Fellowes Blog Main menu Home About Here Comes The Sun POSTED ON FEBRUARY 3, 2020 BY FELLOWESOFFICEWORKS Fellowes Introduces Solar Panels to Their Itasca Headquarters As part of their green initiative, Fellowes has added an energy-saving solar array to its Itasca, Illinois headquarters. The switch was flipped on December 18th beginning a long-term goal of reducing power usage by utilizing solar energy at its manufacturing facility in the Chicago suburbs. Power From the Sun Fellowes partnered with SunVest Solar to install the rooftop solar array. The digital aspect of the solar installation will also include reports available to all Fellowes employees of the energy generated throughout the coming months. Benefits of Solar Panels This solar array will produce 1,327,060 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This is the equivalent of reducing the greenhouse gas from: What Do Solar Savings Look Like? The solar energy initiative will reduce carbon emissions equal to: Path to Renewables The initiative is part of the Path to 100 campaign to promote solar and wind alternative energy in Illinois. Along with creating cleaner energy in the state, the project also drives sustainability jobs and economic growth. Part of a Greener Vision for Fellowes More than just energy conservation through solar goals, Fellowes is implementing other strategies to reduce its carbon footprint and reduce waste. Bright Ideas for Reducing Energy The high-efficiency LED lighting in the Itasca manufacturing facility results in an average of 50% reduction in energy consumption. Minimizing Waste Through Continuous Improvement Fellowes has implemented company-wide recycling and waste reduction initiatives from the manufacturing floor to the administrative offices. By creating products from recycled content they have improved their environmental efforts. Partnering with Eco-Friendly Suppliers Fellowes has found ways to minimize emissions and make manufacturing greener. They reduced VOC output by partnering with ink suppliers for more environmental formulas and decreased CO2 output by economizing product packaging. RATE THIS: 71 Votes SHARE THIS: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Loading... POSTED IN OFFICE PRODUCTS TAGGED SOLAR ENERGY, SOLAR PANELS Fellowes Brands Wins IDEA Design Award for New Elea Office Chair POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2019 BY FELLOWESOFFICEWORKS The new Elea Office Chair from Fellowes is gaining notoriety for its distinctive design as well as its unique functionality. The Industrial Designers Society of America noted the elegant design and visionary engineering. The remarkable features have set Elea apart from all other office chairs in the workplace furnishing industry. An Office Chair That Will Move You, Literally The Elea patent-pending Omini-Kinetic Suspension Technology suspends the seat pan with steel rods that allows the seat—and you—to freely move while ensuring proper balance and stability. By introducing micro-movement into the workday, Elea encourages improved circulation, heart health, muscle and joint flexibility, and mental alertness. The subtle movements of Elea flow in conjunction with body movement, so the chair syncopates with daily work activities. The user experiences a sense of energy and vitality not found in other office chairs. An Office Chair Designed for Stability and Comfort Industrial-grade alloy steel rods and a cast aluminum framework together to form a unique load-bearing system, which allows free-movement within a durable construction. A revolutionary designed curved chassis provides the support and comfort needed to carry you through your day for years to come. Driving a Robust Wellness Initiative Elea is part of Fellowes Brand’s objective to introduce innovative wellness furnishings into the modern office environment. Elea is a design and engineering achievement that supports this broader wellness goal. The Elea is currently available for purchase. Learn more about one of the leading designs in workplace wellness. Learn more about Elea here. More About the Industrial Designers Society of America Founded in 1965, the nonprofit Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) is one of the oldest and largest industrial design associations. They represent thousands of members in dozens of Student Chapters, Professional Chapters and Special Interest Sections in the United States and internationally. IDSA sponsors the annual International Design Excellence Awards® (IDEA), the world’s most prestigious and rigorous design competition. RATE THIS: 68 Votes SHARE THIS: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Loading... POSTED IN OFFICE CHAIR, OFFICE FURNITURE TAGGED BEST OFFICE CHAIR, DESK CHAIR, ERGONOMIC OFFICE CHAIR, OFFICE CHAIR New Lotus RT 180º Rotation Standing Desk Wins Design Award POSTED ON DECEMBER 12, 2018 BY FELLOWESOFFICEWORKS Fellowes recently expanded its Lotus Sit-Stand Workstation line to fit diverse work styles. The innovative design was recognized by the international Spark Award, winning Gold for 2018 fall product launches. Award judges noted the design distinction in RT which features dynamic Tri-Motion 180º rotation at the base and 180 º work surface rotation. This gives the user the versatility to effortlessly sit, stand, collaborate or shift the workstation aside with new inspiration. Perfect for small work spaces, the RT standing desk uses a micro clamping system, leaving more