Summer 2018

www.ofas.org.uk | SUMMER 2018 

Est. 1987 

ISSUE 89 

IMPARTIAL 

YOUR KEY 

OUR PASSION 

See page 23 for more information 

Tel: 0845 388 7973 • Fax: 0845 388 7974 • Email: ofas@ofas.org.uk • www.ofas.org.uk

19-22 SEPTEMBER 2018 

OLYMPIA | LONDON 

Part of 

Register now at 

IOOpercentdesign.co.uk 

#IOOdesign IOOpercentdesign designlondon 

2 

www.ofas.org.uk SUMMER 2018

CONTENTS 

3 New to OFAS 

4 Industry News 

17 Sit / Stand 

23 Storage 

EDITORIALS 

6 Sustainability in the workplace 

10 The workplace industry has converted to 

the world of BIM 

16 IOSH Managing Safely 

16 Technology Engineered for Wellbeing 

6 

10 

24 Summer Quiz 

25 Accessories 

31 Services 

WELCOME 

31 Events 

WELCOME 

17 Should we Sit or Should we Stand? 

18 More women in key roles? 

20 Healthy buildings toolkit 

27 Moving away from traditional office spaces? 

28 Accessories should never be an Afterthought 

So have we all got over our World Cup fever? I’ve had a great time watching 

the matches with my children, even though it was sad that we just missed 

out on the final! Here’s to 2022! We’ve also enjoyed a fantastic heat wave, 

the like of which we haven’t seen in years, which means we have had many 

tasty BBQ’s! I am now looking forward to the rest of the summer as I’m sure 

you all are. 

Current prime topics of conversation within the contract furniture industry 

are Sustainability, biophilic and well being, all providing significant worth to 

companies, educational and hospitality establishments, employees and end 

users. Inside this issue, you will find engaging and thought provoking articles. 

Clerkenwell Design Week this year was another great event, albeit seeming a 

little quieter than 2017. It was the perfect opportunity to catch up with fellow 

industry clients, visit their showrooms and view exciting product releases. Thank 

you to all, for your hospitality. A special thank you to Stephen Russell of Edge 

Design for allowing us to be based within their showroom during the event. 

As part of our expanding service, OFAS has partnered up with PEM BUSINESS, a 

Consultancy Service who can provide short and long term support. Whether you 

call it Consultancy, Contracting or Interim, companies can benefit from hiring in 

specialist support when they need it. Please contact us for further details. 

Over the years, OFAS has become the leading light of information and has always 

been at the forefront of innovation, welcoming End-Users into the organisation, 

widening its reach and network. OFAS is proud to be a central hub providing 

a valued and impartial service to both trade and non-trade Associates. Are you 

aware of all our services? Email us for your copy of our new literature presented in 

a clear and concise format. 

We are very pleased to welcome Create Seating who have recently joined OFAS. 

We look forward to working with you throughout this year and beyond. 

Enjoy this issue. 

Alan Boyle, Director 

16 

27 

28 

“As Fellowes expansion initiatives continue 

to focus on products to improve workplace 

well-being, OFAS has been a great source of 

knowledge and support in helping us identify 

new customers and routes to market. Since 

we joined earlier this year we have been able 

to showcase our new products to the right 

audience which has helped us to raise 

awareness of our brand, product solutions 

and demonstrate our knowledge of the 

needs of End Users. Their product directory 

allows us to highlight new products and the 

brochure hub is the perfect tool for sharing 

our range and supporting literature to OFAS 

members”. 

Fellowes – Richard Monk 

Commercial Business Manager 

NEW MEMBERS 

Create Seating is a UK designer, supplier, and 

manufacturer of contract furniture for the trade. 

They have specialist knowledge in providing 

furniture solutions for both commercial and 

educational breakout spaces, which they deliver 

and install nationwide. 

Tel: 01384 210 569 

sales@createseating.co.uk 

www.createseating.co.uk 

www.ofas.org.uk SUMMER 2018 

3

INDUSTRY NEWS 

Bench Desking 

• 1200, 1400 and 1600 Tops with 

scalloped back or grommets 

• 5 Leg styles 

• 15mm Floating top 

• 10 Top Finishes 

• Cable Management 

• Telescopic Beam 

Tel: 01489 892 111 

sales@aaron-desking.com 

www.aaron-desking.com 

ACS inspires best practice vision for fluid workplace 

design. They connect technology, communications 

and security with the interior environment to evoke 

wellbeing, productivity and collaboration. They celebrate 

what makes you unique and embrace the value creation 

attributes of your sector. 

They Are Workplace: Full service design and 

delivery for your interior needs. 

Tel: 0844 481 5786 

www. acs365.co.uk 

Due to supply chain issues, they are currently offering HUGE 

DISCOUNTS across the entire VELVAERE monitor arm 

range! Various styles and colours available from only £26 

and/or free charging-hubs, while stocks last. Contact their 

friendly sales team on: 

Tel: 0800 082 1444 or speak to your Area Sales Manager for availability. 

www.abl-uk.com 

Established in 1963, Ace Office 

Environments Ltd is one of the UK’s 

leading independent providers of 

Business Supplies and Equipment. 

Using their 24hr delivery service, 

you will find their specialist 

teams are able to supply you with 

everything from staples to t-shirts, 

safety wear to stationary and 

furniture to fit-out your whole office. 

Tel: 01202 240 000 

sales@aceoffice.co.uk 

www.aceoffice.co.uk 

London based Agua Fabrics are leading 

producers of performance upholstery 

fabrics for the Commercial sector. Agua has 

an impressive portfolio of 30 collections 

covering soft fabrics and faux leathers. All 

Agua collections are fire retardant, hard 

wearing, impervious, anti-microbial and 

supplied with a stain resistant finish to 

maintain appearance. 

Tel: 020 8205 0050 

www.aguafabrics.com 

Freewall Systems Ltd - check them out on their website www.freewall.co.uk 

or call 01403 785 985. Freewall offer unlimited scope to create efficient storage 

systems; contact them for more information and request a brochure showing how they can 

Bring your Storage Wall to life. 

Summer is just around the corner and Alliance are 

pleased to announce the arrival of their new Leisure 

and Bistro Ranges, combining vibrant colour options 

and sleek designs. These ranges are ideal for bringing 

life to your summer projects. Please contact their 

sales team for details of the full range. 

