Northeast Sanitation Blog

How Irish Dancing Got Started through the use of Portable Toilets.

Spring is almost here, and for all of you with outdoor spring events on the calendar, it is never too early to have all of your vendors lined up. Luxury portable toilets are perfect for any outdoor engagement. Trailer rentals are perfect for outdoor office parties, family reunions, ribbon cuttings and outdoor weddings—just to name a few.

Luxury restroom trailers are much more than you would expect of a portable restroom. Featuring ceramic sinks and full size porcelain flush toilets, distinctive wainscoting, crown molding, graffiti-resistant walls, wood grain flooring, individual stalls with 6-panel doors, climate control and HD TV’s for slide shows.

These luxury restroom trailers are perfect for a small gathering or a large event. Delivered when you want them, mobile restroom trailers are roomy enough and comfortable to make your guests feel at home, while being compact and attractive enough so as to not detract from the décor. For your next outdoor event, consider luxury restroom trailers.

WEBSITE BUILDS BONDS

At first, McNamara relied on established business contacts — the “golden Rolodex,” as he puts it — and word-of-mouth referrals. But three years ago, he realized the company also required an Internet presence. The current website was revised about a year ago, and he says it’s a continual work in progress.

“In today’s world, people want to know you have a website,” he adds. “Everyone should have one that shows their products and explains what they do. But you also have to deliver on what you say on the website.”

To keep the website interesting, McNamara posts a weekly blog that talks about a wide array of issues, from strategic placement of units on construction sites to how many restrooms a customer might need for a wedding or party.

“We aim for information people can use,” he says. “At the same time, we’re also always looking for creative ideas to have some fun with it, too.

We ask our drivers for ideas, and they’ve come up with topics like how to protect units on site, putting stone pads in front of units when it’s muddy, placement of hand sinks and so on. It’s all aimed at benefitting the end-user.”

IMAGE IS MARKETING, TOO

NSC also emphasizes less subtle forms of marketing, like new, clean and well-maintained trucks; uniformed, clean-cut drivers who are courteous and professional; and use of new technology, such as global positioning systems, which helps improve customer service.

“We purchase anything that makes us more competitive in the marketplace,” he says. “We try to stay ahead of the curve on that because it saves you money in the long run.”

The NCS fleet includes a 2006 Ford LCF with a 350-gallon waste/150-gallon steel tank, made by Best Enterprises Inc.; a 2007 International 4300 with a 1,500-waste/500-gallon freshwater aluminum Progress (Progress Tank LLC) tank; a 2008 Hino 268 with a 1,500-gallon waste/500-gallon freshwater aluminum Progress tank; a 2008 International 4300 with a 750-gallon waste/350-gallon freshwater flat steel tank from Crescent Tank Mfg.; two 2010 Hino 268s with Progress aluminum tanks (one 1,150-gallon waste/350-gallon freshwater and the other with a 1,500-gallon waste/500-gallon freshwater); and a 2007 Ford LCF flatbed truck for deliveries. All of the trucks use Masport Inc. pumps.

NSC also owns 1,100 standard portable restrooms, mostly Integra units from PolyPortables Inc.; 60 handicapped-accessible units (30 made by Satellite Industries Inc. and 30 made by PolyPortables); and two restroom trailers, a 15-footer made by JAG Mobile Solutions Inc. and a 24-footer manufactured by Comforts of Home Services Inc.

The upscale JAG trailer has four 18-inch, flat-screen televisions. Customers who run charity events or weddings often burn their own DVDs with photo slide shows and play them continuously on the TVs.

“We’ve gotten lots of positive feedback about the TVs. I’m not sure it makes us more money, but you know people talk about it,’’ McNamara says. “New equipment is a great marketing tool. We wash and clean trucks every day. We want to create the perception that we’re the best company out there … when people see our trucks, they remember us.”

GPS technology helps improve customer service. NCS uses a system made by Navtrak Inc. that provides detailed information, from how fast technicians drive to the duration of a service call to the exact time the vacuum power on trucks is turned on and off. If a customer questions whether a technician made a service call, NCS can e-mail them a GPS report that proves they did.

If there’s any question at all in a customer’s mind, though, McNamara follows the premise that the customer is always right, which means a technician will go back and re-service the units in question again. Most times, however, the report does the trick, and customers realize later on that, for example, a landscaping crew came on-site unbeknownst to them, which explains why units were full or dirty so soon after being serviced.

by Ken Wysocky

Prompt service, sharp-dressed technicians and keeping promises to customers is the success formula for upstart Massachusetts company Northeast Sanitation Corp.

Back in February 2006, a semi-retired Brian McNamara heard opportunity knocking and wasted no time answering the door — and stepping smack dab into another full-time career. Within five months, Northeast Sanitation Corp. in Sudbury, Mass., morphed from nothing more than an idea into a full-service portable restroom outfit.

Since then, NSC has enjoyed considerable growth, aided by the acquisition of two more portable sanitation businesses. And the decisive McNamara says he expects further expansion and revenue growth.

The key to the company’s quick success? Great employees and a simple but effective business philosophy: Do what you say you’re going to do.

“We don’t mess around,” McNamara says when asked how he took a company from concept to corporation in just five months. “I thought I saw a good opportunity in the marketplace, and so far, it’s proven to be just that.

“Our motto is, ‘The difference is in the details,’ ” he continues. “Whether it’s delivery, service or professionalism, it’s all about how you treat people … that’s what forges relationships. If you say you’re going to do something, do it. If you can’t, don’t be in business.”

