When You Support a B Corp, You Support Good Business

Running a successful business today is about more than generating benefits. It’s about more than maintaining a healthy bottom line. It’s even about more than offering a great product or providing a valuable service.

It’s about benefiting all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

This summer, Corporate Floors Inc. and its family of brands, The Elevated Cab, APEX Property Services (APS), APEX Surface Care, and Texas Carpet Recycling, were named Certified B Corporations®. This means all four brands are leaders of a global movement of people using business as a force for good. Corporate Floors was already designated a public benefit corporation; this new certification cements our status as a mission-driven organization that balances purpose and profit. The nine-month certification process uses credible, comprehensive, transparent and independent standards of social and environmental performance.

We are proud to be part of this family of more than 3,000 B Corps from over 70 countries. Many of them are some of the most recognizable brands in the world, including Ben & Jerry’s, Athleta, Patagonia and New Belgium Brewing. Others are smaller companies many of us have never heard of. They all share one goal: to redefine success in business.

“In our 24 years of business, attaining our B Corp Certification is one of our biggest accomplishments,” said Thomas Holland, CEO of Corporate Floors and its family of brands. “In fact, this is one of the proudest moments of my professional career as the certification provides validation of the programs, values and policies we've worked so hard to implement over the last two decades. We are truly humbled and honored to be recognized for our commitment to the greater good and to join the world-class family of B Corps.”

B Corp Certification is one of the only certifications that is not for a specific product or service, but for the whole business behind that product or service. The B Corp assessment process measures a company’s performance in five impact areas: governance, workers, customers, community and the environment. Here are just a few examples of how Corporate Floors and its family of brands exceeded expectations in all five impact areas.

Governance

B Corps must amend their governance so they are legally required to implement practices that pursue a social mission and consider stakeholders as well as shareholders. Our social mission is threefold.

First, we advance environmental sustainability initiatives through waste reduction and innovations in carpet and post-construction recycling. Second, we advance and foster external initiatives or organizations providing professional development assistance to women in the facilities and property management industry. Finally, we advance and foster opportunities for our employees and the communities in which they work. Combined, our social mission supports our industry, our community and our planet.

Workers

Out of the five impact areas measured, we scored highest on Workers—and we couldn’t be prouder. Our core business is service-oriented, and we know it takes a strong team and outstanding customer service to keep our clients coming back year after year.

Our employees enjoy some of the best benefits in the industry. In addition to above market benefits and a matching 401(k) plan, we offer company profit and performance bonuses. But it’s about more than money. We strive to create a positive work environment that promotes employee engagement, inclusion and empowerment. From lively company events to ongoing continuing education opportunities, we learn and grow each day—and we make sure we have fun while we do it.

Customers

We’re hyper-focused on providing a world-class experience to our customers. Whether we’re installing new flooring through Corporate Floors or cleaning a commercial building through APS, the result of our work is visible to all, and nothing makes us happier than when we see the smiles on our customers’ faces after a job well done.

But our work goes beyond appearances. We also strive to create a healthier work environment for our customers. The probiotic line of cleaning products we carry sets a new bar for environmental and health standards by protecting employees and contributing to a healthier building. In addition, we have offered infection control surfaces for more than 10 years. We bring healthy solutions to our customers so their employees can breathe easy.

Community

A community is only as strong as its weakest link. We believe in giving back and strengthening the communities in which we work through charitable donations and activities. For example, the APEX Employee Giving Fund gives employees funds to donate to the 501(c)(3) of their choice. The only stipulation is the organization must work to benefit the community. To date, we’ve distributed tens of thousands of dollars through the fund.

In 2017, our holding company set a goal of donating 5 percent of our pre-tax profits to the communities where we work. We celebrate and help support amazing organizations such as the Gatehouse Grapevine, Red Nose Day, Together We Rise, American Forests and more. And in March 2020, APEX established the Community Giveback Program to donate 1,000 man-hours per year to nonprofit agencies that benefit women and children in crisis and the homeless. Most of these services have been dedicated to disinfecting these agencies in need during the current pandemic.

The Environment

APEX recently achieved the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) and CIMS-Green Building (GB) certification with Honors from ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association. CIMS-GB certification indicates that the company underwent a comprehensive assessment by an independent, accredited assessor and successfully demonstrated a commitment to the delivery of environmentally preferable services that are designed to meet customer needs and expectations.

APEX and APS use only the most sustainable cleaning products, and Corporate Floors focuses on using products that contribute to LEED or WELL Building Standards. In addition, Corporate Floors has one of the most comprehensive reclamation programs in the industry, being one of the first and only flooring contractors in Texas that diverts all removed carpet from landfills.

B Corp Certification is a highly selective process. It’s not easy to earn, and it’s not easy to keep. Companies must document their positive impact to qualify and undergo verification every three years to maintain their certification. We’re already preparing now to fine-tune our processes and earn an even higher score when our certification is up for renewal in 2023.

B Corps represent more than 150 industries, and APS is one of only a few certified commercial cleaning companies. You know you are supporting a company that supports your values when you choose, The Elevated Cab APEX Property Services, APEX Surface Care, Corporate Floors, or Texas Carpet Recycling as your commercial cleaning, surface care, flooring, or reclamation partner. Give us a call today to learn how we can support your mission together.