Tel: 01422 231 300 

www.allianceseating.com 

After 38 years in the furniture trade, Barry Frenchman, has finally decided to hang up his 

pedestal keys. 

He properly started his career in office furniture with Caplan (or Pentos as it was also known) 

moving on to Alan Cooper and Squirewood before setting up as an agent in the mid-90s. 

Agencies such as GGI, Safe International ( De Raat) City Desk, and Nowy Steel followed with 

much success. 

However with the demise of GGI, Barry has decided to call it a day and would like to thank 

all his friends and colleagues and all those he has known over the years for their help, support 

and friendship. 

4 


Office Logistics 

at its Best 

Installing new furniture 

Reconfiguring the office 

Relocating to new premises 

Disposing of redundant furniture 

or electrical products 

We have the solution to meet your needs. 

If you want to find out more just give us a call... 

you won’t be disappointed. 

London Tel: 01708 550405 

Warrington Tel: 01565 777418 

Perth Tel: 01738 447090 

www.rhtgroup.co.uk 


5

Sustainability in the workplace has never 

been more evident and fashionable. 

In many companies, being green is as synonymous with extending lifestyle opportunities as 

it is with good business practice and keeping to budgets. 

From fair-trade fruit baskets and socially 

responsible purchasing to clean energy 

and recycling initiatives, our offices and 

work environments are increasingly 

becoming the leaders in green behaviour. 

This increased responsibility for the 

environment is driven partly by the 

necessity for companies to set themselves 

apart from the competition, but it’s not 

just important from an outward marketing 

point of view, but also for its internal 

benefits and staff morale. 

Office furniture is one such area where 

a high turnover of materials can easily 

contribute to a negative environmental impact, but there are many opportunities to use products that are 

recyclable, recycled or both! 

According to the waste hierarchy (Reduce - Re-use - Recycle), the most environmentally friendly way to operate is 

to reduce the amount of office furniture you use, procuring only what is necessary for the function of your office. 

Space planning and workplace management play a large part in optimising the layout and distribution of office 

furniture to ensure that space and equipment is not wasted. 

Where possible, the re-use of second-hand furniture is an obvious saving, usually for both environmental and price 

benefits! At this stage, there are also some brand new products that are made from recycled materials, such as the 

Humanscale® Smart Ocean chair, which is produced using recycled ocean plastics in its composition. 

Lastly, if there is no option but to dispose of office equipment, it’s important that the parts are easily disposed of. 

Whilst many products are largely capable of being separated into component parts for recycling, this can be time 

consuming and expensive. A new breed of products is starting to emerge that makes the leap to material recycling 

quicker, cheaper and greener. Cardboard desk such as ECO360® and breakout furniture from Push Design are 

challenging our traditional concepts and presenting highly useable, new furniture without compromising the way 

you work. 

What will YOUR sustainable office of the future look like? 

Ben Gibbs – TCi GB 

HORIZONTAL 

BOX15’s range of load rated pull out table frames are 

perfect for creating additional workspaces as and when 

required. They fold neatly away out of sight when not in 

use. Wide choice of sizes, styles and options available to 

suit all applications. Checkout the full range online. 

Tel: 01295 565 001 

sales@box15.co.uk 

www.box15.co.uk 

Solutions 4 Office Ltd have been awarded another contract to refurbish the premises of a specialist 

Government support service in Essex. The project is over 6 phases and involves a full refurbishment of the 

office space, toilets and kitchen areas. Contact Solutions 4 Office for your office refurbishment needs. 

Tel: 020 7309 2909 

www.solutions-4.co.uk 

www.createseating.co.uk 

6 


POWER MODULES 

MONITOR ARMS 

& CPU HOLDERS… 

These are just a few of more than 300 products in our catalogue. 

See our website for the full range of Power Management solutions 

and Accessories, or call us for advice on your requirements. 

BROADPOWER 

Telephone 01258 841001 

www.broadpower.co.uk 


7

AN IMPRESSIVE YEAR FOR 

CREATIVE BUSINESS AT 

CLERKENWELL DESIGN 

WEEK 2018 

The ninth edition of Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW), 

sponsored by Armourcoat Acoustic, delivered huge benefit 

to London’s creative hub with over 65,757 new business leads 

generated during the three-day festival. With more than 200 

brands exhibiting across the 7 venues and 100 showrooms, 

CDW brought life to the area and further cemented the 

festival as a key event on the international design calendar. 

This year’s festival focused on sustainability with Your 

Tote Counts and Reform proving a topical subject matter 

as the debate continues to rage about plastic packaging. 

The Clerkenwell pink wayfinding once again refined the 

visitor experience and helped with access to the extensive 

combination of exhibitions, showrooms, installations and 

over 300 live events. Visitors also observed ground-breaking 

installations including Royal Approval, the world’s largest 

origami structure folded from composite aluminium sheets 

with a flexible core of four metres high. 

Daren Newton, Managing Director of Clerkenwell 

Design Week, commented “The ninth edition of 

Clerkenwell Design Week was hugely successful and 

has proven that the festival is a substantial player on the 

global design scene.” 

We look forward to seeing what’s in store as the festival 

celebrates its 10 year anniversary from 21-23 May 2019. 

CDWfestival #CDW2018 

22 - 24 MAY 2018 

www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com 

SPONSORED BY 

ACOUSTIC 

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WWW.ORGATEC.COM 

NEW VISIONS OF WORK 

COLOGNE, 23.–27.10.2018 

Leaders in affordable office furniture 

Century Office are a leading UK office and contract furniture supplier, 

with over 40 years’ experience in the industry. Based in Essex, they provide 

workplace solutions and offer a tailored approach for architects/trade, interior 

designers and facility managers of small offices to large corporations as well as 

educational facilities. 

Tel: 0800 0929301 

sales@century-office.co.uk 

www.century-office.co.uk 

Buy your trade fair 

ticket online now 

and save up 

to 46 per cent ! 

Vital Parts now produces a range of Castor Wheels! 

Castor Wheels feature on almost every Office Chair imaginable, available in a few 

different options such as Soft Rubber to reduce noise, or a Hard Plastic to increase 

manoeuvrability. Visit their website for more information, with free sampling available 

to test fitting before purchase. 

