Resicom CEO, John Fairclough, has been nominated for The 2010 Business Ledger Entrepreneurial Excellence Award.

A strategically innovative entrepreneur and business owner, Fairclough enjoys a level of success that transcends monetary reward and instead empowers both communities and individuals.  Fairclough is motivated to experience share with other first-level entrepreneurs in assist catapulting their business to the next level. Fairclough is excited to witness employees and peers become better leaders.

At 24, Fairclough launched the first Resicom office from the basement of his future in-laws. By age 30, Resicom had earned substantial, continuing to surpass set benchmarks.   Today, Resicom has leap frogged in size and revenue, now occupying a 15K square foot facility in Lemont.  Fairclough measures true success at providing opportunities and options for both client and employees that other companies can’t.

Nominees were selected because of having demonstrated exemplary traits in entrepreneurship, perseverance, business creativity, and determined drive and risk taking.  Award recipients will be honored at a reception on September 16^th, 2010 at the Danada House in Wheaton.  Honorees will be featured in a special business section of the October 18^th issue of the Business Ledger.  Judges are comprised from a selection committee from representatives of event sponsorship, local business associations, and members of the Business Ledger editorial staff.

CNN Money.com recently mentioned Resicom CEO John Fairclough.

Local entrepreneur Andrea Herrera, founder of Amazing Edibles Catering, credited John Fairclough as the mentor that assisted in propelling her business over the $1 million in sales mark.

In 2006, Herrera joined the Accelerator program of the Entrepreneur’s Organization, a group that offers networking and mentoring for businesses in the 250K to 750K range to help them advance to the seven-figure sales level.  Encouraged by her mentor, John Fairclough, Herrera boosted profit margins, created metrics for accountability, and hired a marketing manager to attract new clientele.

“I enjoy giving back to the participants of the program,” says Fairclough. My real motivation is witnessing the excitement and passion other entrepreneurs have for their businesses.  One of my favorite ways to learn is through interaction and this role gives me the opportunity to interact with some great business owners.”

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CNN Money- Amazing Edibles

PRSM LIVE is bringing together members in their own neighborhoods.  Next month, August 18th, members will be able to network and discuss key industry trends and issues over lunch.  Guest speaker Justin Doak will provide the keynote presentation -Navigating Industry Sustainable Benchmarks.

Resicom is both attending and sponsoring the Chicago development program.  This hometown event is an ideal opportunity to catch up with colleagues and meet new professionals.   More importantly, Resicom looks forward to learning about what is keeping facility managers from normal.

R&D for a construction services company? R&D usually focuses on products and packaging.  How about R&D for challenges and choices?

It is official! The company that boldly pursues what normal should be has formalized its R&D department. It is headed by the curious Michael Fairclough, Executive VP that has yet to find a challenge he didn’t like. Most people prefer working on things they know. Michael is one of those rare people that gets energized by the things he does not know. His ideal day includes researching, testing, and discussing other people’s challenges. He believes it should be normal for our company to be a ready resource to solve our clients’ challenges.

Michael is armed with the support from every division of the company. Please send over any situation that has to have a better solution than what is currently in use.

See if your challenge can stump him. Warning! Mike may help you dream bigger.

Last October Resicom CEO John Fairclough traveled abroad to the United Kingdom and Western Europe gathering information to determine whether international expansion was a sound business initiative.  Having been approached by one of its largest retail clients in regards to possible interest in partnering with overseas facilities, Resicom recently completely our first European rollout.  This project comes on the heels of our first international rollout in Canada for a multi-province store refresh.

Last year, John was quoted as saying,  “To fulfill our quest of continuing to innovate the industry, we need to continue to push ourselves to do things that seem nearly impossible.   Accomplishing this will require a commitment to development, and I look forward to our team solving this challenge.”

Resicom now has the ability to audit what was learned from the project, the obstacles overcome and the future course of action.  Resicom will continue in the bold pursuit of what normal is, regardless of to what location that takes us.

1. All storage space had to be fully functional within a tight deadline.  Therefore, project management created a detailed project scope with daily deadlines to keep technicians on track with the ability to adjust due to unforeseen obstacles.
2. Construction had to be completed without disruption to the client’s flow of operations.  As a result, the majority of the construction was completed during non-business hours to limit disruption to operations.

Low Cost Energy Savings With A Big ROI

One of the most cost effective energy efficiency measures is controlling unwanted air infiltration through caulking and sealing.  Caulking and sealing the building envelope of your facility allows you to minimize unwanted air flow through cracks and holes in walls (particularly around windows and doors), ceilings, and floors. An inadequately sealed building not only causes uncomfortable drafts for occupants, the building uses 25-35% more energy to maintain appropriate temperatures.  As an added benefit,  when caulking and sealing is properly performed, it can reduce the amount of dust and dirt that enters a building that causes indoor air quality.

