Archive for the ‘Cost Saving Ideas’ Category

Janitorial Supplies Michigan – Amerisource Industrial Supply

Cost per Hand Dry Towel Comparison

	Towel	Twl/ft	Case	Cost Per		Hand Dry
Towel Type	Size	Per Case	Price	Towel/Ft		Used	Cost
Center Pulls	7.8×13	3180	$30.00	$0.0094	twls	3	$0.028
Cfolds	13×10.25	2400	$20.00	$0.0083	twls	3	$0.025
Multifolds	9.125×9.5	4000	$26.00	$0.0065	twls	3	$0.020
Scott Fold	9.4×12.4	4375	$35.00	$0.0080	twls	2	$0.016
enMotion	10×800	4800	$52.00	$0.0108	ft	1.5	$0.016
Multifolds Brown	10.25×9.25	4000	$20.00	$0.0050	twls	3	$0.015
Single Folds	10.25×9.25	4000	$20.00	$0.0050	twls	3	$0.015
Intuition White	8×700	4200	$41.00	$0.0098	twls	1.5	$0.015
Intuition Brown	8×700	4200	$39.00	$0.0093	twls	1.5	$0.014
White Roll Towel	8×800	4800	$25.00	$0.0052	ft	2.5	$0.013
Brown Roll Towel	8×800	4800	$22.00	$0.0046	ft	2.5	$0.011
White Roll Towel	8×1000	12000	$ 79.00	$0.0066	ft	1.5	$0.010
Hand Dryer							Utility Cost
* Includes waste, loss and misuse

The above indicates that Kimberly Clark’s 1000 or 1005 white roll towels using a controlled towel dispenser is the lowest cost towel alternative.  There are other factors to consider in selecting an appropriate towel system

1. Bathroom decor and fit with dispenser options and styles
2. Personal choice for folded towel style over roll towels
3. The desire to keep options open and select any manufacturers towels

The lowest cost folded towel options is singlefolds followed closely by Scottfold and Multifold towels.  Centerpull towels along with household towels ie Bounty are and have been the most expensive hand drying alternatives.

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LED LIGHT BULBS – Amerisource Industrial Supply

Electric lighting burns up to 25% of the average home energy budget.
The electricity used over the lifetime of a single incandescent bulb costs 5 to 10
times the original purchase price of the bulb itself. Compact Fluorescent Lights
(CFL) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs have revolutionized energy-efficient lighting.

CFLs are simply miniature versions of full-sized fluorescents. They screw into
standard lamp sockets, and give off light that looks just like the common incandescent
bulbs – not like the fluorescent lighting we associate with factories and schools.
LEDs are small, solid light bulbs which are extremely energy-efficient. New LED bulbs
are grouped in clusters with diffuser lenses which have broadened the applications for
LED use in the home.

	LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are solid light bulbs which are extremely energy-efficient. Until recently, LEDs were limited to single-bulb use in applications such as instrument panels, electronics, pen lights and, more recently, strings of indoor and outdoor Christmas lights.
Manufacturers have expanded the application of LEDs by “clustering” the small bulbs. The first clustered bulbs bulbs were used for battery powered items such as flashlights and headlamps. Today, LED bulbs are made using as many as 180 bulbs per cluster, and encased in diffuser lenses which spread the light in wider beams. Now available with standard bases which fit common household light fixtures, LEDs are the next generation in home lighting. The high cost of producing LEDs has been a roadblock to widespread use. However, researchers at Purdue University have recently developed a process for using inexpensive silicon wafers to replace the expensive sapphire-based technology. This promises to bring LEDs into competitive pricing with CFLs and incandescents. LEDs may soon become the standard for most lighting needs. We are following these developments with interest and will report the latest updates in this research.
Benefits of LED lightbulbs LED LightingLong-lasting – LED bulbs last up to 10 times as long as compact fluorescents, and far longer than typical incandescents. Durable – since LEDs do not have a filament, they are not damaged under circumstances when a regular incandescent bulb would be broken. Because they are solid, LED bulbs hold up well to jarring and bumping. Cool – these bulbs do not cause heat build-up; LEDs produce 3.4 btu’s/hour, compared to 85 for incandescent bulbs. This also cuts down on air conditioning costs in the home. Mercury-free – no mercury is used in the manufacturing of LEDs. More efficient – LED light bulbs use only 2-10 watts of electricity (1/3rd to 1/30th of Incandescent or CFL) Small LED flashlight bulbs will extend battery life 10 to 15 times longer than with incandescent bulbs. Also, because these bulbs last for years, energy is saved in maintenance and replacement costs. For example, many cities in the US are replacing their incandescent traffic lights with LED arrays because the electricity costs can be reduced by 80% or more. Cost-effective – although LEDs are expensive, the cost is recouped over time and in battery savings. For the AC bulbs and large cluster arrays, the best value comes from commercial use where maintenance and replacement costs are expensive. Light for remote areas – because of the low power requirement for LEDs, using solar panels becomes more practical and less expensive than running an electric line or using a generator for lighting.