Tel: 01233 713 581 

www.vital-parts.co.uk 

“In a multi-faceted industry it is a great comfort to have a central base of 

knowledge for established and new to market products. OFAS create a perfect 

bridge between the manufacturer and installer and ensure that their products 

can be found and sourced. We take advantage of our membership of OFAS on a 

daily basis to locate new products and match existing fits. They always respond 

in a timely manner which means we are not keeping our customers waiting for 

answers. A perfect partner”. 

Nemo – Tina Russell 

Purchasing Director 

Attention to health and 

safety is particularly 

important within the crèche. 

Bespoke changing room 

manufacturers and installers 

Crown Sports Lockers have 

the experience to know 

the key factors to consider 

when designing such 

sensitive facilities. 

Bright, engaging décor helps 

create a cheery, welcoming 

environment but behind 

lively colours lies the detailing that ensures children enjoy safe activity. 

Speak to Crown about partnering your crèche project from concept to install. 

Tel: 01803 555 885 

www.crownsportslockers.co.uk 

WHAT KINDS OF SPACES ARE NEEDED IN 

THE MODERN WORKING WORLD ? 

FIND OUT AT ORGATEC 2018. The leading international 

trade fair for the modern working world inspires innovators 

and success creators. Discover the visionary concepts 

and smart technologies driving the interaction between 

working environments and work culture, and taking creative 

collaboration to a new level. Experience the whole of 

tomorrow’s world of work ! 

Find out more at www.orgatec.com/culture 

International Business Media Services Ltd. 

42 Christchurch Road 

Ringwood BH24 1DN 

Tel. +44 1425 48 68 30 

Fax +44 1425 48 68 31 

info@koelnmesse.co.uk 


9

It’s official: 

the workplace industry has converted 

to the world of BIM, they know how it 

can benefit their business, and, most 

importantly, prevent them from losing 

existing or new project where BIM is a 

requirement. 

During CDW we did some investigating… 

44% felt they knew what BIM was but wanted some more 

guidance, whereas 50% had either never heard of BIM 

or had very limited knowledge. Shockingly, 57% of sales 

attendees relied on counting every item of furniture to 

produce a quotation. 53% of customers expect a little extra, such as 3D renders. 

BIM is the evolution of CAD that improves accuracy, increases project speed and promotes collaboration. Together we can eliminate 

errors in our digital building before installation, preventing product waste and reducing project delays. 

Furniture manufacturers are entering the next generation of digital modelling. Customers can now take a true glimpse into their new 

environments with the help of parametric CAD models, linked true architecture, and super-fast rendering. 

Read the full blog here: www.dianebutterworth.com/whybim-an-office-furniture-approach/ 

The launch of Tempo, their latest concept for 

ergonomic seating, was quick to catch the attention 

of their visitors at Clerkenwell Design Week. 

Designed with the intention of being different, 

Tempo combines sophistication and comfort to 

deliver an elegant task chair. Find out more: 

Tel: 01405 746 000 

www.elite-furniture.co.uk 

The Railway Carriage by James Tobias is ideal for modern offices, 

it allows staff to be collaborative in a creative and private 

environment, worlds away from a boardroom. With a huge range 

of standard and special finishes to choose from you can make the 

Railway Carriage unique to your space. 

Tel: 01278 437 300 

sales@james-tobias.com 

www.james-tobias.com 

The Very First Impression Counts 

Proudly presenting Facet, a modern reception 

range clean and stylish in appearance, the 

Facet desks are presented as white solid 

surfaces or spray lacquered finishes, along 

with metallic detailing. Resulting in a lasting 

impression, which is sure to stand the test 

of time. 

Visit www.frem.co.uk today. 

Just as sitting was declared ‘the new smoking’ by some, 

counterclaims now state that excessive standing can 

compromise health and wellbeing, too. The true benefit of a sitstand 

desk is in the regular movement it encourages. Alternating 

every 20-30 minutes is ideal, but it is also important to educate 

users on how to appropriately adjust their workstations for both 

standing and seated heights to prevent undue strain. 

KI’s Work2 Sit-Stand can be integrated with software to 

programme a user’s ideal sitting and standing heights, eliminating 

the risk of incorrect adjustments. It also reminds users to 

reposition at regular intervals.” 

www.kieurope.com 

Dams have launched Reed - a new 

mesh back task chair that provides 

new levels of comfort and support 

to suit the ergonomic needs of each 

individual user. The foundation of 

the visually stunning Reed chair is 

the stylish frame available in black 

or white with matching lumbar lines 

and a free-floating mesh back with 

an effortless recline. 

Tel: 0151 548 7111 

sales@dams.com 

www.dams.com 

10 


Do you need High Quality Revit Families? 

Revit is the 

most used 

software. Out of 

those we asked at 

Clerkenwell 33% 

are using it 

43% of our 

Clerkenwell Attendees 

Surveyed want to 

learn more 

about BIM 

One of the largest portfolios of 

Office Furniture models 

Reputation for high standards and 

excellent visual representation 

Compliant with the latest 

parameter information in-line with 

Building Smart, NBS and industry 

requirements 

Triumph’s New Picnik range is blurring the boundaries of time - a 

traditional frame design with a contemporary twist. The new hand 

crafted oak frame transforms this piece, adding an element of 

elegance and style to this otherwise bold design, making it a perfect 

complement to any setting. 

Tel: 01685 352 222 

marketing@triumphfurniture.com 

Virtual Reality Space Planning Revit Families 3D Visualisation 

hello@dianebutterworth.com 

+44 (0) 1908 534204 

www.dianebutterworth.com 

This May Woodstock launched their new website, through which you 

can now place your orders, check stock and view alternative products, 

view pricing information and download account information including 

invoices. The website also features clearance pages and downloadable 

images for your convenience. 

Tel: 0161 494 5868 

www.woodstockleabank.co.uk 

Sigma, a stunning Spanish manufactured executive desk range for 

the modern contemporary office. Beautifully curved high density 

MFC desk top with a large worksurface area, and a stylish 

white-steel leg frame. A full range of attractive chairs, meeting 

tables and storage cupboards are also available in this range. 

