Business and Facilities Management


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.

HPM Announces New Director of Planning Services

Program management firm HPM, based in Birmingham, Ala., recently announced that it has named Scott Leopold as its new Director of Planning Services.

Quattrocchi Kwok Architects Leadership Transition

Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA), based in Santa Rosa, Calif., recently announced a leadership transition that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023. A news release reports that the architecture firm’s Founding Principals—Mark Quattrocchi, FAIA, and Steve Kwok, AIA—will take on Principal Emeritus status, continuing to work with select clients and offer mentorship while moving away from direct leadership.

Jeff Livingston, Spiezle Architectural Group

Spiezle Architectural Group Hires New Director of Campus Architecture

Architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, and planning firm Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc., recently announced that Jeff B. Livingston, RA, NCARB will join the firm as its new Director of Campus Architecture.

Arizona State University, LACCD Collaborate on Transfer Pathways Program

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) recently announced a partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) to create MyPath2ASU, an online program that provides LACCD students with a method of transferring to the latter school to earn a four-year degree.

OptiMA, Inc. Partners with Newline Interactive for Interactive Display Boards

Visual communication solutions provider OptiMA, Inc. recently announced a partnership with Newline Interactive to provide Newline’s interactive display boards through OptiMA’s online store, MyWhiteboards.com, according to a news release.

Garland Company Wins Contract from Equalis Group

Roofing and building envelope solutions provider The Garland Company recently announced that it has been awarded a contract from The Cooperative Council of Governments (CCOG), an Equalis Group Lead Agency, according to a news release.

Brightline Debuts Fluorescent-to-LED Conversion Kit

Video lighting systems solutions provider Brightline recently announced the debut of a retrofit package that lets users upgrade Brightline S1.2 or S1.4 fluorescent studio fixtures to LED fixtures.

Modine Launches K–12 IAQ Improvement Campaign

HVAC industry solutions provider Modine Manufacturing Company recently announced a new resource to help K–12 facilities managers monitor their school’s IAQ (indoor air quality) needs.

Jill Ackers VS America

VS America Names New Education Director

Furniture solutions company VS America recently announced that it has named Jill Ackers as its new Education Director, responsible for the company’s educational planning and professional development.

Physical Security Companies Form Strategic Partnership

Security shutter and storm protection solutions provider QMI Security Solutions, working with Management and Prospect Partners, recently closed on an investment of Riot Glass, Inc. and Campbell Corporation.

Kajeet, Google Cloud Partner to Provide Private 5G to Schools

Private wireless provider Kajeet recently announced a partnership with Google to deploy its Private 5G platform through Google Distributed Cloud Edge.

Fayetteville State University

N.C. University to Debut Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub

Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C., recently announced that it will open a new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub aimed at connecting learning communities with businesses to reimagine and invigorate the workforce.

Kimball International Announces New Location for Chicago Showroom

Commercial furnishings provider Kimball International recently announced that its Chicago showroom will move to a new location in the Fulton Market District.

Hertz Furniture Acquires School Furnishings

K–12 school furniture provider Hertz Furniture recently announced its acquisition of the New-Hampshire-based School Furnishings as part of a national growth strategy.

Tech Companies Partner to Bring Cellular Coverage to Schools

Two tech companies—Athonet, which offers private network technology solutions, and BearCom, a wireless integrator—recently announced that they are partnering to bring private cellular coverage including LTE, 5G and CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) to North American schools.

Serge Ferrari Group Debuts Building Skin for Interiors

Serge Ferrari Group, a manufacturer of flexible composite membranes, recently launched a lightweight and durable building skin intended for indoor spaces.

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,