Business leaders involved in the U.S. cleaning industry, across all segments, are looking at a stalemate in Washington, D.C., as it pertains to the latest round of coronavirus stimulus package relief.

President Trump announced on October 6 that he has instructed his representatives to stop negotiating with Congress until after the U.S. general election on November 3, due to what appears to be an ongoing impasse on Capitol Hill. The following day, however, the President stated a desire for a standalone bill involving stimulus checks, and to include additional funding for the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) related to small businesses.

Both the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate have tried to pass their own coronavirus relief proposals. However, each plan failed to gain enough overall support to become law. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had been in negotiations for a potential bipartisan deal.

Despite President Trump’s initial action to halt negotiations, it’s been reported that there remain a number of legislators, from both parties, who want to get a deal done before the election. It’s uncertain, however, if any action will have enough time, and support, prior to November 3.

In early October, ISSA announced it had joined nearly 200 major public and private sector groups, across the U.S., asking Congress to reach a bipartisan deal on legislation to prevent “catastrophic economic harm that would result if (Congress) does not pass additional emergency COVID-19 relief before adjourning for the election.”

In a letter to U.S. congressional leaders, the signatories stated that: “Support for furloughed or laid off employees, critical infrastructure, small businesses, educational institutions, first responders, and all state and local governments that are addressing the ongoing public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are priorities we strongly believe require an immediate and unified response from our federal government.”

Highlighting the need for urgent legislative action, the signatories added that: “If Congress fails to act, millions of employees will be furloughed or terminated; millions of unemployed Americans will lose their unemployment insurance pandemic benefits; hundreds of thousands of companies will be at risk of closing their doors forever; and the vast majority of state and local governments will have to curtail critical services in order to balance budgets due to a decline in tax revenue.”

“This is a critical moment for the cleaning industry,” ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft said. “A lifeline is needed for workers, customers and the public to get through this pandemic; to not do so will result in negative economic consequences that will reverberate for decades.”

In other recent news related to business and the pandemic, it’s been reported by the U.S. Treasury Department that the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) will soon begin forgiving loans already sent to small businesses that have participated in the PPP. However, loans of more than $2 million will receive added scrutiny prior to forgiveness.

Many bank representatives, business owners and lawmakers have said the forgiveness process has been too slow under the current program, which allocated $670 billion to help small businesses during the pandemic. The process was designed to provide forgivable government loans, distributed to businesses, through banks.

Victor Brian Woodfield

Industry veteran Vic Woodfield passed away on July 24, 2020. He had a 26-year career with SC Johnson in Great Britain and Cyprus, starting as a salesman in 1960 and retiring as director of worldwide exports in 1986. After his successful SCJ career, he continued contributing as a management and marketing consultant in the jan/san industry in Africa and the Middle East until 1993. He is survived by his wife, Gretchen Roufs, family members and friends all over the world.

Victor Brian Woodfield was born on August 11, 1932, in Plymouth, England, to Marjorie and Frank Woodfield. He lived in various places in England, in Cyprus, and moved to San Antonio, TX, in 1993. He passed away peacefully in a hospice in San Antonio, with his wife at his side.

Vic is survived by his wife of 21 years, Gretchen Roufs; his daughter, Teresa Owles of Farnborough, England; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; numerous cousins; and many friends around the world. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Martyn, and the mother of his children, Moira Higgins Woodfield. His Roufs family includes Tom (deceased) and Mary, Tim and Kim, and 25 nieces and nephews.

He attended Devonport High School for Boys in Plymouth, England, and studied at Instead School of Business in France. He served in the British Royal Army and Royal Marines from 1954 to 1957; worked as a dental technician; and had a 26-year career with SC Johnson in Great Britain and Cyprus.

Vic enjoyed being sociable and civically active. He was a Past Master of Camberley Lodge in Surrey, England, as well as Past Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey, England. He was a member of the San Antonio Davy Crockett Lodge, and former president of the British Sporting Club of San Antonio. He also served as former president of the Mal de Mer Club (Scilly Isles) in England; was a member of the SC Johnson 20-Year Club; and earned membership in La Confrérie Saint-Étienne d'Alsace in Kientzheim, France. During his retirement, Vic was a student, instructor, and board member of the Academy of Learning in Retirement (ALIR) in San Antonio where he taught classes on wine appreciation, European travel, and editorials.