Tel: 0800 731 4592 

www.southernofficefurniture.co.uk 

Office and Educational Furniture Manufacturer WSOF Ltd 

launched their new Qube Locker Range during Clerkenwell 

week. The range incorporates all the different locking 

mechanisms from keys to swipe cards. The lockers can be 

made to measure, and incorporate different colour finishes, 

or have company logos embossed onto the doors. Have a 

look……qube.wsof.co.uk 

Tel: 01243 512 215 

www.wsof.co.uk 

yuno – The Smart Alternative to the Folding 

Table 

yuno by Wiesner Hager impresses with its minimalist elegance and 

innovative design concept which adopts the positive features of 

a folding table whilst avoiding its weaknesses. It stacks easily and 

compactly without the need to fold the frame, thus saving valuable 

time and space when setting up, dismantling and storing tables. 

Tel: 020 7490 3627 

london@wiesner-hager.com 

www.wiesner-hager.com 

Teknik’s Home Study Retro Desks!! 

Hot off the back of Clerkenwell Design 

week, Teknik have launched some new 

‘Retro’ styled Home Study Desks and 

supporting filing/storage. 

The new furniture catalogue is also 

available, so get in touch if you’d like to 

receive a copy. More information can 

be found on their website. 

Tel: 01234 328 804 

www.teknikoffice.co.uk 

Tablets are powerful business tools. 

Choose Durable’s tablet holder wall 

arm or table clamp for a space-saving 

solution that holds any make and model of 

tablet between 7” – 13”. The ergonomic 

swivel arm can be placed in a number of 

positions, tilted and even rotated 360°. 

Perfect for desks or collaboration spaces. 

Tel: 01202 897 071 

www.durable-uk.com 


11

12 


triumph L m SYSTEM, CREATING MOTIVATIONAL + INSPIRATIONAL WORK-SPACES 

01685 352222 SALES@TRIUMPHFURNITURE.COM @TRIUMPH1946 

OFAS 2018 Triumph half page FIRA GOLD.indd 1 12/06/2018 16:44 


13

The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers’ Charitable Funds incorporating the Furnishing Trades Benevolent Association is a registered charity in England and Wales (no. 1015519) and a registered company (no. 02759359) in England and Wales 

Poster.indd 1 29/11/2017 16:35 

Comfort’s innovative range of ergonomic task chairs 

are designed to be compatible with individuals’ needs 

through smart design, engineering and advanced 

technology, such as their patented single lever 

mechanism. The revolutionary lever provides intuitive, 

simple adjustments from one location, making it 

invaluable in today’s agile work environments. 

For more information contact them. 

Tel: 0845 652 0693 

www.comfort.global 

Burland and Electropatent International have 

fully adopted the principals of the circular 

economy. Recently they removed several 

hundred desk power bars which had been 

installed between 15 to 18 years. The client 

wanted them upgraded by removing the 

switch and fuse and replaced with RCBOs to 

meet the latest regulations. This was done with 

minimal waste and the product is good for 

another 20 years! Others would dispose and 

replace with new! 

Tel: 01473 858 214 

www.burland.com 

Mobius are dedicated to delivering creative, innovative 

and functional design solutions for your workplace. 

They are proud to announce the opening of their new 

virtual reality suite. An addition to the range of design 

and fit-out services they offer which enable you to 

transform your office environment. 

Experience the full look and feel of the space and trust 

their turn-key process which ensures that all aspects of 

design through to fit-out are fully managed. 

Mobius invites you to the Warehouse to experience 

your new workplace in stunning virtual reality. 

Tel: 01189 781 419 

info@mobiusatwork.co.uk 

www.mobiusatwork.co.uk 

Pitsford 

Their new chair has a mesh back with an adjustable 

lumbar cushion, the mesh seat has a contoured front. 

A Synchro Body Balance Mechanism with seat slide is 

included. It has 4 lock positions which automatically 

adjust to the user’s body weight. 

The base is black nylon, Pyramid style. 

Tel: 01536 418 341 

www.steelco.co.uk 

The perfect locker solution 

The TRONIC Mifare, is our electronic lock ideal for 

schools and leisure centres. 

Benefits 

- Retrofit capabilities from our coin-operated range 

- Single and Multi-user modes 

- IP65 rated 

- 50,000 cycles battery life 

- Centralised configuration 

- Automatic Open / Close Time function 

- Master, User and Programming Cards as standard 

Tel: 0121 569 7790 

sales@dom-security.co.uk 

www.dom-security.co.uk 

Support the Furniture Makers’ Welfare Campaign 

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry’s charity, is appealing to the entire sector to 

support its 2018 welfare campaign by hanging its new poster to help spread the word that it can support 

industry workers past and present if they have fallen on hard times. 

The organisation is calling on employers within the industry to get behind the initiative and hang copies of 

the poster in offices, factories and other designated staff areas. 

The Furniture Makers’ Company provides financial assistance to workers within the industry through 

grants. 

Copies of the poster can be downloaded from 

www.furnituremakers.org.uk/charity-poster 

or requested by calling 020 7562 8522 

WE 

Things don’t always follow the design 

CAN 

Life 

HELP 

There may be times you need 

YOU 

We will always be there for 

have in mind 

often throw some curve balls 

The Furniture Makers’ Company 

the furnishing industry’s charity 

The Furniture Makers’ Company has been supporting the welfare of employees in the interiors and furnishing 

industry for more than 100 years. If you or someone you know is in need of financial support, let us help. 

Visit our website www.furnituremakers.org.uk/assistance or contact 020 7256 5558 

14 



15

IOSH Managing Safely 

delivered via your own LMS 

International Workplace’s IOSH Managing 

Safely is unlike any other course. You’ll find 

a practical program, full of step-by-step 

guidance, and a sharp business focus. Not 

only that, you’ll also find the highly innovative 

format and content engages and inspires your staff. 

The programme is fully GDPR compliant and has been designed from the ground up to work on all the most popular LMSs – including 

Cornerstone, Totara, Kallidus, Moodle-based systems and more. 

International Workplace is an official IOSH licensed centre with ISO 27001 accreditation, so you have secure access to IOSH approved 

learning tools, accessible to managers and supervisors via your own LMS. 

More here – www.internationalworkplace.com/deliver-IOSH-eLearning-via-your-LMS 

Technology 

Engineered 

for Wellbeing 

Whether it’s a five star hotel or a global HQ, technology can 

help or hinder the experiences of customers and employees. 

