Office Refit Case Studies

Over the last 10 years we have worked with a number of clients on office refits. We have taken a few examples below in different industry sectors to show you how we can help.

Finance SECTOR CASE Study:

company: Lansdowne Partners

The Client

Lansdowne Partners is one of the world’s leading investment management partnerships. Having been in business for over 20 years, the company has extensive experience in managing assets for a diverse client base that includes some of the world’s largest and most sophisticated investors.

The Challenge

Lansdowne Partners approached Fluto looking for seating recommendations. They were eager to upgrade the chairs used by their staff in the existing office, but were not sure which equipment would deliver the support they needed and deliver a strong return on their investment.

In the past, the company had purchased a mixture of standard mesh chairs and more specialist (and therefore more expensive) medical chairs for staff who complained of lower back pain. Management wanted to reduce the demand for the more specialist chairs in the longer term by ensuring all 80 of their staff had access to a better setup.

Cost was a key consideration here, too; the company wanted the best possible equipment at the lowest possible price.

The Solution

We allowed the staff to trial three different chair options – two ergonomic mesh chairs, and one ergonomic task chair – over the course of a three-month period. At the end of the experiment, the results split opinion, so the company decided to purchase a number of chairs from each range.
We also delivered training on how to use and adjust the chairs on a group and one-to-one basis.

The Results

The number of individuals requesting expensive ergonomic chairs to combat lower back pain has dropped to a record low, and we continue to accommodate orders for new starters.

Finance SECTOR CASE Study:

Company: IAM

The Client

IAM is one of the oldest independent asset management firms and specialises in managing hedge funds and alternative UCITS investments. Having recently reached its 28th year of trading, the business is now managing more than £10 billion of assets.

The Challenge

Initially, Fluto was approached by IAM through an ergonomic assessor because a number of their traders and analysts were reporting lower back pain and wanted the ability to stand at their desks while working. The company was considering an office move within the next 18 months, so did not want to invest in brand new desks at this point. Instead, they wanted the facility to build on a range of desks that would meet the needs of certain staff.

The project was particularly challenging for our team because all desks were linked together to create a larger workbench system, which meant it would not be possible to switch one single desk. In addition, most of the staff who were requesting new work surfaces were working with at least six monitors each, so we needed to source height adjustable desks that had a high lifting capacity and were exceptionally stable.

The Solution

After a preliminary visit, we developed a plan to replace segments of desk benches. This meant we only needed to replace a small number of desks at a time. Initially, we trialled Conset 501 desks. These received excellent feedback and so were eventually used within all desk replacements.

The Results

Staff were extremely pleased with the standing facility offered by their new equipment – and, after listening to team preferences, management eventually decided to implement sit/stand desks across the whole office.

PROPERTY SECTOR CASE STUDY:

Aspire DM

The Client

Aspire DM are a team of experienced, forward-thinking property experts who adopt a modern, confident and rigorous approach to property development. The staff behind the company are recognised for their creative vision and entrepreneurial flair, and they currently boast a £6 billion + portfolio of complex, mixed use, community-focused regeneration projects in the UK.

The Challenge

The company was growing rapidly and were in the process of moving to a larger, more contemporary office space in central London.

Fluto were contacted at the consultation stage because management wanted to ensure they could provide their 90 staff with the best possible seating and desk equipment at a price that was affordable to the organisation.

The Solution

The company had called upon a team of architects and designers to create a beautiful, open plan space with a set colour scheme. We sourced mesh ergonomic chairs to suit the grey tones used within the design.

We began a one-month trial, during which we tried different mesh chairs on a rotational basis. Each member of staff had the opportunity to use each chair. They also received written instructions and face-to-face training on how to make the most of their new equipment.

At the end of the trial, we decided that the Herman Miller Celle Chair was the most suitable option for the team. It met the desired aesthetics, it’s great at standing up to heavy use, and because it has excellent adjustability, we were able to get it to fit almost all staff members.

The Results

Since we ran the initial trial, there has been an excellent uptake of new seating, along with a significant reduction in work related musculoskeletal disorders.

A number of staff commented that they had felt included in the consultation process, which may have contributed to their willingness to continue using the new equipment.

The company has continued to order the same chairs for every new starter since their initial consultation with Fluto.

HEALTHCARE SECTOR CASE STUDY:

Case Study: Great Ormond Street Hospital

The Client

Great Ormond Street Hospital is the country's leading centre for treating sick children and has the widest range of specialists under one roof. The hospital, which is located in Bloomsbury, London, receives over 250,000 outpatient visits and 40,000 inpatient visits every single year.

The Challenge

Management were concerned that staff within the audiology department were regularly seen in injury-risk positions during their consultations with children. They wanted to introduce a new mobile desk system for clinical staff in this part of the hospital.

The Solution

We carried out an initial survey, after which it became clear that staff were unable to comfortably reach the correct height for their audiology assessments. Whilst some were able to work safely, many were adapting high-risk flexed and rotated positions (and therefore placing strain on their spines) in order to complete their work.

Most height adjustable desks are designed for use with adults, so finding an extra-low height adjustable desk was challenging. In addition, our team needed to source equipment that was easily portable.

After an extensive search, we finally settled on a manual high low desk called the modular desk.

The Results

After some initial training, staff learned to use their new desks as a means of maintaining good posture during the day. These desks have now been introduced into new several other departments within Great Ormond Street Hospital.

PRECISION WORKERS CASE STUDY:

Case Study: International Watchmaker

Fluto was called in to assist a high-end international watchmaking firm that was in the process of remodelling and refitting their new repair rooms.

The Challenge

The team required us to source new ergonomic chairs and desks that would be more comfortable and supportive for their staff. They had spent some researching watchmaker desks, but needed help choosing the right equipment.

After taking the time to observe the watchmakers at work, it became evident that the need to keep watch parts so close to the eyes was resulting in staff sustaining abnormal upper limb positions for long periods of time. It wasn’t surprising that most staff were reporting pain in their neck, back or shoulders!

The Solution

Because of the nature of the job, there was no way we could prevent staff from adopting high shoulder working positions. However, we were able to use specialist seats and workbenches to lessen the strain on their muscles and joints.

We introduced RH Logic 400 ergo chairs, which are renowned for their adaptability. The watchmakers were now able to tilt the chair into a wide range of positions.

Next, we installed bespoke watchmakers’ desks for staff in this department. Each desktop was built on an electric high/low frame, which ensured more support regardless of whether the worker was sitting or standing. We also installed adjustable upper limb support attachments to each workbench.

EDUCATION SECTOR CASE STUDY:

Client: University of East London

The Client

The University of East London (UEL) is a public university with campuses in Docklands, Stratford and University Square. The institution boasts over 17,000 students from 135 countries, and is ranked amongst the top universities in the capital for academic experience, student welfare and accommodation and facilities.

The Challenge

The university contacted Fluto because it was exploring ideas for a brand new contemporary workspace for administration staff in a specific academic department.

Despite space limitations, management were keen to create a healthy work environment to minimise the risk of work-related aches and strains amongst their team.

The Solution

After discussing a range of options with the university, we felt our ErgoFit Multi Chair would be the best fit for the client’s requirements, and we swiftly introduced this into the space. We also fitted a range of compact height-adjustable desks.

Our work didn’t end there, however. A key part of the solution included delivering an interactive training session to all staff, during which users were trained on how to use their new equipment by a team of specialist physiotherapists.

The Results

The new office environment was a resounding success, and the University of East London is pleased to report that 75% of staff are now regularly using a sit-stand setup.