2011 TFM Readers’ Choice Awards

Readers' Choice Logo

By TFM Editors
Published in the February 2011 issue of Today’s Facility Manager

Numerous companies offer products and services to members of the facility management (FM) profession. And each year, Today’s Facility Manager (TFM) asks its readers to vote for their preferred vendors in a variety of categories. For this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards, the survey included 45 categories, and FM professionals were asked to indicate what company they rated highest based on product aesthetics, product reliability, value, and customer service. The winners are presented here with information about each company.

Access Control Winner, HID Corporation

Access Control

HID Corporation (photo at right)
multiCLASS™ Magnetic Stripe readers are designed for customers upgrading their current access control card system from the popular magnetic stripe (“magstripe”) technology to enhanced security from 13.56 MHz smart card technology. Supporting access control technology combinations including magnetic stripe, keypad, HID Prox, and 13.56 MHz smart card technology (including iCLASS and FIPS 201 credentials), the multiCLASS reader line represents the ultimate in flexibility, enabling a cost-effective and seamless migration solution with no operational disruption.

ADA Ergonomics Winner Wooster

ADA/Ergonomic Products

Wooster Products, Inc. (photo at left)
Safety stair and walkway expert, Wooster Products Inc. has been furnishing “state-of-the-art” anti-slip safety treads and safety surfaces continuously since 1921.

Building Automation Winner Johnson Controls

Building Automation Systems

Johnson Controls, Inc. (photo at right)
Metasys® version 5.0 is the world’s premier Building Management System. It delivers greater visibility into building operations and energy usage through multiple system enhancements, including web enabled reports and summaries compatible with the iPhone® and iPod touch® platforms and wireless controls and sensors.

Building Materials Owens Corning

Building Materials

Owens Corning® (photo at left)
Owens Corning EcoTouch™ PINK™ FIBERGLAS™ Insulation with PureFiber™ Technology is the newest innovation from the most preferred brand of insulation in the industry. This high performance insulation is made with natural materials and a certified minimum of 50% recycled content.

Cabling Çable Management Winner Legrand Wiremold

Cabling & Cable Management

Legrand®/Wiremold (photo at right)
Legrand/Wiremold is the industry leader in seamlessly integrating power, data/communications, and audio/video through specialized wire and cable pathways. Products like the Evolution™ Series worksurface portal help facility managers keep pace with changing technology and evolving workspaces.

Carpet Winner Mohawk

Carpet

The Mohawk Group (photo at left)
Bigelow, a brand of The Mohawk Group, breathes new life into contract interiors with Organic Matrix. Available at a price point that won’t take the buyer’s breath away, the Collection’s five modular patterns come in 12 thoughtful shades that promise to invigorate any interior.

Carpet Fibers/TreatmentsCarpet Fibers Treatment Winner Antron

ANTRON® (photo at right)
Armstrong’s approach to developing a new ceiling product begins with defining customer needs, which is often the result of collaboration between the building owner, architect, and ceiling manufacturer. The company ensures the right mix of portfolio products to meet the demanding needs of today’s building owners and managers—from performance based to aesthetic ceiling solutions.

Ceilings Winner Armstrong

Ceilings/Ceiling Tiles

Armstrong® World Industries (photo at left)
The Armstrong approach to developing ceiling products begins with defining customer needs, which is often the result of collaboration with architects and facility managers. The company then ensures the right mix of products to meet the demanding needs of today’s building owners and managers.

Cleaning Maintenance Winner Rubbermaid

Cleaning/Maintenance Products

Rubbermaid® Commercial Products (photo at right)
By listening to customers and looking for opportunities to help them succeed, Rubbermaid provides innovative, durable products that improve worker productivity and enhance worker well-being. Rubbermaid’s DVAC™ 1-Pass Cleaning Solution™ combines vacuuming, cleaning, and waste collection into an efficient, single pass process, saving up to 66% of non-productive travel time.

CCTV Winner Sony

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

SONY® (photo at left)
The SNC-DH210 is ideal for locations that require high performance in a small footprint. This low profile mini-dome camera maintains a crisp 1080p resolution and is available with vandal resistant housing—perfect for high traffic locations. Simple to install and easy to operate, it comes bundled with RealShot™ Manager Lite software allowing users to control and record from up to nine Sony cameras via web browser. Competitively priced and feature rich, this camera is perfect for most retail environments.

