March 27, 2024

This paid piece is sponsored by Interstate Office Products.

Any business that has experienced construction can relate to this quandary: Part of the building was done, but not everyone would be able to move in as planned.

“Our production building was done in December, and the office space wasn’t done,” said Brian Matherly, director of IT and facilities for Aerostar.

“But we still had a need to move all our team into the building even though we only had access to the production area.”

That’s where Interstate Office Products stepped in. The Sioux Falls company had worked with Aerostar on furnishings for its new building at The Docks, a new 52-acre industrial development southwest of Foundation Park in northwest Sioux Falls. And when construction timelines shifted, IOP did too.

“They were able to do a partial furniture delivery and create a temporary desk setup in our production space,” Matherly said. “So our office workers moved into the building with nice, new furniture even though it’s a temporary space.”

For Aerostar, “I felt like this was an extra-special touch,” Matherly said. “I’m sure it wasn’t convenient, and I know it turned one trip into multiple, but they were very flexible. They said, if we need temporary space, this is what they’ll do. They even set up a break room, and it really worked out wonderfully for us. I definitely call that going the extra mile.”

That’s the customer-centered approach consistently delivered by IOP, which began a relationship with Aerostar back when the company was part of the former Raven Industries Inc.

As a new company independent of Raven, the office and production building at The Docks afforded Aerostar the chance to design a brand-new space that reflects the new brand and its employee-centric values.

“We gathered proposals from multiple furniture suppliers in town, and we were impressed with the quality across the board. Where IOP stood out most was for design and customer experience,” Matherly said. “They spent quite a bit of time trying to understand our needs, wants, concerns and usage, and they put together a proposal that led us to our layout and style. We didn’t really deviate from what they proposed; we evolved it.”

Working with the IOP interior design team of Kim Ducommun and Kaye Hansen, Aerostar set out to create a new look that drew on layouts that had worked in previous locations.

“They were excellent to work with and extremely decisive,” Ducommun said. “They were a dream client in that they came in open-minded, and if Kaye came up with something maybe a bit more out-of-the-box, they were willing to consider it and then made decisions quickly in terms of finish and product to help keep the project moving.”

Inside this facility is a high-precision manufacturing operation that supports Aerostar’s production of stratospheric balloons and the navigation systems to operate them. While it’s designed to accommodate about 100 people, it’s at about half-capacity to start.

“We began by asking our team what they would like in a new facility and new office, and they started by telling us they really liked the furniture they already were using,” Matherly said. “We looked into it and realized it was Steelcase products, so that was a good start for the relationship.”

Aerostar brought team members into IOP’s showroom in Sioux Falls to try out different pieces and give feedback.

“One thing that surprised me was how quickly they could turn around conceptual drawings,” Matherly said. “We could spitball an idea, and very quickly there would be a picture in front of us, and that was really helpful in figuring out how to utilize the space.”

The primary office space is an open floor plan with workstations and some private offices.

“Every workstation and every office has a height-adjustable desk,” Hansen said. “And then they incorporated touchdown spaces for meetings, two conference rooms and a large break room.”

Team members who didn’t use height-adjustable desks previously “have really found those a highlight,” Matherly said. “Even in our temporary office, they were already complementing the colors and how nice it looked, and that really took the edge off having to work in a temporary space. There have been a lot of positive comments instead of what could have been a negative.”

Now that the team has moved into its permanent office, “we have seen team members really settle in and make the space their own,” Matherly said. “Comments have been positive all around. They especially like the collaboration spaces and the storage options in the workstations. Now it really feels like home.”

In making design decisions, “we didn’t want it to look fancy, but we wanted it to look nice,” Matherly said. “It’s subdued with a pop of color but not flashy.”

Aerostar as a separate company is establishing its own brand, and the new facility allowed a chance to incorporate it.

“We went with neutrals for the most part but were able to bring in their blue corporate color in the screens attached to their desks, the chairs and the mobile pedestal cushions that were selected,” Ducommun said. “It allowed areas of accent without it being too much.”

Within the offices, a layout emphasizing desk space and downplaying storage allowed room for meeting tables and was budget-friendly.

Common areas then allowed for additional interactive space.

“Before, we had conference rooms but not some of the informal collaboration spaces we integrated into this new space,” Matherly said. “The team has been excited to have huddle spaces they could use to work together on things.”

Within the huddle areas, lounge chairs and seating offering tablet arms allow for a space that is more comfortable but still productive.

“It has more of a lounge feel, and then in another area, there are standing-height tables with taller stools, so you can come have a meeting while standing and still feel comfortable,” Hansen said.

The conference rooms include a combination table and bench, so “if there is a need for a small meeting space, they don’t have to use the big table,” she added.

Aerostar’s work cafe is a place where office and production team members can interact, with a variety of high and low seating options.

“In the end, I think the project delivered exactly what they were asking for and turned out really nice,” Ducommun said. “We’ve been able to manage through their construction delays and together have found good solutions.”

Working with IOP has been a relationship that was “absolutely very friendly and accommodating,” Matherly said. “That stood out for me. They made time for us. They welcomed us back every time we had ideas. For me, it was just a really good experience to have them highly engaged and not just focused on getting the project over.”

To begin working with Interstate Office Products to achieve your workplace vision, click here.