All material cutting, machining, and some assembly and laminating takes place in this facility. Components are palletized and sent to the second building for any additional assembly or laminating as well as finishing, warehousing, and shipping. Through the years, Environments has maintained a remote storage area for finished product until customers are ready to accept delivery. This extra storage also serves as a buffer for those times when several customers need simultaneous delivery. All of Environments' employees work onsite in the offices and plants.
Subcontractors perform almost all off-site work, including the majority of installations.
Scott Wothe says his company works with subcontractors who are skilled, reliable, and share Environments' customer-service goals. Initially, the company was concerned that contractors might not treat finished work as gently as their own employees would. But Wothe has concluded that, overall, damage and rework experience is not any higher with contract installers than was the case with his own staff. For many of the subcontractors, Environments is one of their largest customers. Wothe says his company receives the same good service from its subcontractors that Environments strives to provide its own customers.