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MetroWall in the Metropolis

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We’re delighted to be featured in Metropolis magazine, the publication that has its finger on the pulse of what’s next in architecture and interior design.

For more than 40 years, Metropolis has kept a clear focus on ethics, innovation, and sustainability in architecture and design that makes people’s lives better. The Metropolis feature focuses on our bold glass interior solutions and how we’ve built a reputation for delivering quality product on time, stress-free, and aligned with clients’ requests and expectation.

How to Transform Your Margins With 50% Faster Lease Times

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Because every dollar counts in 2023, developers have been asking for our help with projects purpose-designed for dramatically lower vacancy rates. How have we achieved this? By leveraging the US-wide spec suite trend to deliver the value, turnaround speed and modern aesthetic many tenants want from office accommodation.

If vastly improved vacancy times would help your projects address the challenges of 2023, simply read on to discover how to make it happen AND how we can help.

Our Quick Read overview only includes the spec suite essentials we think every property developer should see!

Why Spec Suites?

*50% lower vacancy times

*20.8% higher avg rent PSF

*600% faster turnaround of new tenants

It’s simple: a spec suite allows potential tenants to both quickly visualise what working in their new space would look like as well as enjoy the reassurance of knowing their accommodation will be available almost straight away with no build-out delay.

And for property developers, this means…

Less chance of long vacancy times: One study discovered an improved vacancy rate from 16.5 months to an impressive 3.4 months! Another US expert has been seeing 50% faster vacancy times.
That’s because a clear demonstration of how the space could look helps small to mid-sized tenants with traditional office space needs with the decision to go ahead and sign for their new accommodation.
Improved rent: The convenience, speed and modern look of a well-executed spec suite could mean increased rental, even as much as 20.8% higher.
With spec suite build-out costs running similar to shell property build-out costs, the additional income from the property makes a spec suite a no-brainer for many clients.
Faster turnaround when a tenant is found: Going from new tenant agreement to move day in just one month becomes very possible as often the tenant just needs to supply their furniture and appliances.

Compare this to the process of build-out, permits and other potential delays when a tenant signs for a shell property. That’s why a US business journalist has described spec suites as a great step towards adapting to the move away from the recent ‘landlord’s market’ by “giving tenants what they want”.

Unlocking these benefits at a time when pressures like supply chain issues and labor shortages are causing delays with companies you might deal with (but not us!) this leaner, faster process is meeting the needs of many property developers in 2023.

How We Can Help?

Our rapid, premium glass partition know-how is ideal for spec suite projects!

Fast turnaround of initial info and ideas
In-house design, inventory and manufacturing right here in NY State
Concept-to-install in just THREE weeks

Here’s how we’ve made a difference for MetroWall clients…

“A timely, expert installation with a beautiful finished product”
– John, Avison Young

“…above and beyond my expectations…you guys knocked this one out of the park”
-Kevin, Unispace

“You accommodated our aggressive timelines and your installation team did an excellent job”
-Peter, Evo Realty

Ready to transform your vacancy times with a spec suite project? To discover fast, stress-free, design-to-launch glass partition expertise, book your consultation with a MetroWall specialist

How We All Worked Together in 2022

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The Lesson from 2022? We’re A Community of Professionals Thanks to You!

We’ve been looking back at the challenges of 2022 and taking a moment to appreciate something awesome the past year has taught us! That lesson? When we double down on our relationships as a family of architecture and design sector professionals, bold ideas and big results still happen, even in challenging times.

This means your work and expertise, as a valued client, have been deeply appreciated. After all, your inspiring projects, ideas, feedback and collaborations have been the backbone of a year when we all insisted on delivering quality in the face of global disruption to business elsewhere.

As our holiday season thanks for 2022, we asked MetroWall General Manager Jared to reflect on three ways we’ve all worked as a community in 2022, as well as reveal a charitable gift we’ve made as a gesture of appreciation.

Our 2022: What We Achieved Together

Instead of just thinking about the highs and lows of business in 2022, we’ve been talking about HOW we’ve all worked together and the difference this has made to your projects in the past 12 months.

1) The value of trust: “Our clients know that the outcomes we achieve are, in large part, a result of the community that we choose to surround ourselves with.

“That’s why we deeply appreciate the trust placed in us. In June 2022 we sought to repay this trust by reminding clients, our community of professionals, of how we could help as a supplier during turbulent times for business. As a family-owned company, trusting relationships are priceless to us and have been the backbone of our industries in 2022.”

