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Industry News

June, 2017

TagMaster has completed the acquisition of CA Traffic Ltd. from Hill & Smith Holdings for a total cash consideration of $3.86 million. The leading traffic monitoring company, established in 1994, offers an array of sensor products, ITS software systems and high-specification ANPR cameras in the UK. It has provided traffic monitoring devices to UK local authorities for 25 years and intelligent ANPR camera systems to UK police since 2010. The company says it’s recognized as providing market-leading technology with a strong service portfolio. “TagMaster is excited about this important step in our growth strategy, and we will, together with CA Traffic, become a stronger player in the traffic solutions market,” CEO Jonas Svensson said.  


Advanced Parking Concepts (APC) Founder and CEO, Ellis M. Dumont, has expanded service to the Washington, DC, market. Late last year, the company was awarded the contract for Wardman Tower condominiums, a Zalco Realty-managed property of The JBG Cos. portfolio. APC has an expanded portfolio consisting of condominiums, medical centers, universities and corporate centers. Most of its residential accounts have contracted with APC in excess of 25 years. Its Event Division services more than 700 events annually. Exclusive locations include the NJ Performing Arts Center; Cipriani restaurants at 42nd Street, 25 Broadway and 55 Wall Street; and The Pierre New York hotel.


Dan Roarty has joined the ParkWhiz team as President of Consumer Brands and Marketplace. “We’re on a mission to make parking a seamless experience,” CEO Aashish Dalal said. “We’re [also] committed to providing real, sustainable value to our network of operators. With Dan on board, we’re better positioned today than ever before to deliver on these fronts. His insights into fast-scaling marketplace businesses and proven record of growing consumer brands let us take advantage of the considerable momentum we’re experiencing now.”


Propark America has launched a new regional website — proparkamericawest.com — which is specifically focused on the company’s expanding West Coast operations. “We’re excited to push the new website live,” said Luis Garcia, Senior VP, West Region. “The latest in the Propark family of websites, it incorporates a lot of the aesthetics and functionality of propark.com, which was relaunched last summer.” Parking guests will be able to easily access information from the comfort of their home or office computer or through a mobile experience on their smartphone or tablet, he noted. The website offers “an assured guest experience,” allowing people to make secure payments for their monthly parking. Clients will benefit, he added, from the dedicated emphasis on its regional operations, including case studies, featured premium properties and employee spotlights.


 


The Lancaster (PA) Parking Authority (LPA) has upgraded its paystations to feature new pay-by-license-plate technology through a strategic partnership with Cale, a leading parking solutions provider. The LPA sought to update its kiosks in order to optimize its parking operations by reducing maintenance costs, simplifying enforcement and improving efficiency. With Cale’s pay-by-plate technology, “the city is moving toward the future of parking operations,” the LPA said. Lancaster upgraded 40 Cale paystations, covering more than 1,000 spaces, from pay-by-space to pay-by-plate mode. The transfer and upgrade process was accomplished in less than a month. Parkers can now pay using coins, bills, credit cards and pay-by-phone through the ParkLancaster or Parkmobile apps.


Sentry Control Systems, America’s leading provider of parking solutions and technology, now maintains an office in the San Francisco suburb of Burlingame, CA. The company installs and services many of the parking industry’s most popular and advanced technologies, including Skidata PARC systems, Frogparking sensors and analytic software, Indect parking guidance systems, and Global Parking Solutions multi-space meters. With this expansion, Sentry, a subsidiary of Skidata, becomes its exclusive distribution and servicing representative in the Bay Area. “We have been active in the Bay Area for a long time,” said Executive VP Lester Mascon, “so it made sense to establish a permanent presence here.”


Scheidt & Bachmann USA recently hired industry professional Luis Mendez as its Parking Division Sales Manager for California. “His past experience collaborating with policy-makers, operators, business leaders, planners and designers makes him an excellent choice for establishing long-term partnerships in this region,” Executive Director Henk de Bruin said. “His understanding of current technology and eye on future trends [are] in line with our commitment to innovation.” He added that “Luis knows how to run a business and understands the challenges operators face in the parking industry. This is an invaluable combination, and we are thankful he is part of our team.” 


Winpark Regional VP of Operations Nicole Chinea, CAPP, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Texas Parking & Transportation Association (TPTA). “The entire Winpark family would like to congratulate Nicole for this exciting opportunity,” said company President Liliana Rambo. “Nicole is an exceptional parking and transportation industry professional, and I know she will continue to do great work for the TPTA as she increases the scope of her role within the organization.” Chinea said, “I am looking forward to positively impacting the association and its members through concerted efforts to expand educational initiatives and programs.”


Meter Feeder Inc. has been certified by the Allegheny County (PA) Department of MA/V/DBE — a participant in the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program — as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. Recognized to provide “Software as a Service” in the parking industry, the company will now be able to participate and fulfill minority and disadvantaged business requirements in the state. It has been offering cutting-edge parking technology since 2014, providing a smartphone app, enforcement software and tools, and a comprehensive back-office administrative platform. CFO Steve Falatovich sees this as “a tremendous opportunity. ... This certification shows how a small business, especially a minority-owned business can get recognition and move forward.”