Conference Room Winner Steelcase

Conference Room Furnishings And Equipment

Steelcase (photo at right)
media:scape with HD videoconferencing boosts collaboration across the table or across the globe by transforming meeting rooms, connecting distributed teams, and sharing information seamlessly in dynamic, new ways. With media:scape, participants open the media well, connect their laptops to the Puck, and share their content. With a simple click of the puck, the next worker’s content is shown—all while linking with colleagues via HD videoconferencing.

Door hardware Winner schlageDoors/Door Hardware

Johnson Controls, Inc. (photo at left)
Ingersoll Rand’s Security Technologies is a leading global provider of products and services—electronic and biometric access control systems; mechanical locks; door closers; exit devices; architectural hardware; and steel doors and frames—that make environments safe, secure, and productive.

Elevators/Controls

Otis Elevator Company (no additional information or photo provided)

Emergency/Strobe LightsEmergency Strobe Lights Winner Philips

Philips Emergency Lighting (photo at right)
Philips Emergency Lighting delivers solution driven products for a broad range of lighting applications. Our focus on industry advancements, customer needs, and code compliance leads to great products like the ELI-S-20 Emergency Lighting Micro Inverter. The ELI-S-20 is ideal for screw base LED and fluorescent lamps.

Employee ID badge printers winner IR/Ingersoll RandEmployee ID/Badge Printers

IR/Ingersoll Rand (photo at left)
The aptiQ smart card from Schlage, using MIFARE DESFire™ EV1 technology, offers a higher level of security, more convenience, and greater functionality than proximity cards for a comparable price. They also manage access, payments, and many other functions.

Energy Management & Energy ConsultantsEnergy Management Winner APC Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric (photo at right)
Schneider Electric provides energy sustainability consultation services and turnkey solutions for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and building management. Our team consists of Professional Engineers, Certified Energy Managers, LEED® Accredited Professionals, and experienced system integration engineers. Together, we help ensure the success of an organization’s energy strategy and improve bottom line performance.

Exterior Sealants Coatings Winner 3MExterior Sealants & Coatings

3M™ Industrial Materials (photo at left)
Manufactures Scotchkote™ Premier Polyurethane and Advanced Acrylic Liquid Roofing Membranes are used in new construction, repair, and maintenance. Applied using fiberglass reinforcement, the coating systems are ideal for complex shapes, compatible with a variety of substrates, and come in ready to use single pack containers.

Fire/Life Safety ProductsFire Life Safety Winner SimplexGrinnell

SimplexGrinnell (photo at right)
SimplexGrinnell is introducing TrueInsight® Remote Service—an Internet-based technology that provides the capability to diagnose advanced Simplex® fire alarm systems remotely. The diagnostics enable us to identify and isolate system issues remotely, which can lead to faster resolution time.

Flooring Winner ArmstrongFlooring

Armstrong® World Industries (photo at left)
Armstrong Flooring Products is the trusted brand that delivers a broad selection of flooring with an winning combination of sustainability attributes, design, and value. As a single-source partner, Armstrong flooring offers an extensive, integrated portfolio of commercial flooring solutions in a variety of visuals, colors, and textures to meet specific design, performance, maintenance, installation, and budget requirements. Armstrong’s comprehensive commercial portfolio includes a wide selection of floors from VCT to hardwood.

Armstrong LVT captures the essence of earth’s woods, stones, metals, and original graphic designs in a flexible to install commercial resilient flooring. The UV cured coating eliminates the need for polishes and spray buffing. These fashionable floors combine the best of design and technology in one product.

FM ServicesFacility Management Services Winner Grainger

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (photo at right)
Grainger is a valued partner to the people who keep facilities safe, efficient, and functioning. As a leading distributor of maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supplies, Grainger gives easy access to the products and services customers need to keep their facilities up and running at a lower total cost. Through an integrated network including branches, distribution centers, and its website, Grainger’s team members help businesses and institutions improve the productivity of their operations.

Facility management Software Winner AutodeskFM Software

AUTODESK® (photo at left)
AutoCAD® software is giving facility managers the tools to design and shape the world. As one of the world’s leading 2D and 3D design applications, AutoCAD software presents users with powerful, flexible features to move design projects from concept through completion.