2) Feedback helps us grow…together: “We’ve listened to client feedback throughout the year and we’ll continue to evolve our products and service based on the ideas and insights provided by valued customers.

“Particular thanks to everyone who took part in our year-end survey as this type of outreach is going to play an important part in constantly looking for ways to make our products and customer service even better.”

3) An unshakable sense of ambition: “We’ve loved seeing how the community of architecture and design professionals we work with have been as ambitious as ever in the face of challenges in the global business environment.

“Our customers’ determination to work with us to deliver bold ideas and innovations to inspire tenants and improve their health and well-being, as well as the sustainability of our environment, has been more evident than ever!”

The result? The supportive, collaborative, trusting partnership between your work and MetroWall we’ve developed in 2022 makes the forecast good for stunning project outcomes in 2023…no matter what challenges the year brings us!

Our Thanks for Your Support in 2022

In honor of clients and friends like you, we’re donating $1,000 to One Tree Planted, who’ll use the funds to plant trees in urban communities across the United States.

This token of appreciation supports our commitment to give back to the communities we serve and is an acknowledgement of our deep appreciation for our customers and the role you play in our collective success.

A final word from Jared: “Thanks to you, MetroWall has grown to become a trusted partner in the buildout of interior spaces because of the relationships we have cultivated with our customers and the culture we foster with our team.

“Our ethos ‘More is Possible’ has been our compass as we place serving your needs at the heart of our approach, and will be our foundation going into 2023. We’re excited about meeting the challenges of 2023 with you.

“In the meantime, tell us how we can help you! As always, to speak to a MetroWall partitional wall specialist simply contact us or if you would like to reach out to me directly, please email me at Jared@metro-wall.com ”

Wishing you a very happy holiday season and a healthy and prosperous New Year from everyone at MetroWall

Insights From Our Boston Architectural Rep

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Behind the Scenes at MetroWall: Introducing Our Boston Architectural Representative

What makes 2022 such an exciting time for MetroWall clients in Boston? What pressure are many architects facing in the current working climate? And what kind of relationship between suppliers and professionals has become more important than ever?

We asked new team member Ariana Burdett, MetroWall’s Greater Boston Architectural Representative, for her insights into the challenges and opportunities facing projects in the area.

Read on to discover Ariana’s views as well as go behind the scenes of her Architectural Representative work…

Greater Boston’s Architecture Projects in 2022 – Ariana’s Insights

Ariana, a Tufts University Engineering Science and Architectural Studies graduate with almost 20 years of professional experience, explained that she has begun her MetroWall role at an exciting time for the Boston area:

“There’s great opportunity in Boston!

“The city is shifting and expanding constantly and that’s why cranes are everywhere.”

Ariana outlined that she had seen a rising challenge for projects and identified the simple key to leveraging this into an opportunity.

“A common obstacle in today’s world is that project timelines seem to keep getting compressed, yet product lead times seem to keep getting longer and more unpredictable.”

“MetroWall is intensely focused on procurement and making sure we have product continuously stocked so that we can deliver within 3-4 weeks to meet the most challenging schedules.”

“Most of all, the collaborative process between customers, stakeholders and MetroWall is more important than ever. Organizations in a post-Covid world place higher priority on both transparency and collaboration so it’s an exciting time for working smarter and working better together,” she said.

Ariana added that her initial weeks in her new role had shown how MetroWall offers a unique solution to the architectural challenge of such a rapidly-changing city.

“I’ve learned so fast, with the support of the entire team of super dedicated and driven people here, that speed, responsiveness, and commitment to delivering great projects are very much at the heart of the company.

“We sell direct to the customer allowing us to really walk what we talk. After all when you call us you’re speaking directly to the people who design, engineer, sell, manufacture and install our product getting you the right solution faster!”.

She explained that “diving into a project” is a favourite part of her role.

“Understanding what the customer is trying to achieve and coming up with the right solution really motivates me.”

She concluded that her early days “have been filled with conversations about unique challenges and brainstorming to come up with a solution” and pointed out that this makes her “hopeful for the future!”.

Behind the Scenes With Ariana

Ariana also gave a glimpse of her typical workday, and more, by answering our Team MetroWall questions!

Duties of the Greater Boston Architectural Representative role: “To grow company sales by pursuing and advising clients, driving product specification and ensuring a level of service that exceeds expectations.”

