National Engineers Week 2026: Transform Your Future

UG2 Facility Engineers Are Already Shaping What’s Next

Facility engineers do more than maintain buildings. They shape what’s possible for the people and organizations inside them.

Every year, the National Society of Professional Engineers celebrates “the power of engineering and the people who make it possible” during National Engineers Week. And this year’s theme, “Transform Your Future,” encapsulates all the opportunities we see in facility engineering, including smarter buildings, healthier environments, and stronger career pathways.

Transforming the Future Today

At UG2, facility engineers are already at work transforming the future because we know the actions we take today to improve building performance compound on each other to impact outcomes days, weeks, and years down the line.

We’ve always emphasized the need to have a proactive mindset. Being reactive is inefficient and disruptive. Constantly having to respond to breakdowns or complaints means the system is already broken.

Each of our team members is a problem solver, looking for ways to improve long-term performance. The shift from reactive to proactive operations is one of the best ways to create environments that work, allowing occupants to not even think about facility operations.

For example, our teams use data and preventative maintenance schedules to maintain a comfortable, consistent building temperature and clean, safe spaces. These changes may seem small, but the difference in what the building tenants feel is significant.

In addition, UG2 is leading the way in determining how AI can improve predictive maintenance, service requests, safety, and compliance—and empowering our teams to leverage these new technologies.

Sustainability That People Can Feel

Like predictive maintenance, sustainable engineering directly impacts how a building feels and, therefore, how its tenants feel within the space. Adopting energy-efficient systems can lead to improved air quality, temperature automation, and more. These updates contribute to healthier, more comfortable environments.

Our teams have worked with buildings to achieve energy goals, including LEED Gold certification. Sustainable engineering decisions directly impact how spaces feel and perform, while also leading to significant energy cost savings.

Our engineers know that this work goes beyond equipment and infrastructure. Preventative maintenance, energy optimization, and systems upgrades all contribute toward the sustainability of spaces.

Stronger Career Pathways

As the workforce ages, it’s critical to have a pipeline of talent that can step in and keep buildings running safely and efficiently.

Building the next generation of talent is one of UG2’s core promises. The UG2 Apprenticeship Program began in 2018 and it continues to grow every year. It’s just one of the ways we ensure we have the best talent to fill critical positions that will continue to transform the future. Encouraging the brightest minds to pursue lifelong careers in facilities engineering is essential as we strive to build a better tomorrow.

Learn more about National Engineers Week

Buildings might have high-tech equipment but they don’t manage themselves – people do. It’s a line we stand behind at UG2, and in 2025, that truth has never been more critical. As expectations for the built environment evolve, facility management must evolve too. It’s no longer just about fixing what breaks. It’s about maximizing performance, reducing risk, and aligning every square foot with your organization’s goals.

UG2 is at the forefront of this shift. Our team supports some of the nation’s most complex environments – from higher education campuses to cutting-edge life science facilities. We combine industry-leading experience with forward-thinking strategies to deliver facility services that go far beyond maintenance checklists. Here’s what high-performance really looks like today.

Smarter Buildings, Smarter Decisions

Proactive, Not Reactive

In 2025, the best integrated facility services and facility management strategies are preventative by design. It’s no longer enough to respond to breakdowns. High-performance teams anticipate them. That means investing in predictive technologies, building analytics, and condition-based maintenance schedules that help avoid costly surprises.

Data That Drives Value

Modern facility management services generate data at every level – HVAC performance, occupancy rates, energy consumption, and more. But data is only valuable if you know how to use it. UG2 specializes in turning that data into insight, and insight into measurable ROI. From tenant comfort to operating costs, we optimize what matters most to your mission.

The Role of Sustainability in Facility Performance

Sustainability isn’t a trend – it’s a core element of responsible building stewardship. At UG2, we help clients reduce their environmental footprint without sacrificing performance. In fact, smart sustainability practices often reduce utility bills and extend the life of your assets.

Our team regularly conducts facility condition assessments to pinpoint where improvements can make the biggest difference. Whether it’s updating underperforming equipment or fine-tuning building automation systems, we make sure your facility is operating as efficiently as possible.

Why Facility Maintenance Services Matter More Than Ever

In high-demand sectors – education, life science, data centers, and healthcare – facility downtime isn’t just inconvenient. It’s costly. That’s why facility maintenance services play a bigger role than ever in 2025. UG2’s approach is built on transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.

We document every task. We monitor every system. We train every technician. And we deliver outcomes that building owners, tenants, and stakeholders can see, feel, and measure.

The UG2 Difference: People, Process, Performance

High-performance doesn’t happen by accident. It takes a team, a system, and a vision. At UG2, we empower our teams with world-class training, implement processes that eliminate waste and inefficiency, and focus relentlessly on performance.

We don’t just maintain buildings. We elevate them. And we do it with a deep understanding of what each client’s facility means to their mission.

See the Value of Smarter Facility Management

If you’re ready to rethink how your facility operates, UG2 is here to help. With proven success across industries and regions – from Southern California to New England – we deliver customized janitorial and integrated facility services that prioritize performance, sustainability, and tenant satisfaction. Learn more about our approach on the about us page or get to know the people behind the vision on our leadership team. Contact us today and take the first step toward high-performance facility maintenance and management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is facility management?

Facility management is the coordination of a building’s operations and services to ensure functionality, safety, comfort, and efficiency for its occupants.

What are facility services?

Facility services include a broad range of operations that keep buildings running smoothly, such as cleaning, maintenance, security, energy management, sustainability, and space planning.

What are facility management services?

Facility management services are professional offerings that support the day-to-day operation and long-term performance of a building, including maintenance, vendor coordination, budgeting, and capital planning.

What is a facility condition assessment?

A facility condition assessment is a detailed evaluation of a building’s systems, structure, and infrastructure to determine current performance, identify deficiencies, and prioritize future maintenance or upgrades.

What are facility maintenance services?

Facility maintenance services refer to the ongoing upkeep and repair of building systems like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and structural elements to ensure safety, reliability, and optimal performance.
 

Key Summary

Today’s leading janitorial services go beyond basic cleanliness. Facility managers and organizations are seeking sustainable, safe, and high-performing cleaning services. This shift makes green cleaning more important than ever. In this post, we explore how UG2 delivers top-tier janitorial cleaning services with sustainability at the core, protecting people, property, and the planet.

What Makes Modern Janitorial Services Different?

Janitorial cleaning today isn’t just about appearances. Facilities require tailored solutions and strategies that prioritize health, safety, and sustainability. That’s why UG2 customizes its janitorial cleaning services to meet the unique demands of each environment, whether it’s a healthcare facility, college campus, or corporate office.

Our solutions focus on long-term cleanliness and value. With advanced cleaning protocols, trained teams, and flexible scheduling, UG2 stands out as a trusted janitorial cleaning company for facilities of all sizes.

The Value of Green Cleaning

As environmental responsibility becomes a priority, more organizations are requesting green cleaning solutions. But what does that mean in practice?

Green cleaning involves the use of non-toxic cleaning products, energy-efficient equipment, and practices that reduce waste and water consumption. UG2 supports your sustainability goals with environmentally friendly protocols designed to improve indoor air quality, reduce chemical exposure, and support LEED certifications or internal ESG benchmarks.

