Issuu

2005-2026

JANUARY 2026

Welcome to Paradise! Paradise Sweeping Service Charlotte and Raleigh, NC p8

INSIDE MANUFACTURERS SPEAK ON 2025 SWEEPER SUMMIT AND 2026 SWEEPER INNOVATIONS p 50

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J A N UA RY 2 0 2 6 N O R T H A M E R I C AN SWEEPER 3

JANUARY 2026 | VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 1

CONTENTS

FEATURES 8

Welcome to Paradise! Paradise Sweeping Service Charlotte and Raleigh, NC

22 Frequency of Street Sweeping and Its Effects on Water Quality - Fayat Cleantech

SEE US AT BOOTH 962

32 2025 Sweeper Summit Round Table - Transforming Leads into Loyal Customers 36 In the News 38 Powersweeper Broom Design and Longevity 44 Winterizing the sweeper’s dust suppression system 46 How Oakmont Financing Can Help Your Business Grow in 2026 50 Manufacturers Speak on 2025 Sweeper Summit and 2026 Sweeper Innovations 54 Index of Advertisers CEO & PUBLISHER Gideon W. Smith SENIOR EDITOR Katherine Nolan ADVERTISING Tracy Rodean 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 2026 by Phoenix Global Media Inc. All rights reserved.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Melissa Kennelly EDITORIAL MANAGER Heidi Karpinich CIRCULATION Noah Aiden 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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SEE US AT BOOTH 315

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Broom Bear

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

WELCOME TO PARADISE!

Paradise Sweeping Service Charlotte and Raleigh, NC Paradise means getting “Quality For Less,” according

drive of Paradise Owner, Michael Reyes and his talented

to the Paradise Sweeping slogan embedded with the

team of service professionals. Here, Michael talks about

company’s logo. The tagline for this North Carolina

Paradise:

powersweeping and maintenance service further

HOW MICHAEL REYES FOUND PARADISE

asserts the Paradise team’s priority: “Helping your

My dad, Jorge Reyes, started a lawn care business

business make a winning first impression.” This

before I was born. I grew up in that business. My dad

package of introductory catchphrases is a bit of creative

and brother still have the Paradise Lawn Service. I

marketing handiwork that captures the inspiration and

kinda fell into the sweeping idea from there. I saw the

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SPOTLIGHT

My dad, Jorge Reyes, started a lawn care business before I was born... I kinda fell into the sweeping idea from there. I saw the big sweeper trucks in my area and thought it would be cool to work with that kind of heavy equipment.

big sweeper trucks in my area and thought it would

It was a corporation and their service was suffering. So,

be cool to work with that kind of heavy equipment. My

it was a good opportunity for me to enter the market.

dad was on his way out of his days of interest in that

A lot of people are used to the direct connection with

kind of idea; he didn’t want to start something new. We

the owner, and the big company didn’t offer that. But I

were all doing the lawn care then.

could.

It was a perfect storm really when I started the

EARLY DAYS OF PARADISE

business. There was a company that came out and

Starting out, I did a lot of phone calling and knocking

bought a lot of sweeping companies during that time.

on doors. Luckily, I had developed some name in the

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J A N UA RY 2 0 2 6 N O R T H A M E R I C AN SWEEPER 9

SPOTLIGHT

My friend, Dustin Bush, when I was starting out, wanted to do it too. He started in Raleigh.... I helped him, and he helped me. But then, three months in, we merged the two small operations and made it one business under one name.

helped him, and he helped me. But then, three months in, we merged the two small operations and made it one business under one name. So then we had him doing sales in Raleigh and me in Charlotte. game with the commercial work that the lawn care

EXPANDING PARADISE

company was doing. I spent a lot of long days calling

Not long after we merged, Dustin went from just part-

and on the computer to get new contacts. My go-to

time to full-time. Then, we grew to 3 trucks. Now, we

first action was to get a website going. Derek [Rayburn]

have 3 full-time in Raleigh. It was harder to grow there,

was the first person I met about that.

because they had the stable footprints. [Michael refers

That helped a lot. Leads started pouring in. Two main

to footprints of the industry, meaning there had already

things made a big difference for us at that time: #1:

been commercial sweeping operations in that area for

People not knowing who to call for the kind of service

some time.] I went from just me working part-time in

they need. #2: him [Derek] getting my name out on

Charlotte to now 8 trucks in Charlotte and 3 in Raleigh,

the web. It was all me during that time. I know, for me,

for 11 sweeper trucks total. We’re really located in

I enjoyed that part of it, the selling. It’s the high of the

Salisbury [about 40 minutes from Charlotte], between

chase, getting the leads. That, to me, was the fun part.

Greenville, Moresville, and Charlotte.

I wish I could say it was a team effort, but it was all

I have the 704 area code of 1-800-SWEEPER. From

me. My friend, Dustin Bush, when I was starting out,

the time I started sweeping, while I still did landscaping

wanted to do it too. He started in Raleigh. It was just

with my dad, I was no longer a paid employee. After 2

him. He kinda started like I did, doing it all himself. I

years, I went full-time. I was working doing landscaping

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SEE US AT BOOTH 332

SEE US AT BOOTH 247

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SPOTLIGHT

for 40 hours or more, and I was pretty much running

About 2 to 3 years in, there was a surge in business.

the business for my dad, which was 2 crews. Then, I

I was big on investing back into it. I’d buy more trucks

would sweep Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights,

and more. It’s a hard business to start because of

starting at 8:00 pm and work for another 5 hours.

how expensive these big trucks can be. To minimize

TROUBLE IN PARADISE OUTMATCHED BY

breakdowns and downtime, I wanted to have a spare

PASSION

truck always on hand.

I started the business in 2020, in the late spring, late

I wasn’t going to wait. For work my company could

March. [Those were the first days that COVID-19

do, the first things that came my way, I accepted. I

became a national panic.] It’s hard to say what the

didn’t throw any opportunity away. Instead, I threw

effects of COVID were on those first months or years

myself and my resources into it. Anything that came

of the business. I was too new to it to know the effects.

my way, I’d say Yes. Even when it got to the point of

Some sweepers said customers went from having

having employees. I was doing the oddest jobs for

sweeping done 3 times to 1 time weekly. For me, it all

people, and that led to taking on growth. There were

seemed normal. I assumed people just wanted less

so many leads for sweeping jobs that came to me by

sweeping sometimes.

just saying yes to everything. I have a buddy, an old

continued on page 14

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J A N UA RY 2 0 2 6 N O R T H A M E R I C A N SWEEPER 13

SPOTLIGHT farm boy, who just does everything. I would bring him

and still provide the widest possible range of services

in to do what I didn’t know.

our customers need.

UNBRIDLED PASSION TEMPERED BY

A lot of people don’t like having too many eggs in

EXPERIENCE

one basket. But a lot of people like having a one-stop

Yes, as we have grown, I’ve tried to narrow and

shop that is convenient for everything they may need

organize the service lines. We train the employees to

to have professionally done on their properties. We’re

do the work in ways that produce consistent quality.

there to meet those needs.

I have good contacts with others who bring needed

PARADISE SWEEPING FLEET

skills and equipment for special projects.

