In-Plant Modular Office Used as Team Room to Improve Productivity

The following case study highlights a large manufacturer’s project installation working in collaboration with KAB-tech for an in-plant modular office space built with  NxtWall solid and glass wall panels. Thank you Reid and KAB-tech.

By Reid Fisher

Manufacturing facilities operate with fast-pace environments and can be greatly impacted by even the smallest errors. For this reason, it is important that all team members have a solid understanding of both short-term and long-term objectives to complete their tasks most effectively. By using an in-plant modular office as a team room, supervisors can hold routine meetings to ensure that their staff is well aligned and build a more productive workforce.

Project Overview:

A manufacturer recently came to NxtWall looking to install an in-plant modular office for the facility’s production team to hold regular meetings before each shift. Motivation to implement this change developed from the lack of communication that was happening at team meetings.

Because operations of the facility produced a high noise volume, it was difficult for anyone to be heard during meeting discussions. In fact, employees needed to use a microphone to be heard. With little investigation needed to determine the route of the problem, managers were able to realize that the noise was discouraging staff to speak up with any comments or concerns.

Understandably, the manufacturer wanted to implement an enclosed room where staff could be easily heard. It was also important for this area to be comfortable and encourage production throughout each day.

Project Installation:

This project was a collaborative effort of NxtWall and KAB Tech., and the manufacturer benefited greatly from having two experts involved in the development. Both teams needed to have a solid understanding of the facility’s desires, as unique features were incorporated into the team room to promote a more productive workforce.

These features included 360-degree exposure with NxtWall glass wall panels, which offered full visibility of the plant and allowed light to get in. Optimal lighting was an important element of the team room because it would keep workers alert. With the NxtWall glass wall panels, supervisors were also able to see who was in the room to make sure that workers continued with production once each meeting concluded.

Arguably, the most significant advantage of the team room was the dramatic noise reduction it provided for the facility. Team members could meet in an area that let them voice comments and concerns as they surfaced. The comfortable space would also help in establishing a solid bond amongst the group. Another key feature included the built in magnetic whiteboards from NxtWall flex system that allowed a creative resource for staff to utilize. Team members could write important notes and hang papers on the boards.

In summary, this in-plant modular office provided the following 5 key benefits:

1. Optimal lighting
2. Plant visibility
3. Noise reduction
4. Team bonding
5. Creative resources

In total, this team room took 5 days to complete, which is an average time for a project of this nature. There are now 30 team rooms in this one facility, each room holding between 10 to 15 people.

End Result:

The manufacturer was extremely pleased with the end result of this project, and excited to make use of the new team room. NxtWall and KAB Tech. were also glad to provide a team room that would help foster a more productive workforce. Moving forward, managers and staff will continue reaping the many benefits of this in-plant modular office!