Why Sustainability Services Matter

Sustainability isn’t a buzzword at UG2-it’s a promise. Our sustainability services are designed to meet both immediate cleanliness goals and long-term environmental impact reduction. From green cleaning solutions to waste management and recycling programs, we help clients make meaningful progress toward their sustainability metrics.

Facilities that partner with UG2 benefit from a holistic approach to operations that supports cleaner environments, healthier occupants, and stronger compliance with environmental standards.

Customized Sustainable Janitorial Cleaning Services for Every Industry

Whether you operate in life science, higher education or public venue facilities, the expectations around cleanliness and environmental impact are growing. UG2 works closely with clients to develop janitorial cleaning programs that address traffic volume, facility type, operational hours, and compliance needs.

We help you deliver a consistent, professional image while protecting health and safety for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in janitorial services?

Janitorial services typically include routine cleaning tasks such as floor care, dusting, restroom sanitization, waste removal, and surface disinfection. UG2 customizes these tasks based on your facility’s specific needs and standards.

How is green cleaning different from traditional cleaning?

Green cleaning uses eco-friendly products and practices that minimize environmental impact. Unlike traditional cleaning, it avoids toxic chemicals, reduces waste, and promotes indoor air quality improvements.

Is green cleaning more expensive?

Not necessarily. While some green products may cost more upfront, many organizations find long-term savings in better health outcomes, fewer sick days, and extended equipment or surface life. UG2 helps balance sustainability and budget.

Do janitorial cleaning services include sustainability reporting?

Yes, UG2 offers reporting that aligns with client sustainability goals. Our programs can include metrics tracking for waste reduction, chemical usage, and resource conservation.

What types of facilities benefit from janitorial facility services companies like UG2?

Virtually all facilities benefit, from commercial offices and life science labs to universities and public venues. UG2’s experience spans multiple industries, making us a flexible partner for organizations of all types and sizes.

Does UG2 provide green cleaning services in all regions?

Yes. With regional teams across Southern California, the Mid-Atlantic, and beyond, UG2 provides green cleaning services nationwide through our integrated facility management solutions.

The UG2 O&M Team Leads the Way

Securing LEED Gold certification is a complex process — but one with major return on investment if approached with the right partnerships in place. That’s the well-earned perspective of a customer in the real estate development industry who engaged UG2 in just such an undertaking.

The building in question had earned LEED Silver certification in the past, but this property owner knew that elevating the 213,000-square-foot facility to LEED Gold would bring significant energy savings. The property owner was well versed in conducting LEED certifications and looked to UG2 as a strong partner adept at managing the critical auditing and documentation requirements.

Leveraging UG2’s Experience and Credentials

UG2 has consistently achieved the prestigious CIMS-GB with honors certification from ISSA and has a history of excelling at delivering comprehensive services aligned with LEED criteria. We exceed the industry standard for green building, quality systems, management commitment and more. Impressed with our stellar record and reputation for effective partnerships, the property owner worked with us to develop an action plan.

1. The ASHRAE audit requirement

Pursuing LEED Gold certification begins with American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) audits to understand the building configuration, define the type and nature of energy systems, and identify potential energy improvements.

UG2 Maintenance Technicians Miguel Escalada and Shawn Lowry led their team in performing the detailed audit, which included a comprehensive lighting review, compilation of preventative maintenance tickets, and run-time hours for all relevant equipment.

2. Documentation and monitoring

Gold certification requires that a building earns at least 60 points in categories from energy efficiency and water conservation to indoor environmental quality. Miguel and Shawn were already maintaining detailed records, completing regular water and electrical sub-meter readings, and documenting the preventative maintenance tickets, LED upgrades and added occupancy sensors.  

In line with UG2’s core values, the team went above and beyond, doing daily incoming and water disposal readings that exceeded LEED’s requirements to ensure they would get ahead of unanticipated issues.

3. The handover

UG2 excels at collaboration, communication and transparency—all critical components for a daunting and complicated effort like pursuing LEED Gold. The team thoroughly and seamlessly provided all the documentation and information necessary to their counterparts on the facility’s team, setting the project on track for obtaining the coveted gold.

Strategies for Success

Prioritize communication and coordination. Clear communication is important in all aspects of facility services. It’s especially critical in LEED certification projects where prompt and timely collaboration is needed between the customer and their partner. UG2’s ongoing and transparent communications ensured the property owner could effectively keep tabs on the project’s progression and trust the results.

Document everything meticulously. According to Tim Higgins, UG2 Chief Engineer, “Miguel keeps meticulous records on everything. This helped ensure a very seamless LEED documentation process. Because his team takes readings daily and adheres to a strict preventative maintenance schedule, we always have all the information the customer might want on hand, whenever they wanted it.”

Choose the right partners.  Nothing is more important to UG2 than maintaining trusted relationships and helping our customers achieve their goals. The facility owner chose UG2 for this project and others based on our clear record of excellence. Close collaboration through regular meetings and the close involvement of company leadership sets the tone for a strong, successful relationship where everyone is on the same page.

We are honored to have been entrusted with this exceptional task—and incredibly proud of our team for stepping up and demonstrating how UG2 continues to raise the bar on facility services. Do you have questions about partnering with UG2 to achieve something big? Get in touch today to explore the possibilities.

New Article Offers Strategies for Long-Term Sustainability

Sustainability initiatives in higher education settings are increasingly common. Yet those settings are uniquely complex when it comes to ensuring success, as discussed in a new Facilities Manager article by Maggie Walsh, UG2 vice president of strategic partnerships and solutions. In The Human Element: Driving Campus Sustainability Forward, Maggie lays out the challenges inherent to creating long-term sustainability programs at universities, and identifies best practices to overcome them.

The following are highlights from Maggie’s article, published in the magazine’s January/February 2025 issue.

Sustainability Challenges Inherent to Higher Education

• Ensuring participation of diverse stakeholders. While we all know that stakeholder buy-in is essential to successful sustainability efforts, higher education communities include different populations with a vested interest in outcomes. College presidents, business officers and board members may have priorities that differ from those of students, parents, faculty and staff. Also, with such a large and varied population, including many visitors attending events, you are certain to encounter differences in buy-in of day-to-day practices.
  
• Creating continuity amid constant change. Sustainability effectiveness programs’ long-term effectiveness relies on some degree of continuity. Campuses serve populations that are always in flux, with existing students graduating and new students, faculty and staff arriving. Leadership changes are not infrequent at many universities, compounding the problem.

• Changing ingrained behaviors. As with any population, changing behavior is hard—and the challenge is magnified when combined with differing levels of awareness and commitment in a community with a wide range of stakeholders. Maggie notes that building new habits like taking shorter showers or using bikes or shuttles to travel across large campuses might meet resistance.

• Coordinating across large campuses. Higher educational facilities typically have distributed campus operations. Different buildings with varying functions—from labs, classroom and dorms to dining halls, performance venues and office spaces—make for logistical challenges when it comes to coordinating sustainability efforts and maintaining best practices over the long term.

Best Practices to Build Engagement

• Develop tailored training and education. Much of UG2’s success with customers and employees alike relies on our success at creating customized services and tailored teams. Campus sustainability efforts must be personalized for different stakeholder populations.You might focus faculty and staff training on integrating sustainability into their professional roles, for example, while, with students, you hold interactive workshops and hands-on activities such as recycling relay races and energy-saving challenges.
  
