P&G, Sodexo Among Canada's Best Diversity Employers

Procter & Gamble (P&G), parent company of Procter & Gamble Professional, and Sodexo have been named to Mediacorp Canada, Inc.’s list of top employers for diversity. Founded by... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/pg-sodexo-among-canadas-best-diversity-employers/
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Diversey Care Partners With European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards

Sealed Air Diversey Care has been named an event partner of the European Cleaning & Hygiene Awards 2017. Founded by European Cleaning Journal, the second-annual awards program recognizes... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/diversey-care-partners-with-european-cleaning--hygiene-awards/
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How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally

There are many ways of getting rid of those nasty ants. Here is how to get rid of ants naturally by using the methods recommended from DIY Naturally a great resource for ant control in your home or business. Here is the source of the article: https://www.diynatural.com/how-to-get-rid-of-ants-naturally

Having ants everywhere outdoors doesn’t bother me – it’s when I see them trailing along my kitchen countertops that I spring into action. For the past two spring/summer seasons we have successfully rid our house of two different types of ants, and decided it was time to show you how to get rid of ants naturally!

Identifying ants

When you’re dealing with ants in your house, detective work is an integral part of eradicating them, but there’s actually much more to it. Finding the most effective treatment for ants depends on the specific type you have invading your house. Each species has different behaviors, preferences in food, and remedies that will be effective in keeping them out of your home.

Some ants are specific to region, so we only have experience dealing with certain types. In this article we’ll cover remedies for odorous house ants and carpenter ants. (Continue reading to the end of the article for tips that may work on other species.)

If you need help identifying, find images here or here.

Odorous House Ants

This type of ant is attracted to sweets, and are commonly found in the kitchen.

Odorous house ants will leave a chemical pheromone trail wherever they travel. If you kill them, other ants will simply follow the trail and show up in the same places. For this reason, the entire colony must be killed.

When you see the first few ants, you can sponge them (and the surrounding area) with soapy water to eliminate the pheromone trail. Immediately work to figure out where they’re getting into your house, and begin placing homemade ant bait at the entry points.

Homemade bait for house ants

Borax will kill odorous house ants, and powdered sugar will attract them. Make a homemade bait by thoroughly mixing one part borax with 3 parts powdered sugar. Fill tiny containers (such as bottle caps) with this homemade bait and place them as close to the place where you suspect ants are entering your house. If you see trails of ants, place small containers of the mixture directly in their path. This prevents most of them from traveling all around your house if they have easy access to this sugary treat.

(Have pets or kids who might get into this powdery mixture? Try this instead: mix one cup warm water with ½ cup sugar and 3 tablespoons borax. Soak it up with cotton balls and place them in shallow dishes near ant trails.)

Resist the urge to kill all the ants you see. They will carry the bait back to the nest, unable to differentiate between the borax and sugar, and the borax particles will eventually kill the entire colony. The more ants that are allowed to find the bait and carry it back, the faster the colony will die off.

More tips for house ants

Spray vinegar near baseboards, in any cracks, and on countertops where they may be traveling. You can allow vinegar to dry on surfaces or wipe with a clean cloth – this eliminates their chemical trail and will deter some of the stragglers. Repeat several times a day. (find white vinegar here)

Practicing good sanitation practices is one of the best ways to make your home less attractive to ants. Keep spills, crumbs, and garbage cleaned up in the kitchen. Make sure all food – especially anything sweet – is stored in tightly sealed containers or zip-top bags. They will get into things like jars of honey that have drips on the side or around the lid, so sealing the jar in a zip-top bag will protect it.

 

Even if you’re using a natural ant bait, if there is a more desirable snack, like spilled soda or cookie crumbs, they will choose that over bait.

 

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are commonly found around homes in wooded areas. They don’t carry bait back to their nests, so you have to kill them at the source. This means you have to do a little detective work to find the nest(s). Don’t bother using the borax/sugar bait – they’ll just feed on it like little piggies at a trough.

