In this episode of the Facility Focus Podcast, I sit down with Kevin Richardson, Technical Director at NeverStrip Floor Coatings, to break down commercial floor types and how facilities can rethink long-term maintenance.

We cover VCT, LVT, tile, concrete, and rubber flooring, along with the traditional strip-and-wax cycle and why many facilities are moving toward more sustainable, lower-maintenance solutions.

This is a must-listen for facility managers, building engineers, and janitorial contractors looking to improve floor performance, reduce labor, and extend asset life.

· The most common commercial floor types (VCT, LVT, tile, concrete, rubber) · Why the traditional strip-and-wax model is breaking down · How modern floor coatings reduce labor and long-term costs · Daily and periodic maintenance best practices (flat mop vs string mop, auto scrubbers, pads) · How to calculate ROI on floor coating systems · Common mistakes in floor care programs · Tile and grout restoration and sealing systems · How coatings improve cleanability, durability, and appearance · Sustainability benefits including reduced water and chemical usage · PFAS concerns in traditional floor finishes About the Guest Kevin Richardson is the Technical Director at NeverStrip Floor Coatings. With over 20 years of hands-on experience in carpet cleaning, restoration, and floor care, Kevin now works with contractors and facilities to implement modern coating systems that improve durability, reduce maintenance, and simplify cleaning operations.

New Standard Cleaning provides commercial janitorial services to the Chicagoland area, specializing in after-hours cleaning programs for facilities across a wide range of industries.

Their mission is to safeguard health and elevate the image of every space through customized cleaning programs and consistent service.

Learn more: www.newstandardcleaning.com

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In this episode of the Facility Focus Podcast, I sit down with Keith Garratt, Business Development Director at Pudu Robotics, to break down how robotic floor cleaning is changing the way facilities operate.

We cover autonomous floor scrubbers, AI-powered cleaning and how robotics are being used to improve consistency, reduce labor challenges and increase efficiency across modern facilities.

This is the kind of technology facility managers are aware of but many don't yet understand how to implement or add it to their program.

If you’re responsible for building operations, janitorial programs, or managing cleaning teams, this episode will give you a practical understanding of how robotics could fit into your facility.

• How robotic floor cleaning machines actually work
• The role of AI in autonomous cleaning
• Where robotics make sense (and where they don’t)
• Labor challenges and how automation helps solve them
• Cost vs. ROI of robotic cleaning equipment
• How to integrate robots into an existing janitorial program
• The future of cleaning in large facilities

Keith Garratt is the Business Development Director at Pudu Robotics, a global leader in service robotics. Keith works with operations professionals to implement autonomous cleaning solutions that improve efficiency, consistency and operational performance.

NSC provides commercial cleaning services to Chicagoland and serves a variety of industries. They are committed to delivering consistent service and building strong partnerships across every account.

Learn more: www.newstandardcleaning.com

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In this episode of the Facility Focus Podcast, I sit down with Steve Maring, a water treatment consultant with Kroff Chemical, to break down the complexities of water treatment across different types of facilities.

We cover cooling towers, boilers, closed loop systems and wastewater. We discuss scale, corrosion, bacteria and system failures. The kind of stuff every facility manager deals with but rarely gets explained this clearly.

If you’re responsible for building operations, maintenance, or working in the field, this episode will give you a practical understanding of how water impacts your facility every day.

In this episode, we cover:

• How cooling towers actually work
• The biggest issues with boilers and water quality
• Scale, corrosion, and bacteria explained simply
• What happens when systems are neglected
• Wastewater treatment and compliance challenges
• How water treatment impacts cost and efficiency

About the Guest: Steve Maring is a water treatment consultant with Kroff Chemical based in Western Michigan. Steve works with commercial and industrial facilities to solve water-related challenges across HVAC systems and wastewater. His experience ranges from sky scrapers to poultry facilities!

Presented by: New Standard Cleaning

NSC provides commercial cleaning services to Chicagoland and serves a variety industries. They are committed to delivering consistent and building strong partnerships across every account. Visit them at www.newstandardcleaning.com for more information.

Connect with us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/facility-focus-podcast