• Encourage facilities management teams to lead by example. As with any effort to integrate best practices, consistently modeling good behavior is key. When expecting stakeholders to recycle, save energy, reduce trash or compost, change requires that every member of the FM team sets an example, perhaps even showcasing sustainability projects or improvements to demonstrate the impact and benefits of recommended practices.

• Involve the community and recognize success. Community engagement efforts could range from campus cleanups, Earth Day events and sustainability fairs to educational signage, well-designed posters and materials, and recognition programs that honor those who go the extra mile.

• Make sustainability easy. Adherence to sustainability efforts is much more likely when we make it easy for people to participate consistently. This means, for example, locating large and clearly labeled recycling bins in the right locations, installing water-filling locations to encourage the use of refillable water bottles, and adding bike racks and repair stations across campus.

• Prioritize data collection, reporting and feedback. Demonstrating the success of your programs can go a long way toward getting different communities to buy in. Consider introducing real-time dashboards that track key sustainability metrics, sharing sustainability data widely, and creating channels for students, faculty, and staff to provide real time feedback.

While the diversity of stakeholders and ever-changing environments of college campuses can pose difficulties, the prevalence of sustainability efforts among higher education campuses means the commitment cuts across different stakeholder groups. UG2 is proud of our success at supporting customers as they build and maintain truly impactful programs over the long term. Read Maggie’s full article here, and get in touch if you’re interested in learning more about our offerings.

Stepping in and Stepping up to Accomplish Whatever the Day Demands

Facility services managers are the backbone of every well-run building, juggling a multitude of tasks that keep operations seamless and spaces functional-all while maintaining customer satisfaction.

Working at the forefront of the industry while managing different teams and maintaining near-perfect customer satisfaction rates requires a mastery of services and functions. The professionals leading our facility services teams wear many hats.

While their responsibilities may vary from day to day and facility to facility, all bring expertise in the following roles:

Sustainability Steward. Our management professionals and teams drive sustainability excellence for our customers. UG2’s commitment to environmental stewardship underpins every aspect of our services, from our collaborative approach to identifying customers’ goals to the equipment and products we utilize in their spaces.

Empowering Teams through Leadership and Mentorship. UG2 focuses on recruiting talent who demonstrate standout skill sets and a commitment to excellence. Developing that talent into elite teams—and retaining them for the long term—requires the best in management, training and mentorship, and we have our managers to thank for contributing those factors. This is essential in an environment where organizations are constantly competing for a shrinking talent pool.

Safety Advocate. With the guidance of our in-house experts and the leadership of our facility services managers, UG2 achieves high safety ratings across the board. We incorporate hazard mitigation into every interaction, reward safe behaviors, and leverage both leading and lagging safety indicators, and incorporate audits, self-inspections, risk and hazard assessments and JSAs.

Quality and Performance Manager. Through our use of industry-leading quality management solutions, we monitor workflow in real time and address potential issues as they arise. We leverage data to track, inform, measure and share systems management and process improvement efforts.

Financial Advisor. Our commitment to our customers means consistently delivering savings through offerings like preventative maintenance, bundling services, efficient allocation of staff and resources, occupancy planning, in-house emergency maintenance, and smarter capital planning and asset management.

Tech Guru. Intuitive apps and software that monitor services and systems. Technologically supported retrofitting. The use of data analytics and knowledge management to drive continuous improvement. These are just a few examples of UG2 leveraging technology to achieve the best results and the highest level of service.

Communicator and Collaborator. Communication is key at UG2. We don’t just focus on technical skills; we value soft skills too, ensuring seamless collaboration between our UG2 teams and our clients. In times of emergency, we’re the ones making sure critical information gets through-whether that’s a message about a power outage or a system back up.

Our facility services managers support nimble teams of skilled employees, ensuring they continue to build on their knowledge of best practices and new innovations. No matter the challenge, our facility managers are always prepared to go above and beyond, ensuring your operations run smoothly every day. At UG2, we’re not just meeting standards-we’re setting them.

We’re Advancing Sustainability: Thanks to Our People, Partnerships and Core Values

As we mark the 55th celebration of Earth Day, the message of sustainability is no longer regarded as a complement to an array of services but is an urgent topic of everyday planning and innovation that permeates all aspects of facility services work. UG2 excels in our sustainability initiatives thanks to the very formula we use to solve problems across all our five-star services: Innovation plus real relationships equals success.

Through our rapid growth and expansion over the past few years, we have been able to scale up our sustainability efforts to match that growth thanks to the core values that ground our work. Those foundational values help us elevate the standard of excellence, yielding sustainability practices that have earned us recognition as leaders, innovators and changemakers who think outside the box.

Our commitment to true sustainability and our success in going above and beyond in that commitment are apparent in the ways we:

Adapt practices to different customers’ varying needs and goals

Sustainability can become its own waste of resources if organizations take a cookie-cutter approach. To be successful with sustainability in the facility services realm, plans need to align to each specific building or organization, as each customer and setting brings its own unique goals, needs and obligations to fulfill.

As citizens of our customers’ industries, we work closely with our customers to identify what makes sense, and we continuously revisit and refine our approach to incorporate feedback and lessons learned and reflect evolving circumstances. We love nothing better than when our leadership partners with a customer to come up with something exciting and unique, like our rooftop beekeeping project.

Operate to the highest standards

Our methodical and disciplined business approach incorporates the idea that short term actions have long term consequences, a concept at the heart of sustainability practices and environmental stewardship.

Maintaining that discipline as we engage with our work as citizens of our industry and our customers’ industries—all while investigating and adopting cutting-edge technology—is how we elevate facility services as a whole and sustainability practices specifically.

Earn accolades along the way

Introducing meaningful sustainability practices in your operation can be intimidating and time-consuming—and our customers understandably worry about the impact on their bottom line. UG2’s deep bench of expertise and nimble approach to introducing change has won us the gratitude of countless customers and recognition in the form of awards—from our customers and from the industry.

We have been honored time and again for achieving excellence, sustainability, safety, and quality as a facility services industry leader. That tells us our teams are doing right by our planet and by our customers, which makes us incredibly proud.

Contact us to learn more about our approach to sustainability.

The Right Facility Services Partner Can Help Transform Your Organization

From pristine and sparkling spaces to clean air and excellent amenities to well-maintained equipment and resources, a welcoming, smooth-running facility can boost employees’ moods and keep them engaged and productive. In fact, researchers have found that prioritizing factors such as natural light, acoustics, aesthetics and air quality can lead to more satisfied employees, reduced absenteeism, increased productivity and higher rate of employee retention.  

For these reasons, identifying a facility services partner who understands your organization, acts as an extension of your team and aligns its goals with yours can have an enormous effect on your organizational culture and your employees’ overall health and quality of life.

A positive workspace environment can have profound impacts

The myriad effects of a good office environment are well understood and documented—and they make a lot of sense. A healthy and happy environment promotes focus, allows for greater creativity, and advances collaboration and problem solving. At UG2, we understand that attention to ergonomics, different types of light, quality air, and comfortable temperatures not only increases physical comfort, but it also elevates mental health and wellbeing—and demonstrates that you care about the people spending time in the space and the concerns that matter to them.

