Every day, 6 billion square feet of space are transformed into cleaner, safer, and more efficient environments — and it’s all thanks to one company’s visionary approach to facility management. While we don’t always think about the impact a facility’s cleaning strategy has, the facts are there: student attendance, employee satisfaction and safety, even manufacturing efficiency all depend on proper maintenance. For over a century, ABM has helped clients see so-called support services as more than cost centers. The company’s facility solutions directly tie in to its partners’ core missions.

A facility’s appearance makes a first and lasting impression on guests, tenants and employees. The right partner garners trust through their presence and efforts. It also sets an expectation for excellence across your organization. It’s the very reason over 21,000 clients rely on ABM to enhance their operations. ABM’s tech-enabled, predictive maintenance keeps maintenance crews lean and efficient through demand-based resourcing. Smart monitoring identifies issues and alerts the closest team member to mitigate situations before they become work orders.

Across all kinds of industries, results speak for themselves. For schools and universities, healthier environments improve cognition while reducing absenteeism due to illness. Occupant satisfaction improves in office buildings, which justifies higher rents. Manufacturers avoid costly slips, falls and production defects.

Each industry may see unique benefits in the cleaning strategies ABM offers. However, the national facility solutions provider is able to leverage learnings in one category and apply them to others. Its depth of knowledge and breadth of services translate into innovative practices that benefit the company’s entire portfolio. With clients across the country, ABM has the scale to demand competitive contracts from suppliers, and a robust pipeline of qualified candidates to serve on facilities’ frontlines.

Zoom in and you’ll find over 250 ABM offices around the country. This translates into a more responsive, empathetic partner for clients. Recently, ABM worked with a New Jersey school district to execute a typical 60-day transition period in a month. The company was able to retain 90% of the previous custodial provider’s employees and train new team members. Additionally, ABM donated $10,000 to food-insecure families.

A key point of differentiation is the company’s approach. Cleaning and janitorial services aren’t just overhead. They are essential to an organization’s mission and the health of its community. Clients want to cut costs but not corners. They want a cost-effective solution without compromise. ABM delivers tailored strategies that align with its clients’ budget and core mission.

For over 100 years, ABM has helped facilities welcome their guests and tenants to cleaner, healthier, more efficient environments. The company blends the benefits of scale with attention to detail.

To see how ABM can align your cleaning needs with your organization’s objectives, visit ABM or or call 866.624.1520.

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Returning to work in the office is both the mantra of Corporate America and the federal government. Professionals are learning new ways of working and how to be as productive as possible in the workplace. Businesses and government entities are renewing or transforming interior spaces and considering furnishings, amenities and perquisites that will make employees comfortable and productive.

Every investment and improvement that supports workers or the workplace, students on campus, or civil servants, also has to be evaluated for the bottom line. Facility managers, building owners, their interior designers and building service contractors are looking to partner with brands whose products result in lower total cost of ownership (TCO).   

Total cost of ownership (TCO) means the complete cost of owning and operating a product or service throughout its entire lifespan, including the initial purchase price, maintenance, operation, potential downtime, and disposal costs, essentially considering all direct and indirect expenses associated with it over its lifecycle. Businesses often use TCO to compare different products or services, even if one has a lower initial price, to understand which option will be more cost-effective in the long run. 

The destination we all visit . . . and notice

In all commercial workspaces or learning environments, the restroom is a destination for essential relief and sometimes a space to take a breather where users notice how well appointed and maintained it is. Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc. creates high-quality, industry-leading restroom accessories that save building owners, facility managers (FMs) and building service contractors time and money, resulting in lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

While TCO is critical to owners, it is more important if the products that deliver it are also functional and aesthetically pleasing. Bobrick meets the needs of architects and building owners by crafting restroom accessories that combine durability, style and functionality. Made with premium materials like diecast zinc and stainless steel, the products are designed to deliver exceptional durability while maintaining a sleek, elegant appearance. Created to be durable, timeless and efficient, Bobrick restroom accessories complement other traditional restroom design elements.

“Bobrick products not only enhance the look of your space but also help reduce long-term maintenance costs, offering a smart, stylish investment without compromise. With durable construction and innovative technology, our designs ensure reduced maintenance demands, giving facilities a more reliable and cost-effective solution over time,” says Nilofar Yagana, vice president of marketing for Bobrick. “What sets Bobrick apart is our focus on cost-saving. Our soap and towel dispensers are compatible with economical, widely available consumables, eliminating the need for restrictive, high-cost contracts and providing businesses with greater flexibility and budget control.”