Choosing an LED lightbulb

Many different models and styles of LED bulbs are emerging in today’s marketplace. When choosing a bulb, keep in mind the following: • Estimate desired wattage - read the package to choose desired illumination level. For example, a 3W LED is equivalent in output to a 45 W incandescent. • Choose between warm and cool light - new LED bulbs are available in ‘cool’ white light, which is ideal for task lighting, and ‘warm’ light commonly used for accent or small area lighting. • Standard base or pin base - LEDs are available in several types of ‘pin’ sockets or the standard “screw’ (Edison) bases for recessed or track lighting. • Choose between standard and dimmable bulbs – some LED bulbs, such as the LumiSelect series, are now available as dimmable bulbs. The common styles of LED bulbs include the following: Diffused bulbs In this style LED bulb, clusters of LEDs are covered by a dimpled lens which spreads the light out over a wider area. Available in standard Edison bases, these bulbs have many uses, such as area lighting for rooms, porches, reading lamps, accent lamps, hallways and low-light applications where lights remain on for extended periods. more info Diffused high power bulbs Designed for standard household use, these bulbs produce light equivalent to a 100-watt incandescent bulb. The EvoLux (pictured), and ZetaLux (pictured above) are the first UL Listed and FCC approved LED light bulbs for general household illumination. more info Track Lighting Available in pin base or standard (Edison) base, LEDs are ideal for track lighting. LEDs do not contribute to heat buildup in a room because no matter how long they remain on, they do not get hot to the touch. Also, because they are 90% more efficient than incandescents, and last 10 times longer than CFLs, the frequency of changing bulbs is greatly reduced. more info Recessed Downlight and Spotlight bulbs LEDs are now available for standard recessed lighting pots and housings. The light output and color quality are similar to incandescent downlights, but draws only about one-fifth of the power. Also, because they are 90% more efficient than incandescents. and last 10 times longer than CFLs, the frequency of changing bulbs is greatly reduced. more info Spotlight and Floodlight LEDs The spotlight LED lacks a dispersing lens, so it appears brighter as its light is directed forward. It runs cool and will last over 50,000 hours due to advanced thermal management design. The floodlight model gives a spread-out dispersed light. Well suited for ceiling lights, outdoor floodlights. retail display lighting, landscape lighting and motion sensors. more info LED Terminology CRI – Coloring Rendering Index. CRI represents the quality of light and its faithfulness to render colors correctly. The EvoLux bulb, for example, features a CRI of 75 for Cool White and 80 for Warm White making it one of the highest in the industry. CCT – Correlated Color Temperature is the measure used to describe the relative color appearance of a white light source. CCT indicates whether a light source appears more yellow/gold/orange or more blue, in terms of the range of available shades of “white.” CCT is given in kelvins (unit of absolute temperature). RGB – stands for red, green, and blue, the three primary colors of light. When the primaries are mixed, the resulting light appears white to the human eye. Mixing the light from red, green, and blue LEDs is one way to produce white light. The other approach is known as phosphor conversion [see below]. Luminous Flux – the flow of light measured in lumens. With light bulbs, it provides an estimate of the apparent amount of light the bulb will produce. LED Colors Red – red is the traditional color for maintaining night vision. Green – green is now the preferred color for pilots and the military. The green color is also great for retaining night vision, and it doesn’t erase the red markings on maps and charts. Blue – many people like the blue because it is very easy on the eyes. Blue appears to be a good reading light for elderly eyes. Elderly folks report that they can read under the blue light for hours without eyestrain, compared to severe eyestrain in less than 30 minutes with incandescent lighting. White – the most popular of the LED colors. It produces a soft white light, without harsh reflection, glare or shadows. Amber - LED amber bulbs do not attract flying insects, as do ordinary white bulbs. Amber LEDs are used outdoors in areas such as patios and decks where insects flying around lights are a nuisance. CFL Lighting: Benefits   Efficient: CFLs are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents. A 22 watt CFL has about the same light output as a 100 watt incandescent. CFLs use 50 – 80% less energy than incandescents. Less Expensive: Although initially more expensive, you save money in the long run because CFLs use 1/3 the electricity and last up to 10 times as long as incandescents. A single 18 watt CFL used in place of a 75 watt incandescent will save about 570 kWh over its lifetime. At 8 cents per kWh, that equates to a $45 savings. Reduces Air and Water Pollution: Replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half-ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb. If everyone in the U.S. used energy-efficient lighting, we could retire 90 average size power plants. Saving electricity reduces CO2 emissions, sulfur oxide and high-level nuclear waste. High-Quality Light: Newer CFLs give a warm, inviting light instead of the “cool white” light of older fluorescents. They use rare earth phosphors for excellent color and warmth. New electronically ballasted CFLs don’t flicker or hum. Versatile: CFLs can be applied nearly anywhere that incandescent lights are used. Energy-efficient CFLs can be used in recessed fixtures, table lamps, track lighting, ceiling fixtures and porchlights. 3-way CFLs are also now available for lamps with 3-way settings. Dimmable CFLs are also available for lights using a dimmer switch. CFLs come in many shapes and sizes. When purchasing CFLs, consult the seller for recommendations and consider the following: • Choose your preferred light quality CFL bulbs have a Kelvin or ‘K’ number listed on the packaging. CFLs with K numbers between 2700-3000 give off a soft bright light like incandescents. CFLs with K numbers between 3500-6000 give off a bright light. As you go up the K number scale the light gets bluish and closer to daylight. For example: Approx. 2700K = Warm White (looks just like incandescent) Approx. 