At GD Liquidators, we understand that the furniture in your workplace contributes to productivity, organization, and image and we work with you to help capture your personalized statement through your office furniture. Whether you’re crafting a workspace from the ground up or supplementing existing furniture, our Edmonton furniture warehouse carries a wide selection of new and used office furnishings that can unify a room and change how you do business. To help you get the right office furniture for your particular need, here are a few tips to consider.

Every business owner wants to save on costs so that they can increase the profit at the end of the day but the truth is that office furniture is expensive and for start-ups, those costs need to be minimized because the business has not yet gained traction in the market while still creating a name and image for itself. 
That’s step one, having a vison or theme and a floor plan to maximize space. Think long term also, don’t get too caught up in design trends that will leave your office looking outdated in the near future. If you’re moving to a bigger office, consider what your employees don’t like about your old set up and what they’d like to see in the new one. Your employees are going to be using the furniture every day, so it’s important that what you buy works for them, too.

As this is business, you’ll need a budget, including a monthly allowance for any repairs or maintenance that needs to be done, and prioritizing your essentials (comfortable chairs, desks, filing cabinets) over nonessentials. Brands can indicate quality and longevity but remember to ask about warranties, shipping costs, and installation.

A critical component to remember is ergonomics, the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products, and systems so that they fit the people who use them. Poor worksite design leads to fatigued, frustrated and hurting workers, whereas an ergonomically designed work station can improve productivity and reduce claims.

There are also the common mistakes that people make when buying office furniture. In addition to those already mentioned there’s choosing looks over comfort – keep the comfort of your employees, clients, and yourself in mind when choosing furniture for your office. Aesthetics are important but think about how those chairs are going to feel after sitting in them for a few hours. This leads to the next point, not testing out furniture – go to the store, sit in different chairs, and look at different desks to see if they meet your task requirements. Testing out office furniture doesn’t take a lot of time, and it can save you a lot of wasted money in buying the wrong item. And finally, when it comes to looks try to order accessory pieces from the same manufacturer to avoid mismatches.

GD Liquidators is your source for ergonomic office chairs, rolling chairs, desks, filing cabinets, boardroom tables and bookshelves or even industrial tools in Edmonton with colours and styles that are suitable for your office and your budget. Whether you’re looking for new or quality used office furniture in Edmonton, contact us, GD Liquidators, at 780-447-2787 today.

There are a lot of considerations that go into building an effective and efficient office environment. At GD Liquidators, we understand that the furniture in your workplace contributes to productivity, organization and image. In fact, we’ve helped business owners find office furniture that’s been making statements in Edmonton and Northern Alberta offices since 1987.

Smart organizations understand that their primary goal is to enhance the performance of their people, and a thoughtful workplace design can be a powerful tool for supporting employee performance. Performance is a function of three factors acting together: ability has to do with whether a person can do a task; motivation is a measure of whether a person wants to do it. Opportunity is about accessibility; a person can’t do a task if she is not given a chance or if she is denied access to necessary resources or amenities. 
When it comes to the design elements that can positively impact your workplace environment and support the work being done, consider these fundamentals:

• Thermal comfort and temperature
• Access to nature, views and daylight
• Sensory change and variability
• Color
• Noise control
• Crowding
• Human factors and ergonomics
• Indoor air quality
• Choice
• Employee engagement

That “human factor” is an area of workplace psychology that focuses on a range of topics including ergonomics, workplace safety, the reduction of human error, product design, human capability, and human-computer interaction. The most common complaints – neck, back or shoulder pain, headaches, and eye strain – were typical for workers sitting for long periods during the day. Workers who stand for long periods of time at their job complain of hip, leg and foot pain.

The American Cancer Society released a report in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2010 stating that men who sat for six hours or more a day in their leisure time had an overall death rate that was nearly 20 percent higher than men who sat for three hours or less in the 14-year follow-up period. Women who sat for more than six hours a day had a death rate that was almost 40 percent higher. Dedicated exercise had no neutralizing effect.

The solution is a workplace designed for and around people by providing adjustable chairs, task lights, sit-to-stand desks, and keyboard trays so individuals can adjust their workspaces to meet their needs. To ensure employees are using furniture properly, provide training as needed.

With 65,000 square feet of warehouse stock, GD Liquidators can help you find furniture to improve your business at a price that fits your budget. Our staff can consult with you on price, style for colour and design, material including natural, finished wood and synthetic materials, size, and function. Visit the GD Liquidators warehouse during business hours to begin reshaping your office space.