Value on demand – a Bobrick theme

Backed by a vast and reliable distribution network — including major e-commerce platforms and trusted local suppliers — Bobrick’s products are designed to be easily accessible and readily available. This network is supported by dedicated local representatives who provide personalized service, ensuring expert guidance tailored to each project’s needs. 

“Our products combine quick lead times, durable and low-maintenance designs with easy access to products and universal refills to optimize restroom efficiency,” said Yagana. “Plus, our dedicated representatives are available every step of the way to help simplify restroom management.”

Components of TCO

TCO can consider installation costs, training costs, energy consumption, repairs, depreciation, and even potential disposal fees. 

When facility managers and purchasing agents specify Bobrick restroom accessories, such as tissue and towel dispensers, automatic soap dispensers and faucets, waste receptacles and hand dryers, TCO can apply to: 

• The initial purchase price
• User convenience
• Maintenance
• Restocking
• Lifecycle
• Potential reapplication during a renovation

TCO, or actual cost, quantifies the cost of the purchase across the product’s entire lifecycle. The concept extends beyond just the upfront cost of buying something, taking into account all ongoing expenses related to using and maintaining it.

With Bobrick, there are no proprietary contracts for the products that go in the dispensers. FMs can acquire Bobrick soap, paper, and tissue dispensers that are designed to be compatible with a wide range of consumables, eliminating the risk of supply interruptions tied to specific soap or paper brands. Unlike proprietary systems that left many facilities struggling with unusable dispensers during COVID-era shortages, Bobrick’s open, universal design ensures flexibility — allowing facilities staff to source consumables from multiple suppliers without the need to replace dispensers. Counter-mounted soap dispensers are designed for convenient top-filling with cost-effective bulk soap, reducing both labor and soap expenses. Unlike bottom-filled cartridge dispensers, which require frequent replacements and higher costs, Bobrick’s bulk-fill system streamlines maintenance and ensures long-term savings.

“Our goal is to save building owners and facility managers time and money,” said Yagana. “Our products reduce maintenance and labor costs and save thousands in soap and paper costs over their lifetime. With easy-to-access refills, facilities stay stocked and running smoothly with minimal downtime.”

With innovative features like touch-free technology, the products not only promote better hygiene by minimizing contact but also elevate the overall restroom experience, ensuring comfort and convenience for all users. Whether in high-traffic commercial spaces or smaller facilities, Bobrick solutions are designed to meet the demands of modern restrooms with style and reliability.

Bobrick’s well-designed, performance-engineered and efficient restroom products are found in countless institutions, offices, stadiums, airports and restaurants in hundreds of countries globally. During NeoCon, June 9–11, visit Bobrick in space 7-5034.

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Proactive, outcome-driven facility management

ABM Performance Solutions provides a unified, cohesive team that puts outcomes first. This results in enhanced efficiency across all aspects of your facility. Whether it’s engineering, HVAC, power management, cleaning, landscaping, parking management, or building technology, ABM Performance Solutions integrates these services seamlessly, allowing businesses to reduce costs while improving productivity and sustainability.

ABM is more than a provider — we’re a strategic facility partner. With a wide array of offerings, ABM Performance Solutions ensures that your buildings operate smoothly, efficiently, and sustainably. Additionally, ABM focuses on occupant support, providing services that enhance employee and occupant satisfaction, health, and safety.

Customizable solutions for your facility

ABM Performance Solutions stands out by offering solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. Understanding the unique risk profile and long-term goals of a facility allows ABM to create customized services that align with business priorities. By taking a consultative approach, ABM ensures that the solutions are relevant, efficient, and effective in achieving your goals.

Every facility is different, and ABM recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t effective. Whether managing capital expenditures or optimizing energy systems, ABM integrates technical expertise and service flexibility to deliver the best outcomes. From microgrid infrastructure to vertical transportation systems, ABM Performance Solutions addresses every aspect of your building’s lifecycle.

The importance of data and technology in facility optimization

Technology is at the heart of ABM Performance Solutions. ABM utilizes predictive analytics, smart building capabilities, and IoT sensors to monitor and optimize facility systems in real time.

ABM Connect is the end-to-end platform that unites all of this. Data from the team member application flows directly into your client platform, allowing you transparency and connectivity into services from ABM. The information gives the operational leaders at ABM the power of data-driven decision making to ensure you benefit from continuous improvement.

This data-driven approach allows ABM to manage assets proactively, minimizing downtime and maximizing performance. Data transparency is key, and ABM provides actionable insights that help businesses track the performance of their facilities over time.