Minor issues can have a disproportionate effect

A dripping faucet. Misdirected mail. Empty paper towel dispensers. Rattling HVAC. A flickering bulb. An overflowing recycling bin. Confusing signage. Tripping hazards on stairs. Storm debris strewn across a walkway. A system shutdown for repair with no warning. These issues are highly preventable—but they take place routinely in a facility that’s not receiving adequate attention. And even if just one or two of these indicators of neglect come up regularly, their impact will snowball. A responsive team that pays close attention to detail, knows your space, communicates well, and prioritizes preventative maintenance means you won’t waste time on those issues.

Personalized attention strengthens partnership and community

A successful facilities management approach is grounded in authentic relationships. Employees thrive when they know what to expect from the teams cleaning and managing their spaces and facilities. UG2’s focus on interpersonal communication and responsiveness means your own employees and tenants feel heard and valued as their concerns are prioritized. And our impressive employee retention rate means you’ll have a solid, consistent team that knows your facility and is personally invested in the wellbeing of the people who inhabit it.

Care, communication and consistency are critical

Regular communication and transparent practices help build confidence. Feedback loops and creative problem solving demonstrate a caring and respectful attitude. UG2’s teams are trained to be forthcoming about timelines, to demonstrate accountability, and to maintain consistent practices, protocols, and approach. These factors, along with ensuring continuity on the team that serves your facility, are critical to the dynamics of the relationship, and to our ultimate success in our partnerships.

Sustainable solutions demonstrate respect for your facility and your people.

From using eco-friendly products, championing green initiatives, and offering energy audits to delivering the latest technology for data management, maintenance, and reporting, UG2 leads the way in combining forward-looking problem solving with an emphasis on sustainability, efficiencies, and cost savings. That matters to your employees—which means it makes a difference to your bottom line.

Excellence in facility services is about building a culture of trust

At UG2, we are committed to helping you run a well-functioning organization, with the refinements, process improvements, tools, and technology to support that commitment over the long term. If you’d like to learn more about the many ways our excellence can support excellence in your workplace, get in touch today.

A Testament to Cleaning Excellence and Customer Satisfaction

We are thrilled to announce that UG2 has attained the prestigious CIMS-GB Advanced by GBAC with Honors certification once again. This certification amplifies our unwavering commitment to excellence, sustainability, safety, and quality as a facility services industry leader. 

Let’s dive into the significance of this certification and its implications for both our customers and our organization.

Understanding CIMS-GB with Honors Certification:

CIMS-GB, or Cleaning Industry Management Standard for Green Buildings, is a comprehensive and rigorous certification program developed by ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. UG2 has fulfilled all the criteria needed for our CIMS-GB assessment, which demonstrates our capabilities of delivering environmentally friendly services that are tailored to exceed customer expectations.

UG2 has successfully completed the assessment of the six key areas of management systems and processes:

• Quality systems
• Service delivery
• Human resources
• Health, safety, and environmental stewardship
• Management commitment
• Green buildings and service

Key Benefits of CIMS-GB with Honors Certification

Environmental Responsibility: 

By upholding the principles of CIMS-GB, UG2 showcases our dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship. We prioritize the use of eco-friendly cleaning products and methods, minimizing waste, and maintaining sustainable practices. It also helps our customers achieve points under the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M.

Customer Focus and Continuous Improvement: 

The CIMS-GB with Honors certification signifies our position as a quality-driven and customer-focused organization. It separates us from our competitors by demonstrating third-party validation of our commitment to going above and beyond. 

This certification also highlights our core value of continuous improvement. It provides us with the framework to allocate resources effectively, deliver services efficiently, and adapt to the ever-evolving needs of our customers and their respective industries.

Cost Efficiency and Long-Term Sustainability:

UG2 allows our customers to reduce costs while we work on ensuring a sustainable business model for a long-term partnership. By streamlining our operations and adhering to the highest industry standards, we optimize efficiency and provide immense value.

UG2’s achievement of CIMS-GB with Honors certification is a testament to our dedication to excellence, sustainability, quality, and customer satisfaction. As a certified organization, we are committed to delivering superior customer service while prioritizing the health, safety, and well-being of both building occupants and the planet. 

Our vision is to set the standard for excellence and create the next generation of leadership in the facility services industry. With CIMS-GB Advanced by GBAC with Honors certification, we continue to raise the bar for excellence in our industry.

Recap from an FMJ Article Featuring Edgar Colon

At UG2, we know that facility services is a people-oriented business. Facility teams are constantly interacting with occupants, colleagues, and customers. In reality, the characteristics of a strong facility management (FM) professional are similar to those of a strong HR leader.

In a recent article from IFMA’s Facility Management Journal, Edgar Colon, UG2’s Vice President of People, suggests that every FM leader should implement an HR mindset by prioritizing the well-being of staff, occupants, and visitors as well as fueling a positive company culture.

Prioritizing the experience of employees

In FM, excellent customer service is paramount, and employees are more likely to provide superb customer service when they are happy at work. Vice versa, challenging work environments can negatively affect customer service and the company’s bottom line.

Focus on employee well-being

Edgar provides tips on how FM leaders can focus on promoting employee well-being:

Show respect

When leaders show equal respect to employees and promptly address any concerns, it not only sets a positive example but also encourages employees to treat others the same way. Additionally, when employees feel respected, they are more productive and produce higher-quality work.

Prioritize recognition

It is human nature to want to feel recognized for your contributions. Employees who believe they’ll be recognized are almost 3x as likely to be highly engaged. Praise recognition also decreases turnover rates and improves overall business outcomes.

Empower employees

Empowerment is critical because it establishes trust and leads to higher job satisfaction. Supervisors may feel the need to micromanage their employees, which can make their reports feel devalued or unworthy. All employees should have clear job responsibilities/expectations and know what is expected of them. Train employees so they are able to make informed decisions and learn from their mistakes or challenges.

Check-in

Consistent 1:1 meetings are crucial because they allow managers and employees to connect on a deeper level. They also serve as a time to bring up any areas of concern or praise. Check-ins allow managers to set expectations and goals for their employees, so they have clear objectives to work toward. Establishing an open channel of communication is key.

Pitch in

Managers should always be willing to jump in and assist employees if needed and nothing should be beneath leadership. They should be ready to help when teams are short-staffed or if they notice something needs to be done. This not only reminds managers of employees’ daily experiences but also cultivates a deeper understanding of their challenges, fostering empathy toward employees’ needs.

Collaborate with HR

Don’t be afraid to utilize the company’s HR team to assist in improving team relationships and results. They can aid in addressing any employee challenges and create plans to improve their well-being.

Impacting Company Culture

Additionally, Edgar highlights the role HR ideals can play in promoting company values like employee satisfaction, safety, and sustainability.

Lead by example

FM management should model the behaviors they want to instill in their employees such as picking up trash, being responsive to concerns, or being proactive about problem-solving. Edgar explains this practice promotes respect and trust.

Safety First

Safety is a priority, and it cannot be disregarded in exchange for speedy customer service. It must be instilled in all employees that taking the proper safety steps should always come first. Also, make sure to implement signage to highlight safety habits and signify any potential hazards.

