ABM – More than a Century of Leadership in Facility Services

OneABM

ABM rebrands and repositions the Company with a new look and feel, along with a commitment to “building value” for clients, shareholders and employees. With the launch of the new brand, ABM stakes out a new vision and new direction:

To become the global leader in Integrated Facility Solutions

ABM records record revenues of $4.2 billion, driven by the companies it acquired in recent years.

ABM Facility Solutions was awarded the contract to provide integrated facility services at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center in New York. The award marks a return to the site that once represented the Company’s largest client. ABM lost 17 employees in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

ABM grows to nearly 100,000 employees and adds several international locations.

ABM’s newly acquired Government Services business was one of six contractors awarded the opportunity to bid on a $9.7 billion contract for language services worldwide.

On December 5, 2010, President and Chief Executive Officer Henrik Slipsager of ABM Industries Incorporated was featured on an episode of the hit television series "Undercover Boss," on the CBS Television Network.

ABM Industries Incorporated acquired The Linc Group, LLC ("TLG") for $300 million in cash. Irvine, California-based TLG is a premier provider of end-to-end integrated facilities services that improve operating efficiencies, reduce energy consumption and lower overall operational costs of critical facilities, installations and buildings in the government, commercial and residential markets. TLG's 2009 revenues totaled $579.2 million.

ABM Industries Incorporated's wholly-owned Ampco System Parking subsidiary acquired select parking assets from the L&R Group of Companies. Ampco acquired substantially all of the assets of three parking companies - Five Star Parking, Network Parking Company Ltd., and System Parking, Inc. - with significant parking operations throughout the United States, generating annual revenues of more than $160 million, employing approximately 2,500 people and servicing more than 450 key client accounts across the U.S.

ABM Janitorial Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ABM Industries, acquired all of the outstanding shares of Diversco, Inc., from DHI HOLDINGS, Inc. Founded in 1968 as a janitorial services company, Diversco employs 3000 people and is a national provider of outsourced facility solutions, with a strong manufacturing and industrial client base in the Southeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Diversco's services include a range of commercial cleaning and facility solutions, as well as security services primarily for manufacturing clients.

On April 5, 2010, ABM Industries mourned the loss of Ted Rosenberg, who served ABM's Board since 1962.

New Leadership

On January 5, 2009, ABM turns 100 years old, also celebrating Ted Rosenberg's 100th birthday. ABM's FY2008 revenues exceed $3.6 billion.

On September 09, 2009, ABM Industries Incorporated celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding by ringing the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Joining ABM President and CEO Henrik Slipsager was Ted Rosenberg (son of ABM's founder, who worked in the company as everything from janitor to executive and corporate director), and ABM Chairman Maryellen Herringer, among others.

On October 12, 2009, AEG selected ABM Janitorial Services as the new exclusive provider of cleaning services to two downtown Los Angeles landmarks: STAPLES Center, the premier 20,000-seat arena for sports, entertainment, and other events, and nearby Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE, a 7,100-seat venue that hosts popular concerts and other performances and events.

With a current workforce of more than 105,000 and gross yearly earnings of $2.8 billion by the end of fiscal 2007, ABM finds itself poised to reach its goal of $5 billion in annual revenues by 2010.

Ampco System Parking integrates real-time reporting technology for clients through the development and implementation of Business Intelligence Reporting and Web Portals.

Making Ampco System Parking the third-largest parking company in North America, the ABM subsidiary acquires Healthcare Parking Services of America. More than 150 hospital locations join the parking portfolio, and subsidiary revenues approach $480 million in 2008.

Acquisition: An important part of ABM’s expansion was the purchase of OneSource Services, a competitor with more than $850 million in annual revenues and 31,000 employees across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

ABM and all of its operating subsidiaries become Sarbanes-Oxley compliant, ensuring all accounting and reporting systems meet the stringent guidelines adopted by Congress and the SEC in the wake of corrupt fiscal business maneuverings by several major public corporations in this decade. ABM Industries Inc. ranked among top 25 California companies with a large percentage of women executives.