ABM Connect also includes visual dashboards that offer real-time data on everything from energy usage to occupant experience, enabling clients to optimize operations and meet sustainability targets. The integration of data helps organizations stay ahead of challenges, whether it’s energy conservation, carbon footprint reduction, or improving the facility’s environment.

Achieving sustainability goals

ABM Performance Solutions integrates sustainability into every aspect of facility management. To go beyond short-term fixes, ABM focuses on energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact over the long term — making your facility more sustainable.

ABM has already demonstrated success in sustainability initiatives, such as the installation of over 26,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and saving energy every step of the way. Sustainability programs from ABM also help clients meet their sustainability targets while improving indoor air quality for staff and occupants. This commitment to sustainability ensures that facilities not only perform well, but do so in an environmentally responsible way.

Measurable outcomes and cost savings

ABM Performance Solutions ensures that every service has a direct impact on the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of your building. This results in a positive financial impact, with businesses experiencing significant cost savings, reduced operational expenses, and improved ROI. With a single provider managing all services, ABM helps reduce the number of subcontractors and middleman fees, further driving down costs.

In addition to financial savings, ABM Performance Solutions helps businesses extend the life of their buildings and equipment by improving asset management and reducing the need for costly repairs or replacements. The proactive approach ensures that businesses can rely on their facilities without disruption, optimizing operations for greater productivity, profitability, and occupant well-being.

Simplified facility management

Managing a facility can be a complex and time-consuming task, especially when multiple subcontractors are involved. ABM Performance Solutions simplifies this by offering a single point of contact for all facility services. In fact, ABM will have an experienced team member on site — this streamlines communication, reduces administrative burdens, and enhances accountability. With one unified team overseeing all aspects of facility management, businesses can focus on their core operations while leaving facility optimization to the experts.

Future-proofing your facility

The ability to future-proof a facility is crucial as organizations navigate changing market conditions, shifting expectations, and evolving technology. ABM Performance Solutions supports businesses in adapting to these changes by providing forward-thinking solutions that anticipate future needs. Whether it’s upgrading HVAC systems for energy efficiency or preparing for increased occupant expectations, ABM helps you stay ahead of the curve.

Why ABM Performance Solutions?

ABM Performance Solutions offers a comprehensive, outcomes-driven approach to facility management. Whether you’re looking to reduce operational costs, meet sustainability goals, or enhance the workplace experience, ABM Performance Solutions provides the tools and expertise needed to achieve all these objectives—and more. With a customized, data-driven approach, ABM ensures that your facility performs at its best, now and in the future.

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The repositioned brand highlights ABM’s commitment to operational excellence, workforce enablement, and delivering measurable client value. With bold visuals, a modernized tone and a focus on collaboration and innovation, the new brand aligns with the demands of today’s dynamic facility operations and building infrastructure landscape.

Scott Salmirs, president and chief executive officer, stated:

For over a century, ABM has set the standard for maintaining and modernizing facilities. Now, with advanced capabilities and an expanding engineering and infrastructure services portfolio, we’re redefining what it means to be a strategic solutions provider, enabling systems to perform better, businesses to grow, and occupants to thrive. From AI-powered efficiencies to next-generation energy solutions, this new brand positioning reflects our legacy while defining our commitment to creating smarter, more resilient and sustainable spaces for the future.

A legacy of reliability, a future of innovation and possibility

Founded in 1909, ABM has grown into an industry leader, with more than 100,000 team members and a blue-chip client base serving more than half of FORTUNE 500 companies as well as many of the world’s busiest airports, largest universities, and leading manufacturers. This transformation has been fueled by a relentless focus on enabling technology and data, operational expertise, and client success.

The new brand platform represents a pivotal milestone in ABM’s journey, built on four core pillars:

• Transforming spaces and places: As an authority on advanced facility, engineering and infrastructure solutions that enhance operations and occupant experiences, ABM is the trusted leader in the efficiency, comfort and safety of shared environments across 19 industry segments.
• Championing people: With one of the world’s largest teams of engineers, technicians, and facility professionals caring for occupants, ABM is focused on developing a culture focused on delivering for its clients and each other, growing an inclusive and welcoming workforce with career and professional development opportunities, and fostering a real connection with local communities.
• Advancing sustainability: ABM supports client environmental and facility resilience goals with leading-edge energy efficiency, electrification, and cleaning, waste and water-use reduction strategies and solutions.
• Inspiring innovation: Deploying AI, machine learning and living labs to prototype and test new and proprietary technologies in real-world environments, ABM applies data-driven insights that anticipate client needs, increase operating efficiencies and deliver actionable results.

