Why is office renovation important?

caterfood meeting roomSome view office renovation work as a dreadful chore, some find it a financial burden. But the plain fact is that, for a business to grow, constant office renovation is essential and necessary to maintain such growth. Rather than treating it as a burden, office renovation work should be viewed as a sign of things to come. Actually, office renovations are worth celebrating because the need for refurbishing means your business has made enough progress to make the current style and layout obsolete. Once you have made the decision to start refurbishing your office space, you can start thinking about designs and layouts. Even with a tight budget, professional advice will go a long way to create a whole new office space.

The floor of your office represents the most used commodity of the entire vicinity, so naturally it suffers to most wear and tear. Even the best and most expensive carpeting and tiling would disintegrate over certain periods. When it comes to renovation works, it is definitely wise to replace the carpets and tiles to ensure a fresher and livelier atmosphere. Although it might cost a significant outlay, replacing the carpets is definitely worth it in the long run.

A stud wall in construction stage.

A stud wall in construction stage.

A fresh spray of paint or a wall sticker change can liven up your workplace. The surrounding walls can play a huge part in determining the ambience of your office. A change of colour is essential to follow changes in colour trends. Different parts of the office can be painted with different themes depending on the relevance of the work. Adorning the walls with art and décor can also make a huge impact on overall ambience.

Furniture can get outdated easily and office furniture is not exception. Daily use can result in typical wear and tear of office furniture. Fabrics can get ripped and stained. Should your renovation budget allow you to refurbish and replace all the furniture with a new set, then you should not hesitate in getting a new look for your office. However if you are on a tight budget, then a simple reupholstering of the fabric or mending of the furniture can come a long way in making a noticeable impact.

A good office refurbishment contract company should also provide you with sound recommendations on your new office layout should any changes be necessary. There are countless ways to rearrange office furniture and appliances to create a professional and productive working environment. Partitions can also be put in place to divide different areas for separate purposes. By arranging cubicles and furniture economically, you can potentially save up on lots of unused space. Less space means less coverage, which would indirectly mean less maintenance costs. Unused spaces can be closed off as storage or partitioned off temporarily should the need to use it arise in the future.

Good interior design is recommended to create a harmonic and cohesive working environment. It is important to take note that it does not hurt to pay more for a more reputable renovation company with a respectable portfolio. These companies are reliable and responsible in the sense that they use quality materials for renovation at a reasonable price. They could also provide you with useful advice on how to refurbish your office for the benefit of your business. Good office renovation companies know what their customers want and they set their priorities into satisfying their customer’s demands. Maintaining good customer relations is important because you might never know when you need another renovation for your office.

For an informal discussion on your office renovation project contact us via the contact link on the website or call 01392 834980.

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Health experts have figured out how much time you should sit each day!

You may want to stand up while you read this — and a lot of other stuff.

Experts now say you should start standing up at work for at least two hours a day — and work your way toward four.

That’s a long-awaited answer for a growing number of workers who may have heard of the terrible health effects of prolonged sitting and been wondering whether they should buy standing desks or treadmill desks.standing-desk

Today, the average office worker sits for about 10 hours, first all those hours in front of the computer, plowing through e-mails, making calls or writing proposals — and eating lunch. And then all those hours of sitting in front of the TV or surfing the Web at home.

Medical researchers have long warned that prolonged sitting is dangerous, associated with a significantly higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and depression, as well as muscle and joint problems. Some have gone on to say that the office chair is worse for your health than smoking and kills more people than HIV. Even working out vigorously before or after work may not compensate for extending sitting.

But now, those researchers have come up with formal suggestions for how much time to sit and to stand that could dramatically change our work habits.

According to the expert statement released in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Americans should begin to stand, move and take breaks for at least two out of eight hours at work. Then, Americans should gradually work up to spending at least half of your eight-hour work day in what researchers call these “light-intensity activities.”

“Our whole culture invites you to take a seat. We say, ‘Are you comfortable? Please take a seat?’ So we know we have a huge job in front of us,” said Gavin Bradley, director of Active Working, an international group aimed at reducing excessive sitting that, along with Public Health England, convened the expert panel. “Our first order of business is to get people to spend two hours of their work day NOT sitting. However you do it, the point is to just get off your rear end.”

dwdeskBradley said the first level of activity is simply standing.

