South Brisbane-based locksmith firm John Barnes & Co Qld Pty Ltd recently merged the company’s head office, sales organisation and warehouse facility to a new building in Salisbury, Brisbane.
The OFS Group was contracted to design the fit-out for the entire operation, including warehouse, office and key cutting areas. The OFS Group worked closely with Austindale Design to meet a challenging delivery schedule. Ray Simpson, Managing Director of OFS commented that they had just seven weeks to supply and install all joinery, office furniture, workbenches and storage facilities for the offices and warehouse.
Ray Simpson project managed the operation and Shaun Devenish-Meares and Lloyd Turner of OFS were responsible for office and warehouse fit-outs.
“The scale of the project was immense,” says Simpson. “For this reason we sought the services of Tim Dawson of Natural Ideas Group, who operates three businesses under the one umbrella – all of which could contribute products to the fit-out. Natural Ideas Group provided workstations, credenzas, Carina mobile pedestals and other office furniture; Alumitech provided the modular office screens; and Integrated Joinery undertook all joinery work.”
Simpson continued to say that the office area colours were chosen by a committee of representatives from OFS, John Barnes and Austindale Design. Light colours were quickly dismissed in favour of black chairs and dark-coloured screen fabrics and melamine furniture was chosen for its durability and quick delivery time.
The office seating was supplied and delivered ahead of time by Fineseat and Malaga multi-tilter task chairs feature throughout the fit-out. The Malaga high-density foam chairs feature a tilter mechanism, with controls for seat, lumbar and height adjustments.
In addition, Fineseat supplied Nemo lunchroom chairs, Industrial Drafting chairs for several workstations, and Titan visitor chairs.
Brownbuilt provided heavy-duty Australian-made storage products which were adapted to suit John Barnes’ special requirements. MantaMesh wire decking in the pallet racking allows heavy loads to be stored while providing air and light penetration, and minimising the use of flammable timber shelves. Brownbuilt also supplied rolled upright shelving and anti-tilt filing cabinets.
BoscoTek supplied high-density cabinets and workbenches, meaning the designers could maximise the available space for storing small lock parts and keys. The sturdy, heavy-duty benches are designed for industrial use.
Simpson says The OFS Group’s ability to provide a one-stop shop service was an important reason for the company’s appointment.
“The team approach ensured the work proceeded smoothly,” he says. “This project is probably unique for the locksmith industry in Australia. Within a month of the business opening, industry visitors were commenting favourably on the design and functionality of the new operation.”