April 12th, 2013 by TRT Blog

Here at The Refinishing Touch, we work diligently on every one of our projects, ensuring our award-winning furniture asset management solutions are implemented to the fullest extent – from beginning to end. One of the key industries we work with to implement our services is higher education, where we operate in dormitories and various campus-wide edifices to remodel existing furniture assets, saving on budget costs and eradicating harmful landfill waste, when compared to buying new.

Similarly, a recent interview with The Refinishing Touch’s founder and president, Mario Insenga, was highlighted in the March and April edition of The Association of College and University Housing Officers, International (ACUHO-I) magazine, Talking Stick – The Authoritative Source for Campus Housing. The article entitled ‘Weighing in on Waste’, investigates the topic of effective waste management within the college community.

Presented with the opportunity to spread our knowledge, Mario was able to stress the importance of sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices, as well as showcase the monetary benefits higher education institutions have experienced by implementing our furniture asset management services.

To close his interview, Mario raises an important point to readers – one that is heard quite frequently around The Refinishing Touch offices, and one that is at the core of our day-to-day operations: Extend the life of your furniture assets by utilizing the material that’s found inside of a building already.

To read the entire article, head on over to page 21 of the most recent Talking Stick, and for more information on The Refinishing Touch’s services, visit our website or email us at info@therefinishingtouch.com.

ACUHO-I, budget, furniture, furniture asset management, higher education, refinishing, remanufacturing, reupholstery, Sustainability, The Association of College and University Housing Officers, The Refinishing Touch, The Talking Stick, waste management

February 19th, 2013 by TRT Blog

As a company that has spent over 35 years working with large organizations to improve the bottom line and decrease carbon emissions through sustainable furniture asset management solutions including refinishing, remanufacturing, and re-upholstering, we understand the long-term commitment required to create a lasting impact on communities and the environment.

In conjunction with implementing sustainable initiatives, we have also seen our customers, which include government agencies, hotels, and colleges and universities, go one step further and commit fiscal and operational resources to the research it takes to make our world a better place. On this same vein, we were thrilled to hear about the Canadian institution, University of Saskatchewan, open up its own environmental research body – The Sustainability Education Research Institute (SERI).

The first of its kind in Canada, SERI is committed to bringing together researchers and community influencers to examine and advance environmental sustainability. In a recent story from The Star Phoenix, University of Saskatchewan vice president of research, Karen Chad said: “SERI will provide a focus for sustainability research, fostering creation of knowledge to inform everything from classroom lessons, actions with community partners and government policy.”

In addition to its dedication to environmental research, SERI will also work to improve sustainable-focus curriculum in elementary, high school and higher education institutions.

With The Refinishing Touch’s recent expansion into Canada, we have a vested interest in the future of the country, its environmental-preservation, and how countries around the world can work together to improve overall sustainability. We hope that similar institutes will continue to be established in a cohesive effort to expand sustainable education.

To learn more about SERI, read the entire news story, and to learn more about The Refinishing Touch and our cost-effective, environmentally-friendly furniture solutions, please visit our website.

environmental, furniture, green, hospitality, refinishing, Sustainability, The Refinishing Touch, The Refinishing Touch Canada

February 1st, 2013 by TRT Blog

At The Refinishing Touch, we work with an array of clients in the government, hospitality and higher education sectors. Our mission across the board is simple, and has remained the same after 35 years of business – to provide top-of-the-line furniture asset management services, including refinishing, re-upholstery and remanufacturing, bringing existing assets back to like-new quality, while saving on bottom line.

Our experienced on-site production teams implement The Refinishing Touch’s services on a wide range of furniture assets – which lead us to one of our recent blog poll questions: ‘Across each of our key industries, what furniture asset should be the focus of reuse, instead of replacement?’

The majority of respondents (67%) agreed that armoires and wardrobes are the two furniture assets most in need of a revamp. As flat-screen television sets become a standard commodity in hotels and other housing facilities, outdated bulky television armoires are no longer usable. However, this doesn’t mean these costly assets need to end up in landfills. Instead, armoire conversions, accomplished through remanufacturing and refinishing, make it possible for sleeker, slimmer television sets to be beautifully showcased in the same armoire, without burning one’s budget or endangering the environment.

The benefits of implementing furniture asset management solutions on existing pieces are endless, regardless of the type of furniture you wish to restore. For example, when applying remanufacturing practices to existing armoires instead of buying new, our clients save up to 80 percent in budget costs, while saving nearly 90 percent in carbon emissions. Our studies have also shown buying a new piece of furniture takes approximately 1,000 times more carbon dioxide, versus refinishing.