Now formally designated as ABM Security Services, the subsidiary reaches $300 million in revenue.

Ampco System Parking acquires Valet Parking Services, adding more than 110 locations in California and Nevada.

Acquisition: ABM made what was then its largest and one of the most important acquisitions in its history with the purchase of Chicago-based Lakeside Building Maintenance Inc., the largest privately owned janitorial contractor in the Midwest.

ACSS acquires Triumph Security and Foulke Associates and expands service into the northeast and east coast.

On the morning of September 11th, 2001, some 3,000 people die and in the terrorist attack on New York’s World Trade Center. The WTC was ABM’s single largest client, and approximately 800 janitorial, engineering and lighting employees cared for the site.

On 9/11, 17 employees lost their lives. ABM window washer and 9/11 survivor Jan Demczur describes how he escaped from within a trapped elevator by using his window squeegee. Demczur’s bravery helped save not only his own life but the lives of everyone in the elevator. Once freed, Demczur helped lead those trapped with him out of the building and to safety. Demczur’s squeegee and battered ABM uniform were inducted into the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

ABM dedicates a special edition of Alliance Magazine honoring the survivors and those who lost their lives in the September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

Productivity Boom

ABM Janitorial Services is awarded a multi-year contract to service the Staples Center in Los Angeles, an area that houses both Los Angeles NBA teams and the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League.

ABM Engineering Services is operating in 34 states with a nationwide branch network. The highly regarded ISO quality control certification is also attained subsidiary wide.

ABM’s security subsidiary, American Commercial Security Services (ACSS), reaches $100 million in revenue.

To reflect the diversification of American Building Maintenance Industries into complete facility solutions, the company’s name is changed to ABM Industries Incorporated.

ABM Engineering Services exceeds $80 million in annual revenue with the acquisition of Ogden Services in New York.

ABM subsidiaries serve clients in 35 of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Annual revenues increased for the 82nd consecutive year. Every ABM subsidiary was profitable.

Engineering Subsidiary In the facility solutions arena, ABM Engineering Services becomes a separate subsidiary.

Defying Trends

Sydney Rosenberg and ABM were often the focus of newspaper and magazine business articles nationwide during the 1980s. The growing company was frequently featured in publications such as Forbes Magazine.

The company moves into several more cities, marked by ABM’s parking services assuming management of its first parking garage in New York City, and the lighting subsidiary opening branches in Dallas and Denver. The security subsidiary entered the Dallas and Oklahoma markets while ABM’s janitorial subsidiary also opens an office in downtown Boston, a key to its eventual expansion plans for New England.

The NYSE

The stock of the company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. “We decided to sell,” Ted noted. “A momentous decision. I looked at the portrait of my father that hung in my office, and I said to Sydney, ‘I don’t know whether Dad would pat us on the back or kick us in the behind.’” “He’d pat us on the back,” Sydney replied, and the paperwork was signed. “On our first day on the New York Stock Exchange I bought the very first share of stock,” Ted recalled. “I still have it.”

Lighting Subsidiary -- With the acquisition of Sign Maintenance Incorporated in 1972 (which would become Amtech Lighting Services in 1993), the company adds a lighting subsidiary to its growing Family of Services.

Era of Change

Parking Subsidiary -- Ampco Auto Parks, which will be renamed Ampco System Parking in 1993, becomes the newest subsidiary of the company.

Mechanical Subsidiary -- The company adds a mechanical services subsidiary by acquiring Commercial Air Conditioning of Northern California and American Air Conditioning of Los Angeles. The combination of these two organizations was at first called Commercial American Air Conditioning, but was soon shortened to CommAir Mechanical Services.

