LATEST NEWS

IMPORTANT NOTE!  Our news feed has moved to our new blog area, Berl's Blog, where you can see our continued coverage of industry trends, new products, and much more. And don't forget to visit our Resources Area where you can find in-depth product reviews, how-to videos, and the answers to frequently asked questions.

February 9, 2023
Mooresville, NC

World Dryer Discontinues AirMax & Select* SLIMdri Hand Dryers

With a continuing goal to simplify the overall World Dryer product offering and streamline their flagship hand dryer - VERDEdri - World Dryer has announced the discontinuation of all AirMax products and specific* SLIMdri models.

  • Remaining active SLIMdri hand dryers are the Brushed Stainless Steel SLIMdri L-973 and White Aluminum L-974
  • Available only while stock lasts SLIMdri hand dryers include:
       • *Black Aluminum L-162, *Polished Chrome Aluminum L-970
       • *Brushed Chrome Aluminum L-971, and *Polished Stainless Steel L-972.
  • AirMax hand dryers are also still available at Berl's while supplies last.


The HEPA-Filtered automatic VERDEdri leads in sanitation, efficiency, and sound quality and is the recommended conversion model for most World Dryer units being discontinued. The VERDEdri hand dryer is 30% quieter compared to prior VERDEdri models and has the added benefit of being ADA compliant without having to add a recces kit. The HEPA filter captures 99.97% of particles, 0.3um or larger, cleaning air before it reaches hands.

World Dryer has created the following conversion tables to show the recommended replacement hand dryers for specific models that are being discontinued.

AirMax
World Dryer AirMax Substitution Table

DiscontinuedSubstitution
AirMaxVERDEdri
DM5-972AQ-972A2
DM5-973AQ-973A2
DM5-974AQ-974A2
DM54-972AQ-972A2
DM54-973AQ-973A2
DM54-974AQ-974A2
DM548-972AQ-972A2
DM548-973AQ-973A2
DM548-974AQ-974A2
DXM5-972AQ-972A2
DXM5-973AQ-973A2
DXM5-974AQ-974A2
DXM54-972AQ-972A2
DXM54-973AQ-973A2
DXM54-974AQ-974A2
DXM548-972AQ-972A2
DXM548-973AQ-973A2
DXM548-974AQ-973A2
DXRM5-Q973AK 39KQ-973A2 + 37-105
DXRM54-Q973AKQ-973A2 + 37-10539K
DXRM548-Q973AKQ-973A2 + 37-10539K

World Dryer SlimDri Substitution Table

Discontinued ModelSubstitution ModelAlt. Substitution Model
SLIMdriVERDEdri same finishSLIMdri different finish
L-162AQ-162A2L-974A or L-973A
L-970AQ-972A2L-974A or L-973A
L-971AQ-973A2L-973A
L-972AQ-972A2L-974A or L-973A

Do you need help picking the right hand dryer for your business? Please call BERL'S Commercial Supply for the best hand dryers.

December 8, 2022
Mooresville, NC


The Benefits of XLERATOR Hand Dryers Commercial restrooms say a lot about the facility they're located in -— if a guest perceives the space as dirty or unkept, they may think twice about coming back. Thankfully, facilities can put their best foot forward from the very beginning by replacing paper towels with XLERATOR® Hand Dryers by Excel Dryer—a more hygienic alternative that helps facilities save on operating costs and meet sustainability goals. It's time to throw in the towel and start reaping the many benefits of XLERATOR.

Saving Money and Time
If you're looking to save money in the long run and spend less time on maintenance, installing XLERATOR Hand Dryers will help. With XLERATORs in the restroom, facilities can see a 95% cost savings versus paper towels, and staff will no longer have to spend precious time cleaning up dirty paper towel messes.


Keeping It Clean
Unused paper towels may not be as clean as we might think. Consider a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control, where researchers found that paper towels made from recycled material host between 100 and 1,000-fold more bacteria than a wood pulp brand. So even when you've washed the germs off your hands, when you use paper towels, you might just be dirtying them all over again with a new mix of bacteria.

XLERATOR Hand Dyers take touch out of the hand drying process completely, using sensors to turn the unit on when it recognizes hands underneath. But the hygiene benefits of XLERATOR Hand Dryers don't stop there, as they can also help clear the air in the restroom through an optional HEPA filtration system—proven to remove 99.999% of viruses and 99.97% of potentially present bacteria at 0.3 microns from the airstream.

Facilities from restaurants to even hospitals have trusted XLERATOR Hand Dryers to help provide a hygienic environment for their occupants. After its Infection Control board concluded that dryers with traditional high-velocity heated air streams were the most hygienic option, Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago selected XLERATOR for installation in its restrooms.


November 18, 2022
Mooresville, NC

Restroom Direct Rebrands as Berl's Commercial Supply
After 15 years as Restroom Direct, the commercial building fixtures distributor is now Berl's Commercial Supply.

Restroom Direct, one of the nation's largest distributors of commercial restroom accessories and drinking fountains has changed its name from Restroom Direct, to Berl's Commercial Supply.

“The Restroom Direct brand has served us well,” says Chris Berl, founder and President of Restroom Direct, now Berl's Commercial Supply. “But we've literally grown outside of the restroom. Many of the products that we sell, like the Elkay water bottle filling stations, and Zurn Water Solutions valves, are not installed in restrooms.

The name Berl's Commercial Supply helps to highlight how much the company has grown in the past and it also shows the possibility of continued growth in the future. At the same time, the new name punctuates the fact that we are still a family run business that offers great customer service and cares deeply for its customers.”

After years of leading the national market in the sale of restroom accessories, Berl's Commercial Supply now looks beyond the restroom towards every facet of a commercial building.

Along with the new name and new brand, comes a new website www.berls.com. Berls.com will continue to sell all of the products found at Restroom Direct, including the hand dryer brands for which the company has always been known, like Dyson Airblade hand dryers , XLERATOR hand dryers , and World Dryer along with non-hand dryer brands, like Suitmate Water Extractors,Bobrick, Koala Baby Changers, Bradley and ASI.

“I am really excited about this change,” says Peter Brainard, Jr, VP of sales at Berl's Commercial Supply. “This is a great indication of where we're heading as a company. We have the best products, the best team, and we look forward to continuing to serve our incredible customers throughout the country.

This announcement comes on the heels of another record year of sales for Berl's, led by popular products that are in demand, in stock, and managed by an experienced and dedicated team of employees.”

The new and improved website features a multitude of user-friendly improvements including:

  • Faceted search and navigation narrow down and refine relevant options
  • Item Sorting - search results can now be sorted by top-selling popularity, price low to high, price high to low, as well as by search relevance.
  • Compare Items - view up to four products side-by-side in a generated table to review specifications and make a more-informed choice
  • Request a Quote - registered users can ask for a custom quote directly from the product detail page when logged in
  • Quantity available - know if your item is in stock so you can purchase with peace of mind
  • Product Lead Times - if your item is not in stock, we will tell you when to expect shipment directly from the manufacturer




Berl's, and its European counterpart, Bavada, now have updated company logos emphasizing the strong business to business aspect of their markets.

About Berl's Commercial Supply

Founded in 2008 by industry veteran Christopher Berl, Berl's Commercial Supply is dedicated to providing commercial fixtures to businesses and organizations throughout the United States, whether for new construction, remodeling or replacement. Berl's Commercial Supply is one of the largest distributors of hand dryers, restroom accessories and Elkay water fountains in the United States. As with Restroom Direct, the legal name of Berl's Commercial Supply continues to be Berl Enterprises LLC.

Berl's sister company, Bavada, Ltd, sells a similar product line throughout Europe, giving a global reach to family of companies. Bavada is headquartered in Ireland and ships primarily from its warehouse in the Netherlands. As Berl's Commercial Supply continues to grow, the primary focus is on providing the highest quality service to its customers.

Contact:
Berl's Commercial Supply
129 Oakpark drive
Mooresville, NC 28115
704-937-2673


November 11, 2022
Mooresville, NC

Now Offered from BERL'S Commercial Supply - LOCKERS

Looking for lockers?  From the top-selling Traditional Collection of stainless steel lockers to the Competitor and Pro Collection with perforated doors, security boxes, and foot lockers, and with over a dozen powder-coated color options available we've got you covered for all your locker needs. We can even assist with polymer and phenolic finish lockers which are backed by 10 to 15 year warranties depending on the series!

