It's no easy job to create a building that's efficient, affordable,
and a recruitment tool for attracting and keeping top-notch
talent. But in the case of Total Quality Logistics' new
headquarters, a successful merging of architecture, interior
design, and employee satisfaction has been achieved.
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TQL
Case Study
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Design Challenge
Since its start in 1997, Total Quality Logistics (TQL) has averaged
more than 50% growth every year to become the tenth largest
third party logistics company in the country. TQL's dramatic
success is driven in large part by employees who deliver 24/7/365
service that outpaces the competition. When the Ohio-based firm
began planning its new corporate headquarters in Cincinnati,
the project goals were mainly focused on giving its sales and
service associates a great environment to work in. They included
comfortably fitting 900+ employees, making team changes easy
and cost effective, and providing amenities such as a fitness center,
lunchroom, and outdoor basketball courts.
"The old facility was 40,000 sq. ft. of bullpen workstations,
mismatched furniture and power poles. It was grey and blah with
no real design," says the project's interior designer Molly Dietz,
Principal, Design Details. "TQL wanted its new space to be
completely different, the kind of place that people walk into and
think, "I want to work here."
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The Kimball Office Solution
The company's recently completed headquarters features soaring
windows, exposed ceilings, glass walls, with open plan and private
office solutions from Kimball Office.
Xsite workstations house staffers throughout the four-story
facility. TQL and Dietz decided on 120-degree configurations with
low panels, shared U-shaped worksurfaces, and mobile pedestals
with cushion tops. "It's all very high energy and collaborative,"
explains Dietz. "Everyone can see what's going on, work together
easily, and be part of the buzz and excitement."
"Xsite's 120-degree solution uses space so much more efficiently
than our old bullpen arrangement," adds Dan Gabbard, Facilities
Planning and Design Supervisor for TQL. "We wanted to
accommodate 900 people, but we were actually able to fit more
without sacrificing employee comfort. We're very impressed with
Xsite's flexibility, quality, and diverse tile options."
Other design decisions included utilizing Traxx presentation
tools and Footprint tables in the conference rooms, Senator
and President casegoods in the executive offices, Delano lounge
furniture in the lobby, and a wide variety of Kimball Office
seating throughout.
Materials and finishes in vibrant earth tones — burnished
oranges, deep reds, rich greens, and varicolored woods — were
chosen for their "warmth and texture."
The end result? Offices that as one employee put it, "make me
excited to come to work in the morning."
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