Xtreme Snow Pros Among Few Companies Picked to Try Left Hand Robotics Sidewalk Machine

We had an exciting opportunity this week. The Xtreme Snow Pros team was one of the few in the entire country that has handpicked by Left Hand Robotics to try out a new and innovative invention: the Automated Sidewalk Machine.

SnowBot PRO

Called the SnowBot PRO, Left Hand Robotics has released the world’s first self-driving, commercial-class snow clearing robot, now operating at pilot custom locations across North America. The bot clears snow from sidewalks, dramatically reducing labor expense for snow management operators while producing better overall results. Additionally, leveraging such technology will help everyone to diminish the amount of slip-and-fall accidents that are attributed to snow and ice on sidewalks.

State-of-the-art technologies enable the GPS-navigated robot to operate autonomously to clear snowy sidewalks with down-to-the-inch accuracy. The bot comes with five types of sensors, including LIDAR and thermal sensors for safety. Customers can then monitor the robot’s progress in real-time from the web or mobile phone apps that are synced with the service.

Automating what was once a tedious, repetitive, and physically taxing snow clearing task, the robot is showing us that you can take something time consuming and make it a non-issue with a little technology. The company has already experienced great success with the amount of interested users, Xtreme Snow Pros definitely being among that list.

Based in Longmont, Colorado, Left Hand Robotics works hard to utilize technological resources and new ideas in the creation of their automated products. They work with innovative automation and advanced technology solutions to outdoor industries, thus allowing businesses to scale by reducing costs due to labor. They’ve been in the game for over 50-years. Happy to have collaborated with Xtreme Snow Pros, the two teams took some photos together as our winter clearing company enjoyed the full suite of benefits that come with the SnowBot PRO.

Our Technological Commitment

Being that we always leverage cutting edge technology to expedite our processes while providing better service to each and every one of our clients, we are constantly open to testing out new products, tools, and software that makes us the #1 winter weather clearing operation. This is how we stay ahead, which is why we had a great time collaborating with Left Hand Robotics. Technology is the way of the future, and we are open to integrating any and every new machine into our operation. Automated sidewalk clearing machines will become more popular in the future, and we plan to be an integral user in the coming years.

Xtreme Snow Pros Receive First Line of New Ventrac SSV Sidewalk Machines

We’re not happy unless we’re ahead of the pack, which means getting our hands on brand-new, never-before used sidewalk machines, straight out of the Ventrac Compact Tractors warehouse. We’ve been working with Ventrac for years, as a trusted provider of dependable and quality machinery we use to keep our clients and their properties safe. Uniquely superior, there isn’t any other tractor company out there that we would want to work with when it comes to these types of machines.

The Drop Off

Ventrac came by with their new line, red painted and squeaky clean, for a monumental drop-off at our New Jersey location. They even custom fitted our logo on the machines too! Working with Chris Marino and his input into what these new tractors should look like/offer users, we couldn’t believe our eyes when the finished product was brought to our doorstep. Four SSV Ventracs in total were delivered to us, with Chris happily in attendance, observing the finished product after months of collaboration between our entity and Ventrac. These four tractors were the first ones from their new line, which will now be made available to other interested patrons.

During the drop-off, a YouTube video was recorded, documenting Ventrac and Chris, as well as the drop-off and the features of the brand new machines. The YouTube video was recorded for their site, and will be used to highlight the kind of service and support they can provide winter weather clearing companies and entities today.

Our Commitment

We want to thank Ventrac for working hard alongside our company, always striving to achieve perfection. That is certainly the standard that we live up to as an operation, and we couldn’t make it possible without the companies that innovate and design the products we leverage and master on behalf of our clients. Winter weather is no joke, and we want to keep our clients’ commercial properties as safe and properly managed as possible.

Although the winter season is (hopefully) coming to an end, we are a year-round operation, constantly designing new services, stocking up on top performance equipment, and collaborating for new inventions that will help us make winters as navigable as possible for our clients.

Chris Marino Speaks as Featured Panelist at This Year’s ‘Snow and Ice Show’

The Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA) and Snow Magazine teamed up to launch a comprehensive educational convention this year, the Snow and Ice Show, in Indianapolis. The event featured education, certification, networking, and the latest snow-fighting tools for increased efficiency and profitability. Taking place from May 17 until the 19, the 3-day extravaganza delivered convention goers with invaluable information, training recommendations, and expert oversight for application in their own personal operations.

As a regionally accredited and recognized snow management and ice removal company in the Northeast today, Xtreme Snow Pros was sought out as a featured panelist for the resource-rich convention. Chris Marino, the Owner and visionary behind the Xtreme Snow Pros operation, spoke on a panel to his peers at the Indianapolis event, providing his knowledge on the snow and ice industry regarding is favorite sector: technology.

