Big Impact, Minimal Disruption

Workforce Safety & Insurance Case Study

When Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI), North Dakota’s exclusive workers’ compensation provider, set out to replace aging carpet across its Bismarck headquarters, the organization faced a familiar but daunting challenge: how do you renovate more than 100,000 square feet of occupied office space without disrupting daily operations, dismantling hundreds of workstations, or extending timelines for months?

The answer came through a combination of Milliken & Company solutions and a close partnership with the team at Interiors by Design (IBD). Together, they delivered a flooring renovation that not only refreshed the aesthetic of the space but also generated over $200,000 in cost savings through strategic product selection and installation efficiency.

The delivery marks the culmination of a three-year journey that began when Quincy started purchasing gear marketed as PFAS-free in 2019. After testing requested by Quincy Firefighters IAFF Local 792 detected PFAS in that equipment in August 2025, firefighters, department leaders and city officials worked to identify, fund and procure a replacement.

 

The Challenge

WSI operates as a fully active workplace, with employees working at interconnected workstations and in enclosed offices. If using a hard-backed carpet tile a traditional adhesive-based carpet replacement would have required complete workstation disassembly, relocation of furniture and IT equipment, removal of existing adhesives, floor sealing, and extended dry times before employees could return to their spaces.

For WSI, the stakes were high. Any solution needed to balance three priorities: maintaining business continuity, controlling labor costs, and achieving a modern, professional appearance throughout the facility.

 

The Solution

The project specified 10,000 square yards of Milliken Scattergraph carpet tile in a 1m x 1m format with TractionBack®, custom WSI logo carpet tiles in the elevator lobbies, and 300 square yards of OBEX® entrance flooring at key building entries.

The larger 1m x 1m tile format allowed for faster coverage and a cleaner visual field, while Milliken’s installation system helped streamline the renovation. Using Milliken’s non-reactive standard carpet tile adhesive in combination with TractionBack® meant the team could avoid many of the time-consuming steps often associated with traditional hard-back carpet tile installations. Rather than applying wet adhesives and waiting for cure times, the installation team was able to lift existing carpet and replace tiles immediately, keeping the workplace functional throughout the renovation.

Joe Heimann, flooring contractor with Interiors by Design, described the impact simply:

“I can pull carpet and put new carpet down immediately. I’m pulling and sticking, pulling and sticking — I don’t have to mitigate, remove old adhesive, or wait for anything to dry.”

One of the most significant advantages came from IBD’s workstation jacking method. Rather than dismantling hundreds of stations, the team lifted them a few inches in place, replaced the flooring beneath, and set them back down within minutes. This process dramatically reduced downtime for employees and eliminated the risk of lost hardware, reassembly delays, or IT complications.

Beyond performance and efficiency, Milliken’s customization capabilities allowed WSI to reinforce its brand identity directly within the flooring design. Custom logo carpet tiles installed in the elevator lobbies provided a subtle but impactful visual cue for visitors and employees alike, transforming transitional areas into branded moments within the building.

Joe emphasized how valuable this flexibility is on projects of this scale:

“The ability to put logos and word marks in the carpet — nobody else comes close to that level of customization.”

At the building entrances, OBEX® entrance flooring was selected to manage moisture, debris, and foot traffic before it entered the main carpeted areas. OBEX® serves as a first line of defense for interior flooring, helping reduce maintenance costs, protect adjacent surfaces, and extend the life of the primary carpet installation. Its performance benefits were paired with a color selection that complemented Scattergraph’s palette, creating a cohesive visual transition from entry to workspace.

The Results

Through the combined advantages of TractionBack® technology, modular carpet design, Milliken’s non-reactive cushion backing, and the expertise of Interiors by Design, the WSI renovation achieved outcomes that exceeded expectations. The project advanced ahead of schedule while maintaining a fully operational environment and delivering a fresh, contemporary aesthetic throughout the space.

Most notably, the collaboration between Milliken and the IBD installation team contributed to an estimated $200,000 in total project cost savings, driven by reduced floor preparation, eliminated adhesive application, and the innovative workstation jacking process.

Reflecting on the experience, Joe shared:

“Workforce Safety & Insurance is absolutely elated. Every aspect of what we did with Milliken kept bringing labor costs down and progress up. It’s plus, plus, plus all the way around.”

The WSI flooring renovation stands as a clear example of how product innovation, customization capabilities, and trusted partnerships can work together to transform what could have been a disruptive construction project into a streamlined, value-driven upgrade delivering both immediate impact and long-term performance for the client.