In the competitive world of vacuum cleaners, ProTeam is refreshingly different. Before founding ProTeam, Larry Shideler spent more than 25 years in the commercial cleaning industry, where he accumulated extensive first-hand experience with the equipment and methods required for effective cleaning. He applied what he learned to develop the world's finest backpack vacuums known for high performance and productivity. In 1987, ProTeam introduced the first successful backpack vacuum to the commercial marketplace.



is recognized as the leader in commercial backpack vacuums. The company's mission is to be the world's premier vacuum cleaner manufacturer through strategic partnerships and continual innovation.

Recent awards and recognition:

(i) CEO Larry Shideler named Idaho Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Association in 2001

(ii) Shideler inducted into the Institute's Hall of Fame for industry achievement in 2001

(iii) The Idaho Private 75 Award in 2001 for leading private companies

(iv) The Plant Services MRO Gold Solutions Award in 2001

(v) The American Culinary Institute Gold and Best of Show Awards in 2000, 2001 and 2002 for the ProVac

(vi) Industry Week's Top 25 Growing Companies in 2000

Benefits:

More productivity. Backpacks are proven by the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) to triple the speed of cleaning versus standard upright vacuums.

Better cleaning. Greater airflow and static lift at the tool head remove more soil from surfaces as demonstrated by extensive lab tests and field studies.

Better filtration. ProTeam trademarked its Four Level? Filtration, supported by a battery of independent studies demonstrating greater fine dust capture than typical machines. This also led to Shideler's trademarking of the term, Cleaning for Health?.

Cleaning for Health?:

ProTeam developed this tagline to re-enforce its underlying mission of developing cleaning products that actually work without sacrificing the health of cleaning workers or the environments in which people work and live. High filtration systems, ergonomic back plate designs and powerful suction motors are incorporated into every vacuum.

ProTeam has also partnered with the American Lung Association for the last several years to increase awareness of the importance of indoor air quality.