“I’m standing right now while I’m talking on the phone,” he said. While the group endorses the use of sit/stand desks, Bradley said there are other activities that can get people to move for two hours during the work day. “Taking your calls standing. Walking around. Pacing. Holding standing meetings. Walking meetings. Walking over to a colleague’s desk instead of sending an e-mail. Using the stairs instead of the elevator. Taking a lunch break. Simple stuff.”

Bradley himself has changed the way he works completely since taking on this challenge to get people out of their seats: He starts his day standing on a comfort mat and has his sit-stand desk programmed to tell him, through a pop up notification on his computer, to change his posture every 20 to 30 minutes.

“It’s all about mixing it up,” he said. “Metabolism slows down 90 percent after 30 minutes of sitting. The enzymes that move the bad fat from your arteries to your muscles, where it can get burned off, slow down. The muscles in your lower body are turned off. And after two hours, good cholesterol drops 20 percent. Just getting up for five minutes is going to get things going again. These things are so simple they’re almost stupid.”

Researchers have known about the link between inactivity and higher rates of sickness and mortality dating back to studies of bus drivers and office-based postal workers in the 1950s. And more recent observational studies comparing workers who sit for long periods against those who sit for fewer hours have found that sedentary workers have more than twice the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, a 13 percent increased risk of cancer and 17 percent increased risk of dying.

At the same time, with the rise of office work, the use of cars and buses rather than walking or bicycles, and the rise of leisure pursuits like TV and computer games that favor the couch potato, the world has become more sedentary. The World Health Organization estimates that 95 percent of the world’s adult population is inactive, failing to meet minimum recommendations for health of 30 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity five times a week.

Authors of the new guidelines said they were a starting point only, and designed to give people some kind of research-based target, rather than rely on the claims made by the manufacturers of treadmill and sit-stand desks that are becoming all the rage. (More than 90 percent of workers in Scandinavia have access to them.)

“This is an initial guidance, which we do expect to have to evolve with time,” said James Buckley, one of the report authors and a professor at the Institute of Medicine at the University Centre Shrewsbury and University of Chester. “But to ensure the marketing and promotions people to race away with self-determined claims, we have felt it is better to have some guidance rather than no guidance that is some how linked with scientific evidence.”

James Levine, an obesity expert at the Mayo Clinic and author of the book, “Stand Up,” though not involved in the guidelines, said they were a good start. In his work, he found that the reason why some people seem to eat a lot, never work out, yet never put on weight, is because they’re standing, walking and moving more throughout the day, rather than sitting for hours on end.

The guidelines “show we need to fundamentally rethink the way we’re working,” Levine said. Some small studies, he said, have found not only health improved, but also productivity ticked up 15 percent when people stood and moved more during the day. “The way we have developed our workplaces and even our schools is actually profoundly unhealthy. It’s a real design failure.”

But it’s not just office design, the researchers say. It’s work culture. Shannon Wurthman is a case in point. When Wurthman, 29, moved with her husband to Urbana, Ill., she left her office job and became a freelance consultant for web development companies and social media organizations. She began working at home.

“In the office, there’s so much pressure to sit – the feeling is, if your butt’s not in your seat, you’re probably not doing your job,” she said. “But now that I’m working at home, I don’t get up and walk around to talk to people. I’m not walking to meetings. I’m not even walking to and from my car in the parking lot.”
She has the flexibility to take walks during the day. But she doesn’t. “I get so caught up in my work,” she said. Plus, her work in social media keeps her digitally connected at all hours. And, research has found, people who telework tend to put in longer hours than office workers.

But Levine and other researchers said change is on the horizon. Some companies are holding standing meetings. Jennifer Heimberg, a physicist at the National Academy of Sciences, goes on a run with her boss for her annual performance evaluation. “It can be easier to introduce difficult topics when you aren’t sitting across the desk from each other,” she said.

Ikea is marketing a cheaper sit-stand desk. And Apple’s new watch can be programmed to tell people when it’s time to move.