desk space and maximized range of motion. The sturdy design of the Lotus RT securely locks into place and prevents sinking while typing. The clamp mounting system allows for minimal footprint installation and even works near cube walls and fits a variety of desk configurations. The signature waterfall design of the Lotus Sit-Stand series enhances productivity with a distinctive flowing work space that moves with you. The cord management system also contributes to the smooth flow of motion, keeping computer cables under control with every change in direction. The dynamic flexibility of RT is part of a greater wellness objective by Fellowes to increase opportunities for healthy physical movement throughout the work day. The RT Offers More Than Just Sitting and Standing. RATE THIS: 70 Votes SHARE THIS: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Loading... POSTED IN OFFICE PRODUCTS Why Businesses Are Turning to Micro Cut Shredding. POSTED ON OCTOBER 23, 2018 BY FELLOWESOFFICEWORKS As security breaches continue to rise across many industries, security experts are advising that protection shouldn’t just exist at the digital level. Data security has already become law in Europe as new GDPR regulations have gone into effect. Eventually, such laws will also impact the US. Micro cut shredders become an essential with the changing security environment. Though a robust IT shield is essential for top-line security, hackers and identity thieves are using a combination of tactics to gain access to private information. The greatest misconception is that identity theft is an opportunistic crime and that thieves just so happen to stumble upon unprotected information. In fact, identity theft rings and hackers may be specifically targeting a business for months with specific information in mind that they wish to breach. Their tactics may incorporate a complex strategy that includes identifying vulnerabilities in their computer system to infiltrating the headquarters through actual employment as company spies. Non-Digital Approaches to Identity Theft While many companies place an intense focus on their firewall, identity thieves may be investigating other opportunities where protection is lax. This may include dumpster diving, gaining building access through employment, or acquiring access to information as a trusted vendor. Dumpster Diving While dumpster diving seems like a relic of a pre-digital age, it is still an effective method used by identity thieves especially for targeting businesses. As companies dispose of records without proper destruction processes, it makes it easier for thieves to target key industries such as healthcare, financial and manufacturing that maintain and discard large volumes of confidential information on paper. Medical and dental clinics for without proper document destruction policies are low-hanging fruit. Inside Operations Identity theft rings are willing to go the extra mile when targeting a key business. That means acquiring employment through cleaning services or other third-party contractors that are given entry to secure work spaces. With free entry to corporate offices at night, critical documents left out on workstations because easy pickings for identity thieves. Identity thieves will be the first to tell you that they target documents “waiting” to be shredded left in exposed piles in records rooms. The Trojan Horse Many businesses rely on external shredding companies to manage sensitive document destruction. But identity thieves can also easily acquire employment with these companies. Businesses unknowingly find themselves handing over confidential documents directly to unscrupulous individuals. Businesses Manage Their Own Shredding More and more business are taking shredding into their own hands. Security experts suggest micro-cut shredders as the best defense in document destruction on-site at the workplace. Micro cut shredders shred documents into particles 10 times smaller than standard cross-cut shredders. That’s approximately 2,154 particles per sheet With high security shredding available on-site, businesses avoid the risk of turning over sensitive information to outside sources Putting a strong document management plan into place also ensures that confidential information is never left exposed. Whether managing a small business or a large corporate office, taking the necessary steps for data protection at all levels keeps your employees and customers safe. That includes the proper document destruction technology. Choose a micro cut shredder that fits your work space. RATE THIS: 69 Votes SHARE THIS: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Loading... POSTED IN OFFICE PRODUCTS Sleep: an eye-opener when it comes to workplace productivity. POSTED ON AUGUST 13, 2018 BY FELLOWESOFFICEWORKS As workplace wellness continues to become more sophisticated, new studies on the impact of sleep and sleep loss have become new critical issues for workplace performance experts. Not surprisingly, well-rested employees perform better at work. But there had never been hard numbers to prove sleep’s impact on work until recently. A 2016 study from RAND Corporation estimated that sleep deprivation costs U.S. employers roughly $411 billion annually. RAND also found that sleep deprivation leads to lower productivity levels, along with a higher risk of mortality. The Working Tired In addition to an increase in workplace errors, employees experience a general