Local Linen Supply Service ?Goes Deeper Green? with Help From Berkshire Gas

Adams, MA (PRWEB) February 6, 2011

David Desmarais, president of ALADCO Linen Services, is committed to making his business a leader in the ?green? movement in linen rental. The very nature of the linen rental business is green when compared to the alternatives of paper products or on premises laundry facilities. Taking an existing linen service company and driving the operations in a green manner is a win / win for everyone including local businesses that are enthusiastic to support the partnership. ALADCO is the first Hospitality linen Rental facility in the nation to make this commitment.

The move to being green involved investing in a new Pulse-Flow, continuous batch washing system that replaced multiple industrial washer/extractors. Gutting the heart of the business and retrofitting a nineteenth century building was no easy feat. The project took much of November and December to implement and to work out the kinks of a completely new laundry operation. At a cost of $ 700,000, Desmarais sees it as a ?great investment in the business and the community?.

ALADCO currently processes 600,000 pounds per month of linen products. The old process used about 2.5 gallons of water per pound or 1,500,000 gallons per month. Today, ALADCO is using 0.4 gallons of water per pound, a savings of 1,250,000 gallons of water per month. In addition to the reduction in water usage, the effect is compounded by a significant reduction in natural gas and electricity required to heat 84 % less water than the old system.

Customers of ALADCO appreciate the fact that one of their key suppliers has made these energy efficiency efforts. The industry has not created the equivalent of carbon credits or a market in ?greenness? but long-time customers of ALADCO appreciate the continuous improvements to its processes and its vision and commitment to a greener, sustainable environment.

John O?Neill, Director of Finance at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, an ALADCO partner since 1983 states, ?With a 600-bed retreat center that is often full of program guests, our organization requires quality linen service. ALADCO has provided us great service for many years, and their new environmentally friendly washing system aligns with our organizational values. We are very pleased that we have products available to us that are handled in such an environmentally sustainable method. We salute their choice to be a leader in green technology, and their commitment to the environment makes them an even better business partner for Kripalu.?

Berkshire Gas? Energy Efficiency Department worked with ALADCO every step of the way. After participating in Berkshire?s Commercial & Industrial Energy Audit Program, ALADCO developed a long-term plan to increase its energy efficiency. Working closely with ALADCO, Berkshire Gas committed $ 50,000 in energy saving incentives to this project. Michael Sommer, Manager of Energy Services at Berkshire commented: ?This is the type of energy efficiency project we are excited to be part of. The projected savings for this project of over 67,000 therms and nearly 1.7 million therms over the life of the equipment, are impressive, to say the least. To put this into perspective, the annual savings from this one project equates to the amount of natural gas needed to heat approximately 70 homes per year?.

Buy local ? Even though the installation required very specialized rigging and plumbing services, ALADCO was able to keep that work local as well employing Adams? own Atlantis Equipment Corporation and Adams Plumbing and Heating.

No sitting still - Not satisfied that the new equipment and process is enough, ALADCO recently introduced three new options; a lint?free microfiber wiping towel, microfiber mop system and the Environap, an environmentally friendly, smaller napkin that is designed as a cost effective alternative to paper napkins. The program shows that a quality cloth napkin can be rented for the same cost that many restaurants spend on disposable paper napkins. The cloth approach heightens the dining experience and removes an entire stream of trash from the table to the landfill.

About ALADCO

The production and main distribution center of ALADCO Linen Services is in Adams, MA. A second distribution center was added in Holyoke, MA as a result of the acquisition of Highland Laundry in 2008. ALADCO provides Star Quality linen services throughout Western Massachusetts, Southern Vermont, Northeastern New York and Northwestern Connecticut., as well as service all along the route 91 corridor. ALADCO provides table and kitchen linens, bed linens, uniforms, entrance mats and dust control to restaurants, hotels, motels, hospital, medical service providers and schools and colleges. ALADCO provides continuous employment to over seventy people and is a partner in numerous charitable organizations, as well as a member of local Chambers of Commerce. ALADCO is also a member of the Greater Springfield Visitors Bureau and Friends of Tanglewood.

Contact:

David Desmarais

David(at)aladcoservices(dot)com

82 Commercial Street

Adams, MA 01220 USA

http://www.aladcoservices.com

800-698-0505

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Bank of America Merrill Lynch Selects Accuity?s IBAN Solutions to Help Its Corporate Clients Achieve SEPA Compliance

London UK (PRWEB) July 2, 2010

Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BofA Merrill) today announced that it has selected Accuity?s international bank account number (IBAN) conversion and validation solutions to help corporate clients successfully meet the compliance challenges of the Single Euro Payment Area (SEPA) initiative. These solutions can help reduce the cost to clients of processing eurozone payments by automatically converting legacy account details into valid IBANs and correct routing Bank Identifier Codes (BICs).