The Borough of Bridgeville, PA, has chosen Hectronic USA to supply Citea Color Touch multi-space meters for its surface lots. The borough has replaced its single-space meters with the company’s pay-by-plate solution, providing integration with its enforcement management system. “[It] gives our customers easy operation as the screen prompts them through the transaction,” said Joe Solomon, Manager of the Bridgeville Parking Authority. “We are thrilled that [authority officials] found our solution to be the most complete and worked best for what they were trying to accomplish,” said company President Steve Snyder.


Nedap, a leading specialist in vehicle detection technology, and Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei signed a Memorandum of Understanding at CeBIT 2017 in Hannover, Germany. The two companies will work to develop a “smart parking” management system. The rapid development of the Internet-of-Things (IoT) has created many opportunities for the parking industry. Nedap is a leading specialist in wireless bay-mounted sensors, which detect vehicle occupancy status and duration of parking events at individual parking spots. In addition, Nedap’s Sensit smart parking sensors were installed in Huawei’s OpenLab in Dubai. The solution development center is designed, the company says, “to connect the ecosystem of partners focusing on joint solution, innovation, interoperability testing, joint marketing and ecosystem nurturing in selected industries.”


Mobile SmartCity Corp. has agreed with the Village of Tuckahoe, NY, to provide its Pango mobile payment solution. “We ... look forward to working with village administrators to provide ... a customer-friendly experience,” said President and CEO John Incandela. The app will combine parking availability, payment and alerts designed to save users money. Village businesses will be able to add Pango Select, a self-service ad platform, to their marketing repertoire. “[This] further demonstrates our commitment to creating value for all stakeholders in the community,” said Brandon Reese, VP of Experience and Innovation.


The City of Westminster, UK, and Passport have launched an updated ParkRight app, designed to improve the way drivers pay for parking throughout the Inner London borough. The company developed the refreshed app, which was designed to refine the Westminster parking payment experience, it said. The app is “premiering a new user-friendly app flow, including an enhanced ‘find parking’ feature and improved payment process.” ParkRight is “symbolic of the next chapter in Westminster parking,” said Kieran Fitsall, Head of Service Improvement & Transformation and City Management & Communities. “Passport is very excited to collaborate with Westminster on this new technology initiative,” said Khristian Gutierrez, Chief Business Development Officer.


Urethane Polymers International (UPI) has launched a new corporate website – www.urethanepolymers.com – that features a refreshed design intended to provide quick and easy access to its line of commercial waterproofing products. From its new homepage, users can easily access more information about its products and projects. Customers also are able to quickly locate their UPI representatives through the use of an interactive map.


Indect USA has installed its UPSOLUT parking guidance systems at River Oaks District, a high-end retail destination in Houston. The project involved the installation of parking sensors to monitor more than 1,300 spaces in the shopping center’s five-level garage. Managed by OliverMcMillan, the storied Houston retail landmark, which dates to 1930, is a widely recognized, mixed-use development that combines 650,000 square feet of luxury retail, fine-dining restaurants, street-side cafes and entertainment, along with upscale residential units. “River Oaks District has built a reputation of being committed to delivering the best shopping experience possible,” said Hassan Sulehri, of OliverMcMillan. “We believed it was important to extend that experience for guests as soon as they pull into the parking facility.”


Allpro Parking, LLC is pleased to announce seven promotions within its leadership team. Patrick Phillips has been promoted to Vice President from Regional Manager and Director of Technology. Daniel Lassiter, Director of Business Development and Client Services. Dan Schmidt, Director of Operations. Jake Ciulla, District Manager. Tom Eckl, District Manager, will oversee operations and new business development in the Midwest district. Ruben Escobar, Operations Manager for Pittsburgh, PA. Jae Williams, Field Manager, Cincinnati, OH.


Dixon Resources Unlimited is pleased to welcome Jennifer Rentz as the company’s newest Associate.  Jennifer most recently served as Executive Vice President of West Coast Operations for Complus Data Innovations, Inc., a parking citation management firm.  In her role with Complus, Jennifer was responsible for oversight of the company’s west coast office with responsibility for staff, client relations, revenue generation and administration.  She also oversaw research and development of new mobile technology features and integrations. 


Cincinnati Time of Maine in collaboration with Amano McGann have been contracted to upgrade the Parking Access and Revenue Control System (PARCS) at Portland International Jetport.  Tom Kane, chief technical officer at Cincinnati Time of Maine, commented, “The Jetport’s current Amano McGann machines have handled over 15 years of heavy use. Their continued operation is a testament to the longevity of Amano McGann products paired with the first-rate level of long-term care provided by Cincinnati Time of Maine. We look forward to keeping the Portland International Jetport as a customer and upgrading them to OPUSeries®.” The project will incorporate 23 new gates, and all existing pay-in-lane stations, POS terminals and ticket dispensers will be replaced.


The city of Amarillo, Texas is in an exciting period of growth and SKIDATA is proud to be selected for their city garage project. The 4 level garage will be situated directly across from city hall and will feature 8 lanes of equipment including a valet lane, there will be the convenience of 3 APMs and the barriers will feature energy saving LED lane status signs for safety and visibility in conjunction with non-illuminated folding arms. The garage is set to open the Summer of 2017.



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