lack of focus on their work. Fifty-two percent of workers indicated being easily distracted because of sleep deprivation, and 47% admit that they procrastinate more because of fatigue. In general, 38% admit to being grumpier as a result of lack of sleep. Twenty-nine percent of people said they had fallen asleep or became very sleepy at work in the previous month. Twelve percent were late to work in the last month because of sleepiness. An Exhausted Bottom Line All these factors translate into poor productivity for the business. A corporate culture with diminished morale and more turnover all take away from a business’s success. A widely cited 2011 Harvard Medical School study published in the journal “Sleep” found that the average worker with insomnia results in 11.3 lost days of productivity each year. Sleep is usually the first sacrifice made to personal health when work gets busy. And as the boundaries between time away from work and time at work blur, the question of how much sleep is needed to perform well and be healthy becomes less clear. Solutions for the Sleep-Deprived Balancing Deadlines with Down Time. Companies can offer definitive time away from work that isn’t necessarily vacation time. Personal health days can help employees catch up on their ZZZ’s. Sleep tracking. Employees who suffer from chronic insomnia can benefit from sleep tracking apps that can monitor how much actual sleep they are getting. This technology can help identify a more significant health issue like sleep apnea. Solving Stress to Cure Insomnia. In many cases of sleeplessness reported to physicians, it is the daytime stresses that cause nighttime restlessness. Offering meditation and stress-relief sessions at the workplace, coupled with other sleep-friendly approaches, can create a better worker and a rested productive workplace. For more wellness solutions visit: Fellowes Healthy Productivity Resources. RATE THIS: 69 Votes SHARE THIS: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Loading... POSTED IN OFFICE PRODUCTS Turn Teamwork into Wellness That Gives POSTED ON AUGUST 8, 2018 BY FELLOWESOFFICEWORKS How can you combine team outings, healthy activities and charity? Organize your department for a charity walk. The opportunity is a great way to engage everyone at work in a healthy, low-impact exercise that raises money for meaningful causes. The opportunity can be company-sponsored or can be jump-started by a wellness-minded department manager. Organizing Your Team Walk Find a charity walk that works for everyone. See what walkathon events will be occurring in your area. Take a poll so that everyone is on board with the charity you wish to help. By using your team outing to participant in the event, everyone not only gets the opportunity to offer their personal contribution to charity, but also gets a chance to engage in a activity that’s good for them. Walking could be become a healthy habit across the company. Here are some of the major walkathons in the nation. Walk to End Alzheimer’s Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Bike MS The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure American Heart Association’s Heart Walk Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Walk Now for Autism Speaks Walk to Stop Diabetes St. Jude Heroes for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Buddy Walk for National Down Syndrome Society Find Sponsors to Raise More Money Instead of a walkathon team outing, the event can be a company-wide event as well. To add to the charity-building effort, participants can collect money to sponsor them individually in the event. That means more money for charity while taking a good, long walk. A company sponsored prize for most money raised is another way to add to the excitement. A home office sit-stand workstation is an attractive prize that promotes wellness, while helping a great cause. Get Competitive with Other Departments Turning the event into a challenge puts better health at the center of teamwork. It’s also an opportunity to gain more participants in the program. Make Tee-Shirts Set your department apart from all the other volunteers with distinctive tee shirt designs, a cool keepsake for all who participated. This also makes for great pics on the company Facebook page. Make the Announcement Company-Wide Use the company newsletter, break room flyers and word-of mouth to get the new out about the walkathon. Be ready with sign-up sheets. Wellness doesn’t have to be a policy from HR. It can be a spontaneous and healthy initiative from any one at the company who is ready to lead others to healthy living. RATE THIS: 72 Votes SHARE THIS: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Loading... POSTED IN OFFICE PRODUCTS, SIT STAND DESKS TAGGED WORKPLACE WELLNESS The Best Plan for a Stress-Free Move POSTED ON JUNE 15, 2018 BY FELLOWESOFFICEWORKS Planning Your Next Move Whether it’s across the country or down the street, moving can be stress. But with careful planning and the right moving boxes and moving supplies, you can accomplish an easier move. Follow this timeline and diffuse moving stress before it starts. Two Months Before Moving Day Purge & Declutter. Go through all your stuff and make critical decisions about what stays and what goes. If you haven’t used an item in a year, then it probably shouldn’t go with you to your new home. Create your three categories for getting rid of stuff: Sell. Donate. Toss. Lightening your load