Business and Facilities Management


Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis Through Creative Campus Development

Many Southern California college and university campuses are living amidst surging housing costs, driving the need to house more of their populations on campus. Especially for community colleges, the need to support millions of unhoused and housing insecure students has become a prominent issue that lawmakers and institutions alike are trying to solve.

PNSI Global Alliance Launches New Quality Assurance Certification

PNSI Global Alliance, a network of technology integrators and service providers, recently introduced a new Quality Assurance Certification (QAC) for AV service and support, according to a press release. The two-day, interactive workshop QAC course is designed for Certified Solution Providers (CSPs) to provide them with the most up-to-date and advanced quality assurance knowledge available.

Greenheck Receives Sourcewell Cooperative Contract

Air movement, control, conditioning, and distribution equipment solutions provider Greenheck recently announced that it has been awarded a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract, according to a news release. The HVAC Systems contract will allow Greenheck the opportunity to expand opportunities in government procurement and other public agencies in North America.

Craig Gaulden Davis Architecture Announces Merger with PBK

Craig Gaulden Davis Architecture (CGD), based in South Carolina and Maryland, recently announced that it has merged with PBK, the largest K–12 architectural firm in the U.S., according to a news release. The firm will operate as Craig Gaulden Davis | PBK with 31 offices across the country.

All Surfaces Announces New Director of Commercial Business Development

Surface solutions provider All Surfaces recently announced that it has hired a new Director of Commercial Business Development in Torie Bonafede. Bonafede will work to build the company’s market presence in various categories and drive strategic initiatives to expand its commercial sales portfolio.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Facilitron Partner for Facility Management

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) recently announced a partnership with facility management systems provider Facilitron, according to a news release. MDCPS has about 350,000 students across 400 campuses and is the 19th Florida school district to use Facilitron’s platform.

Adelphi University Launches $100M Fundraising Campaign

Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y., recently launched The Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact, a $100-million fundraising initiative, at a gala on campus, according to a news release. The campaign is set to last through 2027 and fund six strategic priorities to improve success on campus.

ASI Group Announces Acquisition of Marsh Industries

Washroom accessories, commercial toilet partitions, and visual display products manufacturer ASI Group recently announced that it has acquired Marsh Industries, which produces markerboards, chalkboards, and other visual display products, effective Aug. 1, 2024, according to a news release.

Lysol to Donate Minilabs Science Kits to K–12 Schools

Lysol recently announced that in advance of the 2024–25 school year, it will be donating Lysol Minilabs Science Kits to Title I schools throughout the country through its HERE for Healthy Schools initiative, according to a news release. The program’s goal is to prevent the spread of illness in schools and promote the tools for clean learning and living environments.

Ashley McGraw Architects Announces Acquisition of studioMLA Architects

Ashley McGraw Architects, based in Syracuse, N.Y., recently announced that it has acquired the 15-person architecture and landscape design firm studioMLA Architects, based in Brookline, Mass. The acquired firm will be rebranded as the Early Childhood Education Studio, and studioMLA founder Mike Lindstrom will become Ashley McGraw’s seventh partner, according to a news release.

Utica University Partners with ABM for Facilities Management

Utica University in Utica, N.Y., recently announced a ten-year partnership with facilities services, infrastructure solutions, and parking management solutions provider ABM, according to a news release. The ABM Performance Solutions model offers a unified approach to the higher-education campus’ wide variety of required facilities services.

Western Governors University Selects AI Writing Assistance Partner

Online university Western Governors University recently announced a partnership with AI writing assistance provider Grammarly, according to a news release. The university will provide access to Grammarly’s real-time writing support services—and new Writing Score API—to all faculty and students.

Transportant, RWC Group Partnership to Produce Smart Buses for K–12 Schools

School bus technology provider Transportant and commercial truck & bus dealership RWC Group recently announced a partnership that will provide smart school buses to K–12 districts around the country, according to a news release.

Workplace Solutions Company Receives Cooperative Purchasing Contract

Workplace solutions company Fellowes recently announced that it has been awarded a cooperative purchasing agreement with government organization Sourcewell. A news release reports that Fellowes was presented with the contract in the “Furniture Solutions with Related Accessories and Services” category after a rigorous submission process that resulted in contracts meeting or exceeding local procurement requirements.