What it means for clients

ABM’s new brand positioning highlights its commitment to delivering actionable, measurable solutions across various industries, including commercial real estate, aviation, education, manufacturing and distribution.

With data-driven smart building platforms, a growing portfolio of energy resilience solutions — such as microgrids, eMobility, and power storage — and tech-enabled, frictionless parking, ABM is transforming facility solutions to be more efficient, impactful and connected.

By integrating services through ABM Performance Solutions, a single-source, data-enabled, self-performed facilities model, ABM streamlines facility performance to support clients throughout the life of their facilities.

Salmirs explained:

At its heart, this new brand positioning is about helping clients envision and achieve their goals in rapidly evolving operating environments. With the right strategic partner, well-run facilities and related infrastructure go beyond an operational requirement to become key drivers of business enablement, growth and success.

“Driving possibility, together”

The theme line “Driving possibility, together” encapsulates ABM’s collaborative, proactive approach to addressing complex client challenges. It reflects the company’s dedication to fostering long-term partnerships with clients, communities and team members.

Supporting this launch is a multifaceted marketing and digital campaign, a completely reimagined website, and the introduction of ABM Perspectives, a digital hub offering the latest insights, best practices, and case studies to help clients maximize outcomes and navigate industry trends.

Visit ABM to learn more.

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Chow elaborates, “Our chairs should be flexible, multifunctional and design-forward. We push to see beyond basic ergonomics (which are still needed) to create innovative, even playful solutions. The challenge is how to be all those things, while also keeping our design simple. The work-from-home movement has a tremendous influence, and clients want chairs that can be a ‘nest for the day’ for hybrid workers and shared spaces.”

Acknowledging these shifting requirements and the significant transformation of the modern workplace, OM Seating has developed new products that cater to a variety of sitting styles and preferences.

The evolved OM5 and Innovation Awards

Designed by Phidesign Studio, the reimagined OM5 Series offers an updated version of the task chair that redefined the company more than 10 years ago. Capturing the attention of the 2024 Best of NeoCon jurors for its distinct ingenuity and functionality, OM5 earned an Innovation Award in the Seating: Conference category.

“We never feel that we’re entirely finished with any design. We’re always finding areas for improvements and refinements, even during the initial design phases for new products,” Chow explains. “So with the OM5, already a successful chair when it first launched, we are revisiting it. Why? We thought of features that would make it even better!”

Chow continues, “One of the innovations is our tools-free removable seat design. The way we solved this super practical need really captured the imagination of the judges. Not only is it essential for sustainability, cleanability and longevity, but it is also a cleaner execution of this in-field swappable seat concept than what most other companies have tried. With the new OM5, it is a full-scale, fully functional task seat, with zero tradeoffs in terms of wrinkles or messy corners, and it maintains all the same comfort and visuals as a permanent task seat.”

One Best of NeoCon juror explains why OM5 is so appealing: “The polymer backrest can be fully wiped, cleaned, and still can be specified for a boardroom setting. Custom-fit solutions and options with OM5 are a plus. Easily swappable seat cushions that can be changed in the field are great for facility operations and maintenance.” The tool-free removable seat design satisfies a practical need with an extremely efficient solution for facility designers.

The dynamic design of OM5 addresses how people sit throughout the workday with a body-activated, self-weighing mechanism that encourages movement across a range of postures. Its proprietary, integrated Bilateral Lumbar Support offers effortless comfort, and the backrest has a unique “virtual lock” upright position that intuitively responds when the user is ready to shift postures. For instance, when reclining, the OM5 backrest senses the body’s shift and seamlessly adjusts, allowing the user to lean back, pause, and recline further — all without the need to find a paddle or pull a lever beneath the seat. “I love how the OM5 can sense how your body shifts and adjust accordingly,” says one Best of NeoCon juror. “And the virtual lock feature is innovative.”

Sit, spin and roll with Plot Twist

Plot Twist is a mobile, swiveling pouf with options including a connected, sit-to-stand, height-adjustable tablet that orbits around the seat for ambidextrous use. Supremely functional and utterly playful, Plot Twist is a surprisingly self-contained and multifunctional mobile work seat that easily adapts to multiple contexts. Plot Twist changes the way users think about movement, function and collaboration across all sorts of doing-thinking-gathering environments.