They will typically live outdoors very close to the house, and eventually enter your house in search of food and water.

How to find the nest

Carpenter ants live in wood and tunnel through it. The best clue to look for is small piles of very fine sawdust – the remains of the wood they have chewed through. You will typically find carpenter ant nests in moist wood in foundations, decks, wood piles near your house, trees, gaps between boards, etc.

If you take some time to figure out where ants are entering the house, you can usually track them back to a nest. It’s easiest if you kill all the ants in sight, then watch for new ants to appear to determine their general entry point. This may give clues to holes that need to be sealed up, rotting foundation where they’re living, or cracks under doors they’re traveling under.

Natural carpenter ant remedy

The best natural remedy we have found for eradicating carpenter ants is Diatomaceous Earth (DE). DE is completely natural and organic. It is made from tiny skeletal remains of algae-like plants.

DE is a lethal dust for insects. Its microscopic razor sharp edges will cut through the body of insects, drying them out and killing them. If ingested by carpenter ants, it will shred their insides. There are different types of DE, so keep in mind you must get food grade DE for pest control. (You do not want the DE that is sold for swimming pools – it has a different make-up.)

Food grade DE is completely safe to be used around kids and pets and can be sprinkled around the home and yard without posing a threat. Find food grade Diatomaceous Earth here.

In order to get rid of a colony of carpenter ants, DE must be injected directly into the nest. We used a medicine dropper to squirt dry DE into cracks where we found them nesting. You can also use a gadget like this to spray it into cracks or holes. DE must be reapplied after it rains.

The best advice I can give to get the most out of your DE treatments is to stay on top of it! This pesky ant species may relocate their nests and find new ways into your house. If you see a resurgence, put your detective hat back on and find that nest.

There are several ways to keep these little rodents out of your home to cut costs from hiring a pest control company in Sacramento CA.

So contact us today if you are still having problems getting rid of ants naturally. Call (916) 378-5102

 

 

The post How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally appeared first on Pest Control Pros.

from Pest Control Pros http://pestcontrolprosca.com/get-rid-ants-naturally/
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Weekly Product Showcase March 31, 2017

Stay up to date on the industry's newest products and services from these ISSA members. A Quiet Way to Clean The EON™ QuietClean® Upright Vacuum from Sanitaire/Electrolux Home Care... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/weekly-product-showcase-march-31-2017/
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ISSA Launches DEAL Program

ISSA in partnership with Sustainability Dashboard Tools, LLC, has kicked off phase two of the new Distributor Efficiency Analytics and Learning (DEAL) program. DEAL is a comprehensive program that... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/issa-launches-deal-program/
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Johnson Controls Nets Deal With NBA Team

Johnson Controls, Inc. has entered into a strategic marketing partnership with the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. The agreement calls for Johnson Controls to serve as the official smart... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/johnson-controls-nets-deal-with-nba-team/
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Nilfisk Adds Sales Director

Nilfisk has appointed John Brill sales director. Brill has been with Nilfisk since 2015 and most recently served as direct sales manager. In his new role, Brill will lead Nilfisk’s... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/nilfisk-adds-sales-director/
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BRAVO! Appoints Dan Beck Executive Vice President

BRAVO! Group Services, Inc., a CIMS-GB-certified organization, has appointed Dan Beck executive vice president. Beck joins BRAVO! from Jones Lang LaSalle, IP, Inc., where he served as... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/bravo-appoints-dan-beck-executive-vice-president/
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IFMA Names Mahender Singh Director of India

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has appointed Mahender Singh director of IFMA India. Singh has more than 25 years of facilities operations and business development... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/ifma-names-mahender-singh-director-of-india/
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Ask Annissa: When the Adjuster Doesn't Want to Pay You

Have you ever sent a bill to an adjuster and had them accuse you of overcharging, and then flat out refuse to pay you for the work? Yikes!

