ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 6

INSIDE ILMA

Company Callout
South Atlantic Services' Orchestrated Approach to Harmonized Office Space

ILMA: So, why seek employee input
when building a new office? Why
not leave that kind of thing up to the
general contractors, architects, interior
designers and the SAS executives?

6

NOVEMBER 2017

| COMPOUNDINGS | ILMA.ORG

by Strawbridge Photography

B

etween 1975 and 1985, South
Atlantic Services Inc. (SAS)
had their first office constructed. As the years and decades passed,
SAS grew with the times and adapted
to the emerging technologies and
various routes of connectivity with
clients which the rise of the internet
and personal computers afforded the
world. Unfortunately, back in the
'70s and '80s when the office was
built, SAS could not predict these
changes, or the office infrastructure
to adapt to them. As Frank Hamilton, SAS president, explains, "As
a contract manufacturer, we are an
extension of our clients' businesses.
We operate on their systems daily and
provide real-time information concerning inventories, production and
shipments. The prior office did not
provide ideal space for servers and
current cutting-edge technology."
Hamilton and SAS began looking
at ways to modernize their office. "My
architect provided renovation scenarios
whereby the office would be vacated
and extensive renovations made to the
prior office. This scenario would have
been disruptive, time consuming and
costly," said Hamilton.
It initially seemed outrageous to
construct a new office building and
demolish the old office, but after much
thought and discussion, SAS determined it had ample physical space on
the property for the construction of a
new office building. Additionally, "the
'build new path' was less expensive and
quicker than the renovation path. New
construction also meant that everything
in our office met current standards -
there was no retrofit needed."

A new home for SAS built in cooperation with John Sawyer of Sawyer Sherwood & Associate Architecture, Richard
Waldkirch of Waldkirch and Saunders Inc. and Kathy McKenzie of Nest Fine Gifts and Interiors.

Hamilton: We, as employees, spend as
much time in our offices as we do in
our homes. Allowing employee input
has been a huge morale boost to the
group. There is great pride in the new
office space, and the group has really
taken ownership of the office. They
have even become more focused on the
quality of their workspaces since the
move. We added a much larger indoor
and outdoor break room, and folks
really appreciate this amenity. The
office was designed with numerous
conference rooms and a training room.
With employee and architect input,
we studied the workflow for the various
business units, and we set up our offices
and support equipment in an optimal
way. Our work is more efficient today,
and essential groups are working closely
together. Folks are happier and more
productive, and it's no surprise that employee input had a lot to do with that.
ILMA: Why choose the architect and
interior designer?
Hamilton: I liked the fact that both
wanted their decisions to be collaborative with our employees. I knew both
the architect and interior designer personally ... they were friends, and I knew
they would be attentive to the project
and respond to issues as they arose. The

architect had worked closely with the
general contractor on other projects,
and I knew there would be an efficient
working relationship between the two.
ILMA: Why is this new office better
for business than a renovated office?
Hamilton: By creating a cutting-edge
room for the server and our technology hub, with dedicated HVAC
with a gas-powered backup generator,
we assured ourselves and our clients
of excellent connectivity. This is an
important advantage. Decreasing
downtime and increasing technology
capability is a competitive advantage
in today's world.
With new, modern office spaces,
we can attract new, talented employees. Younger employees are attracted
to companies with inviting, "cool"
workspaces.
The new office is impressive and conveys a long-term dedication to the business. This is a favorable impression with
clients and vendors. This new office shows
that SAS's ownership is forward-thinking
and invests in the future while portraying
the strong financial capabilities of the
company. Overall, a new office built in
this way, with this much care, gives a
positive impression for current and prospective employees and clients.


http://www.ILMA.ORG

ILMA Compoundings November 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ILMA Compoundings November 2017

LETTER FROM THE CEO
INSIDE ILMA
Company Callout
WHAT’S COMING UP
In the Know
INDUSTRY RUNDOWN
International Insight
Market Report
SHIFTING GEARS – INNOVATING THE FUTURE
NORTH AMERICAN SPECIFICATION UPDATE
DIGITAL MARKETING IN MANUFACTURING
BUSINESS HUB
COUNSEL COMPOUND
WASHINGTON LANDSCAPE
IN NETWORK
Member Connections
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - Cover1
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - Cover2
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 1
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 2
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - LETTER FROM THE CEO
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - INSIDE ILMA
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 5
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - Company Callout
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 7
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - WHAT’S COMING UP
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 9
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - INDUSTRY RUNDOWN
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 11
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - International Insight
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 13
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - Market Report
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 15
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - SHIFTING GEARS – INNOVATING THE FUTURE
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 17
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 18
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 19
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 20
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 21
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 22
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 23
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - NORTH AMERICAN SPECIFICATION UPDATE
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 25
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 26
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 27
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - DIGITAL MARKETING IN MANUFACTURING
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 29
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 30
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 31
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - BUSINESS HUB
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 33
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - COUNSEL COMPOUND
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - WASHINGTON LANDSCAPE
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - Member Connections
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 37
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 38
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 39
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - 40
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - Cover3
ILMA Compoundings November 2017 - Cover4
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