By Facility Executive Editors
Published in the January/February 2016 Issue
Numerous companies offer products and services that meet the diverse needs of facility management (FM) professionals. For the past 23 years, our editors have asked readers to vote for their preferred vendors in a variety of categories. For this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards, the survey included more than 40 categories, and FM professionals were asked to indicate what companies they rated highest based on product aesthetics, product reliability, value, and customer service. Browse for the results…
CONSTRUCTION/RENOVATION
BUILDING MATERIALS
Georgia-Pacific Gypsum
Georgia-Pacific is a manufacturer and marketer of building products, tissue, packaging, paper, cellulose, and related chemicals. Billions of square feet of DensDeck® roof boards have been installed in thousands of commercial roofing systems worldwide for nearly 30 years. DensDeck and DensDeck Prime panels feature the mold resistance, fire resistance, strength, and dimensional stability built into the entire Dens® portfolio.
ROOFING
Duro-Last Roofing
The Duro-Last® Roofing system, the “World’s Best Roof®”, is suitable for any flat or low-sloped roof. What sets it apart are the prefabricated deck sheets, accessories, and flashings, which allow for a watertight installation that does not sacrifice aesthetics.
WINDOWS
EFCO, a Pella Company
Designed for low- to mid-rise buildings, EFCO’s curtain wall system, 5600 PG, addresses the challenges of installation and glazing with pre-glaze capability and factory fabrication options. Features like single span or multi-span and anti-bulking clips ease installation.
FACILITY INFRASTRUCTURE/SYSTEMS
BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
Siemens Building Technologies
Siemens’ building automation systems help facility executives minimize energy use; optimize HVAC equipment; and integrate fire, security, lighting, and other systems. They are suitable for offices, hospitals, K-12 schools and campuses, hotels, airports, museums, commercial buildings, single buildings, or multi-building campuses.
CABLING & CABLE MANAGEMENT
Legrand®/Wiremold
The InteGreat™ Series from Legrand is designed to accommodate a greater use of connectivity in meeting rooms while organizing and protecting critical connections. These products are easy to install and allow access for future technology upgrades—in a flexible and reconfigurable solution.
DATA CENTER MANAGEMENT
Schneider Electric
Cooling Optimize, part of the StruxureWare for Data Centers DCIM suite, adds dynamic airflow management and optimization to existing data center cooling systems, enabling significant energy reduction, improved reliability, and availability through automated identification and elimination of hot spots and potential facility risks.
ELEVATORS
KONE
An elevator is a lot like a train in that everyone gets on board and has to make every stop along the way. But what if it could be more like a limousine that takes you swiftly and comfortably to exactly where you want to go? That’s the idea behind KONE’s Polaris destination control system for passenger elevators. It can improve vertical transportation in office buildings, hotels, and business complexes. With its engaging and innovative design, KONE Polaris makes a positive impact on the look and feel of a facility.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Honeywell
Honeywell’s flagship building management system, Enterprise Building Integrator (EBI), provides operators with innovative, flexible energy management technology and data, such as consumption and historical trends that can help optimize a facility’s energy use in real time.
FIRE/LIFE SAFETY
SimplexGrinnell
Tyco SimplexGrinnell provides advanced SIMPLEX fire alarm panels and cloud-based applications to enhance protection, improve business operations, and increase customer value. The SIMPLEX 4100ES is an advanced, Internet-enabled panel that meets the needs of facility executives in all types of environments.
HVAC/INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Johnson Controls
YORK® Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems from Johnson Controls offer efficiency for heating and cooling with multiple modular units that provide quiet comfort for occupants, and flexibility in design. Johnson
Controls offers VRF training classes with expert instructors and hands-on experience to ensure optimal VRF design, installation, and service.
LED LIGHTING
Current, Powered by GE
Current brings innovation to one place by combining GE’s capabilities in LED, solar, energy storage, on-site generation, and electric vehicle infrastructure into a sustainable energy ecosystem to meet customer needs. Current’s Lumination™ IS Series Suspended LED Fixtures offer a modern, clean appearance of continuous rows of light while using 40% less energy than traditional lighting.
LIGHTING (NON-LED)
OSRAM SYLVANIA
OSRAM SYLVANIA offers a variety of linear, U-bend, compact, and specialty fluorescent lamps. The company’s focus has been on providing energy efficient and long life T8, T5, and CF lamps, enabling end users to reduce lighting maintenance costs and take advantage of utility rebates.
LIGHTING CONTROLS
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. designs products that deliver quality and performance to the customer. A new Quantum software interface allows facility managers to manage their electric light and daylight for maximum energy efficiency, comfort, and productivity. From anywhere in a building, a facility manager can control electric lights and shades as well as configure, monitor, analyze, and report on the light system in a building.
PLUMBING/FAUCETS/FIXTURES
Sloan Valve
Sloan, a manufacturer of commercial plumbing systems, is at the forefront of the green building movement. Sloan’s Hybrid Urinals combine a multi-patented urinal cartridge with revolutionary technology that keep urinals and drain lines clean, hygienic, odor-free, and clog-free.
