Property Management 2.0: SCA Launches Tork EasyCube™ Intelligent Restroom System in North America

PHILADELPHIA, June 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, SCA, the producer of the Tork^® brand of Away-from-Home professional hygiene products, launched one of the first intelligent systems that join the Internet of Things (IoT) mega-trend. Tork EasyCube^TM offers real-time restroom traffic and usage data with 24/7 visibility – ultimately helping reduce the number of restroom complaints and increase overall tenant and customer satisfaction.

Internet of Things is the network of physical objects or "things" embedded with electronics, software, sensors and connectivity to enable a greater value or service by exchanging data. In recent years, IoT has been utilized in facilities management processes to improve building services, including energy efficiency, heating and cooling, security systems – and now in restroom maintenance too.

In November 2014, research agency Gartner forecasted that 4.9 billion connected things will be in use in 2015, up 30 percent only from 2014, and will reach 25 billion by 2020. Gartner states that "The Internet of Things has become a powerful force for business transformation, and its disruptive impact will be felt across all industries and all areas of society."¹

"Before Tork EasyCube, the only way maintenance staff would know if towels, tissue or other restroom supplies were low or out, was through manual checks at each location. Now, all you need to do is check your smart device," said Jimy Baynum, marketing director of channel development at SCA's Away-from-Home Professional Hygiene business in North America. "This simple web application will revolutionize restroom maintenance for our customers."

Tork EasyCube utilizes connected restroom equipment such as dispensers for toilet paper, towels and soap. This new intelligent technology solution enables facility managers and cleaning crews to approach restroom maintenance with a totally new logic – moving from static cleaning schedules to cleaning when and where actually needed.

To develop this new solution, SCA worked closely with property managers and cleaning companies throughout Europe and North America for real-life testing and feedback.

"During our trial period, almost all reports regarding empty dispensers disappeared. We only had one report in six months," said Kati Barklund, Innovation Manager at Coor Service Management Group and Tork EasyCube customer.

Work styles are becoming more and more unpredictable, causing disruption in the otherwise set routines of how a restroom is typically serviced – connectivity and mobile communication can now be used to help crews clean and maintain a better restroom experience. With Tork EasyCube, cleaners are better prepared before rounds, while managers can use the generated data to plan and schedule restroom servicing or make better purchase and inventory management decisions. And for customers and tenants, these advancements translate to a better restroom experience which means fewer complaints.

"With Tork EasyCube, Tork is putting our customers' needs at the center of innovation. Tork EasyCube empowers our customers to be ready for business by enabling them to provide the most consistent and fresh restroom experience," said Baynum.

For more information or interview inquiries, please contact Natalie Hoover at 952.346.6051 or nhoover@webershandwick.com.

About Tork
The Tork brand offers professional hygiene products and services to customers ranging from restaurants and healthcare facilities to offices, schools and industries. Products include dispensers, paper towels, toilet tissue, soap, napkins, and industrial and kitchen wipers. Through expertise in hygiene, functional design and sustainability, Tork has become a market leader. Tork is a global brand of SCA, and a committed partner to customers in over 80 countries. To keep up with the latest Tork news and innovations, please visit: torkusa.com or tork.ca. 

About SCA
In North America, SCA produces the Tork line of dispensers, towels, tissue, soap, napkins and wipers used in commercial settings such as office buildings, restaurants, schools and healthcare facilities and the TENA^® line of incontinence care products used by consumers at home and in healthcare facilities. TENA and Tork are the global leading brands in their categories. For more information visit www.sca.com/us. 

Globally, SCA is a leading hygiene and forest products company. We develop and produce sustainable personal care, tissue and forest products. Sales are conducted in about 100 countries under many strong brands, including the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and many regional brands.  As Europe's largest private forest owner, we put great emphasis on sustainable forest management.  SCA has about 44,000 employees. Sales in 2014 amounted to $15 billion. SCA was founded in 1929, has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, and is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm stock exchange. More information at www.sca.com.

Sustainability
SCA delivers sustainable solutions with added value for our customers from safe, resource efficient and environmentally sound sourcing, production and development. Recent third party accreditations for the SCA sustainability work include Dow Jones Sustainability Index 2013, the WWF Environmental Paper Company Index 2013, and Ethisphere – World's Most Ethical Companies 2014.

¹ http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2905717

SOURCE SCA Americas