Hotel & Motel Management - December 27, 2007 - (Page 17) increases mostly are keeping pace with time. “Mostly the rooms cost more Continued from page 10 because there’s a lot more technollion in spending. ogy,” she said. “If there are cost inBecause hotels have been able to raise creases, it’s for different and innovarates, they have in turn raised property stan- tive product.” dards, he said. They also are asking, “How The need for more lead time still do we increase value perceived by guests?” is crucial in project planning. Baker “Hotels and brands have been charg“That’s the one component AVENDRA ing higher [revenue per available room], owners still need to know—they do and they’re looking for things to differenti- not bring the purchasing in soon enough,” ate their brands,” Baker said. “That Robinson said. “It takes much lonmeans more variety and also a highger to do a project now than it used er quality.” to.” 2007 was a busy year for ADM Baker said hotels are dealing Associates in Atlanta, which prowith issues including product difvides interior contracting and asferentiation and introduction of set-management services. Debgreen products. ra Robinson, v.p., cited a lot of Avendra has been providing innew construction projects for the formation regarding green prodcompany. ucts to its customers. Benjamin Robinson said product price BENJAMIN WEST “There’s a lack of a clear defini- Procurement tion when people say they need to be on the green bandwagon,” Baker said, adding that customers are wondering whether they should have organic food on the menu or be certified as a green hotel. There’s payback for going green, but the products do involve some initial investment, he said. Robinson said 2008 will be another strong year. “There’s plenty of work out there, plenty of new construction,” she said. A continuing challenge of procurement will be quality control for all the products coming from overseas. Casegoods and lighting are two product categories in particular that have an impact on the business, Robinson said. “The challenge is being able to get the correct quality and being able to get it in time,” she said. hgunter@questex.com http://www.auditlogistics.com
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