from Subscribe to R&R Magazine's RSS Feed http://www.randrmagonline.com/articles/87348-ask-annissa-when-the-adjuster-doesnt-want-to-pay-you
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Handling Critical Elements during Large Loss Restoration

Tens of thousands of documents. Months of work. Hundreds of workers displaced. Dozens of techs put to work. And working daily with local government.

from Subscribe to R&R Magazine's RSS Feed http://www.randrmagonline.com/articles/87332-handling-critical-elements-during-large-loss-restoration
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ISSA/INTERCLEAN Latin America: Another Successful Show

he 12th edition of the premier event for the cleaning, hygiene, and maintenance industry, ISSA/INTERCLEAN® Latin America 2017, ended on a high note with success all around for exhibitors and... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/issainterclean-latin-america-another-successful-show/
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HSC Announces Green Cleaning Leadership Institute

The Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC) will host its Green Clean Schools Leadership Institute, July 13-14, at the Silverado Lodge in Park City, UT. The two-day summit, sponsored by ISSA, will feature... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/hsc-announces-green-cleaning-leadership-institute/
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Aramark Cooks up Contract With Western Kentucky University

Aramark has been awarded a 20-year dining and catering services contract with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. The deal is worth an estimated US$20 million and calls for Aramark... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/aramark-cooks-up-contract-with-western-kentucky-university/
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Sodexo Adds New Senior Category Manager

Sodexo has appointed Joe Webb senior category manager of the company’s hard facilities management division. Webb has more than two decades of facility management experience. He joins... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/sodexo-adds-new-senior-category-manager/
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ISSA-TV: Choosing the Correct Chemicals

In this Educational Quick Clip, Darrel Hicks and Michael Diamond discuss the extensive process their website—InfectionControl.tips—uses for vetting products. Volunteer peer reviews and... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/issa-tv-choosing-the-correct-chemicals/
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Jon Don Announces Upcoming Customer Appreciation Days

Customers can expect to find great deals on equipment and products, such as portable extractors, vacuums, concrete grinders, dust collectors, truck mounts, chemicals, and more.

from Subscribe to R&R Magazine's RSS Feed http://www.randrmagonline.com/articles/87347-jon-don-announces-upcoming-customer-appreciation-days
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27,500 Cleaning Professionals Now LinkedIn With ISSA

ISSA’s LinkedIn.com group, “ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Association,” now has a total of 27,515 members as of today. The ISSA LinkedIn group has established itself in the... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/27500-cleaning-professionals-now-linkedin-with-issa/
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China Increases Number of LEED Projects

hina currently has a total of 1,207 building projects certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Mainland China... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/china-increases-number-of-leed-projects/
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Global Green Building Materials Market on the Rise

The global market for green and bio-based solvents is expected to reach US$377 million by 2022 with a compounded annual growth rate—or CAGR—of 11.9 percent, according to a new study... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/global-green-building-materials-market-on-the-rise/
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Bunzl Adds Non-Executive Director

Bunzl plc, parent company of Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies, has named Stephan Nanninga non-executive director. Nanninga is the former CEO of international private trading firm SHV Holdings... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/bunzl-adds-non-executive-director/
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Trojan Battery Appoints Director of Global Solutions

Trojan Battery Co. has appointed Ivan Menjak director of global product solutions. Menjak, who has more than two decades of experience in the battery industry, joins Trojan Battery from... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/trojan-battery-appoints-director-of-global-solutions/
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CMM to Present Carpet Care Webcast

Cleaning & Maintenance Management (CMM) magazine will present a complimentary webcast on carpet care, March 28, at 12:00 p.m. EST. Join industry experts for an online presentation and... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/cmm-to-present-carpet-care-webcast/
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Ecolab Completes Expansion of North Carolina Office

Ecolab, Inc. recently completed the expansion of its Greensboro, NC, facility. Ecolab announced the US$11-million project in June 2015. The 36,000-square-foot facility houses Ecolab’s... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/ecolab-completes-expansion-of-north-carolina-office/
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Diversey Care Acquired by Bain Capital

