Editor's Blog

Larry the Cable Guy on Portable Restrooms

2012-02-20T22:14:05+00:00

This Wednesday, Feb. 22, The History Channel’s Only in America, starring comedian Larry the Cable Guy, stops at Mr. John in Glen Gardner, N.J., to learn the finer points of portable sanitation service. The show airs at 9 p.m. Eastern, 8 p.m. Central time. Larry, famous for the phrase “Git-R-Done,’’ apparently did just about every job at the portable sanitation company during a visit last August, according to a release from the Portable Sanitation Association International.

Steve Bisbee, Mr. John general manager, answered Larry’s questions during taping of the show, and showed the comedian how to perform each task.

“While we were thrilled to take part in this project,” said Viola Sarkantyus, Mr. John marketing manager, “we also hope our participation will give viewers new appreciation of our industry and especially of the tough and challenging work our Field Service Technicians do every day.”

Check out the show on Wednesday and let us know what you thought of it. Send your comments to editor@promonthly.com.

Illegal Dumping Case a Blow to the Industry

2012-02-16T22:49:19+00:00

A Kennewick, Wash., restroom contractor faces $50,000 in fines in an illegal dumping sting operation, but the cost of this story is far higher for an industry of responsible and hardworking operators.

According to the Tri-City Herald, John Liniger, owner of Sunshine Portable Toilets, faces fines and possible federal criminal charges after being caught in October 2011 dumping 4,000 gallons of portable restroom waste into a public sewer drain in an unlighted, undeveloped area.

Liniger has been cited for allegedly discharging solid and liquid waste to the city sewer system without a permit, interfering with the city’s treatment works and posing a public health risk by allowing raw sewage to run into the streets. The city estimated it cost $7,800 to clean up the sewage, clear blocked lines and sanitize gutters and catch basins in response to several incidents.

Officials said the sewer lines were largely unused because of a lack of development. They were tipped off to a portable sanitation link because they noted blue deodorant fluid in the waste stream. State environmental officials set up a motion sensor camera at the location and said the camera captured a dumping run. Local authorities then set up nighttime surveillance and reported they caught Liniger in the act a week later.

You can read more about the case here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/02/16/1828327/kennewick-port-a-potty-businessman.html

Stories like this one make me cringe. The alleged illegal actions of one can damage reputations of many, many responsible PROs. So many contractors are working diligently to raise the professional image of this industry. How hard will they have to work in Washington State to make up for this incident?

If you have a comment, add it below, or send it to me at editor@promonthly.com.

On the Job ... With Plummers Disposal

2012-02-08T22:32:10+00:00

Sam Biggio made the most of his opportunity to show the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area how to provide clean portable restroom service when he was interviewed on the WMMT Channel 3 TV morning news program this week.

Biggio, a manager at Plummers Disposal, Wyoming, Mich., took reporter Josh Roe along on a route and taught him the finer points of pumping restrooms and holding tanks for the station’s On the Job series … a feature similar to the Dirty Jobs television show.

The segment aired today and you can see it here:

http://www.wwmt.com/video/?videoId=1441006689001&lineupId=1137706675&play=now

A savvy Biggio saw his camera time as an opportunity to promote Plummers – which was featured in January in an On Location story in PRO – as well as the professionalism of the industry as a whole

“It’s publicity, number one. Two, it shows the community that we have clean equipment, and three, it shows what we actually do,’’ Biggio said. “Some people, when the news media calls, say, ‘no, no.’ I recommend that (PROs) even call the news and ask if they want to do a ‘dirty jobs’ shoot. It’s good publicity and it’s free.’’

Biggio said the shoot was a cool experience and he had a lot of fun showing Roe how to run a vacuum truck. He’d already heard from a few friends late today who’d seen the show and called to congratulate him.

Restroom Sighting on Network TV

2012-01-19T21:58:20+00:00

Did you see how eight Satellite Industries Inc. Tufway restrooms played a prominent role in the ABC-TV sitcom “The Middle,’’ last night (Jan. 18)?

The episode of the show about the misadventures of middle-class Indiana family Mike (Neil Flynn) and Frankie (Patricia Heaton) Heck and their three children found Frankie preparing for a plum volunteer job at the Super Bowl. But rather than reporting to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and being close to the action, Frankie was assigned to work as a parking lot attendant at an auxiliary lot 100 miles away in French Lick, Ind.

With eight blue Tufways behind her, Frankie made the most of her opportunity helping people waiting in line to use a restroom. If you didn’t see the episode, entitled “Hecking It Up,’’ ABC is showing it (probably for a limited time) on its website, here:

http://abc.go.com/watch/the-middle/SH5539541/VD55163801/hecking-it-up

Have any of you provided restrooms for use in a movie or TV show? Share your story with us.

How Many Units in the Field Right Now?

2012-01-16T21:56:40+00:00

It’s the January lull period in the portable sanitation industry, probably the slowest time of the year for most contractors. However, construction and energy industry sectors are picking up in some parts of the country. The question of the day is: What percentage of your restrooms are out on the job right now?

