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Convinced CSI Can Help
New president Bob Hammond relied on CSI for guidance as his Superior Sweeping
Service, Inc.grew in Kalamazoo, MI
By Lindsay Hitch
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When Bob Hammond unexpectedly — and confidently — took on the presidential duties of Contract Sweepers Institute (CSI) last spring, he took a step he had been headed for since before he began his own sweeping business — in fact, even before he became a contract sweeper.
That’s because, on the advice of two contract sweeping industry veterans he talked with one summer, he joined the Contract Sweepers Institute while his company, Superior Sweeping Service, Kalamazoo, MI, was still just a gleam in his eye.
Former CSI vice president Hammond assumed the presidency following the unexpected resignation of Contract Sweepers Institute president Mark Antoncich, who sold his contract sweeping business last spring.
“Being president of the industry association was never a goal of mine,” Hammond says today. “But when I was starting out in business I was convinced that CSI could help me out — and it did. After that I just got more involved in the association because I feel that as we grow we can help each other out, and that’s how I ended up in a board position.”
But that’s getting ahead of the story. Bob Hammond’s road to the CSI presidency began more than a decade ago in a small southern Michigan town. As a pick up and delivery driver for Consolidated Freightways, he often wondered if he could make it as a small-business owner. After eight years with the Teamsters, Hammond had a good job with good benefits and a solid pension plan. So why throw that away?
“I always had a desire to be in business for myself,” he says. Whether it was the influence of his parents, who had been small-business owners, or the knowledge that he could fall back on driving, 12 years ago Hammond decided he had to start a business or he would always regret it.
Hammond’s mother had a summer cottage on Coldwater Lake in southern Michigan. Tom and Kathie Cowman, a couple who had long vacationed on the same lake, learned of Hammond’s business aspirations and recommended a sweeping company. At the time, the Cowmans owned and operated Dayton Sweeping Service in Dayton, OH.
Hammond determined a demand for sweeping in the Kalamazoo area, and, with his mechanical know-how and the Cowmans’ 15 years of sweeping experience, Superior Sweeping Service was born.
Hammond bought a parking lot sweeper, operating his sweeping business at night and driving during the day. After six months working both jobs, Hammond quit his job with Consolidated Freightways to focus on Superior Sweeping Service full time.
Expanding the business into construction cleanup, Hammond hired his first employee, who was responsible for the night jobs. Hammond bought his first street sweeping machine that year - a used model from Tom Cowman’s fleet.
Superior Sweeping Service landed a few large jobs early on that solidified the success of the business. A large asphalt contractor hired Hammond for cleanup on all of its jobs.
When outside contractors came to build in the Kalamazoo area, they often asked the asphalt contractor to recommend a sweeper.
“The contractor’s estimators in a way became Superior Sweeping’s salespeople,” Hammond says.
Superior Sweeping Service also bid and received a contract with the county to maintain 200 curb miles and 42 bridge decks. Smaller area municipalities were switching to privatized sweeping rather than maintaining sweeping machines and crews themselves.
Hammond was able to take advantage of these growth opportunities, taking on more jobs, purchasing more equipment and ultimately hiring additional help.
Today, Superior Sweeping Service is a thriving business. The company now employs four office personnel (including Hammond and his wife Michelle), two night personnel, three street sweeper operators, a full-time mechanic and up to three seasonal employees, depending on work demands.
According to Hammond, most of Superior Sweeping’s revenue is generated by street sweeping, which, due to increasing environmental concerns and regulations, Hammond sees as a promising growth market.
Despite the minor management difficulties of operating a night crew, Superior Sweeping still has steady jobs in parking lot maintenance. After all, it “pays the light bill.”
Four years ago, Superior Sweeping Service expanded to include Superior Equipment LLC, a Schwarze Industries dealership. Hammond is now able to service area needs either as a contractor or an equipment supplier.
The sweeping business requires a lot of guess work. Weather conditions in Michigan, particularly the “lake effect” (Kalamazoo weather is heavily influenced by its proximity to Lake Michigan) make the business a bit unpredictable.
As sweeping so closely relates to construction and asphalt paving projects, Superior Sweeping Service has few large jobs between Thanksgiving and early March. Also, regulating and predicting manpower to construction needs is difficult.
“The market seems to demand different types of sweeping each year,” Hammond says. “There is a constant battle to adequately service customers without having machines and employees standing around waiting.” In spite of its headaches, Hammond is happy he took a risk 12 years ago, saying he “wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Bob Hammond joined the Contract Sweepers’ Institute (then National Contract Sweepers Institute) before he was officially in the sweeping business. The Cowmans had advised Hammond throughout his business startup and one of their recommendations was that he join the industry contract sweepers association. “So, I joined before I even bought my first sweeper,” he says.
For Hammond, the benefits of CSI were apparent right from the start. Shortly after joining he attended his first industry event, the American Public Works Association (APWA) show, in Toronto, where he met people who are still his close friends today.