Draft Detective

In order for air infiltration and leakage to be properly addressed, first determine the source.  The areas at joints where different materials meet are the usual suspects for air infiltration issues. Examples of these areas are where the building foundation meets walls, where walls meets floors, or where wood siding meets brick or stone. Other common trouble areas include: areas around ventilation systems, outdoor faucets, cable and phones lines, electric and gas lines, and of course the most common area for air infiltration – around windows and doors.

Hiring an experienced technician to assess the air infiltration issues in your facility can pay huge dividends.   Experienced technicians usually perform what is known as a blower door test, which allows the technician identify issues regarding air leakage, infiltration, moisture condensation, and air quality.  A blower door test depressurizes a facility by using a powerful frame-mounted fan.  Positioned on an outside door, it then gauges and quantifies the air pressure differential and amount of air flowing in and out of a facility.   The fan essentially draws all of the air outside of the home, lowering the pressure inside the facility and causing the higher pressure outside air to come in through any leaks.  Air leaks can then be detected by using a smoke pencil, and remedied with caulk, sealant, and other measures.

Let’s Talk Caulk

Caulks and sealants are comprised of a number of materials such as polyurethane, polysulfide, acrylic and silicone.   All act as barriers that prevent water penetration, allow thermal insulation, and protect against the penetration of other items ranging from unwanted dust to noise.  One main difference between construction caulk and a silicone sealant is that construction caulk is applied in places where movement is not expected to occur between the joints being sealed.  On the other hand, a silicone sealant is usually made of an elastomeric material that allows movement to occur between the joint.  Most construction caulks are usually able to be painted with a wider variety of painting products whereas silicone sealants are typically not able to be painted except with special oil and water based paints products.

Sweeping and Stripping

One way to stop the unwanted warm or cold air from getting into a facility is through the installation of a door sweep. Another easy way is through proper installation of weather stripping around the perimeter of the door.  One last thing to keep in mind: interior doors also serve an insulation barrier, allowing an occupied area of a building to be heated or cooled while preventing heat loss into an unoccupied area.  A well insulated interior door used to cordon off an unoccupied space can be a huge saver when it comes time to pay the utility bill.

How can a service maintenance provider protect property appearances while eliminating safety concerns?

Project Overview

A property management group has a high profile property in need of exterior repair.  Large slabs of limestone are deteriorating under the windows.  The high profile client needs a strong, reliable partnership with their property service provider for expedited, high quality results.  The location poses a challenge as it is situation in one of the most contested metropolitan areas.  Resicom has been entrusted to work around the obstacles to return the property to normal conditions as quickly as possible.

Scope

The scope of work needed to execute this project included:

1. Properly survey the area and the work that needs to be completed.
2. Determine strategy for how to label work area and block off necessary sections of street and sidewalk.
3. Remove 25 to 30 damaged sections of limestone sill facing the busy street.
4. Source and install 23 pieces of 3” limestone sill each measuring 23.5” x 10” each.
5. Match new limestone and smooth face to existing area.
6. Caulk and grout newly installed blocks.
7. Remove barricades and debris.  Clean the sidewalk and glass returning area to pre-project conditions.

Challenges

The constraints of the project that were overcome included:

1. Multiple laws and city codes must be in compliance during completion of work order on exterior side of building.
2. Determine if the limestone pieces are set under the glass and how this impacts work scope.
3. The spec limestone can only be purchased in Dallas, TX.
4. A scheduled walk through by the company CEO is scheduled in three weeks, and the project must be completed.

Solutions

1. Have experienced tiler assess project to recognize constraints and set parameters.
2. Determine measurements, style, and quantity of the tile needed.
3. Office based project manager procures tile from Dallas, TX and places rush order, continuing to track progress.
4. Contact city municipality to determine work zoning and laws.
5. Establish plan to block off sidewalk during construction, and route traffic to opposite lane on street.
6. Resicom technicians complete necessary demolition preparations with onsite supervisor present.
7. Once the tile is installed, project manager will audit delivery and supply photos for client approval.

Summary

A maintenance servicer provider should understand the importance of protecting property appearance and addressing safety concerns.     Exteriors in disrepair can detract from the property’s overall image and appeal.  Deteriorating exterior tiles are not only unsightly, but also present a safety risk to pedestrians.   Resicom restored the property to normal with consistent processes and a thorough follow up plan.

Resicom Solution Team Members traveled to Orlando this past weekend attend the national PRSM (Professional Retail Store Maintenance) conference.   The April 18 – 20th conference provides an opportunity for top retailers and service providers to network, attend educational seminars and discuss industry trends while building progressive relationships.

