Evolution of Industrial Space

When it comes to attracting top talent—especially with the current competition for workers in a challenging economic landscape—employee experience is a critical component. Providing a positive culture and environment have long been a focus of employers across every market, and in the wake of the changes COVID-19 brought with it, industrial workplaces are experiencing a shift as well.

THE EVOLUTION OF

I N DUSTR I A L SPA C E

BY TAMMI BAILEY, DESIGN PHASE SERVICES PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT Now more than ever, the built environment sends a message to employees about how they are viewed, valued, and respected, and industrial owners are not only taking notice, but they are also taking action. Industrial workspaces continue to undergo big changes, aiding in both recruiting and retention as well as efficiency and productivity for improvement in operations.

WORKSPACES AND AMENITIES

GSA DOE NNSA NSC Campus, Kansas City, Missouri 6

Though industrial work and the equipment necessary to perform it are often different than a traditional office, employers are now balancing that with “perks” such as more gathering and seating areas, comfort, and outdoor spaces. In the recently opened Southeast Toyota Distributors Processing Center in Commerce, Ga., employee experience was so paramount that the owner included employee input every step of the way.

Landscaping and outdoor seating at the Southeast Toyota Distributors Vehicle Processing Center in Commerce, Georgia

When the client decided to build a new facility, they did so with the intention of tailoring the spaces to better suit their employees’ needs—knowing that it would improve morale as well as increase productivity. The end result was a facility that is flexible, efficient, and provides a more positive, engaging work environment.”

SCOTT BODDEN, PROJECT DIRECTOR

BUILT ENVIRONMENT No matter the industry, employees all want the same thing: connection. To be part of a community. To feel valued, respected, and trusted. The built environment sends the employee the message of how they are viewed, so its evolution is a huge part of attracting and retaining an engaged workforce. The built environment—especially in industrial plants—sets the tone for both company culture and employee experience. Often, it’s the little things that have the biggest impact—materials, colors, lighting, etc.

When it comes to the building itself, the traditional approach of durable, hard surfaces and separate entrances for office and industrial employees sends the message that employees are divided.

Instead, employers should provide one main entrance for all employees and look to materials that are durable – but provide color and texture. Natural lighting can make a huge impact on the employee experience, adding brightness to spaces and enhancing employee well-being.

THE RESULTS The competition for talent has not only resulted in a change in the facilities themselves, but by considering the needs of the users at the outset, it has also improved efficiency in a time when it is needed most. For Southeast Toyota, the results they saw thanks to engaging associates on design needs, pain points, and process improvement suggestions in relation to workspace and flow only underscore the impact employee experience has to overall operations.

When compared to the previous facility, the custom solutions in the new space yielded: • 67% reduction in safety incidents, due largely to collaboratively thinking through the flow of vehicles through the facility before it was built • 50% reduction in vehicle touches • 12% increase in processing efficiency • Reduction in travel for training thanks to a dedicated training center on site Using employee input to ensure that the physical design of the facility offers a favorable experience is important to ensure engaged employees, because, at the end of the day, employees need to feel valued and supported in an environment where they can do their best work. “As a result of this feedback, our associates feel a sense of ownership of the project and trust in the company’s commitment to addressing their needs,” said Rick Jorden, Director of Construction & Real Estate, JM Family Enterprises. “We were also able to make seemingly small adjustments, which created big results in our associates’ overall experience.”

JE Dunn Construction | groundbreaking |

An employee’s experience begins the moment they arrive at the site.

Giving special attention to security access, landscaping, and the ambience of the path of travel from the parking area to the building can mean the difference between an employee feeling like they are entering a prison and feeling like they have privileged access to a special place. Minimizing pedestrian crossings with vehicular traffic sends a message that employee safety is a priority.

Beyond the visible enhancements, the layout of the facility itself can improve the employee experience. Employers who look to minimize travel time from workstations to break areas reinforce that they also value the employee’s time. Providing additional break amenities such as outdoor areas, flexible seating and marketplace type concessions enhance the feeling of engagement and value of employees.

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