For more information on our on-site, cost-effective and environmentally-safe furniture asset management solutions, please visit our website or email us for a free quote. As always, we encourage our readers to contribute to our weekly polls to let their thoughts be heard and shared through our blog.

Armoires, blog poll, carbon dioxide, furniture asset management, Government, higher education, hospitality, re-upholstery, refinishing, renovations, The Refinishing Touch

January 22nd, 2013 by TRT Blog

Here at The Refinishing Touch, not only do we pride ourselves on our award-winning furniture asset management services implemented by hotels, college campuses and government agencies around the country, but we also place great importance on keeping our clients, suppliers, employees and supporters informed of our latest happenings.

One of the best ways to stay up-to-date on all of The Refinishing Touch’s corporate news is by subscribing to the InTouch quarterly newsletter or by reading our past issues, updated on our website here.

For all of our subscribers, the latest edition of InTouch for Q4 2012, lands in email inboxes today! As outlined in the latest newsletter, The Refinishing Touch looks forward to 2013 and reviews our company’s successes of 2012. Here’s just some of what you can expect to find in this issue:

- Government: In a recent blog poll, we asked our readers to choose the most effective cost-saving initiative implemented by the government. Find out what the survey revealed – the answer may surprise you!

- Higher education: Read up on how college management teams are alleviating pressures from tight budgets while simultaneously going green

- Hospitality: Our production team takes a closer look at the recent Hampton Inn Batesville project, and breaks down the estimated 92.5 percent in budget savings

- Company updates: See what 2013 has to offer for The Refinishing Touch, including an expansion to our Touch Textiles re-upholstery line

To sign up for your copy of InTouch, please subscribe here. And if you missed the newest edition of InTouch, visit our website archives in the coming days, when we will post the issue for all of our supporters to read. Finally, to learn more about The Refinishing Touch and our services, visit our website or send us an email at info@therefinishingtouch.com.

As always, we look forward to staying InTouch!

company updates, cost efficiency, Government, higher education, hospitality, intouch, newsletter, re-upholstery, refinishing, remanufacturing, renovations, The Refinishing Touch

January 4th, 2013 by TRT Blog

We see this problem time and time again – government administrations struggling to complete renovations while meeting tighter and tighter budget constraints.

The latest example of the battle between building and furniture asset upkeep and cost management comes out of Washington, DC, where the eight-phase, $750 million renovation of the 80-year-old Herbert Hoover Building has been indefinitely delayed.

According to the Federal Times, the restoration project originally scheduled to be completed in 2021 has been postponed until an additional $454 million is collected to cover costs. The project, which began in 2008, was intended to fix up crumbling interior and exterior fixtures, while updating the building’s IT structure.

The recent and all-to-common dilemma emphasizes the need for government bodies to begin searching for and investing in cost-efficient, yet effective, refinishing and renovation alternatives. Fortunately, in the past few years, we’ve certainly seen a rising trend in such methods – with government administrators at buildings like The White House, Federal courthouses and military bases calling on The Refinishing Touch to refinish, remanufacture and re-upholster existing furniture assets, eliminating the costly need to buy new.

With the New Year underway, we hope to see more government agencies wisely investing in cost-effective restoration strategies throughout 2013 – a solution that delivers like-new, modern results. For more information on better management of government furniture assets as a means to improve quality of life, reduce pollution and cut expenditure by up to 80 percent, please read our whitepaper here.

Also, keep an eye on this space for updates on the renovations at the historical Herbert Hoover Building, as the General Services Administration (GSA) will continue its fundraising efforts to restart the project.

budget constraints, cost efficiency, Federal Times, General Services Administration, Government, GSA, Herbert Hoover Building, restorations, Sustainability, The Refinishing Touch, the White House, Washington D.C., whitepaper

December 28th, 2012 by TRT Blog

Recently, we’ve seen local, state and federal government bodies across the nation taking small steps to gradually become more sustainable, cost-effective facilities. Perhaps one of the most noteworthy goals that we’ve blogged about before is the Obama Administration’s push for federal government agencies to become completely paperless by the end of 2019.

As providers of environmentally-safe, cost-effective,  sustainable furniture asset management services, which have been implemented during renovations at various US courthouses, The White House, military bases, naval barracks and many other government edifices, we’ve seen the trend first-hand.

