A new space for a new era
By Rebecca Lintow, CAE, Executive Director | TLT Headquarters Report July 2026
STLE has sold its office building and is searching for a new Chicago-area home, one designed for the way we work today.
This summer, STLE is embarking on a significant transition, one that reflects both the practical realities of how we work today and our vision for how we want to serve the tribology and lubrication engineering community in the years ahead. After considerable deliberation, STLE’s Board of Directors approved the sale of our longtime Park Ridge, Illinois, headquarters. We are excited to share that the transaction has been completed and that we are actively searching for a new home in the Chicago area.
This decision was not made lightly. Our building served STLE well for many years, and it holds a lot of history for those of us who have worked there. But like so many organizations, we have spent the past several years rethinking what an office is really for. The COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally changed how our staff collaborates, and in the time since, it has become clear that our old space (designed around rows of cubicles, file cabinets and private offices) is not the environment that best supports the way our team works today. Selling the building was the right financial and strategic decision.
As we search for a new space this summer, we are approaching the process with a clear picture of what we need. We are looking for an environment that prioritizes collaboration—open, flexible workspaces where staff can gather, brainstorm and problem-solve together. We want a space that supports both focused individual work and the kind of spontaneous teamwork that happens when people are together in person. And we want a location that is accessible and welcoming for the staff who make STLE’s work possible every day, as well as visitors from STLE’s global leadership.
In many ways, this search mirrors the kind of forward-thinking approach that the tribology and lubrication engineering community brings to its own work. Our industry is always evaluating what tools, materials and methods will best meet the demands of a changing world. STLE’s staff is doing the same. Just as we encourage members to embrace innovation and think beyond the way things have always been done, we are applying that same mindset to our own operations.
For now, we will be renting back the Park Ridge building from its new owners. We expect to have more to share about our new location in the coming months, and we will keep members informed as the process moves forward. In the meantime, please know that this transition will have no impact on STLE’s services, programs or member support. Our team remains fully operational, and our commitment to serving the tribology and lubrication engineering community is as strong as ever. We are excited about what this new chapter holds, and we look forward to welcoming you to our new space when the time comes.
You can reach Certified Association Executive Rebecca Lintow at rlintow@stle.org.