TONG ENGINEERING

Designing flexible workspaces for a new purpose-built site

A modern-day workplace thinks about employee wellbeing and productivity and boosts the overall happiness of your team.

9,000

Square feet

170

Employees

220

Seats

About Tong Engineering Project

 

This was an exciting time for Tong Engineering, a move to a new site that had been several years in the planning. As a vegetable equipment manufacturer, the new building would accommodate the processing operation for preparing and packaging vegetables from the field to the supermarket, as well as the office space. This new site would deliver increased production capacity and provide a new working environment for staff.

The office space would be located at the front of the building. An opportunity to design a modern, more flexible working environment that would make the most of the space available. The logistics of such a big move meant the project would be delivered in two phases. Plann:d was involved in the first phase as a consultant on the initial styling of the space and furniture. This was followed by the supply and installation of these elements, all carried out within a specific timeline. During this phase Plann:d had proved themselves and understood what needed to be achieved, so continued into the second phase.

The planning stage is so important to ensure buy-in and meet the specific budget requirements. It was crucial to make the most of the office space as the company was growing at a fast pace. At first sight, there seemed to be more employees than the area could accommodate. A blend of individual and open-plan offices ensured optimal use of the area. In addition, we needed to ensure staff were bought along in the process, this was a big change for them. Each department had its own needs and Plann:d worked from a consultative perspective. Providing space plans and 3D renders so everyone could envisage how the space was going to work.

This was a big move for us, a family-run business that had spent 90 years on the same site. Moving into a building with a blank canvas meant the office space planning would be important to ensure we made the most of our new surroundings.

It was very easy to work with Plann:d throughout the project, the lines of communication were great. Everything ran smoothly from the space planning and ordering products through to the installation. It makes my life so much easier when I can speak to the right person and get an honest view.

For staff, the space has been designed with their well-being in mind. They have moved from what was a dated working environment to a new corporate, flagship building. Designed to offer flexible working spaces based on the needs of different departments. Compared to the previous office, the area is much lighter and airier with plenty of windows to bring in the natural light. This starts with the large, spacious, welcoming reception area when you enter the building, and continues through to the state-of-the-art video conferencing room surrounded by open-plan working. This all makes for a much more effective and productive working environment.

As a key player in their market, Tong Engineering hosts lots of different customers in this new office space. The location for the new site is on the edge of farmland and the boardroom has made the most of the panoramic view against an agricultural backdrop. Customers have been impressed with the new building. Plann:d was able to blend a more agile way of working with the traditional approach to ensure staff would feel comfortable in their new surroundings.

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