Designed by Chris and Jon Panichella of Achella Design, this lightweight work seat can be configured for seated-to-standing solo work, collaborations, and even simple presentations. The custom designed lift column delivers a smooth, stable and predictable glide throughout its range.

“We want to be a part of creating vibrant, joyful spaces that enable people to concentrate, collaborate, reflect, squirm, stand up, sit down ­­­­— all without changing their chair,” offers Chow. “Even though we designed Plot Twist before the pandemic and introduced it after, all this new demand for flexibility was already built in. A user can roll away on their own for focused time, then quickly and easily come back together as a group to engage and collaborate.”

Plot Twist won Gold and Innovation Awards in Best of NeoCon 2022 in the Seating: Stools category and an Innovation Award in Collections for Collaboration. It was also named one of four Best of NeoCon Best of Competition finalists and was one of seven products recognized with a Business Innovation Award. Jurors appreciated Plot Twist’s fun and innovative design and were impressed by its functionality. “Every feature was thought out and designed for versatility. The [free-lift] on the underside of the tablet arm is one of those quiet features,” offers one 2022 Best of NeoCon juror.

And another 2022 juror attests, “I love this piece. The mobility and adaptability all within one spec is unique in the somewhat oversaturated pouf market. The lift to raise and lower the work surface is so user friendly, structurally stable and intuitive to use. And the lumbar support while looking too low actually hit at the perfect seated height.”

Attesting to its unusually adaptable, intuitive and innovative features, OM Seating’s Plot Twist has been recognized as a ground-breaking design for healthcare, educational, hospitality and commercial environments.

Be nimble and fluid with Werksy

OM Seating introduced the versatile Werksy Collection with a suite of guest, light task/hoteling, and rocking chairs that have proven to be ideal for today’s highly flexible work environments. Designed by Henner Jahns and his firm Gecco Vision, Werksy melds a whimsical aesthetic with the evolving demands of the modern workplace, embodying the fusion of “work” and “easy” in its very name.

Available as a four-leg stacker, rocker, four-star side chair, and five-star-base tasker or stool, Werksy adapts to various work settings and modes. The tasker features a simple tilting action and casters for easy mobility, while the height-adjustable rocker includes a swivel mechanism with a self-centering feature. All Werksy models are crafted with a molded poly shell, complete with a waterfall edge on the back and arms, and an upholstered seat (with the option for full-chair upholstery) to create an elegant form. Comfort, functionality and a touch of whimsy converge in the Werksy Collection.

A dynamic design approach to seating

OM’s designs progress beyond the simple biomechanics of sitting to reflect the nature of how we behave and interact in the work environment. Chow concludes, “At heart, OM is an ergonomic task chair company. It’s in our DNA. Everything we do is about staying true to those roots and keeping our curiosity alive. For us, the term ‘ergonomics’ isn’t just limited to an 8-hour task chair; it’s really for any place a person could want to do work productively and comfortably.”

About the Author

Danine Alati is a contract industry writer and editor with over 20 years experience and is an associate project manager with the Best of NeoCon product competition.

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While all contract brands thrive on selling their standard products as they are designed and built, Versteel has developed a reputation for being responsive to creating modified products as needed. Schwinghammer routinely is asked, “Can you make it like this? Can you give us one of these?” The brand is nimble and comfortable with such requests. For example, a client liked a line of tables then wanted matching chairs, so the Versteel team designed and manufactured chairs to meet the demand.

The well-known flexibility of Versteel tables — the ability for them to move up, down, tilt, wield hidden power supplies–makes them one of the innovative products that roll out of its factory. “We have been doing electrification for a long time,” says Schwinghammer. “Whether it’s plugged-in or battery-powered, we can provide it and hide it by design,” he explains.

“Our Niche is You,” Versteel’s slogan, is about the brand’s customer focus and ability to meet their needs. “There is strength in our quality that is connected to product longevity and durability,” says Schwinghammer.

How does ‘Our Niche is You’ connect to Versteel’s next product launch?

Schwinghammer: We will be introducing a family of products in 2025 that represents a forward-looking collection encompassing what we already offer with work, meeting and lounge tables that contribute to a multi-functional setting. The products will work together or apart. They will create shared or private work areas, storage, and space division.

One of our newest design groups decided this could work because we are all uncertain as to how we are going to work in the near future. Management may change to hybrid working or more private offices using more dividers. There’s a need for furniture that can be used in a private office or moved out to function in an open space or work area. We are adapting and positioning it differently.

Quality has been a Versteel hallmark over its 40 plus years producing contract furniture. How does Versteel convey its quality to the industry?