5000K = Cool White (white/blue, bright light) • Choose the shape. CFLs are available in a variety of shapes to fit a range of lamps and lighting fixtures. See below on this page for the most popular CFL shapes. • Match lumens to the incandescent being replaced. Lumens indicate the amount of light being generated. (Watts is a measure of energy use, not light strength.) To compare lumens and watts see chart below: ………………Incandescent Watts…… . ..CFL Watt range… . . … .. Lumen Range    40  60  75 100 150  8 – 10 13 – 18 18 – 22 23 – 28 34 – 42 450 890 1210 1750 2780   CFL Models CFLs are available in a variety of styles or shapes. Some have two, four, or six tubes. Older models, and specialty models, have separate tubes and ballasts. Some CFLs have the tubes and ballast permanently connected. This allows you to change the tubes without changing the ballast. Others have circular or spiral-shaped tubes. In general, the size or total surface area of the tube determines how much light the bulb produces. The following CFL bulb models come with standard sockets for easy installation in most common household applications. These bulbs are available in our online store. Spiral Lamps These bulbs are designed as a continuous tube in a spiral shape which has similar outside shape and light casting qualities to a standard incandescent bulb. Spiral CFL bulbs are made in several sizes to fit most common fixtures. more info Triple Tube Lamps These CFLs have more tubing in a smaller area, which generates even more light in a shorter bulb. They pack high light output into a very small space and can be used in fixtures designed for incandescent bulbs, such as table lamps, reading lamps, open hanging lamps, and bare bulb applications. more info Standard Lamps These are spiral lamps with a dome cover. They are designed to give the appearance of the traditional light bulb for consumers looking for the more familiar light bulb appearance. The glass diffuser provides a quality of light similar to the ‘soft-white’ type of incandescent bulbs. more info Globe Lamps This shape is commonly used in bathroom vanity mirrors or open hanging lamps, and bare bulb applications. Bathroom vanities usually require multiple bulbs, which generate radiant heat. The CFL globe will reduce this heat buildup while saving energy. The glass diffuser provides a soft-white light. more info Flood Lamps These lamps are designed to be ideal for recessed and track lighting fixtures, indoors and outdoors. They provide diffused, soft, white light, and generate less heat than will an incandescent flood or a halogen bulb. more info Candelabra The screw-in torpedo-shape and the small-base of this bulb is designed for smaller light fixtures throughout the house, from chandeliers to sconces. To use a smaller candelabra-based bulb in a regular socket, you can use a socket reducer. more info             Limitations of CFL lightbulbs Although CFLs are an excellent source of energy-efficient lighting, they are not always the best choice for all lighting applications. Here are a few limitations to consider: On/Off cycling: CFLs are sensitive to frequent on/off cycling. Their rated lifetimes of 10,000 hours are reduced in applications where the light is switched on and off very often. Closets and other places where lights are needed for brief illumination should use incandescent or LED bulbs. Dimmers: Dimmable CFLs are available for lights using a dimmer switch, but check the package; not all CFLs can be used on dimmer switches. Using a regular CFL with a dimmer can shorten the bulb life span. Timers: Most CFLs can be used with a timer, however some timers have parts which are incompatible with CFLs; to check your timer, consult the timer package or manufacturer. Using an incompatible timer can shorten the life of a CFL bulb. Outdoors: CFLs can be used outdoors, but should be covered or shaded from the elements. Low temperatures may reduce light levels – check the package label to see if the bulb is suited for outdoor use. Retail lighting: CFLs are not spot lights. Retail store display lighting usually requires narrow focus beams for stronger spot lighting. CFLs are better for area lighting. Mercury content: CFLs contain small amounts of mercury which is a toxic metal. This metal may be released if the bulb is broken, or during disposal. New ‘Alto’ CFL bulbs are now available with low-mercury content. These low-mercury CFLs are available at our online store. For more information about mercury and CFLs, see below. The principle reason for reduced lifespan of CFLs is heat. CFLs exhibit shorter lifespans in light fixtures and sockets where there is low air-flow and heat build-up such as recessed lighting. For these types of sockets it is recommended to ues specially designed CFLs for recessed lighting or LEDs. Another main reason for reduced lifespan of CFLs is too-frequent on/off cycling. These bulbs should be used where they will be left on for steady periods without being flicked on and off. Mercury and CFLs Mercury is a toxic metal associated with contamination of water, fish, and food supplies, and can lead to adverse health affects. A CFL bulb generally contains an average of 5 mg of mercury (about one-fifth of that found in the average watch battery, and less than 1/100th of the mercury found in an amalgam dental filling). A power plant will emit 10mg of mercury to produce the electricity to run an incandescent bulb compared to only 2.4mg of mercury to run a CFL for the same time. The net benefit of using the more energy efficient lamp is positive, and this is especially true if the mercury in the fluorescent lamp is kept out of the waste stream when the lamp expires. All fluorescent lamps do not contain the same amount of mercury. Philips lamps with Alto Lamp Technology, for instance, contain less mercury than conventional fluorescent lamps. Philips claims the bulbs have the lowest amount of mercury of any bulb on the market at less than 3.8 mg per bulb. To achieve this, Philips uses a specially developed mercury capsule which ensures the exact amount of mercury is placed in a tiny glass capsule which is attached to the lamp cathode. To purchase the new ‘Alto’ CFLs, click here. Handling and Disposal of CFLs The mercury in compact fluorescent bulbs poses no threat while in the bulb, but if you break one: - open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more - use a wet rag to clean it up and put all of the pieces, and the rag, into a plastic bag - place all materials in a second sealed plastic bag - call your local recycling center to see if they accept this material, otherwise put it in your local trash. Wash your hands afterward. Burned out CFLs can be dropped off at Home Depot and Ikea stores. Another solution is to save spent CFLs for a community household hazardous waste collection, which would then send the bulbs to facilities capable of treating, recovering or recycling them. For more information on CFL disposal or recycling, you can contact your local municipality.