FurnitureFurniture Winner Herman Miller

Herman Miller (photo at right)

The latest from the original inventor of systems furniture, Herman Miller’s Canvas Office Landscape creates holistic work environments that bring choice, harmony, and connection. Canvas elements create surround, structure, surface, storage, and support for the complete range of workspaces.

Refurbished Furniture Winner Davies

Furniture: Refurbished

Davies Office Refurbishing, Inc. (photo at left)
Our goal is to provide the highest quality, lowest cost furniture solutions consistently by enhancing and remanufacturing quality furnishings while focusing on maintaining the maximum inherent value of our clients’ existing furniture assets in an environmentally responsible way.

Furniture: SeatingSeating Winner Herman Miller

Herman Miller (photo at right)
Herman Miller’s Aeron chair has been the international reference point and market leader in ergonomic, high performance work chairs since its introduction. While the company continues to advance seating innovation through applied research and design, Aeron remains an industry icon.

Furniture Storage Winner HONFurniture: Storage

The HON Company (photo at left)
The HON Company is dedicated to designing and manufacturing practical workplace solutions, and Flagship® is one collection reflective of this abiding philosophy. It is a series that answers a range of storage needs with a selection of lateral files, cabinets, and towers.

HVAC/Indoor Air QualityHVAC IAQ Winner Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls (photo at right)
The YORK® Magnetic Centrifugal Chiller (YMC2) offers superior efficiency and sound performance. It uses magnetic bearing technology to eliminate mechanical contact losses in the driveline to increase uptime and reduce maintenance costs. The YMC2 is 10% more efficient than conventional, variable speed chillers and quieter than any water-cooled centrifugal or screw chiller in the marketplace.

Lamps Bulbs Winner OSRAM SYLVANIALamps And Bulbs

SYLVANIA (photo at left)
OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions and specialty products that feature innovative design and energy saving technology. Matching the right light to an environment can yield maximum energy savings with technology choices, making the application a critical development factor. The company sells products for homes, businesses, and vehicles primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name and also under the OSRAM brand.

Lighting Controls

GE Lighting Systems (no additional information provided)

Office Technology Equipment Winner MOTOROLA

Office Technology/Equipment

Motorola (photo at right)
Motorola’s diverse array of portable and mobile two-way radios offers solutions that better enable facility managers to coordinate and communicate efficiently with an on the go workforce.

Paint Winner Sherwin-WilliamsPaint (Exterior And Interior)

Sherwin-Williams® (photo at left)
Sherwin-Williams is committed to providing facility managers with products and services that get the job done right. Turn to ProMar® 200 Interior Latex for project needs—now available in a zero VOC formula. ProMar 200 Zero VOC delivers outstanding durability and touch-up plus excellent hide in four sheens and all colors.

Paper Winner Georgia Pacific

Paper Products (Cafeteria, Restroom)

Georgia-Pacific Professional (GPP) (photo at right)
GPP—an innovator of washroom, wiper, and food service solutions—offers a range of hygienic dispensing systems, towels, tissues, soaps, sanitizers, wipers, cups, plates, cutlery, and napkins. Each product showcases the company’s commitment to providing efficient paper solutions for any facility.

Pest Bird Control Winner Bird-X

Pest/Bird Control/Deterrents

Bird-X (photo at left)
Since 1964, Bird-X has been the leader in producing humane pest and bird repellent products, which are eco-friendly (“green”), environmentally safe, non-toxic, and non harmful. Our products are used in facilities worldwide to prevent the spread of disease and create the cleanest and safest environment possible.

Plumbing Faucet Fixtures Winner American StandardPlumbing/Faucets/Fixtures

American Standard (photo at right)
American Standard offers a full range of commercial plumbing products that achieve both high performance and water efficiency for corporate, institutional, and hospitality facilities. The Afwall® FloWise® Toilet with a Selectronic® flush valve optimizes water savings with 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf).

Restroom Accessories Winner Kimberly-ClarkRestroom Accessories

Kimberly-Clark Professional (photo at left)
Kimberly-Clark Professional has introduced the Kleenex Touchless Counter Mount Skin Care System, a luxurious and hygienic sealed soap system that is easy to install and delivers a perfect shot of foam soap without misfires or wasteful drips. A patent-pending “Smart Shot” dispensing technology offers facilities three customized dispenser settings.