When it doesn’t work properly, it can have a negative effect of performance, 

happiness and wellbeing. Technology should be engineered to enhance every 

space, helping to create comfortable, personalised, and hygienic environments 

for everyone. 

Whether working on a laptop, reading, or conducting a meeting, lighting is an 

important feature within a commercial environment. Poor lighting can cause 

eyestrain and headaches (1) as well as drops in task performance. Some LEDs 

lights are engineered to overcome these issues by optimising heat management 

systems to eliminate LED colour degradation and using technological advances 

to reduce flicker. 

By introducing precise positioning control, and personalized dimming and 

splitting, LED Lighting can be optimised for whatever lighting conditions – be it 

bright, consistent task lighting for close work, or ambient lighting to illuminate 

spaces and remove “flat Lighting”. 

Improve air quality 

Indoor air pollution can be up to 5x worse than outdoors (2), with more 

sealed, energy efficient buildings trapping pollutants in rather than 

filtering them out. 

Purification can minimise this by using HEPA filters and activated 

carbon to trap harmful pollutants and gases, enabling employees to 

personalise their surroundings and enhance their comfort. 

Jon Makings – Marketing Executive - Dyson Limited 

1 

As per the Illuminating Engineering Society`s 

(IES) The Lighting Handbook, Tenth Edition: 

Reference and Application, Publisher: 

Illuminating Engineering; 10 edition 

(July 30, 2011) 

2 

Hulin et al, Respiratory health and indoor air 

pollutants based on quantitative exposure 

assessments, European Respiratory Journal, 

Oct. 2012. 

16 


SIT / STAND 

Convert any standard desk in to 

a sit-stand desk with Metalicon 

i-stand. Gain the health and 

productivity boost of a sitstand 

desk plus monitor arm 

at a fraction of the price. Fully 

adjustable without the use of any 

tools. Visit their website to find 

out more and request a quote. 

Tel: 01502 533 444 

www.metalicon.com 

OKIN Office 

Solutions 

If you believe good service, 

a quality product and value 

for money are important 

attributes of a supplier, you 

will not be disappointed 

by what they have to offer. 

To find out more please 

contact them on: 

Tel: 01296 611 681 

DewertOkinSales@pmgb.co.uk 

www.dewertokin.com/products/office 

Fellowes 

Sit-Stand Mats 

Sit-Stand mats provide a cushion 

for standing and are an important 

accessory for any sit-stand 

product 

ActiveFusion Sit-Stand Mat (8707101) 

• Unique shape promotes stretching 

and movement 

Everyday Sit-Stand Mat (8707001) 

• Encourages subtle movement to 

prevent fatigue 

For more information or to 

discuss a trial contact Fellowes 

Tel: 00800 18101810 or 

email: rmonk@fellowes.com 

Bestuhl UK are thrilled to present their new brand identity: Workstories, which 

fully encompasses the diversity of their portfolio. They are now represented 

by 5 amazing brands, carefully curated from across the globe to create a highly 

flexible and coherent collection of furniture and accessories. From desking to 

breakout, power to storage, there is very little they cannot achieve. 

Tel: 020 3735 5224 

info@workstories.com 

www.workstories.com 

Should we Sit or Should we Stand? 

Sit/Stand desking solutions have seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years and have 

been identified as one of the most important emerging trends in the office furniture industry. 

The ability to switch easily between sitting and standing positions while 

remaining at our workstations has been promoted as the latest development in 

employee well-being, although attention-grabbing headlines offering conflicting 

advice have created some confusion. 

The publication of several studies identifying risks linked to prolonged periods 

of sitting down, or ‘sedentary behaviour’, have certainly contributed to the 

increasing demand for sit/stand solutions. The associated risks with sitting for 

long intervals include increased chances of developing diabetes, heart disease 

and obesity, leading to comparisons being drawn with unhealthy activities such 

as smoking. However, standing for long periods of times has its own associated 

risks due to the strain this can place on our bodies. So, should we be sitting or 

standing at work? 

Employee well-being is key to the success of any company and the average 

office worker spends a large portion of their time sitting down. Public 

Health England have advised that we all look for ways to reduce sitting times 

throughout the day, so it is clear that employers should encourage a more 

active workplace and equipping the office with sit/stand desks is one way to 

achieve this. Providing employees with the freedom to move and change 

position frequently is key, and sit/stand solutions should be seen as just that – a 

way of enabling the switch between both positions depending on the comfort 

and needs of the end-user – and not as a move towards a mainly standing 

environment. 

Good posture along with established ergonomic guidance remains essential 

and sit/stand desking should not override the proven advice on positioning 

of seating, lighting and other equipment. Individual requirements, along with 

the demands of different roles, should also be taken into consideration when 

assessing the right approach to use. There are many ways to encourage a 

more active working culture, with suggestions ranging from the introduction 

of ‘walking meetings’, encouraging colleagues to speak directly rather than 

emailing, or the deactivation/slowing down of lifts. Sit/stand desking can be 

an excellent addition to the workplace when used correctly, however the most 

important consideration is how best to encourage a more active environment. 

Carolyn Gara - ABL 


17

More women in key roles? 

This year marks an important milestone in women’s rights in the UK. Legislation granted 

in February 1918 gave some women in the UK the right to vote and whilst it undoubtedly 

marked an important beginning of a process, a process it certainly was. 

It gave females the right to vote, but only if they were over the 

age of 30, owned property, were a member or married to a 

member of the Local Government Register, or were a graduate in 

a university constituency. 

It was restrictive, but it did change the face of the electorate 

dramatically. According to the electoral register at the time, the 

female proportion shot up to 43 percent despite these limitations. 

And, perhaps most significantly, it paved the way for the Equal 

Franchise Act a decade later: an extension of the Act from 1918, 

which gave all women over the age of 21 the right to vote – 

property owners or not. 

As we celebrate this year’s centenary of the Representation of the 

People Act I thought it might be interesting to take a look at the 

role of women in the finance and leasing industry and see if and 

how he has changed over the years. 

When I joined our illustrious industry in 1992 I was a naïve but 

ambitious 21 year old women hoping to carve myself a niche in a 

traditionally male orientated arena. 