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Automated Crib Management

The future of MRO supplies is in automated crib management.  The majority of the cost of purchasing MRO supplies is in the crib management.  Crib staff payroll can be up to 30% of the cost of supply purchases.  The process is similar to self check out at the grocery store.  Your current crib is outfitted with a badge reader door lock, PC work station, wireless camera and wireless bar code reader.   The PC is connected to our inventory management software via the internet.  The process is as follows: 

1. Authorized employee badges into the crib with his card
2. Workstation starts an inventory order
3. Employee picks up scanner and selects items required and enters qty
4. Employee checks and completes order on workstation
5. Employee leaves crib
6. Camera snaps picture on entry and exit from the crib
7. Inventory replenishment is automatic from our warehouse as items fall below minimum levels
8. Orders are put away buy our staff
9. Customer is summary billed once per month on usage
10. 24/7 access to usage data

The implementation cost varies from zero to $10,000 depending on spend volumes.  Call us today to review this option.

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Janitorial Supplies Michigan – Buy vs Renting Mats & Runners

Link To Buy vs Rent Analysis Spreadsheet

Over 80% of all matting is rented from a laundry service company.   The main reason cited for using this service is convenience.  As shown in the above spreadsheet it is certainly not more cost effective.  It is much cheaper to purchase high quality mats than to have them changed every week.   High quality mats are guaranteed for 3-5 years of useful life.  The main maintenance required is daily vacuuming.  The cost of periodic deep cleaning is included in the cost of owning the mats.  The initial cost of the mats can be leased or financed to reduce the impact on cash flow.  The savings will more than provide an adequate return on investment.

