Parasol Tackles Smokers' Logistics for New Breed

Parasol Tackles Smokers’ Logistics for New Breed

Problem:

Although the American workforce is smoking less, it’s still a fact that workers who smoke present employers with challenges. If you want to keep employees who smoke happy, employers have to provide a safe and comfortable place to do it ― away from people who don’t smoke.

That’s the challenge New Breed knew it had to address. The company wanted to provide a comfortable and safe smoking area away from the building’s entrance, so people coming in and out of the building wouldn’t have to walk through the smoke. They also wanted a smoking area that would fit their existing outdoor space.

Solution:

New Breed General Manager Sheldon Culp contacted Parasol Awnings. He had used the company for projects at other locations and was confident Parasol Awnings could customize a solution to fit the space and vision he had.

A Parasol salesperson visited the site, measured the area and made some rough sketches, exchanging ideas with Culp. It would be a metal canopy that stood away from the building’s rear entrance. It would be large enough to accommodate a table with seating.

Back at Parasol Awning’s headquarters, an engineer reviewed the plans and recommended different bracing for the structure. This would enhance the structure’s durability.

“What we ended up with was a combination of my vision, the salesperson’s experience and the engineer’s technical knowhow,” said Culp. “I felt really good about the final structure.”

Parasol installed it on time and within budget. Months later, when the north wind was whipping through, New Breed decided to upgrade the area to protect employees from the wind. From a safety standpoint, it was critical that the new side panels were clear, so they could be seen through.

“We were concerned about the safety of our employees. We wanted to make sure that there wasn’t any way for someone to hide in there,” said Culp. “We didn’t want our employees walking into a dangerous situation.”

The clear side panels are now installed and New Breed’s smokers can enjoy protection from the wind and rain.