Local manufacturer wins international innovation award
A Peterborough manufacturer recently won an international innovation award for one of its cleaning programs.
Charlotte Products Ltd. earned the 2018 ISSA Innovation Award in the cleaning agents category for its Enviro-Solutions Terrazzo and Concrete program, which includes three products.
The Fisher Dr. company is a leading formulator and manufacturer that creates environmentally responsible cleaning solutions.
Matt Strano, Charlotte Products CEO, said he couldn’t be prouder of the Charlotte Products team.
“As a Peterborough company, to be recognized internationally by the cleaning-industry professionals for our leadership as performance formulators and manufacturer of innovative products is very honorable,” Strano said.
ISSA is a worldwide trade association for the cleaning industry. Its membership base includes
more than 9,200 organizations.
Charlotte Products’ EnviroSolutions brand recently developed the Terrazzo and Concrete program, launching it in May.
Jennifer Meek, director of marketing for Charlotte Products, said the new program is revolutionary.
It takes away the need for deep stripping, scrubbing, sealing, applying floor finish, and diamond grinding the flooring.
It’s also reduces labour up to 60 per cent over conventional methods.
When it comes to terrazzo or concrete, in most cases, specialized cleaners and products need to be brought in.
It’s costly and labour intensive, Meek said.
“So, what we’ve put together is a program that people can do with their own equipment… to get a better end result that’s more sustainable and increases the shine and the actual quality of it over time,” she said.
The program was nominated for the award and faced eight larger and more well-known companies.
“It’s incredible,” Meek said of the win. “It’s actually quite an honour, just looking at the people and the companies we were up against, and the programs and innovative products we were up against.”
Charlotte Products also won New Product awards from School Planning and Management and College Planning and Management, which are both American publications serving all colleges and schools in the United States.
Charlotte Products was established in Peterborough in 1986. It’s located on Fisher Drive and employs approximately 50 employees.
In 1994, its founder developed Enviro-Solutions to transition traditional cleaning over to healthy and sustainable cleaning methods.