client news
Workplace interiors - Stormark streamlines with VERCO
A challenging refurbishment to a Georgian building housing offices in
Banbury's historic Horse Fair has been completed by local workplace
design and refit specialist Streamline Office Services utilising desking,
seating and storage from the VERCO furniture range.
Where number 30A Horse Fair is architecturally of the 18th century, its
present occupant is resolutely 21st.
Stormark is an independent telephone marketing agency working with
multinational and smaller companies, many of which have been on its
client base since its inception in 1984.
A founder member of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), the 40-staff
strong agency handles over a million calls a year and is large enough to
cope with major projects whilst retaining the personal service expected
of smaller companies.
A proposition strength lies in Stormark's providing both outbound
telephone expertise in areas such as lead generation and appointment
making, market research, and lead validation as well as inbound services
(customer carelines, hotlines, enquiry and information fulfilment
services).
An existing client, Stormark turned to Streamline project manager, Leigh
Meeks for help when the decision was taken to completely refurbish the
building rather then relocate to modern premises.
"This was a major job requiring a ground-up refit including removal and
disposal of existing furnishings, electrics, floors, walls, ceilings and
all fixtures and fittings internals including furniture," says Leigh.
"With three storeys and no lift, the building was logistically
challenging, many alcoves and buttresses provided plenty for Streamline
and its contractors to negotiate.
"The restrictions of the layout informed on furniture specification for
practical as well as aesthetic reasons," says Leigh.
Streamline and Stormark decided jointly on specifying VERCO furniture
throughout the building.
Oblique desking and storage
range met the specification visually and benefited from having the
adaptability to circumvent installation constraints presented by a listed
building.
In the call centre, administration & meeting areas, Oblique desking and
storage has been installed in a maple and silver finish. Clear Perspex
Screen blades provide each phone room caller with sufficient privacy
while third level storage and under-desk wire management trays keep
desk-tops clear of clutter.
VERCO's Visual beam desking in walnut finish brings relaxed authority to
management offices.
"Oblique has gone down particularly well," says Leigh. "It looks great
and has fewer components than other systems, making it easy work with.
"Stormark also liked the way we could landscape its workspace with
Oblique"
Verco Apollo seating is specified for all desk use. "It's a good
all-round operator chair that's easily adjustable," says Leigh, "and it
looks particularly at home at Horse Fair where it picks up Stormark's
corporate burgundy colourway in its upholstery fabric."
Streamline carried out the
building re-fit in four weeks, working only at weekends to ensure no
disruption to the day-to-day operation of the call centres.
Says Stormark md Jil Ellis: "This is the second refurbishment carried out
by Streamline for Stormark and they have again done a great job. The
VERCO furniture has also been well received by both our staff and
visiting clients.
"The refurbishment has given a boost to all of our personnel, absenteeism
has decreased and output increased and the feel good factor and pleasant
environment has made the investment worthwhile.
Web watch
www.stormark.ltd.uk
www.streamlineuk.com
www.verco.co.uk
ends
Issued by Peter Muir at
www.pmpr.info
September 2007
peter@pmpr.co.uk Tel 01296 715228
EDITOR NOTES:
About the furniture:
Oblique workplace furniture is available in wood veneer (maple, walnut or
cherry) with a stainless steel frame, and in MFC finish with a simple
silver leg frame; both maintain the pure lines of this stylish furniture
system. Clean, uncomplicated lines make for a stylish solution with the
added benefit of maximising space utilisation within an office
environment, with the option of building second and third level screening
and storage onto even the most basic desk.
Available with a choice of two back sizes, Apollo task and operator
seating offers three levels of adjustability from back-rake to forward
tilt and synchronised mechanism in six different design options. Visitor
chairs complement the task designs.
Visual desking comes in four-legged, cantilever frame and panel end
options in addition to wave and rectangular tops on an adjustable,
wire-managed three-piece beam frame. The range also provides for
pedestals and low storage units as well as personal and departmental
storage and a wide range of meeting tables.
