Lexmark International Redesigns Offices to Boost Employee Morale

Workers at Lexington-based Lexmark International, during the past two years, have been at the center of a major renovation. Decades earlier, the facility that was built as an IBM (News - Alert) typewriter factory, to become the most modern of offices, has had more than 300,000 square feet updated.

As it works on redesigning its software development workspaces, the process is continuing. Designed to stimulate conversation, the floor-to-ceiling closed-door offices are replaced with a desk layout. Since 2004, the signs of manufacturing haven’t been done on site.

"What you see is a modernization going on within the walls with an open environment that will enable more teamwork and close collaboration. We're making investments to make this a more inviting, attractive site for us," said Paul Rooke, CEO of the company, one of Lexington's largest employers, in a statement.

Split by New Circle Road, to locate the vast majority of the company's roughly 2,300 workers on one side of its sprawling north Lexington campus, the moves also are part of a plan. The North American sales, marketing and operations teams moved from a building outside New Circle Road that has now been partially leased to Xerox and served as the test for the complex project.

Ron Binkauskas, vice president and general manager of imaging solutions and services for North America stated that just about every employee had their own office; they had an array of hallways and very little natural light in its former location. An office ranged from anywhere in size from a phone booth to a large executive-type office, and everyone had a door that they could close.

People started to lose what they felt was their personal space and as a result, their morale took a dip. However, they were pleased as soon as they moved across the street. Its employees were wearing visors and sunglasses due to having so much natural light and thus an automatic sun shade has been installed.

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