February 4, 2009—The US Census Bureau has selected CORT to manage and provide all office furnishings for the 2010 census. The three-year project will involve establishing more than 500 offices across the nation with more than 165,300 pieces of office furniture.
CORT, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a national furniture rental company with more than 90 distribution centers and locations in every major US market. The company has a successful track record of supporting both government and private sector companies in setting up thousands of offices across the country.
Census officials conducted a life-cycle cost/benefit analysis to determine whether to purchase new, refurbished, lease-to-purchase furniture, or rent furniture to meet their specific needs for temporary offices. The Census Bureau, like many private companies that need to remain nimble, found that renting furniture offered the greatest value.
The furnishings required for the 2010 Census offices include case goods, seating, tables, and files, as well as drafting tables and shelving units. CORT’s tenured relationship with its manufacturers played a key role in allowing CORT to deliver large quantities of furnishings quickly.
For more information, see the CORT Web site.
