much more intensely

toward improvements. Let’s look at

competitive in recent decades, the customer

the primary ideas around each

experience that generates high satisfaction levels

change and the most economical approach(es) to implementation.

2 2 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R F EBR UA RY 2024

has become the central area of focus for all smart business operators. That includes commercial pavement sweeping business owners.

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more appealing small business brand. Yes, we’re in a

Sales, Marketing,

digital era, and functioning in the business world is increasingly a remote online proposition. However,

Shipping, Customer Service,

that reality makes excellence in soft skills even more

Billing, Management, and

important now.

all departments must share in providing an overall customer experience that is personalized and consistently positive.

Ironically, while AI promises to be the wave of the future, high emotional intelligence is today’s most valuable skill set for business managers and their teams. Some extent of human interaction is necessary in the U.S. commercial sector, so interpersonal skills (soft skills) remain among the most highly valued attributes for professionals in most roles throughout an organization. Ask the representative at your local SBA Learning Center about training resources to help

Naturally, product and service quality and fair

your workers strengthen your team’s soft skills.

pricing have always been and will always be essentials

3. Sustainability Rises in Consumer Priorities

to business success in this industry. But what the SBA

We’ve all seen the evolution of sustainability as a

references as the “customer experience economy”

business factor over the past couple of decades.

encompasses all the customer-facing aspects of

Today, this priority has become a requirement for

commercial business you may manage. Perhaps

many B2C and B2B consumers. The SBA reports that

that includes diversified lines in other exterior

a study from their source revealed that nearly 80%

maintenance services, container rental products,

of U.S. consumers surveyed said living a sustainable

etc. Sales, Marketing, Shipping, Customer Service,

lifestyle is important for them and that they prefer to

Billing, Management, and all departments must share

do businesses with companies that share their values

in providing an overall customer experience that is

in this regard.

personalized and consistently positive.

Among the many options for developing greener

2. Maximal Value on Soft Skills

small business operations are:

In service of your goal to improve the customer

4 Provide remote work opportunities.

experience metric, a more mindful human touch is

4 Go solar in your business.

encouraged as the ready pathway to becoming a

4 Use low-flow water faucets.

continued on page 24

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4 Buy electric fleet vehicles.

AI is now a permanent part of the

4 Provide incentives for carpooling.

business environment. It may be

4 Use sustainable vendors for all services possible.

controversial, plagued with uncertainties, rife with ethical risks, etc., but it’s not going away.

As a starting point, all companies with the financial wherewithal should retrofit tech architecture and subsystems...

4 Increase insulation value in your buildings.

4 Switch to energy efficient light bulbs and appliances.

4 Set thermostats on fixed seasonal settings.

4 Use sustainable building materials for new facilities.

4 Properly maintain all equipment and vehicles.

4 Many other sustainability measures.

See your local SBA rep for additional great and achievable ideas for increased sustainability in small business operations.

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4. Pervasive Artificial Intelligence

explore affordable ways that AI can increase your

AI is now a permanent part of the business

competitiveness.

environment. It may be controversial, plagued

5. Cybersecurity Awareness Increases

with uncertainties, rife with ethical risks, etc.,

One of the arguably least exciting and most

but it’s not going away. As a starting point, all

critically important areas of business planning

companies with the financial wherewithal should

this year is improving data security. Virtually all

retrofit tech architecture and subsystems where

small businesses are immersed in the data-driven

necessary to accommodate the greater efficiencies

business economy. A business’s reputation and

of AI-friendly software platforms.

continued success depend on fully secure data

The SBA reports that their data source finds

collection, storage, analysis, and protection

that over 90% of small businesses using AI

processes.

have said it’s made them more successful.

Consumers need to know that their financial

The benefits in marketing, sales, and operations,

and other personal information is being handled

are vast. It’s time for every small business to

securely by every business they entrust with continued on page 26

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BUSINESS CORNER

the responsibility to manage it when they make

...even most INDU S T Rthe Y N E Wconservative S accounts of national and international economics experts, 2024 is anticipated to be a good year for business growth. T hat’s very exciting information for entrepreneurs looking to move into the second half of this decade on a strong SPOTLIGHT growth trajectory.

transactions by phone, online, or at physical points of sale. Among the many steps you may take to improve your company’s data from common cyber threats, you can: 4 Add two- or three-factor authentication to login protocols.