Jessica DeGroot, who heads the nonprofit ThirdPath Institute designed to help people better integrate their work and home lives, can also find herself caught up in work.

“But I know that I think better when I get up and walk outside,” she said.

So at a recent conference, she paired up attendees and had them “Walk and Talk” from 2:30 to 3 p.m.

“At the typical conference, people have been sitting all day, and by 2 or 3 o’clock, they’re drained,” she said. “Instead, when people came back from the walk, they were smiling and engaged. Strangers sat down next to each other just so they could keep on talking they were so jazzed. It was fun to watch.”

Original article by Brigid Schulte – Washington Post June 2 2015

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Choosing an Office Refurbishment supplier – 5 Top Tips

Whether you are planning a simple office makeover or a complete refurbishment finding the right company to deliver it is a hugely important part of the process.

Office refurbishments – 5 Top Tips

However, what are the important factors when looking for a supplier?  Here are 5 Top Tips to help you find the perfect partner.

1 – Trade specialist or Turnkey solution

The first thing to consider is the type and scale of your office interiors project as this will decide the support you need. For smaller projects you may be looking for a specialist in a particular area such as flooring, partitions or office furniture. However, typically  refurbishments involve a whole host of different trades and expertise covering aspects such as building, plumbing, data and electrics, flooring, furniture & storage, design & space planning. If this is the case then looking for a supplier that can give a ‘turnkey solution’ – providing all the support you need for a project – could be the answer.

2 – Experience

caterfood meeting room

It should go without saying that ideally you are looking for an office refurbishment and fit out specialist who has plenty of experience in the type of work you are thinking about.

Take the time to have a look at other projects they have worked on, you will normally find these on their website or simply ask them to give you some case studies and examples of their work.

If you are talking at a Turnkey supplier then it is also worth asking for examples where they have project manage a refurbishment using multiple trades on site.

3 – Reviews and client feedback

Of course, you are not only interested in what their previous projects look like but also what their clients thought of the finished project and the process of getting there.

You can search on-line for feedback about them but also ask them to give you some contact details of their existing clients for you to talk to.  Give them a call and ask them about the whole experience.

4 – Communication and rapport

Whichever supplier you choose will be working closely with you, your business and your staff through what can be a stressful time.  Therefore it is essential that you work with a supplier with which you can communicate easily, build an effective working relationship and trust to deliver. Use the quote process to get a feel for how they work, listen to you and communicate.

5 – Free space planning and designcaterfood open plan desks

Some suppliers offer Free space planning and design services which give you the perfect opportunity to see how they think, listen and communicate. It also gives you the chance to investigate some creative solutions before you spend a penny!

 
If you would like to find out what we can do for you please contact our MD Mark Dowse via the website contact page for an informal initial chat…..

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REASONS TO REFURBISH

Devon and Exeter’s leading office refurbishment contractors share some reasons to refurbish:

  1. Staff retention

High staff morale has a positive impact on the productivity of your business, in turn giving a greater return on your investment. Creating an interesting and modern workplace will make your staff feel valued as well as attracting & retaining a higher calibre of employee

  1. Avoid relocationslider1

Refurbishing your existing premises and releasing its full potential lets you create a more space effective layout, removing the need for expensive & disruptive relocation

  1. Expansion

Expansion often puts pressure on seemingly maximised spaces, so a refurbishment can allow you to re-organise & maximise the use of your premises

  1. Contraction

In a tough economy contraction can be a necessity. If you need to re-organise your space to accommodate fewer employees, why not introduce new ways of collaborative working

  1. Generate income

By being more space efficient, refurbishment may offer you the opportunity to create rent-able space. Create serviced offices, meeting rooms or sub-let accommodation to generate income

  1. Upgradingbox2

If your offices are looking dated, why not upgrade to an environment more modern & appealing to twenty first century workers & customers? Your premises can increase business, productivity & opportunity.