The company launches an aggressive and innovative advertising program, centered on “The Giant Janitor.” A separate ad campaign titled “Maintenance Value Analysis” was launched in publications such as Business Week and The Wall Street Journal.

ABM and Easterday Janitorial Supply Company become subsidiaries of American Building Maintenance Industries, the parent corporation formed to become a publicly held company. Ted and Sydney Rosenberg sell about 70 percent of their stock in the company to the general public at a then current price of $16 per share (or 59 cents per share when retroactively adjusted for all six stock splits thereafter). The stock is traded over-the-counter.

The Information Age

By the end of the ‘50s, ABM had offices in 45 cities across North America and employed more than 6,000 people.

ABM’s “The Maintainer” is the first newsletter of its kind for the company. It covered a range of information from recaps of stories in Business Week Magazine to employee anniversaries and new account recognition.

ABM was on the job when Disneyland opened its gates to the Magic Kingdom.

The company accelerates both geographically and in terms of the services that it provides to clients. By the end of this decade, ABM’s versatility seemed endless, with cleaning tasks spanning floor waxing, wall washing, fluorescent light cleaning, disinfecting and more. ABM also sent out elevator operators and security people, and was a vital presence in every kind of building imaginable.

Calm and War

By the end of World War II, the company had opened 17 new offices in the United States and Canada. New branches include: Dallas, Detroit, New York, Miami, Houston, Minneapolis and Toronto.

The World’s Fair on Treasure Island ABM is responsible for 500,000 square feet of space, including aisles, entrance halls, detached pavilions and exhibit palaces, 400 restrooms, a theater and more. Company executives requested the union send 400 workers within 24 hours. Trucks hauled off 280 tons of debris. When the gates were drawn on opening morning, the site was ready.

The Depression

The Apex Electrical and Mechanical Company, established by Morris in 1932 in Los Angeles, was later renamed Pacific Electrical & Mechanical Company (PEMCO) in order to avoid confusion with its San Francisco contemporary, Alta Electric Company.

ABM Goes East -- ABM opens its first New York branch office.

ABM now has roughly 1,500 employees, and clients that include banks, theaters, office buildings, department stores and one university — Stanford University.

The Roaring '20s

By winning the contract to clean Stanford University, the company becomes the first janitorial contractor in America to clean a major college campus. Eventually, Morris dispatches his eldest son, Ted, on his first official professional assignment: two weeks as a janitor at the esteemed university.

On the strength of Morris Rosenberg’s strong client relationships with several prominent owners of office buildings and movie theaters on the Pacific Coast, the company opens offices in Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle.

Early Expansions

Over the next several years, American Building Maintenance Company services 15 theaters operated by Irving Ackerman and Sam Harris, all in San Francisco. Morris rented additional space at the Phelan Building and leased a second office on Stevenson Street to accommodate the needs of his thriving business.

To mark its expansion from window washing into complete janitorial services, Morris changes the name of his business to American Building Maintenance Company.

ABM's Beginning

The company that was destined to become ABM Industries Incorporated in 1994 is founded by 31-year-old Morris Rosenberg. By merchants on San Francisco’s Fillmore Street, and with an initial investment of just $4.50 to purchase a water bucket, a sponge, a mop and a broom, Morris turned a profit of $3.50 that first day.

Along with two partners, Abraham and Julia Seidkin, Morris invests all of his savings ($10,000 or so) and opens the Pall Mall, a hotel, bar and grill on Fillmore Street in San Francisco. The Pall Mall does well until 1909, when it is forced to close its doors due to the financial depression that is sweeping the country.

Due to Gussie’s failing health, the couple return to San Francisco upon doctor’s orders. Gussie recovers, but Morris must find a new business venture after selling The Red Front.

Morris opens one of his earliest business ventures, The Red Front, in Honolulu. The all-purpose store sells retail and wholesale goods, and is successful in its first year. Morris travels to San Francisco to marry Gussie Kaufman. The couple then call Honolulu their home.