4 Add anti-malware A S S O C Iand ATanti-virus I O N software INSIDER upgrades.

4 Contract with an off-site IT system security monitoring service.

4 Use a VPN. 4 Implement routine server backups.

INDEX

4 Install other data theft and corruption protections.

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SBA OVERALL OUTLOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN 2024

From plans for daily operations to long-term growth strategies, you should include at least some extent of discussion about each of the above issues in forming your strategic plan for 2024 - 2025. By even the most conservative accounts of national and international

a good place to start. The next step is to start using your imagination and help resources to find unidentified ways you can leverage some or all of these concepts to some degree at no-cost or lowcost. It’s a good way to improve efficiency and to help and impress your customers and elevate your brand.

economics experts, 2024 is anticipated to be a good year for business growth. That’s very exciting information for entrepreneurs looking to move into the second half of this decade on a strong growth trajectory. The SBA offers free counseling and a range of training opportunities to help you stay on track.

Reviewing the brief guide above to digest this year’s priorities for modern small businesses is

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BUSINESS CORNER

I N D U S T RY N E W S

The Role of Technology in Streamlining A S S O C I AT I O N I N S I D E R Street-Sweeping Businesses times have you heard the I Nphrase D E X “time is money” S P O THow L I G Hmany T when talking about best business practices?

W

hile it’s a cliche, it’s based on a truthful

WHAT ARE THE TRADITIONAL CHALLENGES IN

premise. The longer a task takes, the

STREET SWEEPING?

more expensive it becomes to action. Where a

Traditional street-sweeping businesses face a

business needs to take on more customers to

number of challenges. Many rely on manual

expand, streamlining a process is crucial. When

processes to handle data, update systems,

trying to grow, streamlining your processes

and manage finances. Any manual operation

so they are as efficient as possible can be the

is prone to errors, i.e., data entry mistakes.

difference between shutting your business

Manual processes are also slow and labor-

down or expanding your operations.

intensive, making them difficult to scale.

Increasingly, street-sweeping businesses

Some tasks are often too complex for a

are turning to technology to drive them

human to plan efficiently. Route planning for

forward. Technology can save money, improve

multiple teams and machines can be time-

efficiency, and automate repetitive tasks to free

consuming and so difficult that the only way

up employees to carry out more complex (and

to make the planning as efficient as possible is

important) projects.

to introduce a technology-based tool.

Let’s look at how technology can benefit a

Other challenges include equipment

street-sweeping operation.

costs and maintenance, with the specialist

continued on page 30

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 4 N O R T H A M E R I C A N SWEEPER 29

BUSINESS CORNER

equipment required for street sweeping being

I N D U S ...there T RY N EW are theSmanual

processes often found in the back office. From HR to training,

expensive to purchase and keep in good order.

Finally, there are the manual processes often found in the back office. From HR to training, many companies still process these tasks manually.

Technology can help staff be more efficient,

many companies still process

minimize data errors, and support employees out in

these tasks manually. Technology

the field.

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

can help staff be more efficient, minimize data errors, and support employees out S P O T L I G H in T the field.

What are the Technological Solutions that Benefit Street-Sweeping Businesses?

Technology can be the answer to the challenges faced by a more traditional business. Areas where technology can provide benefits include:

INDEX

4 GPS technology for route optimization: Tracking vehicles in real-time can help optimize routes.

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Vehicle tracking and route optimization also support improved fuel efficiency, which, in turn,

Paying close attention to customer data, particularly around sales, can help determine which products and services

reduces fuel costs.

you should be offering.

4 Automated street-sweeping equipment: Newer models of street-sweepers have the ability to automate some or all of their functions, helping to save time and labor costs.

4 Data analytics for performance monitoring: Analysing data from all areas of the business can help to improve efficiency. Paying close attention to customer data, particularly around sales, can help determine which products and services you should be offering.

Data analytics is also extremely

TRUE REGENERATIVE AIR SWEEPING !

Model 600® COMDEX ® Street Sweeper

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useful for managing your fleet of vehicles and equipment, allowing you to determine when and how frequently vehicles should be checked and undergo maintenance.

4 Environmental considerations: Running an environmentally friendly business is becoming more important, and technology can assist. From eco-friendly cleaning products and technologies to lowemission sweepers, technology can be utilized to improve your

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 !

business. continued on page 32

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

Model 600 Illustration

FROM THE PEOPLE WHO INVENTED REGENERATIVE AIR SWEEPING! w w w. na sweeper.co m

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BUSINESS CORNER

CHALLENGES IN ADOPTING TECHNOLOGY AND

As the technologies develop further, costs will

FUTURE TRENDS IN STREET-SWEEPING

fall and enable more efficiency, freeing you up to

While many technologies are available to

concentrate on building your business.