I bought 3 sweeper trucks during our earliest years,

We have organized more and have gained more

then began buying the NiteHawks. We now have a

expertise through these nearly 6 years. So, now if I say

total of 11 sweeper trucks, all NiteHawk. Here in the

yes to asphalt work, portering, powerwashing, signage

Southeast we have really bad red clay. When it rains,

repair, water main leaks, or any other request, we go in

you’re not going to sweep that. It just smears. So, I also

well equipped and with highly skilled people. We use

bought a 2,000-gallon water truck, which helps for that.

excavators, put down asphalt, do landscaping, etc.,

For landscaping, we have 7 lawn care trucks, plus 1

SEE US AT BOOTH 315

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for commercial lawn maintenance, porters with an additional 6 trucks, and another 2 trucks for full-time portering. All the trucks for those

I bought 3 sweeper trucks during our earliest years, then began buying the NiteHawks. We now have a total of 11 sweeper trucks, all NiteHawk.

types of work are the Chevy Silverado 1500 model. The NiteHawks are great trucks overall, and eliminating the auxiliary motor by switching to the NiteHawks has cut down the noise, so I don’t have that issue as much now with people near the sweeping being done. I also like having one less motor to worry about. The NiteHawk people are very knowledgeable in the parts department about any issue we have. As long as you get a good hold on the maintenance that

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needs to be done, it’s a very simple machine, and it keeps running. PARADISE SERVICE LINES We have 5 full-time porters in Charlotte and another full-time porter in Raleigh. They’re in charge of the portering and bulk item removal. We also provide janitorial services, ceiling tile changing, clean-outs after tenant moveouts, painting, parking lot striping, signage replacement, change light bulbs, light soffits, etc. We install concrete, do pothole repairs, change out gutters, and other

continued on page 16

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J A N UA RY 2 0 2 6 N O R T H A M E R I C A N SWEEPER 15

SPOTLIGHT

30 for landscaping. In the office for landscaping, we have 2 employees, and for sweeping, we have 3

We have 5 full-time porters in

employees in the office. We have 1 full-time mechanic

Charlotte and another full-time

in Charlotte, and 1 full-time in Raleigh, and another 1

porter in Raleigh. They’re in charge of the portering and bulk item removal.

who works as a floater mechanic. I handle the majority of the work as far as payroll, invoicing, a lot of the computer stuff, and I set up the employee benefits and do the other HR work. Dustin does a lot of the work in Raleigh and his wife does a lot too. She helps both of us. If I need help with researching or investigating something, if I don’t have

jobs. We don’t do full-scale paving. The biggest repair

time for the deep diving, she’s got that.

we do is a 24x24, hot box for heat saw cut repairs. We

REYES MANAGEMENT METHOD

sub out bigger paving jobs.

This year, we’ve started to provide health insurance for

For sweeping, we have 30 employees, and another

all employees, and we try to provide a great working

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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

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SPOTLIGHT

There’s the first step I took to ensure quality... I needed someone behind the sweepers, making sure they were doing the job, not just leaving... So, I would go out at night after the sweepers and inspect their work.

when I was a small, one-truck guy busy reinvesting everything I made early on. I needed someone behind the sweepers, making sure they were doing the job, not just leaving. I wanted to have someone, some eyes, behind them. So, I would go out at night after the sweepers and inspect their work. It was all me at that time. Now, we have 4 daytime supervisors, environment for everyone. But, even though I always

2 in Charlotte and 2 in Raleigh. They all act as QC

try to keep as many good employees as possible. My

managers.

first full-time employee is still with us. But sadly, there’s

For having the trucks monitored, the GPS and camera

no magic formula for keeping everyone long-term.

have been the answer. You can track the actual

I have had my major downfalls in accommodating

movement of the truck on a parking lot. It’s just one

people when I shouldn’t have. I still help people, within

click away. If a property manager had a concern, I

the boundaries of what is reasonable. I don’t ever want

could pull that up and show them — this is where the

to be that guy who has no respect for anybody. I just

truck was. I could send them screenshots of where

try to be really approachable. Sadly, this industry can

the truck was too. That’s on top of my going out there

change people. I can’t let it change what I am. Mistakes

behind the sweepers at night, and having day time

are going to be made, but when the trust is there, it’s a

supervisors focused on sweeping performance quality.

better way of working and living for everyone involved.

BRANDING FOR PARADISE

So, I tell them I’m always a phone call away.

All our employees wear uniforms. We have logos on

There’s the first step I took to ensure quality, even

all the trucks. We have signage by the road at our

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J A N UA RY 2 0 2 6 N O R T H A M E R I C A N SWEEPER 19

SPOTLIGHT

My biggest advice for anyone starting in this business is don’t give up. Don’t stop. If you don’t like long hours, or the growth process, or selling, be clear on what you want. . in, add notes, pictures, etc. If bulk trash is left on the property, etc., the information comes to me. Anything unusual, like last-minute calls, or like company location. I’m very proud of my brand. I

requests from the customer asking for quick response

want people to know who’s doing the shopping and

when, for example, a different contractor has notified

business centers. I want them to know my business

them that they cannot come to do the work agreed, I

name. We’re very big on keeping the trucks clean. I

can send pictures to my guys, arrange for the work to

have a guy who comes on the weekends and makes

be done, etc. We’re very big on pictures.

his extra money cleaning the trucks in detail.

I put on my most experienced seasoned driver with

We also do a pre-trip inspection before the trucks

new employees for a two-week training course with

go out each night. We have our own fuel tanks for

that trainer. He has a list of things he trains them on,

gassing up all the trucks. They put bags in them and

including learning the software Jim has designed.

pre-trip them. We use the Maintx app. Workers relay

Then, I’ll confirm he’s ready to go on his own after

issues to me, and I put the information from their

training is completed.

reports into the app, and the mechanic sees those.

REYES PATTERNS AFTER INDUSTRY’S BEST

DREAM TECHNOLOGY IN PARADISE

EXEMPLAR

OPERATIONS

Michael, in his continuous pursuit of learning his

Jim Blackerby has a sweeping company in Louisville

industry, also discovered Carl Barton’s exceptionally

KY (Louisville Pavement Sweep). Early on, I was trying

bold employee incentive program at Aardvark

to be with the new times. He had a very good software

Sweeping Services in Memphis, TN. He has

system called Sweep Inspect. It tracks the guys, builds

implemented his own version of Carl’s inspiring

your route for each employee — sweeper or porter.

system, Michael further celebrates his team’s

They can use the app on a customer’s site to check

successes and shows appreciation for their efforts

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with the company’s year-end dinner and bonuses.

and wait for it to pop in your lap.

I’m always thinking of ideas to make the company better

You have to be okay with being annoying, or thinking

and trying to grow personally. My idea is to try to make

you’re going to make somebody mad because you’re

it a little more competitive with the guys. I got it from

bothering them with your selling efforts. Property

Aaardvark Sweeping. There, each driver can earn well,

managers come and go like crazy. So, constantly being on

and the business has a higher rate of retaining good

top of it is huge. You’ve got to keep on your toes; stay on

employees. If I’m going to make money working in my

top of it. Don’t give up.

business, why not have our guys make money doing it too? ADVICE FOR INDUSTRY NEWCOMERS FROM MICHAEL REYES, OWNER, PARADISE SWEEPING, RALEIGH, NC My biggest advice for anyone starting in this business is

FOR INFO ABOUT PARADISE SWEEPING SERVICE, CHARLOTTE AND RALEIGH, NC, YOU CAN CALL (704) 630-0007, OR VISIT PARADISESWEEPING.COM.

don’t give up. Don’t stop. If you don’t like long hours, or the growth process, or selling, be clear on what you want. It’s not the kind of thing you should think you can just sit

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ADVERTORIAL

FREQUENCY OF STREET SWEEPING AND ITS EFFECTS ON WATER QUALITY Fayat Cleantech

Perhaps the most fundamental factor in the positive

Mike Nelson, GM, Fayat Environmental Solutions,

environmental impact of powersweeping is how much

Cleantech America, offers these general criteria,

sweeping you’re doing daily, weekly, monthly, yearly.

variables, and other key considerations in determining

To increase your degree of effectiveness, and your

the optimum frequency of street sweeping. He further

revenues, the question to ask is, “Should I, and how

examines the effects of ideal rates of pavement

can I, increase the amount of sweeping I do in a given

sweeping on water quality. Here, Mike talks about the

period?”

sweeping routines that are best for different kinds of

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Fayat Cleantech, a part of the Fayat Road Equipment Division, is a global provider of both mechanical and vacuum powersweeping solutions for municipal, commercial, and industrial applications. The Fayat organization is dedicated to environmental and social responsibility, innovation, and excellence.

job sites and surrounding environments:

organization is dedicated to environmental and social

FAYAT CLEANTECH – POWERSWEEPING

responsibility, innovation, and excellence.

INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Fayat is the parent corporation of three international

Fayat Cleantech, a part of the Fayat Road Equipment

sweeper brands. Though still relatively new to the US

Division, is a global provider of both mechanical and

market, Fayat has risen to become the sixth largest

vacuum powersweeping solutions for municipal,

provider in the country. On the worldwide scale,

commercial, and industrial applications. The Fayat

however, when you combine all Fayat’s factories,

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ADVERTORIAL

the company is substantially larger than any other

SCARAB - Scarab is Fayat’s international leader

US sweeper manufacturer. The three primary brands

in truck-mounted sweeper manufacturing. Scarab

under the Fayat umbrella of companies include:

provides high-performance powersweeping vehicles

DULEVO - Dulevo is a worldwide manufacturer,

for municipal, highway, and many other applications

operating in over 80 countries. Dulevo produces

throughout the world.

mechanical sweepers, scrubbers, and street washers

COMPARE URBAN STREET SWEEPING IN

for municipal, commercial, and industrial uses,

US VS. EUROPE

and customized models for an array of specialized

In many European cities, the idea is to sweep the

applications.

main downtown streets daily, often in 2 to 3 shifts.

RAVO - RAVO is a leading producer of compact

It’s unclear whether any street gets swept daily in the

sweepers in the full range of sizes to serve the entire

US. Predominately, the sweepers are vacuum or vac

spectrum of needs in industrial, commercial, and urban

assist sweepers for collecting fine dust on highways.

spaces. RAVO vacuum sweepers are highly reputed for

It’s just the nature of the world. There’s brake dust,

their exceptional durability and efficiency.

vegetation, micro plastics, etc. Europe leads from an

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environmental standpoint, pushing sweeping as a primary means of maintaining clean water. I think the US is behind in the mentality around sweeping needs. Sometimes, it seems like we sweep because we have to, not because we want to. Cleantech has a presence on every continent. So, we get to see the differences on all the continents. Many European cities have hundreds of sweepers, whereas

Scarab is Fayat’s international leader in truck-mounted sweeper manufacturing. Scarab provides high-performance

very few US cities have even a hundred. In Europe, you

powersweeping vehicles for municipal,

can set a clock by when a sweeper goes by.

highway, and many other applications

I think changing the mentality we have here to say not just that we want clean cities, but that we have to do

throughout the world.

what it takes to keep them clean. To get clean water, again, we have to say not only that we want it, but that we must do what it takes to get it. The first priority is to get the stuff that comes off trees, and from people, and

the wealth of web search results providing research

cars cleaned up and keep it cleaned up. That’s the role

findings from numerous recent studies of the effects

of sweeping.

of powersweeping roadways and other urban

WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS FROM

public spaces. Various researchers from academic

INCREASED STREET SWEEPING

institutions to powersweeping industry watchers have

Obviously, more frequent pavement sweeping will

examined the efficiency of sweepers in capturing

result in a cleaner local water shed, reduced fugitive

dust, microplastics, and other pollutants now found

dust on roadways, and the maintenance of permeable

everywhere in tires, brake dust, on roads, and in water.

road surfaces for better water infiltration via structural

FAYAT SWEEPING SOLUTIONS FOR

Best Management Practices (BMP) for stormwater.

CLEANER WATER

Sweeping is the first path of prevention to stop brake

I think in a perfect world we’d clean the streets all the

dust, phosphates, nitrates, and other harmful agents

time. We don’t want to see rotted vegetation, trash, other

off paved surfaces and keep that stuff out of our

debris, and dust built up on streets and parking lots in

waterways.

our area, and we don’t want the wrong stuff in our water.

Sweeping can also pick up microplastics before

We want our streets to be free of clutter and storm drains

they enter the water through storm drains. Both

clean so we don’t get avoidable flooding during storms.

Ravo and Scarab perform in the high 90% range in

Sweeping really is the way to beat that challenge.

picking up microplastics, but you’ve got to sweep

Vacuum cleaning is proven as the best solution for that.

constantly, more than you think you should have to

All our brands have pure vac or vac assist. With Dulevo

do. Otherwise, it’s not really effective enough. See

D3 and D6, we can even run waterless.

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ADVERTORIAL

The purpose of using water for sweeping is, of course, to knock down the dust. Our Dulevo system has selfcleaning filtration, like Gore®, which uses a mechanical process for filtration. We have rotating gutter brooms,

The purpose of using

a main broom underneath that flips debris onto the

water for sweeping is, of course,

conveyor, and also has a vacuum assist that pulls air from the ground and picks up anything that gets in that airstream from the brooms and the fine debris on the surface. The vacuum assist is strong enough to be able to utilize a wanderhose to clean catch basins and litter,

to knock down the dust. Our Dulevo system has self-cleaning filtration, like Gore®, which uses a mechanical process for filtration.

which sets it apart from most mechanical sweepers. It’s a very advanced system. See Dulevo/Fayat 50th Anniversary for details of this technology. It can be used by any municipality regardless of ambient temperature. It can be used in cement plants and highly industrial environments where sweeper trucks

can’t use water, and in places where operators want to reduce water use (for example, where there may be concerns about conservation of overuse of potable water every year. Sufficient frequency of pavement sweeping is essential for preventing debris from polluting water to extreme levels. Without consistent sweeping. As a society, we’ll never get rid of it once it’s in the groundwater. In suburban areas, many property owners will keep the roads clean in front of their houses, but downtown, where there’s so much more litter and so much more human activity, there really should be much more sweeping, but in many cases, there’s less attention to it, instead of more. In that perfect world, I’d like to see the European model of sweeping diligence more broadly adopted in US urban locations where there is a lot of movement of goods and humans. It would mean sweeping every

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

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ADVERTORIAL

day and every night. I know that seems expensive to do,

in Europe. We currently offer 3 fully electric models, the

but if we really care about clean cities, which requires

Dulevo D.Zero2, Ravo R5e and Ravo E2.

clean streets, we know that’s what it takes.

Through this time, we’ve been able to really dial in our

DECARBONIZATION BY ELECTRIC SWEEPER

electric architecture. Because of our understanding

WITH DIESEL-LEVEL POWER

through real-world experience, we’re able to size the

Electric sweeper trucks, of course, bring operators big

e-motors and powertrain to use the power when and

energy savings and significantly reduce air pollutants

where needed; delivering uncompromised autonomy

as well as groundwater contaminants. Fayat is a world

without sacrificing performance.

leader in electric sweeper manufacturing. We started

The Ravo E2 electric powersweeper achieves

building fully electric sweepers in 2016 and have had

decarbonization with no compromise in sweeping

them on the market since 2018. We brought them to

performance. The sweeper’s systems are optimized or

the US in 2021. Worldwide, we have over 400 electric

replaced by greener technologies in electric, aeraulic,

sweepers running every day, the majority of which are

hydraulic, and/or mechanical components.

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Among the Ravo series design integrations, the factories have essentially removed the diesel equivalent engines and replaced them with an e-powertrain and

Among the Ravo series design

battery system that fits into the original space claim of

integrations, the factories have

the Cummins or Kubota diesel engine, for the R5 and R2

essentially removed the diesel equivalent

respectively.

engines and replaced them with an

On the E2, instead of using a hydraulic gear pump,

e-powertrain and battery system...

which is only 75% efficient, we elected to implement e-motors immersed in a hydraulic out bath. This saves on energy consumption to cool the motors. Since we use 4 motors in total — for the brooms and fans in parallel —

and sending oil everywhere and then back to the tank,

the system only runs motors for sweeper functions that

the e-motors run only when the broom or brooms are

are active. This significantly improves efficiency.

active. They charge their accumulators, and when

Additionally, we use a total of 4 hydraulic accumulators,

they reach full capacity, they shut off. This architecture

similar to the full-size Ravo, and store the hydraulic fluid

substantially increases the overall efficiency of the whole

power. So, instead of running a gear pump continuously

system.