Brief career history: “I studied Architectural Engineering and started my career as a Designer. I’ve worn many different hats while working with customers across multiple different industries from both the design and sales side of the workplace world.”

Typical day: “No two days are the same! But usually a mix of collaborating with customers on projects, meeting internally with teammates to information share and make sure everything is running smoothly as well as reaching out to new contacts to share our company and products.”

Why work at MetroWall: “Everyone I met here is not only a really nice person but also incredibly passionate about what they do and working hard to deliver for our customers. That energy, combined with the opportunity to be part of a growing company with great products that can be delivered quickly in an increasingly complex world, swayed me to accept a new challenge.”

Favorite things about the role: “Meeting new people and getting to work on so many amazing projects – each with their own set of challenges to find solutions for.”

Most interesting challenges in the role: “Every day presents a new challenge. Right now it’s learning all of the details of our systems and capabilities. I’m excited to work with our customers to find the perfect solution to their challenges.”

Work ethos: “Work hard, have passion for what you do, be honest, admit when you don’t know the answer but commit to finding it out.”

Favorite quote:

Listen to Mustn’ts, child, listen to the Don’ts.

Listen to the Shouldn’ts, the Impossibles, the Won’ts.

Listen to the Never Haves, then listen close to me.

Anything can happen, child, Anything can be.

-Shel Silverstein

Dream job: “Travel blogger”

Hobbies: “Travel, Skiing, sailing, sitting on the beach with a good book, discovering the world with my 1 and 3 year old.”

Why MetroWall?

We’re proud to be much more than just a supplier for the professionals who rely on us for expert help to make their glass partition project as easy as possible.

That’s because our team, using years of industry experience, approaches each project as a consultant to ensure successful project outcomes.

We design and manufacture and our glass partitions ourselves in New York and even deliver and install using our own expert team.

Ultimately, professionals work for us for two big reasons: our 15 years of experience and our local inventory as this means expertise without the delays!

For product inspiration plus sustainability and LEED data click here. To speak to a MetroWall partitional wall specialist simply contact us. We’re here to help.

Choosing a Glass Partition Provider? Ask These Questions First

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For professionals like designers and architects, finding the right glass partition provider isn’t a simple exercise. That’s because the quality of the provider and their work can have so much impact on the schedule, the performance of the product and – most of all – the final ‘wow’ impact of the partition itself.

Metrowall’s clients often find us after searching for a professional partner they can trust to be an asset to their project.

To make the search for the right provider easier for you, we’ve compiled ten essential questions you should ask of a potential glass partition provider if you’re determined to find better customer experience and a ‘wow’ finished result.

Choosing a Glass Partition Provider: The Essential Questions

Firstly, what makes us glass partition experts? Well, we’ve been designing, manufacturing and installing partitions purpose-made to wow since 2007.

Using their experience of delivering stunning partitions for demanding professionals, our specialists strongly recommend using a simple checklist to make sure you have’ve found the right partnership for your project…

1. Who will be your point of contact: Knowing how many people you will have to deal with in advance is a must. Will there be a sales rep, a billing department, a shipping office? Or just a single person who will handle all your questions?

Tip: Look for an entirely in-house set-up. We’re proud to make, store, dispatch and install our own glass partitions all from New York State so this means one person can help each client before, during and after their order.

2. Inventory, inventory, inventory: How much and where is it stored?! Especially in 2022, knowing the location and quantity of inventory before your order is a big indicator of a fast, assured lead time.

Tip: A provider should welcome these kinds of questions! Look for simple answers with clear, detailed answers. Every time.

3. The gut instinct test: How have you found their service and support right from that very first call or email?

Tip: Friction right at the start of a professional relationship almost always means a difficult process, always trust your first impressions.

4. Off the shelf or bespoke: A downmarket supplier will be quick to cut corners with ‘stock’ solutions based on the product that suits them best.

Tip: The right glass partition partner will be keen to collaborate to create something made to excite and delight. Ask if they have in-house R&D!

5. Assess the estimate and design process: The quality of the information at the early stage is another great indicator of the standards you can expect.

Tip: Look out for the length of time it takes to receive shop drawings plus check that the estimate is clear and comprehensive.

6. Expect samples, always: Samples should be available to give a physical indication of quality as well as a way to examine the construction and materials in detail.

Tip: A professional glass partition specialist will be bursting to tell you about the technical specification, source and quality of every part of a partition!