I N D U S T RY N E W S

street-sweeping businesses, there is some resistance. Introducing changes can be both

Sources

risky and expensive, so it’s important to

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/advancresearch thoroughly and take A S S O Cing-street-cleaning-technologies/ I AT I O N I N S I D E R https://www.gruntify.com/sweepadvice from a trusted source. ing-success-enhancing-street-cleanIt’s also important to look It’s also important ing-operations-with-maps-and-effito the future; technological cient-scheduling/ to look to the future; changes move fast, and new https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/weride-autonomous-street-sweepers/ developments occur almost technological changes I N D E X https://info.rastrac.com/blog/ SPOTLIGHT daily. Several municipalities gps-fleet-tracking-benefits-top-tipsmove fast, and are using AI worldwide to for-municipal-street-cleaning-manhelp measure litter in real new developments agement time and indicate which https://www.govtech.com/ occur almost daily. sponsored/videos/enhancareas need cleaning most ing-street-sweeper-efficienurgently. A system used in cy-and-effectiveness Chatel-St-Denis in Switzerland https://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/spring11articles/ uses cameras attached to buses and other better-street-sweeping-management.html municipal vehicles to identify different litter https://schwarze.com/en/maximizing-the-efficiency-of-your-street-sweepers/ categories and sort that information by location and https://www.worldnoashtray.com/en/be-inspired/ amount. That data is then used to determine can-ai-help-clean-our-cities--how-artificial-intelligencewhich areas get cleaned first. could-/ We’ve touched on the technological

innovation available to street-sweeping businesses currently, and while many of the examples require a considerable investment, careful planning and research will help guide you toward making decisions that will ultimately benefit your business.

3 2 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R F EBR UA RY 2024

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WE CAN CREATE A RENTAL PROGRAM TO ALIGN WITH SWEEPING CONTRACTS YOU HAVE WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS

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INDEX

Bensink.........................................................................................13 704-658-1333 / buchermunicipal.com

Safety Vision.................................................................................12 800-851-4764 / safetyvision.com

Elgin Sweeper Company................................................................7 elginregenx.com

Schwarze Industries Inc.................................................................5 800-879-7933 / schwarze.com

R OSales D U&CService.............................................................3 T W AT C H FMIPTruck 800-927-8750 Global Sweeping Solutions............................................................2 909-713-1600 / globalsweeper.com Gregory Highway..........................................................................29 866-994-4929 / gregoryhighway.com KeyStone Street Sweeping Brooms............................................15 800-635-5238 / kpbrush.com NAPSA..........................................................................................24 info@powersweeping.org Nite-Hawk Sweepers................................................................6, 26 800-448-9364 / nitehawksweepers.com Nomad.........................................................................................BC 450-530-9873 / balaisnomad.com Oakmont Capital Services LLC......................................................6 320-844-8800 / oakmontfinance.com ODRA Sweeper.............................................................................17 844-888-6372 / odrasweeper.com The ODB Co..................................................................................35 800-446-9823 / www.odbco.com Pat’s Pump & Blower....................................................................14 800-359-7867 / patspump.com

3 4 NORTH AMERIC AN S WE E P E R F EBR UA RY 2024

SEALMATE....................................................................................30 sealmate.com Sharpco Sweeper Shoes................................................................4 313-343-4328/800-372-5007/sharpcosweepershoes.com Skavin’jer Street Sweepers..........................................................34 888-652-2137 / skavinjer.com Stewart-Amos Equipment Co........................................................4 800-482-2302 / stewart-amos.com Street Smart..................................................................................33 888-653-6800 / streetsmartrental.com Sweeper Parts Sales....................................................................27 877-695-3060 / sweeperpartssales.com Trinity Highway.............................................................................16 888-323-6374 / trinityhighway.com Tymco............................................................................................31 800-258-9626 / tymco.com United Rotary Brush Corporation..................................................3 800-851-5108 / united-rotary.com Victory Sweeper...........................................................................25 844-479-3373 / victorysweepers.com World Insurance...........................................................................19 866-793-9999 Xpress Sweeping Inc....................................................................13 401-523-6116 / xpresssweeping.com

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