SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020 • 3
Cleaning Services In Demand, Taking On Concord Pools Sold To Its Vice President Of Employees To Meet The Increased Demand Pool Sales; Smooth Transition Anticipated
North Country Janitorial maintains a training facility for its employees that is a replica medical exam room modeled after those found in Hudson Headwaters heath centers. BY RACHEL PHILLIPS With the emergence and spread of COVID-19, proper cleaning and disinfecting are more important than ever. As an essential service, there are several Capital Region commercial cleaning services still operating on the front lines during the pandemic. When the first cases of COVID-19 broke out in the U.S., Matthew Montesi, president and owner of North Country Janitorial Inc. in Glens Falls, said he saw an uptick in business. Initially, many businesses were requesting more thorough or more frequent services, he said. After the state-wide lock down went into effect, many of his contracts had to freeze services. However, business has increased for clients in essential industries, such as medical facilities and hospitals. Derek Foster, president of Daigle Cleaning Systems, which has clients from Albany to Lake George, is using displaced workers to fill the void and cover the increased demand for his company’s services. “In our industry as a whole, we’re trying to do our part by helping those who are either out of work or are temporarily looking for something to keep them busy,” he said. “I’ve spoken with a few folks who are in the restaurant or bar industry who are reliant on tips. Unemployment isn’t able to cover their living expenses, so we’ve been able to train them and bring them on, and they’ve been able to help keep people safe and healthy and get a living wage at the same time.” Though many of her clients’ offices have closed, April Weygand, president of April Fresh Cleaning, said she has received more requests from one-time clients requesting
Courtesy North Country Janitorial
large disinfectant cleans. “I’m hoping that people will realize that real clean is more than just ‘looking clean,’ and that ‘real clean’ takes time, and is therefore more costly,” said Weygand. North Country Janitorial Inc. has five different divisions: janitorial, rental mat/ laundry, resilient floor care, residential and commercial carpet cleaning and disaster restoration. Montesi said his company is particularly well-prepared to deal with the current pandemic thanks to its new training facility. The training facility features a replica medical exam room modeled after those found in Hudson Headwaters heath centers. The facility also features a janitor’s closet, a waiting room and a kitchen, all of which are used to train new workers in how to properly clean these areas, as well as proper use of tools and equipment. “We partnered with healthcare officers to plan how this should be done. There’s certain protocols in place from the CDC determining how offices have to be cleaned with regard to COVID-19,” said Montesi. “Training is the key for the future of mentoring people in our field. It’s not just about picking up a mop and broom, it’s a little more technical than that.” North Country Janitorial, who employs between 240-250 cleaners, is looking to hire more to help meet this increased demand. North Country’s chief operating officer Chris Barden emphasized that a big concern for the company is keeping the employees safe, which they are doing through increased education and strict monitoring of equipment, Continued On Page 20
This is the South Broadway, Saratoga Springs office of Concord Pools. The business was purchased by its vice president of pool sales, Jon Foshee. BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH Concord Pools of Latham and Saratoga Springs has a new owner. Mike Giovanone, the former president and chief executive, recently sold the business to his vice president of pool sales, Jon Foshee. Foshee worked 12 years working as a sales director and executive for Latham Pool Products. In February of 2019, he was asked if he would be interested in buying and running Concord Pools, with the intention of also managing the business. “It seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a tremendous offer. Everything seemed to line up and we worked together to make it as seamless as possible,” said Foshee. The process, Foshee said, took about 12 months to complete. He said it was unlike any other deal he had witnessed because all sides sat down and worked together to find the best way to meet everyone’s needs. “This is really a special group of people who made something special happen. You don’t always see buyers and sellers on the same side, but that is what you had here, everyone supporting every single person involved. I am proud of everyone who was involved in this unique deal,” said Foshee. Giovanone will act as a sort of mentor to Foshee for the next three years as he develops a plan to take the company into
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com
the next phase of the industry. Foshee said Concord and Latham Pool Products have worked closely for years and are always willing to help each other with changes that happen with things like installations and maintenance. Concord and Latham pools opened a fiberglass pool distribution center in Queensbury. Foshee said during the winter the company employs around 25-30 people but have about 75 on staff during the summer. With the current COVID-19 crises, Foshee said that they have had an influx of calls for people wanting their hot tubs serviced because so many people are home. He said he anticipates the possibility of more consumers looking to install pools, since most people will not be planning a vacation given the uncertainty of the duration of the virus. Concord Pools & Spas is the 20th largest pool builder in North America, according to Pool and Spa News. Only three builders in the Northeast outrank them, including one in Connecticut, one in New Jersey and one in Ontario, Canada. They are located on South Broadway in Saratoga. COVID-19 special store hours are listed on their website at concordpools.com, along with a Notice Regarding COVID-19 Store Operations.
More To Read . . . More Leads For You. (518) 581-0600
SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
EXPERTS
For Small and Medium-Sized Businesses and IT Departments
Computers & Networking | Hosted Solutions Telephone & Voicemail Systems | Cloud Services Computer & Telephone Network Cabling Telecommunication & Broadband Procurement
VISIT: STOREDTECH.COM CALL: (518) 793-1111 EMAIL: INFO@STOREDTECH.COM
543 543QUEENSBURY QUEENSBURYAVE, AVE,QUEENSBURY, QUEENSBURY,NY NY 100 100GREAT GREATOAKS OAKSBLVD. BLVD.,STE STE133, 133,ALBANY, ALBANY,NYNY 327 327CORNELIA CORNELIASTREET, STREET,STE STE105, 105,PLATTSBURGH, PLATTSBURGH,NY NY 112-D AVE, YOUNGSVILLE, NC 6404 WHEATON FALLS OF NEUSE RD, RALEIGH, NC
WE BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE CEO AND THE CFO We provide the right resources for the right reason at the right time Gain tools & oversight with: • Cash flow • Financial Reporting • KPI Dashboard
Access a CFO when needed for: • Acquisition and growth • Funding and capital • A healthy exit strategy
Free consultation Amy Roman, CPA, CGMA, CM&AA aroman@CEFOadvisors.com
