Sherrie EngWhen Verch Dental Ceramics faced possible citations for overcrowding from the city fire marshal, partners Christopher Verch and Tom Turntine knew it was finally time to move out of their 3,150-sq.-ft. leased laboratory. They decided to buy and renovate a 10,000-sq.-ft. building just down the street and had three goals in mind; reduce noise, decrease dust and maintain good temperature control.
The eight-month renovation not only created more space and comfort, it also prepared the lab for the digital revolution.
“We believe that digital technology is just beginning and, since our plan is to have the capacity to be part of this trend, we’ve built our infrastructure to accommodate it,” says Verch, vice president of the Ellisville, Missouri lab.
For instance, they invested heavily in a server that can handle large amounts of digital data—like digital RXs, and model and impression scans—quickly and safely. Data ports with Cat5e cabling are also positioned throughout the lab to service future CAD and CAD/CAM systems. “Now that we have the capabilities and the space, we’re ready for a digital future,” says Verch.
Verch Dental Ceramics' new facility in Ellisville, MO
Tom Turntine and Christopher Verch
In March 2009—after eight months of renovation during which 90% of all internal walls were knocked down to create a logical, efficient flow for the lab—Verch Dental Ceramics moved into its new building. The whole move took only four to five hours and the staff was extremely enthusiastic. “In fact, the Friday we moved we had folks coming in at 3am to start the process! By the time I came in at 6am, things were already jumping,” recalls Verch.
The new lab features a bright, spacious shade-taking room off the lobby. The lab’s 28 employees have been the key motivator throughout the entire renovation: both partners knew the stress of noise and heat that goes along with a production laboratory was weighing heavily on them. “Our employees have been telling us for years that they wanted a new place,” says Verch. “Now they say they don’t want to change a thing.” Verch also adds that, on the facility’s one-year anniversary in March, the building will be dedicated to Jeff Suermann, a very talented ceramist-employee who passed away in 2005.
Instead of conventional rows of benches, the ceramic department—which is lit with Dazor color-corrective lighting—was designed in a circular pod formation, each seating four technicians. These custom-made units have Formica tops and are equipped with Kavo portable suction units; Kavo handpieces; water-cooled high-speed handpieces; microscopes; and IntraTech porcelain furnaces by Whip Mix. Although the pods take up more room, they offer more personal space for employees and reduce distractions and noise.
One of the lab’s top goals was to minimize dust, moisture and fumes, so there are four custom-made, stainless steel, 6’ x 3’ exhaust hoods throughout the lab—in the burnout room, removable department and two in the casting room. The hoods work in conjunction with two five-ton HV/AC units to help regulate the building’s temperature—a huge issue in the old lab where the ceramic department was always a tropical 82°. There are also five more three-ton units that heat/cool the rest of the lab. “This year, in muggy July, we were able to keep our porcelain department at 68°! It was awesome not to be hot all the time!” says Verch.