  1. Branding & image

Refurbishing your offices will create a positive long-lasting first impression for your customers. Whether you extend your company brand or choose a neutral environment, you can create a fresh & inspiring new image

  1. The environment

By sending out a good environmental message you will not only look ethical, but also in touch with current affairs. A refurbishment gives you the opportunity to use ethically sourced materials & energy efficient systems that will help to create a greener business

  1. Legislation

A refurbishment or upgrade to your premises now will ensure that your property complies with both current & future legislation in terms of efficiency, spatial requirements & building regulations

  1. Health & safety

As part of your office refurbishment, all aspects of health & safety will be addressed to ensure compliance. A safe working environment creates a more positive atmosphere for your staff

 

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5 OFFICE DESIGN STRATEGIES TO MAKE EMPLOYEES HAPPIER

HOW AN AESTHETICALLY PLEASING OFFICE ENVIRONMENT CAN HELP RAISE EMPLOYEE MORALE.

By Ted Dhanik

If I told you that a software engineer and salesperson need the exact same skills and tools to accomplish their job, you would call me crazy. Yet, when we take a software engineer and salesperson, stick them in the exact same office environment and expect them to thrive, why are we surprised when both are disgruntled and disengaged?

Like an antibiotic prescribed too indiscriminately, many office design concepts have been implemented so widely and dogmatically that their intended benefits backfire. Researchers are discovering that using one uniform office design to serve very different departments and individuals is at best idealistic, and at worst, extremely detrimental to productivity and well being.

7The “open office” concept, with one space and shared tables for everyone, is a great example. Originally conceived as a way to increase collaboration, transparency, and equality in the office, the open concept creates the opposite effect when it’s applied with broad brush strokes. As the design firm Gensler concluded from a survey of over 90,000 workers, when an open office sacrifices focus to collaboration, both suffer. People who are constantly distracted from their core work grow deeply frustrated and therefore less likely to socialize and collaborate with their co-workers.

The prevalence and impact of poor office is design is astounding. In an international IPSOS survey commissioned by office supplier Steelcase, 84% of workers reported that their work environment did not allow them to concentrate easily, express ideas freely, work in teams without interruption, or choose where to work based on the task at hand. They found a lack of privacy to be one of the most sinister office issues, though they cautioned that a wholesale shift to private offices is no solution—it’s all about striking a balance.

Like the devices and software that power information businesses, office design must be viewed as a tool that we can leverage in the pursuit of productivity, well-being and engagement. Instead of having one office environment, we need a collage of environments, each tailored to the needs the departments and individuals that will actually use them. At my company engage:BDR, we planned our office in West Hollywood with that exact mission in mind. Our space was designed according to five principles that could benefit many other companies:

  1. CUSTOMIZE EACH SPACE TO THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS MEMBERS

Above all else, how people work is what should drive office design. At engage:BDR, our engineers need to be in constant communication, so they have a separate space, closed off by a door, where they can collaborate without distracting other departments. In finance, people who deal with sensitive materials and conversations work in personal offices, while more collaborative groups like accounts payable work in the open with their desks clustered. Salespeople are placed in offices if their role requires lots of phone calls, and creatives overwhelmingly prefer privacy and complete quiet.

DESIGN AROUND EACH JOB FUNCTION, NOT SOME IDEOLOGY ABOUT HOW AN OFFICE SHOULD BE.

When an employee can’t work effectively, we try to adapt the space to the person rather than the person to the space. Design around each job function, not some ideology about how an office should be.

  1. USE LOTS OF GLASSMDBI-BPA_004

With the power to welcome natural light, unobstructed views, and unclutteredness, glass is the single most important material we use at our office. In a real and metaphorical sense, it helps create a clear space for free thinking. From a biological perspective, the light helps with happiness, energy, and morale.

  1. OPEN SPACE ALONG THE WINDOWS

Most companies place individual offices on the exterior and “bullpens” on the interior. While corner offices may be enviable, they block exterior light from reaching most employees.

That’s why we placed bullpens and clusters along the exterior and offices in the interior. The offices are designed so that they can still overlook the Los Angeles skyline and catch plenty of that precious light.