Resicom Executive VPs Rick Detres and Michael Fairclough will be in attendance along with National Business Development Manager Marty Durkin and Project Developer Brian Perla.

“PRSM is the largest Retail Facility Management Conference that offers robust both educational programs and excellent networking opportunities,” says Durkin.

Resicom is committed to the bold pursuit of what normal should be.  It should be normal that the vendors retail facility management hires make their company stronger.  Resicom will continually strive to clarify objectives for our retail clients by providing solutions and options that other companies can’t.

Saving Energy While Increasing Comfort

From an engineering and energy perspective, exterior doors are simply holes in a facility structure that allow outside air access, while allowing ambient air to escape.   If you detect a summer breeze or winter chill sneaking through the area around the perimeter of a door-  it may be time for a door replacement or insulation project.  Proper installation of a new door is essential to maximizing the energy savings potential.  By examining insulation and replacement options, energy loss will cease to be a facility challenge.

A New Set of Hinges

When considering major facility renovations, don’t skimp on the doors.  Choosing the most energy efficient doors available is a wise investment which saves up to 15% on both heating and cooling costs while increasing comfort.  Consider the energy performance rating of a door relative to climate, while keeping in mind facility design and southern exposure.  If southern facing, adding a door with high efficiency windows allows more natural light to penetrate the space.

Door s are made out of a wide variety of materials.  A common model of energy efficient exterior door available today has a metal outer shell (often steel) with poly foam insulation.  A magnetic strip is used as weatherstripping, creating a firm, lasting seal – as opposed to the traditional rubber and metal types found in older doors.  Steel and fiberglass doors tend to have much higher R values (insulating capacities), when compared to wooden and glass doors.  A common 1 1/2 inch thick steel or fiberglass door can be up to five times more energy efficient than a wooden door of a similar thickness.

Round and Round We Go

In larger facilities there is a large pressure differential between the inside and outside air, making the building susceptible to extreme drafts of air penetrating a building when an exterior door is opened to the outside.  The addition of a revolving door saves energy by preventing drafts of warm or cool air from penetrating a building.  A revolving door allows heavy traffic flow in and out of a building while only permitting small pockets of outside air to enter the facility.

Room with a View?

Any type of glass door will likely result in reduction of insulating qualities as compared to a metal, wood or fiberglass door. Sliding glass doors are the poorest insulators of all because it is very difficult to get a tight seal when closed.  However, facilities that require this type of door do have the choice of contemporary models offer great improvements over older versions.  New models with three or more panes of glass, low-e (emissivity) coatings, combined with insulating gases such as argon placed in between the panes of glass are an excellent investment. Over the life of the door, the energy savings gained over older glass doors, will pay for the new door many times over.

Lemont, IL

Resicom believes in the bold pursuit of what normal should be.  It should be normal that the companies you hire make your business better.  And it should be normal that new employees make an organization stronger.  Therefore, Resicom is always looking to add great people to its team.

We are pleased to announce the addition of Peter Baklashev to our Chicago Operations crew.  Peter brings tremendous painting, EIFS, and carpentry experience.

With the warmer spring temperatures arriving, companies are looking to Resicom to restore normalcy to their properties and facilities’ exteriors after a harsh winter.   Peter was an ideal fit to help the busy maintenance season begin.

An avid reader, Peter has committed himself to continued education with local community college classes and offerings.

“Resicom needs team members who are looking to grow with the company.  That Peter already demonstrates such a desire to develop both personally and professionally mirrors Resicom’s core value of “committing to development,” says Resicom Team Development Manager Laurie Ledonne.

“I look forward to the great possibilities available through Resicom,” says Peter.

Resicom believes in the bold pursuit of what normal should be.  It should be normal that the companies you hire make your business better.  And it should be normal that new employees make an organization stronger.  Therefore, Resicom is always looking to add dynamic people to its team.

We are pleased to announce the addition of Bruckner Chase to our newly expanded east coast consultant/solutions team.    Bruckner brings 19 years of retail experience having started on the sales floor for a performance bike retailer.  His tenure in various roles of sales, visual display, special projects manager and director of store development has provided him solid insight into the specific needs and demands placed upon facility maintenance management.  As managing partner for two successful enterprises, Bruckner has developed and managed nationwide projects for high-end, high-profile restaurants, retailers and property management.  His most recent endeavor has been in the public sector, working to integrate bike parking facilities and requirements into existing transportation systems.

Bruckner’s keen commitment to client brand protection made him the ideal fit for the Resicom team.

“His wealth of experience will strengthen the company,” says Resicom CEO John Fairclough.  ”Bruckner has a passion for finding a better way, and this perspective will both challenge us and help achieve our collective goals.”

