It was awesome to see how this huge room could be transformed into a totally new place. I have seen many different period settings in this grand ballroom and each time, it looks marvelously different from the last one that I saw. I always feel compelled to stop and look in and I am always amazed.
Leaning comfortably on the door of the main entrance, I was enjoying the dynamic energy of the entire workforce when my attention was suddenly taken by a set of inanimate objects that were also moving. Towering walls sliding left and right, closing and opening, some of them being dismantled and relocated. All of that movement resulted in cozy enclosures for the different areas for the dinner reception. I realized then that walls significantly contribute to the overall look of a venue.
Movable walls and portable partitions? Yes, one can be more flexible these days because of the unlimited possibilities in partition devices like walls, doors and a variety of dividers , whether for the home or office – or music halls, ballrooms, restaurants and all kinds of buildings, even churches. And, who does all these? The little research I did led me to a company called Walls in Motion.
In the fall of 1996, the team of David A. Kulseth and pretty and vivacious Filipina Melanie de Leon established Walls in Motion here. The duo came back to the Philippines and brought with them over 18 years of experience in the manufacturing and installation of movable walls and partitions that were made in the US.
Being Filipino at heart led Melanie to expand their business to Manila with one thing foremost in her mind : To employ Filipinos and teach them a new technology. Because of this , she convinced her partner to return and set up business in Manila. She is pleased to say that things have fallen into place quite well. However, she does not deny the fact that it was not easy to initiate something so completely new locally. Specifically, she pointed out the issue of attitude and discipline among the local workers, who fell way below their expectations when they were just starting. Melanie says nonetheless, "David and I were confident of our capability and our desire to be a part of the economic growth, so to speak, by employing Filipinos. Despite our frustrations, we relentlessly believed in the adaptability of the Filipinos and teaching them a new technology made us pursue our goal head on."
The decision to leave the US was a mutual undertaking of the two partners. David says, "We both saw the enormous growth potential in Asia, especially in the construction industry, thus we persevered to do our part in selecting and training people who could work for us. Since our standard is very high and the quality of our products is strictly maintained, it was not easy to find the right people right away. Extreme patience and determination were the order of each day – we had to examine the applicants, oversee the process of selection and elimination. In the end, we managed to put together a select staff , most of whom started with us in 1997, the year that Walls in Motion in the Philippines was officially incorporated. Along with our feeling of pride, they also felt proud to be a part of our company ."
Now in their fifth year of operation, David and Melanie have become a formidable duo in the field of movable walls, carrying a wide portfolio of interior construction products to meet the ever-growing demands of their clients. For example, one product that may not be common to a builder but could be of tremendous help in solving partitioning problems is the Quikwall System, comprised of relocatable gypsum board walls with fabric holders for acoustical wall /ceiling applications. This system includes the aluminum components such as door jambs, window and door frames and wall accessory products. One can only imagine how much time and effort can be saved by using this application.
And when it comes to flexibility, there is also the Ultrawall line of movable partitions that carries a full range of fixtures such as doors, windows, sidelights and full glass walls which can be located and relocated wherever one wishes. "The installation is fast," explains David, "and it is as simple as the process of add, delete or relocate. The panels are installed with speed and without the disruption and discomfort caused by dust and debris of fixed partitions."
Each panel, although easily transferable, is engineered as a solid permanent wall and the basic system offers acoustical privacy with a 42 STC sound rating. Most important of all , a one-hour fire-deterrent proofing is a special feature.
David also points out one special characteristic of most of their products: Sound insulation. "Our company can already assist during the planning stage to solve acoustic problems or do sound proofing. We also provide unusual services such as corrections on installations of heating and ventilation ducts. Every place, whether a building, a home or even just a room, requires various needs and functions. Our forte lies in servicing these requirements. In fact, we also work out solutions for already constructed venues such as restaurants that do not have a preplanned acoustic system." This is, indeed. welcome news considering how difficult it can be to have a private conversation in many local eating places nowadays.
When I learned that the walls are movable and flexible, I began to wonder about design. David was delighted I brought up the topic. "We do have a wide range of designs and colors to choose from, but we also cater to individual designs required of us which we custom-make for specific clients. Our Variflex product line is open to fulfilling all our customers’ wishes.
To carry out any particular design, Walls in Motion offers a wide range of surface materials which includes the processing of selected fine wood veneers by rigidly trained craftsmen. There are also a variety of fabric coverings, laminated panels and the most diverse materials one can encounter. Then the design implementation is handled by competent teams who have years of experience in special manufacturing technologies.
There are so many other noteworthy products to mention but what I’m most proud of about this couple is their personal venture into putting together a company of competent Filipinos.
"Yes, we do have very competent and highly skilled teams of Filipinos now, " David beams. "Our customers can expect us to constantly improve everything we offer through continuous innovation. Only through the growth of satisfied clients and a reputation for excellent service and utmost integrity can our business goals be achieved: To be the undisputed leader in the supply and installation of interior fit-out construction products and to be the number one developer and innovator in the field."
Melanie agrees and adds, "We give pride and honor to all the things we do. Our work ethic abides by the highest sense of integrity and therefore, the work values that we impart to our people are exceptional and are the foundation of our business. "
Looking at their plant and personally encountering their workers, I feel a sense of elation over the fact that these Filipino workers are not simply skilled and competent, they also project pride and uprightness on their faces. How I wish that kind of character and spirit would be part of every Filipino worker! David and Melanie’s Walls in Motion company has nurtured and enhanced not only the industries of architecture and design but above all, the Filipino spirit!