  1. PROVIDE MULTIPLE COMMUNAL AREASfurniture1

The researchers at Gensler concluded that “the threshold for effective collaboration space is relatively low; people collaborate in a wide variety of space types and find those spaces by and large effective.” However, they found the opposite is true of focus spaces—people need uninterrupted privacy and quiet to stay engaged.

To address this conflict, we built multiple collaboration spaces where no one would expect privacy anyway. For example, the kitchen and the sitting area in our lobby have comfy couches where people from different departments socialize, brainstorm, and often come up with awesome ideas. Of course, we have conference rooms for more formal meetings, too.

  1. MAKE YOUR WALLS INTERACTIVE

Every single wall and window in our office can be written on. We have three different materials—glass, chalkboard, and whiteboard, all of which have special, erasable writing utensils. If you’re in a meeting and need to flesh out an idea, the wall’s right there. For note taking, virtually every employee is arm’s length from a wall.

This has two interesting benefits. First, ideas become contagious—walking around the office, you constantly see and absorb ideas from co-workers who work in other departments. Everyone feeds on this continuous brainstorm session. Second, we have a tendency to be more visual. We draw out relationships and connections in ways we wouldn’t if we were stuck on paper or limited writing surfaces.

FROM FUNCTION TO FASHION

If you redesign your office, let function inspire fashion. We went with a modern aesthetic, but you get equally good results with traditional, industrial, south western, rustic, zen, or any other design theme. Personal taste, office culture and the community surrounding your office will all influence your style. In the process, ask employees about the office environment—find out what helps or inhibits their work before you assume that you have the answers.

You wouldn’t withhold computers from your software engineers or ban phones from your sales desk. So don’t withhold the environments that are essential to your employees and the quality work they strive to accomplish. It’s time to think of your office design as an essential tool and a competitive edge.

Ted Dhanik is a co-founder of integrated-media advertising company engage: BDR in Los Angeles where he serves as president and CEO, overseeing strategic marketing, sales and business development, client relationship management and content acquisition. Previously, he served as vice president of strategic marketing at MySpace. Follow him on Twitter @teddhanik or connect with him on LinkedIn.

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What our customers say about us!

After we recently completed an office refurbishment for BCR Associates at Renslade House in Exeter we were pleased and happy to receive the following. To share it we popped it into a blog for you.

Vic, in reply I say ‘Many thanks for the business it was a pleasure working for you’.

THANKS TO MD BUSINESS INTERIORS

BCR 1 2015-04-23 11.25.28

We are now setting into our new offices at Renslade House, EX4 3AY after 4 days. Although like all moves we have some small things still to sort out, we have to say that the place is looking great and it all couldn’t have happened without the help of Mark Dowse and his team at MD Business Interiors. From initial consultation, office design and furniture selection through to installation and post-move snagging, the guys (and gals) have been on hand to ensure we had very little down time – and it didn’t help that they couldn’t make any noise during the working day!!

Thanks for your help, Mark! From us all at BCR Associates.

https://bcrassociates.co.uk/blog/36-thanks-to-md-business-interiors

BCR 2 2015-04-23 11.25.28BCR 3 2015-04-23 11.25.28

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Space planning for excellent office refurbishment.

Effective space planning is a key element to getting the most out of office space and creating both a functional and pleasant environment.

Effective space planning.

Effective space planning.

When undertaking any project, whether it be a move to new premises, the refurbishment of an existing building or the replacement of furniture the planning of the space should be the first stage and be dealt with at the earliest opportunity.

Projects are often broken down into elements such as partitioning and refurbishment and procuring new furniture but it is vital that these areas are viewed as one at the early stages. It may be desirable to purchase furniture from one company and the fit out from another but the two must work together. Clearly it is important that any offices or meeting rooms are built to the right size to accommodate the desired number of people but the position of electrical installations, floor boxes, power and data can often be overlooked, creating the need to compromise the overall plan.

It is important to think carefully about how the space needs to work, and clients should be guided through this at the first consultation. Is the space to be used solely for internal staff or is to be a showcase for clients. Is there a need for separate meeting areas for staff and clients. How often are meetings held and for how many. What kind of look are you trying to achieve, contemporary, traditional. How do departments function and what requirements are there for communication between teams / departments. If cellular offices are created how much privacy is required. What type of computer systems and networks will be used and how is power and data to be installed. The questions seam endless but an overall picture can be quickly built which will guide the planners to suggest the most appropriate products.

