Resources to help keep your world moving

Houston, Texas — March 1, 2022 ― Armstrong Commercial Services has finished construction on a new 116,000 square-foot warehouse facility on Gulf Bank Road. The move grows the Memphis-based company’s Gulf-Coast presence by more than 25,000 square feet. As the largest asset-based provider of commercial services in the United States, Armstrong has experienced first-hand Houston’s rapid increase in industrial activity over the past decade. This expansion will allow Armstrong to minimize supply-chain disruptions for clients across the West and Midwest while investing in Houston’s future as a national transportation hub. The new facility is a designated pick-and-pack location, complete with: 150,000 square feet of racked space for pallets and loose assets 30 dock doors, two being drive-up 360-degree security with 40 cameras Driver lounge with restrooms and showers Sliding-gate entrance with code-operated, swing-gate exit State-of-the-art tracking technology for incoming and outgoing assets After the port’s record-breaking year in 2021, Houston...

Companies are finally starting to reopen their in-person workplaces. However, those office spaces look a little different than they did pre-pandemic. Businesses are increasingly adopting hybrid models for employees who want the flexibility to choose between face-to-face and virtual work environments. The Microsoft 2021 Work Trend Index found that more than 70 percent of workers wanted remote options to continue, but more than 65 percent longed for more time in person with their teams. As a result of these differing work preferences, Microsoft found that most surveyed business leaders were considering complete redesigns of their offices. Two of the most common buzzwords right now for creating hybrid workplaces are “right-sizing” and “desk hoteling.” Both provide ways for future-looking businesses to maximize their spaces while accommodating diverse workforces. Option 1: Right-Sizing A company can right-size its office by taking a critical look at its footprint, repurposing assets and filling missing gaps...

Relocating warehouses is no small undertaking. Warehouses are central hubs for business activities, ensuring that supply chains stay efficient and inventory moves quickly on and off the shelves. Moving to a new location can take months — or even years — of preparation, and insufficient planning can lead to wasted time, money and energy. Maximize the efficiency of your move and new space by considering these six factors. Port Accessibility Moving to a warehouse conveniently located near a port can help control drayage costs. When calculating the potential overhead costs of a new warehouse location, take the commute into consideration. A space far away from the nearest port may not be as cost-efficient as it initially appears if it results in steep transportation expenses in the long term. North Carolina offers two deep-water ports in Wilmington and Morehead City in addition to one inland port in Charlotte. The ports boast...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, commercial storage became instrumental to the short-term plans of companies in flux. As businesses adopted remote-friendly workplaces, commercial storage preserved companies’ office equipment, files and furniture. But many companies are not new to commercial-storage — storage solutions have already been foundational to their success for decades. Here are five ways that industries have historically leveraged commercial storage space to stay agile amid changing trends. Fulfilling nationwide e-commerce orders In many industries, e-commerce has replaced brick-and-mortar retail as consumers’ shopping avenue of choice. As a result, e-commerce businesses are snapping up vacant warehousing space to keep up with fulfillment. A recent report by The Business Research Company found that worldwide warehousing usage has accelerated because of a boom in e-commerce orders and an increasing demand for speedy deliveries. E-commerce giants not only rely on commercial storage for available inventory, they also depend on third-party logistics companies (3PLs)...

When moving, you don’t just need to take precautions to protect belongings. You also need to keep the office building in pristine condition to avoid any last-minute fees. Proper property damage prevention ensures your building remains in top condition throughout every stage of the move. If you scratch the floors, walls or doors while moving out of the office, it can lead to a lost security deposit or expensive fix. If you damage the new property while moving in, it can start the relocation off on the wrong foot, forcing you to schedule a repair before the unpacking process even begins. Full-service relocation partners like Armstrong will integrate protective procedures into every move without being asked. However, if you are managing a relocation through contracted labor or internal teams, here are eight tips for preserving the doors, walls and floors of your office during a relocation. Why Property Damage Prevention...

The COVID-19 pandemic permanently changed the way companies use their office space. While many organizations previously held physical workplaces as sacred for productivity and collaboration, the pandemic opened up new possibilities for where and how employees could clock in for the day and flexible working arrangements gained traction among high-growth businesses. An Accenture survey of nearly 10,000 workers found that 83 percent of respondents preferred hybrid models. As companies reimagine the purpose of the workplace, “desk hoteling” is becoming a popular way to maximize in-person office space and allow greater flexibility for employees. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the history of hoteling, common uses and best practices for implementation. What is hoteling? Instead of assigning desks, companies with hoteling systems allow employees to choose their workspace every morning. Hoteling ensures that workers can seamlessly transition between at-home and in-person working environments. The origins of hoteling trace back...

After a long wait, companies have finally begun drafting Return-to-Office (RTO) plans. Major employers such as Dell, Meta and Wells Fargo have set sights on 2022 for their office reopening. Amid concerns about coronavirus variants, businesses are still moving forward with their RTO strategies, albeit cautiously. If your company is in the process of drafting its own RTO plan, here are eight things to consider. 1. Review and renegotiate your lease. Companies with hybrid-work models no longer need all their office space. Now is the time to review and renegotiate your lease before signing a renewal. Business leaders can make their workplaces and overhead costs more efficient by negotiating contraction or subleasing clauses into their lease agreements. If the negotiations are successful, find a full-service relocation partner as soon as possible to decommission unused floors. 2. Plan a phased return. Consider a gradual transition back into your workplace to minimize...

Even amid pandemic-era disruptions, Huntsville is exploding with new development. Huntsville is already home to some of the fastest-growing companies in the United States. This year, 34 companies in the Huntsville metro made the esteemed Inc. 5000 list. Now, even more of the nation’s corporate giants are bringing their businesses to this thriving city. As the innovation hub of the South, Huntsville is teeming with million-dollar expansion projects and new jobs. In particular, three industries are growing their presences in the Huntsville and Madison County area. Here’s what you need to know about the major local players and why they’re betting on Huntsville to prosper. Aerospace and Defense Aptly nicknamed “Rocket City,” Huntsville has been a capital for aerospace and defense since World War II. In the 1940s, the U.S. government established the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, a 38,000-square-foot facility for chemical manufacturing that now houses the army’s missile and...

Commercial relocations should be times of excitement, not stress. The move marks a new chapter for your company and, with the right partner, the transition to your new location can be seamless. Every year, The Armstrong Company supports the growth of companies across the country by setting up new offices, facilities and warehouses for success. Here are three of the reasons why commercial companies choose to partner with Armstrong for their relocation needs.  1. Armstrong goes the extra mile to take care of property. Whether you are relocating an office, data center, medical facility or warehouse, commercial moves aren’t as simple as transporting items from one building to another. Before the first box is packed, you should take preliminary steps to protect your company’s specialized equipment and valuable furniture. Federal law requires every moving company to provide basic valuation coverage free of charge for your high-value items. In most states,...

For decades, Armstrong has been seamlessly moving companies to new locations across the city and the country. But Armstrong recently had the opportunity to experience a move from the perspective of a client. Driven by a growing client base and a changing supply chain, Armstrong – Houston began the process of transitioning into a larger facility that better meets customer needs. As Armstrong faced the unique opportunity to be its own client, the team was appreciative of the fresh perspective — one which makes continuous innovation possible — and reinforced commitment to easing the loads of partners. Here are four takeaways from navigating this relocation process internally. 1. While planning your move far in advance is ideal, sometimes your business has other plans. Though it is recommended that you prepare for your commercial relocations as soon as possible, growing businesses often have urgent needs and tight timelines. Armstrong – Houston...