— By Jenn Poultney — Best practices for stopping roof leaks before they start. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that couldn’t be truer when it comes to managing facilities, especially on the roof. Keeping up with preventive maintenance and performing routine inspections can significantly reduce roof leaks and improve the health and longevity of a roof. Most roof warranties require scheduled maintenance or housekeeping to keep the warranty in good standing. Neglecting these activities or not properly documenting these activities can void a roof’s …
vendors
Saginaw, Mich. — Duro-Last, a member of Holcim Building Envelope, has appointed Chris Warner as its new vice president of operations. With more than 20 years of experience in operational leadership and a strong background in lean manufacturing and strategic process optimization, Warner will be instrumental in enhancing Duro-Last’s operational excellence and advancing its commitment to safety and superior customer service. “I am honored to join Duro-Last and contribute to the legacy of excellence that has made the company a trusted leader in commercial roofing,” says Warner. “Duro-Last’s reputation for …
New York City — Checkmate, a leader in AI-powered ordering solutions for enterprise restaurants, has secured $10 million in Series B funding led by Tiger Global. The round will enable Checkmate to accelerate the adoption of its voice AI and kiosk technologies across the industry. Checkmate has already developed expertise in integrating digital orders into restaurant point-of-sale (POS) systems. This foundation serves as a critical advantage in entering these new business segments. Checkmate offers best-in-class phone ordering and drive-thru AI solutions to some of the country’s largest brands, all seamlessly …
Atlanta — Hillphoenix, a pioneer in environmentally sustainable refrigeration, has once again earned the GreenChill Store Certification Excellence recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This achievement recognizes the commercial refrigeration systems manufacturer that installed the most advanced, sustainable refrigeration systems in GreenChill-certified stores in the past year. Hillphoenix has provided sustainable refrigeration for 777 stores. “We are committed to developing future-focused refrigeration solutions at Hillphoenix and very proud of our long history of developing sustainable refrigeration technology,” says Scott Martin, director of business development and industry relations for …
Stay Out of the “Dead Zone”
— By Del Williams — Advanced Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) eliminate potential dead zones in commercial buildings to help first responders stay connected. First responders such as fire, EMS and police depend on reliable two-way radio communication when lives and property are at risk. That’s not always an easy task in many buildings. In-building radio signals are often absorbed or blocked by structures that are larger, underground or constructed of concrete or metal. Additionally, building features designed to create more sustainable facilities such as low-E glass windows can …
Portland, Ore. — Killer Burger, a fast-growing better burger concept, has implemented technology to increase its operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. The company has launched a test with Toast on self-serving kiosks that allows guests to browse the menu, customize their orders and pay at their own pace — reducing wait times and improving the overall guest experience. Killer Burgers has also launched Toast’s Kitchen Display System to streamline back-of-house operations. Since implementing Toast’s Kitchen Display Systems (KDS), and launching its single-ticket flow operating system, Killer Burger has cut its …
Seattle — Accelerating the pace of electric vehicle charging, Electric Era, an end-to-end EV charging solution partner, has entered into an EV fast-charging station deployment with fellow Washington state native Costco Wholesale Corporation. The partnership sets an industry-leading pace with just 7 weeks between contract signature to station launch. As EV charging rapidly becomes an essential business objective for retailers, Costco faced a critical challenge: while industry-standard EV infrastructure projects typically take years, the retailer needed a rapid deployment solution for its new Ridgefield, Wash., store that could meet local …
— By John Wright — Savvy retailers are finding innovative ways to boost efficiency. Modern building management systems can control everything from locked doors and temperature settings, to lighting and even audio and ambiance in today’s retail environments. But can they do more? Some retail leaders think so and are employing new strategies to gain a competitive advantage. “Dark deliveries” have emerged as one such strategy for optimizing efficiency and streamlining operations. This refers to an approach that allows retail stores to receive shipments during off-hours when operations are minimal …
Atlanta — Better Earth, a leader in sustainable foodservice packaging solutions, has acquired Betterbin, a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that optimizes recycling and composting education for consumers, retailers and businesses. This acquisition bolsters Better Earth’s mission to create a regenerative circular economy by providing seamless, tech-driven solutions that divert food packaging waste from landfills, improve compliance with solid waste regulations and meet local sustainability goals. With only around 5% of plastics currently being recycled in the United States, the need for smarter waste solutions is more urgent than …
Asbury Park, N.J. — Solar Landscape, a leading commercial and community solar developer, has teamed up with Walmart, which plans to invest in 74 Solar Landscape community solar projects in Maryland and Illinois as part of a 3 million-square-foot clean energy portfolio. The commercial rooftop projects are currently under construction and expected to energize in 2024 and 2025. They will create nearly 43 megawatts (DC) of solar capacity for the surrounding communities — enough power to serve the equivalent of over 3,600 homes. Approximately half of the portfolio is designed …