Starting with the Wednesday slot on the first day, at noon Marino covered the generic Technology course, presenting different technological solutions being utilized by some of the top snow and ice management contractors across the countries to attendees. He provided specific examples regarding the various real-time weather, machine, and onsite monitoring technology that Xtreme Snow Pros utilizes with all of their clients to mitigate management costs and over-salting.

The next day, starting at 9AM, Marino was part of the Equipment Purchasing & Management panel. During this segment, industry leaders chatted about equipment that is most important to their snow and ice management operation. “Without it, you are out of business,” proclaimed Marino during the panel. He spoke on how to acquire and maintain fleets so the team is ready to service every client when heavy amounts of snow start falling. For this panel, Marino drew on his experience with sister company Xtreme Equipment Solutions, and what kind of high-quality specifications they look for when adding new equipment to their reputable fleet.

The 3-day event wrapped up on Friday, with all members of the Xtreme Snow Pros leadership team in attendance. Aside from the featured panels for Marino, the rest of the team sat in on countless demonstrations, educational panels, and networking engagements to learn more about what industry participants are doing to deliver the best snow and ice management to their clients today.

Team experts grow with ASCA certifications

Snow doesn’t disappear without the help of a quality commercial snow removal team.

There are many factors at play when Xtreme Snow Pros hits the streets and parking lots, snow plows down at full speed. This commercial snow and ice removal company company has a team of experts working for clients at every level.

The Snow Pros team recently had three members earn ASCA certification: Meg Shute, John Hinton and Chris Marino.

Chris is the owner and founder of Xtreme Snow Pros, which bases its fleet out of Ringwood, New Jersey.. Chris and his wife started Snow Pros, which spawned four other white and green industry companies in The Xtreme Group in Mahwah, N.J. Snow has been a part of Chris’ life since he was a child growing up in New Jersey. Xtreme Snow Pros now serves the needs of commercial clients across New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Meg joined the Xtreme Snow Pros team in November 2015. She serves as office administrator, handling billing, payroll and human resources duties. In the event of a snowstorm, she plays a crucial role as dispatcher for the Snow Special Forces Unit, interacting with the snow command team and site supervisor specialists.

John Hinton’s career began with Snow Pros in 2012. He served as a snow site supervisor until he became a fleet technical specialist in April 2015. John manages the fleet during the peak snow event season and in between.

What is ASCA certification?

The ASCA, or Accredited Snow Contractors Association, provides specialized certification for those in the snow industry. As one of the top 100 snow contractors in North American, Xtreme Snow Pros ensures team members such as Chris, John and Meg receive the education they need to solidify their knowledge of the industry. This certification drives home the weekly training Xtreme provides in house.

Chris Marino finds these certifications serve clients well. “The certifications give our clients the confidence that we are highly trained to be able to provide our clients with the level of expertise they expect as well as provide them with a safe environment.”

A working knowledge of safety standards ensures competitive rates and efficient service for all Snow Pros clients. Most of the educational material covers risk management, an important skill for any industry like snow and ice removal.

Certification is an eight-hour process of education and testing that ensures a broad grasp of snow industry knowledge they can apply in their daily work. These three aren’t the only team members Xtreme plans have ASCA certified.

“Our plan is for all of our management as well as snow commanders and site supervisor specialists to become certified,” Marino said.

Chris, John and Meg’s certifications mark the second time this year that an Xtreme team member has been certified in 2016. This past winter, Glenn Kramer, Xtreme’s operations manager and a former New York firefighter, received his ASCA credentials.

Snow Management Goes Green

Even though the term “green” is not typically synonymous with snow, it is important for those in the Snow Management Industry to start thinking of ways to become more environmentally conscious. At Xtreme Snow Pros, we have put many practices in place that make us both friendly to the environment and efficient when we work.

Safety and service are our top priority and with that in mind we make sure that our technicians follow all protocols to ensure safe walkways, driveways, parking lots, and roads while using only the recommended amount of de-icing materials. This may seem like a small effort, but it goes a long way. Too much salt can have a harmful impact on the environment and our technicians are mindful in keeping de-icers and salt away from grassy areas. Our crew is trained on proper application of de-icing materials before the start of the winter. We also provide a refresher course during the winter season. We use pet-friendly products that contain CMA.

At our headquarters, we use software and various applications that allow us to work in a (virtually) paper-free office. We hope to use electronic billing exclusively with all of our clients in the near future. All of our regular communications with customers are through our website, social media, e-mail and telephone.

While customer satisfaction will always be our top priority, we will continue to look for greener methods that will improve our operations. Please let us know if you have any suggestions!