The Refinishing Touch delivers a sustainable working environment for students at the University of Wisconsin-Stout

Guest author: Jerry Duncanson, senior facility planner at the University of Wisconsin-Stout

College and university campuses see thousands of students a year, so it is no surprise that there is an increased risk of wear and tear at higher education facilities. The University of Wisconsin-Stout is no exception.  The polytechnic arm of the University of Wisconsin offers students a comprehensive, career-focused, and innovative environment, rich in technology.

Student housing option, Wigen Hall, built in the early 1970s still boasts its original furniture assets and over the years the furniture has become damaged and worn and is no longer in keeping with modern designs.

We knew we had to revamp these assets or replace them entirely. From an initial assessment, it soon became apparent that The Refinishing Touch offered the reliable, cost effective and environmentally friendly service that we needed.  We did not need to replace, instead we could refinish at a fraction of the cost.

One of our main concerns was timing. We had a narrow window in which to complete the work, however The Refinishing Touch finished everything in a timely and efficient manner, completing all the rooms in just 30 days.  The furniture asset management team was also able to reduce the overall expenditure by 77.4% from $658,595.35 to $149,090.76, compared with buying new.

As a higher education institution committed to the future of our students, we pride ourselves on being mindful of our effect on the environment and take steps to ensure we practice and encourage sustainable efforts where possible.  In 2007, UW-Stout became a charter Signatory of the American College and Universities President’s Climate Commitment, a high-visibility project to address global warming.

The team refinished over 500 assets, including bookcases, closets and built in desk replacing laminate and implementing color-changing processes that restored pieces to like-new condition. From using the refinishing, remanufacturing and reupholstering services of The Refinishing Touch we have been able to extend the life of each piece and dramatically improve the appearance of furnishings for both current and prospective students.  The Refinishing Touch did a fantastic job while drastically reducing our carbon footprint and landfill output.

If you’d like to read the full press release and infographic surrounding The Refinishing Touch’s work at University of Wisconsin-Stout, please click here. For more information on how The Refinishing Touch can help your university, get in touch at [email protected].