Sealed Air Corp. has entered into an agreement to divest its Diversey Care division to global private investment firm Bain Capital, LP for US$3.2 billion. The deal also includes Sealed Air’s... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/diversey-care-acquired-by-bain-capital/
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Triple S Appoints Director of Strategic Accounts

Triple S has appointed Dan Wagner director of strategic accounts. Wagner has decades of experience within the cleaning industry. He previously served as director of facility service programs for... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/triple-s-appoints-director-of-strategic-accounts/
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The Most Important Areas to Hit During Your Spring Cleaning

The Importance of Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning is a great way to give your home a refresh after spending much of the winter holed up indoors. In some cultures, there is even a deeper meaning to spring cleaning as you clear away the physical and spiritual “dust” of the winter and old year. No matter when or why you do it, there are some very important areas to hit during this deep cleaning ritual.

In the Kitchen

The average kitchen collects dirt and grime from a number of sources, including cooking grease and old aromas, crumbs that can fall into cracks and crevices, and old produce that may be left and forgotten. Here are some of the key areas to hit in your kitchen:

• Cabinets, including inside and outside of doors and their tops. This is especially important for the cabinets over the stove, where grease accumulation will be the heaviest.
• Behind appliances. Sweep out from behind the stove and fridge. Give the back of the fridge a good sweeping as well, paying careful attention to the coils. This will help prolong the life of the appliance by allowing it to work more efficiently.
• Dump out, rinse, and replace the refrigerator’s drip pan. This should be done on a regular and frequent basis. If you have not done so in a while, rinse off with a solution of water and white vinegar or bleach to kill off any bacteria or mold spores that may linger.
• Clean under the kitchen sink, paying careful attention to any signs of dripping or leaking water. This is a prime spot for mold growth as it thrives in wet environments. To remove any mold, scrub it with soap and water. Then throw out the sponge that you used to remove it and immediately fix the leak to prevent the mold from having a water source to attach to there again.
• This is a good time to wash kitchen curtains and windows as well. If the weather allows it, leave a window open for a short period of time to air the room out.
• As a final tip, consider adding a row of potted herbs to the window sill. Not only do plants help keep the room cleaner and add a pleasant visual touch, but they also smell delightful. Opt for easier care plants that only need a bit of water every now and then, and you will be rewarded for the entire season.

In the Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the toughest areas to clean in the house with many hard to reach areas that can get very dirty. This is a room where deep cleaning is vitally important to keep sickness at bay.

• Scour all like surfaces with the same cleaner to avoid cleaner overload. If you can open a window, do so; if not, use the vent fan to prevent fume buildup.
• Check around pipes and fixtures to ensure they are not leaking. If they are, get them repaired to prevent mold and mildew growth.
• Check that the toilet is not running constantly as this can really drive up your water bill every month. For simple cleaning of the toilet, toss in a few overnight denture cleansing tabs, close the lid, and continue with the rest of the room. By the time you go back, rings and stains should just brush off.
• Remove and wash the shower curtain if you can. If not, consider replacing it every so often to prevent mildew in the folds. Get in the habit of leaving the curtain open for a few minutes after a shower and then closed for the rest of the day so that it can dry between uses.

Bedrooms

This is a great time to declutter this room and make it more restful.

• Change bedding to lighter weight blankets and sheets. Air out any bedding that cannot be washed, and consider having it dry cleaned before storing it away.
• Flip mattresses. Vacuum box springs before replacing the mattress.
• Remove excess books and other dust collectors.
• Dust off lamp shades and other fixtures.
• Wash pillows if possible, or hang them in the sunshine to deodorize.

Common Living Areas

This is usually the room that people try to keep tidy in case of unexpected guests, but it is also typically the room that gets the most use and therefore may need a refresh the most.