At GD Liquidators, we buy, sell and rent office equipment, shelving, tools, pallet racking, lockers, storage, and warehouse handling equipment. Our inventory changes frequently, so if you want to check on a specific tool, give us a call at 780-447-2787 in Edmonton today. No matter what your office or business equipment requirements may be, GD Liquidators can provide you with the products that you need.

No question, working around pallet racking is not without risk. Pallets full of merchandise are stacked up high and the weight of all those goods can reach into the thousands of pounds. The risk of something falling is always a concern. Make your Edmonton workplace safer with the following tips.

What is Pallet Racking?

Pallet racking is like a giant shelving system for pallets. Forklifts are used to lift and place the heavy pallets onto the racks for storage.

Best Practices in Pallet Racking Areas

Pay special attention to safety whenever working in a pallet rack area. Pallets are often incredibly heavy and stacking them can be dangerous. Be sure to:

• Assess and report any damage to framing systems—A damaged frame might be too weak to support its load and could collapse.
• Maintain the proper signage—Use highly visible signs to warn both employees and the public never to stand or climb on a pallet rack.
• Use high quality pallets—Damaged pallets can be difficult to load/unload, can result in load shifting or even cause a load to fall. Check your pallets regularly for broken or missing planks, damaged blocks and protruding nails.
• Defend the corners—The corners of your pallet racking are the most susceptible to damage and should be properly protected with the use of post guards to maximize safety and durability.
• Ensure proper installation—Pallet racking should be bolted to the floor and bolts should be tightened whenever necessary as part of your maintenance routine.
• Focus on training—All employees interacting with the pallet racking system or using the forklift should be trained on the most current safety practices.
• Respect the recommended load limit—Overloading pallet racking is incredibly dangerous and can result in a serious, multi-level collapse.
• Perform safety checks—Regular inspections should be performed by a qualified safety inspector to verify the integrity of the entire pallet rack system.

Forklift Safety

While forklifts are an integral part of any pallet racking system, they should only be operated by trained personnel. Observe the following forklift guidelines to keep the workplace safe:

• Double check that the load is properly packed and secure before attempting to move it.
• Check your clearance space and be mindful of anything that might be in the way.
• Stack the heaviest materials lowest on the shelf and nearest to the floor.
• Work slowly to maximize safety and avoid damage to the forklift.
• Stack items neatly and squarely for easy retrieval.

For more tips on how to maximize safety around your pallet racking system, contact GD Liquidators. With over 28 years serving the Edmonton area, GD Liquidators can take care of all of your office, warehouse and industrial storage needs. Contact us today to learn more!

If you’re looking to furnish your business space, you may be asking yourself whether you should opt for new or used office furniture. The answer to this question rests entirely upon your individual needs. Ultimately, your prime concerns will determine which route is most suitable. In the Edmonton area, GD Liquidators offers a vast inventory of both new and used office furniture to accommodate your unique priorities. Here’s how to know whether new or used works best for you.

When to Buy Used

In shopping for used office furniture you’ll find that there’s a more limited selection, no warranties, and that the goods will often have one or more minor flaws. Still, used is best if:

• You’re on a tight budget. When you’re spending power is limited, used office furniture is the better choice. Used furniture also has a higher resale value, especially if it will be re-sold after less than five years.
• You’ll be expanding or moving on in a year or two. An impermanent office location requires a short-term solution. Buy used.
• An eco-friendly choice matters to you. Shop used if you want to make a choice that makes the smallest possible environmental impact. No new materials will be stripped from the environment and no new harmful chemicals will be released during production.
• Snappy delivery time is a factor. The shortest possible delivery time comes with buying used office furniture, as items only have to be transported from purchase location to your office. There’s no waiting on manufacturing or third party transportation times.

When to Buy New

Purchasing new will up your costs significantly. Delivery times are lengthier and assembly can further lengthen the time between purchase and date of use. However, new is best if:

• You have an ultra-specific look in mind. New office furniture is your best bet if you’re after a specific design aesthetic. There’s far greater selection when it comes to shopping new, especially if you’re seeking a sleek modern look, with bells and whistles such as ergonomic design and charging stations at each desk.
• You want to keep your furniture for many years to come. Buy new; it’s the more permanent, longer lasting investment.
• You want your furniture under warranty. If something breaks or doesn’t function, the manufacture will fix or replace the item. This can be a great comfort to hard-working business owners who only want to shop once.
• Damage free is important. Buy new furniture if scratched or scuffed furniture is going to drive you crazy.

If you’re still uncertain, stop in for a visit at GD Liquidators. We have an impressive inventory for you to look over and help you decide what will work best for your office. We’re here to assist you with keeping your business on track by supplying you with great office furniture at great prices. Call us with your questions or just drop in at our Edmonton location.