Note that locker inquiries will always need some form of layout and drawing prior to ordering. Requests for a quote with width, depth, and height, as well as the layout can be drafted by the ASI Storage Solutions shop to get you started. Most drafts can be provided within 24-48 hours.

Lockers can ship unassembled with nuts and bolts included or assembled with riveting.

Quick-ship lockers ship from Georgia in about 5 business days.

Custom color units typically have a 16 week lead-time.

Plastic and phenolic lockers ship in 4-5 weeks.


Choose From


The Traditional Collection
Visually appealing and very durable as well as ASI's most widely distributed locker line. Offering the most value for typical locker applications..


The Traditional Plus Collection
With the same standard features as the Traditional line, the Traditional Plus Collection- intended for more rugged heavy-duty applications with its ½” thick metal as opposed to 3/8” on the Traditional.


The Competitor Collection
Offers the ultimate in ventilation and visibility combined with strength and visual appeal.


The Pro Collection
Specifically designed for applications that require easy access to uniforms and equipment. These are your “stadium” type lockers.


The Specialty Collection
Featuring 16 gauge doors, frames and bottoms and 24 gauge tops, sides, backs and shelves and come standard with features that allow for easy and quiet operation.

Looking for a locker for use in high-humidity applications? Ask us about the Plastic Traditional Collection which are virtually maintenance-free will never rust, rot, corrode or fade.

     Call us today or email info@berls.com for more info!

November 4, 2022
Mooresville, NC

Dyson Discontinues the Dyson Airblade dB Hand Dryer

Dyson has announced the discontinuation of the Dyson Airblade, AB14 dB hand dryer. All AB14 hand dryers, including those still being sold, will continue to be serviced by Dyson for the 5-year term of the warranty.


While supplies last, Berl's Commercial Supply continues to sell new AB14 hand dryers in white in both the standard Low Volt (110 - 120 volts) (AB14-W-LV) and in the High Volt (208 - 240 volts) (AB14-W-HV) versions.

AB14's in grey are only available in the high volt version. Berl's is now out of stock of the Low Volt in grey.


The AB14 discontinued hand dryer is replaced by Dyson's new HU03, 9kJ hand dryer. Resembling a stainless steel periscope, the 9kJ is incredibly stylish and energy efficient. It comes in two energy modes: MAX, which is maximum power and dries hands in 10 seconds and ECO mode, which uses only 9 kilojoules (9kJ = 2 KCalories) of energy to dry your hands but still dries in 12 seconds and is nice and quiet, rated at 77 dB.


The 9Kj is now the flagship of the Dyson hand dryer range, which also includes the popular Dyson Airblade HU02 V hand dryer and Dyson's hand dryer / faucet combination, the Wash and Dry series.



July 1, 2022
Mooresville, NC

World Dryer Cast Iron Line Reduction

In 2022, facing a shortage in cast iron, World Dryer did away with all cast iron covers for their hand and hair dryers. This eliminated the iconic Model A hand dryers, which were the original mass-marketed hand dryers in the industry, as well as the Airstyle, Model B hair dryers, the AirMax, Model M hand dryers, and the Nova 4 hand dryers.

All of these cast iron dryers have replacements, so you can still purchase essentially the same dryers today, just configured with different covers.

Read the article here:   World Dryer Cast Iron: History & Recommended Substitutions


September 1, 2021
Mooresville, NC

Made in USA: Why it Continues to Matter

With the Buy American Act of 1993, the federal government spotlighted the historic and ongoing importance of American made products. In January 2021, President Biden signed an executive order building on the existing law, increasing the percentage of American-made content required for a product to be considered “Made in the USA.” The order urges federal agencies to give preference to domestic producers and could incentivize American businesses to do the same.


With the Buy American Act of 1993, the federal government spotlighted the historic and ongoing importance of American made products. In January 2021, President Biden signed an executive order building on the existing law, increasing the percentage of American-made content required for a product to be considered “Made in the USA.” The order urges federal agencies to give preference to domestic producers and could incentivize American businesses to do the same.

American manufacturing continues to be a critical economic driver. It not only provides employment opportunities throughout the nation but inspires product innovation and improvement every day. In the spring of 2021, reports of the shipping vessel that had become lodged in the Suez Canal flooded the media—and, maybe less outwardly, made yet another case for buying American: product availability. Nearly a third of the world's daily shipping container freight relies on the Canal. This means that a passage holdup of even a few days is likely to impact many business operations, even months after the incident.

A Company That Deserves a Hand

A manufacturing company that produces goods and sources parts within the same country is using a wise strategy. Excel Dryer, an American hand dryer manufacturer, has embraced this supply-chain process from the start. This operation helps ensure their products' smooth journey to customers while supporting all other benefits of American made.

Consider this:
  • Excel Dryer employs a team of 50+ American workers in their region.
  • Their three signature hand dryers were the first in the industry to be Made in USA Certified.
  • They fought and won a dispute with the International Trade Commission, helping to keep ecommerce marketplaces clear of knock-off products—thereby ensuring that consumers who want XLERATOR® Hand Dryers are guaranteed the genuine product.
Company president Denis Gagnon has said that Excel Dryer is “proud to be an American manufacturer of quality products people enjoy using and can depend on”—and the facts speak for themselves.
A Call for Transparency

The Buy American Act of 1993 and the president's recent order are significant wins for Made in USA, but there is more progress to be made—particularly in the area of product transparency. While the latest directive boosts American-made content requirements and offers business incentives, policies around content disclosure (such as product labeling) for Made in USA seem to vary depending on the product. According to the Federal Trade Commission, American manufacturers must disclose U.S. content of textiles, wool and fur products, and automobiles. However, language around other categories is less clear cut. We hope to see steps toward standardization across industries in the near future, allowing consumers to base buying decisions on complete information..

As a distributor, we are proud to partner with manufacturers like Excel Dryer, who practice product testing and transparency, and do their part to make Made in America a corporate priority—to benefit of business and far beyond.

August 15, 2021
Mooresville, NC

Excel Dryer, in efforts to recognize the significance of promoting a hygienic and hands-free restroom will be discontinuing the following hand dryers starting August 31 2021.

  • All "Hands-On" Legacy Pushbutton Hand Dryers.
  • All "Hands-Off" Legacy Automatic Hand Dryers.
  • All Lexan Pushbutton & Automatic Hand Dryers.

Below is a list of substitutions recommended by Excel.

Discontinued ModelReplacement Model
76-CXL-C
76-CVXL-CV
76-CXXL-CV
76-WXL-BW
76-WVXL-BWV
76-WXXL-BWV
H76-CXL-C
H76-CVXL-CV
H76-CXXL-CV
H76-WXL-BW
H76-WVXL-BWV
H76-WXXL-BWV
HO-BLXL-BW
HO-BLVXL-BWV
HO-BLXXL-BWV
HO-ICXL-C
HO-ICVXL-CV
HO-ICXXL-CV
HO-ILXL-C
HO-ILVXL-CV
HO-ILXXL-CV
HO-IWXL-BW
HO-IWVXL-BWV
HO-IWXXL-BWV
R76-CXL-C
R76-CVXL-CV
R76-CXXL-CV
R76-ICXL-C
R76-ICVXL-CV
R76-ICXXL-CV
R76-IWXL-BW
R76-IWVXL-BWV
R76-IWXXL-BWV
R76-WXL-BW
R76-WVXL-BWV
R76-WXXL-BWV

March 16, 2021
Mooresville, NC

Commercial Bathroom Partitions!

Need partition solutions? When it comes to restroom partition systems we understand that finding quality, attractive, and functional privacy dividers for a specific bathrooms layout is a customizable project.

We are here to help!

Choose from top brands such as ASI, Bradley, Hadrian, or Metpar in a variety of materials and styles to fit your needs and budget. From panel walls, urinal screens, and pilasters (the columns on the sides of the door that hold the hinges and latches) to hardware such as brackets, hinges, and latches - trust Restroom Direct to guide you in your purchase!

In a hurry?  Many of our options can be produced in as little as two or three business days!


