Theo’s Thoughts - January 2025
Dear TFX Community,
For those who know me, I’m more of a doer than a talker, so writing something like this doesn’t come naturally to me. However, as I step into the role of President of TFX, I want to share my thoughts about an industry I’ve dedicated my entire career to serving, and my confidence in TFX’s incredible potential to lead the transformation of office asset management solutions. So, here goes…
Where are we today?
The market's resilience has been remarkably promising! The major brokerage firms we work with – JLL, CBRE, Cushman and Wakefield and others – are all reporting significant leasing activity in the last quarter. Our “ear to the ground” confirms the surge in office moves can be seen across all major markets we serve. It aligns with how we know tenant companies are reimagining their return-to-work policies and approaches.
As these changes unfold, everyone is focused on a crucial question: how can we design workspaces in newly leased offices that keep employees happy and productive as they return to work, while remaining cost-effective and aligned with practical sustainability?
What makes me particularly enthusiastic is how perfectly TFX fits into this moment.
Since 1997, we've had our heads down delivering what the market now demands: smart, efficient, and pragmatic furniture management solutions – including decommissioning and liquidation, as well as reuse through remanufacturing, reallocation, and resale.
It’s gratifying to see companies embracing what we’ve known all along: sustainable practices grounded in circular economy principles, promoting reuse and minimizing waste. These practices aren’t just environmentally responsible—they also make solid business sense. And corporate clients are increasingly turning to us as their trusted partner in this journey.
Our 2024 Impact: Numbers That Make Us Proud
To put this in context for TFX, our team accomplished some awesome milestones last year:
Successfully decommissioned over 9 million square feet of office space, meeting every timeline and budget
Recycled an incredible 22+ million pounds of materials
Gave new purpose to 18,000+ furniture pieces through the highest standards of remanufacturing
Saved 110,000+ furniture items from landfills
Donated 3,000+ pieces to charities, supporting communities in need
The net result is we prevented 30,000+ tons of CO2 emissions – that’s the equivalent to taking thousands of cars off the road!
Perhaps the best proof that we’re on the right track is our repeat customers. While new client growth continues to accelerate, our existing clients consistently give us high marks and return for additional projects!
Growing Together Through Partnerships
No one can do this work alone. We're fortunate to work with wonderful partners who enhance our capabilities for client service:
Our growing relationship with IFMA keeps us closely connected to the needs of facilities managers, which is how we continue to raise the bar for our client service standards!
Our collaboration with Rheaply is helping transform how organizations keep track of furniture they already own, for efficient reuse at scale, engaging our services for reallocation.
Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity ensures that furniture clients can no longer use finds new homes with families and organizations in need, especially in New York and New Jersey.
The Exciting Road Ahead
It is our clients who point TFX in the direction of new opportunities.
They're inviting us to expand our services to them into related areas – from wire recycling to HVAC and construction material repurposing – and we're gearing up to address these requests.
Here’s a hint I am particularly excited about: Watch for coming announcements of our nationwide expansion, allowing us to serve more clients on the ground while maintaining our commitment to accountability though hands-on oversight.
How will we tackle the challenges of a marketplace and corporate real estate needs that are becoming increasingly complex? This is where I am most proud and humbled:
We've created something special at TFX – we have built a terrific team of men and women with superior technical know-how, commitment to practical paths to environmental responsibility, and a relentless focus on client service.
I am a positive guy by nature, but I couldn't be more optimistic about our future. New challenges in the world of office asset management? We say: Bring ‘em on!
More “Thoughts from Theo” will be heading your way in the coming months for sure, as TFX continues to grow. The best truly is yet to come!
Warmly,
Theo