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ADVERTORIAL

The Ravo E2 has implemented the broom and water

Our battery suppliers keep improving their overall

system “start/stop” technology. For example, when the

technology and battery density. The kW rating of the

vehicle stops at a stop light, after about 5 seconds, the

EV battery is increasing. For the E2, we’re actually

brooms and water system pause. When the sweeper

using a low voltage architecture, a 96 VDC battery,

begins rolling forward again, they resume functioning.

which allows us to implement our novel battery swap

This increases the autonomy of the Ravo, reduces

system.

noise levels during idle time, helps minimize water

DULEVO, RAVO, AND SCARAB SWEEPER

usage, and extends broom life.

SELECTIONS FROM FAYAT

Regenerative braking technology further improves

Because of the comprehensive range of global

efficiency by taking advantage of “free” potential

standard-setting sweeper truck types manufactured

energy,” such as from coasting down a hill or

by Fayat companies, Dulevo, RAVO, and Scarab,

decelerating. It captures that now kinetic energy and

we’re able to offer mechanical broom or pure vacuum

converts it back to stored energy in the high-voltage

air sweepers for municipal, contractor or industrial

battery for later use.

customer applications. Our Dulevo D3 or D6 sweepers

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use a vacuum assist system with filtration to allow

water recycling, and other approaches that

the mechanical broom platform to sweep dry, i.e. not

contribute to preservation of water resources and

using water where it would be reactive to lime, coke,

protection of waterways.

cement, etc. Our dealers can size our state-of-the-art sweepers for customers based on job type, overall size, transport speed, purpose-built, truck-mounted, volumetric capacity, CDL requirements, and other specifications.

For information about Fayat Cleantech, you can call the US headquarters, Charlotte, NC at 732874-2857, email info@fayat.com, or visit cleantech.fayat.com.

The market feedback we’ve received is that there are newer regulatory requirements for municipalities to sweep more often, which we believe is going to drive more sales in the US. Whether the municipality has an in-house sweeping program or contracts out, under the Clean Water Act, the EPA now mandates street sweeping as a part of storm water management. FAYAT PAVEMENT SWEEPING MANAGEMENT Ultimately, in determining the frequency of street sweeping to recommend to a customer, a municipality, for example, the predominant driver is the EPA’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) mandate. The EPA recognizes that street sweeping is inherent in BMP and is, therefore,

FOR MORE INFORMATION Subscribe to North American Sweeper magazine for countless fresh tips on all facets of powersweeping business ownership, including all the specifics of operations, purchasing and maintaining sweeper trucks and parts, employee development, team leadership, administrative management, HR, marketing and branding, business leadership, and much more.

required in all municipal MS4 programs. Fayat equipment is utilized worldwide for street sweeping as a means of minimizing pollutants in storm water drains. Further, the “Water Fayat” group provides solutions for sustainable water management and implements water quality preservation measures, including plans for reduced consumption, and usage optimization. The Fayat company, more broadly, integrates technological innovations for wastewater treatment,

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J A N UA RY 2 0 2 6 N O R T H A M E R I C A N SWEEPER 31

BUSINESS CORNER

2025 Sweeper Summit Round Table - Transforming Leads into Loyal Customers At the 2025 Sweeper Summit & Expo

relationships with new customers.

in Las Vegas, various round-table

Giovanni Recalde - Giovanni has grown a spectacular eastern-region powersweeping and

sessions were conducted to informally

exterior maintenance company. His father, Alonzo,

discuss a range of topics of deep

an Ecuadorian immigrant, started the company back

interest to powersweeping business

in 1977, after college, while working as a parking attendant. He asked his employer if he could add

operators. One of the most popular

nights to his schedule to clean the dirty parking lots.

topics of this year’s Summit was how

From that humble start, he grew a thriving business

to transform sales leads into long-term

with about 10 sweeper trucks. Giovanni, now just 38 years old, had already founded and grown a successful

customers. The discussion was led

investment firm before he assumed control of his

by Giovanni Recalde, Owner, Atlantic

father’s company in 2011. In just 14 years, he has

Sweeping & Cleaning, Inc., Alexandria,

grown Atlantic Sweeping to about 51 trucks, including 36 sweeper trucks.

VA, and Derek Rayburn, Owner, Scenic

Derek Rayburn - Through over 40 years of service,

City Studios, Chattanooga, TN.

Derek has built an extraordinarily effective web development and web hosting firm. The Scenic City team’s areas of expertise include specialization

RECALDE AND RAYBURN

in web marketing management for construction,

These two outstanding professionals energized the

powersweeping, and exterior maintenance businesses.

lead development session at the Sweeper Summit,

Rayburn’s world-class team performs website

which generated a hail of exciting ideas for attendees

design, social media, blog and other content writing,

and explanations of methods for converting leads

SEO, advertising, reporting, and all other facets of

to sales and building strong long-term business

their online presence. The agency has a long list of

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Some owners expressed curiosity about how AI might support their business development — especially in handling repetitive tasks...

acquired data is that it has “highlighted the industry’s broad range of operational structures.” Atlantic Sweeping, Giovanni’s company, is a technologically mature operation with advanced systems for all facets of customer communications and account management. That especially qualified him to widely recognized clients, including numerous very

share knowledge of the benefits of such modernization

successful powersweeping businesses throughout the

with attendees of the round table session.

United States.

Derek’s analysis above concluded that there is a

CONVERTING LEADS INTO LOYAL CUSTOMERS

lot of room for advancement of customer account

Highlights from the NAPSA Round Table Session at the

management systems across the industry. Following

2025 Sweeper Summit featured guidance on proven

that determination, the need it highlights invites future

strategies and methods for converting leads to sales,

Summit discussions on such critical subtopics as

including advice on a number of relevant subtopics. A

systems for sustained lead nurturing, sales pipeline

few of the major themes that came up included:

management, customer relationship management

Lead Tracking Methods Vary Widely - Part of the

(CRM), and the full range of account management

discussion at the Summit focused on the fact that

initiatives, customer communications, and other

many powersweeping companies are using a mix of

actions to be managed throughout the customer

spreadsheets and full CRMs for managing customer

lifecycle.

relationships. Derek explained that, per participants’

Interest in AI Tools - Derek noted, “Some owners

reports, “While smaller companies tended to rely on

expressed curiosity about how AI might support

spreadsheets, some large operations still preferred

their business development—especially in handling

them.” His practical interpretation of this informally

repetitive tasks, improving follow-up, and ensuring no

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J A N UA RY 2 0 2 6 N O R T H A M E R I C A N SWEEPER 33

BUSINESS CORNER

time problems on the ground, Giovanni told us in a

We recognized a need for quality highway construction sweeping

2024 interview, “We recognized a need for quality highway construction sweeping and kind of steered the

and kind of steered the

company toward growth in that direction. For him,

company toward growth in that

it’s about “customers’ confidence in our level of

direction... it’s about “customers’ confidence in our level of commitment to solving their problem(s)... .

commitment to solving their problem(s)...What matters is how you resolve the customer’s problem. We’re a problem-solving business.” Relationship-Building Efforts Matter - Ideas discussed at the round table discussion even included simple, but well-proven, and too often overlooked approaches like sending thank-you cards.

leads fall through the cracks.” Giovanni, reflecting on

Derek recounted that those, as well as Christmas

his own tech strategies, told NAS in a previous in-depth

cards, mid-year appreciation gifts, and educational

interview within the past 12 months, “I don’t want to

brochures were all mentioned as value-added means

say it’s perfect, but we’ve been striving even more this

of connecting with customers. He said that several

year to build a team for the long-term future and have

business owners in attendance talked about how

been putting the right resources into place to do that.

