HBI: Meeting the needs of a changing office
Heritage Business Interiors Inc. makes space sustainable. HBI provides flexible, modular, product solutions working alongside top suppliers such as Haworth Inc. and Spacesaver Corp.
Launched in 1987, HBI has served a diverse group of clients, including Westjet, the Calgary Board of Education, the University of Calgary, ATB and Halliburton.
“With the volatility in the marketplace today, companies need products that can react to expansion, contraction, churn and technological advances, and yet be totally sustainable,” says HBI president and chief executive officer Michael Taylor.
“In today’s working office, we’re seeing walls coming down, and there is open communication, mobility of workers and teaming — incorporating informal and formal collaboration areas.”
He says HBI is engaged early in the design process, and in some cases, even has an impact on how the building is designed.
“Today, we are truly engaged in the project delivery with all stakeholders,” he says. “Clients, building owners, project management companies, architects, designers, general contractors — we are all at the table collaborating, providing solutions and problem-solving.”
The new HBI show room, which opened last summer, is a prime example of this.
HBI engaged all the stakeholders in collaboration and planning while designing and building.
The new 30,000-square-foot facility consolidated all HBI’S operations including its offices, showroom and warehouse.
The space, which spans two floors, has been designed to showcase products and to also be used as a design resource by architectural and design firms.
In the new showroom, which features 30-foot ceilings and a working library, designers can access samples, catalogues and the Internet through touchscreen technology with videoand voice-conference calling capabilities.
Taylor says he is focused on continuous improvement, providing the best service model to clients and giving back to the community.
“Our long-term goals are to look at an expanding business models to other markets, continue being a differentiator and always staying one step ahead of our competitors,” he says.
CED’S Action Calgary program has helped HBI stay at the forefront by providing information on Calgary’s economic future and offering global economic perspectives. “It not only has been a great networking organization but is educational, as well, with many seminars and events throughout the year. With its strategic initiatives for workforce and industry development and global outreach, it truly provides direction for Calgary’s growth.”