Waltham, Mass. — On December 7, 2021, Jewel-Osco unveiled the company’s first micro fulfillment center (MFC) at the Westmont store in Chicago. The 20,000-square-foot MFC facility allows for a seamless shopping experience for customers by pairing a brick-and-mortar store with home delivery through artificial intelligence. The micro fulfillment center is an automated rack and tote system that prepares orders for delivery through a partnership with Waltham, Mass.-based grocery technology company Takeoff Technologies. More than 6,000 totes of product are shuttled from their allotted space inside Takeoff and elevators move the …
vendors
Chicago and Miami — REEF Technology Inc., the largest operator of delivery kitchens, logistics and proximity hubs in North America, has acquired 2ndKitchen, a leader in virtual kitchens for hotels, offices, buildings, venues and other hospitality companies. REEF and 2ndKitchen’s existing businesses will be combined under the REEF brand, and will operate under REEF’s Hospitality division. Together, REEF and 2ndKitchen will expand their customer base and enable any business to be able to turn on foodservice without physical infrastructure and the associated expenses. The transaction strengthens REEF’s position in the …
Tampa, Fla. — As most facilities across the country have resumed full operation, their maintenance needs have expanded accordingly. From storm recovery to winterization and preventative HVAC servicing, the needs of buildings are many and varied. MaintenX International has been expanding nationwide throughout 2021 to meet these client requirements, and is looking for additional team members as winter begins. MaintenX has added more than 100 self-performing facility maintenance technicians to its national team so far this year, and still has more than 60 open positions available across the country. From …
Richfield, Wis. — Hy-Brid Lifts, a low-level access equipment leader, has transitioned JJ Beimborn from service manager to Midwest territory sales manager. His new role will include promoting the growing Hy-Brid Lifts product line, establishing and maintaining customer relationships and supporting customers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. “I’m looking forward to expanding the customer relationships I have built over the last several years as the Hy-Brid Lifts service manager,” says Beimborn. “I’m also excited to share the many benefits of our products and continue growing our …
Chadds Ford, Pa. — RWS Facility Services (RWS), a leading full-service facilities management services company, has appointed Karen Carus to the role of business development manager for the company’s Facility Managed Services business unit. In her new role, Carus will work to increase the company’s national footprint of facility services clients as well as expanding services to the existing RWS client base. Carus brings to RWS more than 15 years of experience in national account development within the manufacturing, distribution and retail verticals. Prior to joining RWS, she held the …
Tampa, Fla. — Analysts predict that falling COVID-19 rates and high consumer demand will cause holiday shoppers to show up online and in-person earlier and in numbers much higher than last year. While great news for retailers, the surge in business tempo can challenge operations and facilities managers who are not prepared, according to MaintenX, a leading commercial facility maintenance and repair company. “Repairing and refreshing storefronts and interiors as well as making sure distribution and supply operations facilities are running smoothly should be top priorities for managers right now,” …
— By Manik Suri — Food waste is a major issue. Here’s what you can do about it. What do Dutch Bro’s, Eggs Up Grill, and Domino’s have in common? They are creating more sustainable businesses by replacing manual temperature checks with automated systems. Project Drawdown found that about a third of food produced is never eaten, which means that the resources used to grow that food is wasted. This waste of resources is ultimately accountable for 8% of global carbon emissions. But food waste isn’t just a climate …
Downers Grove, Ill. — Sevan Multi-Site Solutions, Inc. has named David Hendrix as its first chief commercial officer (CCO). Hendrix will lead the organization to grow Sevan’s sales and client opportunities while overseeing business development and marketing. Hendrix joins Sevan from CoolSys and Rentokil Steritech. “David’s exceptional experience in sales, marketing and operations across a variety of industries will be a valuable asset to our executive office and company,” says Jim Evans, CEO and president of Sevan. “David has a proven track record of achieving profitable growth, while incorporating the …
Fairview Heights, Ill. — Cole Loftus joins the team at IMPACT Strategies in the newly created position of market development manager. In his new role, Loftus will continue in IMPACT’s core purpose of developing industry relationships by identifying, qualifying and developing project pursuit opportunities across the firm’s multiple markets which include Missouri, Illinois and Ohio/Northern Kentucky. “The addition of Cole to our team will help us continue to grow as a company, while still providing excellence in construction to our clients,” says Nick Walker, vice president, project development and strategy …
— By Dr. Nancy Troyano — Storm recovery tips to keep people safe and prevent pest infestations. As a result of several consecutive storm seasons tracking above-average activity, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has redefined the qualifications for an “average” hurricane season, increasing the overall storm count. The current 2021 storm season is no exception as it’s tracking to be another busy season. The high winds, heavy rain and flooding that often result from hurricanes, tornadoes and other severe storms can cause extreme structural damage, create safety hazards …