Purchasing Guide: How to choose your workshop equipment with Manutan EXPERT?

Choosing the furniture for your workshop is an important decision. To do this, you must take into account several elements, such as the requirements of your activity, the configuration of your premises, or the needs of your teams. As these criteria vary from one company to another, there is no ‘universal’ professional workshop furniture. On the other hand, certain basic principles must be considered before you make your plans. You can find these in our white paper dedicated to workshop furniture. Accompanied by advice from experts in the field, they will help you embark on your project to purchase workshop furniture with complete peace of mind. 

Five good reasons to choose the appropriate workshop furniture 

When setting up the layout of a workshop, you need to take a long-term approach. For example, a cabinet has an average lifespan of at least 15 years. 

To benefit from durable furniture, it is, therefore, preferable to trust a distributor recognised for the quality of its products. To determine this, look at the resistance of the materials used, paintwork, and fabrics. For example, a workbench made of quality wood or steel will be more resistant over time. By opting for sturdy items, you will make the most of your purchases. However, the scope of your choice goes beyond a simple financial investment. 

Indeed, choosing the right professional workshop furniture is essential, because it has an impact on:  

• Safety of the workstations; 
• Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs); 
• The well-being of your employees at work; 
• Productivity of your teams; 
• Your company’s brand image. 

Our white paper details the correlation between these points and the performance of your business. To ensure that your workshop remains functional and profitable year after year, take these into account before any new purchase. Assessing current needs will enable you to anticipate your future needs. 

Better quality of work thanks to ergonomic workshop furniture 

The fact that a piece of furniture is labelled as ‘ergonomic furniture’ does not necessarily guarantee that it is suitable for your workshop. Again, before making the purchase, you will need to consider the following questions: 

• What size workspace does each operator need? 
• Do certain employees have specific needs? 
• How do you reduce drudgery at work for repetitive tasks? 
• What furniture and accessories should you use to reduce employee fatigue? 
• How do you arrange workstations to promote good working positions? 
• Is the working environment agreeable? 
• What are the generally recommended standards in terms of ergonomics? 
• How can you improve the safety of the activity area? 
• Are there protections to reinforce the safety of the furniture? 

This non-exhaustive list will help you identify potential areas of discomfort and risk in your workshop. By applying the fundamental rules of ergonomics and safety, you will ensure the sustainability of your business.  

But anyway, what is ergonomics? We sometimes hear it said: 

• ‘It’s practical and adjustable furniture; 
• ‘It’s better to call on an ergonomist before finalising your plans’; 
• ‘It means using the right equipment, arranging the premises well, and having a good organisation’. 

Are these definitions true or false? Our white paper provides answers that may surprise you. 

More flexibility with modular workshop furniture 

Choosing modular workshop furniture means anticipating your company’s future needs. Over the years, you can add furniture, while keeping your workshop consistent. Your cabinets remain well aligned, you do not lose space, and the overall harmony is preserved. 

Modular workshop furniture also allows you to reorganise the inside of your cabinets. Once in use, your team will be able to define the best storage solution for small tooling. The drawers and interior fittings being interchangeable, it is easy to rethink the organisation of the workshop whenever necessary. It will also be possible to add accessories, such as dividers or hooks, in order to arrange the tools in the most efficient way possible. You can also add custom-made panels to your workbenches. 

Modular workshop furniture meets the objectives of Lean Management. This method revolves around an optimal organisation of work in order to improve the quality and profitability of your production activities. Lean Management is about the long term. You must be flexible and adapt quickly to new needs. Opting for scalable products is an excellent strategy. Such furniture is designed to be functional, space-saving, and easy to move. Moreover, it not only adapts to your premises but also to the latest innovations in professional workshop furniture. Discover several ideas to choose them well in our white paper. 

Precise specifications for the purchase of your workshop furniture  

Before buying your workshop furniture, you must establish your specifications. Our white paper offers several best practices to help you be as specific as possible: 

• The ITAMaMi method to analyse work situations with your team; 
• An analysis of the physical workload; 
• Recourse to pre- and post-purchase services. 

The more precise your specifications, the better your supplier will be able to offer you products that meet your needs. Before drafting these, it is essential to determine for each piece of furniture: 

• What will it be used for (general and/or specific)? 
• What technical constraints must be taken into account? 
• What standards, labels or certifications must it comply with? 

To illustrate this point, we set out several examples in our white paper.  

Of course, other criteria can influence your project: your requirements towards your suppliers (expertise, compliance with standards, physical presence in Europe, etc.), your logistical constraints, your budgetary requirements, your CSR strategy, your responsible purchasing policy, etc. To help you properly identify and formulate your needs, we offer you standard specifications and an evaluation grid template, produced in close collaboration with professional buyers and workshop furniture manufacturers.  

Choosing your professional workshop furniture is not just a question of budget. It must be fully adapted to the nature of your business and the specific needs of your teams. Manutan will guide you through its white paper to assist you in preparing your purchasing project with peace of mind.