I joined a leasing broker as a junior administrator and worked 

with my business development colleagues (all male), the directors 

of the business (all male) and our funding partners (all male other 

than administrators) to grow our IT finance business. 

Within a year or so I was given the opportunity to work in sales 

out on the road dealing with IT salespeople. Almost exclusively 

men. I had zero experience in sales but as my boss said ‘who 

would they rather see? A short, fat, balding guy or a young blond 

woman?!’ Was I offended by this? Certainly not! Was I nervous? 

Certainly! I was thrown into a male-dominated world with no preamble 

or experience. However, I was confident I knew my onions 

having worked in the office for a couple of years. 

What I wasn’t wholly prepared for was the reaction of the men 

I went to see. Yes, they were happy to see me – that much 

my boss was right about. Unfortunately, their expectations 

were extremely low. They assumed I didn’t know much – just 

because I was a woman. Whilst this might not be fair, rather 

than complain about the lack of ‘equality’ I made a decision to 

make sure nothing could be further from the truth. I relished 

the opportunity to prove myself in this testosterone-fuelled 

environment and overdelivered every chance I had. I very quickly 

learnt to make the gender difference work for me rather than 

against me. 

Fast forward 26 years and 2 children later and I now co-own a 

successful business specializing in financing commercial and 

interior fit-out projects. 

Of our team of 18 – only 6 are male – and our entire sales team 

are women. Not only that, they are all return to work mums who 

work flexible hours to fit in with their children. I and they have 

realized it is possible to be a successful working woman who has 

a sensible work / family balance. 

They are all hugely talented and fantastic at their jobs in the still 

largely male dominated D & B industry. 

Flexible working means they can fulfil their potential as successful 

business people without compromising the relationship with 

their children. A win win situation for everyone – including the 

business. 

I’m disappointed that still the vast majority of my peers running 

similar leasing brokerages are men, but do feel a great solidarity 

with the few women who are doing the same as me. 

So, 100 years on from now what will the leasing landscape be 

like? More women in key roles? I certainly hope so. 

Nicki Matthews – Plus Finance 

“The information in this journal is supplied in good faith but its accuracy is not guaranteed and no warranty or representation is 

made in that regard. Inclusion in the OFAS journal does not necessarily represent an OFAS recommendation.” 

Ofas-1537113453001806 /company/ofas ofas_uk_ltd 

@OFAS_UK 

18 


LINAK.CO.UK/DESKLINE 

Add flexibility to your Desk range with a benching system from LINAK ® 

For further information contact LINAK UK Ltd 

sales@linak.co.uk or 0121 544 2211 


19

20 www.ofas.org.uk SUMMER 2018


21

By Harry Knibb - Principal Consultant - WSP 

22 


STORAGE 

Maine Storage and Filing 

Come and view their new Labyrinth range in their showroom. You 

pick the colour combinations and textures to best suit your client’s 

environment. Ensure you are not following the herd by offering your 

client something exciting and different. 

Tel: 01908 271 688 

www.maine.co.uk 

We Are Freewall! 

With over 20 years’ experience in the manufacture of storage wall, 

Freewall has developed a unique design solution that fits the needs of 

almost any project. Whether you’re looking for something modular, 

or something more unique to really set your office space apart from 

the rest, Freewall has the answer to your needs. We offer an extensive 

range of colours and unit types; from large media alcoves and teacher 

walls, to filing units and pre-built modules. 

If you want to know more then send an enquiry 

to sales@freewall.co.uk and bring your storage 

to life! 

“OFAS provides a fantastic forum to showcase our products to 

potential customers. Their online tool is easy to use so visitors can 

search for the type of products they need or browse a for specific 

manufacturer. To boot, the team at OFAS are always friendly and 

always willing to help which makes doing business with them so easy”. 

DURABLE (UK) Ltd – Sam Rylands – Marketing Manager 

in partnership with 

SWITCH | SLEEK | STACK 

SMART STORAGE 

Make your storage solutions smart with the new SWITCH, SLEEK & STACK ranges. 

Enhance your workspace with features including powered lockers and high density 

rolling storage all within a smart, slimline carcass design. 

London Showroom: 21-22 Great Sutton Street | Clerkenwell | London EC1V 0DY 

+44 (0)20 7253 7652 | enquiries@silverline-oe.com | www.silverline-oe.com 

Part of Group S : www.group-s.co.uk 


23

mauser’s innovative and visually appealing xitan.s wins the 

German Design Award 2018 in the category Product/Office! 

Being honoured for the second time since its launch in 

2016, xitan.s impresses with its slender and stackable body, 

floating front, integrated handles as well as horizontal/vertical 

electrification and pedestal system. 

Tel: 07939 118 021 

info@mauser-office.co.uk 

www.mauser-office.co.uk 

Eurofit are enhancing their popular 

cable management range with 

a new portfolio of soft closing 

cable grommets with multiple 

finishes available. Eurofit’s high 

quality cable ports are an Ideal 

cable management solution for any 

desk or workspace allowing for 

a professional and smart working 

environment as well as avoiding 

cable hazards. 

Tel: 01482 714 488 

sales@eurofitsystems.com 

www.eurofitsystems.com 

Moduflex Ltd is a trade only manufacturer 

of bespoke steel storage, library shelving and 

office furniture based in the South West. 

With two manufacturing plants and 

extensive in-house design and production 

capabilities in Bristol, Moduflex can 

help with office fit-out projects of any 

size. Furniture and storage products 

can be manufactured in MFC, steel, or a 

combination of both. 

If there is a requirement for LOCKERS, 

there are no limitations to the size of 

individual lockers, or the scale of each 

project. Show them the space and they 

will design a perfect solution. For more 

information, contact Moduflex. 

Tel: 01179 822 882 

www.moduflex.co.uk 

info@moduflex.co.uk 

@Moduflex_info 

OFAS SUMMER 2018 QUIZ 

Do you know your lyrics? 

Answer these questions and email your answers to 

alan@ofas.org.uk for a chance to win a £50.00 store voucher! 

The winner of our winter competition was Barbara Edge, 

congratulations Barbara, we hope you enjoy spending your voucher! 

Panel Plan offer the most flexible and practical office 

storage solutions available, and here’s the proof - working 

in conjunction with office interior design specialists TDA, 

Panel Plan have produced these stylish WC storage units. 