• Remove all furniture cushions, and give them a good shake outside. Vacuum underneath before replacing.
• Wash any throw rugs, doilies, or other items.
• Remove anything that is damaged or just is not adding to the room any longer.
• Switch to lighter, airier curtains to let in more light.
• Clean ceiling fans, including the top side of the blades. If you are lucky enough to have the kind that slides out, remove, clean, and then replace each blade.
• Dust surfaces, paying careful attention to areas that might need repair of any kind, such as window sills.
• Knock down cobwebs, especially from out-of-reach, forgotten corners. Do this before you vacuum.
• If needed, clean the carpet, paying careful attention to any stains that may need pretreating before you get started.

In the Basement

While most “cleaning” is meant to keep the house looking nice, spring cleaning should be a little more in depth. Even if the basement is only used occasionally or only for storage, it is important that you put in some time down here at least a few times per year.

• Do a thorough inspection of the floors along each wall, under any windows, and near any appliance (hot water heaters and washers) while looking for signs of leaking or damage. These are areas where mold can quickly become a problem.
• If the pipes are exposed, give them a visual exam to make sure there are no leaks that will need repairs.
• Check for any off odors that could indicate a mold problem or a gas leak of any kind. Off odors could also be a warning of a pest problem.
• Consider going through and getting rid of items in storage that you haven’t touched in years. No better time than the present to declutter your space.

from Mold Blogger http://moldblogger.com/the-most-important-areas-to-hit-during-your-spring-cleaning/
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Waxie Honored by Department of Defense

Waxie Sanitary Supply recently received the Utah Employer Support of the Guard Reserve (ESGR) Patriotic Employer Award. The ESGR Award, given by the U.S. Department of Defense, recognizes... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/waxie-honored-by-department-of-defense/
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Norovirus Outbreak Temporarily Shutters Louisiana School

Officials at Hammond Westside Montessori School in Hammond, LA, closed the school Friday due to an outbreak of norovirus. School district officials ordered the temporary closure after more than... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/norovirus-outbreak-temporarily-shutters-louisiana-school/
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Diversey Care Secures Health Care Contract

Sealed Air Diversey Care has been awarded a three-year group purchasing contract with health care facilities alliance Premier, Inc. Per the terms of the deal, Sealed Air Diversey Care will supply... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/diversey-care-secures-health-care-contract/
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Weekly Product Showcase March 24, 2017

Stay up to date on the industry's newest products and services from these ISSA members. All Signs Point to Safety Nexstep Commercial Products’ new Flashing Floor Safety Sign folds flat... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/weekly-product-showcase-march-24-2017/
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Register for ISSA Young Executive Society Development Program

Registration is open for ISSA's Young Executive Society (YES) Professional Development Program, which takes place June 6-7, at ISSA Headquarters in Northbrook, IL. The two-day event,... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/register-for-issa-young-executive-society-development-program_6/
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Georgia-Pacific Supports Community Garden Program in Virginia

Georgia-Pacific LLC, the parent company of Georgia-Pacific Professional, has donated US$5,000 to the Campbell County, VA, community gardens. The donation will be used to fund community gardens and... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/georgia-pacific-supports-community-garden-program-in-virginia/
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Ask Annissa: Can I Hold a Client's Contents Hostage for Payment?

Would you ever hold onto contents you've cleaned until you get paid for the job?

from Subscribe to R&R Magazine's RSS Feed http://www.randrmagonline.com/articles/87346-ask-annissa-can-i-hold-a-clients-contents-hostage-for-payment
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Network Services Adds Segment Marketing Manager

Network Services Co. has appointed Natalia Mischenko segment marketing manager. Mischenko has more than 20 years of marketing experience. She joins Network Services from Weil USA, where she served... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/network-services-adds-segment-marketing-manager/
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Cintas Finalizes Acquisition of G&K Services

Cintas Corp. has completed its purchase of rental uniform and facility service provider G&K Services. Cintas announced the US$2.2 billion acquisition in August 2016. The purchase increases... Read more

from ISSA News feed for the Cleaning Industry http://www.issa.com/news/news-details/all/cintas-finalizes-acquisition-of-gk-services/
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