?The unparalleled solutions offered by Accuity provide the essential tools our clients need in order to reduce costs, optimise payment efficiencies and manage previously manual, time-consuming processes,? comments Carole Berndt, head of Global Treasury Services, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). ?The referral arrangement we now have in place with Accuity demonstrates yet another way in which Bank of America Merrill Lynch is focused on providing clients with products and services that allow them to move money faster, more safely, and with greater ease anywhere in the world.

?We believe Accuity?s end-to-end IBAN conversion, validation and maintenance solutions help us provide our clients with a comprehensive solution to convert legacy account payments data into SEPA payment format.?

By submitting payment transactions that contain the correct IBAN and routing BICs, BofA Merrill?s clients should benefit from higher rates of payment straight through processing (STP) and experience a reduction in the inefficiencies associated with payment errors and repairs.

?Accuity has a relationship with Bank of America Merrill Lynch that dates back over 70 years,? said Malcolm Taylor, Accuity?s managing director for EMEA and Asia Pacific. ?We are excited to offer our enhanced IBAN services to the bank?s valued customers so that they can benefit from the lower cost of SEPA-compliant payments.

?Accuity?s IBAN solutions are underpinned by a unique, comprehensive and multi-layered verification process. They help users convert legacy account information quickly and efficiently into accurate and validated IBANs that are required for certain SWIFT payment messages.?

The referral agreement with Accuity is part of BofA Merrill?s multi-year investment in new technology and supports the company?s continued focus on treasury management, corporate banking and other businesses in key global markets.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company's corporate and investment banking, and sales and trading businesses operate under the Bank of America Merrill Lynch brand. Bank of America Merrill Lynch focuses on middle-market and large corporations, institutional investors, financial institutions and government entities. It provides innovative services in M&A, equity and debt capital raising, lending, trading, risk management, research, and liquidity and payments management. Bank of America Merrill Lynch serves clients in more than 150 countries and has relationships with 99 percent of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies and nearly 96 percent of the Fortune Global 500.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch is the marketing name for the global banking and global markets businesses of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., member FDIC. Securities, strategic advisory, and other investment banking activities are performed globally by investment banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation ("Investment Banking Affiliates"), including, in the United States, Banc of America Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, which are both registered broker-dealers and members of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, locally registered entities. Investment products offered by Investment Banking Affiliates: Are Not FDIC Insured * May Lose Value * Are Not Bank Guaranteed.

http://www.bankofamerica.com

Accuity

Accuity is the leading provider of global payment routing data, AML screening software, and services that allow organisations, across multiple industries, to maximise efficiency and facilitate compliance of their transactions.

Accuity maintains the most authoritative and comprehensive databases globally with a reputation built on the accuracy and quality of our data, products and services.

Accuity provides the industry with its Golden Copy of payment data, delivering essential and readily-accessible payment information with precise and comprehensive data for all bank offices worldwide. Only Accuity has the following key strategic partnerships:

????Accuity is the official provider of the European Payments Council SEPA adherence database.
????Accuity is the official provider of the Euro Banking Association Priority Payment Scheme central registry.
????Accuity is the official registrar for the American Bankers Association routing numbers.
????Accuity is the official provider of the Irish Payments Services Organisation?s (IPSO) directory of National Sort Code database.

For more than 150 years Accuity?s worldwide clients, located in over 150 countries, have included banks, corporations and government organisations. The solutions and services Accuity provides are packaged in multiple formats to serve their diverse needs.

For more information, contact Accuity at http://www.accuitysolutions.com.

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Related Swift Code Press Releases

Former NBA Player Issues Challenge to Magic Johnson and Other Celebrity Icons to Help Kids in the Los Angeles Inner City

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) February 15, 2010

Former NBA player, Juaquin Hawkins, has teamed up with The Arnold C. Yoder Survivors Foundation (TheACY) to present Hoops For Hope LA. This event will provide an opportunity for young boys and girls to experience playing on the same floor as their favorite NBA players. The event will feature a celebrity basketball game, performances, and more. Everyone in the community, including Magic Johnson and all celebrities, is invited to enjoy this amazing fund-raising cause!

"The challenge to Magic Johnson is more of an opportunity to thank him," said Juaquin. Hawkins known as the 'HAWK' was not drafted by the NBA, but he recalls how one encounter with Magic Johnson changed his life. "One day during a pick up game at UCLA, I seized the opportunity to show my skills in front of my idol, Magic Johnson." The following week, I had a try out for the Los Angeles Lakers and a contract to attend veteran's camp with the team. I really want Magic to attend our event on February 23, 2010 so that I can present him with a token of my appreciation for the opportunity he gave me."