“Once the CSI members learned I wanted to get started in the sweeping business they were eager to offer advice and encouragement,” Hammond says. “They kind of took me under their wing, which was just a blessing.”
Hammond says the CSI members he met operated both large and small contract sweeping firms throughout the country, and he was able to learn from their experiences and avoid many of the mistakes they had already made.
“With the association, you can always share in your troubles,” Hammond says. “Believe me, if you’ve got a problem, somebody in the association has had the problem also — and they’ve got a solution for it already. Whether it’s a machine problem, a contract problem, a problem with a municipality or a question about contracting, they’ll help you find an answer. They’re more than willing to help you out.”
Hammond says the “heart and soul” of the association lies in the personal relationships, but today CSI offers more tangible benefits.
He says that, especially when starting out, many sweepers feel they can’t afford to attend industry meetings. “What contract sweepers need to realize is that they can't afford not to attend the industry meetings,” he says.
He says it’s at these industry-wide events that contractors come together to discuss problems and compare notes, and it’s at these events where the industry’s manufacturers and suppliers come together to meet with the contractors.
“The industry is busy tackling PM10 contaminants and managing storm water run-off. Disposal regulations are becoming more and more strict, and officials throughout the country are cracking down on the dust in construction areas,” Hammond says. “All in all it adds up to more sweeping.”
But contractors need to be aware of what’s going on and how it might affect their business. These meetings are where a lot of information is exchanged. According to Hammond, in addition to the information exhange and “informal consulting” types of benefits, CSI also offers tangible benefits to its dues-paying members.
At both National Pavement Expo (NPE) and the new Pavement Technology Expo (PTE), for example, CSI members can attend sweeping-related seminars for free. With seminar prices running at $45 per session, CSI members can chalk those seminar fees toward their annual dues.
“When you join the CSI you’re going to immediately get your money back — and then some,” he says.
Last year CSI also introduced a discounted sweeper insurance program. Developed through Zurick Insurance, the program can be accessed through local agents, and Hammond says many CSI members have saved between 10% and 30% annually under the program.
The insurance program provides compensation coverage, auto, general liability, property, umbrella and workers’ compensation. Hammond says plans are already in the works to add health insurance.
Other tangible benefits available to CSI members are discounts and rebates on equipment and replacement parts offered by various CSI manufacturer members.
And Hammond adds that CSI is striving to get more “buying more” benefits for its members. He says that as membership increases, more manufacturers and other related industries (gas, oil, hotels, tires) will recognize the buying power and reputation of CSI members, awarding discounts and special offers.
Bob Hammond is looking to the next 3 1/2 years with excitement. He thinks teaming up with new CSI vice president, Gerry Kesselring of Contract Sweepers & Equipment, Columbus, OH, will bring a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to the association. And he sees the pportunities to grow the association in benefits and membership as its reputation becomes stronger.
“As an organization, we all work together for overall growth and success in our industry,” he says.
Sidebar—
One of the benefits of being a member of Contract Sweepers Institute is the sweeping seminars members can attend for free at two of the industry’s trade shows. Each seminar is a $45 value but is free to CSI members who preregister on a special CSI registration form.
At the new Pavement Technology Expo (PTE), Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in Phoenix, PTE will offer “How PM-10 Regulations Affect Contract Sweeping” on Thursday, Nov. 30, and “Construction Sweeping: The Team Effort” on Saturday, Dec. 2. For more information on PTE and its 29 seminars — or to register — visit the Pavement Technology Expo website at www.wes-scs.com/pte or call 800-571-5267 for a brochure.
National Pavement Expo, which will be held Jan. 24-27 in Atlanta, will offer “Construction Sweeping: The Team Effort" on Thursday, Jan. 25, and “Using Technology To Better Manage Contract Sweeping Operations” on Saturday, Jan. 27. For more information or to register for NPE visit www.nationalpavementexpo.com or call 800-583-6763 (or see the NPE brochure following page 52 in this issue).
CSI’s Schedule at
APWA
Contract Sweepers Institute will convene September 8-10th, at the 2000 International Public Works Congress and Exposition, hosted by the American Public Works Association, Sept. 10-13 in Louisville, KY. The 2000 APWA Congress feature exhibits and a seminar program covering everything from “Innovations in Technologies and Practices” to “Stretching Your Dollars.” For more information, call 817-277-7187.
Friday, September 8 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
CSI Reception, Drinkwater Room Executive West Hotel, sponsored by Schwarze Industries
Saturday, September 9 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
CSI Breakfast, Lion Room, Executive West Hotel, sponsored by TYMCO
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Maintaining a Competitive Edge in Fleet Management
William E. DeRousse, Equipment Superintendent, Everett, WA
Sunday, September 10 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
CSI Breakfast, Lion Room, Executive West Hotel, sponsored by Contract Sweepers Insurance Services
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
CSI Insurance Program Update
Scott Cerosky, President Contract Sweepers Insurance Agency
2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Conducting a Compliance Audit of Your Facility
Barbara K. Agrrison, Beiling Consultants, Inc.
Monday, September 11 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
CSI Executive Council Business Meeting
