Ohio Desk renovates Youngstown office

By Kalea Hall

khall@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

The Youngstown market is so important to Cleveland-based Ohio Desk that the company has made a substantial investment here.

A newly renovated office space offers an inviting place for customers to take a look at what they could offer to their employees with the Steelcase brand lineup.

“There is a whole new workforce,” said James J. Mullane, vice president of sales and marketing. “They don’t want to sit in a cubicle.”

Originally founded in 1908 as Ohio Desk and Chair Co., the company took on the Ohio Desk name in 1918. The company covers the Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Warren, Youngstown and Erie, Pa., markets. Ohio Desk represents 70 manufacturers, with the Youngstown office featuring Steelcase.

Masters Office Furniture, a long-standing furniture company in Youngstown that started in 1953, was purchased by Christopher A. Plichta. Ohio Desk purchased Masters 10 years ago after Plichta owned it for 18 years.

The office, at 5100 Market St., was in need of an update. The thought going into the project was how the business could make the best use of its space, company officials said.

Renovation on the 2,500-square-foot building began in November and was completed in February.

“We were able to take the space we had before and create more places to work,” Mullane said.

The office was stripped down to the bare walls to prepare for the renovation. Employees now have adjustable Steelcase desks that can function for standing or sitting.

A product called “Campfire” by Steelcase allows for a collaborative, comfortable area.

“We have created smaller work areas,” said Plichta, strategic account manager for the Youngstown office.

The renovation has created a “working showroom” for the employees in the office, who also have a new kitchen and bathroom.

“What we hope to show is if you come in, you can have this as well,” Mullane said.

Ohio Desk in Youngstown will have an open house from 3 to 7 p.m. March 24.