On February 23, 2010 at the world famous Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles, Hawkins will have that chance. The first annual Hoops for Hope LA hosted by former NBA player Juaquin Hawkins and The Arnold C. Yoder Survivors Foundation will be filled with the giving spirit of Hawkins and the foundations and the causes he holds dear to his heart.

You may be familiar with Juaquin's story. On New Year's Day 2008, Juaquin at the young age of 34 suffered a stroke while in Australia. While his struggle of survival is a heroic one, Hawkins is more concerned that you know about his commitment to kids in the inner city of Los Angeles and cities around the US. As the founder of Hawks Hoops Sports Foundation, Juaquin teaches the fundamentals of basketball to boys and girls ages 5-18.

The Foundation also mentors kids at after school programs by conducting basketball camps that educate kids about the advantages of sports and education. After a brief encounter with TheACY's founder, Mary Elizabeth Yoder, both organizations saw the synergy that exists between Hawks Hoops which helps kids stay active and out of trouble, and TheACY which provides grief support for the youngest witnesses of often horrific crime in the inner cities around the country. The inner city experience can come from the death of a loved one, or in the loss of a family member to incarceration.

"I saw this as the perfect opportunity to fulfill TheACY's mission of providing grief support for survivors on both sides of tragic events," said Yoder. "We are very excited to partner with Hawk on Hoops for Hope LA. Our vision is for an empowering collaboration that will last beyond our children's children."

With less than three weeks to pull off a celebrity basketball game, and a youth basketball camp, the pair added even bigger challenges: to make this event a live streaming telethon of celebrity phone banks, live twitter and facebook interaction, and first class affordable entertainment for Los Angeles area families. The fun filled day will start with the basketball camp at 5:00 pm. Followed by the celebrity game at 7:30 pm.

Hoops for Hope which stands for Helping Others Promote Empowerment in collaboration with TheACY will be pulling out all of the stops to bring awareness to both foundations, as well as to American Stroke Association in which Juaquin is an Ambassador. Also during the event, the first ever 'H.O.P.E Honoree' will be presented to a young mother, multiple amputee, to help her purchase the prosthetic limbs she needs to enable her to care for her 5 year old child.

All of this will come together in less than 2 weeks! Only in LA can an event of this magnitude succeed. This is why Hoops for Hope LA is issuing a challenge to Magic Johnson, Snoop, Justin Timberlake, Gabriel Union, Serena and Venus Williams, The LA Clippers, Jay Leno, Jack Nicholson, Paris Hilton, Justin Bieber, and all celebrities, music and sports icons in Los Angeles, to help make this the best basketball camp and the most celebrity filled event of the year.

About Juaquin Hawkins:

Originally from Lynwood, Ca, Juaquin Hawkins has proved perseverance is a extremely valuable character trait. He grew up with out ever seeing his father, he worked hard to get an education, stayed focused on his ambition, and reached his goal of becoming a professional basketball player. Hawkins' career spans five different countries, the ABA, CBA, IBL, The Harlem Globetrooters, and briefly with The Lakers, Clippers, Bucks, and Warriors. He finally made the Houston Rockets as the second oldest rookie in the NBA at that time. New years day 2008, Hawkins would face his toughest challenge yet. He suffered a stroke while playing professional basketball at the age of 34. Hawk, as he is affectionately known, was disabled and went through many months of speech and physical therapy. He defied the odds and returned to play professional basketball again. Prior to his stroke, Hawkins was already giving his time and energy to others. Now he has emerged with an even bigger sense of purpose and willingness to give to others who have significant needs. Juaquin Hawkins is the founder of Hawks Hoops Sports Foundation.

About Hawks Hoops Sports Foundation:

This foundation is dedicated to providing after school programming, youth basketball programing, mentoring and HOPE; Helping Others Promote Empowerment. To learn more visit Hawk-Hoops.com

About Mary Elizabeth Yoder

Mary Elizabeth Yoder, was with seven of her family members when a drunk driver struck their car. Yoder's life went upside down and inside out until she finally learned how to create the proper environment to fully grieve the death of her father, Arnold C. Yoder, some 24 years later. Mary's Story, is a short documentary she is currently producing on the power of forgiveness. Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, she has emerged as a powerful healer. Mary Elizabeth has taken her personal tragedy and created a miracle to benefit others. In addition, Yoder has developed a model that is innovative and new. Mary Elizabeth Yoder is a catalyst for others to claim their own light and empowerment. In her presence, you can not help being captivated by her spirit, her love for life and everyone in it. Mary Elizabeth Yoder will instantly inspire you.

About The Arnold C. Yoder Survivors Foundation

The Arnold C Yoder Survivors Foundation (TheACY) is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to empowerment. Our mission is to provide a loving, safe environment which allows grieving children, families and survivors on both sides of tragic events to discover their own unique Grief - Forgiveness - Healing process through peer support groups, art therapy and education.

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