Sustainability Matters

Today, sustainability is a top-of-mind focus for many companies. FM organizations can fuel sustainability by training staff on the proper use of green cleaning products, staying on top of industry sustainability best practices, and using signage to encourage sustainable habits.

Edgar emphasizes that similar to an HR team, FM leaders must prioritize internal customer service. How they treat, collaborate with, and train employees is reflected in the success of everyone, including customers.

Continue reading the full article: click here.

Being a Citizen of Our Customers’ Industries

With 15 years of experience in higher education spanning operations, facilities, and events management, Rebecca Mohrmann’s record of excellence and her commitment to sustainability make her an ideal fit to lead the UG2 team at Cornell Tech. In 2022, Rebecca joined UG2 as the customer’s account director, managing 28 direct reports—employees in custodial, engineering, mailroom, and grounds. Recently, she became responsible for thousands of additional “workers” as she headed up the launch of a beekeeping sustainability initiative on the roof of the customer’s New York City campus.

As a hands-on manager who embraces UG2’s core values and immerses herself fully in day-to-day operations, Rebecca’s first order of business when she started in her position was to build relationships with employees, understand their roles, and help integrate them into a more collaborative team. As she sat in on a meeting of Cornell Tech’s sustainability committee, she was struck with the realization that the building offered an excellent setup for beekeeping. Formerly, Rebecca and her husband had raised bees as hobbyists at their home in Michigan, and she knew the effort was one that could build sustainability awareness and team spirit while also contributing positively to the campus. 

She pitched the beekeeping idea to the sustainability committee and found they were just as excited by the project.  

To help ensure the effort would be a success, Rebecca contacted an apiarist on Long Island—an expert who happens to also be an alum of Cornell. She worked with the site’s gardener to ensure the existing rooftop plants were bee friendly and scouted just the right placement for the hives, a spot beneath the roof’s solar panels that would provide some protection from the elements. Then she purchased the hive and protective equipment along with the queen and the winged wonders she refers to as “a few thousand of my closest friends.”

Her busy workers have made countless new friends themselves, as visitors to their rooftop home enjoy sharing in the bees’ care and learning about their invaluable contributions.

“Honeybees provide 80 percent of our food through their pollination,” Rebecca says. “They’re the most efficient pollinator.”

She points out several additional fun facts:

• The hierarchy of the hives include the queen, male drones, and female workers with appointed roles such as scout, gatherer, or nursery bees.
• The hives’ foragers cover a three-mile radius as they collect nectar and pollen.
• The queen lays up to two thousand eggs a day, and the bees have a 30-day lifecycle, although the late over-winter bees live longer—60 to 90 days.

The honeybees’ setup, six stories above ground, includes a hive brood box and shallower box on top of it. As the bees multiply, Rebecca and her team add more tiers. The solid-wood boxes are held secure by a cement block—in the shape of the letter C for Cornell.

Rebecca’s enthusiasm for learning about the bees mirrors the openness and curiosity she brings to her role as account director. She approaches every challenge as an opportunity to learn what the individuals around her need to become thriving members of a successful team.

Rebecca is looking forward to their first honey harvest, which will take place next spring once the bees have had ample time to build up an adequate supply for their own use. In the meantime, she invites anyone she encounters on the roof to join her when she visits the hives. Long term, her goal is to build more interest and engagement among Cornell Tech’s students. With the phenomenal response the bees have received in just a few short months, that goal is well within reach.

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Increase Efficiencies While Protecting Our Planet 

The benefits of running a facility that focuses on sustainability and energy efficiency are countless. Not only does a green building attract visitors and tenants, but it can also save your facility unnecessary costs. Building a facility management program that emphasizes sustainable practices might be less time-consuming and costly than you think, and your return on investment can make a huge impact. By implementing these tactics, you can run a more efficient facility while protecting our planet.     

1. Implement Occupancy & Motion Sensors 

Smart technology can play a major role in boosting sustainability in your facility. Sensors allow facility managers to detect the traffic of people coming in and out of a room or area without physically being present in the space. These sensors provide information to an automated system that informs an action. Occupancy or motion sensors can be incorporated in:  

Indoor Climate Control 

HVAC sensors make accurate adjustments based on whether they detect occupants in a certain room or space. This allows for a more accurate approach to reducing the energy consumption used for heating or cooling. For example, sensors could prevent energy from being used to blast air conditioning in an empty conference room. 

Lighting Fixtures 

Sensors also work in tandem with lighting fixtures by triggering lights to turn on/ off or dim in a space based on occupancy and movement. Not only does this save energy and costs, but it also prolongs the life of your bulbs or equipment so fewer replacements are needed.  

Cleaning and Disinfection  

It’s a given that your facility should be safe and clean at all times, but it’s also important to not overuse your resources and personnel when it’s unnecessary. Motion sensors in spaces like bathrooms allow for devices to detect movement and use this data to decide when cleaning and disinfection is needed. The more people that come in and out of a bathroom, the more often disinfection is automatically triggered.  

2. Switch to LED Lighting 

A simple, but reliable way to make your facility more sustainable is to switch to energy-saving LED lighting. Not only do these bulbs use less power, but they also last up to 12 times longer than typical bulbs, which means less waste and replacement. They even contain less harmful materials and are overall the most sustainable choice. 

3. Use Green Cleaning Practices 

Swap out your old cleaning products with green cleaning solutions made without harsh chemicals such as nonylphenols, phosphates, or sulfuric acid. Work with a facility services provider that complies with OSHA regulations and is consistent with the U.S. Green Building Council LEED specifications. Your facility is cleaned on a daily basis and by using green practices, you can better manage your resources and improve the well-being of those in your space.  

4. Schedule a Complete Energy Audit 

A complete energy audit can help facility management uncover problems that weren’t visible before, which can make a huge impact on your energy expenses. Issues with insulation, equipment functioning, or air quality can be tricky. Audit teams can help you create the best plan of action while considering the usage and occupancy trends in your space. This will allow your team to implement a tailored energy program that uses innovative solutions to help you optimize the operations of your facility while saving money and reducing your carbon footprint.  

Partner With UG2 to Create a Sustainability Plan 

At UG2, our teams are trained with the goal of treating our customers and the planet with the utmost respect and care. Our experienced staff can help you create and execute a plan for your facility that combines industry best practices with the latest innovations to ensure a clean, healthy, and sustainable space for all. Contact us today to learn how we can transform your facility.  

Our Operations & Maintenance and Janitorial Experts Share Insights

Conversations with members of Team UG2 reveal broad expertise in sustainability practices— a perspective and approach that goes beyond jargon and buzzwords. For many who have been in the industry for decades, “green” is simply a new way to describe the sensible, creative problem-solving that has always been a demand of successful facilities management (FM).

That perspective, combined with UG2’s commitment to embrace innovation and data-informed practices, makes for an approach to sustainability that is both a longstanding core value and an area where we are continuously working on the forefront of change.

Sustainability can be accessible, practical, and impactful.  Aspects of technical expertise, such as in the operation of electric motor controls, have been a core contributor to sustainability efforts since long before the language of sustainability entered mainstream lexicon. For example, regularly scheduled retro commissioning—fine-tuning a building’s systems to ensure they are running at optimal performance—is a vital part of an ongoing operations and maintenance strategy that delivers continuous return-on-investment.

