Farewell, Terrace Street. Hello Columbus Park!

It’s time to update your address book because we’ve moved!

Our new address is:

FireBoard Labs

501 Charlotte Street

Kansas City, MO 64106

What was a dark, dusty space just a couple of weeks ago is now home to FireBoard’s production space.

It is official, FireBoard Labs has relocated to our new headquarters!  After months of being spread out between the two locations, now all FireBoard personnel, equipment, and operations are under one roof.  A relief for sure, with the move behind us we can now focus on how to continue to grow.

Entrance to FireBoard’s headquarters at 501 Charlotte, complete with “FireBoard red” accent paint.

Location, Location, Location

Right away the new building has been a hit with the staff.  And what is not to love? With a spacious work environment, beautiful architecture, and being located in a thriving historical neighborhood, it all adds up.   Not to mention several of us are enjoying shorter commute times, which is always a plus.

“Enough Space?”

Acquiring the right amount of space is a tricky calculation.  Even more so when accounting for new machines like our selective soldering and conformal coating, which were never set up in our old space.  Will there be enough to accommodate the new machinery expand production, and have a shipping and receiving that can accommodate our needs?  After the move I asked Steven Briggeman this question, “Absolutely!”  he confidently replied.  “We still have empty offices here,” he explained with a smile.  And we do, with the new machinery in place alongside the SMT line and expanded space in shipping, warehouse storage, and assembly we indeed have enough space, and then some!

Spirits were high at FireBoard’s first Company Catch-Up in their new headquarters.

Earlier this week, Ted called our first meeting in the new building, and there was definitely a high spirits vibe.  The enthusiasm for being in the new space was evident.  Today, I took a few minutes and visited with my coworkers, asking them what specifically they liked about our new space.  “I like the renovation aspect,” Paul said looking around and then remarking about how nice the increase in natural light was.

Lesley appreciates the more efficient layout of FireBoard’s new packing and shipping workspace.

Hannah likes the potential of what the new building can bring  “Like that fish in a bigger tank, we are going to grow faster now.”   Jennifer seconds this sentiment, “Our new facility is state-of-the-art with plenty of much-needed space to grow.”

Wendy enjoys the appearance of her new work environment stating “I love the use of raw finishes and the open floorplan”

FireBoard’s former address has beautiful architectural details, and an alleged history connected to the Kansas City prohibition era.

Connection

Linda grew up in Columbus Park and remembers walking past our new HQ on her way to school  “It was a Hires Root Beer plant then.” she continues, “I like working in my neighborhood, I always feel like I am home”.

FireBoard’s former breakroom, complete with a cliff view. The upper level of the building is equipped with a delivery dock and a ramp that accommodates standard 53-foot semi-trailers.

All of us got to spend some time working on the new building which has given us ownership of our workspace. Dustin enthusiastically explains “This building has given us a sense of community and the opportunity to grow as a team because we’ve all worked on it  in some way.“

One last look at FireBoard’s former production space, photo taken at the final walkthrough.

As FireBoard’s first paid employee, Jennifer feels that the old space at 3305 won’t be quickly forgotten, as it marked a pivotal moment in FireBoard’s history” We grew so much in those four years.”   Or as Hannah put it “FireBoard grew up there.  It is where we had our SMT machines delivered and started our manufacturing”

Erin says she will miss a neighboring cliff: “I would enjoy staring out our break room window looking at it especially in the winter when giant icicles would form.”

While not all of my coworkers agree, I will miss the distinct aroma of roasting coffee that came from our next-door neighbor, Thou Mayest.

But is it Done yet?

With all of the excitement and whispers of a grand opening event of some sort, it begs the question “Is it done?” Our Contractor Byron: “It is 90% done with railings, 2nd-floor ceiling, touch-up painting, caulking here and there, feature wall in the conference room, hanging some TVs.  It is all minor stuff and we are closer now than ever!”

FireBoard Labs, 501 Charlotte Street, Kansas City, MO, 64106