ISSA is introducing its Next Gen Program, which replaces the previous ISSA Young Executive Society (YES) program.

“The goal of ISSA Next Gen is to improve ISSA member benefits and increase participation of young professionals in the association and the industry. ISSA Next Gen is open to all ISSA member company employees under the age of 40, and offers additional opportunities for participation for those over the age of 40,” according to a press release.

ISSA Marketing Director Priya Ponnuswamy, staff liaison for Next Gen, said, “ISSA and ISSA Next Gen committee members are excited to offer this revamped and much-needed program. It will not only be more inclusive, but it also will partner closely with ISSA Charities, and have a greater impact on our industry and the community.”

ISSA said its Next Gen program has a clear-cut vision and strategy for all young industry professionals:

■ Two distinct tracks: ISSA Young Emerging Leaders for young professionals looking to move up to the next level in their careers, and ISSA Young Executive Development for young professionals who are already in executive roles, looking to round out their leadership skills;

■ Inclusivity: The new program will be open to all ISSA members and their employees. There will be no separate fee required to be a part of the ISSA Next Gen community effective 2019;

■ Partnership with ISSA Charities: A big part of ISSA Next Gen’s push will be to support ISSA Charities’ initiatives such as: Cleaning for a Reason, providing free home cleaning services to households with a cancer diagnosis, and ISSA Scholars, offering scholarships and internship opportunities to employees and family members of ISSA member companies. Also included is Hygieia Network, which empowers women in the cleaning industry through mentorship and leadership training; and,

■ ISSA Next Gen Mentors: Creating opportunities for industry professionals over the age of 40 to engage and share their wisdom and experience with young professionals in the ISSA Next Gen program.

Past programs, such as the YES Professional Development Workshop, in-person educational sessions and webinars, and complementary networking events, are being continued under the ISSA Next Gen brand.

ISSA Next Gen Reception During ISSA North America In Dallas, TX

This year, ISSA Next Gen will partner with ISSA Charities and host its annual reception at Topgolf Dallas, during the ISSA Charities Party for a Purpose, Monday, October 29, 2018, from 4-7 p.m.

“The event will kick off ISSA Next Gen, and will also serve to forge the program’s support of ISSA Charities' initiatives. ISSA Charities is thrilled to have ISSA Next Gen and its committee supporting our efforts,” said ISSA Charities Executive Director Mike Gies. “We look forward to more opportunities to work together to raise awareness for the causes under the ISSA Charities umbrella, and mobilize ISSA members and the industry at large to have a lasting impact.”

The event will recognize this year’s award winners as well as the mentor-mentee teams in the mentorship pilot program launched earlier this year. In addition, the reception will provide a venue for attendees to:

■ Network and connect with peers and industry professionals;
■ Invite their customers and do business in a relaxed atmosphere;
■ Enjoy complementary food and drink as well as a game of golf or any of the other games available at the venue; and,
■ Learn more about ISSA Next Gen and upcoming events.

For more information, visit www.issa.com/nextgen.

Americo Acquires Strategic Assets Of U.S. Cocoa Mat

Americo has acquired the strategic assets of U.S. Cocoa Mat (USCOA), a century old manufacturer of personalized cocoa fiber door mats sold into the retail market.

“As a longtime customer, Americo’s PromoMatting Division is familiar with the quality product manufactured by USCOA,” said PromoMatting President David Rones. “We are excited to continue the legacy of the DeCoir product line as we enter into the hardware market with USCOA’s experience in this arena.”

Del Hawkins, vice president of sales for U.S. Cocoa Mat, and a 22-year veteran of the company, has worked with customers across all lines of trade including hardware, mass merchandise, warehouse clubs, internet resellers and specialty retail stores. He said, “U.S. Cocoa Mat has been a great company to work for as we prided ourselves on quality and service. Our reputation has always been providing the highest quality cocoa mat in the industry.”