Roofing Winner Duro-LastRoofing

Duro-Last® Roofing, Inc. (photo at right)
The Duro-Last custom fabricated roofing system is ideal for any flat or low sloped application: easily installed without disrupting building operations, durable, leakproof, energy efficient, and virtually maintenance free.

Security Systems Consultants Winner HID

Security Systems & Consultants

HID Corporation (photo at left)
Edge™ is the next evolution in access control hardware solutions. A true IP solution that meets the demands of open architecture, IP-centric environments, Edge provides fully distributed intelligence and decision making right to the door, leveraging the IT infrastructure to the maximum extent possible.

Shredders Winner SEM

Shredders

Security Engineered Machinery (SEM) (photo at right)
The compact Model 0300 Jackhammer™ Hard Drive Shredder from Security Engineered Machinery (SEM) is fast, safe, clean, quiet, and easy to use. It also destroys cell phones, PDAs, optical media (CDs and DVDs), etc., reducing items to random 11⁄2″ shreds.

Signage Winner APCOSignage

APCO Signs (photo at left)
Innovation and design have been at the core of APCO’s business since 1966, and all of the sign systems we develop have one focus in common—the customer. APCO signs provide both the benefits of modular, easy to maintain systems while also offering the design flexibility and looks of completely custom products.

Sound Masking SystemsSoundmasking Winner Dynasound

Dynasound, Inc. (photo at right)
Dynasound provides the industry’s only networked addressable sound masking system that uses standard networks (i.e., Cisco, Netgear) power over ethernet (PoE), and cost-effective addressing of all speakers individually. Dynasound also offers “hybrid” systems incorporating 70 volt zones and IP addressable systems using the same network as well as innovative eavesdropping protection systems.

Toilets Urinals Winner Sloan ValveToilets/Urinals

Sloan® Valve (photo at left)
With a customer driven research approach to developing products, Sloan delivers on the features that help customers save time and money. Water efficiency is always built into our complete restroom offerings for the commercial marketplace.

Wall Coverings/Panel Fabrics/TextilesWall Coverings Panel Fabrics Textiles Winner Designtex

Designtex (photo at right)
Designtex’s vision is to be the global resource for applied surface knowledge, innovation, and sustainability and to be the world’s respected leader for applied surface solutions. The company’s mission is to provide intelligent and innovative surfaces and solutions that enhance environments.

Water Fountains Winner CulliganWater Fountains

Culligan (photo at left)
For over 70 years, Culligan’s network of more than 800 dealers has helped maintain the efficiency of commercial water treatment systems, including Culligan’s Bottle-Free® drinking water solutions. As a global leader in water treatment, Culligan has dedicated service technicians in all areas who are experts in local water quality.

Water Treatment/PurificationWater Treatment Winner GE

GE Water & Process Technologies (photo at right)
GE Power & Water is a leading global supplier of water treatment, wastewater treatment, water reuse, and process systems solutions along with water treatment chemicals and process chemicals. The company delivers proven technologies and solutions for water treatment and reuse and continues to invest heavily to enhance current products and to develop new, even more advanced technologies.

TrueSense gives users previously unavailable tools to optimize productivity and increase water savings in the monitoring and control of cooling water systems. GE’s TrueSense Personal Water Analytics offline water testing system is part of a suite of complementary technologies that represent world-class automation and process control for cooling water applications. Along with the TrueSense Online for Cooling monitor and TrueSense View knowledge management software, GE is redefining “optimized” for the cooling water industry.

Window Films Winner SolutiaWindow Films

Solutia Performance Films (photo at left)
Solutia (formerly CPFilms) is a market leading performance materials and specialty chemicals company that focuses on solutions for a better life through a range of products. Its businesses are world leaders in each of their market segments.

Featuring a patent pending, low-e coating, EnerLogic™ window film adds up to 92% more insulating power to existing windows—improving energy efficiency in every season. EnerLogic, the latest addition to the Vista™ lineup of architectural window films, effectively transforms the insulating power of single pane windows into double-pane; and double pane windows into triple pane at a fraction of

WindowsWindows Winner Allied

Allied Window, Inc. (photo at right)
Allied Window’s interior or exterior storm windows are custom designed to adapt to existing field conditions; their motto is “No Limits”. Large openings, unique designs, special shapes, custom colors, and special glazing are all routine. The Operating Magnetic One Lite (MOL-OP) is designed for energy savings where ventilation is important.