Construction:

  • Powder Coated – low cost, high performance, best industry value
  • Stainless Steel – beautiful, cost-effective, modern, and long lasting
  • Solid Plastic HDPE – ideal choice for schools, stadiums, and parks

Configurations:


HEADRAIL BRACED


Headrail braced compartments are a great choice for virtually any facility. These units are especially recommended in heavy-use areas such as schools, institutions and industrial settings. The anti-grip top rail deters boisterous activity while ensuring a rigid and secure installation

CEILING HUNG


Ceiling hung units present a clean, contemporary appearance. They permit quick, easy floor maintenance, especially when combined with wall-hung fixtures. Ceiling hung partitions are recommended for modernization where a drop ceiling or open span construction can be used.

FLOOR TO CEILING


Floor to ceiling units are extremely strong and resistant to abuse as they are securely connected to the floor ceiling and walls. This configuration is ideal for high abuse areas and installations that require extra durability.

SCREENS


WALL MOUNTED SCREEN
  • Simple and economical design
  • Permits easy maintenance and floor cleaning

FLOOR MOUNTED SCREEN   
  • Supported by a 5" floor mounted pilaster
  • Great option for vandal prone installations

48" IPC compliant screens are also available.

As always, give us a call at (704) 937-2673 for more!


September 16, 2020
Mooresville, NC

New Study from University of Arizona | Researchers Find Hand Dryers and Paper Towels to Be Equally Hygienic

Hand dryers have come under undue scrutiny in the media and workplace authorities. New results from researchers at the University of Arizona dispel myths by sharing the truth that hand dryers are hygienic, and confirm the recommendations from the World Health Organization that everyone “frequently clean [their] hands…” and “dry [them] thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer”, said Udo Sonnenberg, Managing Director of the eHA.

Tucson (Arizona)/Brussels September 2020 – Health organizations worldwide agree that proper handwashing and drying can prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Now, renowned researchers at the University of Arizona have concluded that there is “no data to support any human health claims relative to hand dryers versus paper towel use.” Their scoping review, Comparison of Electric Hand Dryers and Paper Towels for Hand Hygiene: A Critical Review of the Literature, was published 9/14/20 in the Journal of Applied Microbiology.


June 9, 2020
Mooresville, NC

COVID-19 Update II
The ongoing spread of the Coronavirus continues to disrupt daily life. Adapting to the latest guidelines from the CDC and WHO is crucial to protecting the most vulnerable and mitigating the risk of resurgence.

NEW: We have added a variety of new hygienic products such as Hands-Free Drinking Fountains,
our own Soap Concentrate, Hand Sanitizer, and Wipes.

Soap Dispenser Stands from ASI and Palmer Fixture



Antimicrobial Sinks &
Touchless Faucets from Elkay
,

and Excel's new Hand Dryer Mobile Hygiene Station which includes an Xlerator® hand dryer with HEPA filtration that removes 99.999% of viruses and germs from the airstream.



CONTINUE TO PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE

  • Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow.
  • Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible.
  • Strongly consider using face coverings while in public, and particularly when using mass transit.

1.According to the CDC’s Media Statement from May 22, 2020:https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/s0522-cdc-updates-covid-transmission.html

“The primary and most important mode of transmission for COVID-19 is through close contact from person-to-person. Based on data from lab studies on COVID-19 and what we know about similar respiratory diseases, it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this isn’t thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”

2. Advice on the use of masks in the context of COVID-19 by the WHO from June 5, 2020:
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak

Current evidence suggests that most transmission of COVID-19 is occurring from symptomatic people to others in close contact, when not wearing appropriate PPE (Personal protective equipment).

Examples of where the general public should be encouraged to use medical and non-medical masks in areas with known or suspected community transmission:

  • In public settings, such as grocery stores, at work, social gatherings, mass gatherings, closed settings, including schools, churches, mosques, etc
  • Settings with high population density where physical distancing cannot be achieved
  • General public on transportation (e.g., on a bus, plane, trains)
  • People aged ≥60 years
  • People with underlying health conditions



March 25, 2020
Mooresville, NC

COVID-19 Updates and Products

Restroom Direct is considered an Essential business and we continue to remain open.  We are shipping across the country and we are not experiencing any major product shortages.  Our main carrier, Fedex, is shipping as usual to most places, but please be aware that it is the customer’s responsibility to be available for delivery.  Fedex has made some policy changes during the Coronavirus crisis, and customers must be prepared to take full liability for shipments once they have left our warehouse.  Please call us at 704-937-2673 with specific questions.

Restroom Direct provides a number of products that are vital to the hygienic safety of public, commercial and industrial spaces, such as, Touchless Door Handles, Automatic Soap Dispensers, and Automatic Hand Dryers.

Our top priority is the health of our employees, customers, suppliers and other partners.  Amid the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak we here at Restroom Direct want to provide you with the latest resources to keep you safe and healthy.

Stop the Spread of Germs: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

The CDC states the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. As a result, incorporating social distancing strategies increasing the space between individuals and decreasing the frequency of contact among individuals will reduce the risk of spreading a disease. Keeping individuals at least 6 feet apart is ideal based on what is known about COVID-19. If this is not feasible, efforts should be made to keep individuals as far apart as is practical.

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Germ removal happens through proper handwashing.  It is also important to dry your hands, regardless of drying method. A comprehensive study comparing four different hand-drying methods conducted by the Mayo Clinic found that “There are no differences in the efficiencies of removing bacteria from washed hands when hands are dried using paper towels, cloth towels, warm forced air or spontaneous evaporation.” According to Excel Dryer, hand dryers present a faster and more hygienic means to ‘dry’ over paper towels because the dryers are able to evaporate the residual moisture on hands whereas paper towels cannot.

Additional Resources:

WUSA9 Article from 3/17/20 on Hand Drying and COVID-19: https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/no-hand-dryers-will-not-kill-the-coronavirus-they-wont-spread-it-either/65-bda8db29-6c85-4db6-acfd-e4b965659241

Dyson Video from 2014 detailing The Truth About Hand Drying Hygiene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKxT1k1cmXc



January 21, 2015

Huntersville, NC

Restroom Direct celebrates its 25,000th order

With an order for ASI stainless steel soap dispensers to the Polk County Board of Commissioners in Winter Haven, FL, Restroom Direct today achieved the milestone of 25,000 orders since its inception in 2008.  

“We have had a great amount of success over the past 7 years,” said Chris Berl, President of Restroom Direct.  “And we owe that success to our many customers who have put their faith in us.  They have seen the value that we provide and, like the Polk County Board of Commissioners, they come back to us time and again.  We have the best employees in the industry who work hard every day to make Restroom Direct as helpful as possible to our customers.”

“We have been buying hand dryers from Restroom Direct since 2012 and we always appreciate their quick service and good prices.  We’ll continue to use them in the future,” said David Dix of Polk County.

Restroom Direct sells fixtures and accessories for commercial restrooms.  “Pretty much anything that goes on a wall in a commercial bathroom we sell,” explains Mr. Berl.  “We started the business focused on hand dryers.  That is my expertise and our employees are hand dryer experts.  We don’t just take orders.  We work with our customers to get the best product for them.”  Restroom Direct sells to schools, offices, health clubs, restaurants and other commercial businesses.

Now occupying three warehouse spaces in Huntersville, NC Restroom Direct has expanded significantly since opening in 2008.  In the last year alone, the company has added three employees.  The hand dryer industry has changed and grown during the same period of time and Restroom Direct stays on the leading edge when it comes to new and better product offerings.  Dyson, for example, has significantly expanded its line of Airblade hand dryers in the past couple of years.  In 2013 they upgraded their popular hands-in dryers with the quieter AB14 which they call the dB to emphasize the reduction in noise levels.  In the same year they introduced their first on-the-wall hand dryer with the ADA compliant AB12 which is called the “V,” named after its shape.  And Dyson is now offering all of their dryers with 120 volt units as well as 208 to 240 volt versions.  

