It’s time. You want your facility’s image to reflect your capabilities, and
new furniture will greatly enhance that image. How will you keep it
looking great and serving users for years to come? Here’s a three pronged
approach that ensures a safe and attractive environment, avoids the
disruption caused by defective product and delivers a solid return.
Invest in a High-Quality Product :
Purchase a high-quality product which is easier
to maintain than lower-quality furniture. You’ll find high-quality furniture, at a variety of price levels, from a well established company with a good reputation. “Learn the history of the company from which you want to buy,” says Steve Walker, assistant director of North Carolina State University’s (NCSU), Furniture Manufacturing and Management Center (FMMC).
- There are four things to take into account when investing in high-quality furniture.
Choose the Right Product for the Application: Different applications required ifferent products, so the way you operate your business should determine the furnitureselection. - Ensure Furniture Is Tested to Standards: The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) (bifma.org) has a series of widely recognized tests for seating. “The tests are thorough,” says Walker. “They’re based on real-world
experience. If you purchase BIFMApassed products, you will have as good a result as you can.” - Request a Furniture Sample: “Any furniture manufacturer worth its salt will gladly provide a sample,” says Michael G. Steger, director of Facilities Management for National Management Resources Corporation at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBAU) in Florida. “It allows you to confirm that the product is as high quality as it is portrayed.”
- Consider Your Brand’s Environmental & Social Reputation: Environmentally responsible solutions such as Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood (https://us.fsc.org/), bio-based foam and formadahyde-free finishes are very typical today. These are all great features; however, buying good quality furniture that performs well for many years might be the ‘greenest’ action of all, as it means less furniture goes to the landfill.