ABM Industries - Experts & Thought Leaders

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.

Bennett Marine, a Division of Yamaha Marine Systems Company, needed a solution that integrated solar energy generation and mechanical upgrades to optimize both sustainability and working environment outcomes. However, adding the cooling capacity needed by a large warehouse, and the employees working there, during the long Floridian summers could significantly increase the utility load on the building. Solution Bennett Marine’s management approached its outsourced service provider, ABM. Having successfully completed two lighting upgrades on site, and acting as the current janitorial service provider, ABM took Bennet Marine’s request to its Infrastructure Solutions team. ABM’s Infrastructure Solutions designed an energy-efficient HVAC system supported by a rooftop solar PV array that offset utility costs with renewable energy, leading to a net 58% reduction in total utility usage for the building. ABM also assisted in securing tax credits and energy incentives for the project, as well as a new roof for the facility with additional building envelope improvements. Finding a Better Solution for the Client ABM provides a consultative approach to help clients achieve sustainability goals, enable capital improvements" “Service experts across our company worked together to solve a need and deliver the sustainability solution Bennett Marine needed,” said Mark Hawkinson, President of ABM Technical Solutions. He adds, “ABM provides a consultative approach to help clients achieve sustainability goals, enable capital improvements, improve indoor air quality, address waste and inefficiency, and create a positive impact for communities.” In addition to the new roof, net energy offset, and improved cooling, ABM was able to assist the project in receiving an estimated $226,000 in tax credits and $224,000 in Energy Incentives through the Federal MACRS (Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System). Benefits ABM’s Infrastructure Solutions enable businesses to invest in critical infrastructure needs and achieve sustainability, security, and resilience goals. A custom energy program drives costs out of operating budgets and redirects savings to critical needs, helping fund improvements. Highlights of the project for the Deerfield, Florida, warehouse include: Projected energy cost savings in the first year of $12,701 Replacement of aging roof and speed roll doors to reduce energy loss Solar panel installation is capable of offsetting 66% of the building’s utility use

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?