7. Study the client list…hard: Does the provider’s client list give you immediate confidence in their ability to make an awesome partition happen for you?

Tip: A client list should instantly impress and give some indicator of the provider’s reputation in their industry. For example, you’ll find MetroWall clients and testimonials proudly shown on our homepage.

8. Think about local knowledge: Supplying a glass partition and understanding your local area are two different things. Getting this wrong is a frequent source of delays and frustration.

Tip: Ask about their experience with local challenges. In our state – New York – this means dealing with unions, freight elevator restrictions, off hours noise rules, trade coordination, building rules & regs, sidewalk/street access, labor requirements and more!

9. Shipping details matter: A supplier who will simply drop a crated partition to your site using a delivery company opens up a risk of damage AND leaves you with crates to deal with.

Tip: Look for an in-house delivery service like MetroWall’s dispatch service (part of our ‘concept to completion’ service) as it means the provider can keep the partition safe right up to installation and even remove crates from the site.

10. Ask about the ‘why’ AND ‘where’ of the whole supply chain: Ask about the geographical location of every part of the manufacturing to delivery process.

Tip: An overseas link in the supply chain adds a risk to lead times! One element of your partition winding up stuck in a container somewhere breaks the entire lead time process. For example, this is why we insist on higher quality locally-made glass.

Ready for a more professional glass partition experience? Following this approach means you will’ll have taken the right steps to source a faster, easier glass partition provider.

Why You Need to Know About MetroWall

We are’re proud to be much more than just a supplier for the professionals who rely on us for expert help to make their glass partition project as easy as possible.

That’s because our team, using years of industry experience, approaches each project as a consultant to ensure successful project outcomes.

We even design, manufacture, store and install our glass partitions ourselves right here in New York.

Ultimately, professionals work for us for two big reasons: our 15 years of experience and our local inventory as this means expertise without the delays!

For product inspiration plus sustainability and LEED data click here. To speak to a MetroWall partitional wall specialist simply contact us. We’re here to help.

Three Things to Know About Glass Door ADA Compliance

Delivering Projects in Turbulent Times: Three Ways We Can Help

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Whether you’re an architect, construction professional or designer, the climate for delivering projects right now could well be the most challenging you’ve ever faced. Thankfully, we can help.

Because we’ve been a trusted professional partner for our clients for over 15 years, we’re uniquely positioned to offer expertise, reassurance and sustainability at a time when all three are needed most.

This quick read blog sums up why you can count on MetroWall to be ‘in your corner’ while you weather the challenges facing businesses around the world.

Read on to discover three ways we can make the current climate a little easier and, most of all, a reminder to simply contact us for personal assistance. We’re here to help.

Count On Us

We’re proud to be able to support our valued clients in three powerfully simple ways during this difficult time for many of the professions we supply.

You can rely on us thanks to:

Assured supply chain: Our supply chain, based on our own manufacturing in New York State supporting our substantial and locally held inventory, has been established over years. This means availability is one less thing to worry about.
Here today, here tomorrow: Because you want a supplier you can trust to deliver for you now and in the future, we offer the reassurance of having weathered numerous economic highs and lows! As a firmly-established market leader, this isn’t our first challenging environment and won’t be the last.
A professional partner: Our clients often turn to us for advice, technical information, expert product knowledge and for our cooperation to deliver against tight cost and time demands. Our door is always open for clients who want help to make the right interior glass partition happen within exacting budgets and timescales. Just ask.

In short: we’re here for our clients and want to help. Whatever you’re facing, we’ve helped clients face challenges before. And we’ll be proud to do the same now and into the future.

Why MetroWall?

At MetroWall we do things a little differently, and it all comes down to one simple ethos: ‘if you want something done well, do it yourself’!

We design, manufacture, store and install our glass partitions ourselves right here in New York. Our delivery even uses our own drivers so we know everything is just right for you, every time.

Ultimately, professionals work for us for two big reasons: our 15 years of experience and our local inventory as – bottom line – means expertise without the delays!

For product inspiration plus sustainability and LEED data click here. To speak to a MetroWall partitional wall specialist simply contact us. We’re in your corner and we’re here to help.

Your glass partition construction phase questions, answered

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When you choose to renovate your workspace and incorporate glass walls and partitions, you’ll understandably have questions. Whether you’re mid-way through the install and need to make a last-minute change or you’re still deciding on which fixtures and fittings to choose, it’s likely there are things you want to know. We’ve compiled a list of answers to some of the most commonly asked questions relating to the construction phase.