With this issue in mind, we took to our blog page to ask our readers, ‘What high-cost operation do you think the government could realistically and sustainably replace?’ Here’s what we found:

• The majority (40 percent) of readers agreed with the government’s long-term goal to go paperless, stating that printed paper documents can easily be replaced due to the rise in tablets, smartphones and other technology.
• Other options, such as eliminating the need to buy new furniture by up-cycling existing assets, replacing mercury bulbs with more efficient lighting, and reducing the use of personal transportation, were also popular choices among voters, with all three coming in at a close second place.

Here at The Refinishing Touch, we support any initiative that simultaneously preserves a business owner’s budget and the environment. Many local, state and federal governments are showing progress in both its short- and long-term environmental goals, and we are proud to be a part of its shift towards increased sustainability.

For more information on our renovation work completed in The White House and other government facilities, please click here. To contribute to our weekly polls, be sure to visit our blog page where a new question is posted every week.

environment, furniture asset management, furniture upcycling, government sustainability, military, navy, Obama administration, paperless, refinishing, reupholstering, The Refinishing Touch, the White House, US courthouses, US Federal Government

December 25th, 2012 by TRT Blog

Today, families, friends and loved ones come together to celebrate in the holiday spirit with great food, laughter, gifts and optimism for the year to come. During such a joyous occasion, The Refinishing Touch would like to take a moment to thank all of our devoted customers, supportive followers and hard-working staff for another ­wonderful year filled with successful renovation projects, progress toward increasing sustainability and ever-lasting memories. Your support and continued trust in our business for more than 35 years is one of the greatest gifts of all.

With the surge in sustainability during 2012, we leave you with a few green tips to implement in your own home during the holidays and beyond:

-        Wrap gifts in reusable materials, like old newspapers or ribbons from last year. AASHE estimates that if every American family wrapped three presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields

-        Use holiday lights in moderation to preserve energy – and to lower your monthly electric bill

-        Stuff stockings with fruits, nuts, cookies and other food items, instead of purchasing plastic goods that could take years to disintegrate in a landfill

From our family to yours, The Refinishing Touch wishes you and your loved ones a happy holiday season, filled with peace, love, health and plenty of happiness.

35 year anniversary, AASHE, Canada, furniture asset management, Happy Holidays, Mario Insenga, refinishing, remanufacturing, reupholstery, Sustainability, The Refinishing Touch

December 11th, 2012 by TRT Blog

With the last days of 2012 quickly approaching us, The Refinishing Touch took a moment to reflect on this year’s past achievements and some of the trends expected in 2013. We certainly had a busy and eventful year, but 2013 is expected to hold just as much growth, excitement and customer success stories, along with an improved sense of environmental awareness and budget preservation.

Back in May, The Refinishing Touch expanded its award-winning furniture asset management services into the neighboring country of Canada, with the opening of its first administrative office. Shortly after, we completed our first international project in Toronto, and have much more in store for 2013.

One month later, we celebrated our 35^th year in the business, delivering high-quality cost-effective, safe and sustainable furniture refinishing and re-upholstery to the hospitality, government and higher education sectors. The milestone was a remarkable achievement, demonstrating the success of an idea created by president and founder Mario Insenga when working at his family’s Ohio musical instrument repair business as a young adult.

In 2013, The Refinishing Touch predicts a noticeable increase in the implementation of sustainable, fiscally-responsible solutions. Our upcoming projects for the New Year foresee key industry trends, including:

- Government:  Local, state and national bodies will continue to invest in and implement sustainable solutions that offer significant ROI, reducing the current 40% to 80% expenditure on furniture assets

- Higher education: Collegiate campuses will become more conscious of their existing assets and work harder to find cost-effective solutions that allow operations to stay within budgets and maintain quality

- Hospitality: Hoteliers will focus more urgently on alternative solutions, including refinishing, re-upholstery and color changes, to deliver furniture upgrades and meet corporate brand requirements

For more information on The Refinishing Touch’s predictions for the New Year or past accomplishments, please read the full press release here.

2012 momentum, furniture asset management, Government, higher education, hospitality, industry trends, new year, refinishing, reupholstery, The Refinishing Touch

November 20th, 2012 by TRT Blog

Guest author: Mary Ann Hart, General Manager of Hampton Inn Batesville

Throughout my 24 years of working in hospitality, I’ve seen the industry persevere through many obstacles by changing its key practices and overall approach, and most recently, ultimately overcoming the aftermath of the 2008 recession.

Even today, as general manager of Hampton Inn Batesville, a position I’ve held for nearly 16 years, I am still witnessing the gradual upturn in business. During the last half of 2012, I’ve seen more leisure traffic than in many years’ past, with more people wanting to venture farther away from home as the economy slowly recovers.

