Altorfer Caterpillar Headquarters

Future Forward Workspace

LOCATION: Cedar Rapids, IA 
SQ FT – 150,000

PARTNERSHIPS:
Welter Storage Equipment Co. 
Ryan Companies

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Opening its doors in April 2024, Altorfer CAT’s new headquarters building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, represents the organization’s future-forward outlook with a welcoming workspace designed for growth and adaptability. For nearly seven decades, this highly successful authorized Caterpillar dealer prospered within its existing facility but encountered increasing challenges in accommodating its evolving needs as the years passed. 

Corey Nuehring, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Altorfer CAT, explains, "We've experienced continuous growth during our 67 years in business, which has ultimately led us to outgrow our facility. This expansion was not only necessary to better serve our customers but also to optimize our operational capabilities." 

With a pressing need to consolidate two separate buildings into one cohesive space, Altorfer CAT partnered with Ryan Companies on the design and construction of its new headquarters and Welter Storage Equipment Co. for the furnishings. Expanding to nearly double the size of their previous facility, the new 150,000-square-foot office, sales, and service facility not only accommodates the practical demands of the business but also prioritizes the well-being and comfort of its workforce. Natural light floods the interior, carried through the space thanks to lower workstation walls and frosted glass panels, creating an inviting and energizing atmosphere that offers privacy.

Central to the organization’s vision was the integration of reconfigurable furniture, a strategic move to future-proof their workspace. The flexibility of HON's Abound cubicle system appealed to Altorfer CAT's need for adaptability and affordability while also offering quality and style. Nuehring notes, "We purposefully chose cost-effective solutions that could evolve with our needs. This was to ensure long-term flexibility and a solid return on our investment. However, when it came to essential aspects like design and functionality, there was no compromise. It was crucial to provide a comfortable and upgraded workspace experience for all our team members."

In addition to being set up to address evolving needs, Altorfer CAT's new headquarters also serves as a powerful tool for attracting top talent as the company continues to grow. Recognizing the importance of creating an appealing workplace, the design team prioritized features that would make the space both practically functional and desirable. The new work environment exudes a welcoming atmosphere with inviting glass-front offices for customer engagements and a spacious, vibrant breakroom for employees. The unconventional use of a bar-height table and stools for the conference room further enhances the warm ambiance, fostering more relaxed and productive meetings between customers and staff.

"We’ve had overwhelmingly positive feedback from our employees about the comfort of the environment, the more open layout, and the access to daylight,” says Nuehring. “By bringing our divisions together under one roof, we’ve been able to spark some great synergy between the teams, which we weren’t able to achieve before when they were in separate buildings. It's been fantastic seeing everyone so energized by the new space and how it’s enhanced their work experience and productivity."

"We’ve had overwhelmingly positive feedback from our employees about the comfort of the environment, the more open layout, and the access to daylight,” says Nuehring. “By bringing our divisions together under one roof, we’ve been able to spark some great synergy between the teams, which we weren’t able to achieve before when they were in separate buildings. It's been fantastic seeing everyone so energized by the new space and how it’s enhanced their work experience and productivity."