The hybrid office is not going away, and neither is the continuous evolution of audio/visual technology reshaping and improving business connectivity.” So noted Schaeffer Electric President Justin Kohlman as he announced the launch of a new Workplace Technology Solutions (WTS) division for the St. Louis-based company.
Schaeffer’s WTS division will offer complete audio/visual turnkey services including consultation, design, installation and maintenance services for commercial customers. The WTS division will be led by Jeff Weaver, Andrew Michael and Matt Bauman who combined have nearly 50 years of experience in the commercial audio/visual industry.
Weaver serves as WTS director of operations, Michael as director of sales and Bauman director of engineering.
Founded in 1935, Schaeffer is an employee-owned company and one of the region’s leading residential, commercial and industrial electrical contractors. The firm reported revenues of $25.9 million in 2022 and employs 89.
Schaeffer has partnered with the trio leading its WTS division within a wide range of industries such as commercial, higher education, K-12, healthcare, government, legal firms, manufacturing, hospitality, non-profit, architects and more. They include:
| Neuroscience Building at Washington University | St. Clair County Courts |
| St. John’s Lutheran Church | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri |
| Northwestern Mutual | BJC Healthcare |
| Lutheran Hour Ministries | Boeing |
| Boeing | Ameren |
| Trinity Products | Four Seasons and Resorts |
| The Bank of Missouri | Brown and Crouppen |
Then the pandemic hit in 2020.
“The pandemic was an accelerant,” noted Michael. “Businesses had to adapt to a work from home or hybrid model which required video conferencing technology to quickly evolve. Pre-pandemic, there were few video conferencing platforms and limited PC based hardware to choose from. Today, there are many great options on the market and almost every space in the office requires video conferencing capability.”
WTS consultation, design and installation includes video conferencing and presentation solutions for small to large conference rooms, executive boardrooms, training rooms, huddle spaces, auditoriums, multi-purpose rooms, classrooms and private offices. In addition, its turnkey services will provide complete design solutions and installation for:
| Sound Masking; | Optimal work from home space; |
| Digital signage; | Video walls; |
| Room scheduling; | Live sound systems; and |
| Paging |
Kohlman says Schaeffer’s prefabrication services can be adapted to AV installations creating greater efficiencies in customized building.