The next stage is to produce draft plans and present suggestions of products that will meet all the criteria. Often at this stage clients will have a better understanding of the use of the space and any limitations there may be and the details can be discussed and any changes made to produce a final solution that works. Plans may be presented in 2D but also 3D plans and computer generated walk throughs can be used to give a better impression of the finished office.

Once a plan has been agreed attention can be given to products. The floor plans should indicate the size and shape of desking as well as its position and it may be that several products will fit the footprint shown. The electrical installation can also be planned at this stage now that we know where staff are to be located. Again it is important to consider how power and data is to be installed as this will affect what cable management requirements the desks should have.

2Storage should also be carefully considered at this planning stage not only to decide its position but also the type and quantity required. An office move is a good time to have a storage cull to reduce the amount required where possible. Poorly planned storage can lead to substantial wasted space which can be both costly and inefficient.

A well planned office will lead to increased productivity and efficiency and should create a pleasing and functional environment. The key to achieving this is through professional space planning at the earliest stage of a project and ensuring that all trades involved are consulted at the outset.

Once a well thought out plan is produced the rest of the project will run smoothly. Email us or use the contact page to set up a meeting….

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Interior fit-out service summary.

Interior Fit-out

MD Business Interiors aim to turn your perfect office into a reality, with as little hassle as possible. We take care of the design, the construction, the specifications, the estimates deadlines and building regulations so you can focus on running your business.

We are committed to delivering your ideal space on time and on budget.

Our fit-out service:

7Project coordination –We make sure that all the trades are working together in a co-ordinated manner, doing what they are meant to be doing, when they are supposed to be doing it. Our team will oversee every step of the fit-out making sure that every tiny detail is taken care of.

Construction Estimates – We will supply all required quotes and cost management to make sure that you are given one clear price for the whole project, with no hidden extras. Taking advantage of our expertise and experience guarantees you excellent value for money.

IT & Communications – Business continuity is one of our primary concerns. Making sure that your operations continue seamlessly from your new office is often the greatest concern for businesses. We will liaise with your in-house or external technical support to ensure that the specification and infrastructure is considered from the outset.

Services and Utilities – Our approach to fit-out goes beyond the visual areas of your space and considers the power, heating, water and lighting for your project too.

slide-a-1Planning and Visualisation – Throughout the design and fit-out process you will be provided with a comprehensive portfolio of plans and visualisations (where required) so that you can see what the space will look like before you have to commit.

When it’s time to move into your new space we can also provide a fully managed move service to make sure that your furniture, computers and filing are all in place ready for your first day – we’ll even stock the fridge!

Talk to us today to see how we can help you.

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BPA Quality opens new European headquarters in Exeter

BPA Quality opens new European headquarters in Exeter
(By Exeter Express and Echo  |  Posted: March 31, 2015)

bpa meeting room

Inside the company’s newly refurbished offices

A global company specialising in customer contact monitoring and evaluation has opened of a new state-of-the-art European headquarters in Exeter.

Recently ranked in the top 5,000 of America’s fastest-growing private companies, for the sixth year running by Inc magazine, BPA Quality has more than 500 employees worldwide and offices in New York and Orlando.

With a growing UK workforce of just under 150 employees, including a team of multi-lingual analysts with expertise in 45 languages, BPA Quality was keen to relocate its established office in East Devon to larger premises.

bpa elle and jeff

Project Manager Elle Neal in the new office

The extensive refurbishment of BPA’s new larger premises in Pynes Hill was carried out by Exeter-based independent office refurbishment contractors MD Business Interiors.

Andrew Mutch, BPA Quality’s chief customer officer, said: “As BPA Quality originated in the South West, it was important to us to remain in the region and Exeter was an obvious choice.

“The city is not only well situated, with great transport links, it is also undergoing an exciting period of transformation and growth, with prominent global brands choosing to relocate to the area. We welcome the opportunity to contribute towards the local economy, grow our UK workforce and develop our investment in the region. We are proud of our South West roots and delighted to be opening the new Exeter office, marking the next exciting chapter in the BPA Quality story.”