“I’m looking for specific components for my office fronts, how will you handle that?”

We stock large quantities of standard hardware products like levers, pulls, and closers but anytime a specific function or brand of hardware is required, MetroWall pre-orders at the time of release to ensure that we have non-stock items in time for the project delivery date.

“Can I use specific glazing types with MetroWall?”

Of course! We have an in-house engineering team and can easily accommodate bespoke glass types or bespoke hardware choices.

“What finishing options can I have with a MetroWall glass partition?”

We have both matte black and clear anodized frames in stock. We also offer customized powder coating for any finish, whether you’re looking for a certain texture or specific brand colors.

“I have specific labor requirements. My project is prevailing wage, has a PLA, union, or open shop, can you work with us?”

Yes! MetroWall has core teams of both union and non-union installers that are trained and familiar with our entire product range.

“How do you ensure we stick to our turnover deadline?”

Whenever we start a job, our first question is always, “What is your schedule?” Our experienced Project Management team will review your schedule and work backwards to ensure all of your deadlines are met.Our huge local storage facilities mean the products you need are in stock and close by so we can adjust production timelines, phase deliveries, and make sure you hit your dates. We’ve delivered projects in as little as a few days.

“We need to reconfigure a conference room at the last minute, but the end date of the project isn’t changing. Who can I call?”

Anyone at MetroWall! We’re one team working towards the same deadline and successful project completion. Give us a call and you’ll be able to speak to the right person right away.

Still got questions? Drop us a line and we’ll do our best to answer them right away.

Get in touch.

How MetroWall is staying a step ahead of the supply chain shortage

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From household goods and electronics to raw materials, the global supply chain shortage is ongoing and affecting just about every industry. At MetroWall, we worked to combat these issues before they even began. Disruptions started around the time the Covid pandemic emerged but challenges to the construction and building industry are taking considerably longer than expected to normalize – but why? And how do MetroWall’s manufacturing processes address the issue?

What is the global supply chain?

The global supply chain is an invisible pathway that takes goods from where they’re manufactured or grown, to where they need to go. From raw material to end user. The supply chain regularly crosses not just borders but oceans too.

Why has it been affected

Disruptions to the supply chain began in early 2020. Factories and manufacturing plants were hit hard by Covid 19. Many were shut down and others were forced to work at drastically reduced capacity.

It’s not simply a matter of “ah, Covid”, though. In response to an anticipated drop in sales during the early days of the pandemic, shipping companies greatly reduced their scheduling but customers didn’t stop spending, they just spent their money elsewhere. So, while spending at restaurants and movie theatres fell, spending in areas like home renovations and Covid-secure workspaces skyrocketed. Building companies responded to this by ordering in bulk.

The steep surge in demand combined with fewer ships to transport goods, clogged the system. Combine this with labor issues and a shortage of shipping containers and you’ve got yourself a perfect storm.

When will the shortages end?

The answer to this isn’t entirely clear (we can now add severe weather events like Hurricane Ida and foreign political upheavals like Brexit to the mix), but it seems likely that these issues will continue well into 2022.

How are MetroWall circumventing the issue?

It could be argued that such an issue was inevitable – many companies have purposely been keeping lean inventories to limit costs for years but at Metrowall, we do things a little differently. We’ve always believed in holding large quantities of inventory in stock. In the past, this has allowed us to have the fastest lead times in New York and right now, it allows us to buck the trend of delays and shortages and deliver on our 3-4 week lead time promise.

Many companies source materials internationally to save on costs but at MetroWall, we’ve always sourced locally. Not only does this give us greater control and flexibility, it’s also good for the community and helps the environment by reducing shipping and storage. It’s also given us the chance to build strong connections and strategic agreements with our vendors to allow for uninterrupted supply. And, right now, it’s helping us sidestep industry-wide issues caused by heavy reliance on the shipping industry.

At MetroWall, we’re a one-stop shop. We control the entire process (manufacturing through install), we do our own deliveries so we’re not affected by shipping bottlenecks or vehicle shortages and we always have and always will forecast our inventory against demand.

Supply Chain shortage or no, at MetroWall we’re sticking fast to our 3-4 week lead time.

Want to work with us?

Get in touch today to find out how our 3-4 week lead times could transform your workspace sooner than our competitors.

Get in touch