PLANAR ULTRALUX DISPLAY IS INTEGRAL TO COMPANY'S SUCCESS
Top interior designers worldwide know that OFS Brands is the preeminent source for topquality office furniture. Not widely known is the fact that OFS Brands started out making a name for itself in the 1930s, building basketball backboards and wooden window blinds. Today, backboards and blinds have given way to custom-designed office environments for businesses that care about quality furnishings in office settings of every type.
OFS Brands' total focus on quality extends to the manner in which it presents its products and capabilities; notably, in the company's newest showroom near New York City's famed Herald Square. A key feature of this stunning 10,000 square-foot space could easily be mistaken for a priceless piece of artwork as opposed to what it really is: a state-of-the-art digital video display - an 80-inch Planar UltraLux Series LCD Display.
A critical part of the selling approach
OFS chose Planar UltraLux display for two reasons: its ability to beautifully depict large images of furniture and have these depictions feel integral to any total furnishing solution being demonstrated to a designer or an end user. "Planar UltraLux could be built into a showroom wall and thus could become part of whatever we choose to present to a particular designer or customer, for a particular project, " says Doug Shapiro, Director of Architecture and Design for OFS Brands. "It is more than just a TV hung on the wall - which can be a distraction. It's a critical, seamless element of our marketing and selling approach and one which adds significantly to the OFS showroom experience."
Shapiro says that the Planar UltraLux display resonates with discerning designers who want to work with the most forward-thinking, quality-minded manufacturers. "When these professionals see the display integrated into our selling experience, they see a company that understands their world as well as the types of customers they work with. That just reinforces our distinction in their minds and adds to our appeal as a partner for their projects."
Focal point for designer and customer meetings
The 80-inch Planar UltraLux display is placed in the main showroom, within a prominent wall of an area where OFS staffers gather for meetings, and for planning and project reviews with designers and end user customers. "The screen is a focal point for these meetings and presentations so its aesthetics and image quality are paramount," Shapiro says.
Recognizing its use in this manner, Planar gave UltraLux a sleek, high-tech look and feel and then engineered in industry-leading image quality. The display features infinity edge-to-edge glass that we see in today's most advanced, intrend consumer electronic products. Planar UltraLux Series takes this a step further by offering Planar's ERO (Extended Ruggedness and Optics)-technology that protects the LCD from damage in demanding application environments.
Features that resonate with designers and customers
The adage, image matters, resonated with Planar in its design plans for UltraLux. It delivers to OFS through features such as the full 80-inch screen, full 1080p LED edge-lit technology, 700-nit brightness, 5000:1 contrast ratio, and 16.7 million color-handling capability.
And with multiple connectivity options, including HDMI, Planar UltraLux Series is the perfect canvas on which OFS can display its products in either high definition photography or video. The system also incorporates a built-in media player, with easy-to-use software, so OFS can create content using virtually all of its own digital assets.
"We know this all adds up to a solution we can count on 24/7, and that Planar stands behind it with one of the industry's strongest warranties," says Tim Verkamp, OFS's Systems Support Manager. "Further, should we ever have a problem, Planar has shown its strong commitment to customer support, with real people who are available to us when we need them, "he adds.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