The four-inch-depth, ADA-compliant hand dryer has experienced a boom in new offerings with the introduction of the Verdedri, coming soon from World Dryer, and another expected new product coming from Excel Dryer, famous for the jet-blasting Xlerator hand dryer.  The Xlerator also expanded its offerings last year with the Xlerator Eco energy efficient hand dryer.   Bobrick has their new 4” hand dryer as does Fast Dry.  Michigan-based American Dryer has also been shaking up the industry with their introduction of Cold Plasma Clean hand dryers.  The Extreme-Air CPC is said to kill germs while drying hands.  This type of ionized-technology, along with filters used by other manufacturers are turning the tide for hand dryers in the never-ending “who is more hygienic?” battle with the paper towel industry.

“The hand dryer manufacturers have really stepped up their game in the past few years,” said Dave Klett, Director of Business Development at Restroom Direct.  “With all of the good, high speed dryers on the market today, the jokes about wiping hands on pants are fading fast.”

“It can’t be fast enough for us!” chimes in Berl.

In addition to hand and commercial hair dryers, Restroom Direct sells paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers, mirrors, partitions, toilet paper dispensers, grab bars, baby changing tables, the Suitmate Water Extractor, Elkay water fountains, Footpull hands-free door opener and other products.  Visit Restroom Direct on the web at http://www.restroomdirect.com.  Restroom Direct’s full line of hand dryers can be found on their hand dryers page. 

***

To Contact Restroom Direct:
11943 Ramah Church Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078   
704-937-2673
info@restroomdirect.com

***



On Hand Dryer vs Paper Towel Studies, the Media, and Thinking for Yourself

December 1, 2014

Recently the European Tissue Symposium (whose members are manufacturers of paper towels such as Kimberly-Clarke Europe and Sofidel) sponsored a hand dryer vs paper towel hygiene “study” which was published by the Journal of Hospital Infection.  Guess what they found?  Paper towels are more hygienic than hand dryers.  Was it a balanced scientific study?   Of course not.  It was the kind of study that we have come to expect from either side of the industry that shows what the interested party wants to show.                              

A study like this should be simple, right?  The researchers test lots of people in real life situations, washing and drying their hands and then using paper towels or hand dryers.  Collect, analyze and publish the results.  But here’s what they did here:   Smother rubber cloves in bacteria, or, as “The Skeptical Scalpel” described it, “….the equivalent of putting your hands in liquid feces…”, don’t wash them yet dry them.  (What? I thought the point here was to dry the hands as part of the test.)  Then hold them under hand dryers and try to blow whatever was on the gloves around the room.  The results? There was much more bacteria in the area afterwards than there was before.  Shocking!

In this day and age we are used to this type of thinly-veiled marketing.  But what really is impressive is how quickly the European Tissue Symposium was able to spread their message across the globe.   Almost immediately we saw headlines such as “Hand dryers splatter bacteria into air and onto users, report warns,” by The Independent (irony anyone?) and “Using a public restroom hand dryer? You may be spreading bacteria all over the place,” by the Washington Post.

What is fascinating to see is that these and many other publications will accept the original press release sponsored by a biased entity like the ETS and simply republish it with very little analysis of their own.  In this, the day of the internet, these publications are just looking for content that they can put on the web.  They don’t care really what the content is, but if it has a sensational headline that just might grab your attention in one of those flashing internet ads, then all the better.  Most of them would not dare to simply republish this type of thing in their physical paper, but in their haste to elbow for attention online, they have created a new genre of Bubble Gum Reporting.  All flavor, no nutrition, but tons of bacteria.  (We did not actually test bubble gum for bacteria, but we could commission a study to show you that after it’s chewed and discarded, it’s more dangerous than fecal matter under a hand dryer.)

We saw many publications splatter the Tissue Symposium article all over the web without much of a glance at the content.  And then there was the Minn Post and the Skeptical Scalpel quoted above who actually took a second to analyze the report.  They came up with an elegant response:   “Latest 'paper towels vs. electric hand dryers' study underscores need for skepticism”.  Very simple.  Read.  Think Report.  Thank you Minneapolis for your old fashioned Mid-Western ideals. 

Well aren't we biased?  Absolutely.  At Restroom Direct we sell both hand dryers and paper towel dispensers.  We happen to like them both and we think they can be appropriate in different situations.  But full disclosure: we are partial to hand dryers. 

To try to inform ourselves and our customers better, we have begun to create a list of paper towel vs hand dryer hygiene studies so that, if you are interested, you can read them for yourself.

Hand Dryer vs Paper Towel Studies:  http://www.restroomdirect.com/hand-dryers-vs-paper-towels-hygiene-studies.aspx


Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

Restroom Direct Announces the Launch of the Dyson Airblade dB AB14 Hand Dryer

October 7, 2013

Huntersville, NC (PRWEB) October 07, 2013

Coming close on the heels of the successful launch of the Dyson Airblade V AB12 hand dryer and the Dyson Airblade Tap, Dyson has once again introduced a new, innovative and powerful hand dryer, the Dyson Airblade dB AB14. The Airblade dB is the successor to the hugely popular Dyson Airblade AB04. Like the AB04, the AB14 casing is made of durable and environmentally friendly polycarbonate and comes in grey and white. Already billed as the most hygienic hand dryer due to the HEPA filter, the Dyson Airblade dB also incorporates an antimicrobial additive that helps to ensure that germs keep their distance.

The main new feature of this hand dryer, as the name suggests, is the noise level. According to Dyson, the Dyson dB produces half the noise as the original Airblade AB04. This change has been made by incorporating Dyson’s latest digital motor technology, the smaller and very powerful V4, along with other changes to the design of the dryer. Significantly, the air outlet strips (otherwise known as the air-blades or air-knifes or the aperture), have been realigned in a way that reduces the noise created when the air hits the hands.

"Re-engineered scallop-shaped apertures mean that the two 420 mph sheets of air carry less energy when they collide," says Sir James Dyson, Inventor of the Dyson Airblade hand dryers. "It still dries hands in 12 seconds but is 50% quieter."

Restroom Direct will be one of the first companies to stock and sell the new Dyson hand dryer. "We are very excited to begin selling the Dyson Airblade dB AB14," says Chris Berl, President of Restroom Direct. "We will be one of the first distributors to carry these in stock and expect to have them in early October, 2013. Dyson has done it again," continues Berl. "Sir James has an eagle-eye on the needs of the hand dryer market. There are a lot good and now fast hand dryers on the market today. But there is always a trade-off between the noise level and the speed of the air blower. Decreasing noise levels while increasing speed-of-dry is the Holy Grail in hand drying."    

Restroom Direct continues to offer the popular Dyson Airblade AB04 and the AB06 models and currently has those in stock in their North Carolina warehouse. More information regarding the Dyson Airblade line of hand dryer can be found at Dyson Airblade Hand Dryers. For more information regarding the Dyson Airblade dB AB14 hand dryer, please go to Dyson Airblade dB.

Restroom Direct at
11943 Ramah Church Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-937-2673
info@restroomdirect.com



Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

Restroom Direct is proud to participate in
Oakland Heights Elementary's GREEN TEAM project

April 3, 2013

The students at Oakland Heights Elementary School in Russellville, Arkansas have recently completed a project to help green their school by installing Mitsubishi Jet Towels in their third and fourth grade bathrooms.  The project while overseen by Brad Beatty (the school's science specialist) was largely self-guided and included diligent research into the environmental benefits and costs of hand dryers versus paper towels.  They have further taken the step to educate their peers and others by creating an informational video and posting it online.  Restroom Direct applauds their initiative and community mindedness.  Congratulations to all who participated!  If you would like to view the video, you can find it here: Oakland Heights Green Team Video.


Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

Dyson Introduces Three New Hand Dryers

February 6, 2013

February 5th was Super Tuesday for Dyson.  Dyson, the makers of high end vacuum cleaners and extremely popular hand dryers, introduced three new commercial hand drying products.   With a marketing splash that only James Dyson knows how to create, TVs and blog all over the world were buzzing about these products throughout the day.  As major distributors of the Dyson Airblade Hand Dryers, Restroom Direct will be selling the new Airblade hand dryers throughout the US and Bavada.com will be distributing them in Europe.  The new products are expected to be available for purchase beginning May to August of 2013.

All three of the new hand dryers will be utilizing Dyson’s new flagship digital motor.  Says Dyson: “The latest Dyson digital motor was seven years in the making - it's one of the world's smallest fully-integrated 1600W motors. It's the only hand dryer motor powerful enough to draw in up to 30 litres of air a second through a HEPA filter, and then dry hands in 10 seconds.  This long-life energy efficient motor is digitally switched at 6,000 times per second, making the high compression fan spin 90,000 times a minute. There are only three moving parts, so there are no slip rings or carbon brushes to wear down.”