Schwinghammer: We did it a long time ago. Quality was instilled in our employees; it is their passion. They know when a result is not ideal, and they are constantly working to attain a better result.

We are very proud that all Versteel manufacturing is in the United States. We spin that message, and we boast that we have control under our roof. It speaks to the people, to our clients and is all-encompassing for the production floor.

Our sample maker is an outstanding example of one who is fully vested in quality. It’s demonstrated in the products. On the new Versteel website and social media, we highlight the people and how long they have been with the company.

This is the 41st year for the individual who runs manufacturing. We have documented his process; he’s been at it since 1984. Versteel has people who know how to run the machines and the ability to work with the manufacturers’ technicians to maximize the output.

Which specifier segment is most concerned — and vocal with the reps — about quality?

Schwinghammer: In universities, facility managers and designers make the most requests for quality. They want a product that will stand up. It is as good as they thought it would be. We support our customers by extending a lifetime warranty as we know the products are built to the highest standards.

How does Versteel look at manufacturing quality in BIFMA/BIFMA-compliant terms?

Schwinghammer: BIFMA is an “entry point” into the market with its standards committees. They remind manufacturers to retest and recertify products every eight years. When Versteel is producing a new chair, we source third-party certification and conduct our own testing. It’s in excess of BIFMA. All the chairs Versteel makes can meet bariatric requirements, making healthcare facilities a strong market for us.

For their style and durability, Versteel tables and seating are commonly specified in high-traffic and potentially high-abuse settings found in education and healthcare. What are clients commonly concerned with regarding durability?

Schwinghammer: From a durability standpoint, most of our products function intuitively. They work and continue to work without issue. For example, a folding table mechanism we patented blew past 25,000 cycles (ANSI BIFMA requires 10,000). Facility managers know it is durable and can be used for their projects. Those folding tables are still in use, designed to never wear out. Older folding tables tend to get replaced by the tilt/nest tables.

Higher education institutions are striving to create very comfortable and “adult” surroundings on campus settings. What’s the solution?

Schwinghammer: Gathering has been conveyed to us as being as important as studying. Administrators are creating a common space for all types of academic disciplines for working on projects and collaboration. Catwalk, our modular seating system with ledges, is a way of creating seated areas to also accommodate ‘piles of students’ with perfect hang-out or collaboration spots. Perch where you want to is Catwalk’s theme and when specified, Catwalk allows the students to organically use the furniture.

Students are learning and sharing in many ways, but testing is still a critical demand. In one city, there is a facility of 260 study carrels, exclusively used for testing. To create that we also had to modify a whole row to accommodate sensory deprivation issues.

Are users in educational institutions becoming kinder and gentler, or are the FMs making greater demands for durability?

Schwinghammer: Seating and furniture pieces that are both softer and field-replaceable, usually due to abuse, are in demand. We are frequently asked by the facility manager, and we assure them we can send a team to replace or repair pieces.

We know that wheels and casters are always needed in learning environments. However, with some casters, the manufacturing team has specific performance issues. They didn’t always hold up, and Versteel got tired of that issue. A few years ago, we worked with a caster company to design and engineer a unique caster. We are now able to use the highest-quality caster by creating and sourcing it directly.

What are the high points for Versteel’s specification in healthcare? 

Schwinghammer: We aim to meet Healthcare Without Harm’s Healthy Interiors Furnishing and Furnishings Criteria v. 2.3, and are also BIFMA Compliant. There are customers who only buy for cleanability, durability and the ability to replace. Our role in healthcare is ancillary, as we mostly provide guest seating. We often get specified through hospitals associated with universities already using Versteel. The brand transitions to medical consulting areas, cafeterias, and training rooms. We know that durability was an issue during Covid; we saw our tables and chairs made with chrome from over 20 years ago that withstood this intense period of use 24/7.

The Versteel site indicates that the brand pursues sustainable materials, stating its goal to exceed 70% material efficiency based on the circular economy principle that targets zero waste and pollution.

Schwinghammer: We find the circular economy is client-driven. The design side may tell you I am concerned about it, but we know the end-user feels differently and wants to be involved in sustainable product specifications. Many of our tables and chairs have as high as 99% material efficiency as a result of intentional design considerations and partnering with sustainable suppliers.

We have a key supplier of chair shells that uses the Restylon process that allows for the use of primary and reground plastics, resulting in a higher-quality product while also minimizing the scrap factor. Further, this leads to reducing our carbon footprint.

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