Key Factors in Buying vs Renting Mats

1. Rented mats are rubber backed and of lower density and quality
2. Purchased mats are higher quality and have heavy vinyl backing and dense pile. 
3. Flexible sizing so you can better match mat sizes to areas to cover
4. Wide selection of mat types to match requirements of area to be covered
5. Wide selection of colors to match decor
6. High quality mats main ongoing maintenance is regular vacuuming

Call us today to walk you through your matting requirements.  Most companies do not have the required amount or correct sizes of matting to be most effective.  Proper matting in place saves cleaning costs and improves the appearance of the facility.

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The Cost of Jumbo Making You Roll?

 Make sure you know what is in the box !

• Check linear feet
• o Industry Standard on 2 ply 9″ tissue is 1000′.  There are a lot of cheater and short sheets in the market
• Check the width Standard is 3.8
  • Many manufactures have reduced the width of their Jumbo Tissue to 3.5
• Check the Quality
  • Grey and Crisp – are two words used too describe the majority of Jumbo Tissue sold in today’s marketplace.  There are some  Jumbo tissue that are high quality White and Embossed (for softness)
• Get Back to the Basics
  • The advantages of selling Jumbo Tissue over Conventional Tissue are labor savings and waste reduction
• One 2 ply 1000′ roll is equal to 6 conventional 2 ply tissue rolls
  • Labor Saving on less changes can be significant cost reduction
• On average an end user recognizes 35% waste with conventional tissue
  • There is also much more pilferage with standard tissue 10-15%
• Waste Reduction
  • Few stub rolls throw away
  • No spare rolls on the back of the commode
• Green Considerations
  • Paper is Ecologo certified
  • Less waste also helps with Green certification

 Users that most benefit

• High volume restrooms & Facilities
  •  Schools, Stadiums, Large Industrial Accounts, and High Traffic Areas.

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Supplier Reduction Cost Savings Analysis

-Amerisource Industrial Supply’s mission is to help its customers reduce their maintenance cost by reducing supplier and product complexity.  We also have experience in house staff to assist our customers in solving their maintenance and facility supply challenges.  Finding solutions is our strength and if we don’t know we will find an answer.  Supplier reduction is not a passing fad.  It is a reality and can help your business reduce and control cost in addition to the benefits of adding a supplier partner to your business.  We are subject matter experts in Janitorial, Packaging, Safety, Office and other consumable supply lines.  Our 4 step process will help reduce your MRO supply spend.

1. Analyze current situation and Implement Best Practices
2. Install practical consumption controls and inventory management to reduce usage, storage space etc…
3. Simplify the purchasing, receiving, billing process to the least amount of effort
4. Look for resource and waste recovery

We provide consumable supplies at the lowest total cost.  There is a key statistic most companies over look and that is the soft costs associated with purchasing Industrial Supplies.  Purchasing management statistics indicate that these cost make up 60% of the cost of supplies.  Only 40% of the cost of industrial supplies is the price of the product.  Most of purchasing time is spent on bidding and price reduction.  With commodity prices on the rise this will lead to dimishing returns.  There is a limit to savings based on price reduction alone.  Companies need to look at the entire process and change the model to realize bigger savings.   It is a simple concept. The more that one supplier can do the better the leverage.  Further eliminating internal effort on non value added tasks will reap big rewards.  The old model of requisitions, PO’s to a number of different vendors is out dated.  The most cost effective supply arrangement is;

1. Allow the vendor determine what you need
2. Have the fewest vendors possible
   1. Fewer shipments
   2. Fewer invoices
   3. less Management
3. No requisitions or purchase orders
4. One monthly bill divided by cost center
5. Financial controls and incentives to manage costs

Supplier Reduction Cost Savings Estimate

 Number of Maintenance & Facility Suppliers                             _____________

Annual or Monthly Maintenance Purchases                                 _____________

Cost of Purchasing 20-30% of Purchases

 (PO, Ordering, Receiving, Admin)                X 20-30%              _____________

Inbound Freight UPS, RPS, Common Carrier         +                   _____________

Total Cost of Purchasing from Current Suppliers                        _____________

 Estimated Supplier Reduction Percentage               X                 _____________

Estimated Savings from Consolidating                                            __ ___________

Product & Complexity Reduction Cost Savings Estimate

 Number of Maintenance & Facility Products                              _____________

Annual of Monthly Maintenance Purchases                                _____________

Cost of Product Complexity 5-10%

          (pilferage, spoilage, misuse, overuse)            X 5-10%      _____________

 Inventory of Maintenance Items                                                     _____________

Inventory Holding Costs 5%                                  X 5%                   _____________

 Estimated Product Reduction Percentage                                   _____________

Estimated Savings From Reduction                                                _____________

Estimated Savings Holding Costs                                                      _____________

Total Savings Product Simplification                                              _____________

 Grand Total Savings Potential                                                             __________

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