Headaches and hassles can reveal new solutions. Battery load shedding and rolling blackouts can often wreak havoc on building and business operations—but these hassles have also yielded important innovations. From a technology and infrastructure standpoint, load shedding has pushed businesses to advance more efficient solutions which will benefit their bottom line in the long term. FM teams have found success by introducing battery backup systems and redundant power sources such as solar power and generators.

Advanced water conservation strategies are going mainstream. Facility engineers are well aware that a seemingly basic shift to auto faucets and auto flush can have a tremendous impact—for example, one high rise facility saw their water consumption reduced by half by introducing auto technology throughout the building. Now the industry is  striving  toembrace strategies like water saves, which recycle the water used every time you clean a cooling tower.  

The COVID-19 pandemic elevated the importance of facility services. We all experienced firsthand how facility services led the way in making spaces safer during the pandemic, from ensuring cleaner surfaces to enabling fresh air exchanges. The importance of partnering with skilled FM teams was underscored in a report from the consulting company Deloitte.  It  analyzed the impact of COVID on FM and identified a major shift in focus to performance over speed, resulting in an increasing number of key performance indicators related to operational excellence, quality, and overall outcomes. The same study found that the facility manager’s contributions and importance have gained prominence as the role shifted from an operational to a strategic position.

Getting tenant buy-in can take some creativity. The return to in-person work and the effort to strike a balance with remote work has had a tremendous impact on how built spaces are used, and facilities managers are key  sages when it comes to introducing efficiencies in line with those adversities. Essential to success is a proactive facility services approach that includes a strong communications plan that allows managers to work hand-in-hand with tenants on smart energy practices—especially when buildings are at lower occupancy.

5-Star Facility Services to Help Campuses Thrive

For many of us, no matter our age, September recalls the back-to-school sentiments of a fresh start, a clean slate, and new experiences.

At UG2, we are grateful for the opportunity to live the true back-to-school “reset” year after year. Of course, our work with higher education facilities takes place year-round, and we’ve been working all summer to get campuses ship-shape and sparkling in anticipation of the upcoming school year.

As summer comes to a close, we couldn’t be more ready to welcome back faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The complexities of maintaining safe and beautiful campus communities give UG2 a chance to really shine. Here’s how we keep the polish on.

Attention to detail combined with big-picture prevention. Beautification and preventative maintenance of buildings and grounds, electrical and lighting expertise, conditions assessment and capital planning—the list goes on, and we have experts tuned in and ready for every level of service to anticipate the constantly evolving needs on campus. We stay on top of immediate needs while never losing sight of the long view.

Rigorous, proven processes. From incorporating the most rigorous safety standards for all we do to continuously building on our understanding of best practices around deep cleaning and sanitization to air filtration and preventative maintenance, we rely on systems and processes that meet—and exceed—the highest standards in the industry.

Hands-on management. Much of our senior leadership have been with the company since its inception—and in the industry for decades before that—but their seniority doesn’t mean they’re far removed from the day-to-day efforts and challenges of the work. In fact, we are hands-on, in-person, and very present in supporting our employees, resolving issues, and fine-tuning our approach. 

Innovative, sustainable solutions that save time and money. From using eco-friendly chemicals, championing green initiatives, and offering energy audits to delivering the latest technology for data management, maintenance, and reporting, UG2 leads the way in combining forward-looking problem solving with an emphasis on sustainability, efficiencies and cost savings.

Specialized service. Campuses have needs that set them apart from other facilities, with multiple facility types, spaces that remain in operation 24/7, and high levels of interpersonal engagement. We not only take those differences into consideration, we’ve developed deep expertise in tailoring our services to fit their unique needs.

Personalized attention. Students thrive when they experience education in a community environment, and a successful facilities management approach must embrace and reflect that reality. Our teams and supervisors get to know your campus well, and our low turnover rate means you can count on familiar, friendly faces who understand your campus culture and take pride in our work—and yours.

UG2’s approach to facility management for higher education institutions has yielded longstanding working relationships with colleges and universities of every size across the country. It also contributes to our customer retention rate of 99%. Learn more about how UG2 could serve your institution’s needs, get in touch with us today.

Learn Why Companies Choose to Work with UG2

Many of UG2’s longtime customers and partners include the industrial customers that keep our country moving. We bring an unmatched understanding of the ways that even small-scale equipment failures, sanitization breakdowns, and power outages can derail the systems and processes these businesses rely on for hours, days, or even weeks.

At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent supply chain issues are already impacting their work every day, these customers can’t afford to absorb unavoidable missteps. That’s why they turn to UG2 for highly specialized services, tailored to their needs, with our teams of expert employees who take their job seriously and stick with our customers for the long haul.

Why industrial and manufacturing customers rely on UG2

Impeccable safety practices. UG2 puts safety first in all that we do—with fine-tuned processes that don’t compromise productivity. Every UG2 team member is rigorously trained on safety best practices and is committed to protecting the health and safety of your employees, your environment, your operations, and your data.  

Innovation and technology. We work at the leading edge of innovation and technology in facility services. In fact, that commitment is one of our core values. Whether its barcoding, critical alarm monitoring, computerized maintenance management, or electrostatic disinfection spraying, we continuously refine our approach to incorporate emerging tools and processes.

Personalized approach. Our team gets to know your business inside and out, so that we can adapt our best practices to your specific needs, incorporating a detailed understanding of your standard operating procedures. Ongoing training and low staff turnover make for reliable service and seamless support.

Optimized deep-cleaning practices. Our certified Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) cleaners and supervisors excel at everything they do. From deep cleaning and disinfection to waste stream and recycling to green cleaning and quality management reporting, our processes and practices set the industry standard.

Minimized downtime. We understand that the lost revenue tied to downtime can be devastating to a business. Our low turnover rate means we attract and retain the most highly skilled technicians, certified and trained to keep your equipment running smoothly with preventative maintenance.

UG2 brings deep expertise across the board when it comes to our industrial services, from operations and maintenance to janitorial, from enhanced cleaning and disinfection to mailroom services. We take pride in our work—and yours.

Maximize Your Resources and Work Smarter

Reduced Risk

No matter what your industry might be—whether you’re manufacturing products, teaching college students or operating a high-rise office building—you face risks related to your facility services program. If you’re taking a reactive approach, those risks can not only seem overwhelming, but also threaten the health of your organization.

Being able to anticipate potential risks and proactively address them is a distinctive aspect of experienced operations and maintenance, as well as facility services professionals, providing wide-ranging benefits long into the future. With the right outsourcing partner, you should be able to meet regulatory compliance demands, keep engineering licensure up to date, prevent asset downtime, implement innovations related to improvement, put sustainable cleaning practices into place, and use key performance indicators to fuel risk management.

A knowledgeable outsourcing partner can also handle labor relations and union matters and implement comprehensive safety programs—two aspects of operations that, if handled poorly, could scuttle any organization’s efficiency and productivity.

For example, safety requires more than just following regulations and having protective equipment available. It necessitates comprehensive and ongoing training that encompasses risk management and OSHA rules, to put best practices in place. UG2 considers safety a top priority, which is why we track metrics, refine training programs, and keep up with the latest tools and processes that make every workplace the safest it can possibly be.

