OFFICE 2 Go was created by Belmont-based office furniture manufacturer, Freiberg Australia, in 2007 to accommodate the growing number of urgent requirements by clients that needed a fast turnaround in office fit-outs.
OFFICE 2 Go was created by Belmont-based office furniture manufacturer, Freiberg Australia, in 2007 to accommodate the growing number of urgent requirements by clients that needed a fast turnaround in office fit-outs.
With a high volume of manufacturing for blue-chip mining, engineering and other large companies, Freiberg was often forced to turn down smaller clients who required a fit-out in their offices within weeks, not months, which is the industry standard.
Freiberg is a Western Australian-owned company that started in 1946, operating from a spacious factory, well-equipped with computed numerically controlled machinery, and showroom offices at Belmont.
The company specialises in the manufacture, installation and distribution of office furniture and workstation products for commercial office fit-outs, customised to Australian conditions.
Over the years the company has grown to deliver and install complex office fit-out solutions both interstate and internationally, often servicing state, federal and local governments, education, and health sectors.
Office 2 Go retail manager Matthew Hall, who joined the company just months after it was established, said office furniture manufacturing had always been a competitive market in Perth.
He said Office 2 Go was able to gain a strong foothold in the Western Australian market through differentiating its services with the offer of quick turnaround fit-outs.
“Manufacturing usually takes a minimum of four to six weeks production time,” he told WA Business News.
“Lots of customers require special furniture within a small time frame.
“Office 2 Go was set up to accommodate these urgent requirements, focusing on fast turnaround office fit-outs.”
With a small team of just four employees, Office 2 Go targets all customers regardless of their size and type.
The company’s client base, which has grown to 500 in three years, includes architect designers, commercial businesses, government agencies and retail customers.
To cater for the growing demand for its services the company employs contractors, depending on the amount of work required and number of clients.
Mr Hall said by having a portfolio of ready-to-go workstation designs and lay-outs “all ready to go”, Office 2 Go was able to reduce the lead time experienced by most office furniture manufacturing companies.
“We’re able to do it quickly because, for example, we will suggest the colours we have already in stock,” he said.
“If they say they want a light colour then we offer them light colours from our light colour range to ensure they can get the work stations fitted within the short timeframe that they need.
“Most of the time when we draw up a floor plan based on the numbers and requirements people want, we will use an established floor plan that accommodates their numbers but utilising our style of furniture to complete the office.
“With our style we try to be unique. We always try to pride ourselves by having something different to what everybody else is providing.
“There are plenty of places out there where you can get a workstation in a standard style.
“We do accommodate that style of furniture, but at the same time we generally pride ourselves on thinking outside the box and designing something completely different to what the market’s offering and works for our client.”
Mr Hall said while quickly installing office fit-outs with only a small lead time was integral to Office 2 Go’s success, maintaining a small, tight-knit working team was an equally important component.
“We have established a strong friendship and great morale in our workplace,” Mr Hall told WA Business News.
“We all enjoy each others’ company and rely on each other to ensure our customers get the best out of the staff at Office 2 Go.
“It’s important to call these guys good friends as much as you can call them your staff.
“We generally do not leave at 5 o’clock when the computers are turned off, we always socialise with each other for long periods of time before and after work.
“Being a small team we all have to take ownership of our roles to provide customers with the best quality of service, including advice on layout, colours and sizes.”
Mr Hall said by maintaining a small working team, Office 2 Go was able to keep track of which employees were dealing with particular clients.
He said open and honest communication with clients was imperative to the success of the company, while a good working environment was important to any business.
“You have to respect every customer regardless of the amount. A small enquiry can lead to a substantial order,” Mr Hall said.
