National workstation fit-out provides consistency to NAB

In August 2007, following a national request for tender, Corporate Express was selected to supply all National Australia Bank (NAB) offices with workstations, representing one of the country’s largest workstation fit-out projects.

Only suitable tenderers with national capacity and the ability to supply, deliver and install in both metro and regional locations were invited to participate in the tender process.

Corporate Express was able to work with its global partners to identify a solution that would best suit NAB’s requirements including quality, value for money, durability, aesthetics, service and reliability, with a key focus on environmental awareness and product sustainability.

Corporate Express appointed Jarad Nass as Project Manager to provide NAB with ample support, responsiveness and a tailored service nation-wide.

“Corporate Express worked in consultation with NAB’s key stakeholders, architects and engineering consultants throughout the research and development period, creating several prototypes and design improvements, to come up with a fully customised workstation which met the environmental, social and economic needs and requirements of the bank.

“After working on several prototypes, we came up with a combination of European height adjustable legs, monitor arms and pedestals and quality slimline screens. We selected user-adjust workstations where desks can be adjusted to the height of users as this is a very important OH&S element,” Nass said.

“The workstations also include fabrics which have received environmental certification by independent third party, Good Environmental Choice Australia, and are considered environmentally innovative under the Green Star rating system. Currently, environmentally innovative products achieve maximum points within the respective categories of the Green Star tool.

Gary Eden, NAB’s Head of Procurement, said Corporate Express was able to provide a solution that aligned with the bank’s sustainability criteria.

“Our property and furnishings design standards have been updated to include sustainability as a key element. Both Corporate Express and building services and environmental engineering consultancy Lincolne Scott have been major contributors to this activity,” Gary said.

“NAB has committed to become carbon neutral by 2010. As part of this commitment, Corporate Express worked with NAB to provide workstations compliant with the relevant Australian Green Building Council Green Star measurement tool”.

“It has been an outstanding performance by Jarad Nass and the Corporate Express team,” he added.

Howard Steinberg, General Manager Furniture, said Corporate Express and National Australia Bank had an existing relationship across various lines of business and were both able to build upon it through its workstation fit-out project.

“By using a single source supplier for its national workstation fit-out, NAB was able to get a consistent product across the board in both rural and CBD locations”.

Jarad states, “NAB could also rely on our collaboration with its builders, consultants and architects to ensure a smooth implementation of the project around Australia,” Given the magnitude of the projects this was key to ensuring a seamless transition between building moves and integration of the various facilities service providers and minimal site disruptions.

Each of NAB’s commercial offices fitted out by Corporate Express include between 20 and 4,000 staff.

As a result of Corporate Express’ excellent service, National Australia Bank has extended its contract to cover ‘flexi desk’ workstations, also with European design and finish, and storage. These new projects will contribute to Corporate Express’ and National Australia Bank’s long-standing and ongoing collaboration for several years to come.