 

Dyson Airblade MK2

The first of the Dyson Airblade products is the Dyson Airblade MK2.  The MK2 is similar to the existing line of Dyson products, the AB02 and the AB04 (AB01 and AB03 in Europe) hand dryers.  The size, shape look and function is essentially the same, however with the new Dyson digital motor, these hand dryers are expected to be more efficient and make less noise all at the same time.  Model numbers for the MK2 will be the AB06 and AB07.  The AB06 is similar to the current AB02 model with an aluminum “silver” color casing.  The aluminum casing is best for high traffic and vandal-prone areas. 

The AB07 will be similar to the current Dyson Airblade AB04 model.  This model comes with a polycarbonate casing in a choice of either white or grey.  The AB07 will not be available in the US at first, however it will be available throughout Europe.  The polycarbonate cover is also very durable and has the advantage that it will not rust. 

 

Dyson Airblade V

The second product in the Super Tuesday lineup is the Dyson Airblade V hand dryer.  The Dyson V is Dyson’s first foray into a traditional wall-hung hand dryer that blows down on the user’s hands (as opposed to the original Dyson Airblade Airblade in which you put your hands down into.)  However the V will not simply blow water off of the hands.  Like the other Airblades, the Dyson V is an air-knife and will scrape water off of the user’s hands.  The Dyson V model number is the Airblade AB08.  It comes in two finishes, sprayed nickel and white.  The V is a low profile hand dryer that will not take up much space and is expected to be ADA compliant.  With the new digital Dyson motor, this promises to be a good little hand dryer.

 

Dyson Airblade Tap

The third introduction on Dyson’s Super Tuesday was the Dyson Airblade Tap.  The Dyson Tap is truly the hand dryer of the future.  This is not just a hand dryer, but it is also a water faucet.  The user places his hands underneath the center of the tap to activate the water.  He then moves his hands to either side of the tap.  The water turns off and the Dyson digital motor is activated, creating an air-blade that scrapes the water off of his hands.  The beauty is that the water goes right back into the sink.  No water is sprayed on walls.  No water collects in puddles on the floor.  And every sink gets its own hand dryer.  No walking around the restroom with wet hands. 

As Sir James Dyson himself said, “Using laser cutting techniques to manipulate marine grade steel, Dyson engineers have created an intuitive, high performance tap that can wash and dry hands.” 

The Airblade Tap will come in three versions:  A “short” and a “long” counter top version will come up and out of the deck of the sink.  The “wall” version will come out of the wall behind the sink.  The model numbers for these three faucet / hand dryer contraptions will be the AB09, AB10 and AB11 respectively. 

And now with the major network interviews out of the way, Sir James can rest for a while.  Or can he?  Dyson actually has quite a lot of work to do to complete the launch of these products.  None of them are yet available in the market place.  Units need to be manufactured, shipped and put into distribution.   We are expecting all of these products to be available in the summer of 2013, starting first with the Tap in May.  All of the new Dyson Airblade hand dryers will be available for purchase at Restroom Direct when they have been fully launched.  In the meantime, the fast, efficient and very popular Dyson Airblade AB02 and AB04 hand dryers are in stock and continue to be sold.  Dyson has said that there is no plan to discontinue the AB02 or the AB04 in the near future. 

The entire range of the Dyson Airblade hand dryers can be seen at Restroom Direct at http://www.restroomdirect.com/dyson.aspx
In Europe, the Dyson Airblade hand dryer is available at http://www.bavada.com

###

To Contact Restroom Direct 
11943 Ramah Church Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-937-2673
info@restroomdirect.com


Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

EXCEL DRYER AND THE XLERATOR FEATURED ON NPR

February 5, 2013

National Public Radio featured a two part series on Excel Dryer and the Xlerator hand dryer on February 4th and 5th, 2013.  The first segment, “How One Company Reinvented the Hand Dryer”, discusses the history of the Xlerator hand dryer,  the first hand dryer to dry hands in less than 20 seconds, and the hand dryer credited with revolutionizing the hand drying industry.

The second segment,” Why is it so Hard to Make a 100 Percent American Hand Dryer,” discusses the success of Excel as a Made in the USA company.

Robert Siegel, senior host of NPR's award-winning evening newsmagazine All Things Considered, hosted the interviews.  All Things Considered is the most listened-to, afternoon drive-time, news radio program in the country.   

Restroom Direct is a major supplier of Excel Dryers and the Xlerator hand dryer and sells them to a wide variety of businesses in the USA.  Says Chris Berl, President of Restroom Direct:  “I sincerely congratulate Excel Dryer on their ongoing success.  It’s great to see that a made-in-the-USA company can make both a high quality and a reasonably priced product.”   More about the Xlerator hand dryer can be found on the Restroom Direct website:  http://www.restroomdirect.com/xlerator.aspx


Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

WORLD DRYER INCREASES THE PRICE OF HAND DRYERS

January 23, 2013, Huntersville, NC - World Dryer increases the prices on their full line of hand dryers.

Effective December 31st, 2012, World Dryer has increased the prices on its entire line of hand dryers and baby changing stations by 4.8%.  Restroom Direct, a major distributor of World Dryer products, will increase the prices on its World Dryer product line by the same amount on February 1st, 2013.

World Dryer manufactures bathroom accessories, including an array of automatic high-speed hand dryers.  A leader in the hand dryer industry, World Dryer is recognized for its innovative and durable products.  World Dryer built its reputation on the industry standard, bullet proof cast iron Model A hand dryer, one of the most recognizable dryers to be found in fast food restaurants, stadiums and schools throughout the world.  More recently, World Dryer has introduced innovative, high speed, automatic hand dryers such as the Airforce, Slimdri and the Smartdri and Smartdri Plus hand dryers. 

Hand dryers add hygiene, energy savings and environmental responsibility to all commercial bathrooms where they are found. 

World Dryer’s entire line of hand dryers is available from Restroom Direct on its secure online shopping web site (http://www.restroomdirect.com/world-dryer.aspx). Restroom Direct provides a full range of hand dryers from all of the major hand dryer manufacturers and is one of the largest hand dryer distributors in the US. 

###

Contact Information:

Restroom Direct
11943 Ramah Church Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-937-2673
info@restroomdirect.com     


January 21, 2015
Huntersville, NC

Restroom Direct celebrates its 25,000th order

With an order for ASI stainless steel soap dispensers to the Polk County Board of Commissioners in Winter Haven, FL, Restroom Direct today achieved the milestone of 25,000 orders since its inception in 2008.  

“We have had a great amount of success over the past 7 years,” said Chris Berl, President of Restroom Direct.  “And we owe that success to our many customers who have put their faith in us.  They have seen the value that we provide and, like the Polk County Board of Commissioners, they come back to us time and again.  We have the best employees in the industry who work hard every day to make Restroom Direct as helpful as possible to our customers.”

“We have been buying hand dryers from Restroom Direct since 2012 and we always appreciate their quick service and good prices.  We’ll continue to use them in the future,” said David Dix of Polk County.

Restroom Direct sells fixtures and accessories for commercial restrooms.  “Pretty much anything that goes on a wall in a commercial bathroom we sell,” explains Mr. Berl.  “We started the business focused on hand dryers.  That is my expertise and our employees are hand dryer experts.  We don’t just take orders.  We work with our customers to get the best product for them.”  Restroom Direct sells to schools, offices, health clubs, restaurants and other commercial businesses.

Now occupying three warehouse spaces in Huntersville, NC Restroom Direct has expanded significantly since opening in 2008.  In the last year alone, the company has added three employees.  The hand dryer industry has changed and grown during the same period of time and Restroom Direct stays on the leading edge when it comes to new and better product offerings.  Dyson, for example, has significantly expanded its line of Airblade hand dryers in the past couple of years.  In 2013 they upgraded their popular hands-in dryers with the quieter AB14 which they call the dB to emphasize the reduction in noise levels.  In the same year they introduced their first on-the-wall hand dryer with the ADA compliant AB12 which is called the “V,” named after its shape.  And Dyson is now offering all of their dryers with 120 volt units as well as 208 to 240 volt versions.  

