Greetings from the Pumper & Cleaner Expo show floor, where I’ve put my feet up to rest for a few minutes after a full day of making the rounds to learn what’s new in the portable sanitation industry.
Yes, there’s some talk here about the challenging economy. With a massive federal stimulus package in play, serious questions about construction starts in the work season ahead, and uncertainty over lending for new equipment, how could the economy not be a topic on the minds of portable restroom operators?
But a good number of contractors I’ve met are surprisingly upbeat about the possibilities in their hometowns, contrary to the barrage of bad news they hear in the media every day. A few have stated they’re refusing to participate in the recession and are planning for bright days ahead.
Aside from the economy, there’s lots of other banter between friends who meet up once a year at the Expo, this time some of those meetings are over 25-cent beers at the COLE Pub entertainment venue here at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
PROs are networking like crazy, comparing notes on new equipment and discussing Education Day presentations about effective sanitation service marketing.
Diversification is a watchword for contractors. Within their typical specialties, it seems like pumping professionals are seeing more calls for one type of work over another. For instance, if the portable sanitation construction business is slow, they are expecting an uptick in special events work this year. If they clean septic tanks or grease traps, that end of the business may or may not be generating more calls than the restrooms.
And they’re always looking to add to their menu of services, hoping that further diversification will help sustain their businesses in the future.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Every year out, I look around the exhibit hall and notice some distinct portable sanitation trends. Manufacturers are always on the lookout to identify demands in the marketplace and come up with products to address those demands. This year was no different. Here are a few trends I’ve noted on the Expo floor:
INNER BEAUTY
Restroom trailers aren’t changing too much on the outside, but there are innovations aplenty on some of the better-than-home upscale models. Amenities including wood trim packages, real-wood flooring, solid surface countertops and flat-panel televisions are becoming the norm on trailers parked on the Expo floor. But there are always a few new head-turning features on display.
One that comes to mind is a fireplace/heater unit found in the Ritz model from Rich Restrooms. The company’s Sheldon Rheinheimer explained that he included the electric fireplaces because they doubled as a heating unit and would set the trailers apart from others on display. With cabin space at a premium in restroom trailers, he said it’s important to make sure the fireplace units both look good and are functional.
Working with Louisiana-based contractor Elite Portable Restrooms, JAG Mobile Solutions showed a refined custom unit that will make its first appearance this month at the PGA Golf event, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. To be set up for tournament VIP guests, the unit sports rare details like real bamboo accent walls and stylish vessel sinks with hands-free faucets. Elite’s Robin Young designed the interior to impress high-end users and implement trendy “green’’ concepts wherever possible.
Vessel sinks were a trend, as several companies veered away from plain china or stainless steel varieties that may remind users they’re in a mobile facility. Sinks like the opaque green bowls shown in the Zapata Series trailer from Mexico’s Escumovil were a distinct reminder that you can enjoy at-home quality service at a remote location.
PRETTY IN PINK
For a few years, manufacturers have gone out of their way to explain that portable restrooms should be designed to satisfy the needs of women, the demographic that most needs to be swayed toward acceptance of portable sanitation. They took it a step further this year, providing not only cabin amenities aimed at women … But a colorful way to invite them inside for a peek.
It’s the year of pink restrooms.
PolyPortables Inc. made its women-only statement with the Lady Integra, a urinal-free unit that in all other ways mirrors the Integra that has been available in many other colors for some time. Henry Davis of PolyPortables said the unit — which can be ordered with an optional flushing unit — has been popular with contractors who plan to order one or two for special events or women-only functions.
A new entry in the restroom market, PortaJane.com introduced the PortaJane restroom, which is designed to appeal to women and raise money for breast cancer awareness. The pink unit with breast cancer awareness ribbons thermoformed into the walls, uses interior components, including a standard flush unit, built by PolyJohn Enterprises. The walls are made at Allied Plastics. PortaJane’s Chris Christian said there are no plans to expand into other models.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
The trend toward stylized, shapelier restroom units continues with Hampel Corp’s Sunrise model, which can be seen on this issue’s cover. It joins the Aspen and K2 models, formerly from Five Peaks Technology and now being produced by Satellite Industries Inc. and the PortaJane. Piccadilly Concepts showed a two-dimensional likeness of a restroom in development, which looks like an English phone booth. Piccadilly’s Tom Gebka said he hopes to have the real thing on display at the 2010 Expo.
Lance Hampel of Hampel Corp. mentioned two interesting advantages that have been discovered about the swoopier restroom designs. First, because PROs have to space the units a little farther apart to accommodate their bulging shapes, wall ventilation works better. Secondly, unit-strapping for transport is more effective because straps tend to hug the curved corners.
YOU NAME IT
PolyJohn made a splash with a new restroom designed for easy assembly and durability. But don’t ask what they call it … It won’t have a name for about a month. Since the design was based on customer feedback over the past four years, PolyJohn decided to let the customers name the unit. Along with the new unit, the company unveiled a contest to give it a name. Take a look at a photo of the restroom in our Expo product roundup story in this issue, read the description and take a crack at giving it a name. PolyJohn continues to accept potential names, and will announce the new name April 30. The winner receives — what else? — one of the new restrooms.
IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT THE PEOPLE
One Expo trend never changes. It’s the quality of the people who make the trip to Louisville. I’ve dealt with a lot of small business owners over the years, but there is no more friendly and down-to-earth group than those in the portable sanitation industry. At the Expo, it’s great to match smiling faces to the names of the many contractors I talk to throughout the year. Many thanks go out to all of you who share your opinions and expertise in support of the industry.