Expanded Capabilities

While it’s true that you can bring in subcontractors for numerous facility services tasks, what about a C-level executive? Or can you find a strategic thinker who specializes in risk management and can assess your organizational structure to find productivity gaps? What about a trainer who understands the nuances of your team’s skillsets and can teach them cross-functional abilities that keep your workforce costs controlled?

With an experienced outsourcing partner, you don’t spend your days acting like the head of HR, constantly trying to find the right talent, hire, train, and review their performance. You simply reap the benefits of access to technical expertise and a deep bench. For example, at UG2, we implement training programs for staff development based on customer needs and bring in highly skilled executives who have specialized in strategy for decades.

This approach expands capability significantly, producing profound results and productivity gains.

At UG2, we see each customer engagement as an opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise, and also to maximize the resources already in place, so that customers can develop strategies that are proactive and meaningful.

Outsourcing facility services isn’t about bringing in more subcontractors and dealing with the potential headaches that come up. It’s about creating a partnership that brings both short-term benefits and long-term advantages in a way that advances efficiency, strategic thinking, workforce productivity, and mission-driven initiatives.

Each year on World FM day, the global facilities management community takes time to celebrate the profession and its successes.

For this year’s theme, Leading the Sustainable Future, we talked to some of our leading subject matter experts about the evolution of sustainability efforts.

Matt Montanez, Engineering Manager

“When I was 27 years old and one of the youngest chief engineers in San Francisco, I had a crew of five people for a 650,000 sq. ft building, and we took our energy score from 92 to a 98 within the first year.”

We also saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in utility bills just by changing the way we ran the building, with a retro commissioning of all equipment. The electric and gas provider here actually taught a class on retro commissioning, energy efficiency, and energy saving ideologies using our building as a case study.

Jon Legnitto, Engineering Manager

“I’m passionate about water chemistry because historically it is often overlooked. Staying on top of it is not only the smart thing to do environmentally, it also makes everyday maintenance easier and extends the equipment lifespan.”

COVID has pushed us to think differently about sustainability. Initially, we focused on maximizing the use of outdoor air. Now, we are helping customers understand how they can operate their buildings more efficiently when buildings are at lower occupancy rates due to hybrid or remote work.

Paul Faleschini, Engineering Manager

“Back when I was an engineer in the field, we saved six months’ worth of water in a 50-story high rise by implementing water saving measures and automating all water faucets and toilets. A major trend today is filtering and reusing the water from cooling towers instead of dumping 1200 gallons every time you clean them.” 

Battery load shedding backup systems have been the trend over the last several years, and implementing them has become more feasible for building owners and managers. In our region, from August through January, you have what they call load shed period with premium charges for peak demand use. Buildings are innovating by setting up battery banks with stored energy to avoid those peak periods.

Best Practices for Building Owners, Property Managers and Facility Managers

Whether you are responsible for the maintenance of a data center, luxury apartment building, corporate office space, or a sprawling university campus, true preventative care is the key to excellence in facility services.

Routine care, done well, can avert minor mishaps and major disasters. Here’s how to get the most from your investment.

Engage an expert — and build a relationship

You begin with a partner who has a strong track record with customers and demonstrated experience in your field. Then, ensure the team assigned to your space gets trained and onboarded for your specific space. Working with a facility services expert with a record of retention means less turnover – and turmoil – in your space.

Take data centers, for example. Our specially trained teams know that every customer needs a rigorous preventative maintenance schedule, tailored to the customer’s space, addressing CRACs, generators, chillers, RTUs, humidifiers and more.

Familiarity with your facility combined with a focused attention to detail will ultimately allow you to focus more on maintenance and less on time- and cost-consuming repairs. UG2 facility managers often walk the property every day checking for issues that need attention. Seemingly minor concerns like a crack in pavement or a dripping facet can easily become major inconveniences if they go unaddressed.

Avoid costly repairs, lost productivity, and potential injury

The cost savings benefits are clear when you compare timely replacement of a worn valve to flooding from a major leak. But the benefits of true preventative maintenance run much deeper. You and your team will operate more efficiently when you are not bogged down with unanticipated repairs. You will avoid disastrous down time that dampens morale, impacts productivity, and wreaks havoc on your schedule for days, weeks or months.  

Preventative maintenance is also a core component of a strong safety program. Stair and walkway hazards become trip-and-fall risks. Damaged doors, windows and infrastructure can pose a threat to building security. And emergency situations in your facility increase the likelihood that you’re exposing untrained staff to take risks in addressing issues beyond their expertise.

Put your best foot forward, convey competence – and shine

The concept of “curb appeal” has taken on new meaning in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Any evidence that suggests a property is less than pristine and well-cared for can undermine the confidence of tenants, guests, visitors, and employees.

Conversely, maintaining a facility with stellar services helps you create a welcoming space, establish trust, build a reputation for excellence, and set yourself apart in your industry.

An added bonus: Many routine maintenance tasks result in changes that improve systems efficiency and save energy, making for a greener environment. Ask your facility services provider to include energy assessments in your routine maintenance schedule.

Celebrating the Tradition of Mentorship

UG2’s Co-Op Program pays homage to our mission as we look to cultivate the next generation of leadership in the facility services space. We are incredibly proud of the stellar young professionals from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy who recently completed our two-month program: Facilities Engineering Co-Ops Evan Sullivan and Thomas Veasey, and Environmental Health & Safety Co-Op Amanda Robinson.

UG2 owes our tremendous success to our own strong tradition of mentorship, our Co-Op Program goes well beyond providing critical hands-on experience, advancing the students’ understanding of our broader organization and its complexities. Select members of TeamUG2 worked closely with the Co-Ops to provide professional guidance and instruction, share insight into the operations of our organization, and deliver insight into our corporate culture, values and principles.

The Massachusetts Maritime Academy was founded in 1891 to educate the best and brightest serving in the merchant marine and in the military services as well as those who serve the interests of the Commonwealth, the country, and the global marketplace. Its students embody honor, discipline, responsibility, and leadership — and Evan, Thomas and Amanda are no exception.

The students thrived in their respective roles and had high praise for their experience with UG2, expressing appreciation for the “great hands-on experience every day along with great teaching,” the fact that they “improved upon problem-solving skills tremendously,” and the mentorship of the UG2 engineers who made themselves available to provide “helpful detailed lessons.”

We are grateful for this partnership with the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and, having worked with these students, have the highest admiration for the school’s graduates.  We cherish the Co-Op Program as a valuable way to give back and to share knowledge, experience and expertise through experiential learning and hands-on practice. We are honored to help create pathways to professionalism for these future leaders on their journey transitioning from the collegiate to the professional world.

Upon their departure, one Co-Op wrote to us, “Thank you for an amazing experience!”

We feel the same way!

An example of UG2 excellence without exception

Friends and customers of Team UG2 know we are continuously striving to exceed expectations and raise the bar on all things facility services. Our latest achievement to that end is a major one, and we’re proud enough to want to shout it from the rooftops.

By earning the ISSA Cleaning Industry Management Standard and CIMS-GB with Honors Recertification, UG2 retains its place in a prestigious class of highly respected cleaning organizations.