WATER MANAGEMENT
Rain Bird
Rain Bird has been dedicated to The Intelligent Use of Water™ for over 80 years. From high efficiency sprinklers and drip irrigation to advanced control technologies like Rain Bird’s cloud-based IQ™ Platform, Rain Bird delivers powerful tools to maximize water savings.
INTERIORS
CARPET
Mohawk
With open, engaged environments replacing segmented ones, Mohawk is challenged to develop flooring solutions that connect with the Maker movement and mimic handcrafted details. The company’s Iconic Earth’s stone visuals reflect natural processes of geology with pops of sheen morphing and shifting throughout the floor and metallic yarns that mimic the look of oxidized minerals. The collection is comprised of three patterns—two in plank format and one in traditional carpet tile format—that standalone or work harmoniously. Various installations optimize modular flooring solutions suitable for high-traffic commercial applications.
CARPET FIBERS/TREATMENTS
Shaw
Shaw Contract Group manufactures high performance, Cradle to Cradle Certified™ carpet for any environment. Shaw Contract Group’s flooring provides maximum comfort, ease of maintenance, durability, and performance. EcoWorx carpet with EcoSolution Q fiber is PVC-free and can be recycled, reducing environmental impact.
CEILINGS/CEILING TILES
Armstrong® Commercial Ceilings
Armstrong Ceilings provides innovative products designed to control acoustics in today’s flexible interiors. Total Acoustics™ ceiling panels feature a combination of sound absorption (NRC) and sound blocking (CAC) in a single panel, making them a suitable choice for spaces with multiple functions.
DOORS/DOOR HARDWARE/LOCKS
Norton Door Controls
Norton Door Controls offers a comprehensive line of door controls designed and manufactured to ensure performance and reliability. The Norton 9500 Series is an ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 Door closer that features a clean, modern cover aesthetic and durable cast iron body that can be used in a variety of environments requiring ADA compliance.
FLOORING
Armstrong® Commercial Flooring
Armstrong provides facility managers with design options, durable performance, easy maintenance, and budget friendly solutions for every space with a portfolio of LVT, BioBased Tile®, sheet, linoleum, VCT, laminate, and hardwood flooring products. Armstrong’s newest linoleum sheet, Rhythmics, is a contemporary linear design and part of the LinoArt™ collection, which begins sustainable and remains sustainable. The NATURCote™ II high performance coating, featured on all LinoArt products, withstands scratches and scuffs from foot traffic. It also provides resistance to soiling and stains, damage from alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and damage that may result from exposure to high pH cleaning chemicals.
FURNITURE
Steelcase
Steelcase helps leading organizations recognize that their physical workplace can amplify the performance of their people, teams, and organization. Brody WorkLounge optimizes real estate by transforming underused, “in-between spaces” into coveted destinations for focus and by meeting needs for privacy, power, lighting, and personal storage.
FURNITURE: CONFERENCE ROOMS
The HON Company
Through its Voice of the Customer process, The HON Company listens and then produces workplace solutions that customers need to be successful. Preside® tables offer styles from cozy café to large conference rooms, and adapt to accommodate any space or work style, making it easy for people and ideas to connect.
FURNITURE: REFURBISHED
Davies Office
Transform old, tired looking furniture into contemporary designed solutions. Davies will re-engineer and rework existing furniture by remanufacturing it to like-new options. Take taller panels, filing, and storage, and re-index them to lower heights and workspace solutions.
FURNITURE: SEATING
Herman Miller
Herman Miller has a long history of making sitting a more natural part of the way people work. While each Herman Miller high performance work chair, including Aeron, is designed to solve a unique set of problems, they all contain three fundamental and human-centered innovations: PostureFit keeps a user’s spine properly aligned; the proprietary tilt designs let users recline naturally without losing support; and highly engineered breathable surface materials dynamically support the micro-movements of the body.
PAINT
Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams offers a wide range of high-performance coating systems for walls, floors, roofs, and concrete surfaces to help facility managers meet tight deadlines and control costs. Emerald® paint and primer in one with advanced stain blocking technology delivers best-in-class overall performance. With exceptional coverage and washability, it’s perfect for any paint job.
RESTROOM DISPENSERS/FIXTURES
Excel Dryer
The XLERATOR® Hand Dryer is the original, patented, high-speed, energy efficient hand dryer manufactured by Excel Dryer. XLERATOR dries hands completely in 10 seconds, three times faster than conventional hand dryers and uses 80% less energy.
SIGNAGE
APCO Graphics
APCO has designed innovative sign solutions since 1966, combining the best of both form and function. The company’s newest product, Elevate, is a frameless, modular sign system with a unique floating appearance, offering ADA compliant solutions that are both design-flexible and easy to maintain at the facility level.
MAINTENANCE
CLEANING/MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS
Rubbermaid Commercial Products
For more than 45 years, Rubbermaid Commercial Products has led the industry in bringing products to market with the ultimate goal of helping people to maintain safe, healthy commercial and institutional environments. RCP’s Maximizer™ mop significantly reduces the effort needed to lift and move the mop. With 30% more floor coverage and 25% less weight compared to traditional mops, it reduces the time spent cleaning large areas, which means increased productivity and less strain on cleaning professionals.
