Manual foam soap dispensers transform a high-traffic restroom into a source of value.
Challenge:
In convention center restrooms, accessories can see a lot of use. In the case of the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, staff was hands-on with its soap dispensers for all the wrong reasons.
Most notably, maintenance was having difficulty refilling the units when soap ran out, which happened frequently due to busy trade shows and conferences. Since the dispenser was a proprietary, cartridge-based system, maintenance personnel were required to crawl under the sinks to refill the cartridges. Often, while replacing the cartridges, paneling under the sink would become dislodged and fall on workers.
In addition, due to the sheer number of dispensers and the size of the convention center, maintenance staff would regularly dispose of cartridges containing small amounts of soap to avoid making additional trips to and from the restrooms resulting in waste.
Influence:
Bethany Harrington of Angel-Cotton Associates, knew that with the right product, these issues could be transformed into measurable value.
Building upon a solid relationship with the convention center’s facility manager and staff established through previous renovations, Harrington helped educate them about what makes an efficient soap dispensing system. “I met with my convention center contacts at a tradeshow to talk about their soap dispenser problem, and it was clear they were frustrated with what they were working with at the time,” Harrington said. “I shared with them our Bobrick product samples and we discussed the advantages of switching to a universal bulk foam soap system.”
Solution:
Harrington recommended that Bobrick’s new B-823 manual, counter-mounted foam soap dispenser could provide long-term value. She noted the difference between their current under-the-counter, cartridge-based system and the B-823’s ability to hold universal, bulk foam soap. The B-823 would allow the facility to replace their current soap cartridges with jug foam soap. Its top-fill design would significantly reduce strain on maintenance staff. Plus, the dispenser’s 34-ounce bottle capacity meant the maintenance staff would be returning for refills less often. Finally, the unit’s chrome finish and polished spout harmonized with the facility’s high-end image.
By illustrating the labor- and cost-saving design of the B-823 to key stakeholders, Harrington helped coordinate the installation of more than 300 units throughout the convention center. After installing the dispensers, the convention center reported spending 80 percent less on soap than with their previous system.
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