Changing Times In Jan/San — And How Scoles Systems Is Ready For The Next 75 Years

By Harrell Kerkhoff, Maintenance Sales News Editor

Shown, left to right, are Phil Scoles, Jon Scoles, and Matthew Scoles, family members who lead the New Jersey-based distributorship as it approaches its 75th anniversary.

A key factor to succeeding in business sometimes gets lost in today’s fast-paced world where instant gratification is often the norm. That factor is patience, which is not only a virtue but also cultivates both inner strength and sound judgment for a company and its employees.

In business since the early 1950s, it’s fair to say that over the course of its nearly 75-year history, a great deal of patience has been demonstrated at Scoles Systems, a third-generation, family-owned and operated jan/san distributorship located in Wall Township, NJ. Such focus on patience continues for the company.

History And Leadership

Just as the company name suggests, Scoles Systems continues to be operated by members of the Scoles family — well known over the years among manufacturers, distributors, and end-users involved in the jan/san industry.

Jon Scoles, past President of Scoles Systems, also served as ISSA Vice President, President, and International Director from 2011-2013, District Director of ISSA from 2005-2007, and has been involved full-time with the family business since the early 1970s. Two of his sons are now involved as well: Matthew Scoles, President, and Phil Scoles, Managing Partner.

The company was started by Bill Scoles — father of Jon and grandfather of Matthew and Phil — in 1951 when he bought an Odorite franchise and began selling washroom supplies and services. Like many family businesses, Jon Scoles began working in the warehouse and making deliveries during his high school and college years. After graduating from college, he started working full-time in the business in 1972 as an outside salesperson and took over ownership of the company in 1986.

Service Offerings And Differentiators

Today, Scoles Systems provides cleaning equipment, janitorial supplies, and expert knowledge and training throughout New Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia area. Key company categories include equipment service and repair capabilities, as well as floor care, paper, cleaning chemicals, and other janitorial supplies. Also offered are comprehensive training programs.

“We feel that equipment service and repair is a true necessity in today’s marketplace — properly repairing and maintaining cleaning equipment, which is something we can do in-house thanks to our talented equipment service technicians,” Chris Farley, General Manager, said. “Our equipment service and repair capabilities have also opened a lot of doors for us over the years, helping us sell many everyday jan/san products.”

Industry Changes And Perspectives

The janitorial and sanitation industry is changing faster than ever. Rising expectations for hygiene, growing demand for sustainable products and packaging, ongoing labor shortages, and the emergence of automated cleaning solutions are reshaping how distributors and service providers operate. Yet while the tools and expectations evolve, one constant remains: the need for strong relationships and dependable service. Scoles Systems continues to strike that balance as company officials look ahead to the distributorship’s 75th anniversary.

Chris Farley explained how those changes are influencing the company’s approach: “Although our company has been around for 74 years, we are seeing ‘a level of newness’ within the marketplace as it pertains to the type of services and products that Scoles Systems offers. In response, we are going after new business in a variety of ways rather than settling for the status quo. Matt Scoles, in particular, has been instrumental in pushing new agendas, seeking added opportunities, and going down different paths to see where they lead us.”

Jon Scoles emphasized the company’s long-standing focus on people and training: “We conduct business with one of the largest school districts in New Jersey and have worked with 240-plus custodians at a time, separated into groups. Those people receive proper hands-on training and demonstrations to ensure continuous and uniform results.”

Matt Scoles highlighted how Scoles Systems is building the infrastructure customers now expect: “Customers want single-source capabilities. We’re investing in forecasting, vendor partnerships, fulfillment systems, and employee training so we can be that partner — whether the need is for basic consumables like paper towels or for a comprehensive refillable program designed for long-term savings and sustainability.”

Finally, Phil Scoles underscored the value of service rooted in family-style relationships: “What truly sets us apart is the family-style service we bring to every customer. People want to know they’re working with someone who understands their needs, cares about their success, and will pick up the phone when they call. That kind of trust and personal attention is something technology can never replace — and it’s been the foundation of Scoles Systems since the beginning.”

Scoles Systems General Manager Chris Farley demonstrates a floor machine at the company’s New Jersey facility.

Regional Strengths And Vendor Relationships

As the industry continues to shift, Phil Scoles also points to the unique environment found within New Jersey, a state that is ever evolving and offers continued opportunities.

“New Jersey is the only U.S. state in which every county is deemed urban by the U.S. Census Bureau,” he said. “It’s also the most densely populated U.S. state. Needless to say — with that many people and facilities in The Garden State — cleaning supplies, sales, and service have always been essential and continue to be in high demand.

“Our own facility is centrally located within the center part of the state, along the coast, allowing us to maintain a close relationship with customers from various parts of our service region. That includes the heavily populated Bergen County in the northeastern part of the state, all the way down to the Philadelphia metro area. We also service the ‘beach towns’ along the Jersey Shore.”

Phil Scoles added that business, as of late, has been strong for the distributorship. It also helps that Scoles Systems has solid working relationships in place with valued vendors. Many such relationships have spanned for decades.

Looking Ahead

As Scoles Systems nears its 75th anniversary in 2026, company officials remain excited about what the future will hold for the distributorship as it continues to look for new business while taking care of existing customers.

Guided by the patience that has carried the company through decades of change, supported by long-standing vendor partnerships, and energized by a new generation of leadership, Scoles Systems is committed to blending tradition with innovation. For customers across New Jersey and beyond, that means they can count on the same trust and service that have defined the company since 1951 — now paired with forward-looking solutions built for the next 75 years.

Visit scolessystems.com.