MDBI-BPA_010

Silicone glazed partitions with bespoke window manifestations

For over 25 years, BPA Quality has been working with some of the world’s biggest organisations, using a scientific approach to customer experience to help them increase sales, customer retention, loyalty, cost optimisation and profitability.

BPA Quality produces over 2 million accurate human observations per annum and helps more than 300 companies around the world to deliver quality customer service.

Recent success stories include: a major car manufacturer seeing an increase in its ‘customer experience’, by over 30% in a 12 month period; and a transport organisation experiencing a monumental shift in its Net Promoter Score from -40% to +15% in 9 months.

Derek Phillips, vice president of Exeter Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is great news that such a prestigious company as BPA has chosen to expand and relocate to Exeter. As new chamber members we look forward to working with them and introducing their business to the Exeter business community.”

The UK operation previously consisted of a two separate offices and the company was keen to bring their 135 multi-lingual employees together under one roof.

Mark Dowse, of MD Business Interiors, worked to a tight brief, liaising with Jeff Bardell, director of research and analytics, and Elle Neal, project manager BPA Quality.

The MD Business Interiors team rewired the building; installed new data cables and network points and a network for the new telephone system. In addition the firm built 135 work stations; a circular corridor of six new meeting rooms with full height glazed partitions; a private kitchen and new café/refectory area as well as supplying the furniture.

Mark said: “Security was a key consideration for the client and we offered a bespoke solution. This project has been designed specifically to allow for future projected growth, and design and space planning was the key to the success of the finished product.

“The corporate colours were incorporated into the design throughout. We also offered the staff a two-week trial period whereby they were able to try out the office and café furniture to find out which was most comfortable and user-friendly, before making a commitment to purchase.”

Elle Neal, project manager at BPA Quality, said: “When we decided to expand our UK operation, and move to larger office premises in Exeter, it was important for the new space to feature a multi-functional design with meeting rooms, a management suite, a large open plan working area and a sizeable staff break-out area.

“The brief was to create a pleasant and ergonomic working environment for our 135 strong team, representative of our global brand, but with space for future growth.

“Mark worked closely with us to gain a thorough understanding of the BPA Quality brand and our requirements. It was important to us for the design to be consistent with the modern, light and airy style of the building and Mark achieved this with the introduction of glass partitions allowing for a high level of natural light.

“The MD Business Interiors team was great to work with and both accommodating and flexible. They not only delivered on programme; they kept disruption to a minimum. Mark fully met the brief, delivering cost effective and practical solutions, and the result is a thoughtfully designed state-of-the-art office space. The design has exceeded our expectations and we are exceptionally pleased with the new look BPA Quality European headquarters located in Exeter.

Read more: https://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/BPA-Quality-opens-new-European-headquarters/story-26258620-detail/story.html#ixzz3WdFBE6vL

Follow us: @expressandecho on Twitter | expressecho on Facebook

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All you need to know about selecting an office chair!

Task chairs or Operators chairs are typically office swivel chairs having a variety of common features.

Executive chair

Executive chair

Typically a Task chair will have as a minimum the following features:

  • Seat height adjustment
  • Back height adjustment (except on some entry level models)
  • Adjustability or rake angle of the chair back position
  • Armrests if desired
  • 5 star swivel base

Some of the better quality models will likely include for some or all of the following features:

  • Sliding seat adjustment to cater for the users leg length
  • Lumbar support moulded into the back
  • Height adjustable arms
  • Width or angle adjustable arms
  • Back tension adjustment to suit users weight
  • Seat angle and tension adjustment to suit users weight

A few models may also offer:Finsbury black exec chair

  • Vertically or horizontally split chair backs
  • Adjustable lumbar support
  • Inflatable lumbar support
  • Footrests incorporated in the 5 star swivel base

A number of the features found on a Task chair can be considered as gimmicks. We consider the points in the first section to be an essential part of any Task chair as well as adjustable seat depth and height adjustable arms.

For more information on prices, availability and specifications please contact us via the web site.

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