MAN WITH A PLAN

McNamara spent most of his career in heavy civil construction and residential development. Working in New England, where the construction season is short and lousy weather is a fact of life, taught him how to make things happen fast. He eventually went into semi-retirement as a real estate developer. But while building a home in early 2006, a brush with unresponsive portable restroom service spurred his second career.

“They never came when they said they would,” McNamara recalls. “I’d have to call them three or four times to get service. So I started thinking that if they have this much market share and provide this level of service, there’s definitely a niche to be exploited.”

McNamara started by doing research on the Internet to determine the level of competition. Then he learned about the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International —which by chance was being held the following weekend.

“I went to the show, which was a great experience,” he says. “I found out about all the players in the industry, and ended up ordering 120 restrooms.”

By March, NSC was incorporated. And by July, the company was up and running. Growth occurred quickly, thanks to McNamara’s widespread network of construction industry contacts.

Revenues quickly grew. “We’re probably four times bigger now than the year we started,” he says. McNamara says a fundamentally sound business plan was critical to the company’s fast growth. That included forecasting sales revenue and net-profit goals, and asking friends and business associates to “shoot holes” in his business premises.

“I’d recommend that anyone start with a sound business plan,” he notes. “You can’t run blind. You’ve got to have forecasts, then be sure you hit the numbers. It’s not easy, but if you stay focused on your plan — which is your road map to success — you’ll succeed.”

Currently, construction-related rentals generate about 75 percent of the company’s sales revenue; the remaining 25 percent comes from special events. McNamara says his business plan calls for a 70/30 split after five years, so the business is on track. “We have to rely mostly on construction because in this area, there are only so many special events,” he says.

Can I rent a portable restroom for just one day?
Absolutely. Our special event restroom trailers and individual units can be rented by the day or for weekend rentals. We also rent units monthly.

Will the portable restroom be clean for my event?
Yes they will. NSC Restrooms take pride in the condition of our portable restrooms.

Where will you place my portable toilet?
We will place them per your instruction, however, we may have to relocate them for servicing and will make suggestions to you to ensure your guests/employees and our service people can safely access the restroom.

How far in advance do I need to reserve a portable toilet?
During peak times, we can possibly sell out, so as much lead time as you can give us. But as a minimum, we would like to have 48 hours notice and we can have your restroom delivered. For large special events or large construction projects, a week or more lead time is appreciated and advisable.

Where does the waste go after it has been pumped?
The waste water is taken to local waste water facilities and disposed of according to the regulations required by the facilities.

Am I required to have porta potties on my job site?
Most town and city ordinances spell out the requirements for portable restrooms on a job site. Town Inspectors will often require that the portable toilet is either ordered or has arrived on the site before approving the inspection.

What is the frequency of service on my portable toilet?
We service our portable restrooms once a week in order to keep them safe, clean, sanitized and stocked with supplies. If needed, we can supply service more often.

Does a portable restroom on my construction job site really cut down on expenses and time?
By supplying a portable restroom on your job site you cut down on the amount of time your employees are searching for and traveling to an alternate facility.

The following chart has been supplied by PSAI (portable sanitation association international). The annual cost of 10 minutes of wasted toilet time per employee, per day:

It is cold outside, but that does not mean you cannot use a portable toilet. New Home construction and home additions are finally on the rise throughout Massachusetts and with that comes the need for portable restrooms. At NSC restrooms we have the units you need. If you have a new home construction site, you need a portable restroom for your workers. This will decrease employee down time and raise employee productivity, both are very important in these times of watching the dollar and trying to cut costs.

For the homeowner having an addition added on their existing home, a portable toilet is the perfect solution. Your living situation is already compromised; eliminate the traffic through your home by supplying a restroom outdoors for your contractors, plumbers and plasterers. This will enhance your privacy while increasing the productivity of the job at hand.

If you are beginning a construction project or already have one started and you would like to find out more about the costs and benefits of a portable restroom, contact NSC Restrooms today.

NSC Restrooms will be participating in the 12th Annual Baystate Bridal Show Expo which will be held at the Hynes Convention Center this weekend, January 22-23. At booth 702 we will be showing our Restroom Trailer which is perfect for any outside event. The 15’ and 24’ portable restroom trailers are complete with vanities, wood floors, flushing toilets, ceramic sinks with running water, music, lights, high definition televisions, HVAC systems, and vanities. Every bride looking at outdoor venues should see these trailers.

The Baystate Bridal Show is becoming a tradition in the Boston area for Brides-To-Be. The Bridal Show will be combining fashion shows with a huge vendor presence, providing a unique opportunity to shop for every aspect of your wedding needs in one location.

You can get to the Hynes Convention Center from all major highways and Boston's mass transit system. Come see us at booth 702.

Hopefully, the recent news report of the collapse of the stadium dome where the Minnesota Vikings play will not be a sign of more disastrous things to come this winter. With the official start of winter a week away the collapse of the stadium roof reminds us how important being prepared for major storms can be. NSC Restrooms is located in beautiful Massachusetts and our neighbors in the Midwest know all too well just how quickly a small storm can escalate to hazardous conditions. The best we can do is take steps ahead of time to be ready at home, at work, and on the road. By now most of us should know the check list by heart. Did we change the batteries in the fire/smoke alarms? Do we have flash lights and candles and are the batteries for the house or car flashlights good? These are the things we can control. What about those we cannot?

Hopefully the snow that is surely on its way this winter will not bring down our roofs or freeze our pipes. However, in the event that we are met with our own natural disaster, keep in mind that NSC Restrooms can respond quickly to provide toilets to your family or facility. There is nothing worse than frozen pipes in your home or work, but if you are faced with this scenario this winter, keep NSC Restrooms in mind. With hundreds of portable toilets and restroom trailers available, and a speedy response time, NSC can make even natural disasters less disastrous.