Where in the world is there a growing portable restroom company? Try looking in the remote northern regions of Chile, where miners extract valuable minerals such as copper, gold and silver.

It is in the rich copper mines of northern Chile where you will find Eugenio Hasbun Zlatar. Eugenio is the owner of Megacorp, a growing portable restroom company hired to provide portable restrooms to thousands of miners in a desolate part of the world.

If you are wondering how desolate, consider some facts about the Atacama Desert. It is a series of dry salt basins flanked on the west by the Pacific coastal range and on the east by the Andes. There is practically no vegetation; rain has virtually never been recorded in some localities and some river beds appear to have been dry for tens of thousands of years. Much of the area has recorded less than an inch of rain since the 1960’s.

Mining is big business in Chile. In 2008, investors pumped 27 billion into copper mining projects. If the economic downturn had not occurred, another 10 billion would have been invested. As it is, there is still plenty of mining activity in remote area and these multi-billion, multi-national companies demand quality, even in their portable restrooms.

When Eugenio realized he was going to land a large service contract, he got serious about choosing which portable restroom to bring into the mines. His existing restrooms were not acceptable for use in the mines. They were locally made fiberglass units and the quality and durability would not stand up under the scrutiny of the mining officials in charge of portable restrooms.

Eugenio started his search for the restrooms on the internet. Soon, he arranged a trip to the United States that included a stop in Plymouth, Minnesota to see what Satellite had to offer. After seeing the full lineup of restrooms, he chose the new Mondo in high-visibility orange with a Dirt Buster base. Eugenio is convinced he has the right restroom to bring back to Chile for his special event, construction and newly acquired mining business.

In the end, quality is the only way to build a successful business. It is a principle that works around the world. For Eugenio, flying from one hemisphere to another in his search for the best restroom was worth it. How important is it for you? For information about Satellite products contact your Area Manager. For Central, South America and Australia contact Michael Pederson at 763-551-7260.

Mondo Portable Restroom

With the addition of the Global line, Satellite can now service the portable sanitation industry with a low priced leader.

For years, Satellite has wanted a portable restroom to offer operators that would exceed the quality of lower cost units available in the industry, at a similar price. The addition of Global and Global 1.5 restrooms fills the need for Satellite and ultimately the operator.

The challenges of forming a plastic restroom and retaining strength, quality and a competitively priced unit are a complicated process. Considering that the cost of plastic resin hit an all time high in 2008, it is easy to understand why Satellite was in a holding pattern developing a quality, low cost restroom.

This past year it became more important for Satellite to find a solution. The answer became apparent as competitors began to contact Satellite regarding purchasing their product line.

The initial attempt to acquire a lower priced product resulted in an agreement between Satellite and Ameriform, creators of Five Peaks’ Aspen and K2 restrooms. In the agreement, Satellite acquired the rights to sell and market the restrooms, but never purchased the actual molds.

As time went by, it became apparent that Satellite and Ameriform would not be able to sustain a long term relationship. But, before the business relationship ended, Hampel Corp. approached Satellite with an offer to sell their line of restroom products.

This time, Satellite invested in purchasing the molds for the Global and Global 1.5. The quality of the two restrooms and their market price fit precisely with the intended goal. Not only were they a step above other low end restrooms in terms of quality, the new relationship with Hampel also provided Satellite increased options for product manufacturing.

Additionally, Satellite is now able to provide operators the popular Dirt Buster Base. The open grid base has been widely accepted due to the increased amount of fresh air that can flow through the restroom. Operators will be happy to know that the base also fits on many of Satellites’ most popular restrooms.

Other products, such as the Stylelite sink and Graffiti panels, formerly offered by Hampel, are available through Satellite as well. The Stylelite is a convenient, one piece sink with built in soap and towel dispensers that fits in most standard units. Graffiti panels are for covering the interior walls of restrooms with significant graffiti damage. Panels are available for most brands of portable restrooms.

In the end, it was a poor economy which produced the next growth opportunity for Satellite. Maybe the poor economy is presenting you with opportunities. As Winston Churchill said, “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty”. Today might be the best time to invest in your business.

Satellite is now warehousing and distributing McKee Technologies trailers, the industries finest.

The trailers can handle any size base with their adjustable carrier slats and the multiple strapping options allow you to secure them easily to the frame. Trailers range in size from 2 to 24 unit haulers.

Satellite has everything you need to operate your business properly. Adding McKee trailers is one more reason to team up with a company that understands what it takes to run your business.

Satellite Industries, Inc. is excited to announce its purchase of Hampel Corporations line of portable restrooms. Effective June 1st, Satellite Industries will take over the ownership, operation, sales and marketing of the popular Global and 1.5 Global portable restrooms as well as the StyleLite internal hand wash sink from Hampel in Germantown, WI.

Current Global customers can expect outstanding customer service and support from the Satellite team, said Todd Hilde, CEO/Owner of Satellite Industries. Our business is really about partnering with operators. Adding Hampel products is another step in this direction because now we can offer operators new options for building a more profitable business.

This acquisition is part of our overall business strategy during this challenging economy, added Todd. Companies like ours are choosing to consolidate in order to remain strong in a weak economy. We attempted to apply this strategy with Five Peaks as previously announced, but were unsuccessful with that transaction.

Satellite and Hampel will both benefit from this purchase according to Lance Hampel, CEO/Owner of Hampel. The sale of our restroom product line is very exciting because we will continue to manufacture the Global parts for Satellite, plus, add Satellite thermoformed parts to our production facility. This allows Hampel to increase plastic forming production at a time when most companies are struggling.

Additionally, The Country Classic model will be discontinued after all remaining inventory is sold. Production of the Sunrise restroom recently displayed by Hampel will be delayed indefinitely until economic conditions improve and the market demands the need for such a product.

For further information regarding Hampel or Satellite restrooms, trucks and deodorizers contact Satellite Industries at 800-328-3332 or visit www.satelliteindustries.com.

Satellite’s line of septic trucks is gaining a lot of attention from operators familiar with the company according to Wes Tuttle, Truck General Manager.

Wes has a tremendous amount of experience with the septic truck business. He came to Satellite from FMI Truck Sales and Service in Portland, OR in 2006 to expand the company’s truck line beyond restroom service vehicles.

For information on Septic or Restroom trucks, call John Olson or Wes at 800-328-3332.