.: hydco

The Advantages of a Strategic Turnkey Partner

Hydco may not be a household name, but you have no doubt driven by one of the hundreds of facilities it has built. Banks, schools, shopping centers, medical clinics, and restaurants are all examples of their growing resume throughout the state of Arkansas. Hydco takes "turnkey" to a new level. As a general contractor/construction manager, the company offers complete project management: traffic studies, demographic analysis, zoning issues, equipment purchasing, architectural design services and furniture selection.

"We go beyond design/build and offer our clients a single source of contact for everything involved in relocating and setting up their business," Vic President Roger Marlin said. "And we do it in 2/3 the time it takes any of our competitors."

If a client has to do anything more than pour themselves a cup of coffee on opening day, Roger said he feels he has let them down. With those kinds of standards, vendors become a crucial ingredient in making or breaking Hydco's reputation.

Banks comprise much of Hydco's portfolio. They range anywhere from 2,500 square feet to more than 15,000 square feet. With an emphasis on image, marketing and overall customer experience, furniture and design become key elements in conveying that message.

"We need access to a wide range of products from value minded to extravagant," Roger said. "Every project is different that way."

In addition to depth and breath of product offering, Roger also needs a shared sense of urgency where delivery is concerned. He is only comfortable when the furniture is waiting on the building-not the other way around.

"When we are ready, it better be sitting in a warehouse and not on an order form," he said.

Roger left his former position at Metropolitan Bank and joined Hydco six years ago. He and Art Bowren from Today's office had done business together at Metropolitan. When he made the move, he brought Today's Office with him.

Today's helps Hydco with interior design, product application, specification and installation. The companies have joined forces on more then 25 projects. Steelcase, Turnstone, Details, Paoli, and Cabot Wrenn are some of the manufacturers typically specified. At the beginning of each project, Keeley, designer with Today's Office, coordinates the total interior finish out-even on products such as tile and grout. Roger brings the finish board to client meetings to get their approval and to ask for any amendments. More often than not, Roger says Keeley "hits the mark the first time." "They invested lots of time with me over the years to the point they know my business so well that we can speak in short hand," Roger said. "No re-education every time we get a new project."

Where Keeley brings design expertise, Art brings his business skills.

"He gives us competitive pricing yet loads of services without a fee," Roger said.

No surprises. Total value.

"I have to say I get more furniture people than any other vendor knocking on my door, but you can see why I am not excited to turn over the business with a relationship like this," Roger added. "It's not worth the risk."

In addition, the staff at Hydco knows Today's Office will be available to satisfy their clients on a post-project basis.

You might say Today's Office is to Hydco what Hydco is to their end users: a convenient, turnkey, dependable, efficient business partner. Each a one-stop shop that minds their business so clients can mind theirs. That's short hand for "full service."