The four-inch-depth, ADA-compliant hand dryer has experienced a boom in new offerings with the introduction of the Verdedri, coming soon from World Dryer, and another expected new product coming from Excel Dryer, famous for the jet-blasting Xlerator hand dryer.  The Xlerator also expanded its offerings last year with the Xlerator Eco energy efficient hand dryer.   Bobrick has their new 4” hand dryer as does Fast Dry.  Michigan-based American Dryer has also been shaking up the industry with their introduction of Cold Plasma Clean hand dryers.  The Extreme-Air CPC is said to kill germs while drying hands.  This type of ionized-technology, along with filters used by other manufacturers are turning the tide for hand dryers in the never-ending “who is more hygienic?” battle with the paper towel industry.

“The hand dryer manufacturers have really stepped up their game in the past few years,” said Dave Klett, Director of Business Development at Restroom Direct.  “With all of the good, high speed dryers on the market today, the jokes about wiping hands on pants are fading fast.”

“It can’t be fast enough for us!” chimes in Berl.

In addition to hand and commercial hair dryers, Restroom Direct sells paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers, mirrors, partitions, toilet paper dispensers, grab bars, baby changing tables, the Suitmate Water Extractor, Elkay water fountains, Footpull hands-free door opener and other products.  Visit Restroom Direct on the web at http://www.restroomdirect.com.  Restroom Direct’s full line of hand dryers can be found on their hand dryers page. 

***

To Contact Restroom Direct:
11943 Ramah Church Road
Huntersville, NC 28078   
704-937-2673
info@restroomdirect.com

***



On Hand Dryer vs paper Towel Studies, the Media, and Thinking for Yourself

December 1, 2014

Recently the European Tissue Symposium (whose members are manufacturers of paper towels such as Kimberly-Clarke Europe and Sofidel) sponsored a hand dryer vs paper towel hygiene “study” which was published by the Journal of Hospital Infection.  Guess what they found?  Paper towels are more hygienic than hand dryers.  Was it a balanced scientific study?   Of course not.  It was the kind of study that we have come to expect from either side of the industry that shows what the interested party wants to show.                              

A study like this should be simple, right?  The researchers test lots of people in real life situations, washing and drying their hands and then using paper towels or hand dryers.  Collect, analyze and publish the results.  But here’s what they did here:   Smother rubber cloves in bacteria, or, as “The Skeptical Scalpel” described it, “….the equivalent of putting your hands in liquid feces…”, don’t wash them yet dry them.  (What? I thought the point here was to dry the hands as part of the test.)  Then hold them under hand dryers and try to blow whatever was on the gloves around the room.  The results? There was much more bacteria in the area afterwards than there was before.  Shocking!

In this day and age we are used to this type of thinly-veiled marketing.  But what really is impressive is how quickly the European Tissue Symposium was able to spread their message across the globe.   Almost immediately we saw headlines such as “Hand dryers splatter bacteria into air and onto users, report warns,” by The Independent (irony anyone?) and “Using a public restroom hand dryer? You may be spreading bacteria all over the place,” by the Washington Post.

What is fascinating to see is that these and many other publications will accept the original press release sponsored by a biased entity like the ETS and simply republish it with very little analysis of their own.  In this, the day of the internet, these publications are just looking for content that they can put on the web.  They don’t care really what the content is, but if it has a sensational headline that just might grab your attention in one of those flashing internet ads, then all the better.  Most of them would not dare to simply republish this type of thing in their physical paper, but in their haste to elbow for attention online, they have created a new genre of Bubble Gum Reporting.  All flavor, no nutrition, but tons of bacteria.  (We did not actually test bubble gum for bacteria, but we could commission a study to show you that after it’s chewed and discarded, it’s more dangerous than fecal matter under a hand dryer.)

We saw many publications splatter the Tissue Symposium article all over the web without much of a glance at the content.  And then there was the Minn Post and the Skeptical Scalpel quoted above who actually took a second to analyze the report.  They came up with an elegant response:   “Latest 'paper towels vs. electric hand dryers' study underscores need for skepticism”.  Very simple.  Read.  Think Report.  Thank you Minneapolis for your old fashioned Mid-Western ideals. 

Well aren't we biased?  Absolutely.  At Restroom Direct we sell both hand dryers and paper towel dispensers.  We happen to like them both and we think they can be appropriate in different situations.  But full disclosure: we are partial to hand dryers. 

To try to inform ourselves and our customers better, we have begun to create a list of paper towel vs hand dryer hygiene studies so that, if you are interested, you can read them for yourself.

Hand Dryer vs Paper Towel Studies:  http://www.restroomdirect.com/hand-dryers-vs-paper-towels-hygiene-studies.aspx


Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

Restroom Direct Announces the Launch of the Dyson Airblade dB AB14 Hand Dryer

October 7, 2013

Huntersville, NC (PRWEB) October 07, 2013

Coming close on the heels of the successful launch of the Dyson Airblade V AB12 hand dryer and the Dyson Airblade Tap, Dyson has once again introduced a new, innovative and powerful hand dryer, the Dyson Airblade dB AB14. The Airblade dB is the successor to the hugely popular Dyson Airblade AB04. Like the AB04, the AB14 casing is made of durable and environmentally friendly polycarbonate and comes in grey and white. Already billed as the most hygienic hand dryer due to the HEPA filter, the Dyson Airblade dB also incorporates an antimicrobial additive that helps to ensure that germs keep their distance.

The main new feature of this hand dryer, as the name suggests, is the noise level. According to Dyson, the Dyson dB produces half the noise as the original Airblade AB04. This change has been made by incorporating Dyson’s latest digital motor technology, the smaller and very powerful V4, along with other changes to the design of the dryer. Significantly, the air outlet strips (otherwise known as the air-blades or air-knifes or the aperture), have been realigned in a way that reduces the noise created when the air hits the hands.

"Re-engineered scallop-shaped apertures mean that the two 420 mph sheets of air carry less energy when they collide," says Sir James Dyson, Inventor of the Dyson Airblade hand dryers. "It still dries hands in 12 seconds but is 50% quieter."

Restroom Direct will be one of the first companies to stock and sell the new Dyson hand dryer. "We are very excited to begin selling the Dyson Airblade dB AB14," says Chris Berl, President of Restroom Direct. "We will be one of the first distributors to carry these in stock and expect to have them in early October, 2013. Dyson has done it again," continues Berl. "Sir James has an eagle-eye on the needs of the hand dryer market. There are a lot good and now fast hand dryers on the market today. But there is always a trade-off between the noise level and the speed of the air blower. Decreasing noise levels while increasing speed-of-dry is the Holy Grail in hand drying."    

Restroom Direct continues to offer the popular Dyson Airblade AB04 and the AB06 models and currently has those in stock in their North Carolina warehouse. More information regarding the Dyson Airblade line of hand dryer can be found at Dyson Airblade Hand Dryers. For more information regarding the Dyson Airblade dB AB14 hand dryer, please go to Dyson Airblade dB.

Restroom Direct at
11943 Ramah Church Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-937-2673
info@restroomdirect.com



Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

Restroom Direct is proud to participate in
Oakland Heights Elementary's GREEN TEAM project

April 3, 2013

The students at Oakland Heights Elementary School in Russellville, Arkansas have recently completed a project to help green their school by installing Mitsubishi Jet Towels in their third and fourth grade bathrooms.  The project while overseen by Brad Beatty (the school's science specialist) was largely self-guided and included diligent research into the environmental benefits and costs of hand dryers versus paper towels.  They have further taken the step to educate their peers and others by creating an informational video and posting it online.  Restroom Direct applauds their initiative and community mindedness.  Congratulations to all who participated!  If you would like to view the video, you can find it here: Oakland Heights Green Team Video.


Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

Dyson Introduces Three New Hand Dryers

February 6, 2013

February 5th was Super Tuesday for Dyson.  Dyson, the makers of high end vacuum cleaners and extremely popular hand dryers, introduced three new commercial hand drying products.   With a marketing splash that only James Dyson knows how to create, TVs and blog all over the world were buzzing about these products throughout the day.  As major distributors of the Dyson Airblade Hand Dryers, Restroom Direct will be selling the new Airblade hand dryers throughout the US and Bavada.com will be distributing them in Europe.  The new products are expected to be available for purchase beginning May to August of 2013.

