Stevens brings comforts of home to work

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Dec 27, 2002 by Kropf, Annemarie

SYRACUSE - Keeping up-to-date with the way people work is one reason why Stevens Office Interiors has been successful, says Thomas Magueri, president.

"We've changed the business to acclimate to what is needed in the marketplace today," Magueri says. "We've researched the products and services necessary for today's work environment in technology, aesthetics, function, and capability."'

Stevens Office Interiors works with clients to design the best workspace for their needs. Patrick Lewis, vice president, says that 90 percent of the business comes from furnishing companies, while the remaining 10 percent comes from furnishing home offices. Last year, the company worked with more than 500 clients, some of them on multiple projects.

The company's client base extends from Central New York to northern Pennsylvania. Clients, which represent all industries, include Bristol-Myers Squibb, Utica National, Cornell University, Syracuse University, Redwood National Bank, Sensis Corporation, and Lockheed Martin.

In addition to designing a workspace for clients, Stevens Office Interiors also helps clients pick out fabrics, lighting, and carpeting. The company has its own 12-member installation team, and only rarely needs to work with subcontractors. "That gives us quality control," Maugeri explains.

Bernard' and Sally Dworski founded Stevens Office Interiors in 1956. At that time, the business was known as Bernards Contemporary. Bernards acquired the rights to become a Steelcase distributor (a large business-furniture manufacturer) in 1975 and changed its name to Bernards Business Interiors. Two years later, the company merged with Woodruff's Furniture of Syracuse to become the exclusive Steelcase dealer in the Syracuse area.

In 1980, Steven Jacobs purchased the company, and called it Stevens-Bernards Office Interiors. He then changed it to Stevens Office Interiors. In 1997, Steelcase took over temporary operations from Jacobs. Three years later, Steelcase wanted to sell the business.

Before acquiring Stevens for an undisclosed price, Maugeri was president of Northeast Distributors, an industrial heating and air-conditioning company, in Syracuse. Prior to joining a software company for two years, Lewis had been the vice president and general manager at Stevens Office Interiors for 11 years. The two knew each other, Magueri says, because they "traveled in the same circles." The men purchased Stevens in November 2000, and are equal partners in the business. This past summer, Stevens Office Interiors purchased Coming Office Interiors, which added additional counties to its sales area. The Coming location is a 4,000square-foot facility. John Nary, the former owner, is the regional president of the location.

Magueri says that paying attention to the customer has helped the company succeed. "I think we listen to our clients very well," he says. "I think we come with a solution for them. That's what they're looking for."

When designing a workspace, Magueri says there are a few things to consider. For some people, he notes, privacy is their top priority and they want cubicles. For others, cubicles detract from collaborative efforts, and open spaces are the way to go.

"We make sure we approach a facility so that their strategic goals and our goals match," Magueri says.

Stevens Office Interiors works to create "inspiring places," Magueri says. In addition to lighting, colors also make a difference, he notes.

It's a win-win situation when it comes to designing workspaces, Magueri says. Stevens Office Interiors gets business, while companies have a new tool in retaining employees.

"We don't call it a sale," Magueri says. "We call it a solution."