ABM Industries - Experts & Thought Leaders

"ABM played a critical role in helping us identify what we could be doing better—how we could be more efficient and sound from an infrastructure perspective." "Their expertise helped us hit the mark on sustainability, financial responsibility, and community impact," Union City, Indiana, Mayor Chad Spence. Overview In a small community where resources are finite, Union City, Indiana, faced the challenge of upgrading critical infrastructure while balancing financial, sustainability, and community priorities. Through a strategic partnership with ABM, the city implemented a comprehensive energy, lighting, HVAC, and infrastructure upgrade that exceeded financial, operational, and community goals—maximizing outcomes while minimizing waste. Challenges Leaky roofs and outdated systems posed risks to both the buildings and their irreplaceable contents Union City’s historic infrastructure, including a museum housed in a former railroad hotel, required urgent repairs. Leaky roofs and outdated systems posed risks to both the buildings and their irreplaceable contents. Additionally, high energy consumption—particularly at wastewater treatment facilities—placed a significant financial burden on the city’s budget, limiting opportunities for community growth and development. Key challenges Aging infrastructure in need of modernization High energy costs straining the city’s budget Preserving historic structures while improving efficiency Overcoming permitting and regulatory hurdles for renewable energy solutions An Engineering & Infrastructure Solution ABM’s industry-pioneering Engineering & Infrastructure Solutions team, led by Chris Mastrianni, Joe Boetsch, Ann Smith (LEED AP), and Erick Dustin, worked closely with Union City leadership to design a future-focused plan. Key Project Components Energy Efficiency & Sustainability: Integration of solar arrays to reduce dependency on the grid and lower operational costs Infrastructure Upgrades: Modernization of lighting, HVAC systems, and wastewater treatment facilities to improve efficiency and performance Financial Innovation: A strategic financial model that leveraged energy savings to fund additional infrastructure improvements Community Impact: Reinvesting cost savings into critical areas such as parks, streets, and sidewalks Results & Impact By thinking outside the box and leveraging innovative solutions, ABM helped Union City achieve: Significant Energy Cost Savings: Enabling reallocation of funds to community growth initiatives Improved Infrastructure Efficiency: Enhancing operational performance across city facilities Preserved Historic Structures: Protecting the city’s heritage while modernizing key assets Sustainability & Resiliency: Positioning the city for a more energy-independent future Union City Powers a Sustainable Future Union City’s successful partnership with ABM showcases how smart infrastructure investment can drive long-term sustainability, financial efficiency, and community growth. By prioritizing innovation, fiscal responsibility, and sustainability, Union City has set a precedent for how small communities can thrive through strategic energy and infrastructure improvements.

Duraproducts, a globally renowned provider of innovative, sustainable construction solutions, has been chosen by ABM Contractors to supply its pioneering Durakerb HB2 range of recycled kerbing units, for the refurbishment of the company’s headquarters car park in Swords, Co Dublin, Ireland. Established in 1994, ABM Contractors is a well-respected contractor with a reputation for delivering high-quality building solutions across Ireland. Following a period of growth, it became clear that an upgrade of its car park was necessary to meet the demands of its expanding business. Environmental and safety benefits The refurbishment project utilized over 150 linear meters of Durakerb HB2 units The refurbishment project utilized over 150 linear meters of Durakerb HB2 units. This innovative kerbing alternative consists of 88% recycled polymer, offering both traditional functionality and significant environmental and safety benefits. By eliminating the need for pouring and cutting traditional kerbing stones, Durakerb reduces manual handling and exposure to hazardous silica dust. Its lightweight design and efficient installation process also remove the requirement for heavy machinery, promoting a more sustainable construction approach. Duraproducts' commitment Furthermore, Durakerb's declared Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) highlight a nearly 50% embodied carbon reduction compared to traditional precast concrete products for kerbing projects. This demonstrates Duraproducts' commitment to providing environmentally friendly solutions for the construction industry. By choosing Durakerb for its car park refurbishment, ABM Contractors has not only improved the functionality and longevity of its employee facility, but also made a significant contribution to environmental sustainability throughout the installation process. Water management system ABM Contractors installed a hybrid of Durakerb and Duradrain units at Midleton College in Country Cork, Ireland In 2017, ABM Contractors installed a combination of Durakerb and Duradrain units at Midleton College in Country Cork, Ireland, delivering a complete recycled and recyclable surface water management system for the surrounding hard landscapes and infrastructure. Philip Weinmann, General Manager at ABM Contractors, said, "At ABM we seek smart solutions at all points of the construction process. For our site refurbishment we wanted to exploit our knowledge of products that are efficient, technologically advanced and sustainable." Durakerb for ABM Contractors Philip Weinmann adds: "We had previously used Durakerb on a school construction project and were impressed with the health and safety benefits coupled with the environmental credentials it offers. We were, therefore, delighted to showcase its performance and demonstrate that it reduces the impact on the environment at our company headquarters." Andy Leah, General Manager at Duraproducts, said, "Construction companies need to lead by example when it comes to projects for their own businesses. We’re delighted to have supplied Durakerb for ABM Contractors' recent car park refurbishment; it really is a true example of the company’s dedication to sustainability. This project is a testament to our commitment to providing innovative, sustainable, and safe products for the construction industry."

ABM, a globally renowned provider of integrated facility services, infrastructure solutions, and parking management, announced the initiation of an Energy Performance Contracting program for the Clarke County Commission in Alabama, USA. The project includes upgrades to HVAC systems, lighting technology, and related controls that are expected to create $1.8 million in cost savings over 20 years and will also improve security and indoor air quality for the county’s facilities. Security and risk mitigation “We focus on delivering energy projects that help communities accomplish more and modernize faster,” said Mark Hawkinson, President of ABM Technical Solutions, adding “Local pioneers can compress timetables so that community members see the benefits of facility improvements sooner with our unique solutions.” The project also includes cameras and centralized door and lighting controls for the county jail In addition to energy savings and operational cost reductions from lighting and HVAC upgrades, building envelope improvements, and water conservation measures, the project integrates and improves controls technology for the Clarke County Courthouse, including the 911 and Emergency Response offices. The project also includes cameras and centralized door and lighting controls for the county jail, to improve security and risk mitigation. To address indoor air quality for both county facilities, the project provides needlepoint bi-polar ionization equipment, an advanced pathogen and particle control measure. ABM’s Energy Performance Contracting Program “This project has truly been a team effort between the ABM and Clarke County staffs that expanded from a focus on deferred infrastructure investment into an opportunity to enhance facilities with state-of-the-art technology that our County can be proud of,” said Tyrone Moye, Clarke County Commission Chairman. ABM’s Energy Performance Contracting Program enables local governments and others, such as schools and federal agencies, to invest in critical facility needs like air quality, infrastructure, and sustainability goals. The program is designed to drive costs out of a facility’s operating budget, redirecting savings to fund mission-critical facility needs. Also covered is how ABM provides customized technical and financial solutions for government facilities without upfront costs or tax increases.

For schools, improving indoor air quality (IAQ) is a basic function of HVAC systems, which also ensures a high comfort level for students, teachers and staff. Schools can be a lucrative market for HVAC systems, but there are challenges, such as long sales cycles and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the challenges for HVAC in serving the education/schools market?