Background

Stauff UK is the British operation of the global hydraulic components group, serving customers nationwide from its Sheffield headquarters alongside regional facilities in Aberdeen and Lisburn. The Sheffield site is a serious piece of industrial infrastructure: more than 110,000 sq ft housing advanced distribution technology, hose assembly manufacturing, sub-assembly kitting and tube manipulation, with around 200 employees across the company’s three UK sites.

Like many manufacturers, Stauff had a workplace that worked hard operationally but did less for the people inside it. The office and manufacturing teams occupied the same site yet rarely crossed paths, and the social spaces didn’t reflect the culture the business had built.

The Stauff Business Suite at Stauff UK's Sheffield headquarters, with a green feature wall and glazed meeting rooms designed by Switch Workplace Interiors

The Brief

Stauff asked us to design a workplace that would actively strengthen culture and operations, with four clear goals:

  • Foster genuine collaboration between the manufacturing and office teams
  • Create social and activity zones with proper acoustic management
  • Support staff wellbeing, including a dedicated outdoor breakout space
  • Provide flexible meeting rooms with a dedicated tea point, plus one very Stauff requirement: a home for the company darts league

What We Did

Working closely with the Stauff team, we developed the workplace design, space plan and furniture specification, and delivered the project as a full turnkey solution, from design through to fit out and installation.

A meeting suite that flexes. We divided the existing large meeting room into three spaces, connected by an operable wall so two can open into one when bigger groups gather. Each room was equipped with technology for seamless collaboration with external teams and hybrid working, and a small drinks point serving hot and cold refreshments keeps meetings running without disrupting the wider office.

Meeting room at Stauff UK Sheffield with integrated screen technology, acoustic baffles and biophilic planting, designed by Switch Workplace Interiors

A darts zone that doesn’t stop play. Just off the communal breakout space, we created a dedicated, acoustically contained darts area, so the company league can be as competitive as it likes without disturbing the quieter dining spaces next door.

Staff playing darts in the acoustically contained darts zone at Stauff UK Sheffield, with branded dartboards and acoustic screens

Furniture that works as hard as the space. As commercial furniture specialists, we specified multifunctional furniture throughout the dining and breakout zones: settings that support group collaboration during the day and individual focused work outside of mealtimes, so the space earns its keep from morning to evening.

The Fluid Power Station dining and breakout space at Stauff UK Sheffield with multifunctional benches, bar stools and acoustic ceiling raft with planting

Bringing the outside in reach. A new outdoor seating area with a decorative tiled floor gives staff fresh air, an alternative setting for breaks, and somewhere informal for conversations that don’t need a meeting room.

The Outcome

Stauff’s people now have a workplace that adapts to different tasks and working styles throughout the day. The meeting suite supports everything from quick internal catch-ups to full hybrid sessions with external partners. The social and activity areas, darts included, encourage the informal interaction that builds real team relationships, without distracting anyone trying to focus. And the upgraded dining, breakout and outdoor spaces give everyone the choice to collaborate, work independently or simply recharge.

Stauff UK staff relaxing in the refurbished dining and breakout area with moss Stauff logo and Fluid Power Station tea point

Most importantly, the workplace now says what Stauff has always believed: that culture and operations aren’t competing priorities. They strengthen each other.

Planning Something Similar?

Switch Workplace Interiors provides office design, space planning, commercial furniture and full turnkey fit out for workplaces across the UK. Get in touch to talk through your project and we’ll arrange a face-to-face meeting or video consultation to explore the potential of your space.

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