will save you money and work. Take inventory. Make a list of what you are taking to make the moving estimate easier. An inventory list takes the guesswork out of purchasing moving supplies. Organize personal papers. Take account of all the sensitive personal documents you need to move like Social Security cards, birth certificates and tax records. Get them organized in a sturdy personal file box. If you’re hiring a mover, you may want to transport these documents yourself to prevent them from getting lost or damaged. Six Weeks Before Moving Day Research movers. Take the time to research movers to ensure you get the best bid. Check reviews and get at least three quotes from reputable companies. The more organized you are with inventory also ensures a more accurate quote. Be sure to ask about insurance and damaged property polices. If you’re moving yourself, six weeks before is the best time to secure your truck rental. This is especially important if you are moving during peak season when trucks rentals will be scarce. Be sure you get the right size truck. Too small a truck means more trips and mileage costs. Use this guide to get closer to an accurate estimate: 26′ will move 4+ bedrooms 24′ will move 3-4 bedrooms 17′ will move 2-3 bedrooms 14′ will move 1-2 bedrooms 10′ will move a studio or small 1-bedroom apartment Start packing. Best rule for purchasing moving supplies? Get 25 percent more than you think you’ll need. That ensures you that won’t be left short of moving boxes at the last minute. The second-best rule? Don’t skimp on quality. Supermarket boxes, aside from being dirty, are already weakened from shipping. That means you must spend more time taping up old boxes so the bottom doesn’t drop out. High quality moving boxes will save you time. There’s no need to reinforce with tape and you can also select tape-free boxes which save on the cost of additional supplies, like tape. Use the box buying guide below to help estimate how many moving boxes you might need. QUICK TIPS: Use colored dots to mark boxes for different rooms. Create a legend that coordinates with the colored dots. Yellow dot boxes go to the living room, red dot boxes go to kitchen, etc. One Week Before Moving Day Contact utilities and forward mail. Now’s the time to coordinate utility services for the home you’re leaving and the home you’re going to. Also, be sure to have all your mail forwarded at this time. The Night Before You Move Pack Your “Take with You Box” This the box that contains what you might need while unpacking. Razor knives, snacks, water, toiletries. Things like band aids come in handy for accidents and tools for assembling beds and furniture are essential once you arrive at your new destination. By being organized on your next move you can avoid stress and focus on getting situated in your new home. RATE THIS: 4 Votes SHARE THIS: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Loading... POSTED IN BANKERS BOX, MOVING, MOVING BOXES TAGGED LOCAL MOVING, LONG DISTANCE MOVING, MOVING BOXES, MOVING PODS, MOVING YOUR APARTMENT, PACKING AND MOVING BOXES Father’s Day Home Office Gift Ideas POSTED ON JUNE 7, 2018 BY FELLOWESOFFICEWORKS Not sure what to get Dad for Father’s Day? Here are some home office upgrades that will enhance his personal workspace. A Sit-Stand Workstation For dads looking to get into shape or just be more active while they work, the new Lotus™ Sit-Stand Workstation brings flexibility and movement to the home office. Standing burns up to 50 calories more a day than sitting, so the Lotus is the ideal addition for any dad who works frequently at his desk. The Lotus features Smooth Lift™ Technology so transitioning from sitting to standing and back again is effortless. Twenty-two different height settings and 17″ of vertical adjustment make the Lotus ideal for accommodating any stature. The Lotus also arrives fully assembled­­—no complicated instructions, no mounting. Just unpack and get started. A Personal Automatic Shredder The Fellowes AutoMax™ Autofeed Shredder, initially designed for large offices, offers the ease and productivity of automatic shredding with a deskside personal shredder option. The 130C shreds up to 130 sheets of paper at one time, automatically. This includes paper with paper clips, staples, and wrinkles. Simply fill the bin, lock it and push the button. The Accufeed™ Technology shreds away while Dad gets back to other work. A Plush Touch Back Support Back pain is one of the most common complaints by anyone who sits at a desk. Offer Dad the gift of back comfort with the new PlushTouch™ backrest. The Innovative FoamFusion™ technology features memory foam infused with gel beads for maximum personal comfort and support. The adjustable strap with durable buckle also easily fits most office chairs. RATE THIS: 3 Votes SHARE THIS: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Loading... POSTED IN FELLOWES, HOME OFFICE, OFFICE PRODUCTS, SHREDDERS, SIT STAND DESKS, TABLETS TAGGED BACKREST FOR FATHER'S DAY, FATHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE, FATHER'S DAY GIFTS, IPAD CASE FOR FATHER'S DAY, PAPER SHREDDER FOR FATHER'S DAY, STANDING DESK FOR FATHER'S DAY Five Ways to Get Moving at Work POSTED ON JUNE 6, 2018 BY FELLOWESOFFICEWORKS It’s all about micro-movements. Micro-movements are incremental movements you can make throughout the day that can benefit your overall health. Think of how many times you could add to your day by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking a little farther from the office. These simple micro-movements contribute to everyday activity, combating the sedentary lifestyle that comes with office work. The Science of Micro-movements NEAT, or non-exercise activity thermogenesis, suggests that it takes energy to move even the smallest muscle. Polly de Mille, RN, an exercise physiologist with the Women’s Sports Medicine Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City gives an example: “you burn about 1.5 calories per minute just lying still while your body performs its most basic functions.” Go from lying down to sitting in a chair and answering email, and you’ll burn 25 percent more calories.” 