Consulting firm Golder Associates launched its new building in Midrand recently. Golder MD Dr Ralph Heath stated at the launch that the new building represented a shift towards a refocused collaboration for Golder and its partners.
The reason for moving into the new building was to consolidate the company’s staff, who were previously spread across five buildings in Johan-nesburg before relocating to its new premises.
“We found that face-to-face interaction is far better for integration and innovation; since mov-ing into the new building, everyone has been getting to know one another better,” he said.
Heath added that construction of the building was completed in December and the company moved in between Christmas and New Year, so no workdays were lost.
He commented that Golder currently has a cross-section of different skills in one building and the company aims to create integration across its disciplines while taking innovation into account.
“In the past, when we were operating from five different buildings simultaneously, we had to pay rent for those buildings, which included phone lines and upkeep and maintenance of the grounds, as well as security. We are paying no more than we did previously,” he stated.
Heath added that the company had innovative ways of cutting down on telephone costs.