Regardless of the storage challenge you’re facing, Panel Plan 

can provide the perfect solution. 

Tel: 01908 270 761 

www.panelplan.co.uk 

1. With the lights out, it’s less dangerous. Here we are now, entertain us.’ 

2. ‘Love forever, love is free, let’s turn forever you and me. Windmill, windmill 

for the land. Is everybody in?’ 

3. ‘Rent a flat above a shop, cut your hair and get a job. Smoke some fags 

and play some pool, pretend you never went to school.’ 

4. ‘You must understand though, the touch of your hand makes my pulse react.’ 

5. ‘When I find myself in times of trouble Mother Mary comes to me.’ 

6. ‘Mutual misunderstanding after the fact. Sensitivity builds a prison in the 

final act.’ 

7. ‘No clouds in my storms, let it rain, I hydroplame into fame.’ 

8. ‘I’m in California dreaming about who we used to be. When we were 

younger and free, I’ve forgotten how it felt before the world fell at our feet’ 

9. ‘Living easy, living free, season ticket on a one-way ride.’ 

10. ‘I got this feeling inside my bones, It goes electric, wavey when I turn it on.’ 

11. ‘Scare myself to death, That’s why I keep on running; Before I’ve arrived, I 

can see myself coming’ 

12. ‘This love has taken its toll on me; She said goodbye too many times before’ 

13. ‘But I don’t care what they say, I’m in love with you; They try to pull me 

away, but they don’t know the truth’ 

14. ‘I’m never gonna dance again, Guilty feet have got no rhythm’ 

15. ‘No New Year’s Day to celebrate, No chocolate covered candy hearts to 

give away’. 

24 


ACCESSORIES 

CMD Ltd’s award winning version of Porthole takes charging 

to the next level by offering cable free, wireless charging. It 

is ideal for adapting an 80mm grommet hole or upgrading 

your existing Porthole module. To use simply place your 

wireless charging compatible device on the charging surface. 

A beep will acknowledge the connection and charging will 

commence. 

CMD Ltd; Connecting Power, People and Organisations. 

Contact Cobal Signs for more information on their 

comprehensive range of workstation accessories, including 

nameplates, pin and dry wipe boards and letter trays, 

all available in a range of colours to fit any workstation. 

Tel: 01709 829 511 

sales@cmd-ltd.com 

www.cmd-ltd.com 

Tel: 01635 570 600 www.cobal.co.uk 

FANTASTIC OFFER 

WHILE STOCK LAST! 

VELVAERE 

Freedom to move 

FIXED LINK MONITOR ARM 

Due to supply chain issues 

with the VELVAERE monitor arm 

range, we are in a position to 

offer this amazing deal! 

0800 082 1444 

sales@abl-uk.com 

www.abl-uk.com 

Available in: 

White 

White and Silver 

Black with Blue inserts 

Black with Green inserts 

Contact our sales team or your 

Area Sales Manager for current 

availability. 

only 

£30 


25

It’s time to embrace 

agile working 

TABLET HOLDERS 

Helping you adapt your workspace 

www.durable-uk.com 

26 


Are you ready to move 

away from traditional 

office spaces? 

It is estimated that by 2019, over 59 million mobile tablet 

units will be in use. The trend for using tablets in business has 

increased significantly over recent years with more and more 

of us using them in our day to day working life. They’re mobile 

and flexible, with the ability to assist with a range of professional 

tasks from content creation to order processing. 

In major cities, designated desks for staff are slowly but surely becoming a thing of the 

past and hot desking is becoming an ever-regular sight in offices. One of the driving 

forces for this is often space. 

Office space comes at a premium and if you can create a workstation for multiple 

people, where in the past only one person would have sat, the same space becomes 

much more cost effective. 

Tablets help to reduce desk space and when placed into a holder can be used for long 

periods of time just like a standard pc. Tablet holders that can be adjusted to provide 

various reading angles make working at them more comfortable. Also if space is tight, 

there are options available that clamp to the desk. 

The rise of agile workspaces is also helping to encourage greater communication 

between staff members. Meeting rooms are being replaced by collaboration areas 

which allow different teams and departments to work together on projects, improving 

professional relationships and understanding within the business. Providing tablets in collaboration areas enables staff to write up ideas, 

check facts and create documents without leaving the space. 

The use of tablets in the office can massively aid the transition to agile working. Tablet Holders provide businesses with a stylish and 

robust solution that is perfect for hot desking. Ergonomically designed with adjustable screen angles and built-in security measures, the 

Tablet Holders are easy to integrate with nearly any tablet in any workspace. 

Sam Rylands – Durable UK 


27

Accessories 

should never be an Afterthought 

Office furniture accessories play an important role in the way an office looks and functions, 

so careful consideration should be given from the start of the design process and not be 

seen as an additional extra to be decided later on. 

Leaving accessories as an afterthought can result in the finished 

office layout looking messy or incomplete. A minimalistic look, 

for instance, can end up lost under piles of paper and trailing 

leads if storage and cable management are not considered, 

and a natural “biophilic” approach can be undermined where 

ergonomics are neglected, resulting in unhealthy workspaces. 

The main concern when looking at accessories will always be 

safety and there are various standards to take into account that 

relate to different types of equipment - covering aspects such as 

fire safety, flammable materials, accessibility, and the installation 

and use of electrical equipment. As with office furniture, 

accessories should always be made from suitable material and 

be compliant with the relevant health and safety standards. 

The utilisation of space and the accessibility of shared and 

personal equipment are also important considerations when 

selecting furniture accessories. There are many different 

solutions available for maximising space and utilising natural 

traffic flow, however it is essential to first have a good 

understanding of how people interact with their workspace in 

order to ensure sufficient space and storage are provided. 

Selecting accessories that are either ergonomic by design, 

or that enable ergonomic environments, is essential for 

promoting employee well-being. This may include equipment 

such as foot rests, monitor arms and specialised equipment 

such as ergonomic keyboards for heavy users. Also consider 

accessories that counter the negative effects of lighting and 

other environmental factors, such as those which offer glare 

and noise reduction. 