A marathon open water swimmer and ocean advocate, Bruckner is the founder of the OC Swim Club in Ocean City, NJ.  He enjoys a role as both a motivational speaker and a writer as the Swimming and Ocean Sports Editor for Liberty Sports Magazine.

SAVING ENERGY WHILE INCREASING COMFORT

The average air conditioning unit requires more than 3,500 watts of energy while in use. Compare that to a typical ceiling fan that uses only 60 watts at the highest speed setting, and you’ve got a prime opportunity for significant energy savings.  Ceilings fans are rarely relied upon exclusively in our comfort conscious society during extreme temperatures because they don’t actually reduce air temperatures.  However, through proper installation, operation, and maintenance fans efficiently circulate comfortable air temperatures within a given space and offer facility cost savings.

A Summertime Solution

In the summer, using a ceiling fan on a high speed setting circulates cool air resting near the floor in isolated pockets.  Nearly all modern ceiling fans have a clockwise and counter-clockwise setting on the base of the motor – in the summer the setting should be on counter-clockwise. The rotation direction pushes air down through the center of the room while cool air is distributed throughout the space.  This mixing effect increases circulation of the cool air in a room, thereby reducing the burden on the A/C unit.

Hot Air Rising

A common misconception is that ceiling fans only provide benefits in warm months, but converse logic applies during cold winter days.  As learned in Mr. (insert your teacher’s name here) science class – hot air rises. It’s a shame (not to mention expensive) that much of the warm air created by a furnace or other heating source is wasted hovering high above our heads.  On cold days, a ceiling fan can be run in the clockwise direction on a low setting.  The chillier air at floor level is drawn upward, dispersing pockets of warmer air throughout the room.  The inverse air movement stabilizes ambient temperature in a room.  The thermostat can then be set at a lower temperature while maintaining the desired degree of comfort, thus reducing the amount of energy needed to heat a space by a primary heat source.

Blade Runner

The angle of the blade is an important factor when selecting a ceiling fan.   To provide effective circulation, the blade angle should be greater than 12 degrees.  Consequently, any blade with more than a 16 degree angle could great a windy effect, causing papers to blow about the room and create a general nuisance.    A 14 degree blade falls right in that ideal sweet spot where air circulation meets energy savings for facility managers and customer comfort.

Controlling energy and cost efficiencies through the thermostat

Remember a time when you opened up a utility bill, then wished you hadn’t because of the shock?! Improvements in facility energy efficiency can result in more advantages than a smaller bill.  Energy efficiency also increases employee productivity, customer comfort.  Not to mention choosing energy efficiency exhibits social responsibility and environmental stewardship – two valuable public relations components in today’s business world.  For facilities, this means enhancing customer satisfaction and improving customer loyalty, which ultimately adds significant value to a brand.  There are a number of low cost measures readily available to enhance energy efficiency that can allow building owners and facility management to realize both savings on energy costs and improve their sustainability profile.

Thermostatically Speaking…

A great deal of savings can be found by having a little electronic gadget known as a programmable thermostat professionally installed.  The benefit of a programmable, digital thermostat as opposed to a traditional analog is that the former provides exceptional control with regard to timing and temperature management.  By installing a programmable thermostat, adjustments for the amount of time that the HVAC units are active are based on a pre-determined schedule.  Energy savings of approximately 10% per year can be realized on heating and cooling bills by simply altering your thermostat 8–14 degrees (F) for eight to ten hours (bringing it closer to the outdoor temperature), when an area is unoccupied.  The newer versions of programmable thermostats can remember multiple daily settings which can be temporarily overridden with ease, without later disrupting the daily programming schedule.

The numbers don’t lie

One common myth is that it takes a disproportionately large amount of energy to raise or lower indoor temperature relative to exterior temperature, thus negating energy savings that is realized by a reduction in the relative temperature differential.  In other words, doesn’t it cost more money to have to warm up the room and cool it back down rather than keep the temperature constant?  This has been discredited by a number of studies, as well as the laws of thermodynamics.  For example, the amount of energy needed by a furnace to raise the temperature 8 degrees (F) is roughly equal to the savings gained by allowing the temperature to lower and re-stabilize by 8 degrees (F).   Simply stated: the less your heating and cooling systems have to work in order to maintain a given temperature, the more energy (and money) you save.

Good on ya, mate!

If you already have a programmable thermostat, nice work!  But remember, it’s important to make adjustments for seasonal changes and calibrate thermostats on an annual basis in order to ensure temperature readings are accurate.  In addition, the importance of educating your work force on energy management cannot be overstated.  Successful energy management requires a collective effort.  Team members should be educated on basic energy management strategies and then empowered to make a difference.