Editor’s Note – May 2025

Harrell Kerkhoff

“Pivot,” “shift” and “adapt” — those are key words in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape. Other key words are “tariffs,” “artificial intelligence (AI)” and “robotics.” If you put all those words together, as a distributor and supplier, you will likely come up with more words: “opportunities,” “challenges,” “education/training” and the need for “guidance.”

Change, of course, is nothing new for business owners involved in the jan/san, foodservice, packaging and related industries. Just look at the major disruptions that brought many changes over the past quarter century — the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Great Recession of late 2007 to mid-2009, and the COVID pandemic just a few years ago. I’m sure there’s also been other events that have made impacts on business, perhaps to a lesser degree, during the first 25 years of the 21^st century.

The point is, for better or worse, change happens. It’s what to do about change that really matters when it comes to succeeding in business.

“It’s good to be very fluid, highly adaptable and responsive to change as evolving business needs appear,” At Your Service Environmental Solutions President/Founder/Owner David Taylor said, during a recent interview for the cover article of the May 2025 Maintenance Sales News.

Taylor’s company is a jan/san distributorship located in Magnolia, AR. The origins of the distributorship began in 1986 when Taylor started cleaning offices after-hours in addition to his full-time job. Eventually, Taylor and his small staff focused entirely on distribution, and moved into a 20,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center in 2004. Plans are now in place to move to a larger facility in a few years.

When asked to share his advice on how to successfully conduct business in an often-unpredictable world, Taylor explained it’s best to have good plans in place that are understood by everyone involved within an organization. He added there is a lot to know when it comes to properly maintaining a facility. Therefore, proper training is always critical.

“The cleaning industry changes very fast, from one year to the next, as it pertains to new products and procedures. There is a lot to keep up with. That is why we continue to train not only customers, but our employees as well,” Taylor said. “Keeping up with such changes is one of the most challenging aspects to working in the jan/san distribution business.”

Of course, good industry-wide advocacy helps offset possible disruptive changes brought about by excessive governmental regulations and overreach. Within the jan/san and related industries, help can come in the form of the annual ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit, a Capitol Hill fly-in event which recently took place again in Washington, D.C.

The Summit is billed as the flagship fly-in event for the cleaning and facility solutions industry, providing a unique platform for leaders to advocate for their businesses and shape policy at the highest levels. It traditionally brings together key stakeholders to address critical issues and advance legislative priorities in Washington, D.C.

In other words, the Summit is designed to bring about change — in a good way. Visit www.issa.com/cleanadvocacysummit for more information about next year’s event.

The May issue of MSN also includes:

• A spotlight on Foodservice Equipment & Supplies;
• A discussion involving Distributor Sales Reps and Manufacturer Sales Reps;
• And various thought leadership articles including those that focus on Dispensers & Proportioners; Cleaning Chemicals & Supplies; and Skin & Personal Care.

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