“these personal touches helped property managers

We are continuously enhancing our marketing

better communicate value to their own clients and

through our website. Our logo is also featured

decision-makers.”

prominently on our trucks, and we have a range of

As to core principles for customer relationship

branded items, like clothing with our logo, pens,

building, Giovanni expressed to NAS his team’s

notepads, etc. Our new marketing professional is

commitment to actively managing relationships

managing our social media presence, including on

with Atlantic’s customers, “We want the customer

Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other platforms.”

interactions to have that small-company, personalized

Universal Recognition of Missed Opportunities

feel for all involved, but we also prioritize efficiency.”

Almost everyone acknowledged that a portion of

He has further emphasized to us that “reinstilling in

leads, in every company, goes unanswered. Improving

our team every year that we care about people, by

follow-up processes was consistently recognized as

showing them appreciation, is essential to employee

just as important as generating the leads themselves.

satisfaction rates.” He has also stressed the importance

To further extend this concept to opportunities that

of understanding the direct link between employee

present themselves through current customers’ real-

satisfaction and customer satisfaction.

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REFLECTIONS ON THE ROUND TABLE

and productive discussions with dozens of sweeping

In our interview with Giovanni in 2024, he credited

business owners. Overall, the conversations were

the Sweeper Summit with contributing to his

extremely valuable, and it was encouraging to see

business’s growth. He also shared with us his key

owners actively looking for solutions that improve both

recommendation for new business owners in the

operations and customer relationships.”

industry: “My advice is to keep in mind that you don’t know it all and never stop learning. Keep your ears open for advice on operations and follow up with good work. That is the key to success. It may not all happen right away, but learning and improving will prepare you for your future, when you do encounter those opportunities to realize new growth for your business.”

For More Information For information about Atlantic Sweeping & Cleaning, Inc., Alexandria, VA, you can call (703) 684-1095 or, visit atlanticsweeping.com. For information about Scenic City Studios, Chattanooga, TN, you can call (423) 401-8394, or visit sceniccitystudios.com.

In 2025, Derek looks back at the Sweeper Summit round table session he co-chaired as a group of “open

JOB OPPORTUNITY MECHANICAL ENGINEER Kent, WA.

Design mechanical and structural components for street sweepers. Design hydraulic and electrical systems that integrate with commercial, on-highway vehicles. Design non-metallic parts manufactured in fiberglass, PE, or ABS material. Investigate, refine, and test regenerative air systems for street sweepers. Create detailed component part and assembly drawings. Create Bills of Materials (BOM) for design layout and assembly drawings. Provide technical support to clients regarding products. Coordinate fabrication personnel to produce functional prototypes and fixtures for new designs. Analyze and test prototypes to ensure they meet quality, safety, and performance standards. Create technical documentation for production and customer use. Create Engineering Change Orders (ECO) and perform any related changes to the designs and drawings. Define technical specifications that meet performance, cost, and quality requirements. Program and troubleshoot components using Controller Area Network (CAN) communication protocol. Manage Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) records including item attributes, Bill of Materials (BOM), and manufacturing routings. Direct fabrication and installation activities to ensure products conform to engineering design specifications. Participate with cross-functional teams, across Alamo Group companies, on large scale projects such as product transfers and electrification initiatives. Provide technical knowledge to purchasing teams to help identify strategic vendors and source materials. Collaborate with vendors to provide drawing clarification, part specifications, and resolve quality issues. Plan, prioritize, and organize work using task management software.. Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering required. Ability to communicate effectively with clients, work collaboratively with team members, and draft technical documentation required. Ability to wear protective equipment including steel-toed shoes required. Position requires 24 months’ work experience as a Mechanical Engineer, including minimum 12 months’ experience in each of the following: using SolidWorks software to produce detailed 3D and 2D design drawings; reading hydraulic & electrical schematics to troubleshoot hydraulic & electrical circuits; designing fiberglass, PE or ABS parts; maintaining, testing & analyzing regenerative air systems; using Standardized Manufacturing Process to push new & existing designs through cross-functional workflow that drives downstream customer processes; using Oracle JDE to manage ERP records; facilitating Requests for Quotes and supplier collaboration reviews with vendors; and using Asana task management software to schedule and track work. Occasional weekend or evening hours. Domestic travel to company and client sites throughout the United States required approximately once per six months for several days to provide technical services. Relocation will not be necessary for these trips. Salary $87,110/year. Send resume to tohlgren@nitehawksweepers.com w w w. na sweeper.co m

J A N UA RY 2 0 2 6 N O R T H A M E R I C A N SWEEPER 35

IN THE NEWS

ODRA ROAD SWEEPERS AWARDED NATIONAL PURCHASING CONTRACT THROUGH SOURCEWELL

Grand Forks, N.D — ODRA Road Sweepers, a leading North American manufacturer of highperformance street sweepers, has been awarded a national cooperative purchasing contract through Sourcewell, one of the most trusted public-sector procurement organizations in the United States and Canada. This competitively awarded contract enables municipalities, public agencies, and educational institutions to purchase ODRA’s sweepers through a simplified, compliant, and cost-effective procurement process.

Being awarded a Sourcewell contract reinforces the confidence public agencies have in ODRA’s engineering, manufacturing, and customer support.

Sourcewell members now have access to ODRA’s full portfolio of mechanical broom sweepers, engineered for exceptional reliability, durability, and ease of maintenance. Key differentiators include chrome-

valves for superior control and responsiveness. These

plated MRP bushings to reduce friction and extend

features help minimize downtime, improve reliability,

component life, non-CAN-bus electrical architecture

and lower total cost of ownership for municipal and

for simpler diagnostics, and Danfoss PVG32 hydraulic

industrial fleets.

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“Being awarded a Sourcewell contract reinforces the confidence public agencies have in ODRA’s engineering, manufacturing, and customer support,”

About ODRA Road Sweepers ODRA Road Sweepers is a leading North American manufacturer of mechanical

said Alex Byczynski, Vice President of ODRA

broom sweepers designed for municipal,

Road Sweepers. “This partnership makes it easier

industrial, and contractor applications. With

for agencies of all sizes to procure dependable

a focus on engineering excellence, reliability,

equipment quickly and with full compliance.”.

and serviceability, ODRA products feature premium hydraulic systems, chrome MRP pivot components, non-CAN-bus electrical systems,

For more information about ODRA’s

and robust construction built to withstand

Sourcewell contract, please visit

demanding environments.

www.odrasweeper.com/ purchasingcontracts.

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ADVERTORIAL

Powersweeper Broom Design and Longevity Help from Old Dominion Brush Co.

The success or failure of powersweeping naturally

Company (ODB) holds numerous product patents

hinges on the quality of the brooms and brushes

and has become the powersweeping industry’s

used. A manufacturer’s product design, engineering

longest established and most trusted manufacturer of

logic, production principles, material choices, and

replacement brooms and brushes for sweeper trucks.

rigorousness of product testing together dictate

Founded in 1910, the company is based in

sweeping performance levels and long-term durability.

Richmond, VA. So many monthly NAS readers, who are

Therefore, it’s very telling that Old Dominion Brush

undoubtedly also daily users of ODB sweeper parts

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A manufacturer’s product design, engineering logic, production principles, material choices, and rigorousness of product testing together dictate sweeping performance levels and long-term durability.

throughout the US, have an interest in understanding

unusually effective and enduring that the manufacturer

what makes such a difference in the performance and

has come to dominate the market for over a hundred

reliability between ODB and other brands of broom

years:

and brush equipment.

