Ben Johnson's Blog

First Impressions Count...

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:09:01 +0000

With more and more businesses looking to create dynamic visual spaces within their workplace, we were very impressed with the latest offering from Muraspec.

In a nutshell, Impressions are sculptured panels which offer a practical and cost effective way to add impact and atmosphere to a feature wall.

Each panel is manufactured by sculpting 3 dimensional designs onto a core panel of 1.2m x 2.4m mdf, finished with a pressure formed laminate surface layer to give added visual impact and durability. This range has been designed exclusively by Muraspec’s in house team using their vast experience in the commercial interiors market.

With over 20 designs available in over 50 laminate finishes (please see JPEG files below) you’ll be spoilt for choice and priced from as little as £45m2 at a 2-3 week leadtime they won’t break the bank either. You can even opt for a raw paintable finish to match up to your own individual colour scheme.

Impressions panels offer a practical and cost effective way to add real impact and atmosphere to interior spaces. They can be mounted as panels using Muraspec’s fixing kits, screwed or glued, and can be cut prior to installation

Impressions panels are also available with 80% recycled content and Euroclass fire rated mdf materials. All panels are designed and manufactured in the UK.

You can find more information on Muraspec’s products here. Please contact sales@benjohnson.co.uk if you would like to request a sample or discuss in more detail.

The One to Watch: 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:46:50 +0000

In our offices this week, the topic of discussion has been not only New Years resolutions (mainly gym related!) but also New Years predictions for the year ahead. One product which we all agreed would be the “one to watch” is Steelcase’s newest academic seating solution, the Node chair. The Node combines a funky design with devilishly clever functional aspects.

Steelcase explain it as: “Seating for the active learning classroom.” The node chair is mobile and flexible. It’s designed for quick and easy transitions from one teaching mode to the next transforming a classroom from lecture mode to team mode and back again, without interruption.

Node boasts many features:

Casters lend mobility for quick, easy transitions between teaching modes.
Available in hard casters, soft casters or glides.
Swivel seat keeps open sightlines between student and instructor, whiteboard, and other students.
Personal worksurface swivels in tandem with seat and is adjustable for users of all sizes. It accommodates left- and right-handed students and is large enough to support students’ digital and analog resources.
Base keeps backpacks and valuable personal belongings out of the aisle.
Flexible seat, without pneumatic adjustments to worry about, keeps students comfortable in a variety of postures.
Open seat design offers easy access, while arms serve as backpack hooks.
Comfort without upholstery means easy maintenance.
Steelcase warranty with elevated durability testing makes node an easy choice.
Optional Cupholder.
Height Adjustable.

The Shell is available in 12 colour options, base in 3 colours and worksurface in 5 colours. The Node is shipped in three simple parts (base, seat, worksurface) that assemble in 30 seconds without tools – yes really – it’s that simple – need we say more?

If you’d like more information on “Node” our chosen product to watch in 2012 – please contact Gemma Thornton via sales@benjohnson.co.uk

Seasons Greetings from Ben Johnson

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:23:23 +0000

Well, another year has come and gone – and what a year it’s been!

Ben Johnson has achieved record trading levels over the last two years growing by more than 20% since 2009 despite very challenging market conditions. This year we also welcomed a full rebrand. Please browse through our new fully rebranded website to check out what we have been up to and what we have been doing for other customers.

In lieu of Christmas cards, this year we will be making a contribution to local charity Martin House Hospice.

We thank you, our customers and partners, for continuing to support us and hope you have a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Collaboration's what you need. Introducing media:scape from Steelcase

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:52:30 +0000

Let’s not beat about the bush; we like shiny new products, especially those that enhance the office environment (read: look good) and improve working practices.

We’re always on the look-out for products that push the envelope in both of these respects, so when we were introduced to the Media:Scape by Steelcase we knew it was only a matter of time before we managed to get it into one of our schemes. Check out the case study for Mobile Messaging company Txttools who were keen to get the media:scape into their new offices. With a parent company based in the US, this product was the perfect system to improve communication & collaboration within the Leeds HQ, and across the Atlantic.

So, what is it, and what does it do?

In short, media:scape is a bit of furniture and a bit of technology all rolled into one (that’s as techy as I get!) which makes activities like video conferencing and digital collaboration miles easier. Forget trailing wires, forget huddling around a tiny laptop screen while your colleague explains what they’ve been working on, and forget that awkward wait while your VC screen attempts to recognise another bit of technology. This bit of kit is designed for an instant “plug in and play” connection, so that you and your colleagues (whether sat next to you, or on the other side of the world) can share information quickly and easily, and get the discussions rolling. Here is how Steelcase explain their own product , and if you needed any endorsements to convince you, check out the various installations and applications on mediascape’s facebook page (yup, it has it’s own facebook page!)

For more information feel free to download the brochure below, or give us a call. We can even organise a free trial system to be delivered direct to you.

We're all about the brand: October promo from Office Supplies!

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:04:32 +0000

After all the hard work we’ve put in to launch our recent face lift, we’ve inevitably picked up a (slightly geeky) interest in branding everywhere. The best-known brands such as Apple & Nike are instantly recognisable with just a symbol (um…can we count Prince) in that category?), but how effective would those brands be without the correct placement?

Just for fun, we took a look at a few clever campaigns and some ingenious advertising placement. Which got us thinking…

…Why should the perfect brand placement just be left to the big boys?

You’ll be pleased to know, it doesn’t have to: it’s easier than you think to get your brand into the hands of your target customers. By personalising something as simple as a pencil, your company is visible, memorable, and easily recollected by your target clients.

Happily, we are able to supply a full range of stationery, gifts and giveaways that can be customised to raise your brand’s profile, so why not ask your marketing department to come to us for a quote? We are also experts in the field of print so next time you need to order Letterheads, Compliment Slips or Business Cards just visit www.benjohnsongifts.co.uk or contact your Account Manager.

You may be pleasantly surprised at how competitive we can be.

Image courtesy of http://www.glossyinc.com
Coffee cup by DDB Toronto.