Weigh in right here, sharing how many units are working for you, how many remain in the yard, and if this is a typical winter season for you. If the rentals are up this winter, what factors account for the increase in business?

Here’s hoping for a bright 2012 busy season!

Are you ready for the Expo?

2012-01-06T22:10:36+00:00

It’s the first week of January and I’m already getting psyched up for the Pumper & Cleaner Expo and its debut in Indianapolis next month. Part of the reason for the excitement is the great people I’ll get to meet up with at the Indiana Convention Center, and one of them is Jamie Hunter, an Indy PRO who’s featured in the cover story of the current issue. You can find the story about Jamie and his business partner and old friend, Bret Kernodle, right here:

http://www.promonthly.com/editorial/2012/01/happy_in_indy

You can bet that Jamie will be hanging out at the Expo, which is being held a few miles from his Hoosier Portable Restrooms office. He’s looking forward to talking to industry friends and sharing tips with Expo attendees on things to do in his hometown. If you see him, make sure you join me in congratulating him on the PROfile story.

Taken from our story on Hoosier Portables, here are just a couple of Indy sites Hunter says you shouldn’t miss during your trip to Indy:

Indianapolis Motor Speedway—the self-proclaimed “Racing Capital of the World” since 1909—has a museum chock full of vintage race cars and racing memorabilia

Circle Centre—a 100-store shopping mall in the heart of downtown Indianapolis is conveniently located for Expo visitors. “It’s a really nice, upscale mall that people enjoy visiting,” Hunter says.

Broad Ripple Village—an entertainment district that includes a variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. “There are a lot of great restaurants and microbreweries,” he says. “It’s a fun place to visit.”

Best Holiday Wishes!

2011-12-23T19:19:00+00:00

The next few weekends will probably be free of special event service runs for your portable sanitation business. I hope you can take this time to stop and spend some quality time with friends and family. Enjoy the Christmas tree, a wonderful turkey dinner, opening presents with the kids and grandkids, the warm glow of the fireplace.

I wish you and your crews a happy holiday season!

Do you have a question or comment about my blog? Drop me a line at editor@promonthly.com.

Waterfront Residents Don’t Want to Look at Restrooms

2011-12-12T17:51:22+00:00

A recent small-town newspaper article in Rockland, Maine, outlined how several waterfront property owners were trying to get portable restrooms at the entrance to a public park walkway removed. As it was explained, the residents objected to seeing the restrooms near their housing development.

The local municipality, which rented the restrooms for visitors to use, agreed to move the units, but the locals didn’t like the new location either. The situation has grown into a longstanding “not in my backyard’’ battle, and I’m sure a PRO is caught in the middle of it.

Have you ever been embroiled in this sort of a controversy? If so, how did you handle the negative publicity from being dragged into the argument?

I’m surprised when I hear about cases like this. First, today’s portable restrooms are well designed and attractive, and can be specified by color to blend into natural surroundings. Second, don’t these neighbors want to provide portable sanitation options for visitors to their area? Providing proper facilities at remote public parks is the right thing to do.

Do you have a question or comment about my blog? Drop me a line at editor@promonthly.com or respond to the blog topic below.

Gamers: Where Have You Seen These Portable Restrooms?

2011-12-06T20:18:05+00:00

A certain highly anticipated recent video game release showcased portable restrooms. Do you recognize the game from this screen shot provided by one of the gamers here at PRO? The first three readers who can identify the game where these restrooms appear will receive PRO t-shirts. Go on over to our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/PROmonthly?sk=wall and give your answer.

I’ll give you a hint: The sign on the restroom doors reads: PP Porter Potty, 555-DUMP.

While we’re on the topic, I hear that portable restrooms can be seen on many popular video games. Where have you encountered portable sanitation equipment in the gaming world? Send me a screen shot and we’ll post it here or on our Facebook page.

Do you have a question or comment about my blog? Drop me a line at editor@promonthly.com.

Let’s Talk TP

2011-11-28T16:04:01+00:00

I received a phone call last week from a California PRO complaining of the inconsistency of toilet paper orders delivered by a newer supplier he was trying out. This PRO was frustrated by case shipments that didn’t meet the standards of his orders. Rolls were inconsistent in size and often loosely rolled, resulting in smaller sheet counts than promised by the vendor.

The PRO said his call didn’t just reflect only his sour grapes with the new vendor. He said others in the industry – seeking a way to save a few dollars while construction rentals are soft – have been having similar difficulties getting consistent paper products from new vendors.

What strategies have you employed with paper products to save money and cut down on waste? Have you monitored bulk shipments of toilet paper for a consistent product? Have you studied your paper usage lately and changed the way you stock product in your units to limit waste?

This PRO’s call was a good reminder that when unit rentals are down – whether due to a seasonal lag in orders or slow construction starts – every little cost savings effort can help the bottom line of profitability.

Do you have a story to share about paper products usage or ordering? If so, drop me a line at editor@promonthly.com or start a discussion right here at my blog. It’s quick and easy to add your post.