An accomplished sportsman, he won his first sports trophy at age three. He played football (soccer) for the England National Youth team, the British Army, and as an adult for many years. He was a supporter of Manchester United Football Club, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Dallas Cowboys.

Vic was passionate about family, friends, wine, cooking, sports, travel, music, theatre, storytelling, and entertaining. He was a frequent traveler to France and the Texas coast. He was a citizen of both the United Kingdom and the United States.

An online memorial service was held August 15, 2020 (email InMemoryOfVictor@gmail.com for details). Vic is interred in the U.S. and the U.K.

The M. Conley Company Celebrates 110 Years Of Business

“The M. Conley Company, of Canton, OH, announces its anniversary during a time of uncertainty in the world. While businesses are going back to their grassroots, The M. Conley Company projects hope by demonstrating how it has gotten through times of uncertainty through the years.

“Because of our strong leadership team, we have successfully gotten through times of pandemic and economic hardship,” Robert Stewart, chief executive officer, said. “We believe in community and have fostered relationships by providing solutions to problems our customers face during these hard times.

“Our janitorial, packaging and food service supplies company has been flying product off the shelves and keeping staff extraordinarily busy during COVID-19. With events like the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Great Depression, World War I and II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the 1968 flu and more, The M. Conley Company is not unfamiliar with irregular times. Therefore, it is positioned to face the challenges presented by the virus.

“Like most successful business owners, we have adapted to the ever-changing face of commerce and focused on providing solutions to the problem at hand,” Stewart said.

The company is taking the necessary steps to properly manage the business during a time where most virus-related products have been put on strict allocations. As a leader in the facility supplies industry, The M. Conley Company has also been updating the public on its stance with the virus and how to keep safe and knowledgeable during this time.

The company believes in celebrating entrepreneurialism, especially during times of adversity. Its Northeast Ohio Brightest Lights Entrepreneur of the Year Award showcases successful business owners.

“While the pandemic has been challenging for many companies, we are seeing our winners of the award innovate and remarket themselves in clever ways,” Stewart said.

For more information, visit mconley.com.

Nexstep Offers Employees Paid Time Off To Vote

Nexstep says it is committed to ensuring that every associate has the opportunity to exercise his or her right to vote. To ensure that no Nexstep team member has a barrier, it has implemented the following policies for the upcoming election:
• Paid time off to allow all team members to vote, and
• Paid time off to any team member who volunteers at the polls on Election Day. (Due to COVID-19, there is a shortage of poll workers.)

Nextstep officials said, “Voting is the sacred right and responsibility of every citizen of our country."

Visit www.usa.gov/voting for more information on voting.

Lean more about Nexstep and its products at: ocedarcomercial.com.

Brady, a full-line janitorial supply, equipment and food service distributor, has acquired Mission Janitorial & Abrasive Supplies based in San Diego, CA.

Kevin Carlson

“Since 1939, Mission has earned a reputation for service in janitorial and abrasive supplies. The company's integrity and go-to-market approach have distinguished it in the southern and central California market led by owners Kevin and Greg Carlson. Kevin Carlson will stay on as general manager of the San Diego and Bishop branches, while Greg Carlson will lead the abrasives segment,” according to a Brady press release.

“The integration of Mission into Brady is a wonderful partnership,” said Travis Brady, president and CEO of Brady. “The alignment of our core values, customer-centric approach, and product expertise put us in a great position to expand our presence in California while providing exceptional service to our customers.”

Brady will continue to operate at both Mission locations in San Diego and Bishop, CA.

Brady, since 1947, has been a community-minded culture. It now is driven by a workforce of more than 500 employees currently in 24 locations throughout Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah including its original Las Vegas, NV, headquarters. Brady also owns and operates three Maintenance Mart retail stores in Arizona.

In 2017, Brady debuted its formal charitable giving program, Brady Shines, providing funds for youth- and education-based non-profits in all territories Brady serves.

For more information, www.bradyindustries.com.

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