Hawkins has since joined Americo’s Matting Division and will be heading its newly created Hardware/Retail business segment. “Coming from a company with considerable legacy, I am very excited to be joining Americo, a company with its own remarkable heritage, that embraces the same values of quality, integrity, partnership and family. I look forward to working with Americo’s large array of matting products to expand the offering to USCOA’s existing customer base.”

With clients in over 70 countries worldwide, Chief Executive Officer of Americo Manufacturing Company Lenny Shutzberg spoke about the significance of the company’s most recent asset purchase.

“We are looking forward to the expansion of our customer base and the expertise of Del Hawkins, who has been highly regarded within the hardware and retail industries for a very long time. This strategic asset acquisition allows Americo to expand its product line and market penetration, combining the best of both companies, in offering our clients the broadest range of floor mats in the industry. Americo has the working capital to invest in the future, and plans on deploying those resources in making more strategic acquisitions in the future.”

Americo Manufacturing Company, headquartered outside of Atlanta, GA, is a manufacturer of sustainable products such as synthetic and natural fiber floor pads, hand pads, utility pads and floor matting. In its 50th year of operation, Americo’s products are sold worldwide.

For more information, visit www.americomfg.com.

Opened August 13
R.J. Schinner Co. Inc., Expansion With New Location Complete

R.J. Schinner Co., Inc., (RJ Schinner), a redistributor to the commercial wholesale trade, has completed a new location in its growing coverage area.

The newest location is at 2120 Spillman Drive, Suite 101, in Bethlehem, PA. Opened August 13, this newly constructed 80,000-square-foot location services distributors from Washington, D.C., Maryland and through southern New England on RJ Schinner fleet trucks. This addition brings the total square footage of the RJ Schinner distribution facilities to nearly 1.5 million square feet.

Mike Wentland, vice president of operations for the company, said, “We are excited with the expansion of RJ Schinner into the northeast region. We are very happy to be able to continue to take care of our cusomers in that region with more efficiency, and to be able to deliver to them on our own trucks.

“That location is overseen by Gordon Eanes, executive vice president of the southeast region in conjunction with Mike Mirarchi, director of sales in the northeast. They have compiled a team for this location, which includes our newest sales representative, Jennifer Neff. She has over 15 years of experience in distribution, and will be covering the upstate New York region. Also in place, is a warehouse and operations team, as well as Gary Yadach, customer service representative and Dawn Hoffman, inside distribution specialist.”

Ken Schinner, president of RJ Schinner, said, “The team put together for this location fortifies our commitment to provide customers a unique product mix, marketing strategies, and operational efficiencies to enhance their business. We look forward to working within this market to develop opportunities with distributors, while continuing to deliver excellent customer service.”

For over 65 years, RJ Schinner has been selling non-food disposables to the commercial marketplace through distribution. Currently, the company has 17 locations and delivers to a 40-plus state area on company trucks.

For more information, visit www.rjschinner.com.

Microfiber And More Promotes Gage Keene To Regional Sales Manager

Microfiber and More LLC has promoted Gage Keene to regional sales manager. Keene is the 5th generation of Keenes to work in the jan/san industry.

While attending college, he worked in Microfiber and More LLC’s warehouse, customer service and order processing departments.

His new responsibilities include training distributor sales reps and working with the company’s manufacturers reps in their territories.

In addition to Keene’s school and work schedule, he has coached his local high school wrestling and lacrosse teams.

To contact Keene, email gknewnewdeal@msn.com.

Nexstep Commercial Products has named Dawn Robbins as logistics supervisor. She attended college at Mott Community College in Flint, MI. Before her employment at Nexstep, she worked at Original Smith Print located in Bloomington, IL, as a warehouse supervisor. She has 20 years of logistics experience.

Robbins was born in Flint, but now resides in Fisher, IL. She is married and has three children.

She works in Nexstep’s plant in Paxton, IL, and can be reached at dawn@ocedarcommercial.com.

Coming in the
September/October 2018
print issue
of MSN

Special Coverage:

ISSA Show
North America
October 29-November 1, 2018
Dallas, TX

For further
information,
drankin@
consolidated.net