The select organizations who achieve this status are recognized by a rigorous team of independent assessors for excellence in:

Quality systems Team UG2 continues to uphold our commitment to leadership in innovation, technology, and quality control; we continually assess and refine our systems and processes.

Service delivery We treasure our customer relationships, and it shows in our 98% customer retention rate — and in the notes, feedback, and expressions of gratitude we receive throughout the year.

Human resources We tap the greatest talent, and make sure we supply our teams with everything they need to succeed, from best-in-class benefits to opportunities for training and advancement.

Health, safety, and environmental stewardship Safety is at the core of everything we do at UG2 – every hire, meeting, check-in, and process change.

Management commitment Responsibility begins at the top. Our founder and leadership are personally involved and deeply invested in the professional success and satisfaction of every member of Team UG2.

Green Building We do our part by leveraging green cleaning practices, limiting the use of aggressive chemicals, and emphasizing the reduction, re-use, and recycling of plastics.

What does it mean for you?

CIMS-GB Certification means customers can trust that a service provider will get the job done. It lets you know that our management systems and processes have been independently assessed, that we deliver the highest level of service, and that we are able to reduce costs by operating efficiently. CIMS-GB Certification also enables our customers to achieve points under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance.

The bottom line: UG2 continues to excel, overperform, surpass expectations, and set new standards in facility services.

Operations & Maintenance Expertise At Your Service

Staffing shortages are impacting businesses across industries, overwhelming a workforce that has endured nearly two years of pandemic-related pressures. But UG2’s expert facility services teams are here to fill in the gaps with highly skilled, reliable professionals who are trained to act as an extension of our customers’ teams.

When employees are absent due to illness, quarantining after a potential exposure, or operating shorthanded because of hiring slowdowns, UG2 is augmenting staff with coverage that allows our customers to operate seamlessly, and safely—even covering for an entire staff for weeks at a time.

Our Mobile Maintenance Team: 24/7 On-Call Expertise

Whether you need us for a few weeks, or just a few hours to handle an unexpected issue, our Mobile Maintenance Team brings deep expertise to you. Every technician we bring on is trustworthy, reliable, and committed to partnering with you and getting you through a rough patch.

Our customers rely on our Mobile Maintenance teams for both general maintenance needs and highly specialized services. Team UG2 technicians are highly skilled in a range of areas, with special certifications in Universal EPA, Building Automation, and Infrared Scanning, and trade licenses in electric, plumbing, carpentry, and HVAC.

Because maintenance emergencies can happen any time, our teams are available around the clock, every single day of the year.

Leading the Way in Safety

Safety has to remain priority one when staffing shortages or equipment issues interfere with your operation. At UG2, we build safety into every job description and every meeting. Even before they begin working for UG2, our technicians are trained on a range of OSHA-required subjects from chemical handling to slip, trip, and fall preventions.

We provide our employees with additional site-specific training based on our customers’ requirements. And we continuously review, reinforce, and reward safety performance—which is why our OSHA ratings outperform the industry average.

Exceeding Your Expectations

UG2 was founded on a culture of excellence and customer-first approach to doing business, and our Mobile Maintenance facility services are a testament to those values.

Our technicians go above and beyond not only to meet your needs, but to exceed your expectations. We credit our commitment to relationship-building and service delivery with our unmatched customer retention rate of 98%.

Whether you have a late-night equipment malfunction, or a weeks-long staffing issue, you can count on a professional response, customized to the way you operate.

In a year when UG2’s teams have demonstrated exceptional hard work and dedication, we could not be prouder to announce that the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) has recognized Albert Palmaccio with the college’s Sustainability Changemaker Award. The award, presented by the FIT President’s Sustainability Council, honors an individual’s lifetime efforts in community engagement, educational advancement, and reduction of the campus carbon footprint.

Al is a longstanding contributor to a safer, more vibrant and greener campus. Having served the college in numerous roles since 2005, he was appointed to the position of assistant director of engineering and sustainability when FIT switched to partner with UG2 for facilities management in 2019.

Al has overseen a whopping 58 percent reduction in the college’s carbon emission since 2007. His accomplishments already earned recognition from the New York City Department of Administrative Services, which named him a 2017 Energy Champion. He shared his insights and lessons learned as a panelist at an event hosted by the Building Energy Exchange and the NYC Department of Administrative Services’ Division of Energy Management.

Campus administrators speak with appreciation of Al’s leadership and hands-on contributions to reducing the school’s carbon footprint. During peak periods of electricity use, such as during a summer heat wave, Al works to monitor and ease strain on the grid by personally managing equipment through manual controls.

Partners in prioritizing sustainability

Part of the State University of New York system, FIT is internationally recognized for its programs in design, fashion, art, communications and business.

FIT is a forward-thinking institution that has long emphasized a commitment to sustainability. That ethos complements UG2’s industry-leading sustainability mindset, evident in our efforts to reduce waste and environmental impacts, our use of eco-friendly materials, and our spearheading of green tech innovation.

UG2 is grateful to have people and partners at all levels of our work who share in our promise to protect the environment. We congratulate Al for his leadership and unflagging commitment to this pressing cause.

Read more about how UG2 practices sustainability.

Earth Day is on April 22nd. As citizens of the facility services industry, we feel it’s our responsibility to reduce waste, support green tech innovation, and minimize our impact on the environment. To celebrate the occasion, here’s a look at how UG2 practices sustainability.

Applying Green Cleaning Practices

Our janitorial staff is equipped with green cleaning solutions made without aggressive chemicals, such as phosphates, nonylphenols, and sulfuric acid. Whenever possible, we utilize concentrated refill options and reusable/recyclable spray bottles. We also work with partners that are committed to increasing plastic reuse and reducing plastic pollution to help safeguard the environment .

The cleaning products and chemicals we use comply with OSHA regulations and, along with the equipment we use, are consistent with the U.S. Green Building Council LEED EB-OM’s specifications. We are experienced with LEED, ISO, and WELL building standards and employ our comprehensive green cleaning program at most of the facilities we service.

Achieving CIMS-GB Certification

In 2019, we were awarded the Clean Industry Management Standard – Green Building (CIMS-GB) with Honors Certification by ISSA, the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. This prestigious recognition was awarded following an independent, accredited assessment to confirm that UG2 meets industry standards for health, safety, environmental stewardship, and various other measurements. It also allows our customers to achieve points under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED EB: O&M).

Maintaining Strict Safety Standards

We provide employees with proper PPE and training on the safe handling and dispensing of hazardous materials. It’s our highest priority to ensure the welfare of our employees and customers, from proper labeling and storage to posting caution signs to measuring and diluting concentrated cleaning products.

In addition to initial training, we also provide employees with periodic training on cleaning procedures, products, and equipment. From HEPA-filtration vacuums to CRI-certified carpet extractors powered by low emission engines, every piece of equipment we use is evaluated with regard to its impact on the environment and ergonomics.

Reducing Waste and Recycling

In addition to supporting customer recycling and waste management goals, UG2 is experienced in developing and implementing recycling and waste reduction plans. During routine cleaning, our team members prioritize proper waste separation, recycling, and composting. We take pride in leading by example and helping to drive the positive reception of our customers’ waste reduction initiatives.

To learn more about our Sustainability Services program, please contact us today.