All three of the new hand dryers will be utilizing Dyson’s new flagship digital motor.  Says Dyson: “The latest Dyson digital motor was seven years in the making - it's one of the world's smallest fully-integrated 1600W motors. It's the only hand dryer motor powerful enough to draw in up to 30 litres of air a second through a HEPA filter, and then dry hands in 10 seconds.  This long-life energy efficient motor is digitally switched at 6,000 times per second, making the high compression fan spin 90,000 times a minute. There are only three moving parts, so there are no slip rings or carbon brushes to wear down.”

 

Dyson Airblade MK2

The first of the Dyson Airblade products is the Dyson Airblade MK2.  The MK2 is similar to the existing line of Dyson products, the AB02 and the AB04 (AB01 and AB03 in Europe) hand dryers.  The size, shape look and function is essentially the same, however with the new Dyson digital motor, these hand dryers are expected to be more efficient and make less noise all at the same time.  Model numbers for the MK2 will be the AB06 and AB07.  The AB06 is similar to the current AB02 model with an aluminum “silver” color casing.  The aluminum casing is best for high traffic and vandal-prone areas. 

The AB07 will be similar to the current Dyson Airblade AB04 model.  This model comes with a polycarbonate casing in a choice of either white or grey.  The AB07 will not be available in the US at first, however it will be available throughout Europe.  The polycarbonate cover is also very durable and has the advantage that it will not rust. 

 

Dyson Airblade V

The second product in the Super Tuesday lineup is the Dyson Airblade V hand dryer.  The Dyson V is Dyson’s first foray into a traditional wall-hung hand dryer that blows down on the user’s hands (as opposed to the original Dyson Airblade Airblade in which you put your hands down into.)  However the V will not simply blow water off of the hands.  Like the other Airblades, the Dyson V is an air-knife and will scrape water off of the user’s hands.  The Dyson V model number is the Airblade AB08.  It comes in two finishes, sprayed nickel and white.  The V is a low profile hand dryer that will not take up much space and is expected to be ADA compliant.  With the new digital Dyson motor, this promises to be a good little hand dryer.

 

Dyson Airblade Tap

The third introduction on Dyson’s Super Tuesday was the Dyson Airblade Tap.  The Dyson Tap is truly the hand dryer of the future.  This is not just a hand dryer, but it is also a water faucet.  The user places his hands underneath the center of the tap to activate the water.  He then moves his hands to either side of the tap.  The water turns off and the Dyson digital motor is activated, creating an air-blade that scrapes the water off of his hands.  The beauty is that the water goes right back into the sink.  No water is sprayed on walls.  No water collects in puddles on the floor.  And every sink gets its own hand dryer.  No walking around the restroom with wet hands. 

As Sir James Dyson himself said, “Using laser cutting techniques to manipulate marine grade steel, Dyson engineers have created an intuitive, high performance tap that can wash and dry hands.” 

The Airblade Tap will come in three versions:  A “short” and a “long” counter top version will come up and out of the deck of the sink.  The “wall” version will come out of the wall behind the sink.  The model numbers for these three faucet / hand dryer contraptions will be the AB09, AB10 and AB11 respectively. 

And now with the major network interviews out of the way, Sir James can rest for a while.  Or can he?  Dyson actually has quite a lot of work to do to complete the launch of these products.  None of them are yet available in the market place.  Units need to be manufactured, shipped and put into distribution.   We are expecting all of these products to be available in the summer of 2013, starting first with the Tap in May.  All of the new Dyson Airblade hand dryers will be available for purchase at Restroom Direct when they have been fully launched.  In the meantime, the fast, efficient and very popular Dyson Airblade AB02 and AB04 hand dryers are in stock and continue to be sold.  Dyson has said that there is no plan to discontinue the AB02 or the AB04 in the near future. 

The entire range of the Dyson Airblade hand dryers can be seen at Restroom Direct at http://www.restroomdirect.com/dyson.aspx
In Europe, the Dyson Airblade hand dryer is available at http://www.bavada.com

###

To Contact Restroom Direct 
11943 Ramah Church Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-937-2673
info@restroomdirect.com


Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

EXCEL DRYER AND THE XLERATOR FEATURED ON NPR

February 5, 2013

National Public Radio featured a two part series on Excel Dryer and the Xlerator hand dryer on February 4th and 5th, 2013.  The first segment, “How One Company Reinvented the Hand Dryer”, discusses the history of the Xlerator hand dryer,  the first hand dryer to dry hands in less than 20 seconds, and the hand dryer credited with revolutionizing the hand drying industry.

The second segment,” Why is it so Hard to Make a 100 Percent American Hand Dryer,” discusses the success of Excel as a Made in the USA company.

Robert Siegel, senior host of NPR's award-winning evening newsmagazine All Things Considered, hosted the interviews.  All Things Considered is the most listened-to, afternoon drive-time, news radio program in the country.   

Restroom Direct is a major supplier of Excel Dryers and the Xlerator hand dryer and sells them to a wide variety of businesses in the USA.  Says Chris Berl, President of Restroom Direct:  “I sincerely congratulate Excel Dryer on their ongoing success.  It’s great to see that a made-in-the-USA company can make both a high quality and a reasonably priced product.”   More about the Xlerator hand dryer can be found on the Restroom Direct website:  http://www.restroomdirect.com/xlerator.aspx

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To Contact Restroom Direct                                                                                        To Contact Excel Dryer Inc.
11943 Ramah Church Road                                                                                         357 Chestnut Street
Huntersville, NC 28078                                                                                               East Longmeadow, MA 01028    
704-937-2673                                                                                                         800.255.9235
info@restroomdirect.com                                                                                             Sales@exceldryer.com


Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

WORLD DRYER INCREASES THE PRICE OF HAND DRYERS

January 23, 2013, Huntersville, NC - World Dryer increases the prices on their full line of hand dryers.

Effective December 31st, 2012, World Dryer has increased the prices on its entire line of hand dryers and baby changing stations by 4.8%.  Restroom Direct, a major distributor of World Dryer products, will increase the prices on its World Dryer product line by the same amount on February 1st, 2013.

World Dryer manufactures bathroom accessories, including an array of automatic high‐speed hand dryers.  A leader in the hand dryer industry, World Dryer is recognized for its innovative and durable products.  World Dryer built its reputation on the industry standard, bullet proof cast iron Model A hand dryer, one of the most recognizable dryers to be found in fast food restaurants, stadiums and schools throughout the world.  More recently, World Dryer has introduced innovative, high speed, automatic hand dryers such as the Airforce, Slimdri and the Smartdri and Smartdri Plus hand dryers. 

Hand dryers add hygiene, energy savings and environmental responsibility to all commercial bathrooms where they are found. 

World Dryer’s entire line of hand dryers is available from Restroom Direct on its secure online shopping web site (http://www.restroomdirect.com/world-dryer.aspx). Restroom Direct provides a full range of hand dryers from all of the major hand dryer manufacturers and is one of the largest hand dryer distributors in the US. 

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Contact Information:

Restroom Direct                                                                               
11943 Ramah Church Road                                                                                           
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-937-2673
info@restroomdirect.com     


Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

RESTROOM DIRECT REACHES A MILESTONE

September 20, 2012, Huntersville, NC - Restroom Direct celebrates its 10,000th order, a milestone for this relatively young company specializing in the sale of commercial restroom products.

Hand dryers, soap dispensers, baby changing tables, toilet stall partitions and drinking fountains are among the growing number of products offered by Restroom Direct. This four-year old company is built on a reputation of quality products and low prices, with customer service always the top priority. Christopher Berl, the President, explains, “We pride ourselves in working with our customers, answering their questions, and helping them to select the best product for their needs.”

RestroomDirect maintains its headquarters in Huntersville, North Carolina where inventory is kept in two warehouses to ensure orders are fulfilled quickly. Says Fred Watson, Head of Logistics:   “Restroom Direct maintains a complete inventory to continually meet the specific needs of our customers.  When it comes to hand dryers, for example, we keep more World Dryers, Xlerators, Dyson Airblades and American Dryers than almost anyone else in the country.” A wide selection of brands, models, styles and features are sourced from manufacturers, at the best prices possible. The savings are passed along directly to the customers.