1 Adding micro-movements to your nine-to-five routine makes the calorie-burning process a day-long event. Micro-Movement Activities You Can Perform at Work Stand More While You Work Regular transitions from sitting to standing and back again maintains flexibility and improves circulation. On average standing can increase your heart rate by about 10 beats per minute higher than sitting and that makes a difference of about 0.7 of a calorie per minute. That burns up to about 50 calories an hour. If you stand for three hours a day for five days that’s around 750 calories! Sit-stand workstations help make standing a part of your daily routine. Find a sit-stand solution that fits your work space. Workout at Your Desk Simple exercises you perform at your desk can burn calories, increase flexibility and improve well-being. Turning your workstation into a workout is an easy, no-sweat approach to exercise. Lean back and lift your feet with legs straight, then bend your knees toward your chest, then straighten again. Do three sets of 20 reps and burn up to 75 calories. Working your stomach muscles at your desk. Simply clench your stomach muscles for about 8 seconds Two sets of this activity for 8 reps will burn 100 calories. See the top five deskercising activities. Take Walk Breaks A study by the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition found that frequent, brief walking breaks were more effective at improving well-being than a single, longer walk before work. Just five-minute walks throughout the workday can lift your mood, reduce lethargy and improve overall health. It’s Okay to Fidget Fidgeting was once frowned upon, but no more. Tapping a foot, wiggling in your office chair may seem odd, but Iowa State University researchers found that those who frequently fidgeted, were burning an additional 300 calories per day compared to those who remained seated and still. Take Time to Stretch Frequent stretching keeps a proper blood and nutrient supply to the working muscles and tissues. Taking a stretch breaks prevents fatigue and discomfort and reduces stress. Put Your Activity on Schedule If you need reminders to move, set an alarm on your phone or on your computer. Five minutes every 30 minutes using any of the activities mentioned is an easy way to get moving this spring. https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/neat-exercises-for-couch-potatoes.aspx RATE THIS: 1 Vote SHARE THIS: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Loading... POSTED IN BUSINESS, HOME OFFICE, OFFICE PRODUCTS, SIT STAND DESKS, SMALL BUSINESS, WORKPLACE DYNAMICS, WORKSPACE ERGONOMICS TAGGED ADJUSTABLE STANDING DESKS, STANDING DESK WORKSTATIONS, STANDING DESKS, WORKPLACE WELLNESS Fellowes AeraMax Professional Air Purifier Wins Excellence in Design Award. POSTED ON MAY 4, 2018 BY FELLOWESOFFICEWORKS Fellowes Brands wins the Excellence in Design Silver Award for the AeraMax™ Professional Air Purifier featuring new PureView™ technology. The judges of Appliance Design Magazine’s annual award recognized AeraMax Professional for its user-friendly PureView air monitoring, an innovation that sets the Pro apart in the commercial air treatment sector. Now occupants can see for themselves—simply, and in plain sight—how seriously facility managers take indoor air quality and the need for a truly clean environment. PureView™ shows the status of the current room air quality including the percentage of particles captured and removed from the air by the unit. The displays also detect harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odors in the adjacent air, providing a visual readout to determine the presence of the obnoxious—and noxious— pollutants. The PureView™ units offer two viewing modes: PM2.5 and PM10. In PM2.5 mode, the unit measures the PM2.5 particles, like viruses, germs, and smoke, in the air, as well as the amounts outputted by the unit. In PM10 mode, the unit measures the larger PM10 particles coming in and out of the unit. The AeraMax Professional is available in two models for purifying the air in areas of 300-700 square feet, and 600 to 1200 square feet. A floor stand model is also available. See the Professional in action: Demo Video RATE THIS: 1 Vote SHARE THIS: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Loading... POSTED IN OFFICE PRODUCTS Post navigation ← Older posts Search Recent Posts Here Comes The Sun Fellowes Brands Wins IDEA Design Award for New Elea Office Chair New Lotus RT 180º Rotation Standing Desk Wins Design Award Why Businesses Are Turning to Micro Cut Shredding. Sleep: an eye-opener when it comes to workplace productivity. Follow Blog via Email Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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