Mettler-Toledo Safeline Ltd is a global leader in industrial metal detection, with its Manchester site supporting R&D and international operations. The problem was simple: the office no longer worked for the people using it.
The brief was clear:
- New desks for a growing team
- Practical setups for engineers using equipment every day
- Better storage with cabinets and lockers
- A more appealing space to help keep staff
- Areas for both teamwork and private conversations
This wasn’t about filling space. It was about getting the office to work properly with the new furniture. Instead of going down the usual showroom or catalogue route, they worked with Excel Business Environments for a more hands-on and personal approach.
- On-site support
- Straightforward advice
- Furniture based on real use
- Decisions made with the team, not for them
To support the team, height-adjustable desks and bright-coloured wobble stools were installed throughout the office. Staff can now sit or stand throughout the day, which has worked especially well for engineers who use equipment or work side by side. Storage was upgraded with new cabinets and personal lockers, making it easier to keep things organised and reducing clutter.
The look of the space was kept simple and clean:
- Bright colours to replace darker finishes, for a more pleasing environment.
- Furniture was chosen piece by piece with guidance from the Excel team
Office Breakout & Collaboration Areas
Two breakout spaces were refreshed to give people somewhere to step away from their desks.
A seating area was introduced in the main office, along with furniture for a separate breakout and meeting space. This includes chairs with side tablets to enable support for a laptop or note-taking.
The 2nd space was for a more interactive breakout room, which included a bench desk with coloured stools, a curved sofa, and a pool table. Not just for downtime, but to help people mix and talk more across teams. The spaces are flexible enough for both informal catch-ups and meetings. The client has found that more difficult conversations are often easier in a more relaxed, comfortable setting.
Private 1-to-1 Office Spaces
Some conversations need privacy. Separate areas were created for individual work or one-to-one meetings, giving people a more suitable space away from the main office. Stepping away from the open workspace makes conversations easier and more productive. These areas include personal desks and small meeting spaces, ideal for private discussions, calls, or focused work.
The Outcome
- Workstations that suit the engineering team
- Better organisation with proper storage
- More interaction between teams
- A workplace that feels better to be in
The office now supports day-to-day work and helps with keeping staff long-term. For a business like Mettler-Toledo Safeline, the workspace isn’t just background; it affects how people work and how long they stay. This project went beyond new furniture.
Thinking About Your Own Workspace?
If your office feels off, it’s usually for one reason: it wasn’t designed with your team in mind. That’s the difference between an office space that helps people get on with their work and one that quietly gets in the way. Book a site visit, start the conversation, or download our office furniture brochure here.