While many sales are made in person or over the phone, a contributing factor to the Restroom Direct success is its secure shopping web site, www.RestroomDirect.com, developed to allow customers to easily compare models and features in one location. David Klett, Director of Development, says, “Our web site is set up with the customer in mind. It’s easy to navigate and is very informative. With a click of the mouse, any product can be purchased online and usually ships the same day.”  Shoppers feel confident knowing that strict privacy and data protection guidelines have been set in place to protect their personal information.  RestroomDirect.com is a safe, secure and easy way to make a purchase.

“This business was founded in 2008,” says Chris Berl, “and we have been really fortunate to create a thriving, relevant enterprise during this very tough economic time.  We were able to do it because of the people that we work with.  We have great employees, strong relationships with our suppliers (who all take pride in their products) and fantastic customers.  It has been so much fun working with these groups over the last four years.  Our own staff is made of entrepreneurs and we particularly like working with the entrepreneurs who are using our products to build their own successful businesses.”    

“It’s great to work for a company that values not just its sales but also its relationships,” says Charlotte Neal, Office Manager.   

Restroom Direct has sold to many of the major corporations in the US, from the American Red Cross to Zynga.  It has also sold to municipalities, schools and the US government, including National Parks, naval vessels and embassies around the world – from Baghdad to Bangladesh.   Restroom Direct’s sister company, http://www.bavada.com sells hand dryers and other products throughout Europe.

“We are celebrating this milestone,” Christopher Berl comments, “and we have a lot of work in front of us to get this company to the next level.  We will continue to research the finest products available, offer the best prices possible and strive to provide exceptional customer service with every order.” 

For more information on Restroom Direct and to view its entire product line, visit: http://www.RestroomDirect.com.

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Contact Information:

Restroom Direct                                                                              
11943 Ramah Church Road                                                                                          
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-937-2673
info@restroomdirect.com     



Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

RESTROOM DIRECT OFFERS THE TRI-UMPH HAND DRYER BY ASI

August 28, 2012, Huntersville, NC -Restroom Direct adds a new hand dryer, The TRI-Ump, to its extensive line of hand drying options. The TRI-Umph differentiates itself from other hand dryers on the market due to its revolutionary, ergonomic design.

The TRI-Umph http://www.restroomdirect.com/asi-tri-umph-hand-dryer.aspxis the newest high speed hand dryer manufactured by American Specialties, Inc. (ASI), a leading manufacturer of washroom accessories. For more than fifty years, ASI has provided thousands of products for some of the most prestigious projects throughout the world, and theTRI-Umph is no exception!

This automatic dryer is high speed, with the ability to dry hands in an average of 12 seconds! However, what is truly unique about the TRI-Umph is its patented three-air outlet design which surrounds the hands, providing a consistent and hygienic dry.   The result is a fast dry in a comfortable and natural position. Both the air and heat flow are adjustable, by flipping an internal switch. The TRI-Umph has an innovative ceramic pad which actually absorbs water to avoid back splash or excess water dripping onto the floor.  Over 99% of airborne bacteria are eliminated with the 3-stage filtration system, plus an anti-microbial treatment has been added to the stainless steel cover. All these features make the TRI-Umph one of the most hygienic hand dryers available.

“This hand dryer is perfect for high traffic areas where sanitary conditions and energy efficiency are a concern.” says Dave Klett, Director of Development for Restroom Direct.  “We are very excited to add the ASI TRI-Umph to our product line. Itis ideal for high traffic situations, such as schools, stadiums, and restaurants.”  Restroom Direct is a master distributor selling hand dryers to distributors, contractors and end users in every industry. Klett continues, “Our web site is set up with the customer in mind. They can easily compare and identify which dryer will work best for their specific situation.” Restroom Direct products are sourced directly from the manufacturers, and purchased in bulk. This allows the customer to receive the best prices possible.  Customers can purchase products, including the TRI-Umph by ASI, through a secure shopping site, www.RestroomDirect.com.


To Contact Restroom Direct
11943 Ramah Church Road
Huntersville, NC 28078      
704-937-2673                          
david.klett@restroomdirect.com    



Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

RESTROOM DIRECT MAKES IT EASIER TO PURCHASE ELKAY WATER COOLERS

July 18, 2012, Huntersville, NC -Restroom Direct is proud to announce the inclusion of Elkay water coolers and drinking fountains to its expansive product line of hand dryers and restroom supplies.

Elkay has built a tradition of innovation, manufacturing water coolers and drinking fountains since 1920. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, all their products are proudly manufactured in the USA. There are a variety of styles and finishes available, including many ADA compliant models.  Ted Hamilton, Elkay Director of Sales, Sustainable Products, says “The Elkay line of water coolers is sustainable and offers convenience”. Elkay combines form and function to produce quality water coolers that are reliable and safe.

 

 “Restroom Direct is involved in all areas of commercial restroom construction and this is a logical extension of our product line.” says Dave Klett, Director of Development for Restroom Direct.  A national distributor of hand dryers and restroom equipment, Restroom Direct caters to customers of all sizes, in almost every industry.  The products are sourced directly from the manufacturers, and purchased in bulk. This allows the customer to receive the best prices possible.  

This new partnership between Elkay and Restroom Direct offers convenience and cost saving opportunities for the customers.  Chris Berl, President of Restroom Direct makes customer service a top priority, explaining, “Our customers look to Restroom Direct to provide them with solutions that work.  Elkay is one more example of a quality product that meets the demands of our customers.’”  Restroom Direct operates a secure shopping site, www.RestroomDirect.com allowing customers to compare and purchase products 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Elkay water coolers can now be viewed on this site, along with the full Restroom Direct product line.

To Contact Restroom Direct   
11943 Ramah Church Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-937-2673
david.klett@restroomdirect.com



Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

DYSON INCREASES PRICE ON DYSON AIRBLADE AB02 SERIES HAND DRYER

March 23, 2011, Huntersville, NC -Dyson has increased the list price of the AB02 hand dryer from $1399 to $1599 starting April 1st.  The AB04 has not changed – it is still $1199.  

The AB02 hand dryer comes with a zinc die-cast casing and the AB04 comes with a polycarbonate casing.  We like the AB04 very much compared to the 02.  The plastic casing on the 04 is very durable and has been tested for vandalism.  It also will not rust.  

The 02 with the metal cover is more durable however, and you may have jobs where the 02 has been specified.  Additionally, the 02 is the only model that comes with a 208 volt version.  The AB04 only comes in 110-120 volts.  

Dyson Airblade Comparison

                                   AB02                                AB04

Cover material         Aluminum                         ABS Polycarbonate Plastic

Color                         Silver                                Grey Steel White

Electrical options     110/120  or 208 volts        110/120 volts

Price                          $1599                               $1199

We are taking a limited inventory of AB02’s into stock prior to this price increase.  If you wish to reserve AB02’s at your price current levels, please let us know immediately.   First-come,  first-served.  A deposit may be required.


Dyson Airblade hand dryers receive accolades from the Carbon Trust regarding carbon footprint
22 January 2011

Dyson hand dryer carbon footprint


Contact: RestroomDirect, 704-937-2673

RESTROOM DIRECT PURCHASES SECOND WAREHOUSE

October 18, 2012, Huntersville, NC  --(PR.com)-- Restroom Direct, distributors of hand dryers and other commercial restroom equipment, announces the purchase of their second warehouse at their headquarters in Huntersville, NC.

Founded in 2008, Restroom Direct has expanded rapidly and is one of the largest distributors of hand dryers in the US, distributing World Dryer, Excel (Xlerator hand dryers), Dyson, American Dryer and others.

"We keep a large number of hand dryers in stock, and we needed the extra space. With the economy the way it is, it's a great time to pick up new space cheap," says Chris Berl, founder and President of Restroom Direct. The new warehouse is next door to the existing warehouse, which also belongs to Restroom Direct.

Restroom Direct also sells hand dryers, automatic soap dispensers and the Suitmate Water Extractor in Europe through Bavada.com. Bavada uses a rented warehouse in the Netherlands for distribution throughout Europe.

www.restroomdirect.com

919-585-535