Arkansas K–12 District to Upgrade Digital Scoreboards

Springdale Public Schools in Springdale, Ark., recently announced a new partnership that will bring seven new digital displays to the district. Digital Scoreboards will provide six outdoor displays and one indoor display to upgrade both athletic experiences and educational opportunities for students, according to a news release.

Design Firm Completes Six Schools in 2.5 Years for Maryland K–12 District

The Prince George’s County Public School System in Maryland recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its sixth new school in two and a half years, according to a news release. The Feb. 21 ceremony marked the completion of The Colin L. Powell K–8 Academy, which opened in November 2023.

Bitec Announces Merger with Viking Products Group

Roofing contractor Bitec recently announced that it will merge with Viking Products Group to expand the organizational efficiencies and sales distributions of both organizations, according to a news release. Roofing contractor and distributor customers will gain access to a wide array of roofing materials with benefits like recycled materials and a design allowing for ease of installation.

IFMA Releases White Paper on Emerging Topics in Facility Management

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has announced the release of a new white paper, according to a news release. “Evolution is Never Finished: Insights From IFMA’s Emerging Topics Working Group on How Six Key Topics are Transforming the FM Industry” discusses the implications of six high-impact issues, drivers, and trends in the facility management industry.

LINQ Launches K–12 Business Operations Platform

K–12 district business solutions provider LINQ recently announced the launch of a comprehensive platform to help districts manage business operations, according to a news release.

Kingspan Light + Air, Solatube Form Architectural Solutions Team

Building envelope solutions provider Kingston Light + Air and daylighting company Solatube International recently announced plans to form an Architectural Solutions Team, according to a news release.

Birchwood Lighting Releases New Acoustic Luminaries, Panels

Birchwood Lighting recently announced the launch of a new set of acoustic luminaries and panels designed for large, open spaces. The BWA250 luminaries and panels are intended to provide both seamless illumination and sound dampening capabilities in environments like open office spaces, common areas and education spaces.

CloroxPro Launches Online Commercial Cleaning Education Program

CloroxPro recently announced that it has launched an online learning platform to help educate and train commercial cleaning professionals. CloroxPro HealthyClean is intended to help boost the knowledge and skills of cleaning and maintenance staff as these workers’ responsibilities have skyrocketed during the last two years.

Hanwha Techwin ISC West

Hanwha Techwin to Bring AI Multi-Sensor Camera Line to ISC West

Hanwha Techwin America is getting ready for ISC West 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The IP and analog video surveillance solutions provider will be showcasing its new line of “AI-powered dual channel multi-sensor cameras featuring powerful Deep-Learning based object detection and classification, and license-free video and audio analytics,” according to a news release.

Louisiana District Prepares for Three Facilities for Rebuilds

The Lafayette Parish School System in Lafayette, La., announced this week that it has selected construction companies for three rebuilding projects within its district.

Exit sign

Safety Resolutions: 7 Reasons to Update Your School’s Safety Signs in 2022

From students to faculty, any school’s first priority should be the safety of people on campus. By now, you’ve probably learned that safety signage plays a vital role in keeping people safe at your school. From the parking lot to the playground, having the proper school safety signs not only keeps your students and faculty safe but also helps you avoid costly lawsuits or OSHA fines.

GreenPower Unveils Plan to Manufacture All Electric School Buses in West Virginia

Electric vehicle manufacturer GreenPower Motor Company signed an agreement last week with the state of West Virginia to begin producing zero-emission, all-electric school buses in a new manufacturing facility,

Two U.S. Executive Departments Partner to Address School Bus Driver Shortage

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced that it is coordinating with the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to address a labor shortage of school bus drivers.

Ron Nyce

Riot Glass, Inc., Names New Vice President of Operations

Retrofit security glass and door systems solutions company Riot Glass, Inc., recently named its new Vice President of Operations.

Learn Live Collection Taking Steps

Mohawk Group Expands Popular Carpeting Collection

Flooring solutions company Mohawk Group recently announced that it is expanding its Learn & Live Collection with the addition of Taking Steps, made up of three versatile 24” x 24” modular carpet styles.

Orbital Reef space station rendering

Arizona State Envisions Office Park in Space

The ultimate coworking space for digital nomads is on the drawing board. Working alongside others, Arizona State University is developing a space station that acts as a business park.