Editor’s Note – June 2024

Harrell Kerkhoff

The June 2024 issue of Maintenance Sales News Magazine includes the publication’s inaugural “New Products Award Entries.” Our subscribers will soon vote on these entries, with first place given in different categories. The winners will be recognized in our September 2024 issue, as well as online, on social media, and in our enewsletters through the end of the year.

There are a wide variety of products to be judged, which indicates to me the amount of innovation that continually takes place in the industry — allowing away-from-home facilities of all types to remain clean and safe well into the future. Product innovation also benefits distributors as it gives them new items to showcase when meeting with current and potential customers.

We will see who the winners are in our September issue — but really, all these products are winners when it comes to helping the industry grow. Good luck and congratulations to all!

The cover feature for this issue focuses on Gem State Paper & Supply Company, based in Twin Falls, ID, with other locations in the Idaho cities of Boise and Pocatello, as well as Elko, NV.

Started in 1946 by the late Armour Anderson, the distributorship is currently led by the third generation of Anderson family leadership.

“Over the years our focus, as a distributorship, has included such industries as health care, retail and commercial buildings, education, and foodservice. The latter industry (foodservice) now makes up approximately 30 percent of our business,” Gem State Paper & Supply President Ryan Anderson said, who is a grandson of the founder. “Some things, however, have not changed since the start of our company. That includes a hands-on approach and ability to serve customers in the way they desire.

“We have been very fortunate over the company’s history to employ great people who have been very loyal to this business. They are the face of Gem State Paper & Supply. There is a lot to know about this industry. Total knowledge does not happen overnight. One thing we do with a new employee is put that person to work on the night shift for a while. That involves picking items in the warehouse and loading trucks. That way, he/she can see and touch just about every type of item that we sell. It’s important to understand the business from behind the scenes. Our employee training program is always being worked on for further development. That will not change.”

This issue also includes the magazine’s annual “Special Section: The Guide To Green,” featuring key “green” products from trusted manufacturers/suppliers that are making a difference in the cleaning industry. These products not only work well and are comparative in price, but through their use, help cleaning professionals improve sustainability goals.

Finally, I would like to wish everyone a great summer now that June is here. It always seems to me that June is the fastest month of the year. After waiting for summer to finally arrive, the 30 days of June feel like they take less than two weeks to pass. The next thing you know, the Fourth of July is here, and before long, back-to-school ads start appearing on local TV stations. Why can’t January and February go by as fast?

That is the thing about summer — it always seems to travel at warp speed. Part of the problem is there is always too much I want to do, and must do, during the warm summer months. As the adage goes, “How time flies when you’re having fun.”

Here is to a wonderful and safe summer — and hopefully at a little slower pace.

I would like to thank everyone for their continued support of Maintenance Sales News. Please send news items and story ideas to: harrellk@rdgmedia.net.

Harrell Kerkhoff

Editor, Maintenance Sales News Magazine