At a recent meeting at the new corporate headquarters of Medical Management, Inc. dba Banfield Pet Hospital ("Banfield"), I took some time to admire the beautiful spaces that mark Banfield's showcase new headquarters located in Vancouver, Washington, and the many smiling dog faces encountered at every turn.
Banfield moved its corporate headquarters from its previous, long-term location in NE Portland to Vancouver to accommodate the company's growth (over 800 employees work there). The location of Vancouver was chosen to minimize commute times and staff disruptions. Banfield's new digs opened last summer and the facility is best described by the word "campus" because of the variety of available spaces, ranging from large conference rooms to small breakaway spaces, an outdoor garden seating terrace, beautiful workout and fitness studios, a large bistro-style cafeteria, and let's not forget the building's large dog ramp that connects the building's three floors, and the hustle and bustle of people and dogs on the move. And it's large…the total space is over 17 acres.
When asked what they like best about this new facility, the folks I talked to answered that they love the collaborative work spaces, all of the natural light and the great food offered in the on-site cafeteria/bistro. Lest you forget that Banfield is owned by the Mars Company, the bistro is amply stocked with boxed candy sold only in bulk (but, oddly enough, not dog treats).
For my part, the feature I like best about the Banfield campus is the gigantic living plant wall that functions so beautifully to soften the industrial, modern atmosphere. It's also a good reminder for why the buildings exist in the first place…because Banfield's mission is about loving and caring for our furry companions and strengthening the pet-human connection. Nature surely has a key role in that and so it is apt that at Banfield, nature has been brought inside. Second in the running is the dog-bowl chandelier…
