Purchasing at UNICCO gathers suppliers for employee tradeshow
By Staff -- Purchasing, 10/18/2007 2:00:00 AM
Unicco Service Co. recently hosted its first UNICCO tradeshow and Green Cleaning learning seminar in Washington, D.C. The tradeshow brought together the company's suppliers with UNICCO management, supervisors and cleaners from the Washington area.
At the show, exhibitors demonstrated equipment that meets the company's Green Cleaning requirements, and introduced new products and procedures. This helps UNICCO staff by making them aware of the tools available, and benefits suppliers by opening communications with end users.
"The show has the dual benefit of educating UNICCO staff and giving suppliers a forum to speak with people who use their products," says Greg Zifcak, commodity/subcontract program manager.
Based in Newton, Mass., UNICCO Service Co. is an integrated facilities services provider with over 18,000 employees.
UNICCO launched its Green Cleaning initiative (www.greencleaning.com) in 2004 with its GreenClean program. The program helps customers achieve green goals by creating a healthier environment for tenants and employees. It consists of training and auditing to monitor reporting and adjust cleaning programs.
The idea for the event took root in the UNICCO purchasing operation. Zifcak was traveling to regional meetings with four or five suppliers to bring employees up to date on new products and cleaning techniques. "There had to be a better way to involve more people, updating them on the initiative and ways our partners fit into the GreenClean program," he says.
Twenty-five suppliers had booths at the show. Two hundred employees attended.
Brian Bambrick, national account sales manager, at The Tennant Co. in Minneapolis, attended the show as a supplier, exhibiting his company's floor-cleaning products. "It was a great opportunity to demonstrate our products for employees who may not be familiar with our lines," he says.
Employees also liked the event. Gary Brice, operations manager for UNICCO's Richmond office, attended with managers and supervisors. "We learned about products we didn't realize were being offered by some suppliers."
Already, Zifcak is thinking of the next event, which he says may bring together two regions.
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