OLD DOMINION REPLACEMENT BROOMS

Britt Calloway, Old Dominion Director of Engineering

AND BRUSHES

and Sales, met with us recently. He explained what

Well, we have a long track record of innovation.

makes the Old Dominion broom and brush designs so

ODB has long been known for continuous practical

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J A N UA RY 2 0 2 6 N O R T H A M E R I C A N SWEEPER 39

ADVERTORIAL

improvements to the essential brooms and brushes

folks. That means bringing in people who are capable

around which commercial and industrial sweeper

of solving the kinds of problems you need to resolve

trucks are built to function. Our patented ODB CLAW™

by innovating solutions when conventional methods

broom, for example, is the most advanced component

are not enough. The sweeper truck broom is a

on the market for gutter clearing.

commodity product; it arguably hasn’t changed much

For highway construction, industrial facilities, or other

for 50 years. So, we’ve recognized the need to figure

extreme environments, using mechanical or vacuum

out new ways to solve problems for customers.

trucks, Old Dominion brooms and brushes are trusted

You have seen various broom and brush products that

by contractors. That’s because they deliver sweeping

help extend equipment life, pick up more vegetation,

performance and long-term durability that surpass the

and perform well enough overall with standard gutter

expectations of the sweeper truck operators.

broom wire. But they all use a very bespoke design. It’s

CUSTOMER-INSPIRED BROOM AND BRUSH

more or less the same general set of specs for virtually

INNOVATIONS

every sweeper model. It’s molded to a steel plate, with

It all starts with solving a problem for the customer.

cables bolted between the standard gutter broom and

Engineers love solving problems. So, first, hire the right

the standard plate on the sweeper.

continued on page 42

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ADVERTORIAL

The claw broom has been a very successful product for us. It’s designed to strip the densest buildup of accumulated dirt, gravel, debris, and plant matter. .

THE INDUSTRY-CHANGING PATENTED ODB CLAW BROOM The claw broom has been a very successful product for us. It’s designed to strip the densest buildup of accumulated dirt, gravel, debris, and plant matter. With the claw broom, we removed some bristles and We looked at different redesign options available for

installed cable in their place instead. [This increased

improving on the long-time accepted model. And, we

the contact area by 42% and the cable weight by 33%.]

decided to install super swaged cable. We’ve seen

We reasoned that if vegetation cutting was longer

others do that with standard 3/16-inch cable. That’s

lasting due to affixing cable to a broom, then we have a

very common. But we instead tried 1/4-inch cable, to

very competitive offering.

see if that increased performance. The pilot test was

Early on, we decided we wanted to move into the

very positive. Based on that outcome, I realized we had

gutter broom market. We developed a test cell, in

some potential in this kind of product upgrade.

which we took a sweeper broom arm to measure wear

The next step was to deliver to a larger customer

on gutter broom wire through time. The gauge we

base. So, we spent time developing some of the slick

used to measure performance was percent of weight

sheets and marketing materials, and we reached out to

loss. We found the claw broom lasted about 2.5 times

customers we had relationships with for feedback. We

longer than a standard gutter broom. It was a stand-

asked about the performance of the newly upgraded

out performance in terms of increased broom life. In

brush construction. The positive feedback was

the field-testing, the broom innovation also performed

overwhelming, well above 75%.

exceptionally well.

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PRIORITIES IN BEST SWEEPER BROOM DESIGNS

We have taken a different path than other sweeper

We see new design efforts come out in the industry,

broom and brush OEMs in our method of automating

and we welcome the increased customer awareness it

production assembly. That has unlocked a lot of

generates. And, we invariably find that we have a very

potential for the long-term, because the capital cost

good option for providing customers with the same or

to build is a lot less per broom, if you amortize the

greater results. For example, different manufacturers

expense.

have the capability to adjust down pressure from the

ODB SERVICE EXCELLENCE

truck cab to match operators’ preferences of down

We have an ODB ecommerce site where people can

pressure and broom speed. They can adjust for truck

see pricing and availability, and they can order and

speed during sweeping very well, accommodate

get information. Our team of customer service reps

variable environments, clear gutters, function at

averages about 25 years of experience per person.

highway speed, etc. All offer tremendous amounts of

They really understand our products. Turn-around time

variables.

on orders is tightly managed. The team meets every

So, we found that you can’t test all those in a cell at a

morning and reviews every order that is nearing the

production plant, but all that matters is if the operator

strict limit we set for acceptable delivery time, and we

believes he’s getting more performance and efficiency

watch it like a hawk to ensure timely fulfillment.

from these key components of his sweeper truck.

WHAT’S NEXT FROM OLD DOMINION BRUSH?

That’s where we’ve pivoted.

Over the long-term, we’re looking at how we can set

Instead of talking about percent of wear or the array

up to be closer to our customers for even greater

of attributes of the brooms or brushes, we just send

responsiveness to their needs. We want to reduce

samples. Because, I think most customers want to

freight costs, which are substantial, and minimize total

try it. So, it’s worth it to send out samples to whoever

cost of delivery.

asks for one, even though it’s expensive to do that, especially with the shipping rates as they are. We’ve found that operators recognize the strong comparative advantages of the ODB options. We have built many lasting relationships that way.

For information about Old Dominion Brush, you can call (800) 446-9823, or visit odbco.com.

FROM MANUAL TO AUTOMATED BROOM PRODUCTION We historically have built our brooms manually. About two years ago, we went to automation. It allows us to drastically improve throughput and meet increasing customer demand. The automation we chose is very simple, compact, and scalable.

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Winterizing the sweeper’s dust suppression system BY: COSTAS CORDONIS

Winterizing your sweeper will help keep the system in top operating condition during the winter months as well as extending its length of service.

The dust suppression is essential to street sweepers,

DRAINING THE SYSTEM:

especially to the regenerative air series to control the

1. Unscrew the bottom of the ‘Y’ strainer housing

excessive dust been created.

or open the drain valve to drain the water from the

As the winter months are approaching rapidly,

reservoir(s).

freezing temperatures are expected.

2. After the water flow stops, reassemble the ‘Y’

Winterizing your sweeper will help keep the system

strainer housing and close the drain valve.

in top operating condition during the winter months

3. Turn on all cab console control panel switches

as well as extending its length of service. So, if the

controlling water manifold solenoids and let the

dust suppression system is not operated during

water run out of the system.

freezing temperatures it should be drained while the

WINTERIZING THE SYSTEM:

sweeper is stored. If the dust suppression system will

1. Following the antifreeze manufacturer’s

be operated during freezing temperatures the system

instructions, add environmentally safe antifreeze to

should be winterized to prevent component damage

the water by pouring it through the air-gap opening

from freezing up.

in the top of the reservoir.

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2. Start the auxiliary engine.

winterize the system or drain the water completely and

3. Turn on the water pump drive motor

winterizing the pump(s). To winterize the pump(s) put

4. Turn on all cab console control panel switches

the water supply line in a jug of environmentally safe

controlling water manifold solenoids.

antifreeze and force the pump(s) to run allowing fluid

5. Leave switches on until the antifreeze/water mixture

to go through.

flows from the spray nozzles. 6. Turn off all cab console control panel switches controlling water manifold solenoids. 7. Turn off the auxiliary engine. **It is important to note that if the sweeper is stored outside for long period during freezing temperatures the drain process will not be sufficient. Even though

For information contact Warranty and Training Administrator Schwarze Industries, Inc. ccordonis@schwarze.com Office: 256-851-1152 Fax: 256-851-1199

the water is drained as noted the water pump(s) will not drain. In this situation it will be necessary to

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ADVERTORIAL

How Oakmont Financing Can Help Your Business Grow in 2026 Oakmont Capital Services (OCS) has been helping

lender for many throughout the industry.

small businesses grow for over 25 years, since the

Jayme Gerads, Business Development Officer for OCS,

lender opened its doors in 1997. The company has

Albany, MN, recently shared some information with NAS

expanded to 93 employees across two locations—

about the company and its commitment to helping

Pennsylvania and Minnesota—and has completed

powersweeping business owners grow their companies:

over 25,000 loans. The team works with established

“I’ve been in the financing industry since 2009.

powersweeping businesses, and serves as the direct

Before entering the field, I earned my BA in Business

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We know the industry. With more than 20 years of experience working with street sweeping companies, we understand the nuances of the business — something many lenders unfamiliar with the industry struggle with unless they’ve spent significant time getting to know operators.

