In the comparison of building materials that we have made many times over, solid surface routinely outranks popular materials such as plastic laminates, wood and stainless steel. Solid surface’s many advantages make it a prime option for healthcare environments, locker rooms, commercial spaces, restaurants and countless more facilities. Phenolics, however, share many of these benefits…
An overnight stay in a hospital is vastly different than an overnight stay in a hotel, but both facilities face many of the same demands, including high traffic and exposure to germs and bacteria. Both must create an aesthetically pleasing environment that meets individual needs while still functioning at the highest level. Furniture in these…
Some of the best and most successful companies have mastered the art of paying close attention to every single detail of their business and their product. Scuff marks are sanded and smoothed. Employees are always kind and helpful. No question goes unanswered and no complaint goes unnoticed. Attention to detail can make or break a company…
It’s not all about the money—at least, not for millennials.According to a recent study by Virgin Pulse, younger workers want jobs at a company whose mission and culture align with their personal beliefs.Whereas past generations have placed heavy emphasis on work benefits such as salary or odds of promotion, millennials increasingly seem to care most about what…
Wake up, go to school. Study for tests, raise your hand to answer questions. Wear appropriate clothing. Say the right things, behave the right way.Education is so important for children, and schools are the best places to foster a love of learning. But sometimes they’re too good at standardizing students—at producing students who are great…
Modularity first made its way into the world in the 1930s, with Albert Farewell Bemis’ architectural theories. It has since been adopted and applied to a variety of industries, including computer programming, biology, mathematics and industrial design. There are many benefits of modular products, including their quicker production speed and lower costs. Today we’re breaking down the…
Casework in medical environments might seem trivial. Healthcare facilities are busy, critical environments, and patients’ health and safety are of utmost concern. Healthcare equipment that directly affects patients’ health, then, is typically given the most attention. While casework does not directly affect health or safety, the indirect consequences of unsatisfactory casework can be detrimental. The…
Baby Boomers—those born from 1946 to 1964—enjoy their fair share of media coverage on a regular basis. With more and more Baby Boomers celebrating 65th birthdays each day, Social Security and Medicare are facing heavy strain. The media regularly covers this growing problem, but there’s another, not-so-frequently covered problem associated with the aging population: hospital…
White isn’t the new black, but it’s pretty close. Easily accessorized, clean and space enhancing, white is a great color for many environments. If you couldn’t tell from our work, we love white—especially white casework. There are a lot of reasons for our love of this color, but here are just 5 reasons to love white…
Production doesn’t need to be complicated, so at SHIELD… it isn’t. Employing both digital fabrication and lean manufacturing has helped make our production process relatively painless and allows our products to be created on a convenient timeline. Never heard of digital fabrication or lean manufacturing? No worries, that’s why we’re here. Here’s a quick look at…