Elgin Sweeper Company Brings 1-800-SWEEPER to the Track at NASCAR!

As the eponymous hero of “Talledaga Nights,” NASCAR superstar Ricky Bobby famously says: “If you’re not first, you’re last.” Well, Elgin Sweeper company may not have been the first sweeper manufacturing company to join the roster of Vendor/Partners joining forces with power sweeping co-op 1-800-SWEEPER, but they certainly have brought their “A game” to the relationship.
Sporting the 1-800-SWEEPER Foundation (see sidebar) logo on their Elgin Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper, Elgin is now firmly behind 1-800-SWEEPER. Elgin contributes exclusive product discounts and unique entertainment opportunities to the nationwide network of over 50 sweeping companies that are part of the co-op group.

The Elgin / NASCAR Connection
Elgin has a long-standing history with NASCAR spanning over 15 years. In 2013, Elgin became the Official Sweeper of NASCAR Green™, a relationship that was extended in February 2017 for the coming three years. Elgin Track Sweepers are an essential part of keeping NASCAR events safe by maintaining a clean and dry racetrack surface. As the Official Sweeper of NASCAR Green, Elgin’s Sweepers are present at each NASCAR race event weekend to sweep and dry the racetrack ahead of the Air Titan jet fueled final drying equipment. Sweeping ahead of the Air Titan vehicle reduces NASCAR’s overall carbon footprint of jet fuel use. Ultimately, Elgin Sweepers help the track operations return to green flag racing as quickly and efficiently as possible.
The environmentally conscience relationship developed between Elgin and NASCAR Green now extends to the sweeping companies that form the Member/Partnership of the 1-800-SWEEPER co-op. This summer, Elgin added the 1-800-SWEEPER Foundation’s logo prominently on top the front bumper toolbox of the Elgin Crosswind Specialty Track Sweepers after receiving special permission granted by NASCAR Green. Now, not only do the 1-800-SWEEPER companies enjoy product discounts, they also have the unique opportunity to entertain customers, employees or even family members with the experience of infield garage passes and track side in-the-pits access for a close-up view of NASCAR’s race day experience.
Mike Higgins, VP/GM Elgin Sweeper Company stated; “Our company shares NASCAR Green’s passion for, and commitment to, protecting the environment through sustainable practices. Elgin Sweeper Co. has recognized similar traits in the 1-800-SWEEPER organization and is proud to officially support the organization by becoming a Vendor/Partner and look forward to creating synergies that are mutually beneficial to all parties.”
In addition to the relationship recently secured between Elgin, NASCAR Green and 1-800-SWEEPER, the Elgin equipment connection has proven to be directly beneficial to a 1-800-SWEEPER Partner and their local Elgin Dealer. In August, regional Elgin Dealer Jimmy Bell, President of Bell Equipment, was happy to deliver two new Broom Bear Sweepers to Jason Lucht, VP Operations of Progressive Sweeping in Redford, Michigan, a 1-800-SWEEPER Partner company.
While the need for additional equipment resulted from increased demand for ProSweep’s highway and municipal sweeping services, Jason Lucht stated, “The ability to entertain clients by providing complimentary “Hot” passes to the local premier NASCAR events at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) allows ProSweep to leverage and expand our brand identity with 1-800-SWEEPER and NASCAR Green through the Elgin Partnership”.
“This is exactly the type of relationship-building that 1-800-SWEEPER represents” said Matt Bawks, a Board member of 1-800-SWEEPER and a Member/Partner focused on Vendor relationships. “Mutual benefits that can be leveraged to bring competitive advantage to power sweeping companies and our Vendors are the basis of the 1-800-SWEEPER organization.”

Founded Based on Partnerships
Six years have passed since the unique 1-800SWEEPER business model launched. The goal of the organization in 2011 was to create synergistic value for a cross-country collective of power sweeping service companies. That value arrived early on by making available co-branding initiatives and business cooperation, that commonly exists within other major industries, into the formerly fragmented stand-alone power sweeping business.
“Adding Elgin Sweeper as a valued Vendor/Partner continues the ongoing mission of building relationships that span well-known industry suppliers like Nitehawk and Schwarze to industry-newcomers like Redmax Blowers and to completely overhaul the way power sweeping companies purchase consumables like brooms, fuel, tires, belts, filters and other components. Our co-op is creating the industry’s first-ever Master Insurance Program, which will significantly save money by consolidating risk exposures and premiums”, said Mike Lucht, current President of the 1-800-SWEEPER organization.
National businesses that supply to the sweeping industry recognize that 1-800-SWEEPER as an opportunity for growing their business through a Vendor/Partnership. In the past 12 months, relationships have been forged with Fleetio (fleet management software), Applicant Pro (employment screening service) and StormwaterOne (storm water management best practices education).

Sweeper Summit is The Glue
Coming up in early November, 1-800-SWEEPER hosts their annual workshop retreat – Sweeper Summit. The Sweeper Summit is the power sweeping industry’s premier education conference for business owners and executives; it is focused on benchmarking, brand building, team building and relationship building and is open to 1-800-SWEEPER Partners, Vendor/Partners and invited guests. Interested sweeping companies or vendors can contact Carolyn Bell, Marketing Manager for 1-800-SWEEPER for full agenda details by visiting www.sweepersummit.com or emailing cbell@1800sweeper.com.

The 1-800-SWEEPER Foundation was created in 2016 to financially support local areas across the United States clean up following natural disasters, support the Wounded Warriors Program and to contribute to qualified environmental and community beautification initiatives.
Elgin Sweeper Company as the official sweeper of NASCAR GreenTM is showing support for the 1-800-SWEEPER Foundation. This summer, Elgin added the Foundation’s logo prominently on top the front bumper toolbox of the Elgin Crosswind Specialty Track Sweepers.
In February 2017, Elgin renewed its partnership with NASCAR Green™ for three years continuing to serve as the Official Sweeper of NASCAR Green.
“Elgin Sweeper has provided trackside support for NASCAR for more than 15 years. Since we entered into our NASCAR Green partnership in 2013, we have significantly increased the awareness of the positive environmental impact of effective sweeping,” said Mike Higgins, Vice President and General Manager of Elgin Sweeper. “Our company shares NASCAR Green’s passion for, and commitment to, protecting the environment through sustainable practices.”
For more information about NASCAR Race to Green, visit Nascar.com/Green