Helping Your People Resources
Perform Better Since 1943

The south end of the PUR-O-ZONE building on Connecticut St. in Lawrence.PUR-O-ZONE was founded by Jack Vincent in the basement of his parents' business, Lawrence Hardware, on the historic main drag of Lawrence, Kansas - Massachusetts Street. Nine years later, in 1952, using girders from the recently removed Kansas River bridge as part of the framework, he built a concrete block building in the 700 block of Connecticut Street.

Vincent had a forward-looking marketing style that spurred him to various innovations. One of those marketing ideas led him to purchase a train-car load of absorbent material, adding "germ-X," a PUR-O-ZONE-owned and registered trademark for a disinfectant at that time, and turning it into perhaps the first germ-fighting absorbent for use cleaning up spills in schools.  

 Another innovation was a belief that training custodial staffs would result in better product performance. In that day, such an approach was innovative. It helped to form the earliest kernel of education and measurement concepts that help PUR-O-ZONE improve the performance and productivity of facility management staffs today across the states of Kansas and Missouri and portions of Colorado, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

In the 1950's, an increasing number of products were added to the company manufacturing line, and PUR-O-ZONE began to be known as a specialist in the education marketplace. Under the leadership of Chic Sales, who first managed, then owned, the company from 1976 to 1985 this reputation grew. Chic's management of PUR-O-ZONE instilled a long-term respect for integrity that he attempted to infuse into every facet of PUR-O-ZONE operations.

PUR-O-ZONE was purchased in 1985 by two life-long friends from Chicago, Jim Freund and Joe Bosco. Jim knew of PUR-O-ZONE from his work as a regional sales representative for cleaning machinery company. Joe was an accountant with the world-known Skil Tool Company. When Chic approached retirement, Jim and Joe brought their families to Lawrence and over several years made a seamless transition into ownership. Under their leadership, PUR-O-ZONE grew to be a leader in the region, supplying customers as large as Boeing Aerospace, the University of Kansas, many of the region's school districts, numerous municipalities and as small as the local barber shop. Jim and Joe revered the standards the Company historically stood for and looked for a particular type of driven but respectful salesperson and employee to help them build on that tradition as they grew their operations. Today, that commitment carries forward, and our staff is built from career individuals with a desire to build long-term relationships based on mutual trust and respect.

In January, 2003, PUR-O-ZONE was purchased by four long-time, key employees: Mark Elzea, Mike Lane, Joe Bosco and Terry Boyle. Among these partners was held a great balance of experience with all aspects of PUR-O-ZONE operations, management and sales. This team had been responsible for helping spearhead PUR-O-ZONE growth for well over a decade. With a combined 82 years of experience at PUR-O-ZONE upon purchase, the ownership group has been successful in developing detailed expertise in a wide range of markets. Much of that success has come from a simple guiding commitment to protecting and perserving facility assets through development and continual improvement of people resources. It is an approach that has served the Company and our customers well.

PUR-O-ZONE has been a long-term supporter of Kansas University athletics and a Williams Fund member. The Company is a United Way Pacesetter and was a 2007 finalist for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Commerce Award. PUR-O-ZONE is a strategic partner of Hillyard, Inc., in Kansas, providing one of the best combinations of expertise and education available in the Midwest. Nationally, the Company is a member of the premier buying organization, Pro-Link, and it's line of products is one of PUR-O-ZONE's best selling. PUR-O-ZONE is one of Kaivac's largest distributors in the world, and each year the Company is presented with a number of manufacturer awards. We represent seven major equipment lines, seven major chemistry lines and two major paper manufacturers. So when we say we can help you with the system you truly need, we have the resources to back this valuable claim.  

As both a distributor and manufacturer of cleaning industry products, our unique history, experience and perspective has helped us improve the outcomes of the facility maintenance arm of many companies and organizations. Our difference is you.