Teknion is a leading international designer and manufacturer of mid- to high-end office systems and furniture products with corporate headquarters in Toronto, Canada, showrooms in over 50 countries, and manufacturing and warehousing facilities in Canada, the US, the UK, and Malaysia. Recently, the company’s 2,350sqm Malaysian facility in Klang housing a showroom, office, factory and warehouse underwent a major refurbishment – only its second since its inception 20 years ago. We joined Teknion staff from around the world for its unveiling recently, where many were struck by the major changes to the space. “It’s a radical change,” says Pamela Keefe, the company’s Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific. “The space was really dark previously. You walked in and it was like entering a cave. There was a giant fish tank, lots of dark stone… it was completely different,” she recounts. “I don’t think the people who work here and those who had seen the old facility expected it to be so different.” The facility’s entire program has undergone a major transformation. Where before the showroom was held on the third floor, the office on the second floor, and the conference rooms and welcoming area on first floor, now visitors get to experience Teknion’s products immediately upon entering the showroom on the first level. The second and third

floors are dedicated to the office and leadership area respectively, and are designed to facilitate both individual and collaborative type work. “We worked closely with our Canada showroom and branding team. We wanted the space to feel just like any Teknion showroom in any part of the world,” Keefe says, adding that all Teknion showrooms follow strict branding guidelines. The new space is consistent with Teknion’s corporate identity, and like Teknion’s showrooms around the world, features neutral interiors that put the focus on the company’s products, which include panel systems, desking and benching solutions, a technology-furniture hub, and a broad range of seating options. Cutting-edge technology has also been incorporated into the space to facilitate remote discussions and collaboration. “One of the things I’m excited about is what we call the ‘Co-Create’ area,” says Keefe. “It is a room surrounded by video cameras that allows us to discuss a product with a client who may be in another country. We place the product in the room, and everyone in our online discussion can see it from all different angles. Our product engineers, who are just out back in the factory, can also come into the room and participate in our meetings.” An entire train was transported to the grounds several years ago – complete with railway tracks – and houses the staff cafeteria and training rooms while serving as a talking point among visitors. “We remodeled it for the facility and it came out to be really charming,” says Keefe. “It really adds something special to the facility.” Teknion teknion.com