Finally, although office accessories are practical items by 

nature, this doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish too and by 

selecting these products at the start of the process they 

can complement and complete the overall look. The right 

accessories can not only reduce clutter and facilitate a more 

functional, professional looking workplace; the range of 

options available in material and design opens up possibilities 

for a seamless looking environment, allowing the original 

vision to be matched by the end result and not diminished by 

‘afterthought accessories’. 

Carolyn Gara - ABL 

“The team at OFAS are supportive, organised, patient and always excellent to deal with. They 

accommodate our business and printing requirements to an exceptionally high level that has helped 

our company grow and succeed over the past 3 years. They make us feel like a valued customer and we 

look forward to many successful years ahead with them.” 

Arrow Group Global Ltd - Chris Royston 

28 


Two Good 

ONE OF ThE mOsT 

vErsaTilE aNd cOsT 

EFFEcTivE dual scrEEN 

sOluTiONs ON ThE markET 

As dual screen working increasingly becomes the norm 

in the modern workplace the ability to adopt these new 

working styles is key to user productivity and well-being. 

Ollin is a cost effective, future proofed solution to the 

changing configuration of the workstation. Allowing you 

to update rather than replace as your needs change. 

A dual screen mount can be attached to the main arm, 

improving user productivity. And because there’s no need 

to provide a separate arm for each screen, expenditure is 

kept to a minimum while productivity increases. 

www.colebrookbossonsaunders.com/ollin 


29

GOTO: 

oeelectrics.co.uk/oepandora 

30 


SERVICES 

Active Office Seating, manufacturers of quality office / breakout seating also 

offer a re-upholstery service to the trade which has successfully run for 

many years. Should you require any upholstery quotes, please contact them. 

Tel: 01268 779 991 

sales@activeofficeseating.com 

www.activeofficeseating.com 

Fast Key Services are the UK’s leading supplier of replacement keys and locks for 

office furniture and lockers. Fastkeys cut and dispatch same day, a comprehensive 

range of keys for locks covering all the major lock and office furniture 

manufacturers. These include Lowe and Fletcher, Ronis, Ojmar, Ahrend, MLM 

Lehmann, BMB, Hafele, Hekna, Huwil, Knoll, Touch T6 and many more. 

Tel: 01268 562 562 

sales@fastkeys.co.uk 

www.fastkeys.co.uk 

Margolis is the exclusive distributor for ERGOLAIN, an award winning 

company specialising in the design, manufacturing and sourcing of contract 

furniture for serviced offices, public spaces, hotels and restaurants. 

Together they pride themselves in the service provided through dedicated 

design, project management and manufacturing teams, enabling them to 

deliver your complete project. 

Tel: 020 7387 8217 

paul@margolisfurniture.co.uk 

www.margolisfurniture.co.uk 

Rapid Office offers a free space planning and design consultation as part of 

their design service. Each project is given the attention to detail it deserves. 

Tel: 01708 755 666 

sales@rapidoffice.co.uk 

www.rapidoffice.co.uk 

Desk Warehouse are a Belfast based company, which services a wide range of 

businesses and homes throughout the UK and Ireland. They welcome the opportunity 

to distribute products for GB based wholesalers and have a speciality in buying 

discontinued, liquidated and remaindered stocks. 

Tel: 0800 999 6055 

Sales: ajmulligan@deskwarehouse.co.uk 

www.deskwarehouse.co.uk 

As a Yorkshire based company Over 2 Hills provide 

recycling services throughout the UK. Over2Hills 

has been set up to make things easy and to stop 

the disposal of redundant office furniture being an 

environmental problem. They also provide you with 

an e-paper trail. Their service is available for single 

consignments as well as large and very large disposals. 

Tel: 01274 876 761 

www.over2hills.co.uk 

Act now to discover an installation company with proven experience in the interior 

installation market. 

Sapphire Contractors has a wealth of experience in Partitions, M&E Services, 

Furniture, Flooring and Ceilings supply and installations. 

With a North and South Office they cover a large area. 

Call today for a no obligation quotation and more information 

Tel: 020 8665 6226 

sales@sapphirecontractors.co.uk 

www.sapphirecontractors.co.uk 

Suttons offer a complete cost-effective renovation and refurbishment service for 

all types of office seating. From a single chair to 100 plus chairs, they are happy to 

survey, assess and repair your office seating, to help reduce both your costs and 

impact on the environment. Contact Suttons for a FREE estimate and advice. 

Tel: 01458 252 492 

sales@suttonupholsterers.co.uk 

www.suttonupholsterers.co.uk 

EVENTS 

Office Furniture China 2018 

11th – 14th September 2018 

www.furniture-china.cn/en-us 

London Design Festival 

15th – 23rd September 2018 

www.londondesignfestival.com 

The Hotel Show 

16th – 18th September 2018 

www.thehotelshow.com 

Design Junction 

20st – 23rd September 2018 

www.thedesignjunction.co.uk/visit 

100% Design 

19th – 22nd September 2018 

www.100percentdesign.co.uk 

Education Estates 

16th – 17th October 2018 

www.educationestates.com 

Lux Live 2018 

14th – 15th November 2018 

www.luxlive.co.uk 

WORKTECH 18 London 

27th – 28th November 2018 

www.unwired.eu.com 

The Academies Show 

21st November 2018 

www.academiesshowbirmingham.co.uk 

FX International Interior Design Awards 

28th November 2018 

www.fxdesignawards.co.uk 

www.ofas.org.uk SUMMER 2018 31

Ergo Solutions 

Create a healthier workplace and improve productivity. 

Reach 

The Reach arm has now been awarded 

FIRA’s prestigious Ergonomics Excellence 

Award for the standard 2-5kg option 

and the new Reach HD (Heavy Duty) 3-9kg 

option. It also features a new universal C 

clamp which includes a top mount fixing 

clamp as standard and a split clamp for 

space limited applications. 

Quick Release VESA 

2-5kg and 3-9kg Options 

WARRANTY 

Cable Management 

WARRANTY 

Vision S supports up 

to 5kg and VisionHD 

supports up to 10kg. 

Cable Management 

180 o Lockout 

Top Fixing and Split C clamp 

CPU Supports 

Cable Spines CPU Trolleys Cable Baskets Desk Grommets 

www.cmd-ltd.com 

sales line: +44 (0)1709 829511

Summer 2018

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