Management. After graduation, I worked at a bank—

experience working with street sweeping companies,

starting as a teller and later moving into the bank’s

we understand the nuances of the business—

equipment financing division. I’ve been with OCS for

something many lenders unfamiliar with the industry

almost eight years now, and the sweeping industry is

struggle with unless they’ve spent significant time

one of my primary areas of focus.”

getting to know operators. When a small maintenance

LENDER WHO UNDERSTANDS YOUR BUSINESS

company needs to make a major equipment purchase,

We know the industry. With more than 20 years of

we’re often the best fit to support that investment.

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ADVERTORIAL

Obviously, a big advantage for a lot of these

Our biggest differentiator is our

contractors is that they can afford to pay for these assets out of pocket. For others, spreading payments over

service. When someone calls, we

5, 6, or even 7 years through an equipment financing

answer—customers always reach

agreement can be a major advantage. With a 5-year

a real person.

term, for example, the buyer owns the asset outright after the 60th payment—without straining their cash flow or delaying the growth of their business.

Because Oakmont can fund many of the core needs

ALL-ELECTRONICAPPLICATIONANDPROCESSING

of a powersweeping business, you won’t tie up your

Our processes at OCS are streamlined to help our

borrowing capacity at your bank. And since this is

customers get the financing they need quickly and

commercial credit, it doesn’t appear on the business

easily. We call our approach “high-tech/high-touch.”

owner’s personal credit report. That’s a meaningful

That means we stay readily accessible by phone, text,

advantage for borrowers, helping them preserve their

or email—wherever our customers are—to answer

personal credit and keep local bank lines open for

questions and provide support.

needs we may not underwrite.

To speed things up even further, we recommend

Our primary niche is asset financing. For other cash

using our electronic document system and remote

flow needs, we recommend keeping options open

online notary services. These tools allow customers

with their local banks. Often, a company like ours can

to sign documents and complete notary authorization

provide the ideal solution—but sometimes it makes

from any device, at any time. From application to

sense to explore all available financing products

funding, we can often complete a deal within a single

before choosing to lease or finance. Our goal is to help

business day.

customers understand the best financing approach for

We also offer high credit limits—up to $650,000—with

their business, even if that solution isn’t with us.

an application-only process. For customers with a

LENDER WHO KNOWS YOUR ASSET VALUE

strong financing history, we don’t require financials. And

Some lenders overlook the potential in financing

for those who return each year to upgrade equipment,

small sweeping or maintenance businesses because

we can increase the limit to a $1,000,000 aggregate.

they don’t fully understand their customers’ financial

INCOMPARABLE FINANCING CONVENIENCE

landscape. At OCS, we take a different approach. We

Oakmont Capital Services provides customers with

understand the collateral itself. We attend industry

a wide array of benefits that make obtaining and

tradeshows, talk directly with business owners, get

repaying their loans* as easy as possible. For example:

hands-on with the equipment, and stay informed about

Flexible Terms - If terms are a concern, we can get

new technologies so we can truly understand what our

creative to help lower monthly payments. In many cases,

customers are investing in.

we can offer repayment terms of up to 84 months.

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Payment Deferrals - We can delay the first

needs, and each owner’s situation is different. Still, the

payment—such as a 90-day deferred first payment—or

potential tax advantages of making a capital purchase

provide skip-payment options when appropriate.

before or after a given year-end are often significant for

Same Day Funding - In many cases, loan funds can

sweeping business owners.

be sent directly to your vendor or the contractor selling

To learn more about Section 179, OCS has compiled

the equipment within 24 hours.

some helpful resources here.

Zero Down Payment - We typically do not require any money upfront as a down payment on a loan.

LENDER WHO PRIORITIZES YOUR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Contractor-to-Contractor Financing

Our biggest differentiator is our service. When

We do contractor-to-contractor purchase financing.

someone calls, we answer—customers always reach

For example, if a contractor is selling a used truck to

a real person. Our team collaborates to deliver an

another contractor, we can finance that used vehicle

elevated experience, including fast turnaround times.

for the buyer.

We work efficiently and diligently from the very first

Finance Sales Tax - We can include sales tax in the

conversation through the completion of the loan

loan amount for equipment or vehicle purchases.

contract—and beyond. We stay in touch with our

Sales tax varies by state but rolling it into the loan often

customers to answer questions and support their next

makes the purchase more manageable for the buyer.

equipment purchase. We value the trust our customers

Same Day Title Release - When a customer is

place in us and focus on building strong relationships

ready to pay off the loan, we can provide the payoff

that make it easy for them to work with us again.

documentation (proof of ownership) and lien release

Every customer’s situation is unique. We aim to support

the same day. One call to our office is all it takes.

and guide our customers, but we can’t always see

Early Payoff - For qualified customers, after at least 12

everything happening behind the scenes. While we’re

months in the loan, the remaining balance can be paid

here to help, we’re not business consultants—and we

off with no early-payoff penalty.

never want to place someone in a loan that isn’t the

*Terms based on credit approval and subject to change.

right fit. Ultimately, business owners are the ones who

WHEN IT’S TIME FOR A NEW SWEEPER TRUCK

know what’s best for their companies, and we trust them

The Section 179 tax deduction is an important

to make the decisions that serve them well.

consideration for prospective sweeper truck buyers as they plan strategically. As we move into the new year, it may or may not influence a powersweeping company owner’s capital purchasing decisions for 2026. We encourage business owners to consult with their accountants or tax advisors for guidance on making

For information about Oakmont Capital Services, you can call (877) 701-2391 M-F 8am-5pm CST, or visit oakmontfinance.com anytime. Also, here is a link to our sweeping page: https://oakmontfinance.com/industries/ sweeping-equipment-financing/.

informed buying decisions. Every business has unique

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Manufacturers Speak on 2025 Sweeper Summit and 2026 Sweeper Innovations Of the multitudes of reports on Sweeper Summit &

companies. We especially value the networking

Equipment Expo 2025 highlights NAS receives each

opportunities and educational sessions.

year from attendees, the thoughts of the industry’s

2026 Schwarze Product

manufacturing leaders on the event are among the most

Innovations: As announced in

compelling. The comments below on the 2025 Sweeper

the slide show at the

Summit in Las Vegas are from the major manufacturers’

2025 Sweeper Summit,

points of view, as they each reflect on their experience at

Schwarze Industries

the Summit this year. The sweeper truck producers have

will introduce two new

also shared with us an exciting preview of their 2026

sweeper truck models in 2026, as well as a new touch

product innovations, some of which will be featured at

screen control console for mechanical sweepers:

the upcoming 2026 Pave/X show.

4 M5 Torrent SE: This innovative new sweeper truck

MANUFACTURERS’ COMMENTS ON 2025

model will be a non-CDL, full size mechanical

SWEEPER SUMMIT & ANNOUNCEMENTS OF

broom sweeper. It will feature a new 2.0 control

2026 PRODUCT INNOVATIONS We are fortunate to receive comments again this year from all the industry’s major sweeper truck manufacturers about their thoughts on the annual Sweeper Summit. We are also thrilled to share their lists of new product rollouts and innovations in sweeper truck components that these producers plan to introduce in 2026. Schwarze Industries Schwarze on the 2025 Sweeper Summit: Joe Hendrickson, VP of Sales & Marketing for Schwarze Industries, offered this perspective on the Summit on behalf of the manufacturer: Schwarze takes pride in our participation in the annual sweeper Summit. It provides our industry with an event focused solely on sweeping and what is important to sweeping

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system, 28 switches replaced by palm control, a 12” wide touch screen with added troubleshooting capabilities, and the Six Sense set of programmable memory settings. The system will have a savable naming feature for each setting. The model will also feature a full-width conveyor with a patented interchangeable belt or squeegee cartridges, and it is designed for easy access to hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical components. 4 M6 Avalanche Hybrid: The M6 is a plug-in Hybrid that will deliver as much as 30% increased fuel efficiency and 80% less hydraulic oil use. The biodegradable oil is only pumped during the dump cycle. The vehicle offers over 6 hours of battery runtime, an onboard generator for continuous sweeping, and 110v or 220v plug-in charging for greater cost savings. It

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also produces 25% more torque from its broom and conveyor motors. The M6 Hybrid features Schwarze’s new 2.0 control panel system. No oil is used during the sweeping operation of the M6, and the machine is quieter and more efficient than sweeper trucks with a hydraulic drive system. 4 2.0 Console for select mechanical sweepers: This advanced control console design replaces 28 switches with palm control, a 12” wide touch screen with added troubleshooting capabilities, Six Sense programmable memory settings, Now with savable naming feature for each setting. Victory Sweepers

substantial upgrades designed to

Victory on the 2025 Sweeper Summit: Chris Crews,

meet the demands of larger scale

Victory Sweepers Sales & Marketing Specialist, has

street cleaning projects. The new

shared some highly enlightening observations of the

sweeper will feature:

Sweeper Summit 2025 in Las Vegas: It wasn’t just

4 A significantly larger hopper

about machines—it was about momentum. Industry

capacity than previous models –

leaders, manufacturers, and buyers converged to

8.4 cubic yards made from 304

explore the latest in sweeping technology, and the

stainless steel.

event delivered a powerful blend of innovation,

4 The system will be powered by

networking, and customer insight. From mechanical

the well-respected John Deere 139 horsepower

broom sweepers to advanced air models, the

auxiliary engine.

