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TRENDS
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Nice Touches
Edwardsville company provides special on-site amenities
By Laurie Burstein
Imagine going to work each day and finding a walking path with a
lake, a lactatating room for nursing mothers, a fully equipped kitchen
with meals delivered from area restaurants, and laundry services.
These amenities are just some of the special on-site services employees
can take advantage of at Florists' Mutual Insurance (FMI) in Edwardsville,
Ill.
In October 2001, FMI relocated to its new corporate headquarters.
Located on a 15-acre site on the outskirts of Edwardsville, the
two-story, $7 million structure reflects FMI's rich heritage in
the horticultural industry. The company's headquarters has been
based in Edwardsville since the 1920s, and today FMI remains the
only insurance company dedicated solely to the floral/horticultural
industry.
The building's interior and exterior was designed to reflect the
industry FMI serves. A greenhouse-shaped roof with translucent panels
brings in natural light into the atrium lobby. The interior is designed
in an open space format with 12-1/2-foot ceiling heights. Key workspaces
include a boardroom on the second floor and a 3,600-square-foot
first floor training area-both of which overlook a terraced garden
and the three-acre lake on the south side of the property. The first
floor training room can be divided to host multiple meetings or
events. The building also features state-of-the art building systems
with massive fiber optic capabilities designed to meet high volume
DSL, Internet, voice and data requirements.
FMI employs 250 people, making it one of the leading employers in
Madison County. FMI President and CEO Bob McClellan explains the
importance of providing a great work environment.
"Quality of work-life issues are very important to us. Our campus-style
master plan meets that imperative with the extensive green spaces
and an ultra-modern, technology sensitive interior."
McClellan says the interior and exterior design ties in with the
company's focus on the horticultural industry. The natural setting
includes large windows, tall ceilings and natural light to create
an open, airy feeling. Warm colors such as eggplant and mustard
lend soothing, earthy tones.
Above:
The main staircase leads from offices on the second floor to
the lobby, meeting space and break rooms on the first floor.
But the amenities extend beyond the physical building. FMI has a
fair amount of working mothers who appreciate the lactation room
that also serves as a place for employees who are sick. The walking/jogging
path around the on-site lake is used frequently.
Since the site is somewhat remote from restaurants, FMI has made
arrangements with several area restaurants to deliver meals. Employees
can place their orders on-line and the cost of the meal is deducted
from the employees' account.
FMI also offers laundry drop off and pick up service at the building,
as well as mail service for sending personal packages.
McClellan says many extra measures were taken to add to the employees'
safety and productivity. Two additional examples he cites are the
extra lighting and cameras on the building's exterior parking lot
for added employee security, and white noise in all the open areas
makes for quieter work areas and more effective telephone communications.
McClellan adds, "The employees are ecstatic about the new headquarters.
Our facility and amenities will help us keep and recruit the best
people."
Laurie Burstein is a St. Louis-based free-lance writer |
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