No one will argue that new products, services and technologies are driving innovation and higher standards in the portable restroom industry. Research and development is migrating out of major labs and into the hands of entrepreneurs and small operations. Spinoffs of chemistry breakthroughs for military, government and food processing industries create advances in this industry. And nanotechnology shrinks the size — and price — of new equipment and tools at an astonishing pace.
The end result is a plethora of new products every year to help PROs do their jobs faster, better and with more efficiency. But how do busy contractors keep up with this dizzying array of possibilities? A few of your colleagues share their strategies for staying informed and not overwhelmed.
Name: Billy Taylor, supervisor
Company: The Outhouse
Location: Greensboro, N.C.
Employees: 3
Years in Business: 4
“I’d like to get some tips from my local competition,” says Billy Taylor of The Outhouse portable restroom rentals. “But they’re all pretty closed-mouthed about that. No one wants to give away their secrets.” So Taylor turns to peers from farther away, along with trade publications and industry events to learn what’s new and exciting.
“I read both Pumper and PRO magazines, and of course go to the (Pumper & Cleaner) Expo. I’ll go to the Internet when I’m getting serious to do some research of my own, and then when I’m ready to buy.”
Name: Phillip Myers
Company: Garner/Northern Ohio Sanitation
Location: Sandusky, Ohio
Employees: 5
Years in Business: 9
“We always come to the (Pumper & Cleaner Expo) and read the Pumper and PRO magazines,” says Phillip Myers of Garner Sanitation. As a PRO with 500 units who services some unique sites (such as the Ohio State University Extension office on the islands at Put-In Bay on Lake Erie), Myers is interested in learning about anything new that might make challenging jobs a bit easier.
He also uses the COLE Publishing Web site as a portal to find out about new products that might appear between issues. From there, he’ll contact manufacturers for samples. Myers and his crew also visit the COLE Publishing reader forums to see what others are talking about, since anything causing a buzz is likely worth looking at.
Name: Shawn Holloway, owner
Company: Holloway’s Portable Restrooms
Location: Ottawa, Ill.
Employees: 3
Years in Business: 1
“I worked for a guy for five years and I’ve been contemplating going out on my own for a few years. It’s a straightforward business, and all the development is heading down our way, so I saw it as a good opportunity to hop into it for myself,” says Shawn Holloway, who’s just entering the industry. He wants to spend his startup budget in a smart way, so he went where he knew he could find the greatest concentration of people already making a success of the business.
“I’m looking to serve construction sites, agricultural businesses and events, and I want to find out how to do it right,” Holloway says. That’s why he began his research into equipment, products and vehicles earlier this year at the Pumper & Cleaner Expo.
“I went to check out the scene and see what’s available. I knew I’d learn whether it makes more sense for me to start with a smaller pickup with a slide-in tank, or go with a big pumper truck. All the professionals are at the Expo, so I know I’ll get to talk to them and learn a lot. And I’ll be bringing my oldest son with me next year, so he can help me run the business.”
