Augusta Business Examiner NOVEMBER 7, 200810B

A CSRA FIRST

KAMO shows us the greenway

Company Notes:KAMO Past, Present, and Future

In 1947, Ben Kaplan and William S. Moog had a vision to make our lives better and formed KAMO. Their philosophy was simple: provide basic cleaning supplies at reasonable costs. More than 60 years later, KAMO has become the Southeast’s leading distributor of industrial chemical, maintenance, and cleaning products. The 2nd and 3rd generation of KAMO is poised to grow the business in a “Green Way” that would make their founders proud. Jack Weinstein is the CEO and Harris Weinstein is the President. In celebration of the company’s 60th anniversary in 2007, KAMO launched the “On The Greenway” concept and way of life. Their staff and customers believe in the 3R’s of Re-ducing, Re-using, and Re-cycling at the home and offi ce. Now KAMO’s fi rst “Green” store serves as a retail center for families and a convenient pick-up location for commercial customers in West Augusta and Columbia County. KAMODowntown Augusta The Green Way Store1326 Reynolds Street 4336 Washington Road, Evans706-724-1488 706-261-8616

KAMO’s new Green Way store (above) is on Washington Road in Evans in the former location of The Bagel Factory.

Harris (left) and Jack Weinstein welcomed the store’s fi rst cus-tomers earlier this week.

Q & & A A

68 year old Jack Kay and his 57 year old wife Judy spent almost an hour walking the spacious aisles of “The Green Way Store”and picking the brain of KAMO President Harris Weinstein at the November 3rd grand opening of the store, the fi rst of its kind in the CSRA. “I explained our whole business plan and the difference between non-green and green products and the cost difference,” said Weinstein, who maintains eye contact, while demonstrating products. The Kays liked what they heard. “Harris said we’d be able to bring bottles back and get refi lls at big savings,” said Mr. Kay, who is proud of disproving the theory, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” The Kays live in the Deerwood subdivision and pass The Green Way Store each day. “There is something for everyone here,” said Mrs. Kay. That includes cleaning products from 3M, recycling bins from Rubbermaid, eco-friendly, energy effi cient lighting from Philips, plus hepa fi lter green clean vacuums. During the live grand opening radio remote with WGAC, Harris told “Handsome Harley Drew,” a long-time KAMO customer, what else is in the store and in-store. “We have products for the laundry room, rest room, trash can liners, eco-friendly towels, air fresheners.”

So, what’s next? Touchless electronic sensor trash can lids and recycling bins, a series of high-tech eco-friendly products from Japan. The younger Weinstein is the whirling dervish, sales and marketing mind of KAMO—traveling the world to trade shows, always pushing for larger commercial accounts. His 61 year-old dad is the CEO, and the calming half of the duo. For many years, the younger Weinstein pushed to have a KAMO branch, away from their long-time downtown Augusta headquarters. The elder Weinstein didn’t bite until Harris showed him the tremendous potential of making green on the “green” wave in the country and here in the CSRA. “My back is killing me,” said Jack Weinstein, admiring the work of his hands with help from a relative and his Vice President, Kim Strickland. With his in-house crew and a contractor, they built the store in about a month’s time—even though he had to miss his beloved Crimson Tide during homecoming weekend in Alabama. The store’s colors are — what else? — green, and so is the giveaway item, a green bike. “Today’s not the answer. It’s is the next 20 years,” Jack Weinstein said. “He’s totally convinced the concept is sound. It’s just a matter of educating the public and getting the word out.” On the other side of the

store, his son Harris has left the Kays and is surveying the room---spotting a vendor, Rich Henderson, who oversees about 20 Jani King commercial cleaning franchises in the CSRA. Together, they are planning more community “green clean” events and distribution of a joint brochure. Soon, Weinstein says he will pick Hendersons’ brain about franchising--- as others are taking note of “The Green Way Store.”

Q: What is Green Cleaning?

A: Green Cleaning simply means cleaning to protect health without harming the environment. A Green Cleaning program goes beyond chemical and equipment choices. It includes policies, procedures, training and shared responsibility efforts that minimize the impact of cleaning materials on the health of building occupants and protect the environment as a whole.

Q: Does Green Cleaning really make a difference?

A: How buildings are cleaned and the products that are used can signifi cantly impact the health and performance of building occupants and cleaning staff. Choices in cleaning products, equipment and procedures also dramatically impact the lifespan of building materials and furnishings while preserving the environment.

Q: What does Green Cleaning cost?

A: Developing and implementing a Green

Cleaning Program does not have to be expensive or overwhelming. There are dozens of manufacturers who offer _certifi ed_ green cleaning chemicals that work well and are cost-competitive compared to traditional products. Any additional cost is offset by other factors, such as increased worker safety, superior performance, higher worker morale and productivity, reduced absenteeism and improved air quality.

Q: What kind of time and training is required? A: The amount and type of training will depend on your situation. There are many sources for training, including vendors and consultants who specialize in Green Cleaning. It is important to stress that training is not a criticism of previous practices, but an effort to fi nd better, more healthful ways to clean that benefi t everyone, including custodial staff.