COVER STORY


TAPPING INTO THE EVOLVING WORKSPACE


Digital technology is driving change in all aspects of the workplace, including water dispensing. Borg & Overström’s new integrated tap system contains advanced technology to meet the needs of evolving offices and communal workspaces.


Touch-free water dispensers, a


pivotal innovation Innovation continues to drive success for Borg & Overström. Founded in 2002, they’ve expanded globally to almost every continent via a network of distributors. During the pandemic, businesses accelerated digital initiatives by several years, and Borg & Overström were no exception.


Due to demand for touch-free solutions, they sped up existing developments and took new products to market sooner than planned. Dan Lyon, Borg & Overström Managing Director, believes this has pushed innovation forward three to five years.


“We’ve deepened our understanding of the software capabilities within our sector,” he explains. “As a result, we’ve developed products further, faster, and are once again raising the bar for water dispensers.”


The T2 is one of five innovations Borg & Overström will launch in 2022. It contains some of their most advanced water dispensing technology yet. Dan adds: “The office is changing, and water dispensing technology must keep pace.”


Refreshment services are crucial to


the office experience Digital technology may be transforming every aspect of work, but refreshment services remain a crucial part of the office experience, says Borg & Overström. With the trend towards hybrid working models, they expect to see more café-style breakout areas and versatile spaces to accommodate co-working and solo work.


Culture is kept alive in the physical workplace. So, it stands to reason that the office will become a place for collaboration, socialising, and formal meetings where hybrid models are adopted.


Furthermore, refreshment facilities are still vital services for employees. According to Leesman, in 2018, 79.4% of employees globally ranked tea, coffee, and other refreshment facilities as an important workplace feature. In 2021, this was 77.2%.


But employers must ensure their staff feel comfortable using water dispensers and other self-serve refreshment services in the workplace.


Hygiene is critical for encouraging


good hydration Naturally, employees entering the workplace may feel apprehensive. Employers must therefore address not only the actual safety of their staff but also the perceived risk.


18 | TOMORROW’S FM


Water dispensers are one of the frequently touched surfaces that people may feel nervous using. Therefore, to ensure employees remain adequately hydrated during their working day, it’s essential they feel confident using water dispensers.


Simon Bryant, Head of Research and Development, says it’s important that employers continue with daily external cleaning of water dispensers, in addition to scheduled routine internal sanitisation.


Touch-free solutions will also reduce risk and give employees confidence. Simon adds: “There are many solutions now available such as Borg & Overström’s footswitch and water dispensing App kits.”


Employees want employers to take


action on sustainability A UK report commissioned by Intranet company Unily in August 2020 revealed that “workers don’t just care about climate change on a personal level; they want to feel that their employers are aligned with their values and actively taking action.”


In the study, 72% of respondents said they were concerned about environmental ethics, and 83% believed their workplaces were not doing enough to address climate change.


Borg & Overström continually evolve operations to ensure sustainability remains at the core of the business. They only manufacture point-of-use (bottle-less) water dispensers and promote reusable drinking vessels. They also ship products in sustainably sourced cardboard boxes that can be recycled on-site.


They’ve harnessed renewable energy at their HQ to make operations entirely self-sufficient. In addition, no waste from head office is sent to landfill. All Borg & Overström water dispensers are manufactured in the UK and they’re continuing to move their entire supply chain closer to their UK base.


T2 digital tap with built-in hygiene


and sustainability features The T2 is a next-generation digital tap system designed to meet the evolving needs of both employee and employer. It includes built-in Bluetooth capabilities for touch- free app dispensing and a discreet touch panel with an antimicrobial coating.


It can also be factory-fitted with Viovandt, an advanced ultraviolet water purification system. Viovandt is a mercury-free and chemical-free purification system for water dispensers. It’s maintenance-free and uses


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