CM/Spotlight: carpet care ProTeam Inc. Kansas Elementary School Cleans With Vintage ProTeam Vacuum Built to last, a QuarterVac backpack vacuum outlives the facility in which it was originally purchased to clean. A At Cottonwood Elementary School in Salina, Kansas, the custodial staff uses a new Super QuarterVac ® backpack vacu-um and two older ProTeam ® QuarterVacs. Building Operator Garett Soden saves the oldest vacuum, one of the earliest models of ProTeam’s original lightweight backpack vacuum, for himself. “It’s like an old friend to me,” asserts Soden, who loves everything about his almost quarter-of-a-century-old vacuum, from its bright blue color to its dependably powerful suction. According to Loren Robertson, electri-cal mechanic for Salina Public Schools or Unified School District 305 (USD 305), the vacuum has even outlasted the facility it was purchased to clean. The old school was torn down and replaced 11 years ago, but he says the vacuum “still runs like a charm.” “All the custodians seem to favor the ProTeam backpack vacuums. They’re more flexible and lightweight,” proclaims Robertson. “They work well in schools because they allow for cleaning around furniture without moving it and they move fast through large territories.” It takes Soden’s staff one and a half hours to vacuum all 60,000 square feet of Cottonwood Elementary School. Soden attributes that speed to the backpack design, which allows workers to move as fast as their feet can comfort-ably take them. Soden’s staff even uses the backpack vacuums on the bathrooms’ rough tex-tured flooring, capturing dirt that a broom or dust mop could miss. “I have used upright vacuums, and I’m not a fan,” says Soden, remarking on the difficulty of pushing uprights around obstacles. “The backpack vacuum and wand work so well under desks, around file cabinets and in corners.” Quality Equates To Longevity Robertson does vacuum and small equipment/appliance repair for USD 305 and has worked with various models of ProTeam vacuums in the maintenance shop for 20 years, in addition to 18 years previously as a custodian in the district. “I like the design features,” notes Robertson. “They are dependable, tough and easy to work on. I keep hoses, motors, hardware, bags and filters on hand. I don’t have to keep the plastic bodies on hand because they don’t wear out.” Even though Soden cleans with a staff of only two, he is committed to keeping Cottonwood Elementary School looking brand new. This is a challenge in Kansas’ windy weather, which blows leaves, dust and pollen right through the entryway like a wind tunnel. “The kids bring in sand, dirt, rocks and pieces of wood that grind into the carpet,” remarks Soden. “But, we don’t have any bad spots because we’ve stayed on top of it. We hit the high traffic areas every night.” Soden takes enormous pride in his pris-tine school and gives credit to his staff for their dedication and hard work. In fact, both Soden and Robertson have a love for their jobs that seems infectious. “I never thought that I would be a build-ing operator at a grade school or even work at a grade school,” adds Soden. ”But, I love this job so much. I feel like I’m making a difference.” “I work with fantastic kids and fantastic staff members,” quips Robertson. “I am probably close enough to retire, but I thoroughly enjoy my job. It’s a great place to work.” CM Product Information no. 151 This information was provided by ProTeam Inc. as part of a paid advertisement. For more information, contact ProTeam directly at 1-866-888-2168 or visit www.Pro-Team.com. 26 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • June 2012
CMM – Archives June 2012: 26