GROUNDSKEEPING/FACILITY FLEET
Cushman/EZ-GO
Since 1901, Cushman vehicles have been recognized as light transportation solutions for commercial and industrial applications. With a robust 28-hp gas engine, the Hauler 4X4 features an industry leading 800 pound cargo capacity and provides up to 1,200 pounds of total vehicle payload.
PAPER PRODUCTS (CAFETERIA, RESTROOM)
Kimberly-Clark Professional
Kimberly-Clark Professional* is committed to helping customers achieve their sustainability goals—something reflected in its product design. The New Scott* brand Paper Towel is 100% compostable, contains at least 80% post-consumer waste exceeding EPA standards, and is FSC® and ECOLOGO® certified. It is also designed with Absorbency Pockets*, so fewer towels can be used.
PEST/BIRD CONTROL
Bird-X
Bird-X’s new ProHawk UAV is the first programmable drone created specifically for bird control. Unwanted birds are repelled by the built-in sonic sound device of naturally recorded predator calls and bird distress cries. It uses a GPS to follow a predetermined flight path.
RECYCLING
Rubbermaid Commercial Products
Rubbermaid Commercial Products is committed to developing cutting edge innovations that will positively impact the way its customers do business. RCP’s Configure™ recycling solution can be tailored to meet the needs of any facility. It is a system that can be customized based on container size, color, waste stream, and more. New features such as magnetic connections and an easy access front door prioritize ease of use and maintenance while ensuring compliance with industry standards and legislation.
SECURITY
ACCESS CONTROL
ASSA ABLOY
ASSA ABLOY’s vision is to be the most innovative supplier of total door opening solutions in order to deliver safe and convenient security solutions that provide real added value to customers. The KS100-640H server cabinet lock and Aperio® hub reflects this by bringing real time access control in a single card system to individual server doors.
EMERGENCY POWER/LIGHTING
Generac
Generac designs all of its products with the needs of its customers in mind. The 500kW Natural Gas Generator is the largest in Generac’s line of industrial generators and is suitable for large standby power applications, such as office buildings and mission critical data centers.
ID/BADGE PRINTERS
HID Global
HID Global provides a comprehensive array of printers for custom card personalization. HID Global’s FARGO® Direct-to-Card (DTC) and High Definition (HDP) printers meet the card customization needs of small businesses, global enterprise organizations, and government agencies worldwide.
SECURITY SYSTEMS
Honeywell
Honeywell’s flagship building management system Enterprise Building Integrator (EBI) integrates critical building systems including security to enable personnel to identify and manage risks earlier to reduce impact of potential security or safety incidents through real-time information and automated incident responses.
SURVEILLANCE
Panasonic
Panasonic provides industry-leading solutions to capture, record, manage, and analyze surveillance video. The company’s 6 Series outdoor camera is one of its many video surveillance products and solutions that offer high picture quality, mission-critical reliability, and low total cost of ownership.
WORKPLACE
ADA & ERGONOMICS
VARIDESK
Simplicity is at the heart of the VARIDESK design philosophy. The company strives for its products to be easy to set up and use. This is why most of its desks come fully assembled and ready for work, right out of the box.
BREAKROOM SUPPLIES
Staples Facility Solutions
Staples Advantage, the business-to-business division of Staples, offers products and services that create a more welcoming and comfortable breakroom, including an assortment of food and beverages. Staples Advantage is a leader in providing coffee services solutions for any size business and any type of coffee—from single serve brewers, like the Keurig, to traditional carafes and specialty brewers for lattes and espresso beverages. Additionally, Staples Advantage provides an assortment of sweeteners, creamers, and cups for employee satisfaction in the office.
FACILITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Canon Business Process Services
Canon Business Process Services (Canon) provides facilities support via its Corporate Campus Logistics services. Designed for large corporate sites, Canon’s offering provides the logistics process, experienced professionals, and technology necessary to distribute supplies, transport employees, and manage the storage of materials used to support daily workplace needs.
FACILITY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
Autodesk
Autodesk Building Ops is a mobile-first asset and maintenance management solution that is transforming building handover and operations by placing BIM asset data in the hands of those who need it most, when they need it, and where they need it.
OFFICE TECHNOLOGY/COMMUNICATIONS
Ericsson
Ericsson is a leader in the rapidly changing environment of communications technology—providing equipment, software, and services to enable transformation through mobility. The company’s small cells portfolio delivers the coverage, capacity, and scalability required for enterprise mobility- and cloud-based applications and operations.
SOUND MASKING
Cambridge Sound Management
Cambridge Sound Management offers innovative, simple, and intelligently designed solutions to the problems of privacy and acoustic distractions. The company’s patented QtPro solution, powered by direct field Quiet Technology, is easy to install and delivers high quality uniform sound masking without complex commissioning.