This increase in business has also fueled a fundamental shift in business practices – moving more towards finding ways to satisfy the consumer’s needs, while remaining conscious of bottom line. One business practice in particular that we’ve begun implementing is sustainability – a venture that comes with many benefits, including appealing to green lodgers, preserving the environment and saving on costs.

An example of these benefits came into play when The Refinishing Touch completed a large-scale refinishing project at our Batesville location. At the time, we were looking for a solution to preserve our locally purchased case goods. We didn’t want to replace them, since they’re well liked amongst our guests and staff, and are very high-quality assets. After hearing positive feedback from a Hampton Inn corporate representative (whom The Refinishing Touch has worked with before), I was convinced – furniture asset management was the right solution for our hotel.

The Refinishing Touch team restored numerous wardrobes, desks, nightstands and luggage benches in 80 of our guest bedrooms, back to their original, like-new condition. Scratches and common wear were erased, all in a quick and seamless process. One of the best aspects of working with The Refinishing Touch was the fast on-site refinishing process, which helped us avoid completely shutting down the establishment. The production team was very conscious of our business operations, and when a block of rooms were occupied, they would only renovate them as they became vacant.

By investing in The Refinishing Touch’s furniture asset management services, we saved thousands of dollars, or about 80 percent in budget costs. Our case goods look new again, and we continue to receive positive feedback from guests and staff members alike. Not only did we save money, but we also saved an estimated 90 percent in carbon emissions, when compared to buying new furniture – helping reduce negative impact on the environment.

And Hampton Inn Batesville’s green initiatives do not stop there. We offer a towel and linen reuse program and have installed water aerators on our faucets, reducing water consumption. The free daily breakfast bar is equipped with ‘Enviroware’ plastic ware, a product that is easily compostable. We have also changed our light bulbs to become more energy efficient and provide recycling bins throughout the hotel.

If you are ever in Southeastern Indiana, why not book a stay at Hampton Inn Batesville and discover a balance of luxury, comfort and sustainability. We are conveniently located between Cincinnati and Indianapolis, right near golf courses, parks and water ways. To reserve your room today, visit our website.

For more information on The Refinishing Touch’s large-scale refinishing project at Hampton Inn Batesville, read the entire press release here.

budget, Business, carbon emissions, case goods, Cincinnati, energy efficiency, Enviroware, furniture asset management, general manager, Hampton Inn Batesville, hospitality, Hotels, Indiana, Indianapolis, Mary Ann Hart, refinishing, Sustainability, The Refinishing Touch, towel and linen reuse program, water aerators

November 13th, 2012 by TRT Blog

Here at The Refinishing Touch, our innovative, award-winning refinishing solutions have not only decreased carbon footprints at organizations around the world, but have also helped our clients save, on average, 80 percent in budgets costs when compared to buying new furniture.

One of our most recent examples of these cost-efficient and environmentally-sound practices was at the Hampton Inn Batesville, a Southeastern Indiana subdivision of the Hampton hotel brand. In a matter of days, our production crew refinished and restored numerous case goods, including wardrobes, desks, nightstands, headboards, bathroom vanities and luggage benches, back to modern, like-new condition.

The refinishing project was completed on-site using non-toxic lacquers with low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), maintaining indoor air quality and ensuring the safety of guests and hotel employees. Through our clean and non-toxic practices, Hampton Inn Batesville could remain open during renovations – satisfying clientele while avoiding costly shut-down expenses.

Here’s a closer look into the numbers for this large-scale refinishing project:

- The Refinishing Touch team worked on a total number of 66 guest rooms during this project.

- By investing in our services, Hampton Inn Batesville saved 92.5% in budget costs when compared to buying new furniture.

- The estimated total cost for a project of this magnitude would be more than $330,000, but The Refinishing Touch’s refinishing solutions dropped it down to just over $25,000.

- The hotel decreased its estimated carbon footprint, or amount of projected greenhouse gas emissions, from 96.4964 tons of carbon dioxide to a minimal 0.9548.

In a press release, Mary Ann Hart, general manager of Hampton Inn Batesville, said: “We were looking for an alternative to replacing our furniture, since the case goods were high-quality and liked amongst our staff. The Refinishing Touch was the perfect choice, preserving our existing assets while saving over $300,000 in budget costs.”

For more information on the refinishing project completed at Hampton Inn Batesville, please read our press release here. To discover ways to simultaneously save on carbon emissions and your bottom line during renovations at your own hotel branch, email us for a free quote: sales@therefinishingtouch.com.

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