Summit highlighted the breadth of solutions

4 A full-width blast orifice head combined with

shaping the industry. Attendees praised the quality

14-inch diameter suction and pressure tubes will

of organization and the chance to see unfamiliar

provide improved debris handling and reduced

equipment up close, reinforcing the sector’s

clogging.

commitment to evolving customer needs.

4 A larger diameter blower fan made from Hardox®

Victory 2026 Product Innovations: Victory

steel is included to withstand abrasive debris.

Sweepers is preparing to launch a new 8.4 cubic

(optional catch basin cleaning attachment)

yard regenerative air street sweeper targeted

New Victory Production Facility Opening in

at municipalities and professional contractors,

2026: Victory Sweepers is also announcing that the

expected to be available in mid-2026. This upcoming

company will open its new $8 million manufacturing

model builds on the successful foundation of the

and operations facility in Huntsville, Alabama in

company’s Mark III and Mark 6 sweepers but offers

2026. The new state-of-the-art 75,000-square-

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The new state-of-the-art 75,000 square-foot enhances Victory’s ability to scale production, accelerate product development, uphold its world-class quality standards, and increase readiness for upcoming product lines.

the customers, it’s a valuable networking opportunity. The information sharing among the contractors can foot enhances Victory’s ability to scale production,

be a great development resource in operations,

accelerate product development, uphold its world-

maintenance, customer offerings, product knowledge,

class quality standards, and increase readiness

and revenue generation. The show’s main focus

for upcoming product lines. Those will include the

is contractors, but it has the potential to include

highly anticipated 8-cubic-yard sweeper — a new

operators and other markets using sweepers, like

standard-setting next-gen model of high-performance

municipal street sweeping.

equipment.

ODRA 2026 Product Innovations: Moving into 2026,

ODRA Road Sweepers

ODRA Road Sweepers is planning several ground-

ODRA on the 2025 Sweeper Summit: Jason Coover,

breaking upgrades to sweeper truck designs to benefit

Sales Director – Southern US, ODRA LLC, reflects on

operators with increased process efficiency and

the significance of the event for ODRA: The Summit is,

control, and reduced downtime:

by far, the largest sweeper

4 We will introduce a new air compressor system that

focused expo in the US. It

has a recharge rate improved by60%. This system is

is very important to ODRA,

solely used for our air ride suspension.

as more than half of the

4 Our biggest improvement comes in our optional

attendees are customers

pivot drag shoe arm assembly. This game-changing

and every attendee

design eliminates all-too-common bent trailer arms

represents a potential

due to common threats in the sweeping surfaces.

opportunity for us to build

Our new design allows the arm to pivot via slotted

a new relationship. For

holes in the arm, which allows for quick realignment

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instead of the traditional replacing of the arm. This is a

2025 SWEEPER SUMMIT AND 2026 INDUSTRY

quick fix which greatly reduces downtime.

INNOVATIONS

4 Our newly designed water spray system brings flow

A recurrent theme across all the sweeper truck

control inside the cab with proportional control valves

manufacturers’ reflections on the 2025 Summit was the

for precision water metering along with new brass

opportunity for learning and connecting with sweeping

spray nozzles for longer life and higher flow rates for

business operators. Chris Crews of Victory noted,

superior dust control.

“The Summit offered rare face to face engagement

Stewart-Amos Sweeper Company

in a business climate that is otherwise dominated by

Stewart-Amos on the 2025 Sweeper Summit: National

digital communication. Decision makers and suppliers

Sales Manager, Stewart-Amos Sweeper Company, Scott

connected at the Summit in a relaxed setting, creating

Stewart shares his impression of this year’s Summit: We

space for candid conversations that busy schedules often

really enjoyed the show and thought it was an excellent

prevent. The handson format built confidence, turning

event. As always, it was great to have all the sweeper

product demos into relationship-building moments.”

contractors in one place. Each year, including this year,

As Chris observed, and we can all agree, “The

we’ve taken a sweeper truck

Summit’s success lay in its balance:

to the event, and we’ve sold

cuttingedge technology paired with

it there each time. So, that

human connection. The takeaway

was a plus. The gala was very

was clear — competitive advantage

nice too. Having dinner with

in the sweeping industry comes

everybody was great. It was an

not only from machines but from

overall fantastic event.

the relationships and support that

Stewart-Amos 2026 Product Innovations: Scott Stewart

surround them.” And, as we see in the

announced a transformative upgrade across the board

stunning array of innovations coming from these industry

by Stewart-Amos Sweeping Company going into 2026:

experts in 2026, the competitive advantages promise

We’ve been selling quite a few of the Starfire S-4c on

to further multiply spectacularly with the benefits of the

Isuzu chassis. And, we offer the S4XL. It’s the big brother

machinery upgrades to come in the new year.

to the smaller Isuzu: 4 It eliminates the need to even think about having to have dual steering on a larger unit. We’ve stepped up sales of those. 4 We’ve introduced touch-screen electronics in the cab for the sweeper on all of our sweepers. It’s one-touch sweeping. The key benefit is that it’s very user friendly. It’s already out for the new model year.

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INDEX Bensink.........................................................................................37 704-658-1333 / buchermunicipal.com

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

Eagle Eye Tracking.......................................................................21 855-338-7225

SEALMATE....................................................................................29 sealmate.com

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

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

FMI Truck Sales & Service...........................................................17 800-927-8750

Skavin’jer Street Sweepers..........................................................54 888-652-2137 / skavinjer.com

Gregory Highway..........................................................................19 866-994-4929 / gregoryhighway.com

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

KeyStone Street Sweeping Brooms............................................17 800-635-5238 / kpbrush.com

Street Smart..................................................................................27 888-653-6800 / streetsmartrental.com

NAPSA..........................................................................................11 info@powersweeping.org

Trinity Highway.............................................................................45 888-323-6374 / trinityhighway.com

Nite-Hawk Sweepers..........................................................6, 14, 35 800-448-9364 / nitehawksweepers.com

Tymco............................................................................................15 800-258-9626 / tymco.com

Nomad.........................................................................................BC 450-530-9873 / balaisnomad.com

United Rotary Brush Corporation..................................................6 800-851-5108 / united-rotary.com

The ODB Co............................................................................41, 55 800-446-9823 / www.odbco.com ODRA Sweeper...............................................................................2 844-888-6372 / odrasweeper.com

Victory Sweeper...........................................................................11 844-479-3373 / victorysweepers.com

Pat’s Pump & Blower....................................................................26 800-359-7867 / patspump.com Revamped Equipement LLC..........................................................3 603-930-4995 / RevampedEquipement.com

World Insurance...........................................................................13 866-793-9999 Xpress Sweeping Inc....................................................................37 401-523-6116 / xpresssweeping.com

Safety Vision...................................................................................3 800-851-4764 / safetyvision.com

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